Discover why Hoi An is considered to be an outstanding UNESCO World Heritage Site
Bike through coastal trails of Central Vietnam and swim in the azure blue sea in Vietnam’s top beach destination
Admire spectacular views during the whole ride
Ride through the interior trails of Mekong Delta and live the life around it.
This trip offers a complete Vietnamese experience as we ride from North to South covering Hanoi and Halong Bay, Coastal Vietnam, Central Highlands, and Mekong Delta.
We start our journey through the Red River Delta in Northern Vietnam and then kayak the best of Halong Bay. Arrive at Hue and bike through the classic coastal route of central Vietnam, the country’s most popular one. A spectacular mountainous ride takes us to Da Lat, the jewel of the central highlands. From here, we arrive at Saigon and meander through the tranquil Mekong Delta, looping back to Saigon.
Along the way, explore temples, pagodas, imperial citadels, seek out some of the world’s best warm water beaches, and enjoy awesome Vietnamese food.
Walk the busy streets of Hanoi visiting some of the cultural and historical highlights of Hanoi. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, which was constructed nearly a millennium ago, and is delicately elevated in a pond. Also visit the Temple of Literature, dating back close to a thousand years, is a wonderfully preserved piece of ancient Vietnamese architecture and stands to honor the scholarly achievements of the country’s academics and philosophers. Continue exploring the area around Hoan Kiem (Sword) Lake, old quarter including Ngoc Son Temple, which sits perched on a little island in the lake. In the evening, we convene over dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Halong City
Ride past the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta before taking a shuttle to Halong City. The river rises in Yunnan province, and flows across the Tonkin region, through Hanoi, and enters into the Gulf of Tonkin. We criss-cross the rivers and ride over a multitude of bridges.
Day 3: Halong Bay: Cat Ba Island – boat & Island loop
A quick ferry journey amidst spectacular limestone mountain scenery brings us to Cat Ba Island. After lunch, get on the bike for a loop around the island. Enjoy the stunning sunset over the limestone mountains.
After hearty breakfast, get on board a smaller boat and take a journey to the more remote and secluded parts of the Lan Ha Bay waters and islands. Trade your boat with a kayak and explore the lagoons, the coral reef, beaches, and limestone peaks.
Ferry back at Hai Phong and shuttle to Ninh Binh. If time permits, we may get a chance to bike for a short duration towards Ninh Binh.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Overnight train to Hue
A short cycling ride along the river brings us to Trang An, known as Halong Bay on land. The landscape is largely dominated by limestone mountains, rivers, caves, and pagodas. Here we take a boat ride and get to experience the magical scenery dotted with natural and cultural wonders.
We take a break at the ancient city of Hoa Lu for a quick temple tour and then loop back to your hotel.
Later take an overnight train to Hue.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 30km / 18mi
Day 6: Hué – Hue Loop
The UNESCO World Heritage town of Hué is your gateway to Vietnam. Our guide meets at the station and then transfers to your hotel for early check-in. Post-lunch, take your bicycle out for a leisurely loop around the imperial town of Hué. Ride past the Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda, Mausoleums, and the merchant’s houses along the banks of the Perfume River and through quiet lanes with lush gardens.
Meals: Dinner Distance cycled: ~ 25km / 15mi
Day 7: Hoi An – Hai Van Pass
After a hearty breakfast, we take a short transfer out of Hue to the coast. Begin riding off the beaten track along a picturesque, narrow peninsular road. Cross the estuary of the Perfume River and from here, challenge yourself by cycling up the Phuoc Tuong Pass then take a short transfer to Lang Co and have lunch by the gorgeous lagoon.
Later, ride along the Lang Co Bay with spectacular views of winding paths, wooden fishing boats, waterfalls, mountains, and forests, and bike on over gradual hills to climb Hai Van pass for views of this splendid bay. This rugged pass is the final section of the Truong Son Range stretching to the sea. From the pass, go downhill to the base and shuttle to Hoi An, a delightful old trading town and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The architectural beauty of Hoi An will captivate you as this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a melange of Vietnamese, European, Chinese, Japanese monuments in an unhurried, timeless setting.
Today you can plan your own day, and enjoy the enchanting Hoi An town at leisure. A paradise for shoppers, a walk through the town gives a feel of an open-air museum.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Quang Ngai
Ride past a network of lush rice fields and narrow interior rural backroads. Break for lunch at Tam Ky and then transfer for about 1hr. Ride from here through corn and vegetable plantations with our first true view of cowherds. We end the ride with a visit to My Lai Massacre Memorial. During the Vietnam War, a company of American soldiers brutally killed the majority of the population of My Lai. Transfer from here and end the day at Sa Huynh. The Sa Huỳnh culture flourished between 1000 BC and 200 AD,was most likely the predecessors of the Cham.
Today bike in the tropical countryside, past tree-canopied rice farms and lush green mountains. The ride is largely flat with mountains looming in the backdrop all throughout. Stop off at a Cham tower – built by the Champa civilization who ruled the southern Vietnamese area for over a millennium up until the early 1800s. Later take a short transfer to Qui Nhon.
Today is a beautiful rolling route. A short transfer takes us off the highway and to the remote area where we start biking with the view of gorgeous forests and hills. The biking is through undulating terrain past beautiful villages and mountain views. After lunch, continue riding towards the main highway and then transfer to Tuy Hoa.
Another good day at the saddle. Ride past network of lush rice fields which blanket the valley. Admire the ocean view around the Vung Ro bay before meeting the pass which is the natural border between the provinces. Descend down to stunning Dai Lanh beach and take a break for a swim and lunch.
After lunch, continue riding along the coast and then turn on to the Hon Gom peninsular road for the final leg. This is our last day of riding along the Vietnamese coast and it’s a long ride. Enjoy it to the fullest.
Before arriving at Nha Trang, visit the famous Po Ngar Cham Towers, built between the 7th and 12th centuries and still actively used for worship.
Enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure. Dinner is on your own today. We recommend digging into Hải san, a medley of seafood.
A long mountainous ride today takes us to Da Lat, the jewel of the central highlands. The region is dotted with lakes, waterfalls, pine trees, and infinite flowers, making for a picturesque cycling adventure. Take in some spectacular views as we ride along Da Lat’s pine-forested hills and picturesque flower farms.
The morning is free for you to explore the city. Post-lunch, 2:00 pm, our guide meets you at your hotel for a walking tour to explore some of the most popular sites (Ben Thanh Market, Saigon Opera House, Continental Hotel, The Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and Post Office, The War Remnants Museum). This walking tour gives an excellent introduction to the city’s history and provides you with plenty of opportunities to soak up the unique mix of chaos and tranquility that is modern-day Saigon.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 15: Tra Vinh
A short shuttle transfer brings us to My Tho – the gateway of the Mekong delta. Ride along a small creek to Mekong estuary past gorgeous paddy fields and lush orchards. Along the way, we may also see how local people use water-coconut leaves to make thatch roofs. Lunch is served en route at a local restaurant.
We go deeper into the delta. We ride past numerous rice fields, rivers and canals, and over a multitude of bridges that may offer views of floating villages. Apart from rice fields, the region is dotted with many plantations of banana, coconut, and citrus trees. It’s a long ride today through the interior trails of Mekong Delta to Can Tho. Set on the southern bank of the Hau River, Can Tho is known for its network of canals and nearby floating markets.
Experience early morning Cai Rang floating market on a boat ride and then cycle to Phong Dien floating market. Weave through teeming early morning market bustle along the banks of an active riverfront. Absorb the sights of the endless cottage industries, timber merchants, coconuts shredders, small dock loading/unloading rice, and tiny vibrant markets. Continue by bike on the narrow lane and loop round to the main road.
Later shuttle to Saigon for an extension here or for your onward flight.
We aim to reach HCM (Saigon) by 16:00hrs and will drop you at your hotel in Saigon or airport. It’s good to book your onward flight for 17:00hrs onwards.
by Corrine Livingston on Ultimate Vietnam Multisport
We loved the trip
We loved the trip! The cycling was fun and beautiful, the guides were very gracious and informative, of course the food was fabulous and our hotels were very nice. Vietnam is a very special place in our hearts as the people are so warm and friendly.
Mar 2, 2020
by Neil Raspa on Ultimate Vietnam Multisport
Overall good
Quality of hotels good, Breakfast and lunch fine but dinners not bad in some cases, could improve in others.
Our Guide Happiness and driver mr Ing were excellent. Disappointing we did not get the shirt that was offered when we booked, not for the shirt but the fact we were asked for sizes which we provided 6 months earlier yet they could not supply.
Feb 22, 2020
by Jennifer Fabling on Ultimate Vietnam Multisport
Really accommodating booking team. Well organised. Tour was exactly what we hoped for. Well planned days & rests with good support vehicles allowing flexibility. Meal times showed us the whole range of eating options in Vietnam which was a great experience. There were a couple of communication failures along the way which were easily sorted. The local guides had individual styles and variable local knowledge but all were friendly & keen to help. Accommodation options were sometimes limited and ranged from truly amazing boutique places to somewhat bland chain hotels but all were clean, comfortable & well located. Only thing I would change would be an extra day in Da Lat and maybe one less on the central coast.
