Cycling Vietnam’s Backroads 14 Days / 13 Nights

Upon landing at Noi Bai International Airport, you’ll be warmly welcomed and transferred to your hotel in central Hanoi. Spend the remainder of your day resting after your journey or begin soaking in the city’s lively atmosphere. Hanoi captivates with its harmonious blend of Southeast Asian, Chinese, and French influences. The historic Old Quarter bustles with life, its streets named after traditional trades. Explore its alleyways, colorful markets, and storied temples, including Bach Ma, a tribute to a legendary white horse.

Your full-day tour begins with a visit to the Temple of Literature, a symbol of Vietnam’s scholarly heritage. Next, explore the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, where you’ll learn about the revered leader’s legacy, including his modest stilt house. Continue to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology for an insightful overview of the country’s 54 ethnic groups. After lunch, discover Tran Quoc Pagoda beside the peaceful West Lake, then venture through Hoan Kiem Lake and the bustling Old Quarter, where guild-based street names date back centuries. Optional stops include the Hoa Lo Prison, Fine Arts Museum, Women’s Museum, or the ancient Citadel. In the evening, fly to Hue and transfer to your hotel.

Today’s journey begins on two wheels as you cycle through the serene countryside surrounding Hue. Pedal past emerald rice paddies and sleepy hamlets to reach Thanh Toan Bridge, a rare architectural gem. Visit a nearby rural market to observe the daily rhythms of village life. Return to Hue by car to explore An Hien Garden House, where a local expert will explain the principles of geomancy. Then, head into the hills to sample Hue’s traditional cakes—banh it, banh nam, and banh beo—crafted in a nearby village. At Vong Canh Hill, enjoy panoramic views of the Perfume River and pine forests. End your day at the poetic tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, set amidst tranquil gardens and lakes.

Start with a short drive from Hue to Thuan An Beach, where your scenic coastal ride begins. Follow a narrow peninsula road shaded by coconut palms, passing sand dunes scattered with ancestral tombs. Cross the Perfume River by local ferry and cycle another 11 km before rejoining Highway 1. Those up for a challenge can ride the three hill climbs en route to Hoi An. Pause at Lang Co Beach for a refreshing swim and lunch before ascending the Hai Van Pass. This 11 km climb rewards with spectacular views and little traffic thanks to the modern tunnel bypass. After descending, transfer the final stretch to Hoi An—a charming UNESCO World Heritage town with deep trading roots and preserved architecture.

Cycle to the peaceful Tra Que village, where a local family welcomes you with fresh fruit. Explore lush gardens cultivated using age-old methods, then join the farmers in preparing soil, fertilizing with riverweed, and watering crops with traditional tin cans. Afterward, enjoy a herbal foot massage and learn to make local specialties like “Tam Huu” spring rolls or sizzling Banh Xeo pancakes. Return to Hoi An and enjoy a guided afternoon walking tour of the Ancient Town. Highlights include the Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky House, Chua Ong Pagoda, and the vibrant market—each reflecting Hoi An’s rich multicultural heritage.

Today’s half-day tour begins with a cycle through rice paddies and peaceful rural paths. Visit a vegetable garden to observe—and participate in—traditional farming activities like soil preparation and watering. Next, board a boat to meet local fishermen and try your hand at net fishing and rowing a “Thung Chai” bamboo basket boat. Glide through nipa palm canals once used as Viet Cong hideouts. After a fresh seafood lunch, cycle back to your hotel and enjoy a leisurely afternoon.

Enjoy a relaxed morning before your driver transfers you to Danang Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City (VN121 11:45–13:10). Upon arrival, a private car will take you to your centrally located hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to explore District 1. Saigon is a vibrant metropolis where colonial landmarks like Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office meet dynamic street life and market bustle.

Your guide will meet you this morning for an adventurous ride to Cu Chi Tunnels. Upon arrival, mount quality mountain bikes and begin your off-the-beaten-path cycling journey—approximately 25–30 km through backroads and dirt trails. This route offers a unique view of Southern Vietnam’s countryside, far from the tourist crowds. After a mid-ride snack, explore the Cu Chi Tunnels: a remarkable underground system used by Viet Cong fighters. Discover hidden bunkers, kitchens, trap displays, and sample cassava root—the fighters’ staple food. After a box lunch, return to Ho Chi Minh City by van.

Leave the city behind as you drive to Tan An in Long An province. Here, begin cycling quiet backroads toward Cai Be, passing rural villages, orchards, water buffalo, and wooden bridges. Enjoy a box lunch along the way. If time permits, visit the historic Vinh Trang Pagoda before being transferred to Vinh Long. A boat ride takes you through fruit orchards, brick kilns, and cottage industries before reaching your family-run homestay. Stay in a traditional house on a canal, surrounded by gardens and tropical trees—an immersive cultural experience with warm hospitality and delicious home-cooked meals.

Awaken to the calm of the Mekong countryside and start cycling through quiet village paths toward Cai Mon. Visit the Nam Cong bonsai garden and cycle past fruit orchards and wooden houses. After a picnic lunch, take the Co Chien ferry and continue riding along Road 57 to reach Tra Vinh, a town rich in Khmer culture and tranquil charm. Check in to your hotel and relax after a fulfilling day of cycling.

Begin your day with a ride to Tra Vinh’s Khmer Cultural Museum and Ong Met Pagoda. Explore Ba Om Pond with its lotus-filled waters before cycling onward to Can Tho. The route offers idyllic rice fields and remote paths through the delta landscape. With a backup vehicle always nearby, cycle at your own pace. Reach Can Tho in the late afternoon—Vietnam’s largest Mekong city known for its floating markets, canal networks, and lively waterfront.

Cycle out of Can Tho through rice paddies, rural markets, and traditional villages. Ride past local factories, monkey bridges, and churches. Stop at Ba Chuc Memorial to learn about a somber chapter in history. Afterward, cycle scenic backroads through pagodas and Khmer villages to Tra Su Nature Reserve. A boat tour reveals this mangrove forest’s rich biodiversity. End with a final ride to Sam Mountain before transferring to your hotel in Chau Doc.

This morning, enjoy a boat trip through Chau Doc’s floating village and visit the Cham ethnic minority village. Depending on timing, you can either transfer directly back to Ho Chi Minh City with lunch en route or enjoy one last ride—25 km on a rural dirt track—before rejoining the highway. Arrive back in the city for your final overnight stay.

You’ll have free time at leisure until your driver arrives to take you to the airport for your international departure. Tour ends.