Introduction
Before we begin, know that Vietnam is not visited, it is pedaled.
Forget the air-conditioned bus and the express selfies: in Vietnam, the bicycle is not a means of transport, it’s a passport to real life. Only a bicycle allows you to glide between the rice fields without crushing them, to become the local hero of the day (yes, the children will cheer for you), and to understand that happiness has a rhythm: 15 km/h, with sweat and sticky rice clinging to your fingers.
Biking in Vietnam, your passport to real life | Mr Linh's AdventuresWhy cycle in Vietnam? A 4-Point deal
♦ Density of "Wow" per kilometer. Only a bike saddle offers you direct contact with the world. Between a herd of water buffalo crossing and an 85-year-old grandmother overtaking you uphill, you won't have time to be bored. It's permanent live-action.
♦ In praise of slowness. Cycling encourages an authentic approach. Far from the usual tourist flow, you'll have time to see a scooter carrying 5 chickens AND a fridge, no Photoshop needed. Away from the tourist flow, you reconnect with the territory.
♦ Eco-friendly approach. Your only carbon footprint will be that of your tires on the road. And that's already a lot.
♦ Vietnamese-style hospitality: You'll be invited to drink tea, asked where you come from, and shown their home. Locals consider cycle tourists to be slightly crazy heroes. They might be right.
Only in Vietnam ! Mr Linh's AdventuresVietnam on two wheels: Regions for all levels
The Dragon Country has three distinct atmospheres, each with a strong character.
The North Vietnam: For calves that want to suffer (a little)
This is the playground for cyclists seeking thrills and breathtaking views. If you love to climb, this is where it happens.
The scenery: Terraced rice fields that make Instagram weep, limestone mountains in Upper Tonkin that make your knees weep, and the terrestrial Halong Bay in Ninh Binh that will make you forget the pain.
The challenge: Mountain roads are curvier than a Vietnamese drama. Ha Giang and Sapa will transform you into a pro climber or a ghost.
The reward: Nights with the Hmong, Dao, Muong communities. Their daily life becomes yours. Their happy water (rice wine) does too.
Central Vietnam: The happy balance (almost)
The Center is ideal if you're looking for balance between culture AND beaches, without the risk of hypoxia.
On the agenda: You'll wander around Hue, the ancient imperial capital, with its tombs, temples, and the Perfume River. You'll visit artisan villages around Hoi An, seamlessly transitioning from countryside to rice fields, then to wild beaches.
Bonus: Artisan workshops. You might leave with a traditional lantern or the consciousness of a weaver.
South Vietnam: Chill mode activated
The vibe: Mekong Delta horizontal and flat. Arroyos (small canals) as far as the eye can see. Floating markets where you'll buy the most exotic fruits.
The culture: Encounters with the Khmer communities. Their history is as rich as the architecture of their pagodas.
Vietnam on 2 wheels, your slow tourism adventure | Mr Linh's AdventuresVietnam on two wheels: The cyclist's seasons
Vietnam is over 1,600 km from north to south, with 3 distinct climates. So, it has 3 climates. Yes, it's complicated. Here's the solution:
The North (Hanoi - Sapa - Ha Giang)
October, the end of the monsoon season. The rice paddies are golden; the sky is blue again. But beware: residual typhoons are possible until mid-October. The real window of serenity is November-December: dry, cool (15-20°C), picture-postcard skies. We're on the road to perfection.
Central region (Hué - Hôi An)
The dry season (February to August) will be your friend. October-November is high typhoon season. If you want to do the Hai Van Pass, you can either attempt it in early October (risky bet), or wait until April-May (hello heatstroke!). The best compromise: aim for March to June for maximum safety.
The South (Mekong Delta)
Always hot, but December is synonymous with the dry season, ideal when it's winter in Europe.
Here, the region enjoys a distinct tropical climate. The perfect time is the dry season (December to April/May). Temperatures are pleasant and humidity low, perfect for exploring the Mekong Delta without the risk of rain.
Forget the air-conditioned bus and the express selfies ! Mr Linh's AdventuresPreparing to pedal in Vietnam
Above all else, follow this good advice: do not try to cross the entire country at once. You'll end up as cyclist soup and you'll have missed the essentials. Choose 2-3 regions max. Vietnam is a buffet, not a hot dog eating contest.
The bike: Buy, rent, or cry?
Solution A: Bringing your own (for purists)
- ✓ Cost: $100-150$ USD by plane (special case).
- ✓ Risk: Some companies use it as a luggage rack. Possible arrival in pieces.
- ✓ Advantage: You know your bike like the back of your hand. You can cry tears of joy seeing it survive.
Solution B: On site (recommended)
- ✓ Buying: $200-300$ USD for a used Giant/Trek in Hanoi/Saigon. Resell at -20%, for a real cost of $40-60$.
- ✓ Renting: $10-15$ USD/day. Perfect for a short stay.
- ✓ WARNING: Check the brakes and the handlebars!
► Prepare to Vietnam
Vietnam by bike with Mr Linh's AdventuresThe basic kit
- Helmet: Vietnamese traffic obeys quantum physics (anything is possible), so protect your brain.
- DEET 50%+ mosquito repellent: Against the "Navy Seals" on legs. Effective.
- LifeStraw Water Filter: The tap = digestive Russian roulette. Don't play.
- SPF 50+ sunscreen: At 15°N you tan in 10 minutes. Yes, your nose too. True advice.
- Set of inner tubes: Vietnamese nails have built-in radar; buy 4mm tubes, the Kevlar for your calves.
- 20,000 mAh powerbank: Google Maps is your bible. Without a battery, you pray.
- Earplugs + mask: The horn is the national anthem. So is the pollution.
- The Vietnamese traffic code: It is essentially based on the law of the biggest:
Truck > Bus > Car > Scooter > Bike > Pedestrian > Chicken. You are therefore 6th out of 7. Humility.
The departure checklist
- ✓ E-visa 90 days ($25$ USD, to be requested online on the official website)
- ✓ Repatriation insurance (World Nomads ~50USD for 30 days of coverage)
- ✓ Vaccines: Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid, Tetanus
- ✓ Bike tested (or address of a reliable shop)
- ✓ 1 phrase learned: "Bao nhiêu tiền ?" (How much?) + "Đắt quá !" (Too expensive!)
- ✓ 1 pair of denim shorts (to blend in with the locals)
- ✓ 1 adventurous soul (A must-have)
Cycling in Vietnam, a style of life | Mr Linh's AdventuresCycling in Vietnam, a philosophy
Cycle tourism in Vietnam is not a performance; it's a theatrical performance. You are the main actor, the landscapes are the backdrop, and 100 million Vietnamese are the cast.
You won't return the same. You'll have the legs of a marathon runner, the stomach of a sumo, the smile of a child who overtook you uphill, and the wisdom of someone who understood that happiness is at 15 km/h.
So, ready to pedal into the legend?
Hẹn gặp lại trên đường ! (See you on the road!)