By aussiematesvietnam 
Discovering Vietnam on Two Wheels: An Adventure Worth Taking
G’day fellow adventurers! Aussie Mates here, coming to you from the bustling streets of Hanoi where Tracy and I have called home for nearly two decades now. If there’s one thing we’ve learned in our 20 years exploring this incredible country, it’s that Vietnam is best experienced from the seat of a bicycle. There’s something magical about feeling the warm breeze on your face as you pedal through rice paddies, mountain passes, and coastal roads that simply can’t be matched from inside an air-conditioned tour bus.
After countless cycling adventures with Tracy across this diverse landscape, I’m keen to share some of our favourite routes that are perfect for active Australian travellers looking to experience Vietnam beyond the typical tourist traps. So grab a cold one, put your feet up, and let me walk you through some of the most breathtaking cycling tours Vietnam has to offer.
[IMAGE:cycling-vietnam-landscape]
Why Vietnam Is a Cyclist’s Paradise
Before we dive into specific routes, let me tell you why Vietnam has become such a hotspot for cycling enthusiasts. This country offers an incredible diversity of terrain—from the mountainous north to the pancake-flat Mekong Delta—meaning there’s something for every fitness level and interest. The weather’s a dream for most of the year (though Tracy would remind me to warn you about the rainy season from May to September in the north). Plus, the Vietnamese are some of the most welcoming people you’ll ever meet, always ready with a smile and a “xin chào” (hello) as you pass through their villages.
What sets Vietnam apart from other cycling destinations is the perfect combination of stunning natural beauty, rich cultural experiences, and world-class food waiting at every stop. Where else can you tackle a challenging mountain pass in the morning and be sipping fresh beer (bia hơi) with locals by afternoon?
[IMAGE:vietnamese-village-cyclists]
The Legendary Hai Van Pass
If you’ve watched Top Gear, you might recognise the Hai Van Pass as “one of the best coastal roads in the world,” and fair dinkum, they weren’t exaggerating. This 21km stretch between Hue and Da Nang offers some of the most spectacular ocean views you’ll ever see. Tracy and I tackled this one on our 10th anniversary, and despite the sweat pouring down my face on the climb, the panoramic views of the East Sea made every pedal stroke worthwhile.
The best part? It’s a manageable challenge for reasonably fit cyclists. You’ll climb about 500 metres in elevation, but the road is well-maintained with a gentle gradient. Take your time, stop for photos, and enjoy the sense of achievement when you reach the top. Many tour operators in Hue or Da Nang offer one-way trips with vehicle support, which means you can enjoy the downhill ride without having to cycle back up!
Pro tip: Start early in the morning to avoid both the heat and the motorbike traffic that picks up later in the day.
[IMAGE:hai-van-pass-cycling]
The Mekong Delta: Flat Terrain with Endless Character
For those who prefer their cycling with minimal elevation gain but maximum cultural immersion, the Mekong Delta is your ticket. Tracy absolutely loves this region for its lush, green landscapes and the fascinating river life. We’ve done several multi-day trips through provinces like Ben Tre, Vinh Long, and Can Tho, mostly cycling on flat paths alongside canals and through fruit orchards.
What makes the Mekong special isn’t challenging terrain but rather the constant stream of authentic Vietnamese moments: farmers working in emerald rice fields, children waving enthusiastically from wooden houses, and floating markets bustling with activity from dawn. It’s like cycling through a living postcard.
Most tours include homestays with local families, which for us older travellers is a fantastic way to connect with Vietnamese culture beyond the surface level. Nothing beats sharing a home-cooked meal with a family after a day’s ride, especially when they’re eager to hear about life in Australia.
[IMAGE:mekong-delta-cycling]
Northern Mountain Adventures: Sapa and Beyond
For the more seasoned cyclists looking for a proper challenge, the mountainous north around Sapa offers some of Southeast Asia’s most dramatic landscapes. Now, I won’t sugar-coat it—these routes are tough yakka with serious climbs, but strewth, the scenery is worth every drop of sweat!
Tracy and I spent two weeks cycling through the Tonkinese Alps last year, visiting minority villages of the H’mong, Dao, and Tay people. The terraced rice fields climbing up impossibly steep hillsides created some of the most spectacular vistas we’ve seen in our 20 years here.
The route from Sapa to Bac Ha is particularly rewarding, taking you through remote valleys where it feels like time has stood still for centuries. You’ll need a decent level of fitness and preferably some experience with hill climbing, but tour operators can tailor routes to your abilities and provide support vehicles for the steepest sections.
[IMAGE:sapa-mountain-cycling]
Practicalities: Tours vs. Independent Cycling
After trying both approaches numerous times, Tracy and I generally recommend organised tours for first-time cyclists in Vietnam. The local knowledge of guides is invaluable, especially when navigating rural areas where English isn’t widely spoken. Companies like Vietnam Backroads, Grasshopper Adventures, and Spice Roads offer excellent packages ranging from single-day excursions to comprehensive 10-14 day journeys.
That said, if you’re an experienced cyclist with an adventurous spirit, independent touring offers unmatched freedom. Just be prepared for some interesting challenges—Vietnamese maps can be sketchy, roads sometimes disappear into construction zones without warning, and Google Maps occasionally thinks you can cycle through rivers!
If going solo, consider renting good quality bikes in major cities rather than bringing your own. Shops in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang offer decent mountain and hybrid bikes that can handle Vietnam’s variable road conditions.
When to Go: Dodging the Weather Bullets
Vietnam’s climate varies dramatically from north to south, which means there’s almost always a good place to cycle somewhere in the country. For the north (including Hanoi and Sapa), October to April offers comfortable temperatures and minimal rain. The central region (Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue) is best from February to July, while the south remains relatively consistent year-round with a dry season from December to April.
Tracy’s absolute no-go advice? Avoid the northern rainy season (July-August) when landslides can close mountain roads, and skip the central coast during October-November when typhoons occasionally make an appearance.
[IMAGE:vietnamese-weather-cycling]
Final Thoughts from an Old Hand
After spending nearly half my life exploring Vietnam, I can honestly say that cycling tours have given Tracy and me our most authentic and memorable experiences in this magnificent country. There’s something about the pace of cycling that puts you in perfect harmony with Vietnam’s rhythm—fast enough to cover ground, but slow enough to notice the details that make this country special.
Whether you’re tackling the mountainous north, cruising along coastal highways, or meandering through the Delta, cycling in Vietnam offers an intimate connection with both the landscape and its people that simply can’t be matched by other forms of travel.
So what are you waiting for, cobber? Get those legs moving and discover Vietnam the way it’s meant to be seen—two wheels at a time!
Until next time,
Aussie Mates