Active Travel Asia’s unique biking trip in northern Vietnam takes place against a backdrop of endless lush green paddy fields and irregular tree-covered limestone mountains.
Providing a fleeting insight into the traditional lives, friendly tribes and exotic landscapes of north-travelers and north-east Vietnam, the trip also delivers surprisingly good riding across the mountainous area of northern Vietnam. There are technical sections, easy hills, huge flowing descents and some glorious singletracks.The day for biking from Sapa to Ban Ho Village, Travelers will begin the ride around 8.30am, directly from Sapa and straight away travelers are flying along on a 38km stretch involving a challenging climb at first and then a spectacular, fast flowing downhill to join a remote jeep track. Travelers will meet up for picnic lunch at the downhill. The jeep track climbs at first then provide a fast descent before travelers hit a short section of paved road that leads to Lao Cai Town. This is a long and challenging day with one short section where travelers might have to carry the bikes.
The day for biking in Bac Ha, Lao Cai, The ridding begins on a good hardpack track along the side of a quiet road. Climbing gently then descending steeply to the small village of Coc Ly. Take a boat trip on Chay River, a beautiful river with stunning mountain gorge. The boat trip is followed by a ride on riverbank single-track and an alpine road climb to the quiet town of Bac Ha.
The day for biking from Bac Ha to Hoang Su Phi, Travelers drive 10 km west to Lung Phin where travelers start climbing toward Xin Man. This day, travelers will bike across one of the most remote parts of northern Vietnam. At first travelers tackle a steady climb for 1 hr and then hitting the tarmac for a fast descent into the quiet town of Xin Man. The riding in the afternoon takes travelers down to a bridge over the upstream of Chay River and for the next 40 km traveler’s cycle along a quiet road that gently climbs and follows the river to the town of Hoang Su Phi.
The day for biking in Ha Giang, travelers leave Hoang Su Phi early morning; there are 6 km downhill before travelers turn off onto a remote track leading though mountains. On this part the support vehicle will not be able to follow the group and continue on the main mountain road to Viet Lam, where travelers will meet up later this day. The ride highlight today is a long descent punctuated with waterfall and switchbacks, which flows seamlessly into some sinuous riverside single track making for fantastic riding. Eventually travelers emerge onto rough tarmac and climb before finally dropping down again to the hot springs of Viet Lam, where travelers can ease the aching muscles. Refreshed, travelers transfer the final 20 miles along Highway 2 to the busy district capital of Ha Giang.
At first day for biking from Ha Giang to Bac Me, travelers tackle 12 km gentle climbs and then it is an undulating, idyllic route through friendly villages and paddy fields, surrounded by jagged limestone hills. Light lunch en route and travelers will reach the small town of Bac Me early afternoon. The rest of the day, travelers can explore this litter town and its surroundings or relax with a cold beer in local bars.
The day for biking from Bac Me to Ba Be Lake, travelers cross the Gam River and leave the main road to follow a small track cross-country off-road all the way to Ba Be. The support vehicle will not be able to follow the group on this route and travel along way to meet travelers in Ba Be National Park. Depending to the condition of the track travelers will have an emergency jeep or motorbike for water, food and first-aid. The ride involves three climbs, crossing a succession of river valleys, but is rideable all the way. At the village of Dan Dong, travelers will be transferred into traditional long boats for a relaxing 1.5-hour ride along the beautiful Nang River and cross the lake into the stunning Ba Be National Park. The park is centered on the country’s largest natural lake which is surrounded by limestone cliffs, waterfalls, and caves and abundant of wildlife.
The day for Boat trip on Ba Be Lake, travelers will board a long boat for a fantastic boat trip on the stunning Ba Be Lake.
