Fancy a challenge? Far Northern Vietnam serves up some of the most stunning bike touring in the region.
The little-explored area of Ha Giang in far north Vietnam, near the southern Chinese border, has remained remote enough that it still retains its own unique food and culture separate from mainstream Vietnam.
Hilltribes in Southeast Asia are now so iconic that you may feel you are already quite familiar with them. But these genuine inhabitants, living a still very traditional life, only exist in remote areas that are typically challenging to access.
In fact, the Ha Giang region itself only became accessible somewhat recently and is often referred to as Vietnam’s final frontier given its striking terrain and bordering location with China’s Yunnan province.
The breathtaking limestone Karsts (mountains) that provide its unique, sometimes otherworldly, topography offer an awe inspiring backdrop, stunning mountain top views and unforgettable conditions for bike touring.
It is true that this unspoiled, sparsely populated, remote region offers its fair share of challenges, with some days requiring you to dig down that little bit extra to push the final distance up the mountaintop passes. But once arrived the rewards are there in spades.
Each winding turn or cresting summit hugging the mountainside dishes up fairytale views over carpeted valleys, and the immense satisfaction of personal achievement. Then comes the adrenaline filled reward of a wind-in-your-hair descent into the next canyon.
Every day here offers amazing diversity and there is no doubt that Ha Giang holds a special place in the hearts of the Grasshopper Adventures team as must-do on the bike touring bucket list.
Explore this fascinating region this October (2017). Other riders are signed up and this tour is a guaranteed departure at a lovely time of year. Future dates are also scheduled for a variety of other trips in Ha Giang and only two participants are required for a tour to be guaranteed to run - See them all here.
Hope to ride with you in Ha Giang, Vietnam.
