Why Vietnam Is One of the World's Best Cycling Destinations

A Country I Learned to Know by Bicycle

I have always believed that the best way to understand a country is to travel through it slowly.

For me, that means by bicycle.

I grew up in Northern Vietnam, and in 2015 I finally turned a dream into reality: I cycled from Mong Cai, at the northern frontier of Vietnam, all the way to Mui Ca Mau in the south.

It took me across an entire country.

I rode through mountains, farmland, villages, coastal roads and the Mekong Delta. I met people along the way, stopped at small roadside restaurants, climbed mountain passes and discovered places I had never really seen before—even though Vietnam was my home.

Since then, I have continued cycling across Vietnam and designing and testing multi-day cycling journeys for international travelers.

And after all these years, I still believe Vietnam is an extraordinary country to explore by bicycle.

Why?

Because Vietnam gives cyclists almost everything.

You can ride through flat rice fields in the Mekong Delta, follow quiet roads along the coast, explore the history and landscapes of Central Vietnam, or challenge yourself on the mountain passes of Ha Giang, Cao Bang and Sapa.

And the scenery keeps changing.

Every region feels different. Every day can look different. And the people you meet become part of the journey.

1. Vietnam Has Cycling Routes for Almost Every Level

One of Vietnam's biggest advantages as a cycling destination is the variety of terrain.

You don't have to be an elite cyclist to enjoy Vietnam.

If you prefer leisure cycling, there are flat and relatively gentle areas such as:

• The Mekong Delta
• The Red River Delta
• Coastal routes
• Rural areas around Ninh Binh and Hoi An

If you prefer moderate cycling, Central Vietnam offers a great mixture of rolling countryside, mountains, villages and historical landscapes.

And if you want a serious challenge, head north.

Ha Giang, Cao Bang and Sapa offer mountain roads, long climbs, spectacular passes and significant elevation gain.

This means Vietnam can accommodate very different types of cyclists.

You can choose the terrain according to your fitness, experience and interests.

 

2. The Landscape Changes Constantly

One thing I noticed particularly strongly while cycling across Vietnam is how quickly the landscape changes.

You can start the day surrounded by mountains and finish near the sea.

You can ride through rice fields in the morning and limestone karst landscapes in the afternoon.

You can move from remote mountain villages to bustling towns within a few hours.

This variety is one of the things that makes multi-day cycling in Vietnam so rewarding.

You don't wake up every morning wondering whether today's scenery will look like yesterday's.

It almost certainly won't.

 

3. Northern Vietnam Offers World-Class Mountain Cycling

If you love challenging mountain cycling, Northern Vietnam is where you should go.

Ha Giang is the best-known example.

The Dong Van Karst Plateau, Ma Pi Leng Pass, Tham Ma Pass and countless mountain roads have made the region famous among adventurous cyclists.

Nearby Cao Bang offers a different experience.

The mountains are generally lower, the roads can be quieter, and dramatic limestone formations rise from the valleys. You can ride to Ban Gioc Waterfall, climb Na Tenh Pass, descend the 14 hairpins of Khau Coc Cha and continue toward Bao Lac and Dong Van.

And then there is Sapa, with its mountain landscapes and famous rice terraces.

For cyclists who enjoy climbing, Northern Vietnam provides almost endless possibilities.

You don't have to ride the same famous loop that everyone else rides.

There are quieter roads.

There are longer routes.

And there are still places where you can feel like you are discovering something.

 

4. Central Vietnam May Be Vietnam's Most Underrated Cycling Region

When people talk about cycling in Vietnam, I often hear about Ha Giang, Cao Bang or the Mekong Delta.

But I don't hear enough people talking about cycling from Ninh Binh to Hoi An.

For me, this is one of the most underrated cycling journeys in Vietnam.

The route combines beautiful scenery, quiet roads and history.

You ride through farmland and mountains. You follow trails and quieter roads. Some sections connect with parts of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, which played an important role during the Vietnam War.

And on some of these roads, we have seen almost no other cyclists.

That's remarkable.

You can spend an entire day riding through beautiful landscapes without encountering another touring cyclist.

I believe more cyclists will eventually discover this route.

But for now, it still feels like a secret.

 

5. The Coastline Is Perfect for Scenic Cycling

Vietnam has a long coastline, and some of my most memorable cycling experiences have been beside the sea.

During my ride across Vietnam, one of the most beautiful sections for me was between Cam Ranh and Phan Rang.

The road was quiet, and from the road I could see the sea stretching into the distance.

The scenery was spectacular.

There is something special about cycling beside the coast.

You can feel the wind, see the changing colors of the water, pass fishing communities and stop whenever you want.

And because you are moving at bicycle speed, the coastline becomes part of the experience rather than simply something you see through a vehicle window.

 

6. Vietnam Is About More Than Scenery

Beautiful landscapes are one reason to cycle Vietnam.

But for me, the people are just as important.

Vietnam is home to 54 officially recognized ethnic groups, each with their own cultural traditions and identities.

As you travel between different regions, you encounter different communities, languages, food, clothing, traditions and ways of life.

Cycling gives you the opportunity to experience those differences at a human scale.

You can stop in a village.

You can talk to someone beside the road.

You can buy food from a small local shop.

You can watch children cycling home from school.

These moments are often impossible to plan.

They simply happen because you are there.

 

7. The Ice-Cream Seller Who Was Also Traveling

One of my most memorable encounters happened during my 2015 journey across Vietnam.

It was August, and I was somewhere in Central Vietnam.

It was hot, especially around lunchtime, so I stopped at a simple roadside food place.

The woman who owned the restaurant saw my bicycle and asked where I was from.

I told her I was cycling from Mong Cai.

By then, I had already been riding for around ten days.

Then I told her that I was continuing all the way to Ca Mau.

Her eyes opened wide.

At the next table, a quiet man had been listening to our conversation.

He was an ice-cream seller.

He traveled by motorcycle, with a large ice-cream box on the back. He would ride into small villages, make a sound to attract children and sell ice cream during the day.

He looked at me and said something like:

“Only crazy men can understand.”

I was surprised.

How did this man know I was crazy?

Maybe crazy people really do recognize each other. ????

So I started talking with him.

I asked where he lived.

He told me he was from the Mekong Delta, but he was traveling too.

Every morning, he bought ice cream and then rode through small villages selling it. His profit paid for his food and accommodation.

He could travel for months.

He went from the south to the north and then back again.

He had visited countless small villages across Vietnam.

I had always thought there were different ways to travel:

People traveled by bus.

People traveled by car.

People traveled by motorbike.

And I was traveling by bicycle.

But I had never thought about traveling by selling ice cream.

I was fascinated.

I wanted to support him somehow.

I asked for an ice cream.

He gave me one.

It was, honestly, the most delicious ice cream I had ever tasted.

Then I thought about how I could help him a little more.

Should I give him some money?

He probably wouldn't accept it.

Should I buy the whole box?

That made no sense. I couldn't possibly eat all of it.

So I ordered another ice cream.

We continued talking about travel, villages and the places he had seen.

Eventually, he had to leave.

I asked:

“How much?”

His answer surprised me.

“No. I don't charge you. We are the same. I'm glad to meet you.”

I tried to pay him.

He refused.

I had wanted to support him.

But in the end, he was the one who supported me.

Those ice creams remain the most delicious ice creams I have ever had.

Even today, whenever I eat ice cream, I sometimes think about that day beside the road in Central Vietnam.

That is what cycling can give you.

You leave home looking for an adventure.

And sometimes, the people you meet give you something you never expected.

 

8. Vietnam Is More Paved Than Many International Cyclists Expect

One misconception I sometimes hear from international cyclists is that Vietnam is a poor country, so they expect many roads to be dirt or gravel.

That's not my experience.

Most of the main roads and cycling routes are paved, and many have smooth surfaces.

It can actually be difficult to find long stretches of gravel if you are looking for a conventional road cycling route.

Of course, road conditions vary by region and route, and some mountain roads can be rough or broken.

But you should not assume that cycling in Vietnam means spending day after day riding on dirt roads.

For many routes, a road bike or semi-gravel bike with wider tires is perfectly appropriate.

 

9. You Won't Go Hungry in Vietnam

Another advantage for cyclists is food.

Vietnam has an incredible food culture, and food is available in almost every part of the country.

From cities to small villages, there are usually local restaurants, food stalls and small shops where cyclists can find something to eat.

And after several hours on a bicycle, a simple bowl of local food can taste amazing.

I do still recommend carrying snacks, especially when riding through remote mountain areas.

But in general:

You won't go hungry in Vietnam.

And that's a pretty good thing when you are cycling hundreds of kilometres.

 

10. Cycling Lets You Experience Vietnam at the Right Speed

This is perhaps the biggest reason I love cycling.

When you travel by car, the landscape passes by.

When you ride a motorbike, you have more freedom and connection with the road.

But when you cycle, you move slowly enough to become part of the landscape.

You notice the smell of the fields.

You hear village life.

You see a child riding to school.

You can stop beside a roadside stall.

You feel the temperature change as you climb a mountain.

You notice the transition from one landscape to another.

And you can talk to people.

The bicycle changes the speed of travel.

And that changes the way you experience a country.

 

11. Vietnam Is a Great Destination for Multi-Day Cycling

Vietnam is particularly well suited to multi-day cycling because the country offers such a wide range of landscapes and experiences.

A journey can combine:

mountains → valleys → villages → farmland → coast → historic towns → rivers → delta

You can spend one day climbing through the mountains and another day riding beside the sea.

You can finish a hard mountain stage in a small local hotel and wake up the next morning ready for a completely different landscape.

This variety makes Vietnam ideal for cyclists who want their trip to be more than simply a collection of individual rides.

It becomes a journey across a country.

 

12. Is Vietnam Suitable for Different Types of Cyclists?

Yes—but the key is choosing the right route.

Leisure Cyclists

Consider:

• Mekong Delta
• Red River Delta
• Coastal routes
• Rural areas around Hoi An and Ninh Binh

Moderate Cyclists

Consider:

• Central Vietnam
• Ninh Binh
• Hoi An
• Selected Northern Vietnam routes

Experienced Cyclists

Consider:

• Ha Giang
• Cao Bang
• Sapa
• Ho Chi Minh Trail routes
• Longer cross-country journeys

Serious Mountain Cyclists

Consider:

• Ha Giang + Cao Bang
• Cao Bang → Bao Lac → Dong Van
• The AnyTrails Queen Stage
• Longer mountain cycling challenges

The important thing is not to choose a route because someone says it is the "best."

Choose the route that matches your ability and what you want to experience.

 

13. When Is the Best Time to Cycle Vietnam?

Vietnam is a long country with different climate zones, so there isn't one perfect month for every region.

For Northern Vietnam, including Ha Giang and Cao Bang, October through April is generally a good period for cycling, with cooler and drier conditions.

Central and Southern Vietnam have different seasonal patterns, so your itinerary should take the region into account.

This is another advantage of Vietnam as a cycling destination:

When the weather isn't ideal in one region, another part of the country may be.

For a multi-region cycling journey, choosing the right route for the season is more important than simply choosing a single "best month."

 

14. Guided or Self-Guided Cycling in Vietnam?

Both can work.

Self-guided cycling gives you freedom and independence.

But for longer journeys through remote areas, a guided trip can remove many of the logistical challenges.

A good local cycling guide can help with:

• Route selection
• Navigation
• Local knowledge
• Weather changes
• Accommodation
• Food
• Bike support
• Luggage
• Communication with local communities

At AnyTrails, we don't simply download a route and send cyclists onto it.

We ride and test our routes.

We check the roads, climbing, distances, places to stop, accommodation and local experiences before taking our guests there.

That preparation allows cyclists to concentrate on the thing they came for:

riding.

 

15. Why I Believe Vietnam Is Such a Special Cycling Destination

I have cycled across Vietnam from Mong Cai to Ca Mau.

I have climbed the mountains of Ha Giang and Cao Bang.

I have ridden beside the coast between Cam Ranh and Phan Rang.

I have explored the quieter roads of Central Vietnam.

And I have spent years designing and testing cycling journeys for other people.

What keeps bringing me back to the bicycle is not one particular mountain or one particular road.

It is the combination.

The scenery.
The roads.
The food.
The history.
The cultures.
And most importantly, the people.

Every region gives you something different.

And every day on the bicycle gives you the chance to discover something you weren't expecting.

 

If You Only Cycle One Route in Vietnam

If you only have one chance to cycle in Vietnam, I would choose a route that brings together the best of Northern Vietnam:

Hanoi → Lang Son → Cao Bang → Ha Giang → Hanoi

Why?

Because it gives you an incredible combination of experiences.

You begin in Hanoi, one of Asia's most fascinating cities.

You ride toward Lang Son and into the mountains.

You discover the quieter landscapes of Cao Bang.

You can experience Ban Gioc Waterfall.

You cross challenging mountain passes.

You continue toward Bao Lac and Dong Van.

You ride through the spectacular landscapes of Ha Giang.

And finally, you return to Hanoi.

It is not the easiest cycling journey.

But it gives you something I think is more important:

a real sense of Northern Vietnam.

 

Vietnam Is Waiting to Be Explored by Bicycle

Vietnam is beautiful when you visit it.

But it is different when you cycle through it.

You see more.

You hear more.

You meet more people.

You notice the small things.

And because you are moving slowly, you become part of the places you pass through.

That is why, after all these years, I still believe the bicycle is one of the best ways to discover Vietnam.

Don't just visit Vietnam.

Ride through it.

 

Recommended Vietnam Cycling Tours

If you're ready to explore Vietnam by bicycle, AnyTrails designs active journeys ranging from relaxed countryside rides to serious mountain cycling challenges.

Northern Vietnam: Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Sapa and beyond.

Central Vietnam: Ninh Binh to Hoi An and the mountains and coastline in between.

Southern Vietnam: Mekong Delta and coastal cycling.

Explore Vietnam Cycling Tours →

Vietnam Cycling FAQs

Is Vietnam a good country for cycling?

Yes. Vietnam offers a wide range of terrain, from flat delta and coastal routes to challenging mountain roads in the north, making it suitable for different levels of cyclists.

Is cycling in Vietnam difficult?

It depends on the route. The Mekong Delta and Red River Delta offer relatively flat cycling, while destinations such as Ha Giang and Cao Bang can involve significant climbing.

Is Vietnam safe for cycling?

Cyclists should choose routes appropriate to their experience and be prepared for traffic, weather and changing road conditions. On remote mountain routes, local knowledge and support can be particularly valuable.

What is the best region for cycling in Vietnam?

There isn't one answer. Northern Vietnam is excellent for mountain cycling, Central Vietnam offers a combination of history, countryside and mountains, while the Mekong Delta is ideal for flatter, more relaxed cycling.

What bike should I use in Vietnam?

A road bike works well on many paved routes. For routes with rougher surfaces, a semi-gravel bike or road bike with wider tires can provide additional comfort and stability.

Can I cycle across Vietnam?

Yes. Vietnam is long enough to create a genuine cross-country cycling adventure. A route from Mong Cai in the north to Ca Mau in the south can take you through dramatically different landscapes and regions.

What is the best cycling route in Northern Vietnam?

For experienced cyclists, a route connecting Hanoi, Lang Son, Cao Bang, Bao Lac, Dong Van and Ha Giang offers an exceptional combination of mountain roads, cultural experiences and challenging climbs.