Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi, Vietnam (Dinner/4-Star Hotel)
Welcome to Vietnam to Laos by bike 13 Days which is a part of our 55-day adventure in Asia officially begins in Hanoi with a welcome meeting at 6 PM tonight. If you arrive early, take the opportunity to stretch your legs with a stroll around Hanoi’s vibrant Old Quarter until you meet our guiding team.
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (Breakfast, Lunch/4-Star Hotel)
This morning, enjoy some free time to explore the city at your leisure. If you haven’t already, a walk through the Old Quarter is the perfect way to experience Hanoi – it’s like an architectural museum where the ancient ’36 Streets’ offer everything from souvenirs to exquisite silk clothing, jewelry, embroidered tablecloths, wood carvings, and lacquerware. This afternoon, you’ll cycle around the city on a leisurely ride near West Lake, passing by lotus lakes, charming villas, and iconic sites, including the Tran Quoc Pagoda – the oldest pagoda in Vietnam. In the evening, consider heading out for a bánh mì and a local beer; your leader will have the best recommendations!
Day 3: Hanoi to Nghia Lo (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner/Cycling 60 km/4-Star Retreat)
We begin our journey from Hanoi with a van transfer to Son Tay, where we will visit Duong Lam Ancient Village. Next, we continue to Thanh Son, where we start cycling at Deo Khe, descending to Ba Khe for a lunch break. In the afternoon, we’ll ride through scenic tea plantations to Nghia Lo, our destination for the night. Total cycling distance is approximately 70 km. Overnight at Mường Lò 4-Star Retreat.
Day 4: Nghia Lo to Tu Le (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Today is a pleasant day to warm up your legs before tackling more challenging hills. You’ll encounter several hills on your way to Tu Le. After a lunch break, we’ll embark on a loop around the vast valley of Tu Le, where you’ll find Thai villages and their rice farms. Enjoy some relaxation with a hot bath at a local hot spring by the stream in Tu Le. The total cycling distance is approximately 50 km. Overnight at Pho Nui guesthouse.
Day 5: Tu Le to Mu Cang Chai (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Prepare for a big challenge today with a climb up Khau Pha Pass, reaching an elevation of 1,500 m, followed by a downhill ride to Nga Ba Kim. This section provides incredible photo opportunities, as every curve of the winding road offers stunning views of the rice terraces in Lapantan and Checunha villages. We will continue on to Mu Cang Chai for an overnight stay. The cycling distance is approximately 50 km.
Day 6: Mu Cang Chai to Than Uyen (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Today is more relaxed, with a gentle downhill ride from Mu Cang Chai to Muong Kim. The last 9 km from Muong Kim to Than Uyen is particularly breathtaking, featuring picturesque karst mountains and valleys, along with the rice terraces of the Thai villages lining the route. In the late afternoon, enjoy an easy ride around the town. The cycling distance is approximately 50 km. Overnight at Hoan Quan guesthouse.
Day 7: Than Uyen to Tuan Giao (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Prepare for a challenging day as we cover 125 km of uphill and downhill terrain to Tuan Giao, passing through Muong Gion and over the Pa Uon Bridge across the Da Reservoir. The total elevation gain will exceed 4,200 m due to numerous climbs. If needed, you can skip about 20 km after the Pa Uon Bridge for a rest following lunch. Afterwards, you’ll enjoy a downhill ride to Tuan Giao. Overnight stay at a guesthouse in Tuan Giao.
Day 8: Tuan Giao to Dien Bien Phu (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Experience a pleasant ride on well-maintained roads with gentle hills and beautiful views of the Nam Ma River. We’ll take a coffee break in Muong Ang town before the ascent up Tang Quai Pass, with a picnic lunch at the Artillery Memorial site of the Dien Bien Phu campaign. We’ll then continue to Dien Bien Phu town for the evening. The total cycling distance is approximately 76 km. Overnight stay at A1 Hill Hotel.
Day 9: Exploring Dien Bien Phu (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Today is dedicated to sightseeing around the historic battlefields of Dien Bien Phu. We’ll visit key sites such as Eliane – A1 Hill, the Military Museum, Gabriel – Doc Lap Hill, and the bunker of Decartes. Enjoy a ride to the hill for a panoramic view of Dien Bien Phu, reflecting on the legacy of General Giap.
Day 10: Cycling from Vietnam to Laos – Dien Bien Phu to Muang Khoua (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Today is a crucial day. We start early from Dien Bien, tackling a 35 km climb to the Tay Trang border with Laos. After crossing into Laos, we enjoy a downhill ride to Muang Mai for a lunch break. We then face our final challenge: a climb up to a Hmong village, followed by a descent into Muang Khoua for an overnight stay. Total cycling distance: approximately 105 km. Overnight at Chalernsouk Guesthouse.
Day 11: Muang Khoua to Udomxai (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Today’s ride progresses alongside the Nam Phak River, offering stunning views. The first 70 km is relatively flat as we travel through forests and tribal villages. In the afternoon, we encounter a gentle climb from an elevation of 450 m to 750 m before descending into Udomxai. Total cycling distance: 100 km. Overnight at Villa Keoseumsack.
Day 12: Udomxai to Nong Kiau (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)
We start the morning with a 6 km warm-up outside of town before the mountain climbing begins. This day presents a challenge as we ascend the mountain passes through tropical forests. After 5 km uphill, we pass a waterfall cascading over a limestone cliff into a tributary of the Nam Beng. The first summit reaches an elevation of 1,200 m before we descend and climb to a second pass, where Hmong villages line the road. The third and longest pass follows; after this summit, we enjoy a steady 28 km descent into the small town of Pak Mong, continuing on to Nong Kiau. Total cycling distance: approximately 110 km. Overnight at Phaxang Riverside Resort in Nong Kiau.
Day 13: Nong Kiaw to Luang Prabang (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
In the morning, we will transfer via Pakmong Junction to Nam Kene, where we’ll start cycling again. The roads are good, featuring gentle hills and beautiful scenery along the Nam Ou River. We will turn right at the Nam Ou Bridge and follow a dirt road to the Mekong River. Enjoy a boat trip to visit the famous Pak Ou Caves, followed by a lunch break by the river. In the afternoon, we will cycle along the mighty Mekong River and enter Luang Prabang, the former capital of Laos. Overnight at Maison Vongprachan Hotel. Enjoy a farewell dinner in Luang Prabang. Our Cycling Vietnam to Laos journey ends here.