Cycling Vietnam- Premium Adventure

Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), formerly known as Saigon, is an exciting and

absorbing city where bicycles battle with lorries and temples stand defiantly

alongside modern developments. Devastated by the Vietnam War, Saigon is now a

bustling free market city where anything goes. The Ben Thanh Market and Notre

Dame Cathedral are within walking distance from our hotel and are highly

recommended.This evening there will be a welcome briefing with your leader

followed by a group welcome dinner where you can try local Vietnamese

specialties.Premium accommodation: The Odys Boutique Hotel, Saigon (4 star)

This morning we drive out of the city, before riding to the Cu Chi Tunnels.
This offers a great introduction to cycling in Vietnam and a chance to
fine-tune the bikes. The tunnels were Viet Cong sanctuaries, used by the
guerrillas as living quarters and escape routes. The network covers 3 levels
and approximately 240km of tunnels. Some parts have been widened for
tourists, but the tunnels were originally very narrow and it is still
necessary to crawl on hands and knees. Claustrophobes may prefer to stay
outside in the sunshine!If you prefer not to visit the tunnels you can have
an unguided free day in Saigon. Places of interest include: the Emperor of
Jade and Giac Lam pagodas, the former Presidential Palace (now the
Reunification Hall), Ben Thanh market and the War Remnants Museum. Premium
accommodation: The Odys Boutique Hotel, Saigon (4 star)

After an early breakfast we head out of Saigon by bus and then start cycling
towards the coast. We hit the backroads and head through tropical fruit and
rubber plantations also passing some small fishing villages as we make our
way closer to the coast finishing our ride in time for lunch. We then
transfer approx. 3 hours to Mui Ne, a tranquil white sand beach where we can
witness our first sunset over the Eastern Sea. We spend approx. 4-5 hours on
the bus today. Premium accommodation: Sea Links Beach Hotel, Mui Ne (4 star)

We cycle towards Dalat; the route is undulating with occasional climbs. Along
the way we pass coffee and tea plantations as well as flower gardens and pine
forests as we reach higher altitude. We rejoin the bus before the road climbs
steeply to the mountain town of Dalat. We spend approx 3.5 hours on the bus
today.Dalat is a pleasant hill station, formerly known as Le Petit Paris, and
has been described as the most beautiful town in Vietnam. It was favoured by
the French for its climate, and is now a popular honeymoon resort for the
Vietnamese. Premium accommodation: Du Parc Hotel, Dalat (4 star)

Today's ride is predominantly undulating and approximately 30km downhill
through pine forests and paddy fields as we descend nearly 1,500m travelling
through the Bidoup Ba National Park. This area is home to rare pine forests
as well as small villages inhabited by the ethnic minority people of the
central highlands.Once we arrive at the coast, we head by bus (approx. 1.5
hours) to the coast near Nha Trang before boarding a boat (approx. 10 minute
transfer) to our tropical island paradise of MerPerle Hon Tam Resort where we
will be for the next two nights. Dinner tonight is included at the resort's
Sea Breeze restaurant which offers stunnning views of the ocean and
surrounding islands.Today you can cycle up to 100km according to
preference.Premium accommodation: MerPerle Hon Tam Resort, Hon Tam Island (5
star)

Having a rest from the bikes today we get the opportunity to really relax and
unwind. We will join a boat trip in the morning for a spot of snorkelling and
swimming in the turquoise sea before a seafood lunch is served.Returning to
the resort, the afternoon and evening is then free for you to relax and enjoy
the resort's world-class service and facilities and soak up the peaceful and
charming atmosphere.Premium accommodation: MerPerle Hon Tam Resort, Hon Tam
Island (5 star)

We set off early in the morning and first take a short boast transfer from
Hon Tam Island back to the mainland. We then transfer through Dai Lanh & Ca
Pass before setting off on our bikes at Vung Ro Bay where we ride along the
coast to Tuy Hoa and O Loan Lagoon to Chi Thanh.In Chi Thanh, we stop for
lunch and a short rest before continuing to ride to La Hai where we complete
90km of cycling today. From La Hai, we then transfer 1 hour to our hotel in
Quy Nhon. (Approx. 2 hours in the bus today).Premium Accommodation: Seagull
Quy Nhon Hotel, Quy Nhon (4 star)

Leaving Quy Nhon, we travel through a new economic zone over the Thi Nai
Peninsula and Nhon Hoi Bridge, the longest sea bridge in Vietnam.The coast
line features secluded bays, sand dunes and beaches with colourful fishing
boats bobbing on the Eastern Sea. We will cycle until we arrive at Phu Ly and
then drive to Hoi An. If time permits, we will cycle the last 12km once we
turn off Highway 1 into Hoi An. Hoi An, the original European trading port
in Vietnam dating back to the mid-sixteenth Century is now a living museum,
with attractive wooden merchant's houses and pagoda-style temples with
Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and European architectural influences. It is
also a atmospheric place to wander around and enjoy the thriving riverside
market. This evening, the group will dine at a local restaurant featuring a
menu with a fusion of central Vietnamese dishes.We spend two nights in Hoi
An, a fantastic location to buy local art or have some clothes tailor-made
for you. Its best to bring a picture or a sample of what you want
made.Approx. 6 hours in the bus today. Cycle approx. 50km.Premium
accommodation: Hoi An Blue Sky Boutique Hotel & Spa, Hoi An (4 star)

This morning we take a guided walking tour of Hoi An to explore some of the
structures of historical significance in the Old Town, including bridges,
temples, wells and houses. Those less interested in architecture can cycle
the 5km to the lovely Cua Dai beach or cycle to the Marble Mountains, which
are 19km from town. These five marble hills, formerly islands, contain many
caves, some of which were used as Buddhist (and Viet Cong) sanctuaries.Also
nearby is My Khe beach, a famous US R & R spot in the war, and Da Nang, where
there is a Cham Museum, which despite being in poor condition, is very
interesting. It is also possible to visit My Son, one of the most important
Cham temple sites in Vietnam where Cham kings were buried as early as the
fourth century. Although wartime bombing has destroyed much of the site,
there are a number of interesting stone towers and sanctuaries.Premium
accommodation: Hoi An Blue Sky Boutique Hotel & Spa, Hoi An (4 star)

Today we turn north again for the drive/cycle to Hue. The route traverses
over the spectacular Hai Van Pass - the 'Pass of the Ocean Clouds'. The views
are stunning. Though, those who prefer to avoid the 580m climb can always
take a lift in the support vehicle. Once at the top it will all seem worth it
as you plummet back to the ocean, then continue through small villages and
timeless rural scenes to the outskirts of Hue, from where we transfer to our
hotel. In the evening, the group will enjoy dinner at a restaurant situated
in the heart of Hue.Approx 2.5 hours in the bus today. Cycle approx.
80km.Premium accommodation: Romance Hotel, Hue (4 star)

Hue is often claimed to be the cultural and historic centre of Vietnam and
there is plenty to see.Today we take a guided tour of the city and
surrounding tombs. The most memorable site is the citadel, with walls six
miles in length: inside are the palaces and halls of the Mandarins, and the
remains of the Forbidden Purple City, where only the emperor and his eunuchs
and concubines were allowed.We then take a boat along the Perfume River to
the elaborate tombs of the Nguyen emperors, who ruled Vietnam from Hue. Tu
Duc's Tomb is very elaborate and set in beautiful gardens. Along the way we
will visit the famous Thien Mu Pagoda. The pagoda was a centre for
anti-government protests in the early 1960s and it houses the Austin car that
transported a monk, Thich Quang Duc, to Saigon in 1963 where he burned
himself in protest against the president. The photograph of his
self-immolation was printed in newspapers all around the world.Later, in the
evening we will board the Reunification Express for the overnight ride to
Hanoi, 688km to the north. Accommodation: Overnight Train (4 berth cabin)

We usually arrive in Hanoi in the early morning and stop for a local
breakfast of Pho Noodle soup and a chance to taste delicious Hanoi coffee
whilst also stretching the legs, before we are met by our bus for an
approximate 4 hour drive to Ha Long Bay. This is one of the most stunningly
beautiful sights in South East Asia with around 3000 limestone peaks rising
directly from the clear emerald sea. We cruise amongst this amazing karst
scenery, stopping to kayak in the sea allowing us to get to places
inaccessible by boat (weather permitting) and enjoy a seafood lunch on
board. Later in the afternoon, join your expert leader and group for a drink
or two on the top deck whilst watching the sunset in the bay before spending
the night on board in twin share cabins.Premium accommodation: Syrena Cruises
(join in basis), Ha Long Bay

We continue to cruise around Ha Long Bay this morning before returning to
port.Your leader will then introduce your group to the Ha Long Women's
Association in the Hon Gai township, a local sustainable initiative that is
committed to cleaning up waste in Ha Long Bay and upcyling any waste where
possible into items of value. Here you'll meet the local women and witness
how they upcyle rubbish materials into beautiful handcrafted products and
also may have the chance to try your hand at upcycling as well.We then drive
back to Hanoi for our final evening together with a farewell dinner at KOTO
(Know One, Teach One), a well-established training restaurant for
disadvantaged youths where you'll be served a blend of Vietnamese and
South-East Asian foods.Premium accommodation: La Belle Vie Hotel, Hanoi (4
star)

For land only clients, the tour ends this morning in Hanoi after breakfast.
If you'd like to extend your stay in Hanoi and discover more of this charming
city, please enquire with our sales or customer operations team about
requesting additional accommodation after your tour.