The mighty Mekong spreads into tentacles and tributaries in southern Vietnam, making the delta fertile and the region one of Vietnam's highest producers of rice, vegetables, and fruits. Cycling through rice paddies, orchards, along and over a myriad of small irrigation canals will let you see this unique area of Vietnam.
The most authentic way to see a country and meet locals in a non tourist manner - rides are well planned and supported - a great way to see a country
We just completed a 4 day Mekong Delta Cycling Tour and Wow!. From pick up to drop off it was so well organised and I would most definitely recommend this tour. Of course what made this possible were the tour Guide Ngoc Quyen (Vicki) and the bus driver Mr Phuong. They were attentive to our every need and adapted the route to fit the group cycling levels without compromising the promised 150km distance.Every day was different in scenery and we experienced Vietnam as no bus tour can give you. Simply loved it and will most certainly be back for more. Especially if we were to have the same tour guide again.To manage expectations be prepared to live a bit local on especially the first night but it as still an amazing experience. The Ba Linh family were great hosts. It is not a tough cycle route as it is very flat but for novices the average of 40km a day can be tiring especially as the humidity and heat are oppressive but that is what we signed up for and it met with our expectation. I could not wish for a better way to see the country or to have a holiday.
DestinationsVietnam
Tour MeetsAt your hotel in Saigon
Fly in toTan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)
Group Size2-16 riders
Water bottleSupport vehicleGuide(s)Meals (as indicated)Hotel pick upHotel drop offAccommodationBike and helmetSnacks and drinks
International flightsVisa feesAlcoholTips
The cycling is on a mixture of well-surfaced roads and the option to go off road onto single track. An air-conditioned bus will travel behind the group to support us. On the occasions when it is impossible for the bus to follow, our guide follows behind on a motorcycle. Participants can cycle as much or as little as they like and still enjoy the same views as the rest of the group.
Suitability: The daily distances are not too long and the terrain is gentle so this trip is suitable for most people, but it’s advisable to have a modicum of fitness to enjoy the riding! Fast cyclists can ride at their own pace, as detailed directions are available from the leader.
We depart from Saigon with a 2.5 hour transfer to My Tho. Here, we begin an exciting ride on the labyrinthine lanes of the Mekong Delta! En route, we will have lunch before continuing the ride and crossing the river by boat to our local homestay and inn in the village of An Binh. This is a typical Mekong Delta location on a peninsula. It's fun and easy to explore these surroundings on foot this afternoon, or relax on the property. Dinner will be prepared by our hosts.
Ut Thuy Inn and Homestay
Lunch, Dinner
Ride 40km
+188m
-190mFrom Anh Binh, bike along narrow country lanes, easy dirt tracks, and trails. This is biking at its most glorious: through tiny orchards, witness colorful life along the riverside, pedal past picturesque delta homes, pause to chat with welcoming villagers, cross innumerable bridges. Cross narrow canals before arriving at the main ferry for a refreshing boat trip across the expansive Co Chien River. Ride further downstream to our beautiful riverside resort that immerses us in the aquatic way of life of this region. There will be plenty of time to explore side tracks, local markets, and anything that catches your eye along the way here in the heart of the Mekong!’.
Coco Riverside ResortBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 53km+210m-206mToday, you will explore diverse cultural and natural sites on a beautiful ride from one branch of the Mekong River to the next. As much of the area is populated by Khmer people, the regional architecture is interesting, and there are many Khmer temples and monasteries to stop and admire en route. Cycle along the beautiful surroundings with a support vehicle always nearby. The road is peaceful, narrow, and very picturesque. Pedal to Ba Om Pond with its magnificent lotus flowers, where many local women get their futures predicted in the small temple nearby. Finish the ride at a beautiful Khmer temple, then transfer 1 hour into the city of Can Tho, the Mekong’s largest town, located at the confluence of the Can Tho and Hau Giang Rivers.
IRIS Hotel Can ThoBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 43km+226m-219mWe weave through the Cai Rang floating market on the bustling banks of the riverfront. After the market, we will take a short transfer out of town and begin our ride, absorbing the sights of endless cottage industries, timber merchants, coconut shredders and small docks loading/unloading rice in this fertile agricultural region sustained by the river.. We will celebrate the end of our Mekong ride with lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, transfer 3.5 hours back to Saigon. Those looking to extend their stay can head to the coastal area of Hoi An, the imperial capital of Hue, or mountainous Mai Chau.
Breakfast, Lunch
Ride 40km+165m-169mDisclaimer: 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.
The bikes you will be riding are well-known makes of Hybrid or Mountain bikes (depending on the tour) with lightweight alloy frames, 24- to 27-speed gearing, v-brakes and Shimano components and front suspension.
Basic spares and tools are carried by the guide and on the support vehicle, though we cannot guarantee having spares for every conceivable problem. Carrying a basic tool kit, a spare tube and a pump while riding is recommended.
Wearing a helmet is required on all our biking adventures and is non negotiable. If you do not wear a helmet you will not be allowed to cycle. Your tour leader is trained in first aid and emergency rescue, but to a large degree you must be responsible for your own safety while riding. It is therefore compulsory that you take out travel insurance that will cover you for a mountain biking tour.
You will be led by a local English-speaking guide and if the group is 9 people or more we will add another guide to the tour. All our guides are well informed in the history, culture and religions of the area where you are biking and are skilled at passing that knowledge on to you. Your guide is also medically trained and an experienced cyclist, able to handle most minor repairs en route.
Please carefully fill out the form and check the information you have entered. Even minor spelling errors will render the visa invalid and your entry to Vietnam will be denied.
For peace of mind, we suggest applying for your e-visa as early as possible, and no later than 2 weeks before your expected arrival in Vietnam. While processing time is generally no more than 1-3 working days (not including weekends and Vietnamese holidays), it is wise to give yourself some buffer time in case there are any issues.
If you are joining a multi-country trip beginning in Vietnam, please be sure to select the correct exit point from the list below:
“Saigon to Bangkok” and “Saigon to Siem Reap”: Song Tien Landport
“Road Biking from Saigon to Angkor”: Moc Bai Landport
“Remote Vietnam and Laos”: Na Meo Landport
“Hanoi to Luang Prabang”: Tay Trang Landport
If your SpiceRoads trip will end in Vietnam, please choose your point of exit as the airport, port or land border through which you have arranged to leave Vietnam.
See here for recommendations and detailed information.
Weather in Vietnam is divided into 4 main regions - the far north, north, central and south.
The far north can get very cold in December and January while the dry season runs from October to late March and the wet season between April to September.
In Hanoi & the north, it is hot, wet and humid from May to October while November to April is cooler and dry.
Central Vietnam experiences hot, dry weather between January & August with temperatures ranging in the mid 30°C. High levels of rainfall are during September - November.
Southern Vietnam is dry and hot from November to April, and warm and wet between May & October, with the highest rainfall in June, July & August.
Meals are included as per the itinerary where B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner. Most meals are Vietnamese food and features noodles, rice curries and soups. Vietnamese cuisine is world famous and we make sure you sample as much variety as possible. Any special dietary requirements can also be catered for as well. Please let us know at the time of booking.
Keeping you completely hydrated is a job we take very seriously. Cold water, some energy-restoring local fruit, and soft drinks are included in the tour price while riding. Soft drinks and other beverages during meals are not included. Beer is freely available everywhere in Vietnam but is NOT included in the price.
SpiceRoads does not require you to pay a surcharge for traveling alone. We will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveler of the same gender and if we can not match you up we will provide a single room at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room. The cost of the single supplement is listed above.
We recommend that you tuck away a few extra dollars, perhaps US$10, for incidentals. It is customary to tip local tour guides and drivers, however, the amount you give should be dependent on the level of service you receive. We will send you a tipping guideline before the tour begins.
The official national currency is the Vietnam dong (d), but the US dollar is widely accepted in tourist centers. However, in smaller towns and villages the dong is preferred. ATMs are available in all major tourist destinations and big cities. Vietcombank has the best network with a single withdrawal limit of 2,000,000d (about US$125). Most major currencies can be exchanged at leading banks in Vietnam, but the US dollar is preferred away from the tourist centers. Changing US$100 will make you an instant millionaire! You cannot legally take the dong out of Vietnam but you can reconvert reasonable amounts of it into US dollars on departure.
If this is the tour for you here's what you need to do to confirm your place:
Just complete our online booking form or send your booking details offline (email or post), and we will confirm your participation. No deposit is needed to confirm your place on a SpiceRoads tour.
You are advised to read our Booking Conditions in full before you make your payment and should you require further clarifications of any of the conditions below, please email us or call our office.
There is a minimum number of participants (usually 2) required to enable the trip to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to Depart'. Once a trip is guaranteed to depart you are free to book your flights and make other travel arrangements. If the trip status is ‘Limited’ will mean we have only a small number of spaces available for booking. If you are unsure about the trip status, please email us or call our office.
From the tour page, click the 'Book Now' link. All departures for this tour will appear, just select the date you'd like to travel. For the next steps, you'll need to know the names of the people travelling. If you wish you can also provide extra details such as passport numbers, height (for bike hire), or you can add that later by logging into Manage My Trip (we'll set up an account for you automatically if you don't already have one). Our system will contact you from time to time to fill in the missing information, as it will be required before departure. However, if the trip that you are booking offers a child discount, you will have to fill out the date of birth of each rider (so we can calculate the appropriate discount).
If you are having any problems please send us an email, or give us a call (+66 026 3295) and one of our travel specialists will assist you with your booking.
Just call us or send an email indicating which trip you want to join and we will happily send you a list of questions and process your booking for you.
We do not require a deposit or full payment to book a place for you on a tour.
The balance of the tour’s cost (final invoice) will need to be paid 60 days before the departure date with fees for any bicycle rental(s), single supplement(s) and extra hotel nights.
In the case where a booking is made when there are less than 60 days until the tour departure date, the tour’s cost should be paid in full within 72 hours of receiving an invoice from SpiceRoads. Payment can be made by credit card using our online payment gateway or by bank transfer. When making payment online you will need to confirm that you have read these booking conditions during the "checkout" process, which equates to agreeing to the terms of services and stipulations as indicated in this document.
In all cases, tour fees need to be paid “in full” before participation in a tour. No person(s) will be allowed to join a tour without fully settling their invoice and receiving a confirmation number from SpiceRoads.
The exception can be made for last-minute miscellaneous fees that can be paid locally (visas, additional local hotel bookings, etc.) can be settled on the day of arrival.
If the tour is cancelled or postponed by SpiceRoads because we didn't make the trip numbers and the tour can’t run, we will make a full cash refund (by bank transfer or on your credit card).
If the tour is cancelled for any other reason, including due to Covid related travel restrictions, we will give you a full credit (with no deductions for admin or any other small-print item) to use on any SpiceRoads tour with no time limit. (Exceptions being flights, special permits and other non-refundable items and these will be advised when booking the trip).
Before paying for your tour, you can cancel your booking with no charge and up until 40 days before departure, you can change your booking to another travel date or move your booking onto another SpiceRoads tour with no charges.
If you need to cancel after you have made full payment, please see our cancellation policy.
The information in this document is given in good faith, and covers the average range of conditions likely to be found on this trip. Please note that the itinerary is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, however, we will always do our best to adhere to this original itinerary
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Spiceroads is always well organized, and provides a fantastic value compared to other tour companies.