Tour de Vietnam

Road Cycling Tour from $2,631 NZD

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14 Days
  • 2012
  • Best time to travel: April-May / September-October
  • Availability Guide:
  • Current date selected
  • Plenty
  • Limited
  • Closed or too close to departure (Call Us for options)

Much of Vietnamese daily life is based near the roadside. This challenging, diverse tour offers a special window on lifestyles and landscapes.

Bike along ancient alleyways, mountain passes, shady colonial avenues and cluttered highways.

We start in Hanoi and follow the historic Ho Chi Minh Trail (now a highway). Then, from quaint HoiAn we bike alongside beaches and through fishing villages. Next, it's up 1500 m to the lush Central Highlands and DaLat. Finally we go coastal again, relaxing at a beach resort, then Saigon.

Hanoi to Saigon

Hanoi
  • Road cycling
  • Grade
  • Tour price subject to minimum numbers
  • USD400 single room surcharge
  • USD350 bike hire
  • This tour is invoiced in USD
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vietnam

Tour de Vietnam Fitness and Preparation

This tour has many challenging rides and is suited to enthusiastic road cyclists who love adventure. While each day offers long distances, the air-conditioned support vehicle is always available. It's an ideal holiday for groups of riders with different abilities who still want to travel and bike together.

All accommodation, ground transport and nearly all meals are included. Just turn up and be ready to ride!

Hard Tours

Hard tours are designed for the more experienced participant wishing to push themselves and experience new highs of achievement. Routes will include longer climbs and more technical skills.

Fitness required

A good level of fitness is required, you will need to be exercising three-four times a week prior to the tour.

Full Itinerary

DAY 1

Arrival Day: Hanoi

Hanoi sightseeing cycle tour optional

Welcome to Hanoi! We'll transfer you from the airport to the city (45 minutes) and check you into the tour hotel. Depending on your arrival time, a city tour (by bike) is on offer this afternoon, taking you past various places of interest including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature, before heading to NgocSon temple at HoanKiem lake, the scenic focal point of Hanoi. We then cycle Hanoi's Old Quarter and, most importantly, learn the local road rules! This evening we'll have our first group dinner together.

Meals: Dinner

DAY 2

Hanoi to CucPhuong National Park

Cycling: 80–130 km (approx. 4 hours riding)

This morning we leave Hanoi and drive for an hour to busy LuongSon, then cycle 25 km on a sealed country road through rice fields to BaiChao. The road has some hills — a great warm-up. Big bamboo waterwheels pumping water from streams to the rice fields are an interesting sight, and a good reason to stop for a short rest. We continue 13 km to KimBoi, and our pace slows through this town of mineral water springs. We speed up for another 33 km on country roads to LacSon. Then we jump in the vehicle for an hour's drive to CucPhuong National Park. We'll overnight in a guest house.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3

CucPhuong National Park to BenSung

Cycling: 80–160 km (approx. 4–8 hours riding)

Wake up early for a walk around the National Park, the oldest in Vietnam. Or just lie in bed, listening to birdsong and the gibbons at the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre. After breakfast we ride 10 km around a limestone mountain on the park edge, on a tar sealed back road. Like some other roads we'll encounter, we'll need to watch for potholes. Then, it's downhill to KimTan and CamThuy towns. Next, a fast stage on smooth tarmac and gentle hills on the Ho Chi Minh highway to NgocLac, LamSon and YenCat. At YenCat, we drive 20 km to our hotel in BenSung town.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4

BenSung to VuQuang (or HuongKhe)

Cycling: 100–200 km (approx. 5–9 hours riding)

Today there's up to 200 km of riding in 4 stages. Please talk to your guide beforehand about suitable ones for you. A 5 am drive takes us to YenCat. At sunrise we cycle the 1st stage to rural NghiaDan. After breakfast, we slow down for the 'touring stage’ to TanKy, the start of the historic Ho Chi Minh trail. In the Vietnam War this was the main supply line junction, and was repeatedly bombed by US aircraft. At TriLe we start the longest stage to HuongSon, breaking the distance with rest stops. We recommend you choose only some stages, though very fit riders could test their endurance.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5

VuQuang (or HuongKhe) to DongHoi

Cycling: 60–120 km (approx. 3–6 hours riding)

This morning we drive uphill for about an hour to KheVe junction, the famous intersection of the HCM trail and road No.12, where east and west connect with the TruongSon range. KheVe, CaTang and KheNung were fiercely bombed by the US from 1965–73. Next, a fast 25 km ride to Pheo, then a 20 km climb to DaDeo pass over the TruongSon range. After a fantastic descent to the former air base of KheGat, we break for lunch. This afternoon we cycle to XuanSon bridge, near where the XuanSon ferry also sustained heavy bombing. Then, on to our hotel in the city of DongHoi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6

DongHoi to Hué

Cycling: 90–160 km (approx. 5–8 hours riding)

A flat to undulating road today. First, a 24 km ride on quiet road through pines and eucalypts. Lunch is followed by an 11 km fast blast down a smooth road to BenTat bridge. This is the modern version of the old suspension bridge across BenHai River, the natural border between North and South Vietnam. After 17 km we reach TruongSon National Cemetery, where over 10,000 Vietnam War soldiers rest. Next, a 20 km flat stage to CamLo, then 15 km down the highway to DongHa. Next we drive 90 minutes to the quaint city of Hué, on the banks of the ‘Perfume River’.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7

Hué to HoiAn

Cycling: 60–160 km (approx. 4–7 hrs riding)

This morning we bike out of Hué city down a quiet country road for about 30 km. There are short climbs over PhuocTuong Pass (4 km/60 m up) and PhuGia Pass (3 km/70 m up). We have lunch at white, sandy LangCo beach before a 10 km climb up the beautiful HaiVan pass to the summit at 496 m. A fast and furious 10 km descent to NamO beach is followed by an optional 50 km ‘sightseeing’ stage via DaNang City to HoiAn. After dinner we can stroll around this coastal resort town, popular for its traditional architecture, textiles and crafts.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8

Hoi An (Rest Day)

Cycling: optional 50 km round trip (approx. 2–3 hours riding)

Today, relax in the quaint and beautiful city of HoiAn. Perhaps head for the beach, or explore the Old Town, which is still the heart of the city with its winding alleys and many Chinese-styled shops. Visit sights such as the Japanese covered bridge (built in the 1600s), the historic Old TanKy house, the ceramic trade museum, or a local handcraft workshop. If you feel like cycling today, we suggest an afternoon ride to Marble Mountain, returning to HoiAn via gorgeous CuaDai ('big sea mouth') Beach.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 9

HoiAn to QuiNhon

Cycling: 80–120 km (approx 3–5 hours riding)

This morning we drive from HoiAn to the city of QuangNgai, which takes us down coastal highway 1A, linking the North to the South. We have lunch on the golden sands of SaHuynh Beach. This afternoon we are on our bikes for a ‘scenic cruise’ through fishing villages and past rice fields, as we cycle down the coast alongside beautiful beaches. Finally we ride across the 7 km bridge over ThiNai Lagoon to QuiNhon city, where we'll stay tonight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10

QuiNhon to NhaTrang

Cycling: 100–160 km (approx. 7 hours riding)

Our ride from QuiNhon to VanNinh is along some of Vietnamʼs most scenic coastline. We'll pass blue lagoons, palm trees, fishing villages, and bays with colourful boats. There's lunch at scenic DaiLanh Beach, and we'll later reach picturesque NhaTrang on the waterfront. It's a great day to attempt a ‘century ride’ of 160 km (100 mi), including many hills and a mountain pass. The climb just after TuyHoa township rewards you with stunning sea views. At VanNinh, we drive 50 km on busy highway 1A to the coastal city of NhaTrang, where we'll have a seafood dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11

NhaTrang to DaLat

Cycling: 30/80/130 km (2–6 hours riding)

Challenging climbs today. We'll cycle about 30 km inland on a new flat road through tropical forest to Khanh Vinh. Then, a climb through the highlands through forests and villages. We'll pass prime tea and coffee plantations and mountain lakes, all inviting us to stop and take a break. You will need plenty of energy in reserve if you want to tackle the gradual 50 km climb up to HonGiao, followed by another 50 km over smaller passes to DaLat (1500 m a.s.l). You may want to ride in the van for some stages. We'll stay overnight in the beautiful mountain resort of DaLat.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12

DaLat to MuiNe

Cycling: up to ~180 km (approx. 9 hrs riding)

Our ride starts with a twisting 10 km descent from DaLat through pine forests via the rolling road to DiLinh. We will pass by numerous coffee, tea, banana and rubber plantations in the rich, red earth of the Central Highlands. Eventually we'll turn off Highway 20 onto a back road that undulates through tropical forests to GiaBac. The final downhill takes us back to sea level at PhanThiet where we continue east along the bay to the well-known beach resort of MuiNe, our destination for tonight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 13

MuiNe to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)

No cycling

This morning there is time to relax at the beach or beside the pool before we help you to clean and box your bike. We check out of the hotel early afternoon and transfer by van to Ho Chi Minh City (more commonly known as Saigon), which takes 3.5-4 hours. Saigon is Vietnam’s largest city and is adorned with wide boulevards and historic French colonial buildings. This evening we will have our ‘Farewell dinner’ in this bustling and vibrant city.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 14

Departure Day: Saigon

No cycling

Depending on your departure time today, you may like to explore the city at leisure this morning before we transfer you to the airport.

Meals: Breakfast

Tour Inclusions and Exclusions:

Tour Includes:

  • 13 nights in 2-4 star accommodation (based on twin share)
  • Meals as indicated in itinerary. (the support van carries snacks, cold drinking water and towels)
  • Airport transfers: Hanoi (day 1) and Ho Chi Minh City (day 14)
  • Support vehicle and luggage transport (air conditioned bus/minivan)
  • Experienced cycling guide
  • City tours of Hanoi and Saigon
  • National park entrance fees

Tour Excludes:

  • International flights
  • Bike hire
  • Drinks & favourite snack bars (e.g. Power Bar, etc.)
  • Travel Insurance and personal expenses
  • Tips for guide(s) and support crew