Vietnam Cycling Tour
Bike through the world’s most thrilling destination. What you’ve heard is all true — there is no other place like Vietnam… the people, culture, cuisine and landscapes. Join us on the trip of a lifetime cycling Vietnam.
Vietnam Cycling Trip Dates
December 1-12, 2022 (FULL)
March 3-16, 2023 (
Trip*)
Pedal the most scenic country roads in Vietnam’s northern river valleys along the historic “Ho Chi Minh” trail (now, thankfully, the paved Ho Chi Minh Highway), passing countless emerald-green rice paddies, villages, picturesque central coast, and ending in the buzzing commercial capital, Saigon, for — as many of our past traveler’s have said — the trip of a lifetime. Along the way, experiencing the best Vietnam’s UNESCO World Heritage cities: the stoic capital Hanoi, the ancient capital of Hue, and charming Hoi An, and finally the buzzing boulevards and markets of Saigon.
Vietnam Cycling Itinerary
Day 1 — ARRIVE HANOI
Xinh Chao (welcome)!
Hanoi is one of Asia’s most interesting cities and we always recommend you arrive a day or two earlier to explore its exceptional charms. Today, arrive into Noi Bai Airport, where war-era Russian MIG fighters are still bunkered. The cultural and political capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is a step back in time with elegant French-colonial, tree-lined boulevards and old quarter, which has been continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years.
After transfer and check-in, we’ve arranged a “jet-lag recovery” of massage, herbal bath, and nourishing bowl of the country’s best pho. In the afternoon bike building, testing, and orientation before dinner.
Day 2 — HANOI TO NINH BINH
Karst Mountain Splendor
If you’re up early, spend time before breakfast strolling around nearby Hoan Kiem Lake where hundreds of locals gather at dawn for tai chi, badminton, weight lifting and aerobics. After breakfast, we van out to the countryside roads and begin riding through farm lands and splendid rolling mountain scenery, passing rice fields and spectacular karst mountain scenery. After reaching the jungles of Cuc Phuong National Park, our stop for the evening. well visit the nearby Primate Rescue center. Accommodation in park cabins.
48 miles +1,227 feet (long and short options each day)pedlaing
Day 3 — NINH BINH TO BEN SUNG
Villages & Rice Paddies
A long ride today, starting off on broken road for 10 km (optional van shuttle if you are flat-adverse). After, downhill to Kim Tan town, cycling a small route that connects to Cam Thuy. From here, a fast, smooth road along the road to Ngoc Lac and onto Lamson and Yen Cat. Today has rolling hills, but not much climbing. At Yen Cat, we turn off the highway for a last 20 km to Ben Phu, our town for the night.
18-49 miles +3,114 feet
Day 4 — BEN SUNG to HUONG KHE
A splendid day riding the scenic mountain roads near the starting point of the historical Ho Chi Minh trail, the main supply line to the south during the war and was heavily bombarded throughout the war. Many supplies were moved by “Iron Horse,” or bicycle, although not much pedaling was done as they were heavily loaded and pushed.
After this long day, we’ll welcome a hot sauna and massage before dinner.
24-75 miles +4,234 feet
Day 5 — HUONG KHE to DONG HOI
Today riding from the historic junction of the Ho Chi Minh trail and Highway 12, where east and west bisect with the beautiful Truong Son Mountain range. The majestic scenery belies the area was once fiercely bombed during the war. Our cycling route includes scenic climbing over the Da Deo pass, crossing over the Truong Son mountain range, and a thrilling descent into Khe Gat (a former airbase), crossing the Xuan Son bridge, also a heavily bombed target, before reaching Dong Hoi for a well-deserved massage and dinner banquet
37-68 miles | +3,397 feet
Day 6 — DONG HOI to HUE
After the mountains, our legs will welcome this mostly flat day on country roads meandering through villages, scenic pine forest, and eucalyptus plantations planted after the war. En route, we’ll pass over the historic Hien Luong Bridge over the Ben Hai River, the middle of which marked the the line of legendary DMZ that divided North and South Vietnam.
In the afternoon we bike into bucolic Hue, Vietnam most beautiful city set upon the Perfume River. Tonight we’ll be hosted by an artist for dinner in her elegant villa.
35-76 miles | +1,159 feet
Day 7 — HUE to HOI AN
This morning we pedal over the river through the Imperial Citadel from where Vietnam’s kings once ruled but familiar to Americans from the intense, month-long fighting that took place here during the 1968 Tet offensive. Our route traverses along one of the most beautiful coastal settings in the world, passing emerald green rice fields fronting blue lagoons and over the Hai Van Pass (“Pass of the High Clouds”) affording dramatic views of the sweeping bay around Danang.
In the afternoon, we’ll arrive into Hoi An, a quaint town that is typically everyone’s favorite in Vietnam. At dusk, enjoy a cruise along the river fronting town.
36-84 miles +2,687 fee
Day 8 — HOI AN
The many splendors of Hoi An
Hoi An provides the perfect stop in Vietnam; a small, walkable city with interesting shops, galleries, riverfront cafes, large market, small museums, music lounges, excellent restaurants, and an interesting night life much of it traditional, such as elders playing chess on the street and the lighting of fire lanterns. Hoi An features splendid cuisine and pleasant dining in the old quarter and along the river.
The cuisine in Hoi An is exceptional, and this morning we’ve arranged a delightful cooking class. Also here are the best massages of the trip.
18-48 miles +2,205 feet
Day 9 — HOI AN to SAIGON
Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
With the country’s best cuisine, food is Saigon’s main attraction but the busy and restless nature of its inhabitants, the abundance of great shopping, makes Saigon is an invigorating and intoxicating place. After arrival, we’ll explore the architectural highlights, busy markets and boulevards before a special farewell dinner at the city’s finest restaurant.
Day 12 — DEPARTURE
Tam biet (goodbye)
After last minute sightseeing and shopping, depart from historic Tan Son Nhat Airport, returning home, or flying to neighboring Cambodia to explore the magnificent temples of Angkor, which we may arrange for you. Want more? Join our mailing list to be updated on our Vietnam cycling trip into Laos. Thank you for cycling Vietnam with us!
View trip details or contact us for more information and a detailed itinerary at (415) 680-3788 or by email: info@velopura.com
Images of Vietnam
Private & Custom Trips
Travel with your club, friends, or family. Customize this Baja trip to your specific preferences and style of travel—we’ll work with you to make it the trip of a lifetime.