Luxury Cycling Ho Chi Minh City to Hue 15D14N

Good morning, Vietnam!

Arrive into Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) and meet your local guide. Your guide will assist you in transferring to your accommodation for the next 2 nights, Hôtel des Arts Saigon. Centrally located just steps away from Notre Dame Cathedral, the Opera House and the historic Saigon Central Post Office, Hôtel des Arts Saigon is the perfect base from which to explore the city.

In the evening, transfer to dinner at The Noir restaurant, where you will embark on a unique Dining In The Dark experience. The experience begins in the pitch-black dining room where you will be guided and served by blind or visually impaired staff, who have been specially trained to assist you. In the dark, dine your way through unique dishes that have not been described beforehand. The flavours and textures come to the forefront, revealing the stunning truth: people often experience food with their eyes, rather than with their palates. You will surely end the meal with a new perception of taste and smell.

Transfer information: 1.5 hours | Cycling distance: approx. 30km

The morning begins with a short drive to the banks of the Saigon River, where you will board a speedboat for a scenic ride to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Enjoy a light breakfast as you zip along the river, watching as the city gives way to rural countryside.

After 90-minutes, arrive at Cu Chi for a sneak peek at the underground lives of Vietnamese soldiers dating back to the late 1940s. The site has more than 120-kilometres (75mi) of underground tunnels used to house troops, transport communications and supplies, lay boobie traps and mount surprise attacks. In all, at least 45,000 Vietnamese men and women are said to have died defending the Cu Chi tunnels over the course of the Vietnam War. During your visit today, you will be able to crawl through some of the safer areas of the tunnels, view command centres and even eat a meal featuring typical foods that soldiers living in the tunnels would have eaten.

Following the tunnel tour, set off on your first ride of the tour. You will ride approximately 30-kilometres through small communities on quiet backroads, trails and paths. Along the way, you will see farming, rice paper making and other village industries in action.

At the end of the day, transfer back to your accommodation (dinner own cost).

Transfer information: 2 hours | Cycling distance: approx. 30km

Leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind and head 2 hours south to the city of My Tho. Upon arrival at the cycling point, check your bike and learn the code of riding. Your journey starts on a sealed road and takes you past rustic villages, canals and rice paddies. You will have the opportunity to chat with locals and visit a school, clinic and temple.

Call into a local restaurant for lunch. Hu tiu My Tho is the most famous dish in the region, made from instant and crystal noodles and served with special broth, meat and vegetables. You should also make sure to try chuoi nuong (grilled banana) in the My Tho area because of the dense coconut juice inside.

After lunch, finish off the day’s ride and check into your overnight accommodation, The Island Lodge. Located on Thoi Son Island in the Mekong Delta, The Island Lodge features carefully tended gardens, a large outdoor pool and a spa and wellness area with jacuzzi, sauna and massage service.

At the end of the day, transfer back to your accommodation (dinner own cost).

Boat trip: 1.5 hours | Cycling distance: approx. 30km

Start the day with a boat trip on the Mekong River to a local farmer’s home. You will have the opportunity to chat with the farmer and taste their seasonal fruits.

Today’s cycling takes you through the Ben Tre province. Wedged between the 2 main branches of the Tien Giang River, Ben Tre is crisscrossed with a network of smaller rivers and canals. The extensive irrigation that this provides makes Ben Tre a major producer of rice – you will see an abundance of lush green rice paddies along the trail.

Call into a local restaurant for lunch. Make sure to try the region’s signature coconut candies!

At the end of the day, return to your accommodation for a relaxing evening.

Transfer information: 1 hour | Cycling distance: approx. 50km

Start the morning with a cycle through tranquil hamlets dotted with quaint cottage houses, coconut plantations and orchards. Then, board the ferry to Vinh Long, the capital of the Vinh Long province, where you will find many canals and tributaries flowing into teeming rivers. It’s not surprising that the name Vinh Long translates to “eternal prosperity”.

Back on dry land, you have an extended cycle to Can Tho, the largest town in the Mekong Delta. While the exact route will vary depending on the group’s cycling abilities, you can expect to pass through villages (with brick kiln and terracotta roofs), past rice paddies, and by innumerable riverside villages.

Call into a local restaurant for lunch. The waterways in this area make for delicious fish dishes – you can pick out a fish from 1 to 1.5-kilograms and have it fried up fresh for you.

Late afternoon is reserved for promenading production along the city quay or, if time permits, yet more cycling along the riverside to Can Tho.

You’ll stay the night at Azerai Can Tho resort. Located on Au Islet and set in the Hau River, Azerai offers comfortable rooms, with a range of views to the river, lake or the surrounding gardens and trees.

Transfer information: 2.5 hours | Cycling distance: approx. 50km

As the sun rises, take a 10-minute walk to Sao Hom restaurant, where you will board a Mystic sampan (24 seat cruise boat) to go to the Can Tho Market. Built in 1915, the Can Tho Market is considered to have the most beautiful architecture in the Mekong Delta. Enjoy Vietnamese and Western dishes for breakfast while observing daily life on the banks. Once again, the seasonal fruits are a real highlight – keep an eye out for coconuts, mangoes and jackfruit.

After breakfast, the Mystic Sampan cruises right into the Cai Rang floating marketing, in between the traders’ boats. Cai Rang is the biggest floating market in the Mekong Delta – it is a wholesale market, so look at what is tied to the long pole above the boat to see what the vendor is selling. Make sure to visit the bridge at the top of the market for some great photos.

Last stop of the cruise is a traditional noodle factory with a tradition dating back almost 50 years. Explore and experience the traditional noodle making process and take a shot at making a batch yourself. You may also like to taste the unique “rice noodle pizza”, a special dish topped with thin layers of eggs, peanuts, simmered meat and different vegetables.

After the cruise, get back on the bike and set off through sweet potato fields, rice paddies and unique eel and frog farms. Your destination is Sa Dec, a charming colonial town that was the original setting of the autobiographical novel “The Lover” by Marguerite Duras. You will enjoy lunch at Huynh Thuy Le ancient house, the setting of the passionate love affair between Marguerite and the house’s owner Huynh Thuy Le. The house is renowned for its mix of East-West architecture.

Finish off the day with a leisurely cycle through flowery villages and plantations. At the end of the ride, you will transfer the rest of the way back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Transfer information: 1 hour | Cycling distance: approx. 100km

An early start today!

Transfer to the airport for a short flight to the hill town of Da Lat, the most popular location in the region for getaway holidays since French colonial times. Many people call it ‘Le Peitit Paris’ and the town even features a mini-replica Eiffel Tower in its centre.

Upon arrival, hop on your bike and set off on a relatively easy ride around Da Lat past Xaun Houng Lake. Created by a dam in 1919, this banana-shaped lake is surrounded by green lawns, wonderful flower gardens and immense pine forests. Continue onwards past the Old French Railway Station and cycle out of town on picturesque nearly traffic free country lanes and back roads. The ride concludes at the foot of the mighty Mount Langbian,

Return to Da Lat city centre and spend the rest of the day exploring at your leisure. Stop, smell and taste the coffee at a local café. Eat your way through bánh căn – bite size rice cakes topped with quail egg – at a local restaurant. Shop until you drop at the central market. Wander through fragrant flower gardens and ceremonial halls at a hilltop pagoda. The choice is yours!

You’ll stay the night at Ana Mandara Villas. This French Colonial style village in the heart of Da Lat aims to bring you back to bygone years and forgotton times when a day was spent walking along a grassy knoll or dozing off by a crackling fireplace.

Cycling distance: approx. 100km

Spend another full day exploring the delights of Da Lat, cycling on sealed roads and unsealed trails through beautiful pine forests, flower gardens and coffee plantations.

Transfer information: 1 hour | Cycling distance: approx. 100km

Today’s cycling takes you towards Nha Trang, a famous seaside getaway with more days of sunshine per year than anywhere else in Vietnam. You will tackle some challenging hills before being rewarded with smooth descents, with lush mountains as your backdrop.

Your first break will be at the community house of highland hill tribe people, then you will muscle up again to conquer Hon Giao Pass (5413ft), one of the most beautiful mountain passes in the country. Enjoy the view from the top before zipping 30-kilometres (17mi) downhill to lunch at a local restaurant by the river.

In the afternoon, finish off the day’s cycle with 28-kilometres (17mi) on a flat road. A short transfer takes you to your overnight accommodation at Evason Ana Mandara, Nha Trang’s only beachfront resort. Stroll or cycle up the colourful street to the town centre, or simply relax at the beach or poolside.

For dinner, find out why Nha Trang is known as the seafood capital of Vietnam. Whether you choose to dine street side or in a restaurant or upmarket hotel, fresh fish and shellfish are sure to highlight the menu.

Transfer information: 2.5 hours | Cycling distance: approx. 80km

Transfer through national highway to Vung Ro, where you will cycle along coastal routes to Tuy Hoa, the capital of the beautiful Phu Yen province. As you ride, pass through historic fishing villages and admire the pristine nature and white gold sands. There will be ample opportunities to meet and chat with friendly locals.

In the afternoon, continue the rest of the way to Quy Nhon, a smaller, less touristy version of Nha Trang. Surrounded by green mountains on 3 sides, this lively and pleasant coastal city boasts a terrific beach-blessed shoreline and grand boulevards.

You’ll stay the night at Anatara Quy Nhon Villas. Overlooking a private stretch of beach, Anatara Quy Nhon boasts ocean view villas and private dining experiences featuring fresh seafood, gourmet street eats, hot pots and island picnics.

Transfer information: 2.5 hours | Cycling distance: approx. 80km

Transfer to Son Tinh Town, where you will commence riding through the villages to the site of the most shocking episode of the Vietnam War – the My Lai Massacre. In 1968, US Army soldiers killed between 347 and 504 unarmed Vietnamese villagers, mainly women and children. The incident prompted global outrage and increased domestic opposition to the US involvement in the Vietnam War when the scope of killing and cover up attempts were exposed. Today, you may visit the war crime memorial and pay tribute to the innocent lives lost.

After visiting the memorial, continue riding though villages before taking a short transfer to Tam Ky for lunch.

After lunch, press on towards Hoi An, Vietnam’s most atmospheric and delightful town. Once a major port, it boasts the grand architecture and beguiling riverside setting that befits its heritage. Spend time exploring the lantern-covered streets and consider engaging one of the city’s famed tailors, whom are able to create beautiful custom garments in just a few hours (depending on requirements).

You’ll stay the night at the Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai. The resort boasts villas that look out over the sea or across landscaped gardens. Facilities include infinity pools, tennis courts, luxury spa and more.

Delve deeper into the delights of Hoi An with a free day to do as much or as little as you like.

Get lost in the narrow streets of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ancient Town, a bustling commercial hub from the 15th to early 19th centuries. Learn the secrets of Vietnamese cuisine with a cooking class that includes a trip to the bountiful Hoi An market. Discover seafood lunches, sandy stretches and cool waves at nearby An Bang Beach. Or chow down streetside and sample delicacies including cao lầu, a toothsome noodle dish, and hoành thánh, crispy wontons. The list goes on!

Transfer information: 1 hour | Cycling distance: approx. 80km

This morning cycling takes you to Da Nang, a true beach city located smack bang in the centre of Vietnam’s coastline.

Upon arrival in Da Nang, take a break, check the gear and fill up on water, before setting out to conquer the Hai Van Pass, described by Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson as “a deserted ribbon of perfection – one of the best coast roads in the world”. Climbing 9-kilometres (6mi) out of Da Nang into the Pass, you will be rewarded by views of deserted beaches and jungle clad slopes. The descent on the other side leads to the Lang Co lagoon, where floating restaurants will be happy to serve you a fresh seafood lunch.

In the afternoon, take a short transfer to Phuoc Tuong Pass and resume cycling towards Hue. Pay a visit to An Bang Tomb City or the “City of Ghosts”, where villagers have competed for centuries to build increasingly lavish and elaborate tombs for their ancestors – and sometimes even family members who have not yet died. The result is hundreds of brightly coloured tombs, some of which could be mistaken for mansions, spread across the white sand.

Arrive into Hue, the home of Vietnam’s last royal dynastic family. You’ll stay the night at Azerai La Residence, an enchanting luxury resort situated on the fabled An Cuu (Perfume) River facing the Citadel – once home to emperors and now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Transfer information: 1 hour | Cycling distance: approx. 30km

Explore Hue and discover the rich history left behind by the emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty. Departing from the front of your hotel, cycle along the Sông Hương (Perfume River) towards the royal tomb of Khai Dinh, the 12th king of the Nguyen Dynasty. Built between 1920-31, Khai Dinh’s tomb is unique among the tombs in Hue. Where other tombs are expansive and invite respectful reflection, Khai Dinh built his final resting place to be monumental in style and bombastic in execution.

After visiting the tomb, continue cycling along a quiet route to Vong Canh hill, which is just 43-metres (141ft) high, but is the best place to catch a panoramic view of the Sông Hương River.

Finish the ride at the 7-storey Thien Mu Pagoda, the tallest religious building in Vietnam. Constructed under the reign of Emperor Thieu Tri in 1844, the 21-metre (69ft) octagonal tower is a symbol of the city. Be sure to get a photo with the marble turtle! After take a walk to the nearby boat pier to take a river cruise back to the city centre.

Cap off an incredible cycling adventure with a royal dinner, a typical entertainment under the Nguyen Dynasty. Together with your Mandarins and royal court, dress up like an emperor or empress and sample authentic royal cuisine including royal-style spring rolls, chicken soup with lotus seed and mushroom, Hue pan cakes, Imperial style fish and more.

All good things must come to an end. After breakfast, enjoy a complimentary transfer to Phu Bai Airport to fly to Ho Chi Minh City for your connecting flight home.