Day 1: Arrive In Ho Chi Minh City (–,–,D)
Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City – transfer to the hotel by own arrangement.
At 13:30, the guide will meet your group in the hotel lobby for a trip briefing. After that, you will visit the historic landmarks of the colonial city once known as Saigon: the old Saigon Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, Chinatown of Cho Lon and Ben Thanh Market.
You will have a group dinner in a local restaurant where the guide will talk more about your cycling tour in Vietnam.
Meals included: Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel
Note:
- Hotel room is at disposal from 14:00
- Notre Dame Cathedral is closed for renovations until further notice – see exterior only
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City – Cai Be – Vinh Long (B,L,D)
You will first set out to reach Cai Lay, where you will begin cycling and crossing over creeks lined by beautiful orchards. Today, you will have the chance to observe and learn about the different artisanal skills from the region, like paper making, coconut candy making, and popped rice making. Crossing the stream by local ferry during the day, you will have the chance to observe the richness of the Mekong Delta and its sprawling plantations of exotic fruits, from durian and jackfruit, to mangos, coconuts and pomelos. Then, embark on a cruise heading to An Binh Island, where you will spend the night. If you would like to, set out and explore the island's trails by cycling or walking after you arrive and settle in.
For the rest of the afternoon, you will be free to relax or to help prepare your dinner with the owner of the guesthouse.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Overnight in a guesthouse
Easia Level: 2
Distance and duration of cycling: 50 kilometers – 5 hours (including breaks)
Difference in elevation: None
Terrain: Off road, concrete canal paths
Transportation: Full-day vehicle support - 75 kilometers – 1hr 30min to 2 hours
Day 3: Vinh Long – Tra Vinh (B,L,D)
Begin the day by embarking on a local boat ride to reach your vehicle, which will take you to Vinh Long, a famous fruit town on the Mekong. From here, begin cycling through the countryside's narrow lanes and lush orchards. The local life, vibrant and perched right on the riverbanks, will charm you as you pedal around the picturesque Delta homes and villages. Make a stop for lunch, before continuing through a coconut plantation. Then, catch a ferry to cross the main arm of the Mekong and head to Tra Vinh, a Khmer town where you will stay overnight. Once you arrive and settle in Tra Vinh, you will have plenty of time to explore its paths and trails if you like.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel
Easia Level: 2
Distance and duration of cycling: 60 to 70 kilometers – 7 hours (including breaks)
Difference in elevation: None
Terrain: Concrete canal paths, narrow countryside lanes
Transportation: Full-day vehicle support – 26 kilometers – 30 minutes + ferry crossing 5-10 minutes
Day 4: Tra Vinh – Can Tho (B,L,–)
On day 4 set out straight from your hotel to the Ba Om Lotus Pond, where you can stop and explore a Khmer temple, as well as a few villages sprawled along your path. As you cross bountiful rice fields, take in the tranquility that these landscapes exude until you reach Can Tho by bicycle (or by bus/van if you choose), where you will spend the night.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel
Easia Level: 3
Distance and duration of cycling: 60 to 100 kilometers – 7 to 10 hours (including breaks)
Difference in elevation: None
Terrain: Concrete canal paths, narrow countryside lanes
Transportation: Full-day vehicle support – 54 kilometers – 1 hour
Day 5: Can Tho – Long Xuyen (B,L,D)
The day will begin with a boat trip to the Cai Rang Market. Once you arrive, you can cycle or ride in the vehicle around the market along the river. Then, set off for the day on your bicycle, crossing through several more charming villages as you head to Stork Sanctuary. You will soak up incredible sights of seemingly-endless cottage industries, timber merchants, coconut shredders, small docks loading and unloading rice, and tiny, yet vibrant markets. Depending on how you feel, you can take the support vehicle or keep on cycling directly to a local restaurant for lunch.
In the afternoon, continue riding through the picturesque countryside, before catching your vehicle back to your hotel in Long Xuyen.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel
Easia Level: 3
Distance and duration of cycling: 50 to 90 kilometers – 5 to 8 hours (including breaks)
Difference in elevation: None
Terrain: Concrete canal paths, countryside narrow lanes
Transportation: Full-day vehicle support – shorter cycling tour – 40 kilometers – 1h 30min (3 short transfers)
Day 6: Long Xuyen – Chau Doc (B,L,–)
After a short trip to the starting point, begin the day by riding along the busy river channels and traditional brick factories on the way to Chau Doc. Along the way, make a stop to explore the Tra Su Nature Reserve, before arriving in Chau Doc and settling into the night's accommodations.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel
Easia Level: 2 or 3
Distance and duration of cycling: 60 to 100 kilometers
Difference in elevation: None
Terrain: Concrete canal paths, narrow countryside lanes
Duration of transportation: Shorter cycling tour – 37 kilometers – 1 hour
Transportation: Full-day vehicle support
Note: Possible to add a visit to the Killing Fields of Vietnam Bachuc, where Pol Pot’s regime massacred over 3,000 Vietnamese in 1978, before reaching Chau Doc.
Day 7: Chau Doc – Ho Chi Minh (B,L,–)
After breakfast at your hotel you will return to Ho Chi Minh in your vehicle.
Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh you will have the rest of the afternoon at leisure for sightseeing.
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: overnight in hotel in Ho Chi Minh city
Transportation: 240 kilometers - 6 hours
Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City – Departure (B,–,–)
You will travel to the airport at your own for the departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Note: Hotel room is at disposal until 12:00 only
