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 5pm for a welcome meeting. 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. 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 Old Quarter, 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.

This morning, depart Hanoi and travel by road to the ferry terminal for the crossing to Cat Ba Island. Located on the southern edge of Halong Bay, Cat Ba is the largest island in the bay and is known for its dramatic limestone landscapes, lush national park, and beautiful coastal scenery. While the island has long been a favorite base for exploring the surrounding bays, it is currently undergoing significant infrastructure development, with new hotels, roads, and tourism facilities gradually transforming the area.

Upon arrival on Cat Ba Island, continue by bus to Ben Beo Pier, where you will board a private charter cruise to Lan Ha Bay. Situated just south of the more famous Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay is considered one of the region's hidden gems. With hundreds of limestone karsts rising from calm emerald waters and far fewer boats than its neighbor, the bay offers a more tranquil and unspoiled cruising experience while showcasing the same spectacular scenery that has made the area a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Enjoy the included lunch on board as the boat cruises past Cai Beo Floating Village, one of the oldest floating fishing communities in Vietnam, where local families have lived on the water for generations. Continue through the bay, passing countless limestone islets and hidden lagoons while taking in the breathtaking panoramic views that define this remarkable seascape.

During the cruise, you will have the opportunity to join a kayaking excursion, allowing you to paddle through quiet corners of the bay and explore the karst formations up close. Alternatively, you may simply relax on board and enjoy the serene surroundings.

In the afternoon, return to Ben Beo Wharf and transfer to your hotel for check-in.

The remainder of the day is free at leisure, giving you time to explore Cat Ba Island at your own pace, stroll along the waterfront, or simply relax and enjoy the island atmosphere.

There is no cycling today.

This morning we explore Cat Ba Island by bicycle, beginning with a scenic ride through the island's lush landscapes to Trung Trang Cave. Located within the forested interior of Cat Ba National Park, this impressive limestone cave stretches for several hundred metres through the mountain. Formed over millions of years, it features striking stalactites and stalagmites, atmospheric chambers, and natural formations that have inspired many local legends. During our visit, we walk through the cave's illuminated passages and learn about its geological significance and the role it played as a shelter during times of conflict.

After exploring the cave, we continue cycling for approximately 14 km to the ferry terminal to cross back to the mainland. From there, we transfer to Nhan Muc Village, where we enjoy a traditional water puppet performance. This unique Vietnamese art form dates back to the rice-growing communities of the Red River Delta more than a thousand years ago. Puppets are skilfully controlled by hidden puppeteers standing waist-deep in water behind a screen, bringing to life scenes from rural life, local legends, and folklore, accompanied by live traditional music.

After the performance, we continue by road to Ninh Binh, where we spend the night.

Today's cycling distance is approximately 90 km (56 miles), with 603 metres of ascent and 613 metres of descent.

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. We then head to a local house to have a home hosted lunch with a local family before settting off on our afternoon cycling tour. 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. Continue cycling to the Hope Centre Hue (30mins) a project set up to help Hue's disabled and disadvantaged residents to find employment and vocational training, the centre produces varieties of colourful garments and local handicraft items. Then we get back on our bikes for a journey through the old roads of the citadel to Bao Vinh, a charming ancient town once a bustling trading port. Explore its historic architecture before heading to a nearby village renowned for making clay Kitchen God statues. Listen to folk tales as we create our own statue with artisans. We then continue through the tranquil villages to Thanh Tien Village, famous for paper flower making. Dive into hands-on experiences crafting flowers from plain paper. End our journey with a scenic ride through paddy fields to Sinh Village, known for its wrestling festival and woodblock paintings. Learn about the art's history and techniques from local artisans. We then drive back to our hotel.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 17 kilometres/10.5 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, the longest suspension bridge in the country at 1,850 metres/6,070 feet in length - 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 is a free day of exploration of Hoi An. You can take a walk into the town to enjoy a coffee, browse the souvenir shops or take an optional excursion to My Son, a UNESCO World Heritage site which contains ruins of structures from the ancient Champa Kingdom, which flourished between the 2nd and 15th centuries. The site contains several impressive groupings of Cham temples and is probably the finest example of Cham masonry skills in the country.

We start the day early to catch our flight. After a short drive to Danang Airport, we fly to Ho Chi Minh City, still widely known as Saigon, before continuing directly to Vung Cai Be in the heart of the Mekong Delta - a drive of approximately three hours. Often referred to as the 'rice bowl' of Vietnam, the Delta's maze of rivers, canals and vibrant green rice paddies is bustling with life, offering a vivid glimpse into the traditional rhythms of rural Vietnamese culture.

On arrival, we check in to our riverside accommodation, where bungalows are set among tropical gardens along the riverbank. Each combines local design with modern comforts, featuring airy interiors, private terraces and access to a swimming pool - ideal for unwinding after the journey.

In the afternoon, we head out for a cycling trip on Tan Phong Island. Riding at a relaxed pace along quiet village paths, we pass canals, homes and fruit orchards. There's time to stop along the way, observe daily life and get a closer sense of the Delta's character.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 20 kilometres/15 miles.

After breakfast, we check out and take a short boat trip to visit local cottage industries, where rice paper, coconut sweets and traditional rice cakes are made. These small, family-run workshops offer a glimpse into everyday production methods, with the chance to see each step of the process up close. We then return by road to Ho Chi Minh City.

On arrival, we set out on an orientation walk around central Saigon with our tour leader. Highlights include the National Assembly building, Hotel de Ville, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office.

At the end of the walk, the rest of the afternoon is free. You may choose to visit the War Remnants Museum - highly recommended for its powerful and thought-provoking insight into Vietnam's recent history - or the Presidential Palace, or simply explore the city at your own pace.

There is no cycling today.

This morning we drive out of the city to Cu Chi and continue by bike to explore the famous Cu Chi Tunnels. This vast underground network once served as a base for thousands of Viet Cong troops and played a crucial role during the Tet Offensive. Walking through the tunnels offers a vivid sense of how they were used, though some sections are low and narrow, which may be uncomfortable for those prone to claustrophobia.

Afterwards, we'll head back to Ho Chi Minh City, where the afternoon is yours to relax or explore further. You might want to check out the vibrant Ben Thanh Market for some shopping, visit the bustling cafes for a taste of local life, or explore the trendy art galleries and rooftop bars scattered around the city.

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