--- title: "Bicycle touring in Vietnam | Cycle Planet" description: "Cycling Vietnam: visa, border crossings, safety, transport, places to sleep and points of interest, from cyclists who were there." canonical_url: "https://cycleplanet.org/countries/vietnam" meta: "og:description": "Cycling Vietnam: visa, border crossings, safety, transport, places to sleep and points of interest, from cyclists who were there." "og:image": "https://cycleplanet.org/_og/d/c_Blauwdruk%2Ctitle_Bicycle%2Btouring%2Bin%2BVietnam%2Cdescription_~Q3ljbGluZyBWaWV0bmFtOiB2aXNhLCBib3JkZXIgY3Jvc3NpbmdzLCBzYWZldHksIHRyYW5zcG9ydCwgcGxhY2VzIHRvIHNsZWVwIGFuZCBwb2ludHMgb2YgaW50ZXJlc3QsIGZyb20gY3ljbGlzdHMgd2hvIHdlcmUgdGhlcmUu%2Cheadline_South-Eastern%2BAsia%2CsiteName_Cycle%2BPlanet%2Clogo_CP%2Cp_Ii9jb3VudHJpZXMvdmlldG5hbSI%2Cs_a-Ga_KDY0lnzYJH3.png" "og:image:height": "600" "og:image:type": image/png "og:image:width": "1200" "og:title": "Bicycle touring in Vietnam" "twitter:image": "https://cycleplanet.org/_og/d/c_Blauwdruk%2Ctitle_Bicycle%2Btouring%2Bin%2BVietnam%2Cdescription_~Q3ljbGluZyBWaWV0bmFtOiB2aXNhLCBib3JkZXIgY3Jvc3NpbmdzLCBzYWZldHksIHRyYW5zcG9ydCwgcGxhY2VzIHRvIHNsZWVwIGFuZCBwb2ludHMgb2YgaW50ZXJlc3QsIGZyb20gY3ljbGlzdHMgd2hvIHdlcmUgdGhlcmUu%2Cheadline_South-Eastern%2BAsia%2CsiteName_Cycle%2BPlanet%2Clogo_CP%2Cp_Ii9jb3VudHJpZXMvdmlldG5hbSI%2Cs_a-Ga_KDY0lnzYJH3.png" --- > Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://cycleplanet.org/llms.txt) South-Eastern Asia # Vietnam [**View on the map**](https://cycleplanet.org/map?at=14.058324,108.277199,6.5) [** Download GPX (3) **](https://cycleplanet.org/api/gpx/VN) ## **About ** No information about this yet. Been here? Help the next cyclist. [Add information](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/vietnam/edit/about) ## **People ** Vietnamese are extremely nice people. Everyone reacts to every cyclist. People are friendly and have an open mentality. Outside of the touristy places, a European cyclist is sometimes the first white person a child has ever seen. People are then properly stared at. The disadvantage is that you have to pay for everything, just like the Vietnamese themselves, but the tourist is asked exorbitantly high prices. So take all the time and rest to negotiate, with a positive attitude and humor you will go a long way but remember the rule that you have to pay for everything and always agree a price in advance. We do not have this experience. Tourist areas are more expensive. Outside the tourist areas only experienced a few times that the price was too high. Most Vietnamese are eager to forget the war and everyone is focused on the future and trying to trade. With the Doi Moi, education and health facilities have also been abandoned and parents are working hard to get their children to go to school. Birth control is taken very seriously. Older people who speak English quite well have usually had a connection with the US military. They want to talk more easily about the war and especially about re-education camps, most of them work as guides. Outside the major cities only Vietnamese is generally spoken, in the major cities often (but not always) English and sometimes French. Especially in the north, communication is hardly possible if you don't speak Vietnamese. In the south you can get by in English or French here and there. Last updated 17 Jun 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/vietnam/edit/people) ## **Visa ** No information about this yet. Been here? Help the next cyclist. [Add information](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/vietnam/edit/visa) ## **Border crossings **(1) Sorted by most likes 1. [![Border crossing](https://cycleplanet.org/markers/Border.png)**1. Krong Bavet (Cambodia) – Moc Bai (Vietnam)**To CambodiaTraveling to Vietnam is difficult because of the Vietnamese authorities. They are very precise with regard to the entry date. The date you entered on your… 2](https://cycleplanet.org/poi/07acd8bf-7e47-459b-a0a1-05053ebd6071) ## **See and do **(1) Sorted by most likes 1. [![See \& do](https://cycleplanet.org/markers/SeeDo.png)**1. HaNoi Historical City Center**See & doHaNoi is a beautiful city, especially the old part with its maze of streets. The streets are still determined by a specific craft. You have the Jewle Street…](https://cycleplanet.org/poi/4427c94d-e776-48e2-be3d-78bdcf951fec) ## **Bike shops **(1) Sorted by most likes 1. [![Bike shop](https://cycleplanet.org/markers/BikeShop.png)**1. The Hanoi Bicycle Collective**Bike shopThe Hanoi Bicycle Collective. Spanish owner and a Bulgarian bicycle repairman who does a good job. http://www.thbc.vn/ 29, Nhat Chieu, phone: 0437183156, in… 1](https://cycleplanet.org/poi/ac4ac9fc-5840-4d90-8e60-60ce7d95ba90) ## **Sleeping ** ### **Staying with locals** Staying in people's homes seems impossible due to, among other things, lack of space. As a rule, a permit is required to accommodate tourists, which makes staying with private individuals more difficult. In the central highlands people are very hospitable, especially the minorities, but staying overnight can cause many problems for the local population with the government. ### **Ho(s)tels** In any place with more than 50,000 inhabitants, you can find a reasonable to fairly good accommodation. In the villages it is simple to very primitive (with well). Prices are not fixed anywhere, they can be negotiated. Single rooms are rare so if you are cycling solo you have to haggle extra. Not every hotel is available for tourists, there is simply no permit. Hotels are within cycling distance (maximum 100 to 150 km). Only on the route Vinh - Hue it is uncertain to find anything. ### **Wild camping** It is impossible to wild camp in Vietnam. Next to almost every road, the land on both sides is used for agriculture. Mainly for rice cultivation and therefore quite wet. In addition, you will not be able to stand out of sight, which means that you have constant calls at night. Last updated 17 Jun 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/vietnam/edit/sleeping) ## **Safety ** Safety is okay, although a cyclist twice reported being pelted by stones (more like a prank). Vietnam is very female friendly. The men let the alcohol flow freely, and as a result they behave a little more boldly. A female cyclist reported that she was not harassed by men, but by the women who found it interesting that she passed. Last updated 17 Jun 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/vietnam/edit/safety) ## **Transport ** ### **Train** Trains run between Saigon and Ha Noi (with several intermediate stops) and between Hanoi-Lao Cai. You can bring a bicycle for a small payment of about 20,000 dong. Due to language problems, it is not always easy to get the desired ticket, taking your bike with you helps. The bicycle cannot always be taken on the same train. Book tickets in advance! If you want to spend the night in the Victoria hotel in Sapa (pricey!) you can take the Victoria Express from Hanoi to lao Cai v.v. That means a special carriage in the regular train, more expensive but in terms of comfort etc. usually the same as the regular express. Do inform in time, because around the rainy season it can happen that no trains run for a longer period of time due to damage to the track. Bert: "After some insistence, our bicycles were allowed to come with us in the 4-person sleeping compartment (so you pay for 4) and no hassle with sending bicycles ahead in another train!" ### **Bus** On the way you can quite easily hail a bus (during lunch break there are hardly any buses). As a tourist you can't always take the 'normal' bus. You are then dependent on tourist buses. You can always take the bike with you, as long as you pay. For that money they effortlessly put some Vietnamese off the bus (without you noticing). The price is relatively expensive, especially since they want to earn as much money as possible from you. The harder the place is to get away (rain; far from civilization) the higher the price in dollars. Take the time to negotiate for a reasonable price. First make sure you have the price clear before your bike is on the roof, they are very skilled at that. you can also just "arrange" buses at the bus station. It is time consuming. Bicycles go in large buses (for a fee) at the bottom. With small vans on the roof or in the back (instead of 4 seats). Transportation is very slow. Normal bus runs on average 40 to 50 km per hour. Distances are long. So it takes a lot of time. Last updated 17 Jun 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/vietnam/edit/transport) ## **Food and drink ** The food is generally good and reliable. In Vietnam, as a rule, noodles + rice soup with meat and vegetables are eaten in the morning, the same in the afternoon, and rice or noodles in the evening with all kinds of vegetables and meat or fish. In the mountains it is more difficult to get food and drink than elsewhere. Vegetarian food (an chay) is especially known in the south. These eateries are often closed early and are somewhat out of the way. Ask in hotels and they often take you there. In addition to temples, good vegetarian food is often available around lunchtime. Lots of tofu of course and in many variations. The choice is not too large in ordinary eateries, but vegetarian food is not a problem throughout Vietnam. **Supermarkets** Supermarkets are a relatively new phenomenon in Vietnam, the number of supermarkets is increasing rapidly. It is often not allowed to take a bag into a supermarket. In that case, a guarded 'wardrobe' or a number of 'lockers' is available at the entrance of the supermarket. **Stalls on the street** Since the free market economy was introduced, you can now find food stalls everywhere along the road. In the markets and in the stalls you will mainly find vegetables, fruit, meat, fish, rice, noodles, sweets and cookies. Small sandwiches and baguettes are also readily available. Not all stalls sell tasty edibles (sometimes just some old, spoiled cookies). **Restaurants** Restaurants are available in all categories and price ranges, Vietnamese cook little themselves. For less than 100,000 dong you have a nutritious meal, including a beer, soft drink or fresh fruit juice. Especially in the cities there are also restaurants with foreign cuisine, Japanese, Indian, French, Thai, etc. You will also find 'fancy' restaurants in the cities, ie with air conditioning, with corresponding price level. **Drinkable water** Tap water is unreliable. Bottles of water can be found almost everywhere, the closure must be checked, sometimes used bottles are filled clandestinely with water of dubious origin. Dairy products can be found in supermarkets, both fresh and pasteurized. Drinks (also cola, fanta, 7-up) are available everywhere, even the smallest stall has a few bottles of liquid. The coffee is tasty - if you like very strong and very sweet, that is - (filter on the cup). The men like to drink a lot of beer. The large bottles of locally brewed beer taste very good. 'Homemade' rice wine is available in various flavors, delicious after a long walk, the small water bottles are filled with it. Last updated 17 Jun 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/vietnam/edit/foodDrink) ## **Vaccinations & health ** Malaria is common in Vietnam. However, you do not need to bring a mosquito net. They are present where necessary, often tucked away in a special cupboard above the bed! Last updated 17 Jun 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/vietnam/edit/health) ## **Other ** **Best time to cycle** Vietnam has large climate differences. Three seasons can be found in central and northern Vietnam. In October and November it is mainly rainy season in central Vietnam. The temperature varies from 20 to 35/40 degrees. Winter reigns between November and April. It is cool and even cold in the mountains, in January it can snow and freeze. Temperatures are on average around 20 degrees in Hanoi, in Sapa just above 0 degrees, but in the south the temperature can rise to 30 degrees. Precipitation amounts are low during this period. South Vietnam has two seasons: the dry season (November to April) and the rainy season (May to October). Especially at the end of the dry season (March and April) it can be very hot (35 to 40 ˚C). In March and April there is no rain in the Mekong Delta. In the mountains around Dalat there is regular rainfall in April. The best time for cycling is October - December because of the lower rainfall and the more pleasant temperatures: 20 to 30 degrees in the mountains, although it can still rise to 40 degrees in November in the delta. The southwest monsoon prevails between May and October. The weather is hot and humid. It also cools slightly at night. Temperatures are often between 28 and 38 degrees. During this period there is a lot of precipitation almost every day. Sometimes you have a short heavy shower, sometimes a whole day of rain or drizzle, but also two to three days in a row heavy rain. In the deltas the weather is usually stable, sunny and hot. The power of the sun is a potential problem, south Vietnam is at 10˚ north latitude, which means that part of the year the sun is directly above you, between 11:00 and 15:00 the sun is very powerful. **Spare parts** Don't count on western parts, although they are probably available in Saigon. So bring your own spare parts and, for example, a folding tire. There are plenty of bicycle repair shops, often small workshops under a thatched roof. The bicycle mechanics are very helpful and inventive. Finding a welder is no problem at all. Last updated 17 Jun 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/vietnam/edit/other) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/#website","@type":"WebSite","description":"Cycle Planet is the bicycle touring platform: visas, border crossings, places to sleep and points of interest per country, and a community of cyclists who host each other.","name":"Cycle Planet","url":"https://cycleplanet.org/","publisher":{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/#identity"}},{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/countries/vietnam#webpage","@type":"WebPage","description":"Cycling Vietnam: visa, border crossings, safety, transport, places to sleep and points of interest, from cyclists who were there.","name":"Bicycle touring in Vietnam","url":"https://cycleplanet.org/countries/vietnam","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/countries/vietnam#/schema/breadcrumb-list/#breadcrumb"},"isPartOf":{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/#website"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://cycleplanet.org/countries/vietnam"]}],"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/#logo"}},{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/#identity","@type":"Organization","email":"info@cycleplanet.org","name":"Cycle Planet","url":"https://cycleplanet.org/","logo":{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/#logo"},"sameAs":["https://www.instagram.com/cycle.planet","https://m.facebook.com/Cycle-Planet-100672311813208"]},{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/countries/vietnam#/schema/tourist-destination/1","@type":"TouristDestination","name":"Vietnam","touristType":"Bicycle tourers","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressCountry":"VN"},"geo":{"@type":"GeoCoordinates","latitude":14.058324,"longitude":108.277199}},{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/countries/vietnam#/schema/breadcrumb-list/#breadcrumb","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","name":"Home","item":"https://cycleplanet.org/","position":1},{"@type":"ListItem","name":"Countries","item":"https://cycleplanet.org/countries","position":2},{"@type":"ListItem","name":"Vietnam","item":"https://cycleplanet.org/countries/vietnam","position":3}]},{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/#logo","@type":"ImageObject","caption":"Cycle Planet","contentUrl":"https://cycleplanet.org/logo.png","inLanguage":"en","url":"https://cycleplanet.org/logo.png"}]} ``` ## Sitemap See the full [sitemap](https://cycleplanet.org/sitemap.md) for all pages.