Vietnam Cycling Tour

The day

Our adventure begins with a ferry crossing over the Thu Bon River, leaving the bustle of Hoi An behind and entering a quieter world of rice paddies, fishing villages, and family farms. We ride through rural Vietnam, stopping at a local home to learn how traditional rice wine is made.

Back in Hoi An by lunchtime, the afternoon is free to enjoy the markets, cafés, and lantern-lined streets.

Highlights

• Ferry crossing over the Thu Bon River
• Ride through rice paddies, fishing villages, and shipyards
• Stop for coffee at one of the ancestral Vietnamese homes

The day

Today’s ride follows the coastline south of Hoi An, combining quiet roads, fishing villages, and long stretches beside the sea. Along the way we visit a remarkable tunnel complex built during the Vietnam War before continuing south to our overnight halt.

Destination

Tonight we stay beside a tranquil coastal lagoon. Far from the crowds, it is a peaceful corner of Vietnam where fishing boats drift across calm waters and life moves at a slower pace.

Highlights

• Scenic riding along Vietnam’s coastline
• Visit a fascinating wartime tunnel complex
• Overnight at a beautiful resort beside a peaceful coastal lagoon

The day

Two ferry crossings within the first hour set the tone for another memorable day. Leaving the coast behind, we venture inland through quiet farming communities and rolling countryside.

A refreshing swim at a natural spring and plenty of roadside coffee stops ensure that the pace remains relaxed and distinctly Vietnamese.

Destination

Our night halt is a simple guesthouse in the rural Vietnam, far removed from Vietnam’s busy tourist centres and surrounded by the gentle rhythms of the countryside.

Highlights

• Leave the coast behind and ride through rural Vietnam
• Cool off at a natural spring en route
• Experience Vietnam’s café culture over a cà phê sữa đá or cà phê đen

The day

After a morning of rolling countryside and quiet backroads, we reach one of the hidden gems of the tour, a secluded waterfall reached by boat, where a refreshing swim awaits.

The afternoon follows a beautiful river valley road as we continue deeper into Central Vietnam. We finish our ride a little before our destination of the day and take 30-minute transfer to our hotel, avoiding the busier roads on the outskirts of town.

Destination

We stay at a small provincial town and our gateway to the more remote landscapes that lie ahead. From here, the journey gradually leaves mainstream Vietnam behind and ventures deeper into the country’s mountainous interior.

Highlights

• Boat ride to a hidden waterfall
• Swim in a secluded natural setting
• Ride through beautiful river valleys

The day

After a short transfer, we begin riding towards the Thu Bon Valley along beautiful country roads. Before long, the road gives way to the river, and bikes are loaded onto a local boat for one of the most memorable crossings of the trip.

On the other side, small villages, lush farmland, and quiet roads lead us deeper into one of the most beautiful corners of Central Vietnam.

Our destination tonight is a small guesthouse in Vietnam countryside. Set in the broad valley of the Thu Bon River, the town marks the transition between Vietnam’s fertile lowlands and the remote mountains that lie ahead.

Destination

Surrounded by rice fields and the gentle landscapes of the Thu Bon Valley, our destination is a peaceful rural town and the last taste of the lowlands before our journey heads deeper into Vietnam’s western frontier.

Highlights

• Memorable boat crossing through a canyon with the bikes
• Ride through remote villages and farmland
• Sample Mi Quang, one of Central Vietnam’s signature noodle dishes

The day

Today we enter some of the most remote and rewarding terrain of the entire tour. A short transfer brings us deeper into the mountains before we begin riding along the upper reaches of the Thu Bon River.

Road surfaces vary constantly, adding to the sense of adventure, while encounters with other travellers become increasingly rare.

Destination

Close to the Laos border, we spent the night at a remote mountain town where reminders of the region’s turbulent past coexist with a peaceful way of life and warm local hospitality.

Highlights

• Ever-changing roads and spectacular scenery
• Challenging terrain with long climbs
• Overnight in the remote mountain town of Tay Giang

The day

Today’s ride follows sections of the legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail near the Laos border. Dense forests, mountain passes, rivers, and remote villages accompany us throughout the day.

It is worth noting that the original Ho Chi Minh Trail should not be confused with the modern Ho Chi Minh Road. The former was an extensive network of jungle tracks and supply routes used during the Vietnam War, stretching across Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Much of it has now been reclaimed by the forest. The Ho Chi Minh Road, which we also ride later in the day, is a more recent highway network built to connect the length of Vietnam from north to south.

As we ride through the Truong Son Mountains, we pass through the last refuge of one of the world’s rarest mammals, the mythical Sao La, often referred to as the “Asian Unicorn”. Resembling an antelope and only discovered by science in 1992, the Sao La remains one of the great mysteries of the natural world. Along the route, you will notice signs put up by the forest department urging people to protect the last remaining Sao La in Vietnam.

This is one of those rides where you find yourself stopping often, not because you’re tired, but because the scenery keeps demanding attention.

Destination

One of the most unique stays on the tour, this traditional rural Vietnamese guesthouse offers a glimpse into life in one of the country’s most remote regions. The accommodation is simple and dormitory-style, but it’s all part of the experience.

Highlights

• Ride sections of the original Ho Chi Minh Trail
• Spectacular mountain scenery throughout the day
• Spend the night in a traditional house in a hill tribe village

The day

After a short transfer, we begin our final ride, gradually descending towards the Perfume River Valley and the historic city of Hue. The route passes through landscapes filled with fruit trees, spice plantations, and small villages before reaching the elegant tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, one of the finest examples of Nguyen Dynasty architecture.

Having enjoyed the quieter roads of Central Vietnam for the past week, we end our ride here and transfer to our hotel in Hue, avoiding the busy traffic on the outskirts of the city. The evening is yours to celebrate the end of an unforgettable journey through one of Vietnam’s most remote and fascinating regions.

Destination

For nearly 150 years, Hue served as the imperial capital of Vietnam and remains one of the country’s cultural treasures. Set along the banks of the Perfume River, the city is home to magnificent palaces, royal tombs, pagodas, and gardens. Despite suffering extensive damage during the Vietnam War, much of its imperial heritage has been carefully restored. Rich in history, culture, and cuisine, Hue provides a fitting finale to our journey through one of Vietnam’s most remote and beautiful regions.

Highlights

• Descend through the beautiful Perfume River Valley
• Visit Emperor Minh Mang’s elegant royal tomb
• Celebrate the end of the journey in historic Hue