The Best North West Vietnam Mountain Biking Tour 11D/10N

Introduction

Vietnam Backroads has custom-designed this 11-day adventure for intrepid travelers seeking an off-the-beaten-path cycling experience through Vietnam’s remote mountain regions near the Chinese and Lao borders. Beginning in Sapa and ending in Hanoi, the route winds through dramatic landscapes and culturally rich destinations including Lai Chau, Sin Ho, Muong Lay, Dien Bien, Son La, Moc Chau, and Mai Chau. Riders will conquer some of the most challenging mountain passes in the northwest and southwest of Hanoi, journeying through the breathtaking Hoang Lien Son mountain range and lush valleys. Along the way, there are countless opportunities for deep cultural immersion with local hill tribes, making this tour a truly unforgettable blend of adventure and authenticity.

 

Destination
Duration
Tour code
VCT: HAN-11D - HANOI
Travel style
Tour meets
Tour ends
Accommodation
2 - 3 - 4 star hotels
Single supplement
435.00$
Number Of cycling days
9 days
Ages to ride
18 years old
Average distance per day
55 km
MTB Bike hire
US$108
Total cycling distance
565km
E-Bike hire
$315.00
Small group
02
Large Group
14
Price in US$
USD $2625.00 2625.00
Price in VND
What's included
Private A/C vehicle takes up all cyclists, luggage
Truck to carry all bikes
Helmets
All entrance fees, ferry tickets in countryside
9 nights: double room/ twin room
B= 10 Breakfasts, L= 10 Lunches, D= 9 Dinners
A night train to Lao Cai
Daily cold water, snack, fresh fruits, facial tissues
All airport In/Out
Pick up at/ drop off at hotels
English speaking guide throughout the tour
What's not included
Personal travel insurance
Other personal expenses
Drinks are not included with any meal

Our team will collect you from your hotel and introduce you to your fellow cyclists before transferring to our bike store for gear setup and bike fitting. After a comprehensive trip briefing, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in town.


In the afternoon, join a guided walking tour through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, renowned for its 36 historic streets—each traditionally named after the goods once traded there. We’ll have dinner together before boarding the overnight train to Lao Cai with the group.

Lunch/ Dinner
Violette train
support vehicles
cold water, snacks, fruits

The train arrives in Lao Cai early in the morning, where your guide and driver will greet you and take you to a local restaurant for a hearty breakfast. From there, enjoy a scenic 40-kilometer drive along a winding mountain road up to Sapa, where your adventure begins.


Today’s ride explores Ta Phin, home to the Red Dao ethnic group. Cycle through terraced rice fields, rustic stilt houses, and undulating dirt and concrete paths. Pass by peaceful rural farms, spot water buffalo, and ride through strawberry fields and past an abandoned colonial-era church. Stop in the Red Dao village to experience their warm hospitality and gain insight into their unique culture and way of life. Afterward, continue cycling back to Sapa town for lunch, and enjoy free time in the afternoon to explore at your leisure before gathering for dinner in town.

BB Hotel Sapa
Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
25 km
Hilly - undulating
support vehicles
cold water, snacks, fruits

After breakfast, begin the day’s ride directly from your hotel, cycling a few kilometers through town before leaving the city behind. The route takes you past tea plantations and steadily uphill toward Tram Ton Pass—also known as Heaven Gate—the highest mountain pass in northern Vietnam. Pause here for a well-earned coffee break and take in the spectacular views of Muong Hoa Valley and the lush jungles that descend toward Binh Lu. From the pass, enjoy an exhilarating downhill ride into Tam Duong township, where you’ll stop for lunch.


In the afternoon, embark on a 25-kilometer stretch of truly off-the-beaten-path cycling through the scenic villages of Na Hum and Ban Hon. The route winds along dirt tracks and gravel roads, undulating through rice terraces, forested areas, and across small rivers. Along the way, visit local homes and witness the rich cultural tapestry of the region. Stop in a community village inhabited by Lu tribes and a few Black Hmong families. Here, you’ll engage with the locals, observe traditional ways of life, explore clusters of well-preserved wooden stilt houses, and learn how the Lu people weave their traditional clothing and store their agricultural products. The journey continues through expansive farmland, where you’ll pass buffalo working the fields and ride through verdant countryside en route to Lai Chau.

Muong Thanh Lai Chau Hotel
Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
30 - 75 km
Hilly - moderate/ hard
support vehicles
cold water, snacks, fruits

Nestled within the Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range, Sin Ho is one of northern Vietnam’s most captivating plateau regions, offering breathtaking mountain landscapes, lush rice terraces, and picturesque valleys. This remote district is home to vibrant ethnic communities, including the H’Mong, Thai, and Dao. The best time to encounter these colorful cultures is during the lively Sunday morning market in town, when locals gather to trade farm produce and handmade traditional costumes. On other days, the town remains quiet and serene.


At an elevation ranging from 900 to 1,800 meters and an average annual temperature of around 18°C, Sin Ho enjoys a cool, pleasant climate, making it a perfect destination for mountain biking enthusiasts. Located approximately 60 kilometers from Lai Chau, the road to Sin Ho is in good condition, winding through scenic mountain passes with smooth surfaces and occasional challenging climbs.


Today’s ride begins early from the hotel. With ideal weather for cycling, we tackle the mountain passes cutting through dense forested hills. The first 10 kilometers feature gentle rolling terrain to help warm up, followed by a gradual ascent toward Seo Lang, with plenty of scenic stops along the way. From Seo Lang to Sin Ho, the route descends through soft hills, rural farms, traditional stilt houses, and terraced fields. We pass numerous small hamlets before finally arriving at the beautiful Sin Ho Valley township, surrounded by awe-inspiring scenery.

Thanh Binh hotel
Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
25 - 59 km
Hilly - moderate/ hard
support vehicles
cold water, snacks, fruits

After a hearty breakfast, we roll out of town on almost-level roads that cut through emerald rice paddies. Soon the terrain rises and falls as we wind through jungle-clad hills, taking in sweeping views of hidden valleys and small villages en route to Minh Thang. Joining National Highway 6, we plunge deeper into the wilderness, skimming terraced rice slopes and conquering a series of gentle “baby” passes—including the scenic Flower Pass—before descending a spectacular serpentine road through forest to the Mun Chung villages. We pause for lunch at a local eatery in a nearby market town.


The afternoon ride hugs the Nam Muc River, unveiling postcard-perfect vistas of lush hills, serene valleys, and distant mountain ridges. Our route narrows and twists along the hillsides, offering frequent vantage points to admire patchwork rice terraces and tucked-away settlements. Villages here are home to Black H’Mong, Black Thai, and Kho Mu communities, while small towns feature a larger Viet (Kinh) presence—providing plenty of opportunities to meet colourfully dressed locals. When the light begins to soften, our guide will call time, and we’ll load up for a short transfer to Muong Lay. Dinner awaits in town, followed by a leisurely evening stroll to explore this charming riverside hamlet on foot.

Thanh Binh hotel ***
Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
30 - 59 km
Hilly - moderate/ Hard
support vehicles
cold water, snacks, fruits

After breakfast, we hop on our bikes and roll out from the hotel, beginning the day with a gentle ride through town and along the river. Within a few kilometers, we leave the town behind and follow quiet roads past small villages nestled along waterways, enjoying the serene riverside scenery. A short river crossing brings us to National Road 12, which will be our route for today’s journey to Dien Bien Phu.


The ride offers a stunning cross-section of Northern Vietnam’s natural beauty—winding roads through grassy hills, rice fields, and verdant farms. We take on the challenge of Ma Phi Ho Pass, also known as Heaven Gate, before weaving through jungle-covered mountains toward a well-earned lunch break in the small town of Muong Cha.


Muong Cha’s local market is a vibrant hub, showcasing the daily life of nearby ethnic groups. You'll find handwoven bamboo baskets, colorful tribal clothing, fresh fruits and vegetables, and simple household goods brought in by locals from surrounding villages.


In the afternoon, we continue cycling through undulating farmland, where members of the Black Thai community often sell their produce roadside. The route crosses several rivers and passes through quiet towns near the Laos border before arriving in Dien Bien Phu. We check in at the hotel and enjoy a well-deserved dinner in the city.

Muong Thanh Grand ****
Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
30 - 85 km
Hilly - moderate/ hard
support vehicles
cold water, snacks, fruits

After a relaxed breakfast, we begin the day with a vehicle transfer to explore two of Dien Bien Phu’s most significant historical sites: the Dien Bien Phu War Museum and the former French command post at De Castries’ Headquarters Bunker. Following the visit, we hop on our bikes and cycle out of town toward the surrounding countryside, pedaling through tranquil rice fields on our way to Muong Phang.


Our route takes us deep into remote tribal territory, passing traditional wooden stilt houses perched on hillsides and winding through patches of lush rainforest and the lowlands around Muong Phang. We skirt the backwaters of Ba Khoang Lake, crossing suspension bridges, passing floating fish farms, and cycling through tiny lakeside villages. Along the way, we stop frequently to interact with locals, visit small farms, and take in the serene beauty of the lake and surrounding hills.


We continue through rice paddies to the historic Viet Minh headquarters, from where General Vo Nguyen Giap led the decisive campaign of Dien Bien Phu in 1954. Here, we pause to visit the Muong Phang Historical Site, featuring a large stone monument dedicated to Giap and other key Viet Minh leaders.


Back on the bikes, we follow National Road 279B toward Na Tau village, then begin our ascent of Tang Quai Pass, enjoying sweeping mountain views along the way. We arrive in the small town of Muong Ang for lunch. In the afternoon, we ride along QL279, a scenic route through rolling farmland and forested hills, eventually reaching Tuan Giao, where the day’s ride concludes.

Tay Bac Hotel ***
Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
30 - 85 km
moderate/ hard
support vehicles
cold water, snacks, fruits

Pha Din pass is 30 km with 1.680mm above the level sea. It had become a legend of Dien Bien Phu Victory. It was the small trails, and Viet Minh (the fathers and mothers of Viet Cong) made up of the small road to supply the weapons, food. It was the most challenging way to use human power to pull artillery from Som La Dien Bien Phu. It was the only main and shortest route to support Viet Minh to defeat the French in Dien Bien Phu during Indochina War.


Today's adventure is one of the most stunning ride of your cycling journey, and enjoy northern Vietnam's most incredible mountain landscapes. We cycle from the hotel, undulate a couple of km through tiny towns along the river before challenging the Pha Din legend Pass. There are 2 roads in between the middle part of the mountain top, and one is 13 km on a new road, and the old road is a well-maintenance smaller than the new one, similar distance without traffic at all. We challenge up about 13 km and enjoy cycling downhill 17 km.


Depends on your cycling skills and ability, you choose the route to challenge and enjoy one of the most beautiful and spectacular karst mountain passes in northern Vietnam. Afterwards, we enjoy riding downhill to the local market, Binh Thuan, our lunch break here. The afternoon' ride is beautiful as it's more leisurely than in the morning adventures. The ride takes us through Black Thai hill tribes, green valleys, and verdant fields of farm products. We will be back on the vehicle transfer to Son La city in the late afternoon.

Muong Thanh Son La ****
Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
30 - 85 km
Hilly - moderate/ hard
support vehicles
cold water, snacks, fruits

Moc Chau Plateau, known for its fertile soil and cool climate, is ideal for growing tea, plums, avocados, strawberries, and a variety of fruits and vegetables. The rural villages here are also blanketed with seasonal flowers and vibrant agricultural life, making it a charming destination for nature enthusiasts.


After an early breakfast, we transfer for about 2.5 hours to Phieng Luong, a peaceful village just outside Moc Chau. From here, we begin our cycling journey along the old National Road 6, pedaling through small towns, scenic valleys, rolling green hills, and dense, lush vegetation. Lunch is enjoyed en route at a local eatery in one of the quiet towns we pass through.


This part of Northern Vietnam offers a unique opportunity to explore a sweeping plateau landscape on quiet, meandering roads. The route has minimal traffic and is well-maintained, allowing our support vehicle to follow comfortably behind. After the ride, we transfer to Mai Chau and check in at a rustic homestay, surrounded by rice paddies and peaceful village life.

Mai Chau Sky Resort
Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
30 - 60 km
Undulating - moderate
support vehicles
cold water, snacks, fruits

After breakfast, we set out on a leisurely loop ride along quiet concrete paths, winding through rice terraces toward the villages of Poom Coong and Lac. Along the way, we visit local family-run shops selling traditional Thai ethnic costumes and have the chance to interact with friendly villagers. We return to our hotel via a different scenic route, then check out and begin a short transfer to Hoa Binh Lake.


From there, we continue cycling along the lake’s edge, taking in the stunning views of the Da River as it winds through lush jungle landscapes. The road narrows and snakes through hills before leading us into the picturesque village of Ba Khan. We cross rice fields, pass traditional stilt houses, and ride through expansive farmlands and remote hamlets. Our cycling journey concludes at Phu Cuong market. After lunch at a local restaurant, we board the vehicle for a 3-hour transfer back to Hanoi, arriving in the late afternoon.

The Light ****
Breakfast/ Lunch
25 - 35 km
Hilly - moderate
support vehicles
cold water, snacks, fruits

Hanoi, the capital and political heart of Vietnam, is a city where traditional charm meets modern life. Its Old Quarter showcases a rich blend of classical and contemporary architecture, bustling markets, and vibrant street life. Enjoy your remaining time exploring or shopping at your leisure before your scheduled transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for your departure flight.

Breakfast
Airport out
Bikes information
Trek Marlin 6. Size: S, M, L, XL
In the Northern Vietnam
In the Northern Vietnam
GIANT ATX 1 E-Bike. Size: S, M, L, XL
In Northern Vietnam
In Northern Vietnam
In Northern Vietnam
Burchda pro 70 mountain E-bikes. Size: S, M, L, XL
In the Northern Vietnam
In Northern Vietnam
In Northern Vietnam

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The Best North West Vietnam Mountain Biking Tour 11D/10N