Vietnam - Remote Far North East

From Vietnam's buzzing capital, Hanoi, we journey to the remote undiscovered Hà Giang region. Beginning in Lao Cai, the border city to China we cycle through a topography of hilly hairpin bends, slopes, ridges, valleys and limestone karsts; the outstanding natural beauty will take your breath away.

Hà Giang is a mountainous region and one of the poorest provinces of Vietnam with a largely agricultural economy although much of the terrain is too precipitous to farm, covered by forest with dense undergrowth and tumbling streams, waterfalls and pools.

Ethnic communities populate the area and  continue a vibrant, traditional tribal culture; the majority still practice ancestor and spirit worship Travel around the province can be difficult so we will encounter little in the way of traffic.

We visit Bac Ha the largest town in Lao Cai Province and cycle some of the regions remotest border areas up to Hoang Su Phi - the 'Heaven Gate' pass, with a rest day in Ha Giang market town where dramatic limestone out karsts soar above the town. We continue over the rocky Dong Van plateau: a registered UNESCO Global Geopark, to Meo Vac. Our route here along the Ma Pi Leng Pass is a winding, undulating road that clings precariously to the mountain with dramatic views of the Nho Que River below and theatrical natural acoustics.  Most of the tribes living here have preserved their way of life from outside influence as travelling to Meo Vac was, until recently, almost impossible. Our cycling ends with a tough day through picturesque valley to Nguyen Binh, a beautiful and dramatic end to our journey. We will transfer from here back to Hanoi.