The Best North Vietnam Classic Cycling Journey

Your journey begins early in the morning with a scenic 1.5-hour drive from Hanoi to Hoa Binh Lake, where your first cycling adventure awaits. As you leave the city behind, the landscape transitions into the rolling hills and vibrant greenery of northern Vietnam.

Upon arrival at Hoa Binh Lake, you'll hop on your bike and begin cycling along quiet backroads that gently undulate through the countryside. Covering a distance of 25 to 30 kilometers, the route offers stunning panoramic views of the lake and glimpses into everyday rural life—farmers tending rice fields, water buffaloes grazing, and children playing in small villages.

After a relaxing and immersive ride, you’ll enjoy a local lunch before continuing the journey by vehicle. The road to Mai Chau winds through the mountains, and you'll make a scenic stop at Thung Khe Pass. From this vantage point, take in the breathtaking views of the Thung Khe Valley—framed by dramatic karst formations and dotted with stilt-house villages nestled in the misty hills.

By late afternoon, you'll arrive in the tranquil Mai Chau Valley and check in at the charming Mai Chau Ecolodge. Surrounded by rice paddies and mountains, it’s the perfect place to unwind and soak in the peaceful atmosphere after a fulfilling day of cycling and exploration.

Nestled among lush hills and terraced rice fields, Mai Chau is renowned for its breathtaking beauty and the rich cultural heritage of its hill tribe villages, particularly those of the White Thai ethnic group. After breakfast, we begin a half-day cycling adventure through this serene valley, riding along scenic trails that offer sweeping views of the countryside.

Our route takes us through peaceful villages where traditional stilt houses line the paths and locals practice age-old crafts. Stop to meet skilled artisans who produce intricate silverware and handwoven textiles right in their homes. Ride onward along undulating trails to Mai Hich, a lesser-known gem perfect for travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path experiences. Continue to Xam Khoe, where you’ll gain insight into the White Thai community's blend of traditional customs and modern life.

Following a home-cooked lunch with a local family, we bid farewell to Mai Chau and transfer by vehicle to Pu Luong Nature Reserve, setting the stage for the next chapter of your journey.

Nestled in Vietnam’s northern highlands, Pu Luong Nature Reserve is an untamed playground of soaring limestone mountains, pristine tropical forests, and cascading rice terraces. This hidden gem offers the perfect escape for adventurers seeking a blend of trekking, cycling, nature immersion, and cultural encounters.

After a leisurely breakfast, we set off on an exhilarating half-day hiking adventure. The trail winds through lush farmland and valleys, crossing tranquil rivers via suspension bridges. Along the way, we meet local ethnic minority communities, gaining insight into their daily lives and traditions. You'll pass by scenic rice terraces, intricate bamboo water wheels, and the stunning Hieu Waterfalls, with plenty of chances to capture unforgettable moments on camera.

Our hike concludes with a delicious local lunch at a traditional home, offering a taste of authentic mountain hospitality. Afterward, a short transfer returns us to the hotel, where you can spend a relaxing afternoon by the pool, overlooking the serene valley landscape.

After breakfast, we begin cycling directly from our hotel, heading toward Dong Village—home to nearly 100 traditional stilt houses. Along the way, we’ll pause to admire the beautiful landscapes: wooden stilt homes nestled on hillsides, winding rural roads through quiet villages, and lush rice paddies.

Our ride continues along dirt tracks, rolling farmlands, and shaded forest trails until we reach the Pho Doan tribal market. Here, we take a break and have a chance to observe local ethnic minority communities as they gather in the morning for trade and socializing.

Back on our bikes, we tackle a series of gentle hills, passing through dense jungle forest before descending into a peaceful valley, where quiet back roads connect with the main route. The journey is filled with scenic and cultural highlights.

At the end of our ride, we board our support vehicle for a short transfer to a nearby town for lunch. Afterward, we continue by vehicle to our next destination: Ninh Binh.

Hoa Lu's countryside is the best location for a few days of relaxation and a little adventure into spectacular limestone mountains and stunning views. The major highlights in Ninh Binh are relatively close to each other, such as Mua Cave, Tam Coc, Trang An, and Hoa Lu- the capital of Vietnam from 968 to 1009. The best way to explore the highlight sites and its fantastic countryside is to combine activities: cycling and boat paddling. We pick up our bikes at the hotel and explore the hidden gem of Hoa Lu countryside, including Tam Coc & Bich Dong.

Cycling in Ninh Binh is a pleasure. You'll pass beautiful rice fields, small rivers, towering limestone cliffs, and buffalo and goats walking freely in the rural villages and sometimes over the country roads.

Rowing sampan paddling gives us the best moment: Enjoy stunning scenery as the sampan boat moves slowly on peaceful rivers that snake through cave formations, and farmers tend their fields amongst limestone mountains.

Visit Tam Coc and Bich Dong and climb the Hang Mua, a wonderful spot to enjoy the breathtaking landscapes of Hoa Lu—Ninh Binh. After lunch, we'll return to the hotel and spend the rest of the day by the pool or exploring the authentic rural areas independently.

Embark on a unique overnight cruise tour at Lan Ha Bay, a site that offers many activities. From swimming at the gentle beach to bamboo rowing boats, kayaking, snorkeling, and even experiencing the local life at floating and fishing villages, this tour is a blend of adventure and cultural immersion. With its stunning scenery and untouched sandy beaches, Lan Ha Bay is best experienced overnight on a cruise.

11:45 Passengers are transferred to Ambassador Signature Cruise (in Gia Luan Pier) by speedboat.

12:30 A short welcome briefing will be held at the Piano Lounge or at the restaurant.

12:45 Savor a lunch buffet whilst enjoying the majestic views of Lan Ha Bay's islands and islets.

15:00 Your first excursion is Viet Hai Village - a primitive and tranquil location with precious traditional cultural values. You will have a chance to explore features of the locals' daily life, visit fish lakes, bee houses, and ancient houses, or experience a fish foot massage. For guests not participating in the excursion, an afternoon tea will be served at the Piano Lounge. Guests can also stay onboard and opt for an afternoon of pampering at Spa* or relaxing on the sundeck while admiring Lan Ha Bay's magnificent scenery.

16:30 Experience the thrilling water slide on board and immerse yourself in the emerald sea.

17:30 At sundown, Ambassador Cruise will anchor overnight. This is the perfect time to enjoy cooking class or Happy Hour* and canapes at the Piano Lounge or on the sundeck (depending on weather conditions).

19:00 Savor a premium Michelin-standard dinner at the sundeck (depending on weather conditions) while being serenaded with live band music (the band is off Mondays).

21:00 After dinner, enjoy live music, drinks*, squid fishing, a spa treatment at Atelier de Beauté Spa*, or movies at your cabin. 

6:00 Start your day with a Taichi session on the sundeck or at the Piano Lounge (depending on weather conditions).  

6:30 Enjoy a light breakfast with coffee, tea, and freshly baked pastries. 7:00 Explore Dark and Bright Cave - a frog-jaw-shaped cave featuring marvelous sparkling stalactites on the arch-shaped ceiling in various shapes and sizes. Kayaking and sitting on a bamboo boat rowed by locals are the best options for tourists to admire the cave's interior (passengers can choose one of these free activities).

8:30 Full breakfast is served at the restaurant.  

9:30 Bill settlement and check-out at the reception at the first deck.  

10:15 After disembarking from Ambassador Signature Cruise, passengers will be transferred to Halong International Cruise Port by speedboat—lunch en route on the way back to Ha Noi.

If your schedule is not staying in Ha Noi City, continue by train for the flight. Please inform us of your flight details, and our team will drop you off at the Noi Bai Airport/ train station to continue your own journey! Tour Ends!

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