Cycle Saigon to Hanoi

1-Join tour Saigon; afternoon orientation tour
We arrive in Saigon today and, after a chance to freshen up, take an orientation tour of the city this afternoon. The tour includes the prominent sights of the Hotel de Ville (home of the city’s People’s Committee), Notre Dame Cathedral and the impressive French style architecture of the GPO building. Following the tour we then have some free time, with options available to pay a visit to the Reunification Palace or the emotive War Crimes Museum. Alternatively you might like to explore the bustling stalls of the Binh Tay Market, the largest wholesale market in southern Vietnam.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Rooms Available

2-Cycle to Cu Chi Tunnels; late afternoon free in Saigon
Driving to Cu Chi bus station this morning we collect our bikes and ride about 30 km to Ben Duoc, site of the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels on the outskirts of Saigon. Originally started during the French occupation of the country, the tunnels went on to achieve notoriety during the Vietnam War, when they formed an amazing underground command base for 10,000 Viet Cong troops. We’ll explore the tunnels with a local guide this morning. Be warned though, the tunnels are low and narrow and can be claustrophobic. After lunch we continue cycling for about 20km towards Ben Nay to further explore the area. Drive back to Saigon and the rest of the afternoon is free.
Total cycling distance approximately 50 km.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Rooms Available

3-Drive to Mekong Delta then cycle backroads to Cai Be
Today gives us an opportunity to journey down into the Mekong Delta, to explore the fer-tile hinterland between the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. Leaving Saigon, we drive first to Binh Duc (My Tho), from where we begin cycling through a rich landscape of bustling markets, orchards and riverside villages. Here we can watch rice paper and coconut sweets being made as they have been for generations. After lunch we visit a beautifully restored traditional house in Ut Kiet, before ending at Cai Be’s famous market. From here we drive back to Saigon.Total cycling distance approximately 60 km.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Rooms Available

4-Exploring Vietnam’s Central Highlands
Departing Saigon this morning we drive into the southern Central Highlands towards the mountain town of Dalat (1500 metres). We commence today’s cycling from Trang Bom with a 30km ride through the hills of the Langbiang Plateau, negotiating our way along quiet back roads towards the town of Gia Kiem. From here we board our bus again and drive over the mountains towards Dalat, with an option to get back on your bike at the bottom of the hill and cycle up to the Bao Loc Pass (10km, 600 metres ascent). On arrival in the Dalat area we have a further 35 km cycle ride which finally leads us to our hotel.
Total cycling distance approximately 65 km (plus a further optional 10 km).
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Rooms Available

5-Cycle over Hon Giao Pass then drive to Nha Trang
Driving out of Dalat City this morning we then begin cycling up to the Hon Giao Pass (1,700m), a challenging ride that takes us up through forests of pine and across a land-scape of dramatic mountain scenery. After a chance to rest at the top and take in the views, we then descend towards the town of Khanh Vinh, where we meet our bus and finish the rest of the journey to Nha Trang by road.Total cycling distance approximately 80 km.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Rooms Available

6-Boat trip to tropical islands
Long considered one of the most beautiful bays in South East Asia, Nha Trang is re-nowned for its golden beaches and turquoise waters. Weather permitting, this morning we take a cruise out to explore some of the surrounding islands. We aim to include Mien, Tam and Mut Islands, affording plenty of opportunities for swimming and snorkelling. There will also be an option to enjoy a seafood lunch on board (at your own expense). Returning to Nha Trang late this afternoon the rest of the day is free to enjoy the sights andsounds of this lovely coastal town. No cycling today – rest day.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Rooms Available

7-Cycle and drive from Nha Trang to Quy Nhon
Using a combination of bus and bicycle this morning we continue along the coast to the city of Quy Nhon. We commence our ride from the hotel in Nha Trang and head out along the Pham Van Dong road and continue on to Ninh An toll fee station (a journey of some 50 kilometres). From here we then take the bus to Dai Lanh, where we have a chance to swim and relax, before continuing by bus over Ca Pass to Bai Tien Song Cau. From here we resume our journey by bike with a 30 km ride to complete the final leg to Quy Nhon and our hotel for the night.
Total cycling distance approximately 80 km.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Rooms Available

8-Pedal over the Thi Nai sea bridge; drive to Hoi An
Departing Quy Nhon this morning we cycle out across Thi Nai Bridge, the longest sea bridge in Vietnam, which connects the city with the Phuong Mai Peninsula. Once across, we continue by bike along the Quy Nyon lagoon towards Phu My some 50 kilometres away. From Phu My we then travel by bus to Quang Ngai, the scene of the My Lai massacre – one of the most infamous episodes of the Vietnam War. We complete the final leg of our journey to Hoi An by bus.
Total cycling distance approximately 50 km.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Rooms Available

9-Morning walking tour of Hoi An; free afternoon
First colonised by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Hoi An went on to become one of the busiest trading outposts in South East Asia. This morning we take a walk through the historic heart of this World Heritage Site, taking in the city’s famous Japanese Bridge and its museum, before wandering amongst its traditional wooden houses and Chinese temples. This afternoon is then free to perhaps take a gentle river cruise or pay a visit to one of Hoi An’s renowned tailors’ shops, or maybe explore further afield by bike.
No cycling today – rest day.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Rooms Available

10-Cycle and drive to Hue via the Hai Van pass
Leaving Hoi An after breakfast, we start with a morning cycle ride to Xuan Thieu alongside the beaches of Danang and across Thuan Phuoc Bridge (a ride of about 45 km). From Xuan Thieu we drive up to the lofty heights of the Hai Van (Sea Cloud) Pass. This stunningly scenic region once marked the boundary between Vietnam and the Champa Kingdom to the south and, as we reach the summit of the pass, the panoramas before us are simply spectacular. Descending by bus we head next for Lang Co where we will stop for lunch. We drive on to Tu Hien Bridge before cycling along scenic back roads as we wind our way along the Cau Hai Lagoon to Thuan An (a ride of approximately 30 km). Meeting our bus in Thuan An, we then drive on to Hué on the shores of the Perfume River.
Total cycling distance approximately 75 km.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Rooms Available

11-Cycling around Hue then overnight train to Hanoi
Once the capital of Vietnam and an inspiration for poets and artists alike for centuries, Hué’s tranquil villages and picturesque countryside make it an ideal place to explore by bike. Today we spend some time cycling through bamboo groves and rural villages to the historic tile-roofed bridge at Thanh Toan. We also visit the 19th century Nguyen Tomb of Tu Duc and the Old Citadel that still dominates the left bank of the river. Returning to the hotel to freshen up we then drive to the railway station to catch the overnight train to Ha-noi.Total cycling distance approximately 50 km.
Overnight: Basic Overnight Train

12-Arrive in Hanoi; Drive to Halong bay for overnight cruise
Arriving in the Vietnamese capital early this morning we drive to the hotel in time for breakfast. Later this morning we then drive to the Gulf of Tonkin and the breathtaking scenery of Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visually impressive landscapes in South East Asia. Boarding the boat in time for lunch we set sail and visit Sung Sot Cave, spending this evening aboard the junk in twin-share, en suite cabins. Be aware the boat is not exclusive to Explore and we may be sharing with other tourists. No cycling, rest day.
Overnight: Standard Junk
Single Rooms Available

13-Morning cruise then drive to Hanoi then city tour
This morning we continue cruising through this wonderfully scenic landscape, enjoying the serenity of its limestone islands and visiting some of the caves (the optional cave vis-its can involve climbing some slippery steps). Returning to the shore we then drive back to Hanoi, a four hour journey that gets us into the capital in time to enjoy a short tour of the city. Our afternoon tour includes a visit to the Ba Dinh Square and the Temple of Literature, as well as a chance to explore a little something of the city’s fascinating Old Quarter. No cycling, rest day.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Rooms Available

14-Tour ends Hanoi
The tour ends in Hanoi this morning after breakfast.

Tour includes:

13 Breakfast
2 Lunch
1 Dinner
Transport:
Bus, Train, Boat, Bicycle
Accommodation:
11 nights Standard Hotel
1 night Basic Overnight Train
1 night Standard Junk
Tour Staff:
Driver(s), Local Guide(s), Bike Mechanic, Explore Tour Leader / Cycle guide
Cycling Information:
On this tour we cycle 510 km over eight days (an average of 64 km per day) with further optional rides available. We mostly follow provincial roads with less car traffic but can have some motorbike traffic (90% tarmac roads, 10% earth/gravel roads). The terrain is generally flat except for the sections around Dalat which are in the hills. A support vehicle accompanies the rides throughout the tour with the exception of part of the Mekong Delta route. We have graded the route as moderate.
Included Bike
18 gear Merida hybrid bikes with front suspension
Group Size:
Generally 10 – 16

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