Ha Giang and Cao Bang: Vietnam's Frontier by Road Bike

Vietnam’s remote north-eastern frontier holds a special mystique, even for seasoned Vietnamese travelers. There is a reverence for the vast scale of its dense jungles, jagged mountain ranges, clear streams and deep canyons; for the sheer number of indigenous ethnic groups, each with distinct languages and customs, different from one valley to the next; and for the region's formative role in the Vietnamese identity from ancient times until the present. This is also the heartland of Vietnamese independence: it was in the gorges and caverns of the North-East that the national hero, Ho Chi Minh, trained and built up his nascent guerilla army to prevail first against the occupying French, then eventually against the Americans and South Vietnamese. Today, this is a peaceful and welcoming land, with smiles aplenty from local denizens as we roll through their small villages and farms. Every bend in the road brings sights and encounters that will stay with us as we pedal our way across this formidable territory.

We first meet in Hanoi, then depart for a day of lakeside riding to Vu Linh. From here, the spectacular territory and tougher cycling begin, as we make our way to Hoang Su Phi and Quan Ba. Stunning geological formations and an array of cultural stops await as we enter the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark. We then enter Cao Bang Province, passing over the famous Ma Pi Leng Pass to arrive in Bao Lac. Approach the Chinese border on remote roads as you make your way deeper into the province, with views of rice terraces and dazzling mountain ranges stretching as far as the eye can see. The Pac Bo caves, favoured hiding spot of Ho Chi Minh, make for an evocative stop before we continue on roads flanked by stilted houses and water buffalo. The towering cascades of Ban Gioc Waterfall greet us in the soft morning light before we ride through charming stone villages and arrive in lively Cao Bang City for a night. Leave town on a sustained climb surrounded by gorgeous countryside, with an equally long downhill as we arrive at serene Ba Be Lake, a favourite natural sanctuary. Our last ride takes us southward out of the mountains towards Bac Kan, and we then return to Hanoi, emerging from this thrilling whirl through the realms of the north!

Join us as we venture to the heights of Vietnam’s frontier on this unforgettable 12-day road cycling journey!