Vietnam Cycle

Vietnam Cycle Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Your trip begins today in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, where the streets are a lively mix of ancient and hip. Those arriving early should consider taking a half-day trip to explore the famous Cu Chi tunnels for an inside view of the Vietcong sanctuaries. The afternoon is otherwise devoted to bike fitting, orientation and a short guided tour en-route to dinner. Overnight Ho Chi Minh City. Dinner included.

• Day 2

  We get up and depart early for the long but scenic drive to Dalat. We cycle lovely country lanes and back roads in the shadow of Mount Langbian. Once out of town,` the roads are nearly traffic free, a great way to get the feel for cycling in Vietnam! Homesick French colonials established a hillside resort here more than a century ago, drawn by the cool, spring-like weather, pine forests and lakes. We’ll see European-style villas, fresh-food markets and the romantic Valley of Love. Overnight Dalat. Driving: Approximately 5 hours. All meals included.
  
  Cycling: 18 miles.

• Day 3

  After a couple of early morning hills, today’s ride is predominately downhill through pine forests, villages and tea plantations as we descend from Dalat to the Po Klong Garai Cham Towers near the coastal town of Phan Rang. These four brick towers, among the best preserved in Vietnam, were built in the 13th century as Shiva (Hindu) temples. In the afternoon, we drive approximately 2 ½ hours to Nha Trang and our hotel, where we can cool off with a dip in the swimming pool. All meals included. 
  
  Cycling: 58 miles. 

• Day 4

  To avoid traffic, we drive north approximately 50 miles to the Hon Gom peninsula for a short cycle past shrimp farms before we take a 10-minute speed boat ride to tropical Whale Island. This solar-powered eco resort is small but becoming a magnet for water sport enthusiasts. Try the optional catamaran sailing, snorkel or hike the short nature trail. Just relaxing is an option, too. The island is owned by a Frenchman and his wife and the cuisine is delicious French/Viet fusion! All meals included.
  
  Cycling 12 miles. 

• Day 5

  We start with a leisurely morning on the island before returning to the main road, where we’ll drive for 2 hours past the heaviest traffic. After our transfer, we then cycle 40 miles, traveling back roads to the beautiful coastal town of Quy Nhon. Overnight at a seafront hotel. Breakfast and lunch included.
  
  Cycling: 40 miles.

• Day 6

  After breakfast, we enjoy a scenic 4-hour drive along Vietnam’s only coastal road to start a wonderful afternoon ride on quiet country roads. Starting with a steady 1 1/2 mile climb to the top of Thien An Mountain, we’ll get panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and visit an ancient working Pagoda (circa 1650). We’ll ride to the site of the My Lai Massacre for a guided tour of the memorial museum and shrine. Following this tour, we will have two appealing options: continue on quiet roads to the beach to swim and relax or loop around fishing villages back to our hotel. All meals included.
  
  Cycling 28 miles.

• Day 7

  Today we continue on to the living museum of Hoi An, formerly known as Faifo. After breakfast, we drive a couple of hours to Hoi An, one of Asia’s major trading ports in the 16th and 17th centuries. Silk helped build the city but silt nearly stopped time for the port by moving trading up the coast to what is now Danang. The center of Hoi An has survived 200 years and the ravages of weather and war to remain much as it was in its prime. We’ll see wooden-fronted former merchant residences and a wonderful market. Hoi An is one of the best places in Vietnam to shop for souvenirs at bargain prices, including silk, handicrafts, antiques and paintings. A short distance from the center of town, we’ll find Cua Dai Beach, popular for its warm sea and delicious seafood stalls. Cao Lau is among the unique dishes served, a delectable combination of noodles, pork, bean sprouts, mint and croutons. Our next 2 nights are spent in Hoi An. All meals included.

• Day 8

  We’ll have some great choices today. One is to cycle about 33 miles to one of Vietnam’s treasures, the My Son Cham towers. Another is to charter a local boat (cost is not included in the price of the trip) out to the beautiful Cham Island group to visit a gorgeous beach still largely undiscovered by tourists. A third option is to stay in town and continue to explore Hoi An at your leisure. Breakfast included.

• Day 9

  A possible epic 62-mile cycling day as we turn north again for the bike ride to the city of Hue, passing over the spectacular Hai Van pass or “Pass of the Ocean Clouds.” We cycle by way of Lang Co beach and conquer a couple of short passes before hitting a beautiful coastal road. All meals included.
  
  Cycling: 62 miles. 

• Day 10

  Hue is one of the main cultural, religious and educational centers of Vietnam, and we’ll spend the morning exploring some of the most impressive sights. Hue was Vietnam’s imperial city since 1802, and remained the capital until 1945 when Bao Dai, the last of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors, abdicated. The Imperial Citadel, built much like Bejing’s “Forbidden City,” sits on the north bank of the romantically named Perfume River. We’ll also see Hue’s best-known religious site, the Thien Mu Pagoda and elaborate mausoleums, which more closely resemble palaces than tombs. We overnight en route, sleeping in four-person soft-bed berths as we take the Reunification Express train to Nam Dinh. All meals included.

• Day 11

  Today we head back to the country and the beautiful Pu Luong Nature Reserve, a globally important limestone forest eco-system. After leaving the train at about 4 a.m., we transfer to a local hotel in Nam Dinh and check in for a few hours. Here we can relax and enjoy breakfast at the hotel before we drive two and a half hours to the gateway of the Reserve. Our cycling path is a jeep trail that’s a mix of hard pack clay and gravel. It was first built a century ago by the French. We’ll cycle about 10 miles to Hin village nestled at the base of limestone hills. Depending on our arrival time, we will have time to explore our surroundings, as there’s great trekking and cycling. The forests here support many unique species, including the endangered Delacour’s langur, bear, clouded leopard and many orchids. A portion of our fees helps support community conservation efforts! We’ll sleep dormitory style on thick mats in a local home on stilts, with plenty of space to spread out under mosquito netting. The toilet and shower facility are basic but clean and welcome after 10 miles on a dirt road! All meals included.
  
  Cycling: 10 miles, with options for hiking or more cycling.

• Day 12

  Today we begin our ride in the beautiful Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Our moderately hilly trail through the Reserve varies from smooth and fast to hard pack gravel. Once out of the Nature Reserve we return to the tarmac road, cycling alongside the stunning Ma River.  We’ll end the ride at a local home in the Pom Coong village where lunch is served, followed by the option of a quick, cool shower before our 73 mile drive to Hanoi. Breakfast and lunch included.
  
  Cycling: 46 miles.

• Day 13

  Hanoi has become one of Asia’s most interesting cities, and we’ll have the entire day on our own to explore this exciting mix of old and new. Be sure to check out the One Pillar Pagoda, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, a huge concrete block which houses the former president’s embalmed body. The Old Quarter’s 36 ancient streets are a shopping paradise, including tailored silk clothing at reasonable prices. Our guide will happily escort anyone who wants to explore some of the cultural spots in the morning. In the evening, we’ll enjoy the water puppet show and a fantastic farewell dinner. Breakfast and dinner included.

• Day 14

  The early morning is at your leisure. We will depart for the airport late this morning for flights home, except for those extending with the REI Adventures Halong Bay three-day extension. Breakfast included.
  
  Extend your stay: 
  Cambodia’s mesmerizing Angkor Wat and Vietnam’s magical Halong Bay are two of Southeast Asia’s most unforgettable travel destinations.  REI Adventures is pleased to offer pre- and post-trip extensions providing our trip members the opportunity to visit either or both of these amazing places before/after their Vietnam Cycle holiday.  Please contact our knowledgeable sales staff for additional details on scheduling and prices.

Halong Bay Extension Itinerary:

• The natural wonder of Halong Bay, less than 100 miles east of Hanoi, is one of Vietnam's five UNESCO World Heritage Sites. More than three thousand jagged limestone islands emerge from the bay's emerald green waters. Some are no more than large rocks while others contain huge cathedral-like caves of stalactites and stalagmites. Our waterborne exploration combines scenic cruising with a variety of marine activities including swimming and sea kayaking to create a relaxing adventure in this magical aquatic playground.

• Day 1

  After departing for Halong Bay in a private air-conditioned vehicle, we’ll travel through the islands aboard a deluxe Huong Hai junk, eating fresh seafood meals on board and sleeping in private, air-conditioned cabins. Our highlights on the first day include Dinh Huog Island and the impressive Sun Sot Cave before we stop at Titov beach for the evening. Lunch and dinner included.

• Day 2

  We enjoy an invigorating swim after breakfast before our cruise continues past rock formations named after their varying shapes. Tides permitting, we’ll take a sampan to Luon (tunnel) cave, paddling through to a crater lake that’s surrounded by impenetrable cliffs and gliding kites. We’ll then visit Be Ham (or Three Tunnel) Lake, a shallow lagoon surrounded by steep limestone walls connected to the sea by three tunnels with low ceilings. In between cruising, fishing and swimming, we’ll refuel with more scrumptious meals on board. All meals included.

• Day 3

  This morning we cruise east to dip into the lesser known but equally stunning region of Bai Tu Long Bay. Check out Chopsticks and Teapot Islands! The area doesn’t quite have the range of geological attributes as Halong, but it’s just as attractive and far less visited. After lunch, we transfer back to the hotel in Hanoi. Overnight Hanoi. Breakfast and lunch included.

• Day 4

  Return to U.S. Breakfast included.

Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted above. If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign a roommate if one is available. If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee, which is one-half of the full single supplement. Please be advised that there are a limited number of single rooms available on most departures.

International flights to Vietnam, half-day trip to Cu Chi tunnels, optional boat trip to Cham Island, 2 lunches and 3 dinners as noted, bottled water with meals, Vietnamese visa, personal expenses such as medical immunizations, insurance of any kind, excess baggage charges, liquor, and laundry fees, gratuities to local guides or drivers.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. Although a support vehicle will be available, participants should be experienced cyclists who enjoy spending much of the day (3-7 hours) on their bikes. Some stretches of road near busy towns can be noisy with lots of cars, exhaust and/or dust. The countryside in Vietnam can be hilly so a regular conditioning program beginning at least three months prior to departure is strongly recommended. Cycling, walking/running and a daily stretching regimen are all great ways to prepare for this adventure. Some of the most important qualifications for any trip without standard tourist facilities are a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude.

Throughout our trip, morning temperatures are typically in the 60-70°F range, warming to the 80s or low 90s during the afternoon. High humidity can be expected in most of the regions we visit. Rainfall is a possibility during any month of the year making adequate raingear a necessity.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased within 21 days of your initial trip deposit, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

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