Holiday Highlights
- Exploring the lesser visited parts of Vietnam by bike
- Stunning Saigon – the ‘Pearl of the Orient’
- Heading off the tourist trail in the Central Highlands
- Treating your tastebuds to Vietnam’s legendary cuisine
- Get your caffeine hit with a fresh roadside brew
- Soaking up the sunshine at beautiful Nha Trang
Itinerary
- Ascent: Non Riding Day
Our trip starts in The Pearl of the Orient – Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon as most locals and visitors still call it. On arrival you’ll be transferred to your hotel (journey time approx. 30 mins), after which you’ll have time to go out and explore this the city, before meeting our guides and fellow guests in the early evening.
After the welcome meeting (usually held around 18.00), your guides will select one of the many fine restaurants, and accompany the group for our first taste of authentic Vietnamese cuisine.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Ascent: 120 Metres Approx.
We start as we mean to go on, with the perfect mix of cycling, culture and exploration. So as to avoid a busy section of traffic, we’ll drive out of Saigon, before cycling along a series of rural back-roads that will lead us through rice paddies and rubber plantations to the Cu Chi Tunnels. A vast area of tunnels that were dug by the Viet Minh and Viet Cong, during the Vietnam War to avoid bombing and which also served as a base from which to operate the resistance movement.
After our visit we’ll take our support vehicle back to Saigon, where we’ll have the chance to explore some of the sights, including a couple of museums that detail the events of the war.
Total driving time 2 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 330 Metres Approx.
Following breakfast, we transfer to the outskirts of Saigon to near the Dong Nai River where our cycling begins (Transfer approx. 2.5 hours). This morning’s picturesque route takes us past numerous rice paddies and rubber plantations as we cycle through several small towns and villages.
After a well-deserved lunch in Binh Chau we hop aboard our support vehicle and head to Mui Ne (transfer approx. 2.5 hours), a place famous for its beautiful white sandy beach. Once here, there’s surely no better way to end the day than watching the sun set over the ocean with a chilled beer.
Total driving time 4.5 hours.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 520 Metres Approx.
Starting from the hotel, our initial cycling sees us following the coastline before we turn inland into the foothills of the Central Highlands. This rural route whilst remarkably quiet does have a few pre-lunch hills to test the legs.
After lunch at a small roadside café specialising in noodle soup, we’ll be back on our bikes and return to the quiet rural roads, that are fortunately flatter than those we encountered earlier in the day. At the end of the ride we transfer up into the higher reaches of the Central Highlands and our overnight destination of Dalat.
Along the way, we pass-by an abundance of coffee and tea plantations as well as flower gardens and pine forests. This former French colonial hill station was founded over 100 years ago, as a resort town to escape the humidity of the coast. Whilst the French colonialists are long gone, Dalat still retains its colonial charm with a large number of magnificent villas reminding us of days gone by.
Total driving time 5 hours.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 1,800 Metres Approx.
Time to head to the coast! We’ll transfer in the support vehicle approx. 15 minutes out of town. The route this morning heads through some stunning scenery, and sees us riding deep in the Central Highlands through a mix of agricultural land, coffee plantations and lush tropical forest.
Although the route contains a number of climbs, the stunning scenery throughout will spur you along, as will the thoughts of another delicious lunch that will be taken at the top of the final climb.
What goes up, must come down and from here we continue on the bikes with a stunning downhill to the valley floor. The descent is on wide sweeping roads and loses 1500m in vertical height over 30kms and is a real treat.
Once we’ve reached the plains, we’ll board the support vehicle and continue our journey to Nha Trang (Transfer approx. 1hour). With its lovely sunny climate, crystal clear blue waters, stunning 6km beach and fantastic seafood, it’s little wonder that Nha Trang is Vietnam’s premier beach resort.
Total driving time 1.5 hours.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Ascent: Non Riding Day
After our challenging ride yesterday, Nha Trang is the perfect place in which to relax. But for those with energy to spare, there are plenty of activities on offer. These include snorkelling in the crystal clear waters, taking a boat trip out to one of the nearby islands or visiting some of the interesting temples that are dotted around the city. Whatever you choose today, they’ll be plenty of time to enjoy the sun, sea and sand as well as the city’s vibrant nightlife and delicious food in the evening.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 400 Metres Approx.
An early start to the day, as we transfer to Co Ma Pass where we begin cycling. The route today undulates along the coast, with the climbs generally short and not too challenging. Our cycling will take us to the beautiful fishing village of Dai Lanh, where after a short break at its beautiful beach, we continue cycling to Ca Pass and Tuy Hoa where we have lunch.
In the afternoon we take to the bikes again for a lovely ride that will take us through an area of rice paddies and small holdings. At the end of the ride we transfer to the relaxed seaside city of Quy Nhon where we are based for the night.
Total driving time 2-3 hours.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 450 Metres Approx.
We’ll transfer this morning approx. 15 minutes to Thi Nai Bridge where we’ll start today’s ride, taking us through numerous fishing villages and rice paddies along the middle coast of Vietnam.
Lunch will be arranged at a local restaurant on the way, and before we meet the highway, we’ll hop back on the bus and transfer (approx. 2 hours) our accommodation in Quang Ngai.
Total driving time 2.5 hours.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Ascent: 230 Metres Approx.
After breakfast, we start cycling to the site of the My Lai Massacre where we will visit the memorial and the museum. Passing numerous fish farms, salt farms and rice paddies on the way.
Back on the bikes we then continue northwards, staying close to the coastline and riding on small backroads where possible. We’ll reach Binh Hoa market where we’ll hop back to the bus and drive to Hoi An, our home for the next couple of days.
Total driving time: 3-3.5 hours
- Meals: Breakfast
- Ascent: Non Riding Day
Hoi An was for three centuries one of the most important ports in Vietnam, visited by sailing ships from all over the world seeking trade in silk, ceramics and spices, but in the late 19th Century trade moved up the coast to Danang, and Hoi An returned to its sleepy existence.
Today its fortunes are once again riding high following UNESCO’s listing of the Old Town as a World Heritage Site. Its quaint narrow streets are packed with ancient Chinese, Portuguese and Japanese styles of architecture. Our walking tour here is a great way to explore its sites which includes the Chinese Assembly Hall and the Japanese Covered Bridge. Hoi An is also the perfect place to take a leisurely boat trip or enjoy the wonderful cuisine on offer at some of the town’s numerous eateries.
- Meals: Breakfast, dinner
- Ascent: 800 Metres Approx.
This morning we take the scenic route to Hue, through a region of Vietnam blessed with magnificent rural and coastal scenery. Following arrival at Danang, we start our ride with a gentle warm up, before taking on the winding ascent of the Hai Van Pass – Pass of the Ocean Clouds. At it’s summit you should be rewarded with stunning views of the South China Sea, before setting off on a superb descent.
The afternoon’s ride takes us through beautiful rural scenery, which is characterised by numerous cemeteries with their ornate and highly decorative graves.
Time allowing there is an option here to head straight back to Hue or to continue riding a further 30Kms through the cemeteries and along the coastline out to Thuan An Beach.
At the end of the ride we pack up the bikes for the drive to the fabulous Hue, where we arrive late afternoon. Serving as Vietnam’s capital from 1801 to 1945, it has a serene and classic character.
Total driving time 1.5 – 2 hrs
- Meals: Breakfast
- Ascent: 100 Metres Approx.
Setting off straight from our hotel, we embark on a guided tour of the city by bike. First stop is the Citadel where we explore the Royal Walled City and Forbidden Purple Palace. The Palace’s splendid Ngo Mon Gate gives a hint of the destruction that has taken place over the years, but with the help of UNESCO and other NGOs, it is gradually being restored.
After our visit to the Citadel, we hop aboard a Dragon Boat and sail along the Perfume River so as to visit Thien Mu – one of the oldest and most significant pagodas in Hue, and the Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc. From here we pedal back to our hotel, where you have a chance to freshen-up before transferring to the train station for the Reunification Express and our overnight journey to Hanoi.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Ascent: Non Riding Day
Hanoi’s grand colonial buildings, together with the wide spacious boulevards and tree-lined lakes, ensure it is one of most graceful and charming cities in South East Asia.
Our tour here showcases some of Hanoi’s most interesting attractions, including the One Pillar Pagoda, the Soviet-inspired Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature. Founded in 1070, it was Vietnam’s first institute of learning and where candidates for the position of Mandarin were examined. Our final visit is to Hoa Lo Prison, which is better known as the ‘Hanoi Hilton’. The remainder of your time is spent in the Old Quarter, north of the Hoan Kiem Lake. This is a great place to wander around and pick-up some last minute souvenirs, prior to our final taste of Vietnamese cuisine as we reflect on our time in this beautiful country.
- Meals: Breakfast
Departure after breakfast to the airport for onward connections (journey time approx. 1 hour).
Gallery
The Cycling
Terrain
The heat and humidity means we set a reasonably leisurely cycling pace, and where possible we stick largely to quiet rural roads. While the majority of these are sealed, they are sometimes not in the best of condition and the verges particularly can give way to hard packed dirt. Where the main road is busy, we occasionally take dirt roads for a more scenic ride.
The route is a mixture of flat riding in the plains and hillier routes in the Central Highlands. There are occasional more challenging climbs of up to 1000m / 3280ft where our support vehicle will be on hand for those who prefer a lift.
Cycling Adventures Grade
Distances generally between 20-45 miles / 32-72 kms per day
For the leisure cyclist with a good level of physical fitness
May include some steeper, cheeky climbs
Possibly sections of varying terrain (eg. forest tracks, gravel paths etc)
Our grading guidelines have been carefully created based on our many years of cycling experience, as well as customer feedback from our trips. Of course, if you're still struggling to figure out where you fit on the scale, do feel free to give us a quick call and we'll be more than happy to help!
For more information about our grading system click here.
Is this suitable for you?
Although you may not cycle everyday, you do keep yourself relatively fit and maybe enjoy an afternoon out on your bike at the weekend. Your preference is perhaps for flatter terrain but you don’t mind tackling some hills, and the occasional steep climb if you can take it at your own pace. For those happy to tackle some ups and downs, and possibly some sections of varying terrain (eg. forest tracks, gravel paths etc) we’d recommend our grade 3 trips. We’d generally expect those on a Grade 3 holiday to have a decent level of physical fitness and be comfortable with some longer days in the saddle.
For more information about the grading of this holiday in particular, please check out the terrain section which will give you some specifics of what to expect on this tour.
Dates & Prices
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Whats Included
A) Accommodation (shared twin rooms)
B) 1 night sleeper train
C) Meals as per itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
D) Snacks and water during the riding.
E) Full tour service including guides, back up vehicles, etc.
F) Unless stated at least one English speaking guide / leader qualified in First aid procedures.
G) Entrance fees for all the visits mentioned in the program
H) Airport transfer from Saigon’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) (Day 2)
I) Airport transfer to Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) (Day 15)
J) Financial Protection through ABTOT
What's not Included
A) Bike rental (available if required)
B) Flights and associated costs for travelling with a bike
C) Vietnamese visa (if required)
D) Bar bills, hotel refreshments, laundry, telephone calls, souvenirs, Tips etc
E) Travel insurance
F) Personal clothing and equipment
G) Any optional tours mentioned in the itinerary
H) Airport transfers on days other than the scheduled arrival and departure days
Private Departures
Are you keen to only travel with your family or friends? Struggling to find the right date? Well, we can organise a private departure for this tour and tailor aspects to suit your group's specific needs. Contact our friendly team and we'll help you turn your dream into reality.
The Essentials
News, Reviews & Stories
Reviews
Alexandra, LeatherheadA wonderful holiday...Great culture, food, scenery and lovely people.
Jayne, Florida, USAAn exceptional cycling experience...The whole cycling experience was exceptional but my most favourite day was leaving Dalat. The climb had amazing temps and beautiful scenery. The pre-travel advice from Skedaddle was very good – I found Hannah extremely helpful and always pleasant on the phone.
Derrick, Ontario, CanadaVery good value for money...The guides were very helpful, and Tour Leader Tom was very experienced, knowledgable and communicated well. He spent many extra hours with us, taking us out to dinner every night. He was very good at helping us taste local cuisine and it was very much appreciated. The 100km ride from Dalat to Nha Trang was wonderful and the whole holiday was very good value for money.
David, KentExceeded my expectations over and over again!Best holiday I have ever had – it exceeded my expectations over and over again. An amazing experience! Not cheap, but worth it for the quality provided. Phu was a brilliant coach driver – unflappable, steady as a rock – we all felt completely safe at all times, despite some difficult conditions at times. Tai the mechanic was always on hand for minor problems – of which there were very few, most of us had none at all. He and Tai the truck driver cleaned the bikes every day, filled our water bottles, etc. We were very well looked after. Tai the mechanic was an excellent backstop, no-one got left behind. He also went ahead at busy junctions and held the traffic up for us. All three of them helped ensure we did not miss any turnings. An excellent team!
Karen, LondonI would not hesitate to recommend Skedaddle!I was recommended Skedaddle by my cousins who had travelled with you in Peru. I am so glad they did and I would not hesitate to recommend you again.
It was an incredible experience. I loved the rides in the hills and countryside. Together with the long descents. Magical. The routes were well planned and Young worked well to understand the group and our aims. Having Thai the mechanic at the back really helped my morale. And also knowing the support trucks were so efficient to top up water, give lots of smiles and offer support when I was poorly was so fantastic.
Jill and Peter, CheshireThe best tour leader we have ever had!Our guide Duong – I think he was probably the best guide/tour leader we have ever had, and we have had some good ones! He was gentle, courteous and such fun to be with. He looked after us so well. We felt confident and safe with him, as well as liking him enormously on a personal level. Would definitely do another Skedaddle trip – already browsing looking for the next holiday!
Rob, New ZealandLived up to all my expectations!The trip lived up to all my expectations, which were pretty high due to a number of people telling me what a great country Vietnam was to visit! Well organised, packed with great experiences, great guides, and a great group of travelling companions.
I loved the big 30 km descent from Da Lat to Nha Trang, which had some of the most spectacular scenery on the trip, as well as being an exhilarating descent. Also Da Nang to Hue via Hai Van Pass was a spectacular and extremely varied day of riding.
Anh was a superb tour leader. His local knowledge and familiarity with the people and country meant we had the best possible experience. In particular, the “cultural tours” that we did from time to time were fantastic – dropping in on farmers growing mushrooms, pepper, and cashews, visiting a rice-paper operation, seeing local people grinding corn, processing peanuts, peeling garlic, harvesting rubber, etc, etc. These were even more interesting than the “tourist trail” things we did such as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum or the Imperial City (although they were also very good).
Stephen, DevonshireA very local experienceVietnam is an amazing place and the tour provides a great way of seeing the country. We were fortunate to have a lovely group of people on our tour. By cycling we were better able to connect with the locals than traveling as regular tourists. Most of our coffee/lunch/dinner stops were in ‘very local’ places that we would never have stopped at if we were traveling on a bus tour.
Thanks Skedaddle for another good trip.
Karen, LondonIt was an incredible experience!I loved the rides in the hills and countryside, together with the long descents , this was a magical journey.
The routes were well planned and our guide worked well to understand the group and our aims. Having the mechanic at the back really helped my morale and knowing the support trucks were able to top up water, give lots of smiles and offer support when I was poorly was just fantastic. In my opinion no day could be improved because Young and his team were so supportive and flexible.
I had an incredible time and it was down to our guide Young’s passion for his job and country and also the teamwork between all the guides. He was an exceptional leader! So enthusiastic, kind, fun and interesting.
Felicity, NottinghamshireExcellent trip!Having done a skedaddle trip to Cuba in 2018, we had high expectations for this trip, and we weren’t let down. Our tour guide Tom was excellent and backed up by his team who all worked hard to ensure we had a really good time. We added a couple of extra nights to our trip at the beginning and end, which I would strongly recommend to anyone thinking of doing this trip, which allowed us to visit the Meekong Delta and cruise in Halong Bay.