Six Cyclists and one epic journey! Welcome to my blog that captures our fascinating experience of cycling in Vietnam in February 2024. This article is all about my personal encounter with the magical and natural beauty of Vietnam on two-wheels with my cycling friends from Mumbai. It will give you a mesmerizing virtual tour of the beautiful country of Vietnam.
Day 1: Exploring Hanoi City
After landing in Hanoi city in Vietnam we checked into our hotel post midnight. With just four hours of sleep, I woke up early in the morning and went outside for a walk. The morning streets were calm and gradually the activity was picking up pace with shopkeepers and vendors following their rituals. The sight of street cyclists was impressive with women wearing their traditional Vietnamese hat and riding a bicycle loaded with stuff. There were cycle rickshaws pedaling in search of business. And there were people going to work on their bicycles and scooters. People loaded their scooters with a lot of stuff, and it was something I had seen on the internet and now witnessing in person. I captured the reality of life on camera and returned to the hotel for breakfast.
Our guided tour began with the visit to the Presidential palace – an embodiment of Vietnam political history. The place is big and crowded with tourists. We walked further inside the property and saw the Ho Chi Minh Stilt House where the respected leader of Vietnam once resided. Our next spot was the One Pillar Pagoda surrounded by tourists. We stood there to admire the Buddhist monument. Next, we boarded the bus and arrived at the Temple of literature and in the afternoon took a lunch break at a local restaurant.
Post lunch, we were curious to explore more of Hanoi city and we went to the Hoa La Prison Museum. We explored its exhibits, shedding light on the struggles of both Vietnamese revolutionaries and American prisoners of war. Our next spot was the serene Ngoc Son Temple on Hoan Kiem Lake. We crossed the iconic red bridge to reach the temple and soaked in the spiritual ambiance while enjoying panoramic views of the lake.
We insisted our guide to take us to the famous Train Street popular for its small cafes with outside seating and tucked inside the narrow track line. The Train Street was full of energy, colourful, and we enjoyed our short stay with fun and photography on the railway track.
The guided tour concluded in the bustling heart of Hanoi, the Old Quarter. We wandered through its narrow streets, absorbing the vibrant atmosphere, and witnessed the fusion of ancient charm and modern energy. We made a stop at a local café to taste Vietnamese egg coffee. I liked its raw flavor and suggest you to try it. We kept walking and window shopping in the market and finished our day with dinner.
Day 2: Hanoi to Van Long
In Vietnam, it was our first cycling day. We started with bowing our heads in the St. Joseph Cathedral Church and seeking blessings of the lord for a safe and successful journey. Our cycling trip began in the morning with off-roading, passing through the village and entering the farms. The morning chill was pleasant but was soon taken over by a sunny day. We pedaled deep inside the organic farms with the sight of hardworking humans working in their fields. We stopped for photos and drinks as the sun was blazing, making it hotter than expected. Our determination and excitement led us further into the narrow village route with gravel roads testing our skills and patience. The sweet children with innocent faces waved at us with a loud shout of “Hello” and we reciprocated with a cheering smile. The farmers were happy to see our pack crossing through their fields offering welcoming vibes and making us feel a part of their family and not tourists.
The village route was taken over by the highway with strong headwinds challenging us. Our pedal power kept the momentum giving a good fight to headwinds and pushing us towards our destination. The ride culminated with a satisfying feeling, and we loaded our bikes onto the support vehicle and jumped into the van to arrive at our hotel in Van Long.
Day 3: Van Long to Cuc Phoung National Park
Continuing our Vietnam cycling tour on day 2. It was an emotional start as we took a picture holding the national flag of India. We started pedaling along the dike on a misty morning. Mild showers welcomed us on the path with farms and Mountain views. Our glasses were moist with mist in the air limiting our visibility and controlling our speeds as we pedaled cautiously. Soon, the mistiness faded away with the bright sky and clear air provided fresh oxygen to our lungs. The first half of our ride was all through the farms as we spotted cows and buffaloes grazing while the white ducks swam in the pond. Very relaxing and refreshing experience for our eyes and souls. The roads were mostly concrete with a few patches of gravel in between. The last segment ended on a steep climb testing our grit with a pumping heart as we gasped for breath. The rewards awaited on the lunch table with juice and appetizing food. Post lunch we took a bus transfer to the Cuc Phuong National Park. We started riding through the dense forest trail with painful uphill’s and delightful downhills. I had my GoPro mounted on my head and captured a few videos. The forest was calm with greenery on either side. We kept pedaling for 17kms and finished our ride next to an amazing lake view guest house. Our camera shutters kept buzzing as we went onto capture these amazing moments as a lifetime memory.
Day 4: Cuc Phoung National Park to Tam Coc
It was our 3rd day of cycling in Vietnam and it was exciting as we pedaled our way out of the Cuc Phoung National Park and hit the road in the morning mist. The mist with slight drizzling impacted visibility but the air quality was excellent. There was a slight accent enroute followed by downhill and mostly flat roads for most part of the ride. We stopped for a coffee break at a local cafe and had lots of fun. We started cycling again and after a good 44 kms we reached a river. Our bikes were swapped with boats, and we took a 45-minute boat ride admiring the mountains bordering the Trang An River. The boats passed underneath the limestone caves offering a mesmerizing experience. Post the boat ride we rode to a local cafe which had outside seating with rivers and mountains’ view and we had our lunch served on the table. One of the best views we could find in the countryside. Many tourists passed us on their bicycles as we relished the food and absorbed the atmosphere. We continued to pedal through the village route and arrived at Tam Coc Street to check into our hotel. The ride ended with amazing memories with a promise to explore another destination on a bicycle. Tam Coc is a happening area with several Cafes, Spa Parlours, supermarkets, local shops and much more.
Day 5: Tam Coc to Halong Bay
From land to water, it was the day of staying in the cruise ship. From Tam Coc we made our way to Ha Long Bay. After relaxing in the port and waiting for our boat to arrive, we embarked on the Cruise. We were received with a warm welcome and a refreshing drink. We indulged in a sumptuous lunch as we cruised through the majestic Ha Long Bay, immersing ourselves in the awe- inspiring beauty of nature. The cruise then anchored in the tranquil Lan Ha Bay area, providing a serene backdrop for sea adventures.
We decided to rest in our rooms and slept for a few hours. At evening, we were reunited in the restaurant to savor a mouthwatering dinner. We choose to unwind and relax after a day of exploration. We sat in the silent ambiance of the deck with conversations.
Next morning we embraced the magic of a new day. And savored on the early morning breakfast served in the restaurant, then embarked on a guided exploration of the picturesque Tra Bau area, where we immersed ourselves in the beauty of the surroundings through thrilling boat ride passing through the natural caves. After a fabulous boat trip, we returned to the Cruise to freshen up with a relaxing shower and prepared for check-out from our room. It was time to bid farewell to the team as we boarded a small boat that transferred us back to Tuan Chau Wharf.
Our shuttle bus was ready to pick us up for the journey back to Hanoi, and then to drop us to Noi Bai airport for onward flight home.
It was a fantastic trip and all of us enjoyed our short stay in Vietnam. Cycling in Vietnam was a wonderful experience and if you are interested to plan a trip you can book a tour for you, your family or your friends by writing to info@vietnamcycling.com or visit www.vietnamcycling.com
You might also like to read: WHEELIE GOOD TIME: A MUMBAI HERITAGE CYCLE ADVENTURE WITH GUL PANAG
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Author: Vijay Malhotra, Mumbai
