Ha Giang Loop Cycle Tour

Fabulous! We have just finished our 7-day trip, cycling round the Ha Giang Loop on gravel bikes, and it has been one of the best experiences of our lives! My girlfriend and I are both 21 years old and ex-national level cyclists who were looking for a demanding, but enjoyable, trip.

Firstly and most importantly, our guide Minh was impeccable - he was so energetic and enthusiastic it was infectious. He also was incredibly kind and thoughtful, and made us feel very welcome and thoroughly supported. He organized everything and was very adaptable to changes of plans, pace, and route depending on how we were feeling. 12/10.

Secondly, the route was to die for. The scenery was EPIC. There was a wide variety of jungle, big mountains, spectacular rock faces, rice paddies, rivers, and traditional communities along a parcours of big roads, gravel, dirt, and small village paths. ..The route was perfect and Minh was flexible if we were struggling to slow down or shorten. 10/10

Finally, the food and accommodation were both excellent and we enjoyed a beautiful mix of nice hotels and authentic home stays. There was also ample food across all meals as well as a few coffee stops along the ride to keep us fueled. This was notably aided by our wonderful driver and soigneur, Chien, who drove our bus with our belongings and met us at stages along the ride with fresh fruit, snacks, and water. He was a wonderfully positive and reliable rock in our trip. 10/10

In conclusion, I couldn’t recommend [the operator] more, and I sing the highest of praise to Minh for making this trip so fun and memorable. Whatever you are looking for, [the operator]  can arrange something enjoyable for anyone!

Since 2019 I have been on four cycling trips to Southeast Asia each with a different tour group, of varying group sizes and different “vibes” or focus with me (68 y.o. solo rider) at a different level in cycling ability for each trip, using both regular bikes and e-bikes. All were very good.
But the last trip, the subject of this review, the Ha Giang loop with [the operator] , was perhaps the high point of my trips.
This review can best be summed up with an email I received from my wife towards the end of the trip. She wrote: “So many beautiful pics!... To me sitting comfy here, this was the most beautiful and immersive trip you’ve taken”.

Indeed, the scenery and cultural immersion to the Ha Gaing loop’s ethnic minority population was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Meeting and interacting with North Vietnam’s hilltribe population is a special part of this ride.
But make no mistake about it: it is not for everybody. It is a very challenging (even with an e-bike!) and at times for me was a struggle. The trip was in September that meant some rain, which added to the challenge but at the same time added to the beauty and green of North Vietnam’s harvest season. But at every point I felt completely safe and supported by [the operator]  Staff looking out for us led by our leader Mr. Thai. Special shout out and heartfelt thanks also to the support teams from Saigon and Hanoi who were top notch professionals who were always there to answer a question or solve a problem.

There was also plenty of time for social interactions with our diverse bike group – we were from Vietnam, Japan, France, Australia, US and Poland---another facet I enjoy about these trips meeting good people from around the world.
Food and accommodations were great- especially the homestays which added to cultural immersion experience.
In sum, if you are looking for something more than a pedestrian (in a cycling sense) stroll in Vietnam and a challenging immersive trip into a part of Vietnam’s ethnic minority culture not many get to interact with, I would wholeheartedly recommend the Ha Giang loop tour with [the operator] . It is an experience you will never forget.

Ive been riding with [the operator]  for years. I think I've done every ride.
What started as a thing to do on weekends when I moved to Saigon became a genuine hobby cum passion.
[The operator]  is for cyclists. They run outstanding tours, but every one is tweaked for the needs of the cyclists on the day. Everything from super challenging mountain climbs in Ha Giang, to long distance international tours, to day trips around Saigon are possible.
I love cycling, but Im not super fast or super skilled. Ive been on rides where Ive been the most experienced and rides where I've been at the back of the pack. It never matters - the team at [the operator]  make sure you have an incredible time and cater to your needs and strengths.
The staff at [the operator]  are an absolute strength of this company. They're passionate about cycling and about their job - its like riding with a tight knit group of friends in the best way.
Whether youre a hobby cyclist or a serious lycra aficionado - a [the operator]  tour is a must do in Vietnam.
(They also do all kinds of bike hire and their bikes are awesome!)

I recently joined the Ha Giang MTB Challenge with [the operator] It was a 7 days trip in the north of Vietnam. I had previously joined other day trips and also a 3 days trip on Bao Loc. They were all great, but the Ha Giang trip was something taken to the next level in all aspects.

All details of the trip were carefully planned, and when we encountered any challenge along the way (due to weather or road condition, for example) there was always a plan B ready to be executed.

The ride was difficult at times, with lots of climbings, challenging even to experienced cyclists. However the views of the landscapes around were stunning at all times and kept us motivated. The support crew was super helpful. Every few kms there was a stop for drinks (water, lemonade, soft drinks) and snacks or fruits. Bike mechanic was available if any issue. [The operator]  have good bikes for rental, but I had brought mine own. Needless to say, the support crew took good care of it, doing a basic clean and check ( including lubrication) at the end of each day. We had nothing to worry about, just enjoy the experience.

It was much more than just a bike ride, it was an immersion in the local Vietnamese way of life and culture. We experienced visits to remote villages, and were warmly received by local residents on their houses. [The operator]  team took care of all meals ( breakfast, lunch and dinner) were we experienced a variety of local fresh and tasty food.

Our riding group was a mix of nationalities and ages, and we had a lot of fun together. After every ride, we would enjoy a happy hour drink and party, before our dinner. The accommodations were very nice and comfortable, always in a different homestay along the route.
It was an adventure, we got to know the real north Vietnam countryside. But all was possible due to the fantastic arrangements of the [the operator] team.

5 Stars to Thai Minh Hang and his team. Thank you for building this memorable trip.

This was the best cycling tour I have done in Vietnam so far. We couldn't hope for anything better.

Thai, An and [the operator]  team took us in some amazing and breathtaking location off the beaten track.
It was challenging at times but all doable and the emphasis was always on safety while still having lots of fun and discovering new culture and being able to interact with locals and share precious moments, stories, drinks and food.

All was so well organized - we had varied and amazing accommodation in home stays as well as delicious food at all meals.

I would recommend [the operator]  to anyone as they have the passion for cycling and a very high customer service.

Thanks again for this wonderful adventure and experience which I will never forget.

Our 8 day cycle on the Ha Giang loop was a highlight of our 7 week south East Asian travels. The riding was challenging and fun with incredible terrain and scenery. A great group of cyclists and a professional and friendly team delivered by [the tour operator] who accompanied, guided and supporting us along the way.