Hello
My son plans on doing some extended cycling in Vietnam later this year. We would appreciate any guidance you can offer, for instance, whether it is better to transport his own bike or use a local rental service, and recommendations for destinations that are particularly welcoming or suitable for touring cyclists. Thank you.
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Good morning. My Dad is ‘Jack Nicklaus’ and has been asking questions on my behalf. I am travelling to Vietnam in December for 2 weeks and am keen to do some road bike cycling near Hoi An and in the mountains out of Hanoi. I would prefer to bring my own road bike as then I would have a bike I am familiar with and have easy access to, however I’ve been advised that it’s easier to just rent one if I’m doing domestic flights. Any advice on where I can rent a road bike please?
Replying to Martin A
Hi Martin #3
I guess it’s supply and demand. I don’t think there are many people who want to hire a decent road bike*. As I said, I cycle a lot in Vn and rarely see any road bikes. A few kids are riding drop bar bikes, but these are pretty basic. You may be surprised at how few bikes there are in Vn now. Most people ride motor or electric bikes – including the school kids.
The only thing I can suggest is to search for good quality bike shops on Google maps, then contact them to see if they can offer anything. There are such shops, but I only know in DaNang and Saigon. Hopefully one may be able to offer something.
Bikes can be transported on the train, but not easy. You book in a day or two early, they go on a goods train and then you pick up on arrival. Flying is possible, but needs to be boxed, plus cost. I go for months at a time (now 45 days as visa free for me) and that makes taking my bike worthwhile. Also I tour on it and have done 3 Hanoi to Saigon, plus lots of other stuff including 3 rides up to DaLat. It’s a great place to cycle, but not so easy to combine own bike and non bike travelling.
Personally for 2 weeks, I’d just grab the best local bike I can find and make do with that.
>>>>>>>Please, please<<<<<<
Replying to SimonPedal
Thanks for your help. Much appreciated
When we did the Ha Giang loop last April. We met a British couple that brought their own bikes from UK to Vietnam. and were cycling the loop…clearly they were very fit but were having a blast.
Hi. Avid cyclist here, and I’ve ridden a hotel bike in Hoi An, and a cheap rented bike in Ninh Binh. In Hoi An, the hotel had bikes available to guests; in Ninh Binh the hotel didn’t, but steered me to a nearby hotel that did. For the flat lands, I found the simple cheap bikes to be just fine.
There are also bike TOUR places, which likely will rent a bike without a tour. For my next trip, to Da Lat, I may have to do just that.
In Hoi An, a bike puts the beaches within reach (Da Nang might be a stretch), and I found the riding quite enjoyable … except for one crazy-narrow and busy bridge at the edge of town, barely twice the width of the handlebars it seemed, and with fast motorbikes approaching. Avoid that one if you can.
I presume this is a follow up from your ‘any place to hire a road bike in Hanoi’ post.
More details than “My son is intending to do some bike riding in Vietnam” would help.
I cycle a lot in Vietnam and if you are thinking of doing any serious riding I would always say bring your own bike for a host of reasons. If only an occasional or one or two short routes then hiring may be better. You’ve checked out bike hire in Hanoi – mostly MTB styles or basic roadsters.
In places like Ninh Binh you can easily hire basic bikes, but not really suitable for longer tours plus they need to be returned.
I’m not sure if anywhere in Vn is especially bike friendly but then again nowhere is bike unfriendly. I’ve always been allowed to store my bike inside, either my room or lobby, etc.
Happy to answer any questions on cycle touring in Vn, but maybe better from your son.
Replying to SimonPedal
Thanks very much for your reply. My son lives in Australia and, for some reason, had difficulty registering for Tripadvisor. I will contact him and suggest he tries again. Thanks again.