North East Vietnam Soft Cycling – 5 Days

Day 1: Hanoi – Cuc Phuong National Park (L, D)
Depart Hanoi at 8 am; we travel along Highway #1, our vehicle drops us off at the park, where we trek to a huge thousand-year-old tree. After lunch is some free time for strolling around under cool trees’ shades. Then we embrace our bikes to ride long curves and bends of roads winding through the jungle. Ending at the entrance gate, we spend the night staying in a nearby bungalow.

Day 2: Cuc Phuong National Park – Tam Coc (35 km cycling distance) (B, L, D)
Morning sunrise with sounds of the jungle, we wake up to have breakfast then check out of our hotel. We continue our biking journey through villages and beautiful pineapple plantations. Arriving Tam Coc Wharf around lunchtime, we first check in our hotel. After lunch, we get on cute little boats to have 2 hours of rowing along the river and through three caves. There is still time in the early afternoon to bike through villages, crossing rice paddy fields to see the ancient capital of Hoa Lu. Back to the hotel, we relax and enjoy ourselves while drinking cold local beer by the river; Overnight at the hotel by the river as well.

Day 3: Tam Coc – Ha Long Bay (B, L, D)
Depart Tam Coc about 8 am; we travel along National Road #10 heading northeast, through lush green fields of the Red River Delta. Arriving in Ha Long city around noon time, we will be welcomed by the junk cruise’s staff. After check in on board, the boat cruises through Ha Long Bay, passing by some of the most scenic locations including Yen Ngua, Con Coc Mountains, as well as a floating fishing village. Lunch will be served in the junk cruise’s restaurant. Weather permitting, we will visit Sung Sot cave (Amazing cave) and enjoy kayaking to explore the lagoon and Luon Grotto; Overnight in a junk.

Day 4: Ha Long Bay – Dong Trieu village (homestay in the village) (B, L, D)
Greet the day with morning exercise on the rooftop or a fresh swim, both with an opportunity to view sunrise over the bay. After breakfast, we visit Titop island, we have a chance to climb up to the top of the mountain for the panorama view of Halong Bay, then back to our boat for a final glimpse of the Ha Long Bay as we cruise back to the dock. Only about an hour ride to the village of Dong Trieu. First, we exchange greetings and have green tea with our host family. Then we get on our bikes to enjoy riding around neighboring villages, cycling through this peaceful area of country lanes and rice fields, chatting with local people. This evening, we will be guests of a friendly local family. Overnight in homestay.

Day 5: Dong Trieu – Hanoi (B, L)
After breakfast, we bid farewell to our host and villagers as we head back to Hanoi. On the way, we stop to visit traditional handicrafts villages of Phu Lang (pottery) and Dong Ky (wood carving). Our tour ends at the hotel foyer around 4 pm. Overnight in Hanoi.