Bac Ha Cycling Vietnam Cycle, Bike Tour, Biking Travel Destination, Route

Bac Ha cycling is our complete travel guide about cycling in Bac Ha Vietnam. If you search for biking around Bac Ha, cycle from Bac Ha to Lao Cai, Bac Ha bike ride, Bac Ha to Ha Giang bicycle tour, then you should keep reading. We brings on this page helpful information about Bac Ha mountain bike tour as well as related information you might need to plan your upcoming trip.

Bac Ha is a mountainous district of Lao Cai province in the northwest region of Vietnam. Bac Ha district covers an area of 680 square kilometres, offering a wide range of activities and tours. Apart from trekking, cycling is also a great way to discover Bac Ha Vietnam. The less-traveled district of Bac Ha has sealed, paved cycle routes, single dirt tracks, mountain bicycle routes, trails offering fantastic bike rides for enthusiastic road cyclists and mountain bikers.

Bac Ha district contains 1 township and 20 communes including Bac Ha town, Ban Pho, Ban Lien, Ban Gia, Bao Nhai, Ban Cai, Coc Ly, Coc Lau, Nam Mon, Nam Khanh, Nam Det, Na Hoi, Lau Thi Ngai, Lung Phin, Lung Cai, Ta Cu Ty, Ta Van Chu, Ta Chai, Thai Giang Pho, Hoang Thu Pho, and Nam Luc.

Bac Ha is the capital of the region of the Flower H’mong, one of the 54 minorities of Vietnam and of the six groups of H’mong people. It is famous for its Sunday morning market, where thousands of locals gathered, the women dressed in their very intricate handmade costumes, as well as for the Saturday morning smaller market of Can Cau, 18 kilometres (11 mi) north of Bac Ha town.

Bac Ha was the location at which the adventure sport competition “Raid Gauloises” was held in 2002. The place is also famous for its Tam Hoa plums; the flowers of the tree must bloom three times before the fruits are ripe.

Cycling in Bac Ha lets you experience the beautiful mountainous regions of the northern Vietnam, as well as Bac Ha village life from up close. Cycling on the mountain roads, through hill tribe villages and terraced fields while greeting local farmers and school kids as you pass by, all add to an immersive experience!

Bac Ha map

How to get to Bac Ha?

Getting to Bac Ha from Hanoi

Hanoi to Bac Ha by private car.

We at Vietnam Cycling offer private car transfer from Hanoi to Bac Ha. The journey takes about 6-7 hours on the new highway Noi Bai – Lao Cai. Renting a private car offers you flexibility and comfortable. Our driver will pick you up at your hotel at any time in the morning.

Hanoi to Bac Ha by bus.

Sleeper buses run from Hanoi (My Dinh Bus Station) approximately 7:00pm to Bac Ha. These buses are reasonably modern, the beds are small and recline back, typically in three single or two double rows. The bus will make stops for bathroom breaks and snacks, and once in Bac Ha city. If you are a light sleeper the journey could be uncomfortable with many sharp twists and turns.

Hanoi to Bac Ha by train and bus.

Bac Ha can be reached by a nine-hour train journey from Hanoi to Lao Cai, followed by a separate transfer to Bac Ha.

Vietnam Rail operates some of the carriages in the train, but others are operated by private companies (Fanxipan Express, Friendly, Ratraco, Tulico, Victoria Hotels, and many others). Some of these cars are significantly nicer than the standard cars. We at Vietnam Cycling can help you to get tickets on these tourist cars. Prices vary according to both the type of seat purchased and the season during which you are travelling.

Getting to Bac Ha from Sapa

Traveling from Sapa to Bac Ha? To rent a private car, take a local public bus or to hire a motorbike? Many of our customers begin the bike ride from Sapa to Bac Ha before they cross Xin Man pass to reach Ha Giang. At Vietnam Cycling we provide car rental in Sapa and bike tour from Sapa to Bac Ha.

When to go cycling in Bac Ha?

The best time to go cycling in Bac Ha is the dry season starting from October until April of the following year. During these seven months, the weather is dry and cool with little rain in Bac Ha. If you plan your trip to Bac Ha Vietnam in these months, all cycling itineraries might be suitable. You can take either take a Bac Ha day ride or a multi-day mountain biking tour from Sapa to Bac Ha, Bac Ha to Ha Giang.

In the summer which lasts from May until September, it is quite hot with frequent big rain. Within this time, October and April are the two best months for taking a mountain bike tour in Bac Ha. If you travel to Bac Ha in these months we recommend a day ride which can be combined with a visit to a local hill tribe market (Bac Ha market, Can Cau market, Lung Khau Nhin market, Muong Khuong market…).

What to explore while cycling in Bac Ha?

Bac Ha market (Sunday morning).

Bac Ha market is a must-visit place in Bac Ha. It is included on every Vietnam mountain bike tour we at Vietnam Cycling arrange in the district of Bac Ha.

At the break of dawn, the market begins to hum with conversations and laughter. As the sun rises higher, the whole market is adorned with the colorful costumes of H’mong women. The market is not just a trading place but also a meeting place where young men and women find their partners. For them, the market is a like a festival, so they wear their most beautiful clothes when they go to the market.

Can Cau market (Saturday morning).

If you join us on a Vietnam mountain bike trip which takes place on Saturday in Bac Ha, you will have the opportunity to visit Can Cau market. The market features local scenes that have been going on every week for generations, where cattle, horses, goats and dogs are bought and sold, as well as many traditional goods like saddles and plowshares, along with elaborate textiles, handbags and other trinkets made by the local tribes people, the Flower Hmong. Their intricately woven daily costume is one of the main drawing points in itself.

H’mong King Palace

H’mong King palace or Hoang A Tuong Castle is located in Na Hoi Tho Hamlet, Bac Ha District, 110km from Sapa. It is a unique construction work, which harmonizes the Oriental and Western architectural styles.

The castle was built at the beginning of the 20th century (between 1914 and 1921). Its owner was Hoang Yen Chao of Tay origin. He was the father of Hoang A Tuong, a tribal mandarin under the domination of the French colonialists.

This tourist attraction is included in both classic and cycling holidays in Bac Ha.

Bac Ha hill tribe villages.

There are 14 Vietnamese ethnic groups living together in 20 communes in Bac Ha. They are H’mong ethnic, Dao ethnic, Tay ethnic, Nung ethnic, La Chi ethnic, Phu La ethnic. Among these the Flower H’mong has the largest population in Bac Ha. The brocade costumes of H’mong girl are colorful, ingenious patterns and make an impression. Most of these hill tribe villages are difficultly accessible by car making them off the beaten path places in Bac Ha.

Bac Ha cycling routes

Sapa to Bac Ha

Bac Ha to Ha Giang

Bac Ha loop

Bac Ha bike tours

When it comes to Vietnam Mountain Bike Tours, Bac Ha is one of the most satisfying biking destinations in Vietnam. While you cycle in Bac Ha, you will witness amazing natural scenes, rice paddy terraced valleys, flowing rivers, working farmers and more. When you cycle over tough mountain passes, you will be inspired to reach the breathtaking scenery for a much deserved break.

For all beautiful, unforgettable Vietnam Mountain Bike Tours in Vietnam, just visit our sample itinerary below or contact us, so that we can create a customized tour for you. Here we have compiled all of the popular cycling spots in and around Bac Ha, covered by our great selection of exciting Bac Ha cycle tours. By combining decades of experience, Vietnam Cycling is completely dedicated to providing the best travel services meeting every requirement of our clients.

Check out our best collection of Bac Ha bike tours we design for small group tours, family holidays in Bac Ha, Lao Cai, northwest Vietnam. Options include Bac Ha road trips, cycling holidays, caving, bicycle tours, community travel. We have a range of road cycling tours and mountain bike tours around Bac Ha Lao Cai and the north west region of Vietnam, providing options for both those who want some mountain challenges and those who prefer long flat rides. Joining these fully-supported tours you will discover Bac Ha, the province of Lao Cai as well as other non-touristy places in the northern highlands of Vietnam.

Additional questions about cycling in Bac Ha?

Do you have any questions about bicycle touring in Bac Ha that you want to ask us? Is there anything you think I should discuss about cycling around Bac Ha that we left out… that we should include in future updates to this article?

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Bac Ha Vietnam