Vietnam is a country full of originality, overwhelming nature and mysterious monuments of times gone by. It is a country full of contrasts, with bustling, vibrant cities and rural districts where time seems to have stood still. Experience Oriental flair and discover by bike this fascinating country at the other side of the world.  

Islandhopping Vietnam - 14 days

Explore the rocky fairytale world of the famous Ha Long Bay sailing on a traditional junk and get in close touch with this unique landscape by bike and kayak. Admire the lush green rice fields and meet the friendly water buffaloes, visit colourful temples and pagodas and let the emerald-green waters of the South China Sea and the incredible cave formations enchant you.

In Central Vietnam you can explore the impressive monuments of the Vietnamese emperors as well as the historical town of Hoi An - a World Heritage site - and in South Vietnam the expansive water labyrinth of the Mekong Delta.

Daily Itinerary   Day 1 Arrival in Hanoi Arrival at Hanoi airport where a transfer bus is waiting to take us to our hotel in the heart of Hanoi's old town centre. Despite its 3 million inhabitants, Hanoi seems rural and traditional. The historical old quarter is considered one of the best-preserved in all of Southeast Asia. During a first walk through the colourful, lively streets we can let ourself be captivated by the incomparable Asian flair. Late in the afternoon we have the opportunity to attend the famous water-puppet theatre, a traditional Vietnamese art form. We get to know our fellow travellers during a first communal dinner. Overnight at the hotel. Day 2 Hanoi – Island of Van Don (approx. 33 km /21 mi. by bike) After breakfast, the bus is already waiting to take us past extensive rice fields to Van Don Island. After a picnic lunch begins our first bike tour. Initially we bicycle on an asphalt road along the coast before crossing the heavily wooded island centre on rural paths.

Afterwards we check in on our junk and enjoy the first crossing on the traditional wooden boat with the carved dragon head at the prow.

Day 3 Islands of Tra Ban and Quan Lan (approx. 10 + 29 km / 6 + 18 mi. by bike)

In the morning, our ship takes us to Tra Ban Island. On small paths and through green rice fields we bicycle across the island entirely untouched by tourism. We can see the water buffaloes so typical for Vietnam and perhaps even chat with some farmers cultivating their fields and living in the small villages along the way. After this pleasant bike ride we meet up again with our ship which, in a fairly long cruise during lunch, takes us to Quan Lan Island. We discover this island, famous for the brilliant white sand of its immense, pristine beaches, on the second bike tour of this day. Afterwards the ship will leave towards Ha Long Bay.

Day 4 Ha Long Bay (kayaking day)

After a short sail this day begins with a visit to the "Amazing Cave", one of the largest and most beautiful caves at Ha Long Bay and one which really deserves its name. Let yourself be enthralled by the beautifully illuminated limestone formations. At noon we reach Ha Long Bay. In the afternoon we explore this craggy fairytale world by kayak, which is the best way to reach caves, lagoons and remote bays. The lookout point at Titop Island presents us in the evening with the unforgettable vista of the wonders of Ha Long Bay.

Day 5 Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay (kayaking day)

After breakfast we take leave of our junk and move with our luggage onto a smaller ship taking us to the bay of Lan Ha.During the cruise we pass the famous "floating villages", which allows us a close look at the traditional way of life of the fishers and their families.
From there we start once more on a kayak excursion that takes us to a picture-book beach. There we have lunch and then plenty of time for swimming in the emerald-green sea. In the afternoon we are picked up at the beach and taken to a small landing on Cat Ba, from where a bus transfers us to our resort.

Day 6  Island of Cat Ba (approx. 20 km / 12,5 mi. by bike)

Early in the morning, the transfer bus takes us back to the small landing, where we left the ship the previous day. A one-hour crossing brings us and our bikes to another small landing place. From there we bicycle to a remote village inhabited by the Viet Hai, an ethnic minority. We leave our bikes there and continue on foot on a fascinating guided walk through this primary forest that will amaze us with its wild pristine flora and giant colourful butterflies. The destination is one of the island's highest mountains which, on a clear day, presents a grandiose view across Ha Long Bay and the entire island. Then we bicycle back to the boat and end the day quietly on the private beach of the Sunrise resort. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7  Islands of Cat Ba and Cat Hai (26 + 8 km /16 + 5 mi. by bike)

The morning bike tour takes us along the island's panoramic coastal road to the western end of Cat Ba, where a small ferry takes us across to Cat Hai. You traverse this completely level island on a narrow asphalt road, passing extensive salt fields along the way. At the other end we reach the ferry that takes us back to the mainland. From there, a bus tranfers us back to Hanoi. In the evening we are free to stroll through the lively streets and lanes of the capital. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8  Hanoi – Hue (approx. 10 km / 6 mi. by bike)

In the morning we fly from Hanoi to Hue which is prettily located between hills and rice fields at a bend of the Perfume River. The spiritual heart of Vietnam beats here, in more than 300 temples and pagodas. In the afternoon we bicycle through this ancient imperial city to visit the expansive citadel with the "Forbidden Purple City" which was once exclusively reserved for

the Ngyen dynasty.

Day 9  Hue – Perfume River – Hoi An

We begin the day with a leisurely boat trip on the Perfume River. On the way we visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, which is part of one of the most influential monasteries in Vietnam. Afterwards a transfer bus takes us to one of the famous Vietnamese Emperor´s graves. After lunch we continue by bus to Hoi An. En route we make a brief stop at the Cloud Pass, the weather line between North and South Vietnam.
Hoi An, once the most important port of Southeast Asia, has a delightful old centre inviting us to stroll around in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10  Hoi An (approx. 17 km / 11 mi. by bike)

The sightseeing tour of Hoi An, which is a World Heritage site, is the highpoint of this morning. Our tour guide takes us around this picturesque little town with its abundance of historical buildings, many dating back as far as the 16th cent. and which, despite changing fortunes, have survived unscathed. Still before noon we bicycle to the ancient pottery village of Thanh Ha, were we can admire Vietnamese craftsmanship and perhaps even try our own hand at pottery making. After a break for lunch we bicycle on to Cua Dai Beach whose white sands extend for more than 30 km. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11  Ho Chi Mihn City

In the morning we will be transferred to Da Nang and fly to Ho Chi Ming City, formerly Saigon. The city is the vibrant heart of the south. On a guided tour through the rapidly growing metropolis we visit the town hall, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum commemorating the Vietnam War. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12  Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta (approx. 20 km / 12 mi. by bike)

After breakfast transfer to Can Duoc where we board your ship, which takes us first on an interesting cruise along the Cho Gao Canal and then on to the Mekong River. Along the route we can admire the luxuriant flora of the Delta and enjoy glimpses into the local life so closely interwoven with the river. In the afternoon we tie up at My Tho and explore Thoi Ton Island where we can enjoy exotic fruits and all sorts of handicrafts. In the evening the ship takes us to Cai Be where we spend the night.

Day 13  Mekong Delta – Islands of Vingh Long and Traon (approx. 30 km / 19 mi. by bike)

In the morning we cross over to Vingh Long Island and under palm-shaded paths we cycle around the island. We continue by boat to Traon Island where we have once more the opportunity to explore the surroundings by bike. Later on we can enjoy the excellent cuisine on board and the wonderful evening atmosphere in the water labyrinth of the Mekong Delta.

Day 14  Can Tho – Ho Chi Minh City

During breakfast the ship takes us to Can Tho, where we will be transferred to a small boat taking us to Cai Rong, the most famous floating market of the Delta. Make sure to have your camera at the ready before getting caught up in the unique atmosphere of the merchants on their gaily painted boats. The following cruise through the small tributaries of the Delta completes our visit in the south. After lunch on board the Conchinchine we check out and are transferred back to Ho Chi Minh City. The trip ends at about 06:00 PM with the drop off at the airport or the transfer to an additional overnight at the hotel in Ho Chi MInh City.

Tour Rating: Moderate

Distances are not great however you need a reasonable level of fitness and be able to manouvre bikes through town streets etc. Roads are mostly paved. There are some hilly stretches however there are no time constraints on cyclists.

Ship Details: Click here

Schedule, Pricing & Tour Inclusions

Classic Vietnam - 15 days

Visit the Imperial City of Hue, historic Hoi An, the beach resort of Nha Trang, Dalat - an old French spa resort, and cosmopolitan Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) .

We offer you the chance to see this captivating country alongside the friendly locals, as you pedal past rice fields, visit local ethnic villages and explore imperial cities.

Note: this tour is a combination of two of our shorter itineraries: Ancient Vietnam & Beaches and Highlands

Day 14: SAIGON.  Finish biking on quiet roads past rubber, cashewnut and black pepper plantations. A farewell group dinner will be held to celebrate your achievements.

Day 15: SAIGON. Your tour ends after breakfast this morning.

Route Rating: Moderate

Schedule, Pricing & Tour Inclusions

Far North - 13 days

The Far North is home to many ethnic minorities.  The women wear brightly coloured skirts, tops and hats, with each ethnic group favouring its own colour variation and design.

Route Rating: Challenging

Most roads are paved but the road surface is sometimes rough.  We use mountain bikes with road tyres.

Schedule, Pricing & Tour Inclusions

Beaches and Highlands - 9 days

Visit the beach resort of Nha Trang, Dalat - an old French spa resort - and cosmopolitan Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City).

Daily Itinerary Day 1 & 2: NHA TRANG.  Nha Trang is the coastal capital of Khanh Hoa province. Day 3: BUON MA THUOT. Enjoy cycling in the mountainous Central Highlands. We also stop at an ethnic village with long houses. Day 4 + 5: DALAT. A pleasant but uphill ride to this temperate region dotted with lakes, waterfalls and evergreen forests. At 1,475m above sea level, Dalat was once known as Little Paris. Day 6: PHAN THIET. Ride through desert-like scenery with sand dunes and coastal views. Day 7: LOC AN. More coastal riding, then relax at our water-front resort. Day 8 + 9: SAIGON.  Finish biking on quiet roads past rubber, cashewnut and black pepper plantations. A farewell group dinner will be held to celebrate your achievements. Your tour ends after breakfast on Day 8.

Route Rating: Moderate

Schedule, Pricing & Tour Inclusions

Ancient Vietnam - 9 days

Visit the Imperial City of Hue, historic Hoi An and the beach resort of Nha Trang.

Route Rating: Moderate

Schedule, Pricing & Tour Inclusions

Mekong Delta - 4 day trip extension

Get fit before your Vietnam cycling tour with a fabulous leisurely 4 day ride through the pancake-flat Mekong Delta. Easy terrain, excellent hotels. Visit the fascinating floating market at Can Tho.

Halong Bay - 3 day Kayaking & Sightseeing extension

On arrival in Vietnam, relax on the 3-day extension from Hanoi to HaLong Bay (no cycling included).

Discover the magic of Hanoi's old walled city. Drive to beautiful HaLong Bay and board a comfortable junk with private facilities for an overnight cruise around the 3,000 islands rising steeply from the sea. You will have the opportunity to enjoy kayaking in the world heritage site of HaLong Bay. This superb extension is not to be missed.

Schedule, Pricing & Tour Inclusions