Customize Cycling Vietnam Itinerary 14 days

If you’re flying into Hanoi today you will be met by your driver outside Gate A1 as you exit the arrivals hall. Please look for the Vietnam By Bike welcome sign. If you cannot find the sign, please call the emergency number provided. You will have time to relax at your hotel and adjust to the pace of Hanoi. The capital of Vietnam is one of Asia’s most enchanting cities, full of culture, history and the engaging contradictions of a rapidly developing and deeply traditional society. In the late afternoon we will have a group meeting being held in the hotel foyer (time indicated in your final documents). Afterwards, we head out on a nice stroll passing by the Ly Thai To square (the founder of Hanoi) and along the Hoan Kiem Lake to the vibrant old quarter. We have a welcome dinner at a local restaurant and dine on several iconic dishes of North Vietnam, before returning to the hotel. Overnight: Hong Ha Hotel or similar

After an early breakfast, we head to the bike depot where we will be equipped to start our ride. We then transfer to the mountainous region of Hoa Binh, which is the province of the Muong ethnic people. We reach the shores of the beautiful Da River reservoir surrounded by towering jungle covered mountains. Sit back and enjoy the stunning scenery as the crossing takes around an hour. We disembark and enjoy a lunch at a local restaurant before getting ready to start cycling towards Mai Hich. From the pier, we start with a fairly steep 4km ride uphill to exit the foothills of the reservoir and get back on the road. We continue for another 20km along flat roads before reaching the Mai Chau mountainous region. Enter the territory of the White Thai, a large valley carpeted in rice fields, hamlets of stilted houses and surrounded by limestone mountains. We cycle to a traditional guesthouse on stilts in Mai Hich for overnight and dinner. Cycling: 40km / sealed road / +640m; -660m Driving: 90km / 2hrs Overnight: Mai Hich traditional stilt guesthouse (multishare)

After breakfast, we cycle towards the Laos border before veering off to the east to enter the Pu Luong Nature Reserve. The sceneries change, the road tracks the mountainside with overviews down deep and tight valleys of terraced rice fields. The changes in elevation are insignificant for the initial 15km before we start a 15km ascent to then ride mostly downhill and on flat roads to our guesthouse. Two cascading streams flow with their natural pools nearby; this is the perfect spot to end the day with a refreshing swim. Cycling: 60km / sealed road / 35km flat; 15km uphill; 10km downhill / +865m; -807m Overnight: Pu Luong traditional stilt guesthouse (multishare)

We commence with a 10km ride to Pho Doan village, and take a hidden route that very few know about to the historical Ho Chi Minh road. This stretch is scenic with friendly local people. After lunch, we will load the bikes and hop on the bus to transfer to our beautiful resort at the doorstep of Van Long Nature Reserve. Check-in to the room before gathering at the pier nearby to enjoy a traditional sampan ride on the waters of the largest wetland reserve in the country. This area is famous for the abundance of waterfowl. Cycling: 70km / sealed road / +403m; -527m Driving: 60km Accommodation: Emeralda Resort or similar

After 3 days riding across some of the most beautiful landscapes of Northern Vietnam, we take a break from riding and indulge in two days of rest. Early breakfast for an early departure to Ha Long Bay. We drive across the Red River delta and reach the coast little before noon where we embark on a beautifully crafted wooden junk for a 1 night cruise in the legendary turquoise seascape of Ha Long Bay. Once aboard, we are served a delicious seafood buffet lunch as we cruise between the soaring limestone karsts. In the afternoon we reach a less traveled area and will devote ourselves to relaxation, sunbathing and visiting of a cave if you wish. The program is not fixed and depends on the time of the year and weather. We end the day with sundowners and will hopefully be treated to a spectacular sunset. It is time for an aperitif or to attend a cooking demonstration before dinner. Driving: 190km Cycling: N/A Overnight: Bhaya Classic Cruise or similar

Rise early to catch the sunrise and enjoy a Tai Chi session on deck or just relax with a tea or coffee. We have the chance to visit another cave before making our way back to land. While cruising back to the pier brunch is served on deck for your last opportunity to take in the amazing scenery. Upon disembarkation we drive to Hanoi, where we enjoy a brief sightseeing tour of Hanoi’s major landmarks including the gardens of the Presidential Palace within the Ho Chi Minh complex and the Temple of literature. After dinner, we will head to the train station. The night train has long been a staple in long distance travel in Vietnam and to visit without experiencing this as the locals do is definitely missing out. After trundling through the Tam Diep Mountain range of the north we pass through the Annamite range of central Vietnam before reaching our destination, Hue. Driving: 150km Cycling: N/A Overnight: Soft sleeper 4-berth cabin with A/C

The train arrives at about 9am. Hue is a cradle of culture and the last imperial capital of Vietnam. This morning we visit the major landmark of Hue’s heritage, the Imperial Citadel. It offers us an interesting insight into Hue’s recent feudality and helps us to understand the changes which occurred in just a few decades in Vietnam. After lunch we hop back on our bikes to cycle around 45km on flat roads. We head northeast on the impressive “road of the tombs” to the shore of the Tam Giang Lagoon. Here we hop on a local boat and journey across the lagoon, the longest of the country at 70km from north to south, and learn about the ancestral fishing techniques of the locals. Once we bid farewell to our boatman and ride south along the barrier beach road to Phu Thuan and a lovely boutique resort located on the beach. Check-in then enjoy the remainder of the day relaxing. Choose from the sea or the swimming pool for a refreshing dip. Cycling: 50km / sealed road / mostly flat Overnight: Lapochine Resort or similar

Enjoy a breakfast by the beach to start the day in the best possible way. Then get ready for our 80km ride today. This is easy going, mostly flat with some small climbs toward the end. The whole day takes us along the lagoon and its different pools. We follow a small road with very little traffic, bordered in some stretches by pine forest. We reach the buffer zone of Bach Ma National Park and then ride along the Chan May and Lang Co Bays to reach a resort right at the foot of the famous Hai Van Pass. Drop the bikes and relax on the beach or by the swimming pool. Cycling: 80km / sealed road / 70km flat Overnight: Lang Co Beach Resort or similar

Today will be the day we remember for having conquered the legendary Hai Van Pass. This massive coastal mountain serves as the major climatic barrier in Vietnam. 11 kilometres up and 11 kilometres down on “one of the best coastal roads in the world” as described by Jeremy Clarkson from the television show Top Gear. We will celebrate our conquering of this mountain by enjoying ice creams on the summit before enjoying the descent all the way down to to Da Nang, the fastest growing city in Vietnam. From Da Nang, we have a further 30km to ride before reaching the beautiful ancient port town of Hoi An. Check-in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure in this atmospheric riverside town. Cycling: 65km / sealed road / 43km flat; 11km uphill; 11km downhill / +500m; -505m Overnight: Vinh Hung Emerald Resort or similar

Following yesterday’s conquest, enjoy a whole day at leisure in this picturesque town. Wander its ancient alleys of the famous Old Quarter or venture down to the beach just 4km away. Meet with the guide at 15.00 in the hotel lobby for a late afternoon cycling tour (using simple local bicycles) to the Hoi An countryside and sunset river cruise back to the hotel. Cycling/cruise: ~ 3 hours from 15.00 to 18.00 Overnight: Vinh Hung Emerald Resort or similar

This morning we transfer by car to Da Nang Airport for our flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh, we drive to the hotel. Ho Chi Minh City, also known by its former name, Saigon is the largest city in the Vietnam. Modern with a huge density of people and some truly crazy traffic which follows its own rules. This city is not the place for cycling and so in the afternoon we will walk, a gentle stroll around the city centre to unveil some very well preserved colonial buildings that give the city an interesting contrasting atmosphere. Driving: N/A Cycling: N/A Overnight: Emm Hotel or similar

This morning we transfer by bus to Hoc Mon Town. From here we commence our 20km ride through rubber plantations and rice fields to the historic Cu Chi Tunnels. The Cu Chi Tunnels were of significant importance to the Viet Cong forces during the Vietnam/ American war. Visiting the tunnels we learn about the history of the site and also have the opportunity to explore some of the expansive underground system ourselves. Enjoy lunch at local restaurant before hopping back on the bus and transferring to Cai Be in the heart of the Mekong Delta (~3hr drive). In the late afternoon, we get back on our bikes and end the day with a leisurely 10 km ride along the narrow lanes of An Binh Island to our local guesthouse. Soak up the quaintness of the delta at the best time of the day, when the glimmering orange lights of sunset beautify the nature all around. Cycling: 30km / sealed road / 30km flat Driving: 160km Accommodation: An Binh Island local guesthouse

Our morning starts with a boat trip around Cai Be, witnessing the merchants coming on their sampans loaded with local produce to trade. We then start cycling on the lesser known roads and pathways of the region. Each stop will be an opportunity for your tour leader to explain more about the local culture and daily life of the Delta. Remembering the first days in the Northern mountains, it will feel like a totally different country. In the afternoon, we complete the ride, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before hopping on our bus to transfer the last 50 kilometres to our hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. In the early evening, meet the guide for a short walk to Ly Tu Trong street, where we will visit the taproom of some the craft beer pioneers in Vietnam. Enjoy a tasting of beers and bid farewell to your guide. Cycling: 50km / mostly flat Driving: 80km Accommodation: Emm Hotel or similar

The day is free at your leisure until transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your departure flight. We wish you a pleasant onward journey. End of our Customize Cycling Vietnam Itinerary 14 days.