Cycling Vietnam

Guide

An experienced cycling tour leader will accompany all groups from start to finish. A bike mechanic will assist the tour leader, and local guides will step in at various sights.

Meals

All breakfasts, nine lunches and one dinner are included. Thanks to the tropical climate, the long coast and the gigantic range of mountains, Vietnam is blessed with numerous varieties of culinary offerings and consequently maintains its reputation as one of the healthiest cuisines in the world that still packs a punch with delicious, fresh and fiery flavours. Vietnamese food relies on fresh fish, vegetables, rice and a myriad of verdant herbs and spices; lemongrass, ginger, basil and lime all play an important role in the cuisine. The Chinese and French influence is felt throughout the country where you are just as likely to be offered a banh mi (stuffed baguette) as you are a hot steaming bowl of pho (noodle soup). Each dish is prepared with the Asian principle of Wu Xing in mind (the five elements); meaning that the perfect combination of spicy, sour, bitter, salty and sweet is the ultimate aim. Be sure to also seek out the national beverages; Vietnamese coffee is served iced and sweet with condensed milk, a real sugar and caffeine hit, and beer hoi (local beer, brewed daily) is served on most street corners in the north out of large plastic jugs that are perfect for sharing. Food is cheap in Vietnam and you can generally avoid the spicier food if you wish. Western food is readily available almost everywhere. Vegetarians are well catered for but please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests. Please note that in South East Asia the availability of certain specialised products for restricted diets, eg gluten-free or dairy-free, is minimal or non-existent and we strongly recommend you bring these specialised dietary items from home. You may find it beneficial to bring ‘cycling snacks’ with you from home if you have high-energy bars or gels that you like to use during a ride. For those who wish to contribute, a kitty is normally arranged – fresh fruit, nuts, biscuits and local snacks are all provided from the snacking kitty along with homemade lemonade if the season is right.

Others

Local Bike Hire - Giant Rincon Disc mountain bikes (with front suspension). Vehicle support. Drinking water. Visit the Cu Chi war tunnels. Boat ride in Halong Bay.

Transport

Throughout the tour, we use a private coach/minibus, which will be quite comfortable, usually with air-conditioning. There are a couple of long driving days on this trip (up to six hours). Road conditions are generally good and improving all the time in Vietnam, however traffic can slow progress in the main cities. The trains are normally on time, but you may experience delays and departure times can change without notice. Boats are used at various points in the itinerary; these are nearly always private, and vary from converted trawlers to small riverboats. The coach will accompany the riders all the time, allowing you substantial flexibility to cycle as much or as little as you like, plus a support truck for the bikes and baggage. Tet Holiday Period (Vietnamese New Year) During the Tet holiday period (21-26 January 2023) and two weeks either side of Tet, our itinerary is subject to minor change as despite booking hotels and trains in advance, rooms and seats are difficult to obtain during this busy festive period when people are travelling home to celebrate with their families. It is unlikely that changes will occur and if they do it is likely we will just need to use alternative accommodation.

Accommodation

11 nights comfortable hotels, one night boat with twin share cabins, one night sleeper train, soft-bed berths. The accommodation on this trip is mostly in good quality hotels (mostly three/four-star), and all nights are en-suite except the train. During this trip we spend one night on the sleeper train, this being the best way to travel long distances with the locals. The journey between Hue and Hanoi is quite comfortable although despite being first class, it is still quite basic. You will be in a four-person cabin, (occasionally six depending on season) and bedding is provided, although some travellers prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet. On occasion, passengers of different sexes will be required to share a compartment and there will be occasions where you’ll be sharing with local people who are not part of your group. Most trains have a dining carriage but people generally stock up on snacks before the journey. On the boat in Halong Bay, we stay in en suite twin cabins. Our overnight spot on Whale Island is regarded as an absolute highlight for many, however, it is basic. You will stay in bamboo thatched bungalows, each with mosquito nets, fans and en-suite bathrooms. The simplicity of island life and this overnight spot really makes it idyllic but you should be prepared for it to be a bit different to the hotels used for the rest of the trip. Please be advised that the accommodation listed in each location on the day-to-day itinerary are the standard hotels used. However, there may be some departures where groups stay at similar hotels of the same standard and quality. Single supplements are available (on request) and only available for nights spent in hotels during the trip. Please advise the sales team at the time of booking if you would like to request a single supplement.

Others

— Travel insurance — Single accommodation (available on request – hotel nights only) — Visas or vaccinations — E-bike hire

Optional

Optional experiences are available on this tour for an additional cost and will be provided to you with your finalised travel documents.

Insurance

Insurance is not included. Travel insurance is required for this tour. Please make sure you are adequately covered. If you require travel insurance, TourRadar has partnered up with World Nomads to provide a hassle-free experience. More information can be found here (http://www.tourradar.com/travel-insurance).

Flights

As we have travellers from all over the world, flights before and after the tour are not included in the tour price and you need to arrange these separately by yourself once your tour is guaranteed. As we specialise in organising the best tours around the world for you, we are unable to advise on flight prices or book flights on your behalf. We recommend that you do not book your flights until your place on the tour has been confirmed. Check out the following link which is powered by Skyscanner to book your flight - https://flights.tourradar.com