Trips

Ho Chi Minh City

Xin chao! Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Because this trip doesn’t spend much time in Ho Chi Minh City, why not arrive a day or two early to see the sights? Ho Chi Minh City has a dynamic atmosphere and a French influence. Perhaps head to Pham Ngu Lao Street to see the local open-aired market, visit Vinh Nghiem Pagoda or one of the amusements parks.

Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast, head out of the city to the town of Hoc Mon (approximately 1 hour) where you’ll embark on a 30 km ride through the rural countryside to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Stop for lunch at a local cafe then visit the impressive expansion of tunnels. The location of the tunnels was of significant strategic importance: they're at the end of the infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail. Initial construction started in 1948 when the Viet Minh required somewhere to hide from French air attacks, and by 1965, the tunnel complex was estimated to consist of 200 km of tunnels. It included, hospitals, schools, meeting rooms, kitchens, and sleeping quarters. Today, the Vietnamese government have preserved approximately 75 km of the Cu Chi tunnels as a memorial park, and in some areas the tunnels have been widened and low powered lights installed so that tourists can now fit through the complex. After your visit, jump in the minivan to Thu Dau Mot for a cooking class with the famous Mrs Cam Van and her students. Ms Cam Van is a renowned chef, who has published nearly 40 culinary books and hosted her own TV cooking show for many years. Eat the fruits of your labour for dinner! Riding distance: 30 km/18 miles

Mui Ne

After breakfast, head out of Saigon by bus to Long Phuoc (1 hour) and then swap four wheels for two and start cycling towards the coast. Hit the backroads and head through tropical fruit and rubber plantations, also passing some small fishing villages, as you make your way closer to the coast finishing your ride in time for lunch. Then drive approximately 3 hours to Mui Ne, a tranquil white sand beach where you can witness our first sunset over the South China Sea. Settle into your accommodation tonight in nearby Phan Thiet (30 mins). Riding distance: 35 kms/21 miles

Dalat

Today your riding takes you to Dalat. The route will have the occasional climbs as you pass through coffee and tea plantations as well as flower gardens and pine forests. The support bus will pick you up before the road climbs steeply to the mountain town of Dalat. Dalat is one of Vietnam's most delightful cities and is a perfect base to explore this region. With an appealing Swiss-French feel, along with pleasant lakes, palaces, pine tree-covered hills, flower gardens and pagodas, Dalat is often called the 'city of eternal spring' for its temperate climate. Riding distance: 35 kms/21 miles

Nha Trang

It’s a 2-hour drive to Khanh Vinh through pine forest and paddy fields. This area is home to small villages inhabited by the ethnic minority people of the central highland. Jump back on your bike and follow rural villages all the way to a town just outside of Nha Trang before continuing by bus to the centre of town for approximately 1.5 hours. Riding distance: 35 kms/21 miles

Nha Trang

Today you’ll swap your bike for a boat as you head out to explore the nearby waters. This excursion is often the highlight of the trip for many travellers as you’ll get to snorkel in the turquoise waters and feast on a fresh seafood buffet for lunch. You can enjoy this rest day by lazing in a deck chair or simply go for another swim.

Quy Nhon

Today’s cycle is one of the most breathtaking stretches of road you’ll ride – the highway hugs huge granite cliffs and looks out across the deep blue sea. Following parts of the Reunification railway, you’ll enjoy scenery of islands, lagoons and sand dunes. Your destination today is Quy Nhon. The city is filled with long stretches of beach and relaxed boulevards, and as it’s pretty undiscovered by visitors, is a great place to get an authentic slice of coastal life. Riding distance: 35 kms/21 miles .

Hoi An

Leaving Quy Nhon we travel over the Thi Nai Peninsula and Nhon Hoi Bridge, the longest sea bridge in Vietnam. The coastline features secluded bays, sand dunes and beaches with colourful fishing boats bobbing on the South China Sea. From the bridge we cycle until Tan Thang before catching a ride all the way to Hoi An. Upon arrival in Hoi An you will have some free time to relax, have a swim in the pool or head into Old Town for a wander. Riding distance: 35 kms/21 miles

Hoi An

This morning your leader with take you on a walking tour of the town, which used to be a busy port for the Cham people before the river silted up. There’s also a strong Chinese influence, and you’ll see it as you walk past the pagodas and assembly halls. For lunch learn how to prepare White Rose Cake. White Rose cake is basically a rice paper dumpling with meat. This hands-on experience is one the whole family will enjoy! Afterwards we take a 25-kilometre ride into the surrounding countryside, to cycle to nearby Cua Dai Beach. Riding distance: 25 kms/15 miles

Hoi An

With no activities planned for today, if you have time perhaps you and your family would like to join the My Son Discovery with Urban Adventures. This 5-hour day tour takes you through beautifully tranquil green valleys to the ancient crumbling ruins of My Son, one of Vietnam’s most important historical sites. Enjoy a traditional Aspara dance demonstration and meet a friendly local family who will teach you how to make a delicious snack. Find out more at urbanadventures.com.