Saigon to Hanoi Bike Tour, 17 Days, Cycling Vietnam

Upon arrival we meet at Northern Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City, aka Saigon. After bike fitting and trip briefing you are free to explore the city before returning for a welcome dinner at the renowned Temple Club Restaurant.

Today we transfer a short distance out of bustling Saigon and start riding to the haunting Cu Chi Tunnels, which the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) used during the Indochina War as their stronghold and torture site of foreign POWs for decades. After witnessing the war’s devastating consequences, we return to Saigon by bus just in time for a visit to the notorious Museum of War Crimes. Dinner is your choice.

We rise very early this morning and transfer to the airport for a short flight to Dalat, once a favourite summer retreat among the French and Vietnamese royal families. Dubbed “Le Petit Paris”, the city is now a popular honeymoon destination for Vietnamese newlyweds. Upon arrival, we’ll hop on our bikes, start off with a relatively easy ride around Dalat past Xuan Huong Lake, colourful flower plantations, the Old French Railway station and cycle out of town on picturesque and nearly traffic-free country lanes and back roads. After cycling in the shadow of Mount Langbian, we return to Dalat for dinner and you are free to take a walk to explore this lovely city.

As we head towards Nha Trang, a famous seaside getaway, we’ll tackle some challenging hills before being rewarded by smooth descents with lush mountains as our backdrop. Our first break will be at the community house of highland hill tribe people, then we muscle up again to conquer Hon Giao pass (1,650 m) before a 30 km downhill to have lunch at the local restaurant by the river. In the afternoon it is back on the bikes for 28 km on a flat road. A short transfer takes us to the resort for a lively evening.

For a rest day off the saddle we take a boat trip to stunning coral islands for swimming and snorkeling. On the way back we’ll have a cultural stop at Pa Na Gar Cham towers. Built between the 7th and 12th centuries, four of the original eight towers are still actively used for worship by Cham, Chinese and Vietnamese Buddhists. Alternatively, those who would like to take it easy can lie down and soak up the sun by the beach.

Following breakfast, we cycle out of Nha Trang and then take a short transfer to avoid busy Highway 1. Back on the bikes we cycle on to Dai Lanh Beach where we’ll have a beach side lunch with time for a swim in the blue waters. To avoid another busy section of road a 20 minute transfer takes us to the start of our afternoon ride on a coastal road snaking along the base of Da Bia Mountain. There will be some gentle climbs before we drop to the flats and finish our day on quiet countryside lanes that are a mix of tarmac and dirt, passing soothing rice paddies and peaceful villages.

After transferring out of town to avoid the main highway we start biking along a remote, but well-surfaced road running parallel with the railway. The terrain rolls gently with breathtaking views of the highland hills. As we cycle through tribal and Viet villages we’ll also spot potbellied pigs and barefooted children trotting across the trail. We then return to the highway and transfer a short distance to Quinhon.

Today we follow the coastal road to Tra O Lagoon, the largest wetland in Binh Dinh Province and also a principal food source for the locals. While rolling we also take in the sea breeze and spot tranquil fishing villages lined along the coastline. After lunch at a local restaurant, the ride continues to Highway 1, where we transfer to Quang Ngai for the night.

In the morning we start cycling from the hotel to have the first stop at My Lai, the site of one of the deadliest massacres during the Indochina War. After a guided tour we continue cycling along the coast, passing many picturesque fishing villages with their colourful boats. We stop riding at lunch and transfer on to Hoi An so we can have the afternoon free to explore this historic town. A major trading port during the 17th and 18th centuries there are 844 structures of historical significance and many vibrant shopping streets, the city is a must for you to wander around and absorb the atmosphere.

This morning we have a short transfer to avoid the highway and start riding to My Son, the ancient centre of the Cham Civilization dating back to the 4th century. We then cycle along scenic country back roads flanked by rice paddies, eucalyptus plantations and relaxing villages. Later the road stretches away from the coast, offering stunning views of the ocean as we head to My Son, once Champa’s most important city. After lunch we spend the afternoon visiting the site, and although many of the temples were destroyed from heavy bombing, enough have survived the war to impress most visitors. After the historical tour, we take the bus back to Hoi An. Dinner is your choice.

This is probably the toughest ride of the tour, yet it is also one of the most rewarding. A short transfer out of Hoi An brings us to the start of our ride along the beach to Danang, known to some as China Beach, an R&R destination for American troops during the Vietnam War. It will be quickly time to change your gears and start the climb up Hai Van Pass, a steady and moderately challenging uphill with exhilarating views of the coast. From sea level we climb up to 480 m before flying down a long and smooth descent After lunch we venture away from the main highway and cruise on a coastal road for 44 km to Hue, the old capital of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty.

Today we explore by bicycle and boat the rich history left behind by the emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty. We start by cycling directly from our hotel along the An Cuu (Perfume) River and head up to the tombs of Khai Dinh, the 12th king of the Nguyen dynasty, which were built from 1920-1931. After our visit, we continue to bike on a quiet route to Vong Canh hill, which is just 43 m high, but is the best place to catch a panoramic view of the Perfume River. We finish the ride today at the seven-story Thien Mu Pagoda, the tallest religious building in Vietnam. Built in 1601, it has become the symbol of the city, and be sure to get a photo with the marble turtle! We then walk to the boat pier nearby the pagoda to take a cruise on the Perfume River back to Hue. After refreshing ourselves and packing up we have a dinner at a local restaurant before boarding an overnight train to Ninh Binh.

We arrive in Ninh Binh around 10 am (arrival time may vary). Following a short transfer to the local restaurant for washing up, bike fitting (we have new fleet of bikes in the north) and an early lunch, we start cycling through spectacular karst mountains towering over a blanket of rice paddies to the ancient city of Hoa Lu, the capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries. After touring the temples we continue to Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam’s first and largest natural reserve to check into our accommodation at the park.

We enjoy another ride to appreciate the park’s beauty, visit the primate rescue centre and head east on serene back roads through a sea of pineapple plantations. Today while riding you’ll notice the differences between North and South Vietnam ranging from crops, villages, to clothing as we pass through countless lush greenery, lovely villages and friendly locals. Today’s ride finishes just before we reach Highway 1 and our transfer to Hai Phong, one of Vietnam’s major ports.

We transfer to the pier to catch a ferry to Fulong on Cat Ba Island. Located at the southern end of picturesque Halong Bay, the island is home to one of Vietnam’s most exquisite natural treasures, Cat Ba National Park. Once we get off the boat we cycle 26 km on the island’s only road before enjoying lunch in town. In the afternoon you are free to explore the surroundings before spending the night on this heavenly island.

We have a short ride in the morning and head for a memorable cruise through majestic Halong Bay. With its towering limestone karts protruding from the emerald sea, Halong Bay is truly one of the most spectacular natural wonders in the world. Legend has it that it was formed by a great dragon that descended from the mountain into the sea. The boat trip is definitely rewarding after the long biking expedition. We then transfer to Hanoi and meet again in the evening for our farewell dinner at one of the many fine restaurants in the city.

In the morning you are free to do last-minute shopping or take a short tour around the Vietnamese capital before catching your onward flight. If you would like to extend your stay in Hanoi, please contact us for the best hotel deals and rates.

Breakfast