Nowadays, with the effects of mass tourism, cycling is gaining more popularity as an eco-responsible travel option. Cycling allows you to fully appreciate and have a closer look at everything that you can’t have while sitting in a car, for example. And above all, it gives you a sense of total freedom, offering the opportunity to deviate from typical paths, to stop wherever and whenever you want and travel at your own pace. If that sounds like your thing, then you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll be giving you some of the top 5 best places for a bike tour in Vietnam, from the culturally rich capital city of Hanoi and the inland Halong Bay with limestone karst mountains to the tropical Mekong Delta. So without further ado, here are our top 5 destinations for a bike tour in Vietnam.

Best Places for a Bike Tour in Vietnam

Hanoi

Hanoi is a city filled with historical sites and cultural landmarks, such as the Old Quarter, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Temple of Literature, and multiple pagodas and temples scattered throughout the city. A bike tour in Hanoi allows you to explore these attractions at a leisurely pace, especially if you want to visit the Old Quarter, which houses a maze of narrow streets and alleys. Not only will it be easier to navigate, but you’ll also have an up-close experience of daily life, street markets, and the unique colonial French architecture.

Biking is also a great option for foodies. Hanoi offers a plethora of amazing dishes that a full-day food tour would still not do justice. Sure, you can try famous restaurants with a big front but some of the best places to eat are hidden or nestled somewhere that’s not that easy to find. So a bike would be perfect because you can have a closer look at the streets and stop whenever you find a place that you want to visit.

Just outside Hanoi, there are charming villages that can be explored by bike; they are a contrast to the bustling city life and offer a glimpse into traditional rural Vietnamese culture. You can have a bike tour in Bat Trang Ceramic Village and get hands-on experience in making pottery, or visit Duong Lam Ancient Village, with houses aging up to 400 years.

Ninh Binh

Cycling has become one of the primary reasons that draw you to Ninh Binh. I can think of at least 3 reasons why Ninh Binh is the perfect destination for a bike tour, at the top of my head. First of all, Ninh Binh is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes: limestone karst formations, lush green rice fields, winding rivers, and serene lotus ponds. Cycling allows you to have a more up-close look and immerse yourself in these surroundings. Second of all, the cultural and historical heritage. A bike tour in Ninh Binh allows you to explore all the ancient temples, pagodas, and historic sites at your own pace; you can stop whenever and wherever and take as many photos as you want. And third of all, there are different cycling routes in Ninh Binh that cater to different preferences. Whether you’re interested in historical sites, natural reserves, or a mix of both, you can choose an itinerary that appeals to you the most.

There are two routes that most people go for: Trang An – Bai Dinh or Tam Coc – Bich Dong. The first is more interesting for those who enjoy discovering historical sites along the way or wish to visit Bai Dinh Pagoda, the largest pagoda in Vietnam. However, if you want more time on the bike, opt for the other route, as most of the tour is spent on boats or on foot (within the pagoda's grounds). On the other hand, if you appreciate nature, Tam Coc–Bich Dong might be the better choice. Beyond that, you can also visit natural reserves like Van Long, Thung Nham Park, or Hoa Lu—the ancient capital. If you want a more adventurous choice, you can go for a bike ride amidst nature in Cuc Phuong National Park, especially around April when it’s butterfly season.

Pu Luong

As a nature reserve, Pu Luong boasts a pristine and majestic beauty, along with a rich ecosystem and stunning cave systems. Its captivating terraced fields and the population of Thai and Muong ethnic groups have made Pu Luong a highly favored destination. And if you have a passion for exploration and are a sucker for unique culture, then a bike tour in Pu Luong is just for you.

Pu Luong features ancient forests, terraced fields, Hieu Waterfall, and expansive mountain and river views. On a bike, you can visit Chieng Lau village to explore the traditional stilt house and learn about the life of the Thai ethnic community. This place is also famous for its water wheels, a magnificent invention of the Thai people. Then through small paths, you can stop by the traditional textile village of Ban Lan and learn about the process of traditional weaving.

Hoi An

There are many different places for a bike tour in Hoi An, both within and outside the city. If you want to shop and have great food, look no further than Hoi An Ancient Town. The Ancient Town is small enough to walk from end to end in 20 minutes, but cycling is a more comfortable way to get around. Although motorbikes are prohibited in the Ancient Town from 3 PM, I wouldn’t recommend riding a bike this time unless you don’t mind maneuvering through the crowds. For a more relaxing option, opt for cycling in the morning before the crowds and the heat of the day sets in.

Explore the historical sites scattered along the streets, do some shopping, and then have a taste of delicious Hoi An specialties like Mi Quang, Cao Lau, and Chicken Rice before heading back to your accommodation to escape the afternoon heat. While the Ancient Town is a great place, it is undoubtedly geared towards tourists. If you want to experience the traditional lifestyle of Vietnam, take a short bike ride to the countryside, which is just a 5 to 10-minute ride from the town. There are plenty of photo opportunities, such as a giant banyan tree, rice fields, traditional boats, and scenic river views.

The route is easy to follow, starting from Ly Thai To Street, through the rice fields. Then, it goes into Cam Ha Flower Village before looping back and heading out to Hai Ba Trung, one of the main roads. From there, you can take a left turn for an additional 5 minutes to reach An Bang Beach, or you can continue to the right and ride for 20 minutes to get back to town.

Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta, just a few hours from Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), is easily accessible by bike. However, keep in mind that this region mostly consists of islands and rivers so you’d be missing out on some unique experiences if you exclusively take a bike tour. Instead, why not have a combined tour where you can pedal through this remote region at your own pace through tropical orchards and stop to taste freshly picked fruits, meet the friendly locals, pause to visit a Khmer pagoda, and then have a ride on a sampan through the waters and visit floating markets to take a break from cycling? 

A Mekong Delta bike tour will take you through these provinces: My Tho, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, and Can Tho. Vinh Trang Pagoda is the first cultural monument you must visit in My Tho. The pagoda is mentioned in the list of the most visited religious places in the Mekong Delta. Other stops include the Dong Tam Snake Farm, a center for the care, protection, and development of several snake species; the Unicorn Islet (Cu Lao Thoi Son), where you’ll take a ride in the sampan; and the Cai Rang floating market.

=> Vietnam bike tours 10 days