Vietnam’s Heritage on Two Wheels: North to South

This morning, enjoy a private city tour with your driver and guide. Visit Ho Chi Minh’s former home, the Temple of Literature (Hanoi’s first university), and possibly the Fine Arts Museum, known for its impressive art and sculpture collection. The tour concludes in Hanoi’s vibrant Old Quarter before returning to your hotel in the afternoon. Meals: B / L Accommodation: Apricot Hanoi or Silk Path Hotel

Experience a scenic ride through the lush farmlands of the Red River Delta, where vibrant green fields and traditional villages create a picturesque landscape. As we journey, we will take a car to Halong City, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the stunning beauty of this region. The Red River has a remarkable journey, starting in Yunnan province, flowing through the Tonkin region, and passing by Hanoi before entering the Gulf of Tonkin. Along the way, we’ll crisscross the river, riding over numerous bridges that provide breathtaking views of the waterways and the surrounding countryside. This adventure showcases the natural beauty and cultural richness of Northern Vietnam, making it an unforgettable experience. Meals: B,L,D Cycling Distance: 50km / 30mi Accommodation: Halong Novotel or Saigon Halong Hotel

A short ferry ride through breathtaking limestone mountain scenery takes us to Cat Ba Island. After lunch, we’ll hop on our bikes for a ride around the island, taking in the stunning views and enjoying the sunset over the majestic limestone mountains. Cat Ba Island is home to numerous fascinating caves, including Hospital Cave, Hoa Cuong (Diamond) Cave, Thien Long Cave, and Trung Trang Cave. With its abundance of stunning caves and natural beauty, Cat Ba Island offers a truly remarkable experience. Meals: B,L,D Cycling Distance: 25 – 30km / 30mi Accommodation: Blue lagoon

After enjoying a hearty breakfast, board a smaller boat for an adventure to the more remote and secluded areas of Lan Ha Bay, exploring its beautiful waters and islands. Trade your boat for a kayak to navigate the lagoons, coral reefs, beaches, and limestone peaks at your own pace. Afterward, we will ferry back to Hai Phong and continue our journey to Ninh Binh, located approximately 170 km away. This trip takes about 3 hours, and if time allows, we will unload our bikes for a scenic ride along the backroads and dikes, covering approximately 20-25 km to reach our hotel. We anticipate arriving at the hotel between 16:00 and 17:00. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Cycling Distance: 20 km (12 miles) Accommodation: Trang An Retreat

A brief cycling ride along the river leads us to Trang An, often referred to as Halong Bay on land. This area is characterized by its impressive limestone mountains, winding rivers, caves, and beautiful pagodas. Here, we’ll embark on a boat ride to soak in the enchanting scenery, filled with both natural and cultural treasures. We’ll pause for a visit to the ancient city of Hoa Lu, where we can tour the historic temples before looping back through the breathtaking landscape. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Cycling Distance: 40 km (24 miles) Accommodation: Trang An Retreat

It’s a busy day packed with transfers and cycling experiences. We start with a 90-minute transfer to our cycling starting point. After unloading the bikes, we’ll ride along mostly gentle, undulating paths, enjoying the views of acacia plantations, sugarcane fields, and corn farms, along with the charming villages of the Thai and Muong tribes. For the final leg of our journey, we’ll take a 90-minute car transfer. Arriving in Pu Luong, we’ll check in at a charming family lodge located in the heart of Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Meals: B,L,D Cycling Distance: 60km Accommodation: Puluong Bocbandi Retreat

Pu Luong is a stunning region in northern Vietnam, renowned for its natural beauty, lush rice terraces, ethnic minority villages, and pristine forests. The area features tranquil scenery and offers various trekking and hiking trails through terraced fields, across suspension bridges, and into forested hills. Today, we’ll go hiking in Pu Luong, exploring the scenic landscapes of Don Village and Hieu Village, and culminating our journey at the beautiful Hieu Waterfall. If you prefer a more relaxing day, you can take a rest and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Whether you choose to hike or unwind, Pu Luong invites you to appreciate its rich landscapes and culture at your own pace. Hiking Distance: 10-15 km

Prepare for another day of delightful cycling as we navigate through gently undulating terrain. We’ll pass by breathtaking mountain ranges adorned with karst cliffs, terraced rice paddies, and typical agricultural landscapes, concluding our ride in the picturesque valleys of Mai Chau. This journey promises a captivating change in scenery. Mai Chau is a collection of lovely villages, offering an authentic rural cycling experience. In the evening, take the opportunity to wander through the valley, soaking in the simple rural lifestyle that is beautifully framed by the stunning surrounding scenery. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Cycling Distance: 50 km (30 miles) Accommodation: Mai Chau Lodge

Today, enjoy an exciting loop through the beautiful valley and get a close look at village life in Mai Chau. We’ll ride on a mostly off-road trail with some gravel sections, passing quaint villages where children wave to us and crossing gentle streams. This area is mainly home to the White Thai people. In the evening, we have a short flight to Hue. Our guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Hue, located in central Vietnam, is known for its rich history and beautiful scenery, with the Perfume River flowing through the city. A popular activity is taking a boat trip on the river. Hue is also famous for its traditional arts and crafts, as well as its unique cuisine, known for its delicious flavors and presentation. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Cycling Distance: 30 km (18 miles) Accommodation: Hue Silkpath Hotel

Start your day with a leisurely bike ride around the imperial town of Hué, passing landmarks like the Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda, mausoleums, and merchant houses along the Perfume River. If you want more cycling, explore the “Purple City” with a short countryside loop, discovering the rural landscape and history at your own pace. We’ll take a brief transfer to visit the Thanh Toan Bridge, a significant ancient structure, before cycling to Dam Chuon Lagoon, a must-see for photography enthusiasts. Next, ride to Thuan An Beach, where you can relax and swim. The route features charming houses, temples, rice fields, and gardens. After enjoying the beach, we’ll head to Con Te Islet. On our return to Hue, we’ll stop at Sinh Village, known for its traditional woodblock paintings. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Cycling Distance: 25-50 km (15-30 miles) Accommodation: Hue Silk Path Hotel

After breakfast, we’ll take a short transfer from Hue to the coast. Begin cycling along a scenic, narrow road, crossing the Perfume River estuary. Challenge yourself with a climb up Phuoc Tuong Pass, then enjoy lunch by the beautiful lagoon in Lang Co. In the afternoon, ride along Lang Co Bay, with views of winding paths, fishing boats, waterfalls, mountains, and forests. Cycle over gentle hills to Hai Van Pass for stunning views of the bay. After descending, we’ll shuttle to Hoi An, a charming old trading town and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Cycling Distance: 80 km (64 miles) Accommodation: Hoi An Royal Hotel

You’ll be captivated by the architectural beauty of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site showcasing a blend of Vietnamese, European, Chinese, and Japanese monuments in a relaxed, timeless atmosphere. Today, you can enjoy the day at your own pace, exploring the enchanting town of Hoi An. It’s a shopper’s paradise, and wandering through the streets feels like strolling through an open-air museum. Meals: Breakfast

Rise early for a short flight to Saigon. Upon arrival, our guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Later, you’ll embark on a walking tour to explore some of the city’s most famous sites, including Ben Thanh Market, Saigon Opera House, Continental Hotel, The Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and Post Office, and The War Remnants Museum. This tour offers a great introduction to the city’s history while allowing you to experience the unique blend of chaos and tranquility that defines modern-day Saigon. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Lasiesta Saigon Hotel

A short transfer takes us to the outskirts of My Tho, the gateway to the Mekong Delta. We’ll cycle along a small creek towards the Mekong estuary, surrounded by beautiful rice paddies and lush orchards. Along the way, we’ll cross a river on a local ferry. After cycling 20 km (12.5 miles), we’ll stop for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, we’ll travel by van for 30 minutes before continuing our afternoon ride. We’ll cycle past coconut plantations on a smooth path, shaded by trees on either side. We’ll also visit a local family to see how they make ropes from coconut fiber and thatched huts from coconut leaves. After cycling another 30 km (18.6 miles), we’ll load our bikes into the van for a 40-minute drive to our hotel, the Coco Riverside Lodge. Before dinner, our hotel will host a fun cooking class where we’ll learn to make rice pancakes. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Lasiesta Saigon Hotel

We start with a 40-minute transfer into the Mekong Delta, stopping at a beautiful Khmer Pagoda before our bike ride. We’ll cycle through rice fields, rivers, and canals, crossing several bridges with views of floating villages. The area is also home to banana, coconut, and citrus plantations. After biking 25 km (15.5 miles), we’ll have a coffee break, then ride another 21 km (13 miles) to lunch at a local restaurant. We’ll continue on the interior trails of the Mekong Delta to Can Tho. After lunch, we’ll bike another 20 km (12.4 miles) and cross a river on a local ferry before loading our bikes into the van for a 90-minute drive to Can Tho. Can Tho, on the southern bank of the Hau River, is famous for its canals and floating markets. We’ll arrive at our hotel around 5 PM. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Cycling Distance: 60 km (36 miles) Accommodation: Victoria Can Tho

We start the day at 7:30 AM with a boat ride to the bustling Cai Rang floating market. Each boat displays its specialties, marked by items hanging from tall poles. While some boats stay in one place, others gently float around, especially those selling snacks and coffee. The weathered wooden boats add to the market’s charm. The market focuses on fresh produce, including sweet potatoes, watermelons, and lychees, offering a unique glimpse into local life. After our boat ride, we’ll walk along a path made of old railroad ties and a busy road with meat markets before heading back to the van. Next, we’ll cycle deeper into the Mekong Delta, passing beautiful hamlets surrounded by orchards and coconut plantations, where we can see farmers working in their gardens. Tonight, we’ll stay at Ba Linh Homestay, one of the first in the area for tourists. They cook meals traditionally over firewood for an authentic flavor. Please note that the homestay does not have AC, but beds come with mosquito nets for a comfortable sleep. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Cycling Distance: 50 km (30 miles) Accommodation: Mekong River Home Stay

Start your day with an early morning boat trip to the lively floating market, followed by visits to handicraft villages and the Cai Be market on land. After the boat ride, we’ll cycle to Cai Lay, discovering the Longan (Dragon Eye) gardens along the way. We’ll continue cycling to My Tho, where we’ll visit the beautiful ornamental Khmer pagoda of Vinh Trang. After our explorations, we’ll shuttle to your hotel in Saigon or the airport. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Cycling Distance: 40 km (24 miles) Accommodation: Lasiesta Saigon