CYCLE FROM Hanoi to hue
Sept 25 2025 - Oct 9 2025
Join me in September 2025 for an unforgettable cycling adventure through rural Vietnam from Hanoi in the North of the country to Hue (the historic and ancient capital of Vietnam) on the central north coast.
I am Greg Cawley a 700hr + qualified yoga instructor and avid traveler and my business Brikman Yoga offers Men Only Yoga classes to men in Toowoomba and Brisbane, and more recently travel adventures for men through my sister business Incredible Journeys.
I have travelled many times to Vietnam and have a passion for the country, the people and the food.
As part of this trip, experience (optional) yoga classes when the sites and conditions allow. At the end of each day or in the mornings yoga is a great way to loosen the body after hours in the saddle.
We will commence the trip with 2 nights in Hanoi and then transfer by van to Tam Coc(Ninh Binh).
There we will have 2 nights and a full day to explore this area and tour the amazing countryside, its temples and caves. We will commence the ride from our hotel in Tam Coc.
After 7 days riding, we will find ourselves in the ancient and historic city of Hue for 2 nights where we can relax, shop, eat great food and chill out. There will be an optional day tour of the major historic sites of Hue.
We will fly from Danang (a short van transfer from Hue) back to Brisbane via Singapore.
What better way to get together with a bunch of like-minded blokes and travel this amazing country, do some yoga in amazing settings and even have a few sneaky beers after a long day cycling.
IMPORTANT
This is not a trip just for hardcore cyclists or even yogis. All levels can enjoy this trip and the cycling. If youre not into yoga, then sit the sessions out.
A reasonable level of fitness is of course required and expected.
Ride as far as you wish each day and when you are ready, just put the bike into the trailer and spend the rest of the time in the van.
My brother who is 72 and I completed a ride similar to this in 2022. It was challenging at times but was a great way to get into rural Vietnam and experience life away from the tourist areas.
In April 2024 I took 12 guys to Vietnam for a similar ride from Dalat in the south to Hoi An in the central north. They loved it.
I can’t wait to share this adventure with you.
PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS
TRIP SUMMARY (subject to change)
PRICE $5460.00 (twin share)
Inclusions
International economy return fares on Singapore Airlines Brisbane to Hanoi and return from Danang to Brisbane
All accommodation while in Vietnam on a share twin basis(single rooms available at extra cost)
All breakfasts on trip, all lunches while cycling and 5 dinners while cycling
All transfers in Vietnam
Experienced English-speaking guide while cycling
Private transport and backup vehicle while cycling
Good quality well maintained mountain bikes and bike helmet
Yoga classes taken by Greg when the itinerary and locations allow
Exclusions
Vietnam Visa, Spending money, Optional sightseeing, Meals not listed, Travel insurance, Tips for the cycling guide (not compulsory but expected) (approx. $100.00 aud)
Note
Klms shown in the itinerary are total klms travelled. The cycling distance per day will likely be between 40 and 80klm max.
25 September – Fly overnight Brisbane to Hanoi via Singapore.
26 September – Arrive approx midday and rest of day at leisure in Hanoi
27 September – Full day in Hanoi
28 September - transfer by van in the morning to Tam Coc (Ninh Binh)(approx 2 hrs) Afternoon at leisure
29 September - Full day in Tam Coc - Optional (recommended tour)
30 September - Commence ride. Tam Coc - Mai Chau (140 klm)
1 October - Mai Chau - Thai Hoa - Quynh Ban beach (225 klm)
2 October - Thai Hoa - Vu Quang (160 klm)
3 October - Vu Quang - Phong Nha (165 klm)
4 October - Phong Nha - Khe Xanh (180 klm)
5 October - Khe Xanh - Quang Tri (90 klm)
6 October - Quang Tri - Hue (100 klm)
7 October - Full day in Hue (optional tour)
8 October - Early afternoon transfer by van to Da Nang airport(approx 2 hrs) for overnight flight to Brisbane (via Singapore)
9 October - Arrive Brisbane - tour ends
Contact me for more details at cawleygreg@hotmail.com or call 0435755033
DETAILED ITINERARY
September 25 – Meet at Brisbane International Airport for our 23.50 Singapore Airlines overnight flight to Singapore
September 26 - arrive Singapore 5.45 am, transit Singapore Airport, 9.05 am flight to Hanoi arriving at 11.25 am
Transfer to hotel - afternoon to rest or explore
September 27 – Free day in Hanoi
Options for the day include taking a city or a food tour, to visiting Ho Chi Minhs Mausoleum, or just taking your own time and checking out the city.
Accommodation Hotel (breakfast included)
September 28 – Hanoi to Tam Coc.
After breakfast, we will take our time until our late morning van transfer to Tam Coc (approx. 2 hrs.)
On arrival we will check into our hotel and have the rest of the day to explore the lovely small town of Tam Coc and look at tour options for the next day
Accommodation Hotel (breakfast included)
September 29 – Free day in Tam Coc
After breakfast you are free to have the day to yourself or take one of the recommended tours of the Ninh Binh area. The scenery here is amazing including a boat tour through caves, temples etc
The scenery is very much like an inland Halong Bay and is not to be missed
There will be a trip briefing with our cycle guides in the afternoon.
Accommodation Hotel (breakfast included)
September 30 - Tam Coc - Mai Chau Road 12B (140km)
Hotel pickup at 7:30 am and transfer by van out of Ninh Bình city to Xam Sao town.
Start the ride along the North side of Cuc Phuong Park through villages and small towns to Deo Trang. Lunch at local restaurant. Heading down the huge green field valley of rice to Pomcoong village and overnight in the home stay of white Thai ethnic people.
Accommodation Homestay(breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
October 1 - Mai Chau - Thai Hoa Road 16 (225km)
After breakfast we set off along a spectacularly beautiful river valley towards Hoi Xuan along an undulating tarmac road. The road follows the flow of River Song Ma. This is an old supply route of the HCM Trail that fed the main trail with ammunitions during the American War with Vietnam.
The road gets more beautiful the closer you ride to Ngoc Lac with looming karst limestone cliffs and lush vegetation. The route is tarmac all the way, but quite hard riding due to the undulating terrain.
We ride for the first time on the newly built two lane Ho Chi Minh Highway. It hardly warrants two lanes as there is no traffic!
Ride to Muc Son, on the banks of River Song Chu. Continue riding on the trail to Yen Cat. The distance covered today is quite long and there will be the chance to transfer some sections by the back-up vehicle to rest weary legs.
There are fewer villages today as the route cuts through forests and jungle. Picnic lunch en-route. Overnight Thai Hoa guesthouse. (80+ km).
Accommodation Homestay (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
October 2 - Thai Hoa – Hương Khue town Road 15 - HCM trail (160km)
Continue riding the Ho Chi Minh Trail after breakfast at a local restaurant.
This is a huge forest and jungle area and the road rolls along and crosses the famous 500 km Lam river basin which starts from Laos to Nghe Tinh province then to the ocean.
Picnic lunch along the way. An hour and a half transfer through ethnic villages and towns before arriving our accommodation.
Accommodation honestay(breakfast,lunch and dinner included)
October 3 - Huong Khue – Phong Nha Road 15 (135km)
Breakfast at homestay and then we are transferred to out of town for an hour before setting off along a spectacular ride.
Huong Khe the mountains rise and the road winds up, down and along the hillsides. The scenery is spectacular, the road tranquil. Ride up to 80km then transfer the last few km to Phong Nha National Park.
The park contains one of the most spectacular caves in Vietnam, It is a true speleological wonder.
If time permits we can visit some of the caves or take a local tour
Accommodation homestay (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
October 4 - Phong Nha – Khe Xanh Road 15 (180km)
Explore Phong Nha Cave in the early morning. An hour transfer along WH15 of West HCM road. The cycling is awesome with many water falls and jungle along the way.
Our destination is the famous battle zone due to the Vietnam War which was the main frontier post between the north and south. The military base built by the Laos border to cut off the HCM trail from the North to the South. It was a site of huge battles was caused a lot of pain and los\sses among those fighting from 1965 – 1968.
These days it is tranquil with green farms of coffee and fruit. It’s also the main road for the local business between Laos and VN. Accommodation homestay (breakfast and lunch and included)
October 5 - Khe Xanh - Quang Tri Road 16 (90km)
Continue riding on the Ho Chi Minh Trail down and across the DMZ (better known as the 17th Parallel,) to Cam Lo. The road is now quite flat and makes for good cruising!
Stop en-route to visit Truong Son Cemetary, a memorial to the tens of thousands of North Vietnamese soldiers who were lost in the Truong Son Mountains along the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
Further on is the town of Cam Lo – the Trail here intersects a strategic feeder road (H15) from Dong Ha.
At this junction part of the Ho Chi Minh Trail HW9 heads across country into Laos.
We finish our exploration of the Ho Chi Minh trail here and head to Cua Tung beach.
Accommodation homestay (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
October 6 -Quang Trị - Hue Road 49B – (100km)
This last 100km to Hue city with the most beautiful back 49B road along the beach and Tamgiang Lagoon,
Lunch at local restaurant along the way. We end the 7 day bike ride at Hue city.
Accommodation hotel (breakfast and lunch included)
October 7 - Free day in Hue – After breakfast you are free to have the day to yourself or take one of the recommended tours of the Old City(its worth it). Hue is well known for its delicious local cuisine.
Accommodation hotel (breakfast included)
October 8 - Free morning in Hue - chill out, last minute shopping etc
(breakfast included)
Approx. midday we transfer to Danang International Airport(approx. 2 hrs.) for our flight back to Brisbane departing 16.35. Transit at Singapore and connect to our 21.30 flight to Brisbane
October 9 - arrive Brisbane 6.55am
Trip concludes
some photos below from our trip in april 2024
