Cycle Vietnam

Our journey starts in Hanoi, Vietnam's vibrant capital. Architecturally styled like a French provincial town, with tree-lined boulevards and low-rise buildings, a walk through the bustling streets of the Old Quarter, gives you a fascinating insight into the city's heritage. Street food sellers tempt you with all manner of noodles, snacks and stir-fried delights from shoulder panniers, all adding to the charm of Hanoi's historic heart.

Our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 4pm for a welcome meeting followed by a walking tour through the Old Quarter. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), which is 45 minutes from the hotel.

Please note, if you plan to join the afternoon orientation walk today, you'll need to arrive at the hotel by 4pm. If you're booking your own flights, we recommend giving yourself 30 minutes to an hour to clear the airport. Therefore, the latest your flight can arrive is about 1.30pm.

If you miss the welcome meeting, the tour leader will inform you of any essential information by note left at the front desk.

After breakfast, we'll have the chance to check out our bikes and make any necessary adjustments. We'll then continue by bus for a morning sightseeing tour of the city with our local guide. We'll visit the 11th-century Quan Thanh Taoist Temple, the charming One-Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, and the Presidential Palace. Ho Chi Minh, known for his simple lifestyle and scholarly nature, chose not to live in the Presidential Palace itself. Instead, he preferred a modest two-storey teak stilt house built within the grounds, which we'll visit today. After this, we'll head back to the hotel.

In the afternoon, we'll enjoy a scenic cycle ride around the nearby West Lake, covering a distance of around 17-20 kilometres/10.6-12.4 miles. This lake, the largest freshwater lake in Hanoi, is steeped in legend and located in the bustling heart of the city. At 500 hectares, it's surrounded by gardens, temples, and some of Hanoi's most luxurious real estate, providing an ideal setting for testing out our bikes. Our route will include stops at the Buddhist library of Thu Sacha and the Phu Tay Ho Temple, a particularly lucky spot for women seeking blessings.

We'll depart Hanoi this morning, first heading to Dong Ho, a village east of the city. Famous for its folk paintings, this village has been situated on the banks of the Duong River since the 16th century, with artwork reflecting age-old traditions. Printed on papyrus-like paper, these paintings depict feelings of prosperity and happiness, with colours derived from local materials like charred bamboo leaves and finely ground oyster shells. We'll spend time with the artisans before continuing our journey by bike along the Duong River dyke. The northern dyke system of Vietnam is the longest in Indochina, stretching over 2,400 kilometres/1,491.6 miles. Cycling along the dyke, we'll pass through commercial vegetable gardens that supply fresh produce to the capital, as well as encounter grazing cattle.

After cycling about 8 kilometres/5 miles, we'll reach But Thap to visit the 17th-century Pagoda before continuing to Kim Son. Here, we'll visit the Sui Pagoda, where novice monks are trained in meditation. We'll also have a chance to visit a small vegetable market showcasing produce from the dike gardens. After rejoining our bus, we'll head to Phu Thi in the Red River Delta for a home-cooked lunch and an opportunity to learn about local customs and traditions from our hosts.

After lunch, we'll continue by bus to the Gulf of Tonkin and the stunning karst landscapes of Ha Long Bay.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 15 kilometres/9.3 miles.

Ha Long Bay, one of Southeast Asia's most breathtaking landscapes, is a UNESCO World Heritage site where thousands of limestone islands rise from the jade-green waters, resembling the scales of a giant submerged dragon. Legend has it that the landscape was formed by the tail of a mighty dragon that plunged into the sea. This morning, we'll board a charter boat for a cruise through this stunning seascape, passing junks, boats, and sampans. We'll explore limestone caverns and enjoy a delicious seafood lunch on board.

Afterward, we'll continue by road to the village of Nhan Muc, where we'll watch a traditional water puppet show (a practice dating back to the 15th century) and have a chance to interact with the locals before heading to Ninh Binh for the night.

There is no cycling today.

This morning, we'll cycle the back roads to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam and once the political and cultural heart of the country. While many of the original monuments are no longer standing, we'll visit the Temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang, who unified the country and founded Vietnam's first feudal dynasty. We'll then cycle along narrow concrete paths through picturesque villages to the 12th-century Nguyen Saint Temple. After a break, we'll cycle through rural landscapes towards the stunning limestone karst formations of Van Long, and on to Vuon Thi village, where we'll enjoy a traditional lunch.

After lunch, we'll cycle a short distance to a nearby dock for a peaceful sampan ride around the caves and Karst scenery of the Van Long Reservoir. We'll return to Ninh Binh by bus, where you'll have some free time before we board the Reunification Express for the overnight journey to Hué.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 34 kilometres/21.1 miles.

Arriving in Hué this morning, we'll transfer to the hotel, check in, and adjust our bikes. The rest of the morning is free to relax and explore at your leisure. After lunch, we'll cycle to the impressive Citadel, built by the Nguyen dynasty in the early 1800s. The Citadel still dominates the left bank of the Perfume River, with its formal moats and majestic ramparts. Although much of the inner city was damaged during the Tet Offensive of 1968, the outer walls and West Wing stand as a reminder of its former glory.

Later, we'll cycle out to Thanh Toan Bridge, a lovely tile-roofed wooden bridge built over two centuries ago. In the afternoon, the locals often gather here to chat and reminisce. After soaking up the peaceful atmosphere, we'll cycle back to our hotel.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 18 kilometres/11.2 miles.

This morning, we'll enjoy the peaceful, leafy backstreets of this charming city, cycling out to explore the countryside around Hué. We begin with a visit to the Ho Quyen amphitheatre, where the emperor presided over duels between tigers and elephants. Continuing on to the 19th-century Nguyen Tomb of Tu Duc, we will enjoy the beautiful complex of ornate temples, pavilions, and tombs, built beside a picturesque lake. After a visit to the eunuch tombs at the Tu Hieu Pagoda, a gentle ascent of Vong Canh Hill rewards us with spectacular views. From the pine forest atop the hill, we can look over the Perfume River and the surrounding countryside, including the tombs of the Nguyen dynasty.

We finish our morning cycling further out to the vast 19th-century tomb of Minh Mang, possibly the finest of all the imperial tombs. Returning to Hué by bus around lunchtime, the rest of the day is then free. There is the option to take a half-day excursion along the Perfume River, visiting the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda, home to the oldest monastery in the city, whose 21-metre/69 feet high tower has become something of a symbol for Hué. Dedicated to the Manushi Buddha, the existing temple was constructed in the middle years of the 19th century, under the auspices of Emperor Thieu Tri, and within its confines, you can find a number of superb Buddhist statues, as well as an enormous cast bell that weighs over 2,000 kilograms and is reputed to be audible over 10 kilometres/6.2 miles away.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 35 kilometres/21.8 miles.

This morning we drive south for about an hour to reach Phouc Tuong Pass, where today's ride commences. We cycle first past arable lands and later beside a large lagoon, after which the cycle ride finishes. Getting back in the vehicle, we start our drive south, and time permitting, we will stop at Lang Co, a section of the famed China Beach, to enjoy a spot of swimming. Known locally as My Khe, the name China Beach was given by US troops who came here for R & R during the Vietnam War. After our break to relax, we follow the coastal road towards the Truong Son Mountains and the lofty heights of the Hai Van (Sea Cloud) Pass. This scenic region once marked the boundary between Vietnam and the Champa Kingdom to the south, and as we reach the pass itself, the views before us are simply spectacular.

After a short stop at the pass, we drive downhill towards the major city of Danang, accompanied by stunning panoramas of mountains, islands, and the ocean. We soon encounter Thuan Phuoc Bridge \emdash the longest suspension bridge in the country at 1,850 metres/6,070 feet in length \emdash spanning the Han River, then continue our onward journey to the bustling port of Hoi An. First colonised by the Portuguese in the 16th century, by the 17th and 18th centuries, Hoi An had become one of the busiest international trading posts in Southeast Asia, and even today, it still retains the engaging charm of a medieval port, with many of its old buildings superbly preserved.

The rest of the day has been left free to wander through the historic heart of this World Heritage Site at your leisure. You might like to pay a visit to the Japanese Bridge, Hoi An's emblematic symbol, believed to have been constructed to quell the violent rumblings of a restless monster, or perhaps explore the traditional wooden houses and Chinese temples that line the streets. Other alternatives include visits to the local cloth mill and the hire of rowing boats to explore the landscapes along the river.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 28 kilometres/17.4 miles.

This morning we board another boat for a cruise down the river to the busy village of Kim Bong. In the company of an appointed village guide, we will uncover a hive of cottage industries amongst old colonial houses and temples. Biking through lush rural landscapes, we'll see local people producing boats, straw matting, and rice noodles.

Continuing by river on to the pottery village of Thanh Ha, we then have an opportunity to visit a traditional workshop and watch local artisans continuing a tradition that has existed in this village since the 16th century. We cycle the few kilometres back to Hoi An, with the rest of the day free for more personal sightseeing. There is an opportunity to extend today's cycling with an optional visit to Tra Que village to learn about organic vegetable and herb farming. Here, you can also enjoy a delicious lunch and even a herbal footbath and massage (at your own expense) in a local house in the village.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 8 kilometres/5 miles, with an additional optional 12 kilometres/7.5 miles.

Today we start our day with a short bus journey to a place called Nam Phuoc, from where we will cycle our way to My Son. My Son has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site and contains ruins of structures from the ancient Champa Kingdom, which flourished between the 2nd and 15th centuries. For those keen on culture and history, this presents an ideal opportunity to explore the most evocative of Vietnam's Cham sites at My Son. The site contains several impressive groupings of Cham temples and is probably the finest example of Cham masonry skills in the country. We take a bus back to our hotel in Hoi An.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 30 kilometres/18.6 miles.

After transferring to Danang airport this morning, we fly south to Vietnam's largest and most vibrant city \emdash Ho Chi Minh City. Still commonly referred to by its old colonial title, Saigon is an eclectic mix of the traditional and the new, where pagodas and markets compete alongside the trappings of Vietnam's newly discovered entrepreneurial spirit.

After a short flight from Danang, we'll transfer to the hotel and check in, after which we will take a brief orientation tour of the city on foot. As part of our tour, we will include the prominent sights of the Hotel de Ville, whose ornate grandeur is today the home of the People's Committee. We'll also take in the Opera House (formerly the National Assembly building), the Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral, and the impressive French-style edifice that is the GPO building.

Afterwards, we'll be free to enjoy some personal exploration, affording a chance to visit some of the many temples that lie dotted around the city, or perhaps do some shopping amongst the bustling stalls of the Binh Tay Market, the largest wholesale market in southern Vietnam and a fabulous place to stroll and meet the locals. No visit to Saigon would be complete without exploring something of its tragic recent history too, and this afternoon also offers a chance to visit the remarkable Reunification Palace and the emotive War Crimes Museum, where you can find some poignant and moving reminders of Vietnam's colonial wars.

There is no cycling today.

This morning we drive out of the city to Cu Chi (1.5 hours), from where we cycle to visit the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels. The tunnels formed an amazing underground command base for 10,000 Viet Cong troops and were a major part of the Tet Offensive. They give some idea as to the conditions that the Vietnamese and their American adversaries had to endure. Be warned, the tunnels are low and narrow and can be claustrophobic.

Driving back to Saigon after lunch, the remainder of the afternoon is free to enjoy a last look at this remarkable city.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 25 kilometres/15.5 miles.

Today we journey by vehicle, boat, and bike into the Mekong Delta to explore these fascinating waterways. Firstly, we make our way by bus from Saigon to Cai Lay (2 hours), where we start cycling alongside calm canals and rivers.

Along the way, we'll learn more about local life, taking in the verdant gardens and orchards as we go. After an included lunch, we take a boat trip to see local cottage industries making such things as rice paper, coconut sweets, and rice cakes, before returning to Saigon later in the afternoon (a three-to-four hour drive).

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 20 kilometres/12.4 miles.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Ho Chi Minh City at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel.

If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), which is 30 minutes from our hotel.