According to an article written by Steve Thomas, the mountainous far north of the country has become a popular choice for adventurous and physically fit cyclists, with the Ha Giang Loop being one of the favorite routes. Stretching for 300km from Ha Giang to the northwest of Hanoi, the route takes riders through steep mountains and entails approximately 7,500m of elevation gain.
The scenery along the route is breathtaking, with travelers passing through numerous rural and ethnic villages, adding a cultural dimension to the challenging ride that typically takes between five and eight days.
The article also suggests that the best time to embark on this adventure is September and October, as these months offer the opportunity to witness the region’s golden rice fields in full bloom. Alternatively, spring blossom time occurs between February and March.
In addition to the Ha Giang Loop, the article mentions other notable cycling routes. One such route is the 475km path between Manali and Leh in the Indian Himalayas, which is well-traveled by cyclists. Other destinations mentioned include Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, the Four Rivers route that spans 633km across the Republic of Korea, and the northern Himalaya regions of Pakistan.
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