Bun Cha & Biking in Vietnam
Bun Cha & Biking in Vietnam
Bun Cha & Biking in Vietnam
10 Days Starting in Hanoi and ending in Hoi An
Visiting: Hanoi, Hoàn Kiếm Lake, Ninh Bình, Nam Định, Hạ Long Bay, Hue, Hội An
Tour operator:
Tour code:
EMV
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 16
Physical rating:
Medium, Moderate
Age range:
28 to 52
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Take to two wheels and explore northern and central Vietnam by bike. This ten-day cycling trip guides you around some of Vietnam’s celebrated locations, including the well-known centres of Hanoi, Hue and Hoi An. You’ll kayak around the limestone karsts of Halong Bay and row through the sublime scenery of Trang An. But you’ll get away from the tourist trails too, with the chance to cycle through rural Vietnam and its picturesque rice terraces and verdant landscape. And for good measure, you’ll return home knowing how to rustle up a fragrant Vietnamese meal.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Welcome Dinner In Hanoi
Location: Hanoi
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hong Ngoc Dynastie Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Dinner
You’ll arrive in the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi. We love this busy and
full-on place, where scooters precariously weave their way through narrow
streets to a continual soundtrack of honking horns.Tonight, you’ll get to
know your group at KOTO (Know One, Teach One). This training restaurant for
disadvantaged youths serves excellent food and you’ll have the opportunity
to try some local flavours as well as dishes from wider south-east Asia.
Day 2 : Cycle Around Glorious West Lake
Location: Hoàn Kiếm Lake
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
At dawn, you’ll head to Hoan Kiem Lake for a Tai Chi and Laughing Yoga
session. Feeling revitalised, you’ll feast on pho, a Vietnamese soup, for
breakfast. Next, there’s a walk around the labyrinth streets of Hanoi’s
Old Quarter, stopping to sample egg coffee. There’s bun cha for lunch, a
local dish of noodles, broth and meat served alongside some greens.After
lunch, you’ll pick up bikes before cycling to Ho Tay, the city’s largest
lake, to bike 15 miles around its circumference. The ride provides a
glimpse into modern and traditional Vietnamese life as fishermen wait for a
catch and luxury rooftop restaurants compete for space. You’ll stop at one
of the many cafes to sip on delicious Vietnamese coffee and enjoy the
lakeside views.Dinner tonight is at Tam Vi, a restaurant serving traditional
northern cuisine. Then it’s on to a popular cocktail bar, Mojito Bar &
Lounge, to try their legendary pho cocktail.
Day 3 : Bike It To Ninh Binh
Location: Ninh Bình
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you’ll leave Hanoi behind, heading an hour-or-so outside of the city
to Cho Tia railway station. You’ll cycle through pagoda and temple-filled
villages, then join the riverside path beside the Chau Giang River and Day
River, one of the four longest rivers in North Vietnam. Today’s 43-mile
ride finishes at Thanh Nghi, where a bus transfers you to the hotel in Ninh
Binh.
Day 4 : Boating And Biking
Location: Nam Định
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, you’ll cycle from the hotel to Trang An in Ninh Binh
province for a boating adventure. You’ll spend over two hours journeying
through the spectacular scenery along the Sao Khe River, exploring the
intriguing limestone caves (and understanding why this area has been granted
UNESCO Heritage status).Afterwards, it’s back in the saddle to cycle along
the Day River, following its banks to Hai Hau in Nam Dinh. There’s a stop
along the way to visit the covered bridge, Pham Phao Church, and a locally
celebrated chap who makes beautiful brass instruments.With another 40 miles
under your belt today, it’s back to Nam Dinh for a rest.
Day 5 : Cruising And Kayaking
Location: Hạ Long Bay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
There’s an exhilarating two-hour ride to start the day, cycling 25 miles
from the hotel to Thai Binh before a bus takes you to idyllic Halong
Bay. Easily one of the most beautiful sights in south-east Asia, Halong Bay
is a captivating place where 3000-odd limestone peaks rise directly from the
emerald sea. You’ll cruise amongst this phenomenal karst scenery, stopping
to swim and kayak, allowing you to explore places inaccessible by your cruise
boat. You’ll sleep onboard overnight in twin-share cabins with en suite
facilities.Please be aware that the boat trip on Halong Bay can be subject to
short notice change if certain adverse weather conditions develop during your
trip.
Day 6 : Fly To Hue
Location: Noi Bai International Airport, Hue
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After returning to port, you’ll transfer to Noi Bai airport to board the
short flight to Hue. There’ll be time to refresh in the hotel before dinner
at a local home where you’ll help prepare the evening meal and chat to your
host about Vietnamese life.Afterwards, you’ll head back to the centre of
Hue to experience its colourful nightlife.
Day 7 : Culture And Cuisine
Location: Hue
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Often considered the cultural and historical centre of Vietnam, there is
plenty to see in Hue and a full day of activities lies ahead. You’ll take a
morning tour of the city and surrounding tombs, including a visit to the
Imperial City of Hue. Although much was lost in the French and American wars,
the city is undergoing restoration and reconstruction. It’s a fascinating
place to visit and admire the atmospheric emperor’s residence, temples and
palaces.After, you’ll explore the Perfume River by boat, passing the
renowned Thien Mu Pagoda, an imposing Buddhist temple sitting on a hill.Â
Further on, set among beautiful riverside gardens, lies the Tomb of Tu Doc,
an expansive and elaborate royal mausoleum.Lunch is served at the Peaceful
Bamboo Village, a centre that provides vocational training for young people
with disabilities.  Later in the afternoon, you’ll take a cyclo around Hue
for a street food experience. You’ll sample an array of food including Banh
Beo, water fern cakes, Bun Bo Hue, a spicy broth and noodles, and salty
coffee.
Day 8 : Cycle To Sensational Hoi An
Location: Hội An
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
The calories from yesterday’s food fest will serve you well today as you
embark on a 52-mile ride. Leaving Hue, you’ll cycle uphill, conquering the
Ocean Cloud Pass, a stretch of highway that winds through the Truong Son
mountain range with views across the Bay of Da Nang to the south. There will
be plenty of breaks along the way to enjoy the scenery before you reach the
atmospheric town of Hoi An with its lantern-lit streets, vibrant markets and
artisan shops.After dinner, you’ll recover from the long cycle by sipping
the best craft beer in town at a local small brewery.
Day 9 : Villages And Vegetables
Location: Hội An
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning there’s a guided walking tour of Hoi An to explore the
historical sights of the Old Town. Alternatively, you can cycle to Cua Dai
beach for some downtime, or bike further afield to the Marble Mountains.In
the afternoon, you’ll cycle 15 miles to Tra Que Village, famed for its
avenues of herbs, so fragrant that you can smell them before you see them.
You’ll stop at a Cao Lau noodle maker, a bean sprout grower’s home and
the local market. En route you should see water buffaloes and wonderful
birdlife. Later, you’ll visit a chef’s house where there’s a cooking
demonstration before having a go yourself, learning all about central
Vietnamese cuisine, this time.
Day 10 : Time To Rest Tired Legs
Location: Hội An
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast
After breakfast, you’ll part with your faithful bike, ready to return home
(and rest your weary legs!).Â
What's Included
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Arrival and departure transfers
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All accommodation
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All breakfasts, six lunches and five dinners
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All transport and listed activities
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Tour leader throughout
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Meals
9 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners.
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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International flights
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Visas or vaccinations
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Tips for leaders and staff
Accommodation
Please be advised that the accommodation listed in each location are the standard hotels used.
However, there may be some departures where groups stay at similar hotels of the same standard and quality.
Single supplement is available on request and subject to availability for 8 nights of the tour (hotel nights only).
Please note, single supplement cannot be guaranteed on the 1 night spent on board the boat in Ha Long Bay and you may be required to be in a twin share cabin with a fellow group member of the same sex.
Hong Ngoc Dynastie Hotel, Hanoi
A contemporary boutique hotel with stylish guestrooms located in the heart of Hanoi city.
Legend Hotel, Ninh Binh
A modern hotel with 2 swimming pools, spa & fitness centre and spacious rooms
Nam Cuong Hotel, Nam Dinh Hotel
A modern hotel centrally located with swimming pool and fitness centre. Rooms are well appointed with polished wooden floors.
Le Journey Cruise, Ha Long Bay
A ship styled in Vietnamese hardwood. Each cabin has a large window. There’s a restaurant on board and a sundeck that’s a prime spot for sunset.
Thanh Lich Royal Boutique Hotel, Hue
A smart hotel with lovely rooms, ideally positioned for adventures through Hue. You can see the city skyline from the hotel’s pool.
Hoi An Blue Sky Boutique Hotel & Spa, Hoi An
A stylish boutique hotel with an array of facilities including a swimming pool and spa.
Food
All breakfast, six lunches and five dinners are includedVegetarian food is widely available, however the offering will be similar in most placesThere are plenty of opportunities to try Vietnam’s excellent and distinctive food
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
A visa is no longer needed for British, German, French, Spanish and Italian citizens travelling to Vietnam (for all purposes) for a period of up to 15 days, and on the basis of meeting all conditions prescribed by Vietnamese laws. The visa exemption period will end on 30 June 2021. All other nationalities require a visa to enter Vietnam and this must be obtained prior to departure.
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
Comfortable resorts and boutique hotels
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews of this Operator
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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