Vietnam is a great country for cycling in the countryside since it’s mainly flat near the coastline. Walking about the main towns is the best way to explore them and visit all their historic sights as well as soak up the flavours of the streets.
Vietnam Activity Map
Find all of our city guides, cycles and hikes in the map below.
Below you will find an overview of our content, divided into the most popular areas of Vietnam. Also, check out our useful resources for travelling in Vietnam at the bottom of the page.
Ha Long Bay & Hiking on Cát Bà Island
Ha Long Bay is one of the top destinations in Vietnam, and this can make it feel a little crowded! It’s still worth visiting, either on a multi-day cruise* or a day-cruise*. However, a land-based trip to Cát Bà Island is a great addition to a cruise in the Bay. You can explore the town, visit the beaches and the fort on this hike, or for an authentic experience, hike through the countryside of Cát Bà National Park.
Ninh Binh Cycling
Ninh Binh is an area of scenic countryside not far south of Hanoi. There are lots of things to see quite close to each other, making it a perfect destination for cycling (or riding a scooter). Explore the highlights of Ninh Binh on a bike, or cycle through the lovely countryside. You can easily reach Ninh Binh by jumping on a quick bus from Hanoi*.
Hue Imperial City and Hoi An, with Cycling
Hue and Hoi An are not far from each other, and are both top places to visit in Vietnam. Explore Hue Imperial City, then cycle around the many impressive tombs nearby. Then transit between Hue and Hoi An via scenic Hai Van Pass* for a lovely travelling day. Stroll around beautiful Hoi An, but make sure to explore further on a cycle trip to the beach or nearby Cam Kim Island.
To enhance your stay in Hoi An, book a lantern-making class*!
Novels to read while in Vietnam
The Quiet American*: Perhaps the most famous book set in Vietnam
The Sympathizer*: Pulitzer Prize Winner 2016
Saigon: An Epic Novel of Vietnam*: Understand the history of Vietnam through a fast-paced novel
Discovering the Big Cities: Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, at the north and south of the country, are the top two cities to visit in Vietnam. There’s a wealth of history, palaces, museums and more to discover in both. Check out our Hanoi Walking Tour, our Ho Chi Minh Walking Tour, or get off the beaten path in Cholon, a suburb of Ho Chi Minh.
While in Ho Chi Minh, take a day trip to the Củ Chi Tunnels*, where Viet Cong soldiers hid during the war.
Useful Resources
Attractions
Klook* is the best website to book attractions and tours in Vietnam. This is not surprising as it’s an Asian start-up, based in Singapore. We have booked several museum tours through them.
Accommodation
Booking.com* is our go-to website for accommodations in Vietnam. It typically has the best deals and best cancellation options.
Getting Around
12Go* is the website we use to book train and bus tickets in Vietnam. They have transparent pricing and it’s very simple to use.
Payments
Wise* is great for payments abroad: You can hold and convert between 40 currencies and pay with a single card in the local currency, avoiding a lot of transaction fees. We use it everywhere abroad as the costs are transparent and low, and the service is super simple & convenient.
Insurance
Safety Wings* is great if you are looking for medical and travel insurance with good coverage all over the World outside of your home country. It is not the cheapest option, but the service is flexible and you can even subscribe from abroad, ideal for nomads. We used the service in the past when travelling in Africa and Asia.