17 Days / 16 Nights - Cycle Tour from Saigon to Hanoi

This classic cycle exploration of Vietnam, starts in modern Ho Chi Minh City and ends in the old northern capital of Hanoi. Along the way we pause to visit the main sites in Dalat, Nha Trang, Hoi An, Hue, Halong Bay and finally Hanoi. What makes this tour special is our route hardly touches the frenetic Highway One, as we ride along quiet or little used roads to discover the real Vietnam.

Taking time out of the saddle we have excursions by boat in Nha Trang, Hue and on Halong Bay, as well as interesting rides to Cu Chi Tunnels and My Son. We spend a night aboard the Reunification Express Train before cycling through the incredible limestone karst scenery of Ninh Binh and Cat Ba Island in Halong bay. On reaching Hanoi, we have time to appreciate the architecture and ambiance of the most French of all the Indochine cities.

RIDING PROFILE
We cycle 700 of the 1700 kilometres between Saigon to Hanoi. Riding along country on back roads and quiet byways making sure we avoid the traffic of National Highway One.
There are no technical sections and the tour is suitable for riders of every level of experience. Some of the long rides will test experienced cyclists and due to the excellent nature of our support keen riders can happily blast off at their own pace.
The trip is point-to-point, apart from two loops, and fully supported: a SpiceRoads minibus rigged to carry bikes will shadow us for the entire journey.

ITINERARY
Day 1 Ho Chi Minh [D]
Meet at a city centre hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Day is free to explore the city. Dinner at the atmospheric Temple Club Restaurant.

Day 2 Ho Chi Minh 40 km [B,L]
Ride to the Cu Chi tunnels. Return to Ho Chi Minh City by bus in time to visit the museum of war crimes. Dinner is choice of guest.

Day 3 Ho Chi Minh - Dalat 50 km [B, L, D]
Early morning transfer to Dalat in the central highlands. In the afternoon we ride quiet back roads along the Langbian Plateau, passing along side the Xuan Huong Lake in the shadow of Langbian Mountain.

Day 4 Dalat – Na Trang 109 km [B,L,D]
Ride along quiet roads out of Dalat. Take short climbs followed by some descents to take us to Cham towers of Po Klong Garai. Those arriving early may have time to explore Hindu temples. Drive to Na Trang, the resort town to enjoy the evening

Day 5 Nha Trang [B]
Take a boat trip to the coral islands for swimming and snorkelling or relax and enjoy the beach or go scuba diving.

Day 6 Nha Trang – Dinh Lanh 85 km [B,L,D]
A scenic ride to the fishing village of Dai Lanh lunch on the beach. Spend the rest of the day swimming and relaxing or ride the last 45 km into town.

Day 7 Dinh Lanh – Quang Ngai 62 km [B,L,D]
Transfer out of town to avoid the main highway. Ride a remote road running along the railway passing a mix of tribal and Viet villages. Loop back to the main highway and transfer to Quang Ngai

Day 8 Quang Ngai – Hoi An 46 km [B,L,D]
Ride to Mai Lai, the site of one of the worst massacres of the American/Vietnam War, and take a guided tour of the site and museum. Continue cycling into Vietnamese countryside and visit pagoda on to of the hill overlooking the city. Loop back through quiet, rural roads to the main highway. Transfer to Hoi An. The afternoon is free to explore Hoi An.

Day 9 Hoi An 54 km [B,L]
Visit Mai Son, the ancient centre of Cham civilization. Transfer out of town to avoid the highway before cycling along country back roads along the Song Tranh River to Mai Son. Take lunch before spending the afternoon visiting the site. Transfer back to Hoi An in the afternoon. Dinner is choice of the guest

Day 10 Hoi An – Hue 100 km [B,L,D]
Transfer beyond Danang to take on High Van Pass and climb 500 metres over 10 kms. After lunch, turn off the main highway and take a coastal side road for 44 km almost all the way to our destination. Energetic riders will make it all the way into Hue.

Day 11 Hue – Nam Dinh 25 km [B,D]
Explore Hue and beyond, we end with a visit to the Forbidden City. Transfer to the train station and take the Reunification Express to Nam Dinh.

Day 12 Nam Dinh – Cuc Phoang 60 km [B,L,D]
After arrival in Nam Dinh, head to Ninh Binh. Ride to the ancient city of Hua Lu. After visiting the temples we continue to the National Park at Cuc Phoang and visit the primate rescue centre before checking into the accommodation at the Park

Day 13 Cuc Phoang – Haiphong 60 km [B,L,D]
Head east, riding some back roads through North Vietnam passing rice fields and follow country back roads past poor but friendly villages. Transfer rest of the way to Haiphong late in the afternoon

Day 14 Haiphong – Cat Ba Island 35km [B,L,D]
Cycle to harbour and take a private boat to Fulong on Cat Ba Island. Disembark at Fulong and cycle 35 kilometres taking the islands only road. Stop on the way for lunch at the national park headquarters

Day 15 Fulong – Halong City/Hanoi* or Halong City [B,L]
Cruise on a boat through the UNESCO Site of Halong Bay. Transfer to Hanoi.

Day 16 Halong City - Hanoi* [B,D]
Free day to explore Hanoi, enjoy the wonderful architecture and relaxed atmosphere. The fare well dinner is at one of Hanoi’s best restaurants. Vietnamese cuisine.

Day 17 Hanoi [B]
Free day.

TOUR INFORMATION
Total Distance - 701 km
Number of cycling days - Seven full days and four half-day
Road Surface - This tour follows a mix of good asphalt roads and vehicle-width dirt roads, which may be smooth, gritty, stony, rocky, rutted, loose or hard-packed.
Support - One or two 8-seat air-conditioned buses converted to take bikes and bikers.
Group - Minimum 4. Maximum 16.
Staff - Groups will be led by our local guides and our local support team.
Food- All meals are included from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on 17, except lunch on day 5,11 and 16 and dinner on day 2, 5, 9 and 15.
Children - Children under 18-years old are not allowed to join this tour.

Accommodation on Scheduled Tours (Standard Accommodation)
Ho Chi Minh - Bong Sen Anex - 2 star
Dalat - Novotel - 3 star
Nha Trang - Vien Dong - 2 star
Hoi An - Vinh Hung 2 - 2 star
Hue - Thanh Lich - 2 star
Hanoi - Hua Binh / Dan Chu - 3 star
All Other Best available tourist class hotels 2-star or below.

Tour Price Includes
- All hotels (twin share or dorm ) and meals specified
- Cycle support by a/c vehicles
- All water and snacks whilst riding
- All entrances to museums and sites mentioned
- Local English speaking guide
- All meals mentioned

Tour Price Excludes
- International Flights
- Departure Tax
- Visa Fees
- Alcoholic, and other beverages in the evenings
- Tips for guides.
- Personal travel insurance
- Any services not mentioned in itinerary

Your Confirmation Voucher includes full information (e.g. local telephone numbers) about the Local Operator. To ensure your peace of mind, we select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination.

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3. Enter basic travel, name, and payment information in the Check-out Form.

Upon booking, you will receive a voucher by email containing all details about the tour. You can check the status of your booking at anytime.

After you book
Please print the electronic voucher sent to you. It contains the operator's complete contact details and local telephone numbers. Give the voucher to the operator on the day of the activity.

What if I need to change or cancel my booking?
That's ok. We will try to be as flexible as possible. But you must inform us by email of the change or cancellation as soon as possible. The appropriate amount will be credited back to your credit card account. Contact our Customer Service for help with changes or cancellations. Or read our Cancellation Policy.