Tour of Vietnam by bicycle. 4th Edition achieved
by the support of the French Cycle Touring Federation - FCTF
Film and Photo: An Tran

THE MANDARINE ROAD AND HALONG BAY / 11 days and 26 days

From North to South by bicycle

Crossing the country by bicycle, a shared passion.

1st Journey North. Bicycle and boat.

Leave La Ferme du Colvert, Hoa Binh, in the land of the Muong, D’zao, Thai....between terrassed paddyfields, forests and mountains bordering the Black River. Pass through the gentle countryside of the Red River delta by sampan amongst the beauty of the terrestrial Ha Long Bay and the infamous Ha Long Bay proper.

2nd Journey to Central Vietnam. Bicycle and sampan.

Romantic Hue and it’s Perfume River, land of the last Annam emperors and the small, charming Hoi An, next to the sea. By following The Mandarin Road, our cycling trip leads us to the heart of the High Plateaus of Central Vietnam, where the elephant tamers Banar and Sedan took up residence.

3rd Journey South. Bicycle and sampan.

Explore the Central Vietnam coastline, a veritable peace haven surrounded by coconut plantations, transparent waters and reefs, from The Chinese Sea to Sai Gon.

Terminus: The floating markets of the Mekong Delta by sampan boat.

The North 11 days

1. Flight Paris - Hanoi.

2. Xuan Mai - Hoa Binh, 40km North-west of Hanoi. Arrival. Transfer to the Muong village where the water reigns as master. Prepare for the bicycle journey leaving the following day. Spend a night in a beautiful traditional house bordering the Dap Dom Lake. Welcome evening of house specialities and a folktale performance.

3. Towards the Perfume Pagoda. 110km - mildly hilly. Bicycling through the Hoa Binh Mountains, land of sugarcane and birthplace of the submersed rice growing culture; in the region of the Perfume Pagoda, with it’s karstic rocks, in the heart of the My Duc Valley. Guesthouse.

4. Towards Cuc Phuong Park Reserve. 150km - mildly hilly. Bicycling, through the heart of the countryside, you arrive in the region of the Cuc Phuong Park Reserve; beautiful tropical forests surrounded by the Boi Mountain chain, which has an altitude of some 800m. Guesthouse.

5. Terrestrial Ha Long Bay. 60km - Flat. Bicycling to the terrestrial Ha Long Bay. Magical ricefields surrounded by great rocks. By sampan on the Tam Coc - Bich Dong. Visit the temples of the first Viet kings: Dinh and Le. Hotel in the Ninh Binh region.

6. Thai Binh region. 65km - flat. Bicycling, in the direction of the Ha Long Bay maritime. Along dikes, canals and through hamlets, you’ll arrive at Thai Binh, the most important rice producer in the Northern Vietnam delta. Meet the locals of the Bach Thuan village. Hostel.

7. Red River delta. 115km - flat. By bicycle, passing through Thai Binh by ferry boat, ricefields and markets....towards Hai Phong, the most important port city in the North and The Chinese sea. Hotel.

8. Ha Long. 100km - flat. Bicycling to the infamous Ha Long Bay. Board your private boat. Cruise through the beautiful islands of Ha Long Bay, magical! Seafood meals and night onboard.

9. Cruise. Wake up amongst a thousand beautiful islands. Swim (depending on season) or little island walks. Seafood meals onboard. Disembark. By car to Hanoi. Traditional water puppet performance and goodbye dinner in Hanoi. Hotel in the heart of the Old quarter.

10. Ha Noi. Guided day visit around the city. Hanoi, the beautiful city which has inspired many of the best poems in Vietnam. Lively and colourful Old quarter shopkeepers and French-style colonial villas. Return flight back to Paris.

11. Paris. Arrive in Paris.