Cycle Vietnam

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Hanoi

On Day 1 people will be arriving throughout the day so the day is free to explore the sights of this vibrant city.We'll meet in the evening at 6pm for a trip meeting and head out for our first dinner together.

Day 2 Hanoi and overnight train

In the morning you will have some free time time to explore Hanoi. In the afternoon we attend a performance at the famous Water Puppet Theatre before heading to the train station to board the Reunification Express for an overnight journey south.

Day 3 Hue (30 km)

Our first day on the bikes is a gentle ride in the historic city of Hue. Our bikes will take us to the ancient Forbidden Palace where emperors of the past ruled Vietnam. We will explore the Palace on foot before riding on to the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc which is more like a park than tomb.

Day 4 Hue to Lang Co (70 km)

Our first full day on the bikes takes us out of Hue and south riding along the coast past small bays and alongside the famous Reunification Express. The ride is mostly flat and easy. We will however encounter a couple of short climbs late in day. We spend the night night in the beach side town of Lang Co. With its relaxing beach you’ll enjoy a pleasant seaside afternoon.

Day 5 Lang Co to Hoi An (80 km)

The morning begins with a challenging 10km uphill ride to the top of Hai Van Pass, the geographic divider of north and south. While a test of endurance, the road sits ominously overlooking the ocean and the scenery is your motivation to keep you going up the climb. From the top there is a thrilling downhill before riding through busy Danang and onto the beautiful town of Hoi An. Hoi An was once a major trading port and now the World Heritage protected old town is a wonderfully preserved area.

Day 6 Hoi An

Enjoy a full day to relax in Hoi An. Explore the old town, spend the day shopping or head down to the beach for a relaxing afternoon - there’s plenty to do.The picturesque port town of Hoi An, once known as Faifo, was an important trading town with strong south Chinese influence and connections. As you walk amongst this living museum you could visit sites such as the Museum of History and Culture, the Tan Ky house, the Japanese bridge, the Fujian Assembly Hall and lunch at a riverside restaurant to sample some of the local delicacies. Hoi An is also a shopping mecca for tourists in the region – tailors can produce virtually anything overnight – clothing, silk lanterns, lacquer ware and other crafts abound. Just north of Hoi An is Danang, a major US military base during the war and site of an excellent museum documenting Cham art and history.

Day 7 Hoi An to Tam Ky (70 km)

We start the day with a boat trip to get us over the Thi Bon River. We then cycle along a lovely quiet road with the coast on one side, fish farms on the other and a sparse sandy landscape in the middle.We overnight in Tam Ky a town to get few visitors but is great for getting away from the tourist regions of Vietnam.

Day 8 Tam Ky to Quang Ngai (90 km)

After getting back more on the coastal route we take a back road that takes us to the site of one of the many dark moments of the Vietnam War - the My Lai Massacre Memorial. The Monument stands as a great antiwar statement. Quang Ngai is another town well off the tourist route so expect to be something of an oddity.

Day 9 Quang Ngai to Quy Ngon (64 km)

Today's ride is one of the best of the trip. We start with a transfer south to skip out a section of busy highway. Our cycling will be entirely on small back roads today, passing rice fields, villages, salt farming and a set of beautiful deserted beaches. Lunch is taken at a small local restaurant before continuing on to Quy Nhon which we enter on a 3km long bridge.

Day 10 Quy Ngon to Tuy Hoa (113 km)

Today is the longest day of the ride. Time to test those legs! The support vehicle will always be on hand for those who want to take a break. Today we follow the stunning coastline on undulating roads that sometimes turns into a real climb. The biggest uphill of the day is 3.5km but it comes earlier in the day. Again we stay close to the beach so if there is time you can enjoy a swim in the afternoon.

Day 11 Tuy Hoa to Nha Trang (55 km)

Our final day on the bikes is another beautiful day of undulating coastline riding. The mountains are all around us today which means there are a couple of hills to climb, the longest being a 3.5km slog. But all this hard work brings us the the coastal town of Nha Trang. With is beautiful beaches, crystal clear water and lots of fun activities it is the perfect place for a well earned rest and a celebration of the end of the cycling component of the trip.

Day 12-13 Nha Trang

Spend day 12 recooperating on the beach or explore the local shops and markets, sit on the beach soaking up the sun or visit nearby historical towns. Optional activities can include a boat trip to nearby islands for snorkeling and scuba diving. On Day 13 we take a bus to Ho Chi Minh City (approx 8 hours journey)

Day 14 Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) is Vietnam's commercial heart and its busiest city. Join the crowds at the many markets, visit the famous landmarks, or take a trip out to the Cu Chi tunnels where you can explore underground in tunnels created during the French and American wars. During your free time you can take a tour by cyclo (rickshaw) to various sights around town. See Notre Dame Cathedral, Gustav Eiffel's Post Office, the Opera House, Rex Hotel, and town hall or you may wish to visit the War Remnants Museum or the Reunification Palace.

Day 15 Depart Ho Chi Minh City

Depart Ho Chi Minh City on any time on day 15.