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Cycling Vietnam's Central Coast

Day 1: Meet in Hue

We start our tour with a morning pickup from your hotel in Hue. Please be ready to ride! You will meet your friendly guide, who will introduce you to your trusty two-wheeled companions for the week! We are off for a spin through this atmospheric city and its surroundings, where monuments of the last dynasty of Vietnam surprise us as we wind our way through tree-lined lanes and elevated roads in the fertile rice paddies. We visit the grandiose tomb of a famous emperor (truly a palace for the afterlife), cross the beautiful Perfume River by small ferry, explore the 17th century Thien Mu Pagoda at its majestic vantage point over the river, and then arrive at the Forbidden City of the Nguyen dynasty, a moated palace that played a crucial role from the rise of the Nguyen dynasty, to the French colonial era, to the Tet offensive. After lunch, check into our hotel, take some free time to relax, or head out for a walk in this engaging riverfront city, with its many parks, gardens, and grandiose tombs of emperors nearby.

Please let us know if we can help with any pre-trip hotel bookings or airport transfers!

Emm Hotel
Lunch, Dinner
Ride 26km
+105m
-105m

Day 2: Hue → Lang Co

This morning, we check out of our hotel in Hue and take a 15-minute drive to the outskirts of town. We rendezvous with our bikes and pedal along canals and rivers into the estuary of the Perfume River, a more isolated region of farming and fishing villages. We then arrive at the uncanny “Ghost City,” made up of huge, remarkably ornate mausoleums to ancestors, many of which are funded with money sent home by Vietnamese expatriates living abroad. The artistry of the mausoleums makes for a striking contrast with the rural landscape of rice fields, woods, and wetlands. The ride continues through this serene countryside and culminates by the shores of Vietnam’s largest lagoon, where locals raise an abundance of oysters and fish. After taking in this dramatic view, we transfer 30 minutes to Lang Co Beach Resort for lunch. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy the resort, head to the spa, or relax at the beach.

Langco Bay Retreat
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 64km
+281m
-266m

Day 3: Lang Co → Da Nang → Hoi An

From Lang Co, we start with a 15 km loop around the picturesque Lap An Lagoon, framed by mountains and dotted with oyster farms. Next, we tackle the iconic Hai Van Pass, a flagship achievement for cyclists in Vietnam! On smooth tarmac, we ascend nearly 500 meters over 10 winding kilometers, taking in views of the blue South China Sea and headlands covered in jungle and sandy beaches. We’ll catch our breath at the top before enjoying the thrilling 10 km downhill ride into Da Nang, Vietnam’s third-largest city. To avoid the heavy traffic, we opt for a lift in the support vehicle and drive to a favorite restaurant in town for lunch. In the afternoon, we enjoy a gentle ride out of Da Nang’s southern outskirts, pass the famous Marble Mountains, and arrive in Hoi An, Vietnam’s darling UNESCO World Heritage-listed town. Once a major maritime trading center, Hoi An boasts beautifully preserved architecture with Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, and French influences. We will spend two nights here, giving us a chance to enjoy the sights and atmosphere of this energetic community which has retained its festiveness, vibrancy and entrepreneurial spirit.

La Charm Hoi An Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 67km
+900m
-912m

Day 4: Ride to My Son

This morning, we cycle directly from our hotel out of Hoi An on small village roads and then make our way up the Thu Bon River by roads and farm lanes. The ride is a fascinating immersion in the region’s ecosystem and surrounding agrarian economy, inextricably tied to the natural cycles of the tides, seasonal rains, and jungle flora. Eventually, we arrive at My Son, ancient capital of the Cham civilization, who ruled this region until some 500 years ago. Although some of the temples were destroyed by American bombs, there are many remaining temples that convey the prosperity and artistry of the Champa kingdom. We will have lunch before visiting the site on foot. In the afternoon, we transfer by van just over one hour back to Hoi An. Dinner is on your own tonight, so get adventurous and try the delicious Vietnamese food Hoi An’s markets and riverside restaurants have to offer! Your guides will be happy to recommend some of their favorites.

La Charm Hoi An Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch
Ride 47km
+232m
-202m

Day 5: Hoi An → My Lai → Quang Ngai

We cycle out of Hoi An and cross the Cua Dai Bridge, which spans high above the Thu Bon River, with impressive views of the open ocean and the Cham Islands in the distance offshore. We have a pleasant ride on quiet rural riverside roads, interacting with friendly local farmers, eventually reaching the village of Tam Thanh to enjoy the beach and a lunch of local seafood. We then transfer around 1.5 hours and spend the afternoon at My Lai, where we visit the memorial and museum at the site of one of the worst massacres of the Vietnam-America War. A final 30-minute drive brings us to the coast of Quang Ngai, where we spend the night at a beautiful waterfront resort.

Cocoland River & Beach Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 57km
+408m
-406m

Day 6: Quang Ngai → Quy Nhon

This morning, we will transfer by van for 2.5 hours to arrive at ideal cycling roads further south. We will hop on our bikes and begin a diverse ride through rolling coastline, rice paddy fields, salt making flats, fishing villages, and a series of small passes (less than 70 m of elevation gain each) that form natural gateways to isolated beach communities. Our destination is Quy Nhon, an American port and supply centre during the Vietnam War and refuge for thousands of Vietnamese fleeing the vicious bombing of the countryside, and now a prosperous mid-size hub for the agriculture and fisheries of Binh Duong Province. We end today’s beautiful bike ride beside a large river estuary with a view to the Quy Nhon skyline and take a brief transfer to our hotel in the city center. Enjoy a walk on the city’s bustling side streets and along the waterfront promenade before a well-earned dinner at one of your guide’s favorite restaurants!

Anya Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 68km
+465m
-473m

Day 7: Quy Nhon → Tuy Hoa

We transfer 45 minutes out of the city of Quy Nhon to a panoramic inland road along the floor of the Ky Lo River valley. The terrain is green and gently rolling, with beautiful views of the highland foothills as we pass through a mix of tribal and Viet villages on this smooth, gently sloping road. Leaving the valley after about 50 km, we wind our way on quiet trails along a lagoon surrounded by farmland with energetic market villages along the way, ending with an impressive section along the coast as we enter the coastal city of Tuy Hoa past a series of modern sculptures on its newly-beautified waterfront. Your stylish hotel is within walking distance of the sea and the city core, giving you a chance to experience another of Central Vietnam’s lesser-known but rising cities.

APEC Mandala Phu Yen
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 89km
+527m
-555m

Day 8: Tuy Hoa → Whale Island

Cycling directly from our hotel, we wind our way out of Tuy Hoa. After a flat 30 km, we tackle a solid challenge as we ascend the Ca Pass towards Vung Ro Bay. Along the way, we pass villages nestled in coves and rugged headlands jutting out into the sea. Our ride finishes at Dai Lanh Beach, where we pause for lunch before taking a 30-minute vehicle transfer to a nearby port. Here, we board a boat and cruise to Hon Ong (also known as Whale Island) — a small, pristine, tropical paradise where we wrap up our Central Vietnam adventure with two nights at a secluded eco-resort. The concept here is comfort meets back-to-nature: don’t expect air conditioning, a TV, or reliable Wi-Fi, but instead enjoy rustic bungalows. wholesome food, and the quiet, undisturbed beauty of island life.

Whale Island Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 57km
+626m
-630m

Day 9: Whale Island Free Day

The day is yours to enjoy Whale Island at your leisure. This 900-hectare island is pristine and uninhabited apart from the resort, making it a sanctuary for all forms of life. Above the water, a network of scenic hiking trails cuts through lush greenery and rocky headlands. Below the surface, protected coral reefs offer world-class snorkelling right off the shore. Paddling out into the calm waters by kayak is another fantastic way to soak in the secluded surroundings at your own pace. Activities can be arranged and paid for directly with the resort. Lunch is on your own, but we will gather for our farewell dinner in the evening.

Whale Island Resort
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10: Whale Island → Nha Trang

In the morning, we take the boat back to the mainland and provide a single group transfer to Cam Ranh International Airport (CXR). The total driving time is around 3 to 3.5 hours. Please only book departure flights from 16:00 hrs. (04:00 PM) onwards. We recommend Vietnam Airlines for their reliability on this route. If you are extending your stay in Nha Trang, we can also drop you off at your post-tour hotel.

Breakfast

Disclaimer: The adventure cycling tours we operate often go beyond the beaten track, and the countries where we ride are not always predictable. Due to these reasons, it is occasionally necessary to reroute or update itineraries. Our guarantee is that we will not change a trip unless for safety or to improve it. Our listed hotels are always accurate at the time of writing, but should we have to change any hotel, it will always be for a similar or better one.