Redesigned

North Vietnam Family Explorer

Day 1: Hanoi → Nam Dinh → Ninh Binh

In the morning, we pick you up from your pre-tour hotel in Hanoi and transfer for around two hours to the province of Nam Dinh. We kick things off at a community committed to the preservation of water puppetry, where local artisans teach us how to hand-paint the whimsical wooden figures to make them show-ready! Then it’s onto the bikes for our first ride, zipping through the vast expanse of rice paddies in the Red River Delta along flat, quiet village roads. The last few kilometres take us through the commune of Hai Anh, famous for its intricate Catholic churches built in a fusion of classic European and Vietnamese styles. We also visit an elegant Buddhist temple before loading the bikes and driving for around 1.5 hours to a cosy rural resort nestled in the karst-studded landscape of Ninh Binh. We are based here for two nights.

Emeralda Ninh Binh Resort
Lunch, Dinner
Ride 36km
+121m
-120m

Day 2: Ninh Binh Ride & Van Long Wetland Cruise

The day begins with a relaxed ride through the picturesque countryside of Ninh Binh. We cycle through rice fields and villages into an area of densely clustered, jungle-clad, limestone towers rising above the plains. Here, we walk up 500 steps to the stunning Dragon Mountain Viewpoint and visit the historic Thai Vi Temple. Post-lunch in the tourist hot spot of Tam Coc, we drive 30 minutes back to the resort for some free time. In the mid-afternoon, we head to the nearby Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve for a bamboo rowboat cruise. Expertly rowed by local villagers, we get comfortable and enjoy the scenery of mirror-like waters framed by rocky cliffs, home to flocks of storks and rare langurs. Dinner is on your own tonight at the resort.

Emeralda Ninh Binh Resort
Breakfast, Lunch
Ride 27km
+217m
-219m

Day 3: Ninh Binh → Cuc Phuong National Park → Pu Luong

Today’s route begins by skirting along the edge of the Van Long Wetland Reserve, appreciating by bike what we saw up close on the boat the day before. We then take to quiet, flat rural roads and immerse ourselves in the rhythm of daily life unfolding in the rice paddies, villages, and farms. Keep an eye out for cheeky ducks and water buffaloes crossing our path! We end our ride at the edge of Cuc Phuong National Park where we load the bikes and transfer a short distance into the thick, primary forest to visit an acclaimed wildlife rescue centre. Here we meet the resident langurs and gibbons, most of whom were rescued from the illegal wildlife trade, and learn about the conservation efforts to protect them. We also see the scale-armoured pangolins – the most trafficked mammal in the world – who are given a chance at rehabilitation into their native environment. After our visit, we have lunch and drive around 2.5 hours into the remote highlands of the Pu Luong Nature Reserve, where we base ourselves for the final two nights at a stylish mountain retreat.

Asia Tropical Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 35km
+145m
-138m

Day 4: Pu Luong Hike & Bike

Pu Luong is one of Northern Vietnam’s best-kept secrets. While far less visited than the more popular Sapa or Mai Chau, the scenery is equally stunning: dense tropical rainforests, rugged mountain peaks, terraced rice fields, and stilt-house villages. This morning we set out from the resort on foot and hike around 9 km through this highland idyll. We pass through Thai and Muong villages where we may observe the production of handwoven textiles and the fermentation of rice wine. After our hike, we drive around 30 minutes to the Hieu Waterfall, where the multi-tiered cascade and calm pools may tempt us for a quick dip before treating ourselves to an al-fresco BBQ lunch at a local homestay. If you’re up for a challenge, in the afternoon you have the option to ride back to the hotel on rolling village and forest roads. Dinner is on your own tonight at the resort.

Asia Tropical Resort
Breakfast, Lunch
Ride 13km
+239m
-193m

Day 5: Pu Luong → Kho Muong → Hanoi

We make the most of our last day and spend the morning exploring more of Pu Luong. A 45-minute drive brings us to Kho Muong village, from where we have a short but steep hike up to the mysterious Bat Cave, a massive natural limestone cavern with stalactites (and bats) hanging from the ceiling. After descending back to the village, we are invited into a local Thai house to prepare the regional delicacy of com lam – sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes over an open flame. Served alongside a spread of seasonal mountain specialties, fresh local greens, and roasted peanut salt, we sit down and enjoy an authentic, homemade lunch. We then make our way back to Hanoi, with a total driving time of around 4.5 hours, where you will be dropped off at your hotel. If you are flying out today, please ensure your departure flight is after 21:00 (9:00 PM). Let us know if you need assistance with post-tour hotel bookings or airport transfers.

Breakfast, Lunch

Disclaimer: The adventure cycling tours we operate often go beyond the beaten track, and the countries where we ride are not always predictable. Due to these reasons, it is occasionally necessary to reroute or update itineraries. Our guarantee is that we will not change a trip unless for safety or to improve it. Our listed hotels are always accurate at the time of writing, but should we have to change any hotel, it will always be for a similar or better one.