Cycle Vietnam

Intrepid Travel · 15 days
Cycle Vietnam
Cycle Vietnam
Cycle Vietnam
Cycle Vietnam
Cycle Vietnam
Cycle Vietnam
Cycle Vietnam
Cycle Vietnam
Cycle Vietnam
Cycle Vietnam
Cycle Vietnam
Cycle Vietnam
Cycle Vietnam
Cycle Vietnam
Cycle Vietnam
Cycle Vietnam
Cycle Vietnam
Cycle Vietnam
Cycle Vietnam
Cycle Vietnam
15 Days
From AUD $3775
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Average

Rating


 (20 reviews)

Cycle Vietnam

Cycle Vietnam

Intrepid Travel · 15 days
4.5
20 Reviews
View Map
Duration

15 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Average

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

More than 30 million Vietnamese can't be wrong – handle-bar height gives you the best view of vibrant Vietnam! This 15-day cycling trip take you through unique country landscapes, rice paddies, small villages, bustling cities and beside seas dotted with islands.

Highlights

  • Cycle from Ninh Binh to Tam Coc and soak up one of Vietnam’s most spectacular views – the towering limestone karsts that rise over the rice paddies.
  • Ride one of Vietnam’ most spectacular highways to Nha Trang, hugging the granite cliffs and looking out across the sea to the many islands and lagoons. Then, chill out in the coastal town once referred to as the 'Cannes of the Orient'.
  • Discover Mai Chau – a town in a beautiful valley surrounded by green mountains – and enjoy the local hospitality and homecooked meals in your stilt-house homestay in the village of Poom Coong.
  • Make the most of your time in Hue, Hanoi, Hoi An and Ninh Binh with your expert local leader, their unmatched guidance and the super friendly locals!
  • Swap your bike for a boat and explore the nearby islands from Nah Trang. Starting on the main boat, you’ll then take a small basket boat to shore and visit a fishing village, go snorkelling in the turquoise waters and feast on a fresh seafood buffet.

Trip Details

Duration

15 days

Transportation

Bicycle (e-bike option available,subject to availability),Support vehicle,Boat,Overnight sleeper train,Taxi

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Hanoi, Vietnam

Finishes

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Cycling

Physical Rating

Average

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Hanoi
Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure officially begins in Hanoi with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe stretch your legs with a walk around Hanoi’s bustling Old Quarter, taking a break along the way for a bia hoi (freshly brewed draught beer). You could also join the queues at the famous Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum or chill out and people watch at Hoan Kiem Lake. After your group meeting, you’ll head out for an included dinner at KOTO restaurant – Vietnam's first social enterprise employing disadvantaged youth.

Included Activities:

  • Hanoi - KOTO dinner

Optional Activities:

  • Hanoi - One Pillar Pagoda - Free
  • Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Complex (80000 VND)

Accommodation:

  • (Number of Nights: 1)
2
Day 2: Hanoi
This morning, you’ll have some free time to explore the city at your leisure. If you haven’t already, walking through the Old Quarter is really the best way to get a feel for the city – an architectural museum where the ancient '36 Streets’ sell everything from souvenirs to exquisite silk clothing, jewellery, embroidered tablecloths, wood carvings and lacquerware. This afternoon, you’ll cycle through the city on a quiet ride around West Lake. Pass by lotus lakes, old school villas and iconic temples including the Tran Quoc Pagoda – the oldest pagoda in Vietnam. Tonight, why not head out for Bahn mi and a local beer – your leader will have the best recommendations!

Included Activities:

  • Hanoi - Museum of Ethnology

Optional Activities:

  • Hanoi - Fine Arts Museum (30000 VND)
  • Hanoi - Temple of Literature (70000 VND)
  • Hanoi - Women's Museum (30000 VND)
  • Hanoi - Hoa Lo 'Hanoi Hilton' Prison (50000 VND)
  • Hanoi - Army Museum (20000 VND)
  • Hanoi - Street Food Experience Urban Adventure (29 USD)

Accommodation:

  • (Number of Nights: 1)
3
Day 3: Mai Chau
Saddle up this morning as your cycling adventure kicks into first gear. Leave Hanoi behind and travel by bus to Hoa Binh, stopping at Vun Art on the way – a social enterprise run by people living with disabilities, specialising in craft products made from Van Phuc silk. When you arrive in Hoa Binh, you’ll jump on your bike and cycle to Cao Phong through small ethnic Thai villages and paddy fields. As limestone peaks climb in the background, you’ll take regular stops to admire the view across the valleys. When you arrive, take a short bus ride to Man Duc for lunch. Then, the bus will take you to the Da River Reservoir. Cycle along the Da River, passing karst cliffs through paddy fields. The peaceful town of Mai Chau sits in a beautiful valley surrounded by green mountains and is famed for its scenery and friendly hilltribe peoples. Tonight, you’ll enjoy some local hospitality in your simple stilt-house homestay in the village of Poom Coong. After a home cooked meal, there may be a chance to sample some of the local rice wine that’s produced here.

Included Activities:

  • Mai Chau - Pom Coong Village visit & traditional lunch

Accommodation:

  • (Number of Nights: 1)
4
Day 4: Ninh Binh
Say farewell to your homestay hosts and cycle from Mai Chau to Mai Hai and on to Co Luong. You’ll ride through more paddy fields, testing your skills (or suspension) with the shallow potholes along the road. Pass farmers drawn by buffalo and wave to the friendly locals as you cycle. Today is all about the lush green fields, limestone mountains and tranquil waterways. Take a bus along the Ho Chi Minh Road and when you arrive in Ninh Binh, you have the option to take another 36 km cycle around the surrounding area. This is a wonderful chance to see the everyday rural life and take in the countryside.

Accommodation:

  • (Number of Nights: 1)
5
Day 5: Ninh Binh - Overnight train
This morning you’ll cycle from Ninh Binh to Tam Coc to soak up one of Vietnam’s most spectacular views – the limestone karst peaks rising over the rice paddies. Mixed in with the sounds and views of the river, which winds through the fields dotted with boats, you’ll find the true meaning of serene. Cycle to Hoa Lu – once the ancient capital of Vietnam under the 10th century Dinh Dynasty, the temples here were restored in the 17th century and architecture is still in great condition. Here, you’ll take a lunch break at the Dinh or the Le Temple, then it’s back on the bus to return to your hotel. After an early dinner, transfer to Nam Dinh for an overnight train to Hue.

Included Activities:

  • Hoa Lu - Temple of King Dinh and King Le

Accommodation:

  • (Number of Nights: 1)
6
Day 6: Hue
Arrive in Hue this morning and hop back in the saddle to explore the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Hue holds the treasures of the royal past – a mix of bustling streets and tranquil countryside settings. Ride through the fields to some of Hue's many remarkable sites, including temples, bunkers, tombs, ruins, pagodas and country landscapes. Visit the Imperial Citadel, including the Forbidden Purple City, which was almost totally destroyed during the Vietnam War's Tet Offensive. The foliage-covered ruins and gaping holes left by bombs give an idea of the destruction wreaked upon the country during the war. After, kick back in a cafe or restaurant – Hue’s cuisine is considered by many Vietnamese as the best in the country, influenced both by its imperial heritage (small dishes and a focus on presentation) and its strong Buddhist heritage (reflected in the high proportion of vegetarian restaurants).

Included Activities:

  • Hue - Imperial City Full Day Tour
  • Hue - Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc

Accommodation:

  • (Number of Nights: 1)
7
Day 7: Hoi An
Leaving Hue, you’ll do some mountainous riding today as you conquer the Hai Van (Ocean Cloud) Pass on the way to the laidback town of Hoi An. This pass is a gorgeous stretch of highway that winds through the Truong Son Mountain Range, with views across the Bay of Danang to the south. It is 500 m above sea level and the up/down slope ranges from 5 to 10 percent. There will be plenty of well-earned breaks along the way to take in the views, snap some photos and rehydrate. When you arrive in Hoi An, you’ll be immersed in the iconic lantern-lit streets, loud markets, tailor shops, artisans, ancient architecture, colourful temples and old school boats lining the river. Recently declared a UNESCO 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.

Accommodation:

  • (Number of Nights: 1)
8
Day 8: Hoi An
This morning, head out on a leader-led walking tour through Hoi An. Discover the history of the Chinese influence as you walk past pagodas and assembly halls. Visit 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 cycle to the beach, head to the tailor shops or find a spot with a view and make the most of happy hour. For those who love to shop, Hoi An is a mecca with much to browse and buy. There are original paintings, leather goods, handcrafted woodwork, ceramics, embroidery, lanterns and lots more.

Included Activities:

  • Hoi An - Old Town walking tour

Optional Activities:

  • Hoi An - Food Adventure Urban Adventure (39 USD)
  • Hoi An - Thu Bon river boat trip (100000 VND)
  • Hoi An - Private Hoi An: My Son Discovery (73 USD)

Accommodation:

  • (Number of Nights: 1)
9
Day 9: Quy Nhon
Leave Hoi An behind today and head south down Highway One on the way to Phu. On this lesser-travelled route, you’ll drive past paddy fields, see the wheat drying for the local Hoi Beer and pass locals playing chess. When you arrive, climb back on you bike and cycle to the coastal city of Quy Nhon. The city is filled with long stretches of beach and relaxed boulevards, and it’s a perfect spot to get to know the locals as it’s seldom visited by tourists. Tonight, you’ll have free time to get an authentic slice of coastal life.

Accommodation:

  • (Number of Nights: 1)
10
Day 10: Nha Trang
Today’s cycle is one of the most breathtaking stretches of road you’ll ride on this trip – the highway hugs huge granite cliffs and looks out across the sea. Following parts of the Reunification Railway, you’ll ride alongside spectacular horizons full of islands and lagoons. Join the scooter riders on the waterfront promenade as you arrive in the coastal town of Nha Trang, once referred to as the 'Cannes of the Orient'. The palm-lined beach and island-dotted bay here might just be the best photo op you’ll get! This spot is known for its good weather, vibrant nightlife and excellent diving opportunities.

Included Activities:

  • Nha Trang - Po Nagar Cham Tower

Accommodation:

  • (Number of Nights: 1)
11
Day 11: Nha Trang
Today you’ll swap your bike for a boat and head out to explore the nearby islands. This excursion is often the highlight of the trip, as you’ll get to know some of the locals and indulge in the beauty of Nah Trang. 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 feast on a fresh seafood buffet for lunch. Make the most of your free afternoon by lazing in a deck chair, going for another swim or maybe taking a mud bath to soothe away your sore muscles.

Included Activities:

  • Hon Mun Island - Snorkelling
  • Nha Trang - Basket boat ride
  • Nha Trang - Boat trip

Optional Activities:

  • Nha Trang - Bao Dai Villa (120000 VND)
  • Nha Trang - Mud baths (280000 VND)

Accommodation:

  • (Number of Nights: 1)
12
Day 12: Dalat
Head up through the Bidoup-Nui Ba Pass into the cooler climate of the South-Central Highlands, where some of the country's best fruits, flowers and coffee beans are grown. The road here 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. You can also 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 when you reach the summit. After a short photo stop here, you’ll descend to Dalat – a perfect base to explore the region, Dalat is often called the 'City of Eternal Spring' for its temperate climate and landscape full of lakes, palaces, pine tree-covered hills, flower gardens and pagodas.

Accommodation:

  • (Number of Nights: 1)
13
Day 13: 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, this place is described as a 'fairytale house' and you’ll explore the twisted tree roots, cave shaped hallways and animal themed rooms with your group. Drop by the train station and the central market before continuing to Di Linh, where the tea industry looms in the surrounding hills. After lunch, pedal down the forest-lined Gia Bac Pass, then cycle from Malam to Phan Thiets beaches.

Included Activities:

  • Dalat - Hang Nga Crazy House

Accommodation:

  • (Number of Nights: 1)
14
Day 14: Ho Chi Minh City
Before heading to the big city, you’ll spend your last morning taking in the views along the beach on a ride to Lang Long. After a picnic lunch, keep cycling to Cu Bi where you’ll say goodbye to your two-wheeled friend. Hop in your group’s minivan for the final leg to Ho Chi Minh City and discover the fascinating blend of old and new here as East meets West. Maybe spend the final night of your trip with your fellow travellers, exploring the food stalls at Ben Thanh market or with a few glasses of street-side Beer Hoi.

Optional Activities:

  • Ho Chi Minh City - Reunification Palace (40000 VND)
  • Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum (40000 VND)

Accommodation:

  • (Number of Nights: 1)
15
Day 15: Ho Chi Minh City
There are no activities planned after breakfast today and your adventure comes to an end. You're free to leave at any time after check out. If you'd like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.

Optional Activities:

  • Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnel Experience Urban Adventure (39 USD)
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Discovery Urban Adventure (59 USD)
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Saigon Street Food by Night Urban Adventure (29 USD)
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
  • Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
  • Recommended gratuities/tipping
  • Optional activities/tours
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
Important Information
Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

  • It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
  • Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
  • Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.
AUD $3,775
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 15 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Average

More than 30 million Vietnamese can't be wrong – handle-bar height gives you the best view of vibrant Vietnam! This 15-day cycling trip take you through unique country landscapes, rice paddies, small villages, bustling cities and beside seas dotted with islands.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 02 Jan 2027

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
Excellent
4.5
Guide
Excellent
4.5
Itinerary
Excellent
4.5
Accommodations
Excellent
4.5
Transportation
Excellent
4.5
Tour Operator
Excellent
4.5
Food
Excellent
4.5
4.5
Jane
Traveled, April 2024

04/17/2024

Amazing trip. Cycling is a fantastic way to experience a country. Our leader, Son and all the support team couldn’t have done more to ensure we enjoyed our cycling safely and as stress free as possible

4.5
lee
Traveled, April 2024

04/18/2024

Fab tour of Vietnam. Son was superb. I highly recommend this trip to anyone considering it.

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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