Rider Favourite

Vietnam Heritage by Bicycle

Day 1: Meet in Hue

Our tour begins in Hue, the former capital of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty. You can fly to Hue from Saigon or Hanoi, or alternatively you can fly into Da Nang and transfer up to Hue. We will meet in the early afternoon for an introduction to the Nguyen Dynasty at the Imperial Citadel, modelled after the Forbidden City in China, but with a distinctive Vietnamese touch. While much of the palace was destroyed during the Tet Offensive, the site is nevertheless impressive with its succession of moats and immaculate grounds, and you will gain a clear understanding of how the royal family lived during the peak of their rule. We end our day with a traditional Vietnamese dinner where your guide will set the stage for the rest of the trip.

Emm Hotel Hue
Dinner

Day 2: Hue's Tombs

This morning 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 back in the city. You will have some free time in the afternoon before we reconvene for dinner.

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

Day 3: Hue Countryside

A short morning transfer brings us out of the city and into Hue’s lush countryside where we find ourselves cycling through a sea of rice paddies thriving in the floodplains of the Song Bo and Perfume rivers. We also skirt past the Tam Giang Lagoon, part of Southeast Asia’s largest lagoon system, dotted with floating gardens, aquaculture ponds, and colourful fishing villages. Our final destination, Phuoc Tich, is made up of many homes that date back 200 years and follow traditional feng shui design. We visit ancient houses and learn more about this rich and culturally significant village. In the afternoon, transfer 45 minutes back to Hue. Tonight, dinner is on your own, the perfect opportunity to delve into the culinary scene and find hidden gems. Hue is a beautiful city to wander at night, especially along the riverside and the old quarter surrounding the palace.

Emm Hotel Hue
Breakfast, Lunch
Ride 60km
+244m
-235m

Day 4: 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.

Lang Co Bay Retreat Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 64km
+281m
-266m

Day 5: 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. Dinner is on your own tonight.

Vinh Hung Riverside Resort
Breakfast, Lunch
Ride 67km
+905m
-912m

Day 6: 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.. After some free time, we will gather for a final dinner in the historic centre and celebrate the journey we have taken together through the many sides of Vietnam!

Vinh Hung Riverside Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 47km
+207m
-188m

Day 7: Hoi An Departure

This morning, we say goodbye and leave for our onward journey. Please let us know if we can help with airport transfers or other arrangements in Vietnam!

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.