VIETNAM ADVENTURES > VIETNAM CYCLING > DISCOVER VIETNAM
ON BIKE
Tour Code: VDE-NOWE/02
Hanoi - Mai Chau - Son La - Dien Bien Phu - Lai Chau - Phong Tho - Sapa
Journey Map
This trip offers outdoor enthusiasts who are fit, energetic and enjoy cycling a
great chance to discover Vietnam’s
nature and culture from South to North, the best cycling tour in Vietnam. You also can extend your stay in Hanoi
for the Halong Bay travel.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
AC support vehicle
English speaking guide
Professional bikes
Meals as indicated in the itinerary (B=breakfast;
L =lunch; D =dinner)
Hotels on twin share basis with daily breakfast
Homestay permission
Reasonable supply of drinking water during the trip
All admission fees and permits during guided time
Travel insurance (compulsory)
Visa
Any drinks, beverages
Personal expenses (beverages, telephone bill,
laundry, etc…)
Tips and gratuities
Any compulsory holiday dinner or celebrations
imposed by the hotels
Any expenses not specifically mentioned as
included
nature and culture from South to North, the best cycling tour in Vietnam. You also can extend your stay in Hanoi
for the Halong Bay travel.
- Experience the
best of Vietnam from Saigon, via the central highlands and the stunning
coastline, on to Hanoi - Visit the fascinating attractions of this beautiful country along the way
- Colorful floating market on Mekong River
- Communicate with humble people, tasting local specilities
- Cycle involved but free and cheerful time for own exploration designed
DAY 1: SAIGON ARRIVAL
Saigon is a fast growing city, which is changing day by day and recognized by high
buildings and big roads. The ongoing changes in economy have given the city a really
cosmopolitan and dynamic character. Upon arrival at Saigon’s Tan Son Nhat Airport,
our guide and driver will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. You are free
to stroll around the city renowned for its nightlife, ranging from international
class cafes to surprising bars and nightclubs.
Overnight at hotel in Saigon
Overnight at hotel in Saigon
DAY 2: SAIGON – CU CHI. CYCLING DISTANCE:
30 KM (B, L)
Depart from Ho Chi Minh City at 0800 and transfer by vehicle 30km out of Saigon
to avoid the busy traffic. Spend the morning riding backroads to Cu Chi tunnels,
passing rice fields, rubber plantations and local villages.
Cu Chi is actually the name of the district, which covers an extensive underground network (approximately 200 kilometres) of tunnels dug initially by the Viet Minh and later expanded by the Viet Cong. The tunnels contained hospitals, plus accommodation and schools, and were used extensively for refuge and storage and also utilised as a military base for the Viet Cong close to Saigon. The 1968 Tet Offensive was launched from Cu Chi with surprising effect. A section of the tunnels has been widened to allow tourists to get a feel for what the life underground must have been like.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Continue cycling a great tarmac road to Trang Bang, from there cut across countryside by bike or bus towards Ha Nghia and Duc Hoa. This afternoon, return to Saigon by vehicle.
Overnight at hotel in Saigon
Cu Chi is actually the name of the district, which covers an extensive underground network (approximately 200 kilometres) of tunnels dug initially by the Viet Minh and later expanded by the Viet Cong. The tunnels contained hospitals, plus accommodation and schools, and were used extensively for refuge and storage and also utilised as a military base for the Viet Cong close to Saigon. The 1968 Tet Offensive was launched from Cu Chi with surprising effect. A section of the tunnels has been widened to allow tourists to get a feel for what the life underground must have been like.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Continue cycling a great tarmac road to Trang Bang, from there cut across countryside by bike or bus towards Ha Nghia and Duc Hoa. This afternoon, return to Saigon by vehicle.
Overnight at hotel in Saigon
DAY 3: SAIGON -MUI NE. CYCLING DISTANCE: 60
KM (B, L)
We drive on the highway out of Saigon, before turning off on the road to Vung Tau.
We hit the back roads and head through the rubber and dragon fruit plantations.
We also pass by some small fishing villages as we make our way closer to the coast.
We finish the ride in Mui Ne, a beautiful and tranquil white sand beach where we
can enjoy a swim after the day’s riding and witness our first sunset by the South
China Sea.
Overnight at hotel in Mui Ne
Overnight at hotel in Mui Ne
DAY 4: MUI NE – DALAT. CYCLING DISTANCE: 50KM
(B)
Today we head away from the coast and begin our ascent into the Central Highlands.
Along the way we pass by an abundance of coffee and tea plantations as well as flower
gardens and pine forests, as we reach higher altitude. Dalat is one of Vietnam's
most charming towns. The influence of the French is prevalent as Dalat was founded
as a hill station to enable the colonials to escape the heat and chaos of Saigon.
The city is set around a lake and surrounded by forests, waterfalls and rolling
countryside.
Overnight at hotel in Dalat
Overnight at hotel in Dalat
DAY 5: DALAT (B, L)
In the morning we visit a silk embroidery village, the “Crazy House”, with its weird
architecture, and the Art Deco summer palace built for former emperor Bao Dai in
1933. The afternoon is free for you to explore: Dalat is an excellent area to explore
by foot or cycle. You may wish to cycle around Xuan Huong Lake, or take the cable-car
to the Zen Pagoda.
Overnight at hotel in Dalat
Overnight at hotel in Dalat
DAY 6: DALAT - NHA TRANG. CYCLING DISTANCE:
80KM (B, L)
Our bike riding today is mainly downhill as we travel through the new Bidoup-Nui
Ba National Park. Here we descend through some rare pine forests as well as some
small villages, which are home to some of the ethnic minority people who inhabit
the highlands of Vietnam. We board our vehicle and drive past the naval base of
Cam Ranh Bay to the beach resort town of Nha Trang. On arrival we have time to enjoy
a swim or to relax on the beach, which is just across the road from the hotel. In
the evening we can visit one of the many nearby restaurants and sample some of the
delicious seafood available.
Overnight at hotel in Nha Trang
Overnight at hotel in Nha Trang
DAY 7: NHA TRANG BOAT TRIP (B, L)
We have a day in Nha Trang with a boat trip to the islands. You will visit a fishing
village where you will be rowed ashore in Vietnamese round boats and have time to
swim and snorkel. A stop is made at the Oceanographic Institute and Tri Nguyen Aquarium
& lunch will be at a lovely bamboo restaurant on an offshore island. The afternoon
is free. Dinner is not included; there are many restaurants close by.
Overnight at hotel in Nha Trang
Overnight at hotel in Nha Trang
DAY 8: NHA TRANG - BUON MA THUOT. CYCLING
DISTANCE: 45KM (B, L, D)
Departing Nha Trang, we drive past the colourful fishing port before making our
way inland towards the central highlands and travelling (with a mixture of driving
and cycling) on to the famous coffee growing town of Buon Ma Thuot. There are plenty
of cafes around town to try the local brew.
Overnight at hotel in Buon Ma Thuot
Overnight at hotel in Buon Ma Thuot
DAY 9: BUON MA THUOT – KONTUM. CYCLING DISTANCE:
60KM (B, L)
After breakfast we travel northwards towards on a scenic drive (with some cycling
involved), passing coffee and rubber plantations and pine forests. Pleiku is the
major market town of the central highlands and is inhabited by many mountain tribes.
After lunch in Pleiku we continue on to the smaller town of Kontum, where we stay
overnight.
Overnight at hotel in Kontum
Overnight at hotel in Kontum
DAY 10: KONTUM - QUANG NGAI. CYCLING DISTANCE:
80KM (B, L)
We depart Kontum by bus early in the morning and then ride our bicycles from the
top of the central highlands through magnificent scenery and down to the coast.
In the late afternoon we arrive at our final destination - the small town of Quang
Ngai.
Overnight at hotel in Quang Ngai
Overnight at hotel in Quang Ngai
DAY 11: QUANG NGAI - HOI AN. CYCLING DISTANCE:
35KM (B)
We will sample a slice of rural Vietnamese life as we take a lovely side road out
of Quang Ngai. On the way we will pass through My Lai, where you will have the opportunity
to visit the memorial site. We will also cycle through a fishing village and a lively
local market. The route includes twelve km of unsealed road; it is quite rideable
but you will have the option to take the van if you wish.
The day finishes on a delightful little road into the very attractive and historic town of Hoi An.
Overnight at hotel in Hoi An
The day finishes on a delightful little road into the very attractive and historic town of Hoi An.
Overnight at hotel in Hoi An
DAY 12: HOI AN FREE DAY (B)
Hoi An has retained much of its old ambience, and this together with its historic
architecture and narrow streets has made it one of Vietnam's most pleasant towns.
Explore the historic architecture of Japanese and French origin, take in the morning
concert of traditional music or take a gentle ride (c.10km return) to fabulous Hoi
An beach. There is much to see and do. There are many street-side cafes and restaurants
in Hoi An; they are ideal places to finish off the day by sampling the culinary
delights of this town. Hoi An is renowned for its tailors and you have a free day
in town to go shopping.
Overnight at hotel in Hoi An
Overnight at hotel in Hoi An
DAY 13: HOI AN -HUE. CYCLING DISTANCE: 50-60KM
(B)
This morning we embark on a journey north in our vehicle, before cycling over the
Hai Van Pass. This is one of Vietnam's most spectacular road trips. Along the way
we stop at Lang Co, one of Vietnam's nicest beaches. Our destination is Hue, the
last imperial capital of Vietnam (1802-1945) and also one of its cultural centres.
In the evening we have a chance to sample the local delicacy known as 'banh khoai'.
Overnight at hotel in Hue
Overnight at hotel in Hue
DAY 14: HUE - OVERNIGHT TRAIN TO HANOI. CYCLING
DISTANCE: 10-20KM (B)
We board our boat for a leisurely cruise down the Perfume River to the Citadel and
the ruins of the imperial Forbidden Purple City, the impressive Thien Mu Pagoda
and then further on to the most impressive of the royal tombs, the mausoleum of
the Emperor Tu Duc. We then take to our bicycles and cycle through the countryside
on the way back to Hue. This is where we say goodbye to our bicycles as tonight
we board an overnight sleeper-class train for our journey to Hanoi. The train is
very basic; we travel in 'soft sleeper' class, which is a compartment for up to
four people - a communal environment. The beds on board come with a pillow and sheets,
although some people may wish to bring their own sleeping sheet (purely optional
and not a necessity). Also, breakfast tomorrow is not the best food you will find
in Vietnam, so it is recommended that you purchase some snacks before boarding in
Hue. This journey is in keeping with the adventurous nature of our trips and allows
you to experience a taste of the 'real Vietnam'.
Overnight on board
Overnight on board
DAY 15: HANOI FREE DAY
Hanoi is one of Asia's most enchanting cities. This northern capital is a quiet,
contradiction of its southern counterpart. Its relaxed ambience is a joy, with exploration
best on foot or bicycle. The shopping is fun and the many lakes and parks provide
enjoyable escapes. We have enough time this afternoon to explore the Old Quarter
streets named after the goods once offered for sale there, including Silk Street,
Rice Street and Jewellers Street.
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
DAY 16: HANOI (B, L)
We take a guided half-day tour of Hanoi, visiting the major sights, including the
Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda, and paying a homage to Vietnam's most famous
revolutionary, Ho Chi Minh. We also include lunch at the KOTO café – an amazing
project aimed at providing vocational training and experience in the hospitality
industry for underprivileged young people. All the staff we meet at this café hail
from poor backgrounds. The remainder of the day is free to further explore Hanoi
or catch up on some shopping in Hang Gai Street.
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
DAY 17: HANOI (B)
Trip concludes after a drop off at the airport for the flight home. End of services
by Indochina Travel Service.
ADVENTURE TRAVEL PHOTOS
INCLUSION
EXCLUSION
AC support vehicle
English speaking guide
Professional bikes
Meals as indicated in the itinerary (B=breakfast;
L =lunch; D =dinner)
Hotels on twin share basis with daily breakfast
Homestay permission
Reasonable supply of drinking water during the trip
All admission fees and permits during guided time
Travel insurance (compulsory)
Visa
Any drinks, beverages
Personal expenses (beverages, telephone bill,laundry, etc…)
Tips and gratuities
Any compulsory holiday dinner or celebrationsimposed by the hotels
Any expenses not specifically mentioned as
included
CYCLING VIETNAM TOURS
READ WHAT FELLOW SAYS
We did enjoy our Vietnam holiday very much and it surely was one of the best trips we ever made.
The highlights were surely in the North Vietnam. The trip to Sapa and the mountain bike tour was magnificent, though we underestimated how cold it can be in the mountains in December especially during the night time. Since we live in Singapore we are not really well equipped if it comes to warm clothes, but we would surely take more warm clothes with us when traveling in winter up there.
As I said we loved the North of Vietnam especially and I suppose if we would do it again, we probably would spend more time up there.
Our Vietnam tour was very well designed and organized and it was a first for us that an operator actually was checking several times during the holidays, if everything is OK. That was very much appreciated.
Again - it surely was one of the best trips we ever made - we had a great holiday.
|
RELATED INFOMATION
We will pick you up and drop you off atyour hotel and set a schedule at your
convenience
This tour must be booked at least 7 days
in advance of your travel date.
Vietnam Photos
Vietnam Clips
Travel Guide
Travel News
Hotels Selection
Flight Centre