15 Best Places for Cycling in Vietnam

Vietnam is filled with natural beauty: long-stretching mountain ranges, sun-filled valleys, ever-extending paddy fields, deep blue beaches, serene rivers, and so many more scenic rural views. Perfect for taking a stroll and gazing at the wonders of the world, isn’t it? Riding a bicycle in Vietnam and immersing yourself in the majestic views is an even better experience. The bustling streets in the cities, despite being jam-packed with traffic most of the time, can be quite fun to zip and roam around the everyday lives of the people here. So here is our list of 15 places for cycling in Vietnam for you to consider.

Best Places for Cycling in Central Vietnam

Dalat (or Da Lat)

Da Lat city is positioned on the Langbiang Plateau of Central Highlands of Vietnam. Many cyclers will ride to the base of Langbiang Mountain; continue to ride along the woods trails to reach Victory Lake (Ho Chien Thang) and Valley of Love (Thung Lung Tinh Yeu). A cycling trip contains both uphill and downhill rides, through various domains and nature. In addition, there is some possibility of passing by waterfalls en route too. Cool mountain air, stunning sights, and magnificent woods trails make this Central Highlands heaven for mountain bikers. An astonishing blend of ascents, descents, and single tracks shows riders the stupendous pine forests, amazing coffee plantation, and wonderful mountains. En route, you can likewise meet ethnic minorities who live in this painting of a place.

View of Da Lat

Hoi An

A small charming quaint town which proudly holds a UNESCO World Heritage Status, Hoi An Old Town is excellent for an easygoing ride around. Rent a bike (at only around US$ 3 per day) and ride on any roads you like to behold the exquisite ancient houses and then a further ride will reveal to you the awesome countryside and a glimpse of the real Vietnam. Catching sights of a paddy field would mean that you have found what you are looking for. You should wake up early to catch the sun and the city's charm. At that point, pedal out into the suburban countryside of Hoi An to meet the local people who influence this place's heartbeat. Witness their traditional crafts, for example, weaving, boat making, and rice wine distilling while at the same time proceeding to ride past exquisite bamboo houses and endless rice paddies.

View of Hoi An

Cham Island

Cham Island is a pristine island around 18 km seaward from Hoi An. The island has incredibly rich biodiversity and is acknowledged by UNESCO as the World biosphere reverse. There are numerous approaches to do cycling on the islands: you can either ride around the beautiful coastal lines, ride mindlessly around the entire to get a look at the encompassing seascape and the greenery or go deeper into the woods, into the island for an exciting forest adventure ride. There are also some fishing villages here to visit.

View of Cham Island

Hai Van Pass

With Hue as the starting point and Da Nang as the goal, Hai Van Pass stands between them as a tempting challenge. Staggering vistas, transcending mountains, and amazing ascents and descents, all prove that this is a ride for the absolute thrill seekers and experienced riders out there. Approximately, it is an 11 km climb and at a 7% angle for quite a bit of it. This isn't a ride for the fearful. What makes it worth all the trouble? Well, it is for those beautiful scenes of the exquisite coastline and the thrilling descent down to the ocean, all breathtaking from start to finish. At the end of the ride, you will see how this is ranked highly among the top rides in Southeast Asia.

View of a hard curve

Hue

You can use the Reunification Express to get to Hue. From here on, bicycle riders can ride to explore either the North or the South. Or you just ride around the majestic city of Hue. It is an entrancing city, the former capital of the Nguyen Dynasty where many Nguyen Emperors Tombs also sit. Here you can just leisurely ride around at a nice slow pace and immerse in the deep history of Hue. Along with the romantic Perfume River, Hue is filled with historical destinations, for example, the Forbidden City and Tu Duc's Tomb. Two-wheelers are an ideal way of adventuring around Hue to explore the tales from the past, which are buried deep within every corner of Hue. And you can take off along the peninsula that carries within it all the more captivating stories and sights to view.

View of Hue

Nha Trang

Kick back in the blues of the sea and the brilliant sands of Vietnam's arguably best shoreline on a relaxed ride and then afterward gulp down a huge glass of beer to finish everything off. This is the spirit of Nha Trang - unadulterated refreshment for the soul, eyes and, and obviously, stomach. You can ride down here from Dalat. Transitioning from the cool mountainous air to the chilled breeze of the ocean, you can open your mind further to gaze wholeheartedly at the ocean spectacle along the coast of Nha Trang.

View of Nha Trang

Best Places for Cycling in North Vietnam

Cat Ba National Park

Cat Ba National Park is on an island in northern Vietnam and east of Hai Phong. This island is the biggest in Halong Bay and occupies a vast area of 354 sq km. This makes Cat Ba an incredible place to ease off and loosen up or cycle around the recreation center. A cycling voyage through Cat Ba National Park will give you a great chance to see a variety of plants and animals with some that are native to Vietnam. What is unique about Cat Ba National Park is the wide scope of experience you can get cycling around the recreation center. There are no shortages of secluded beaches, dancing waterfalls, caverns, mountain by limestone and staggering valleys waiting to be discovered.

View of Cat Ba National Park

Ba Be Lake and National Park

Ba Be is situated in Bac Can territory, which is in the North of Vietnam. The scene here is glorious with transcending limestone mountain, wide valleys, thick forests, waterfalls, caverns, and lakes. Moreover, the park has a rich biodiversity with several plant species and different many other wildlife species. Here you can catch views of stilt houses of the ethnic minority Tay People, alongside Dao People and Hmong People. The most well-known tourist site here is Ba Be Lake, 8 km long and 400m wide.

View of Ba Be Lake

Moc Chau

Moc Chau is a small tranquil town in Son La province of Northern Vietnam. Some of the best tea in Vietnam originated from this place. The place is slowly turning into a desirable destination among the traveling enthusiasts thanks to its huge lush green tea plantations, spreading all across hills after hills. Amid spring, exquisitely beautiful wildflowers are blooming wherever in the midst of the drifting fog. Take a ride here to enjoy the lusciousness of the tea plants and the exciting colors of the flowers.

View of Moc Chau

Mai Chau

Tucked away in a valley northwest of Hanoi, Mai Chau is simply untouched by Hanoi’s noises, hustle and bustle. Rich rice paddies encompass tranquil farming villages, giving marvelous scenes of rural life. With virtually no traffic at all, this is an incredible spot for cycling. From a bicycle, obviously, with the breeze through your hair, this is a stimulating and pleasing approach to witnessing the magnificence and grandness of a simpler Vietnam. Now it's anything but difficult to get out into the world on a bicycle and enjoy what is laid out for you to discover.

View of Mai Chau

Hanoi

In no way losing out to her southern brother – Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi is also a wonderful place to have a bicycle trip. Some places that are perfect for cycling in Hanoi are Phan Dinh Phung Street, Hoang Dieu Street, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, West Lake, Sword Lake, Old Quarter, Kim Ma Street. Be ready to immerse yourself in the unique feel of Hanoi, an ancient and culture-rich city.

Hanoi people are very active

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Best Places for Cycling in South Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City

If you can explore Ho Chi Minh City on a motorcycle, you can also explore Ho Chi Minh City on a bicycle. Some famous locations in District 1 located near one another like Saigon Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Independence Palace, Saigon Central Post Office are great ideas to include on your cycling track, but you should stay safe in the 2 wheels lane. The ever so prominent street vendors all around Ho Chi Minh City will keep your stomach in good health as well. And if you want a more quiet area to pedaling around, District 2 will offer you more open, clean and not so busy roads, friendly for riders like the Thao Dien or Xuan Thuy areas. Or you can bring your bicycles even further to the city rear areas like Cu Chi or Binh Chanh, Can Gio and start cycling around these places for the more dirt roads feeling.

View of the Notre-Dame

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Cat Tien National Park

Cat Tien National Park is situated in the South of Vietnam, around 150 km north of Ho Chi Minh. It has a rich biodiversity of marsh tropical rainforest. It is home to an assortment of leisure trails, botanical gardens, and decades-old trees. Hence, Cat Tien is the perfect place for mountain-biking and ecotourism. The long journey of cycling among the verdant woods and taking in the untainted nature breeze will refresh your mind and body. And did we mention that there is a crocodile lake in Cat Tien for you to sightsee?

View of Cat Tien National Park

Mekong Delta

Pedaling through this breathtaking and fairly distinctive Vietnamese land and waterscape is a high note for some. A terrific labyrinth of waterways with floating markets, pagodas, peaceful countryside, and charming little country roads make this a fantastic ride. You can drop by the floating markets or pedal around the rice paddies while inspecting produce of local farmers like rice and exotic fruits.

Mekong Delta

Vung Tau

Vung Tau is another coastal trail for you to pedaling through and taking in beautiful ocean sight. About 30km of concrete road along the beaches, the trail at Vung Tau can be one of the best places for cycling in Vietnam. On the side of this trail is also many famous attractions of Vung Tau where you can make a visit in your stop along the way such as the White Palace, the biggest Christ Statue of Vietnam, and the temple of Phat Thich Ca (Buddha sitting on the lotus). You can bring your bike from Ho Chi Minh City on the speedboat to Vung Tau and start pedaling or hire one at the hotels - they have options of normal bikes or tandems.

A view of Vung Tau cycling trail

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Summary of 15 Best Places for Cycling in Vietnam

There are more than just these 15 places to have an awesome bicycle trip in Vietnam. But we hope our suggestions serve you well in your research for an exciting travel plan. Remember, cycling can be a very taxing sports activity. So take good care of yourself, bring enough supplies and travel with friends for safety. We hope to see you cruising down the alluring roads of Vietnam soon.

Have fun and be safe.

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