VIETNAM CYCLING HOLIDAYS

From the lofty peaks of the Long Range Mountains to the sandy shores of the Gulf of Tonkin, this is a Vietnamese road cycling dream come true. Test your endurance over 1,000 kilometers of diverse terrain, uncovering vestiges of former empires, the lingering legacies of the Vietnam-America War, striking limestone formations, shimmering lagoons, and vibrant cultures. We go local in Vietnam’s further-flung regions and enjoy elevated comfort near some of the country’s most treasured UNESCO World Heritage Sites!

Day 1 Meet in Hanoi

Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital and the cultural heart of the North! We suggest arriving at least a day or two before the tour begins to explore this vibrant city infused with ancient heritage, a French colonial legacy, a revolutionary spirit and modern cosmopolitanism. Be sure to visit the Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake, and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and stroll through the lively Old Quarter. On arrival day, we meet at our tour hotel in the late afternoon and head out for a trip briefing and welcome dinner. Please let us know if you require assistance with airport transfers and pre-tour hotel bookings.

Dinner

Hotel: Hanoi Silk Castle Hotel

Day 2 Hanoi – Mai Chau

We transfer about 1.5 hours from Hanoi to our cycling start point on the eastern edge of Hoa Binh Province. Our adventure begins on a gently undulating secondary road through the quiet countryside. After approximately 40 km, we merge onto a main road, where we are introduced to the busier side of Vietnam’s provincial traffic and the country’s unofficial national language: honking! As we ride further west, the scenery becomes increasingly striking, with mountain ridges and limestone massifs emerging from the landscape. After a lunch break, we prepare for our first major climb starting at around 65 km. For 10 continuous kilometers, we ascend meandering roads to the top of Thung Khe Pass, accompanied by stunning views. The reward for our efforts is a winding 10 km descent into the Mai Chau Valley, which feels like entering a different world, with a patchwork of lush rice paddies surrounded by forested, rolling hills. We spend the night at a small hotel nestled in one of Mai Chau’s ethnic stilt house villages and enjoy a feast of highland delicacies for dinner.

-Mai Chau Sunset hotel

-breakfast, Lunch, dinner

-cycling 92km

Day 3 Mai Chau – Ngoc Lac

After breakfast in the hotel’s traditional stilt house, we ride through quintessential scenes of rural life in the Mai Chau Valley. Depending on the season, early mornings are busy with farmers and their buffaloes working the rice paddies. At 15 km, we reach the banks of the gently flowing Song Ma River and follow its course for 45 km. The road cuts through the river’s narrow valley flanked by terraced fields and forested slopes. The ride is mostly flat, with just a few sharp bursts up and down the hillsides. After lunch at a local restaurant, we veer south of the river into the expansive, lush countryside of Thanh Hoa Province. We tackle two consecutive climbs of around 5 km each before arriving in the market town of Ngoc Lac, where we spend the night. Now firmly off the beaten path, you'll be hard-pressed to find tourists around here!

Cycling 97km

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Sky hotel

Day 4 Ngoc Lac – Thai Hoa

Today we join the Ho Chi Minh Highway. Constructed in the post-war period to foster development in the remote highland regions, today it is a 2,000 km long motorway connecting Hanoi in the north to Saigon in the south. Over the next three days we will savor some of the highway's most scenic and least busy sections, starting with today’s ride to Thai Hoa. The highway winds through the foothills of the Truong Son Mountains, offering an undulating route with a continuous rhythm of ups and downs. This makes for fun road biking as the smooth tarmac allows for a fast-paced journey across the terrain! Around halfway, we’ll stop for lunch at a roadside restaurant and continue, enjoying alternating views of mountains, farmlands, and forests. For the final stretch, we’ll leave the highway and take secondary roads to lead us into the small but lively riverside town of Thai Hoa through the backdoor. We’ll stay at a hotel right by the Hieu River and enjoy dinner with the town locals.

-Thai Hoa Riverside hotel

-breakfast, lunch,dinner

-cycling 107 km

Day 5 Thai Hoa – Pho Chau

Departing from Thai Hoa, we begin today's ride on quiet secondary roads that meander through the expansive countryside. After 43 km, we rejoin the Ho Chi Minh Highway at a significant milestone – the “Kilometer Zero” marker of the historic Ho Chi Minh Trail. From this point onward, we ride on hallowed ground for the Vietnamese, a region once covered in dense jungle where northern revolutionary forces launched their key offensives against the U.S.-backed South. Today much of the region has been developed for agriculture and we follow the highway as it cuts through a large swath of farmlands pressed against the green, rolling hills. The ride ends with a short but sweet downhill to a secluded hotel in the district of Pho Chau. You can cool down with a dip in the pool before we meet for dinner.

Minh Thu hotel

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Cycling 130km

Day 6 Pho Chau - Phong Nha

Get ready for the longest ride of the tour. It is also one of the most stunning as we approach the perimeter of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to some of the world's most impressive caves, underground rivers, and limestone formations. Departing from Pho Chau, we can make quick work out of the first 75 km as we follow the Ho Chi Minh Highway on a flat and mostly straight stretch. Then we begin to rise with the road as it snakes along the contours of hillsides surrounded by rugged, jungle-clad limestone towers. At the 140 km point we tackle the steepest climb of the day, ascending to the top of a pass for around 5 km. And then, as always, it’s downhill! The final 35 km are a gentle cool-down in the plains of the Son River, leading us to a lovely lakeside resort – our home for the next two nights and the perfect place to unwind and rest our legs.

Phong Nha Lake House resort

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Cycling 187km

Day 7 Phong Nha Exploration

This morning, we’ll give our legs a rest from biking while still keeping them busy exploring Phong Nha’s otherworldly cave network! We’ll start by transferring to Paradise Cave, where we’ll climb 400 steps to reach the chamber entrance. The cave extends a staggering 31 km, with one kilometer accessible to visitors. We’ll walk along a well-maintained, well-lit wooden walkway, marveling at the majestic rock formations sculpted by millennia of water erosion. After re-emerging outside, we’ll head to a boat pier for a cruise along the Son River to Phong Nha Cave. The entrance bears scars from heavy bombing during the Vietnam War, when the cave was used to store supplies and serve as a hospital. Once inside, the boat’s engine will be turned off, and we’ll be gently rowed into a massive, mystical chamber adorned with stalactites and stalagmites that resemble slowly melting candle wax. After the boat returns us to the pier, we’ll enjoy lunch before heading back to the resort. The afternoon is yours to relax by the pool, paddle in the lake, or treat yourself to a massage.

Phong Nha Lake House resort

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8: Phong Nha-Cam Lo-Khe Sanh

You are cycling near Laos, with lots of Vietnam war history: Ho Chi Minh trails, Cam Lo, Khe Sanh…we will review the war, taking photos of the ruins tanks, helicopters..

The traffic is very quite, the landscape is so wonderful, great for cycling routes…

Cycling 80km

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Nam Mua Bangalows

Day 9: Khe Sanh-A Luoi

A wonderful day ride on southern part of HCM trails of A Luoi, visting Khe Sanh base, for those in 1950-1960s will know this site well, a Dien Bien Phu of the Vietnam War.

This ride will lead you into a different part of Vietnam on the South West side, there will be more people, houses, industries on the East, but here is Long range Mount, National forest, trails, ethnic people, natures,waterfalls, streams, hills, valleys..

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Hue Crown A Luoi Retreat

Cycling 65km

Day 10: A Luoi-Hue

Today’s ride is the flattest of the tour, so we can make good time and arrive in Hue by early afternoon, giving us a chance to explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Imperial City. This massive complex - a city within a city – was the political, cultural, and religious heart of the Nguyen Dynasty, Vietnam's last royal family. If time allows, we may visit one of the ornate emperor’s tombs outside town (optional and the entrance fee is not included). With a variety of dining options available, dinner is on your own tonight.

TTC Hue Hotel

Cycling 60km

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 11: Hue-Hoian

 we start with a 45 km loop around the picturesque Lap An Lagoon, framed by mountains and dotted with oyster farms. Next, we tackle the iconic Hai Van Pass, a flagship achievement for cyclists in Vietnam! On smooth tarmac, we ascend nearly 500 meters over 10 winding kilometers, taking in views of the blue South China Sea and headlands covered in jungle and sandy beaches. We’ll catch our breath at the top before enjoying the thrilling 10 km downhill ride into Da Nang, Vietnam’s third-largest city. Expect some traffic as we navigate a bay-hugging road to our lunch spot. We then continue our ride down the coast, passing the famous Marble Mountains, and finally arrive in Hoi An, Vietnam’s darling UNESCO World Heritage-listed town. Once a major maritime trading center, Hoi An boasts beautifully preserved architecture with Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, and French influences. We conclude with a farewell dinner, celebrating our impressive cycling feat!

Hoian Ancient House Resort

Cycling 88km

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 12 : Hoi An depature, tour end!

Our cycling tour has ended but we suggest you extend your stay to explore Hoi An’s Old World charm and beaches. Please let us know If you require assistance with airport transfers and post-tour hotel bookings.

 

Tour Includes:

Professional vehicle transportations and commercial vehicle insurance. Professional driver

Professional bicycles (Giant, Trek or Cannondale)

Support van equipped with first aid kits during the cycling

Private door to door pick-up drop-off services

Accommodation at ecolodges, hotels, homestays as mentioned

Experienced English-speaking guide

Meals as stated in the itinerary (B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner)

(Optional) Vegetarian and vegan food is available

Bottled water

All sightseeing tickets

All Taxes and Fees

No extra charge after confirmation

24/7 hotline support guaranteed

(Optional) Child seats are required

Tour Excludes:

Personal expenses, tips and gratuities

Travel insurance

International & domestic flights and taxes

Beverage

Other personal expenses: drinks, souvenir, etc.

What To Take:

Pack essentials, including light comfortable clothes suitable for outdoor activities, comfortable walking shoes. Take a small day pack for hiking and trekking

It is essential to bring your passport on this trip. We also recommend packing: insect repellent, sun cream, raincoat and sun hat...

 

Tour Price: 1680 USD/pp for group of 2, more riders the price will be reduced.