Bun Cha & Biking in Vietnam

Bun Cha & Biking in Vietnam

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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:

Exodus

Tour code:

EMV

Recommended For:

Singles

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:
English
Trip Styles:

Active, Adventure Tours

This tour is no longer available

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

  • Sample an array of traditional Vietnamese dishes and sip on locally brewed beer

  • Cycle the winding Ocean Cloud Pass, the thousand-metre high barrier that divides the climates of north and south Vietnam

  • Cruise and kayak through enchantingly beautiful Halong Bay

  • Discover lesser-explored corners of Hanoi and Hoi An and venture to the more remote locations of Ninh Binh and Trang An

  • Roll up your sleeves for hands-on experiences, including learning to cook

  • A carefully curated blend of cycling, activities, tours and downtime

Itinerary

Expand All

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. 
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!). 

What's Included

  • Arrival and departure transfers

  • All accommodation

  • All breakfasts, six lunches and five dinners

  • All transport and listed activities

  • Tour leader throughout

  • Meals

    9 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners.

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance

  • International flights

  • Visas or vaccinations

  • 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

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • 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.

  • What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

    Comfortable resorts and boutique hotels

  • 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.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

Gergana Racheva  

Very helpful and prompt service

06-Jan-2023

Very helpful and prompt service. I called to check for an already booked trip and once we sorted this, the agent was ready to help me with another booking as well. He actually waited for me to book my flight tickets, answered all my questions, informed me of all my options. Exodus is a tour company I am using regularly due to the quality of their trips, ease of booking and helpfulness of their customer service team

Trustpilot
Tim Hardy  

Stunning walking. Walking the Amalfi Coast

04-Nov-2021

This trip takes you through the most beautiful parts of the Mediterranean walking with a guide and also discovering the wonders of Pompeii and Vesuvius. The hotel had a nice feel as family run, spotless and comfortable rooms, we were well looked after for breakfasts and dinner each day, and the barmen fixed some mean cocktails for us.!

Paul Green  

It's amazing what you can do in a week! Cycling the Dalmatian Coast.

08-Oct-2021

This holiday was extremely enjoyable. The itinerary is well planned and the route takes you to a variety of destinations. Not having been to Croatia before I didn't know there were so many beautiful small islands and I loved the ferry and catarmaran rides. The coastal route we took was dramatic and the World Heritage sites in Split and Dubrovnik very interesting and worth visiting. The Adriatic Sea was warm, blue and inviting, good for swimming even in October. The hotels we stayed in varied in size from medium to large. I particularly liked the one just outside Dubrovnik as I had a sea view. Tourists were plentiful in Split and Dubrovnik but in the other places we stayed there was an end of season feel and it was quiet on the roads and in the resorts. The food was good and our guide was always able to recommend a nice restaurant for our evening meal. The weather in October was good for cycling - not hot, partly cloudy most days and one day it rained!

Mrs Y Morrison  

Fabulous company and trip

06-Jan-2023

We went overland from Cape Town to Zimbabwe through Botswana and Namibia. What a fantastic trip. Our first time with Exodus although we have travelled extensively around the world. We would highly recommend this company for such a brilliant trip - we got everything and more all at a good price. Thanks to everyone involved. We are looking at our next trip!

Trustpilot
John Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

I went cycling in Albania...

19-Aug-2023

I went cycling in Albania with exodus as my first holiday with them. Such a well organised and wonderful experience where I met multiple fellow travellers who have been advocates of them for many years. You can't argue with happy repeat customers and I'm planning my next adventure with them soon

Rob Burridge (Google Reviewer)  

I'v just come back from...

17-Jul-2022

I'v just come back from an amazing Wildlife & Wilderness trip in Botswana and I highly recommend Exodus Travels. Our guide Brian, was extremely knowledgeable on both the wildlife and history of Botswana and neighbouring countries. The other three staff, Abbis, Chief & Mr T, who accompanied us through out our 2 week trip, put in the hard work and made sure our camp was always prepared and that we we're well fed and looked after. The tour took us to some beautiful places and we saw some amazing wildlife, and on several occasions this was due to Brian's knowledge of the area and wildlife behaviour. Exodus have been very quick to respond to any queries I had, and the whole experience ran smoothly. I was also pleased to hear that during lockdown they provided staff with food packages 👍. I'd normally go on self organised trips, however, with this trip, the tour and guide Brian took us to places not possible otherwise and showed us things that we would'v missed out on. All of which were the highlights of the tour.

Daphne Partridge (Google Reviewer)  

After 14 roup adventure holidays...

26-Nov-2023

After 14 roup adventure holidays with Exofus we would not hesitate to recommend them as an excitingholiday company. They take you off the beaten track but offer great support and expertise :)

Alison Payton (Google Reviewer)  

I've done 8 trips in...

17-May-2023

I've done 8 trips in the last 14 years with Exodus, and have been rewarded with a 10% discount on all future bookings. I feel very confident that I'll receive pleasant, efficient service, and have the unusual holiday experience that I'm looking for each time. I've trekked to the top of snow-capped peaks, wild-camped in the desert, seen amazing spectacles of nature, visited 4 capital cities in a week, and learned about local culture and experienced local hospitality in a way that I simply wouldn't on a conventional holiday. The quality of the accommodation and guides can vary, but this is mainly down to cultural differences and things that Exodus can't control. I've only ever complained once, my complaint was taken seriously, and I was sent a discount voucher - you can't say fairer than that. I remain a loyal customer.

Jacquelyn Moore (Google Reviewer)  

Food came quickly. Staff very...

07-Mar-2024

Food came quickly. Staff very friendly and polite . However the chef or person preparing the food did not seem to read the menu! If it says a meal should come with vegetables, you should not have to ask for them. They served shepherds pie with garlic bread! The munchies ice cream sundae said it should come in a glass with a flake but came in a little bowl with just a few munchies! When asking the staff were happy to replace and correct but customer should get what they order and what menu says first time round!!

johanna leonor (Google Reviewer)  

If you like to be...

07-Sep-2023

If you like to be mistreated Exodus is perfect for you. If you enjoy terrible choices for hotels and pseudo restaurants Exodus is perfect for you. Careless about their clients and loveless about their propositions. Exodus has been a dissatisfaction and disappointment about every dealing i and my group have had with him. Especially a man called Simone who just cares about the money he can get from you couldn’t care less about service.

Book with Confidence

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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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