14 Days Vietnam Cycling Tour from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
Tour Overview
Cycling Vietnam Tour – 15 Days cycling tour through this mesmerizing country provides opportunities to meet the locals and experience their culture in a way that wouldn’t otherwise be...
Code of Tour: TAD0000028036
Length of Travel: 14 Day
Destinations of Tour:
Departure City: Hanoi
Price of Tour: Request
Type of Tour: Private
Features of Tour: Cycling
Cycling Vietnam Tour – 15 Days cycling tour through this mesmerizing country provides opportunities to meet the locals and experience their culture in a way that wouldn’t otherwise be possible. So come with us and get active as we travel from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, down country lanes and over spectacular mountain passes. And, of course, all the exercise gives you the perfect excuse to indulge in delicious Vietnamese cuisine.
TOUR ITINERARY
Day 1: Hanoi, Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam.
Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. You can arrive at any time during the day, as there are no activities planned until this important meeting. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. We’ll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader. If you are bringing your own bicycle with you on the trip, you need to assemble it to check for any damage in transit before the welcome meeting., If you have arranged for the hire of a bicycle, your leader will assist you in preparing the bike before your first cycling activity. If you arrive with some time to spare then work your legs with a walk around Hanoi’s charming shaded boulevards and a squat on a short street-corner stool for a Bia hoi (freshly brewed draught beer) in the Old Quarter.
Notes: If you can’t arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you’re able to attend. We are happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you’re going to be late, please inform the hotel reception or your travel agent in advance.
Riding distance: none
Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour
This morning you’ll get the chance to explore the Vietnamese capital by car to visit iconic sights such as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, which includes the Buddhist temple One Pillar Pagoda and the former residence of Vietnam’s most famous revolutionary, Ho Chi Minh. There’s also time to explore the vibrant Old Quarter, an architectural museum where blocks of ochre buildings give off the air of a 1930s provincial French town. In these ancient ’36 Streets’ discover an amazing selection of shops that sell everything from souvenirs to exquisite silk clothing, jewelry, beautifully embroidered tablecloths, wood carvings and lacquerware – it’s a bargain hunter’s paradise.
You’ll have some free time this afternoon. Perhaps take a walk around the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake, with the reflection of modern office buildings, old Buddhist temples and the tangle of ancient streets on its still surface, or maybe dive into culture at the Vietnam Fine Art Museum or The Vietnamese Women’s Museum. Top off the day with a steaming bowl of fresh Pho from a hole-the-wall eatery – the street food in Hanoi is not to be missed!
Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities: Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh Complex: Ho Chi Minh, Stilt House and Museum, Hanoi – One Pillar Pagoda
Meals Included,, Breakfast
Day 3: Hanoi – Mai Chau
Saddle up this morning as your cycling adventure kicks into first gear. Leave Hanoi behind and travel by bus to Hoa Binh (approximately 2 hours). When you arrive you’ll jump on your bike and cycle 38 kilometers to Cao Phong, through small ethnic Thai villages, enjoying the tranquility of the paddy fields and interacting with the local people. Limestone peaks climb in the background and banks of green line the road, and you’ll take regular stops to admire the view across the lush valleys. After arriving you’ll take a short 30-minute bus ride for the next section, stopping for lunch at Man Duc.
After you fuel up, the bus will take you to the Da River Reservoir. Stretch your legs again cycling along the Da River, passing spectacular karst cliffs, through paddy fields, and admiring the lush panorama of the Mai Chau valley on the way (approximately 19 kilometers). The peaceful town of Mai Chau is situated in a stunningly beautiful valley surrounded by verdant green mountains and is famed for its breathtaking scenery and friendly hilltribe peoples. Tonight you’ll enjoy local hospitality in a simple stilt-house homestay in the village of Poom Coong. Your amicable hosts will cook up a fabulous home-cooked meal, and there may even be a chance to sample some of the local rice wine produced in the region.
Riding distances:
Ride 1 – approx. 38kms/24 miles, uphill with approx. 330m/1080ft of elevation gain.
Ride 2 – approx. 19kms/12 miles, mostly downhill with approx. 80m/260ft of elevation gain.
Accommodation: Homestay (1 night) at Mai Chau – Pom Coong Village
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Mai Chau – Cuc Phuong National Park
This morning you farewell your homestay hosts and cycle from Mai Chau to Mai Hai, and then on to Co Luong (approx 50kms). You’ll ride through more paddy fields and test your riding skills (or suspension) with the shallow potholes that can be found on the road. Pass farmers riding atop their load drawn by lumbering water buffalo, ride through small towns and wave to friendly locals on your way through picture-perfect Vietnam – lush green fields, towering limestone mountains, tranquil waterways and charming historic sites.
A bus trip then takes you along Ho Chi Minh Road with a lunch stop before Cuc Phuong National park in Ninh Binh. If you arrive in Cuc Phuong park with time (and energy) to spare you can take a 12 km cycle around the surrounding area to historical man caves.
Riding distances
Ride 1 – approx. 49kms/30 miles, mostly downhill with approx. 195m/640ft of elevation gain
Ride 2 – approx. 36kms/22 miles, mostly flat with approx. 50m/165ft of elevation gain.
Accommodation: Cuc Phuong National park guesthouse (1 night)
Meals Included, Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5: Cuc Phuong -Ninh Binh – Tam Coc – Overnight train to Hue
This morning you’ll cycle from Cuc Phuong to Tam Coc, where you’ll really have the opportunity to soak up one of Vietnam’s most spectacular views – limestone karst peaks thrusting out of serene rice paddies, the sounds and views of the river, which winds through the fields and has boats parading up and down its length. You will also cycle to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam under the 10th-century Dinh Dynasty, the remains of which can be seen in the lasting beautiful archways and temples. Here you’ll take a lunch break at the Dinh or the Le Temple. Today’s cycling is approximately 60 kilometers. Take a local hotel where you can use the day room to take a shower and freshen up. After an early dinner, you’ll transfer to Ninh Binh for an overnight train to Hue
Notes: On the overnight train to Hue (approximately 12 hours) conditions are basic, but it is a true Intrepid experience and the best way to travel long distances like a local. Sleeper trains typically have four berth compartments (occasionally six berths depending on seasonal variations and group configuration), which have bench seats that convert into sleeping bunks. A sheet, pillow and blanket are provided, although some travelers prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet. On occasion, passengers of different genders will be required to share a compartment and there will be occasions when you’ll be sharing with local travelers or travelers who are not part of your group. Most trains have a dining carriage serving simple food, but some travelers take the opportunity to stock up on fresh bread, cheese and fruit prior to departure.
Riding distance: approx. 52kms/32 miles, undulating with approx. 195m/640ft of elevation gain.
Accommodation, Overnight sleeper train (1 night)
Meals Included, Breakfast, Lunch, Early Dinner
Day 6: Hue arrival
Arrive in Hue and hop back in the saddle to begin your exploration of the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Hue holds the treasures of Vietnam’s royal past and is a curious mix of bustling streets and tranquil settings. Today you will ride (approximately 16 kilometers) through the fields to visit many of Hue’s remarkable sites, including temples, bunkers, tombs, ruins, pagodas and spectacular scenery. On your cycle, you will visit the Imperial Citadel, including the Forbidden Purple City. The latter was almost totally destroyed during the Vietnam War’s Tet Offensive, but the foliage-covered ruins are still atmospheric and the gaping holes left by bombs give an idea of the destruction wreaked upon the country during the war. The itinerary is flexible and you have ample time for stops along the way to admire the sites. Later, kick back in a cafe or restaurant. Hue’s cuisine is considered by many Vietnamese as the best in the country and is influenced both by its imperial heritage (small dishes and a focus on aesthetic presentation) as well as its strong Buddhist heritage, reflected in the high proportion of vegetarian restaurants in the region. The bustling Dong Ba Market offers a wealth of goods and foods to see and snack on. It’s a good place to try some of the local specialties that graced the Nguyen emperors’ banquet tables, such as the ‘banh khoai’, Hue’s answer to the pancake.
Riding distance: approx. 16kms/10 miles, flat with approx. 12m/40ft of elevation gain.
Accommodation, Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included: Lunch
Day 7: Hue – Hoi An
Today will be big on riding and big on spectacular views. Leaving Hue, you will do some mountainous riding (approximately 85 kilometers in total) as you conquer the Hai Van (Ocean Cloud) Pass on the way to the tropical south and the laidback town of Hoi An. The pass is a stunning stretch of highway that winds through the Truong Son mountain range for about 20 kilometers (10 kilometers each way), with views across the Bay of Danang to the south. It is 500 meters above sea level and the up/down slope ranges from 5-10%, and there will be plenty of well-earned breaks along the way to take in the views, snap some photos, and rehydrate. After the rewarding vistas on the cycle in, you’ll also be spoiled with the town of Hoi An – with lantern-lit streets, vibrant markets, skilled tailors, artisan shops, ancient houses, colorful temples and beautiful smiles, it’s a Vietnamese wonderland. Recently declared a World Heritage site, Hoi An is being beautifully restored and preserved, with parts of the town looking exactly like they did more than a century ago. This makes its streets of low-tiled buildings perfect for strolling. Take the evening to soak up the atmosphere, or just rest your legs at a local restaurant after a day’s riding.
Riding distances:
Ride 1 – approx. 56kms/35 miles, flat with approx. 55m/180ft of elevation gain.
Ride 2 – approx. 30kms/19 miles, significant uphill & downhill with approx. 576m/1890ft of elevation gain.
Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8: Hoi An Tour
This morning your leader with take you on a walking tour of the town, which used to be a busy port for the Cham people before the river silted up. There’s also a strong Chinese influence, and you’ll see it as you walk past the pagodas and assembly halls. On your tour, you’ll take in a historic house (formerly home to a prominent trader), the Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese assembly hall and a museum.
The afternoon is free for you to do whatever takes your fancy. For those who love to shop then Hoi An is a mecca, with much to browse and buy. There are original paintings, handcrafted woodwork, ceramics, embroidery, lanterns and more. If you want to get some new threads then the town is also famous for its tailoring – pick a fabric and a design and it’ll be ready the same day. If you feel like keeping active then there are the options to take a 15-20 kilometer ride into the surrounding countryside, to cycle to nearby Cua Dai Beach, or to take a stroll through fields of rice, sesame, banana and peanuts.
Riding distance: none
Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 9: Hoi An – Quy Nhon
Continue south, down scenic Highway One on the road to Quy Nhon, one of the routes that is less visited by travelers, past paddy fields, wheat drying for Beer Hoi, and locals playing chess to Phu.,, Climb back on the bikes to cycle to the coastal city of Quy Nhon (approx. 45kms). The city is filled with long stretches of beach and relaxed boulevards, and as it’s pretty undiscovered by visitors, is a great place to get an authentic slice of coastal life
Riding distance: approx. 44kms/27 miles, undulating with approx. 255m/840ft of elevation gain.
Accommodation,, Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included,, Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10: Quy Nhon – Nha Trang
Today’s cycle is approximately 95 kilometers, but it is one of the most breathtaking stretches of road you’ll ride – the highway hugs huge granite cliffs and looks out across the deep blue sea. Following parts of the Reunification railway, you’ll enjoy the scenery of islands, lagoons and sand dunes. Join the scooter riders on the waterfront promenade as you arrive in the idyllic coastal town of Nha Trang, once referred to as the ‘Cannes of the Orient, and whose sandy palm-lined beach and island-dotted bay still make a pretty idyllic picture. Here there’s consistently good weather, vibrant nightlife and excellent diving.
Riding distances:
Ride 1 – approx. 75kms/47 miles – lightly undulating with approx. 165m/530ft of elevation gain
Ride 2 – approx. 19kms/12 miles – lightly undulating with approx. 140m/460ft of elevation gain.
Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 11: Nha Trang – Island Tour
Today you’ll swap your bike for a boat as you head out to explore the nearby islands. This excursion is often the highlight of the trip for many travelers, as you’ll get to know some of the locals and indulge in the beauty of the place. Starting on the main boat, you’ll then take a small basket boat to shore and visit a fishing village, snorkel in the turquoise waters and have lunch on the boat. You can enjoy this rest day by lazing in a deck chair, going for another swim, or perhaps taking a mud bath to soothe away sore muscles.
Accommodation, Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities: Hon Mun Island – Snorkelling, Nha Trang – Basket boat ride, Nha Trang – Join in group boat trip ( Entrance fees and drinking, sports activities not included )
Meals Included, Breakfast, Lunch
Day 12: Nha Trang – Dalat
Head up through the Bidoup-Nui Ba Pass into the cooler climes of the South Central Highlands (approximately 65 kilometers), where some of the country’s best fruits, flowers and coffee beans are grown. The road is winding and steep but if you’re fit and ready for a challenge, you may want to conquer the whole mountain on your bike. If you’re not so physically inclined, take it easy and flag a lift from the bus. Whichever way you choose to get to the top, you’ll still be treated to magnificent views once you reach the summit. After a short photo stop here, you will descend to Dalat. One of Vietnam’s most delightful cities, Dalat is a perfect base to explore this pleasant region. With an appealing Swiss-French feel, along with pleasant lakes, palaces, pine tree-covered hills, flower gardens and pagodas, Dalat is often called the ‘city of eternal spring’ for its temperate climate.
Riding distances:
Ride 1 – approx. 57kms/35 miles, lightly undulating with approx. 160m/530ft of elevation gain.
Ride 2 – approx. 15kms/9 miles, lightly undulating with approx. 110m/360ft of elevation gain.
Accommodation Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 13: Dalat – Phan Thiet
This morning you’ll take a city tour of Dalat, making the journey to Bao Dai’s striking regal summer palace. He was the final emperor of the Nguyen dynasty, and the last to rule Vietnam until 1945. You’ll then discover the wacky and weird architecture of Hang Nga Crazy House. Echoing Gaudi’s unconventional designs, and described as a ‘fairytale house’, explore the twisted tree roots, cave-shaped hallways and animal-themed rooms of this surreal guesthouse. Drop by the train station and the central market before continuing to Di Linh, where tea is the main industry and there are large plantations in the surrounding hills. After lunch, pedal down the forest-lined Gia Bac Pass, then cycles along from Malam to Phan Thiet and its beautiful beaches.
Riding distances:
Ride 1 – approx. 22kms/14 miles, mostly downhill with approx. 85m/280ft of elevation gain.
Ride 2 – approx. 45kms/ 28 miles, mostly downhill with approx. 30m/100ft of elevation gain.
Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 14: Phan Thiet – Ho Chi Minh City
You’re on the home stretch now and it’s time for one last cycling splurge. Before heading for the big city, take in the views along the beach on your ride to Lang Long. After a picnic lunch, keep cycling (approximately 55 kilometers) to Cu Bi. From there it’s goodbye to your two-wheeled friend as you take the support bus on the final leg to Ho Chi Minh City. Here daily life plays out on the streets and the dynamic atmosphere is a fascinating blend of old and new, East and West. Maybe spend the final night of your Vietnam adventure exploring the food stalls at Ben Thanh market or cheers to yourself and your new friends with a few glasses of street-side beer hoi. End The Tour.
Riding distance: approx. 56kms/35 miles, approx. mostly flat with a hill at the end, approx. 125m/410ft of elevation gain
Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
