Cycle Saigon to Hanoi

Still commonly referred to by locals as 'Saigon', Ho Chi Minh is the largest city in Vietnam and the country's commercial hub. Here, you can find an eclectic mix of the traditional and the new, where pagodas and markets compete alongside the trappings of Vietnam's newly discovered entrepreneurial spirit.

For those arriving on time today, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 4pm for the welcome meeting and to take us on the walking tour. The tour will take in some of the central sights of the city, including the Opera House (formerly South Vietnam National Assembly), Hotel de Ville, Notre Dame Cathedral and the impressive French-style edifice that is the GPO building.

If you'd like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), which is 30 to 40 minutes from the hotel.

Please note that if you wish to join the afternoon orientation walk today, you must arrive at the hotel by 3.30pm. If you're booking your own flights, we recommend giving yourself at least 30 minutes to clear the airport. From the airport to the hotel is around a 30-minute drive, so the latest your flight can arrive is 2pm. Should you miss the welcome meeting, our tour leader will leave a note at the front desk to inform you of any essential information.

If you arrive earlier in the day, head out to explore at your own pace - you could visit the Presidential Palace, the War Crimes Museum, or even just take a walk around this bustling city.

First thing this morning, we drive for 90 minutes - through Saigon's remarkable rush-hour traffic - to reach the quieter suburbs. We'll collect our bikes near the remains of an old US military base and start our ride to Ben Duoc (30 kilometres/18.6 miles), the site of the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels.

The infamous tunnels were an underground command base which was a major part of the 1968 Tet Offensive. If you're up to experiencing the claustrophobic conditions the Viet Cong lived in, there's the opportunity to crawl through a small, specially adapted section of the tunnels. Be warned, the tunnels are low and narrow and can be claustrophobic.

After lunch, our cycle continues for around 20 kilometres/12.4 miles towards Ben Nay. Then, we'll swap our bikes for our bus and drive for two hours back to Saigon arriving in the early evening.

If you'd prefer to see more of Saigon, you can choose to spend the day exploring instead.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 50 kilometres/31.1 miles (total accumulated ascent 50 meters/164 feet, total accumulated descent 40 metres/131 feet).

Today we journey down into the Mekong Delta, to explore the hinterland between the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. Leaving Saigon by bus, a two-hour drive brings us to Binh Duc (My Tho), from where we begin cycling through a landscape of waterways, markets, orchards and riverside villages. Here, we can see local cottage industries making rice paper or coconut sweets as they have been for generations. The first 30 kilometres/18.6 miles of today's ride is on roads with moderate traffic and the remaining 20 kilometres/12.4 miles are on narrow pathways and routes that our support bus cannot follow.

We'll refuel with a lunch of fresh Vietnamese flavours, made using local produce. Then, we cycle on through Tan Phong to visit a beautifully restored traditional house in Ut Kiet. Our ride finishes at Cai Be, from where we have a two-to-three-hour drive back to Saigon - arriving in the early evening.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 51 kilometres/31.7 miles on flat terrain.

Departing Saigon this morning, we head north through the southern Central Highlands towards the mountain town of Dalat (set at 1,500 metres/4,922 feet elevation). After a two-hour drive, we pedal off on a picturesque 30-kilometre/18.6-mile ride through the hills of the Langbiang Plateau, negotiating our way along reasonably quiet, gently undulating back roads to the town of Gia Kiem and then Bao Loc.

After a relaxing lunch in Bao Loc, we board our bus again for a scenic two-to-three-hour drive across the mountains, rewarding us with stunning views over the forested hills and tea and coffee plantations. In the late afternoon, we'll arrive at the bustling mountain town of Dalat. The city has a European feel in its architecture and a cooler climate due to the higher altitude.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 30 kilometres/18.6 miles (total accumulated ascent 210 metres/689 feet, total accumulated descent 150 metres/492 feet).

Hop on the bus as we depart Dalat this morning, driving for 30 minutes before we pedal off.

The beginning of today's ride is on relatively quiet mountain roads with plenty of ascent and descent for the first 20 kilometres/12.4 miles. We'll stop for a break then head on for another 30 kilometres/18.6 miles, which finishes with an ascent of the Hon Giao Pass (1,700 metres/5,578 feet). This challenging section takes us up through forests of pine and across a landscape of dramatic mountain scenery. After celebrating reaching the pass and a chance to rest at the top, the rest of our ride is an easy descent of 30 kilometres/18.6 miles towards the town of Khanh Vinh, where we'll stop for lunch. The rest of our journey to Nha Trang is by bus and should take around 90 minutes.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 80 kilometres/49.7 miles (total accumulated ascent 1,140 metres/3,740 feet, total accumulated descent 2,962 metres/9,718 feet).

Thanks to its beautiful bays, golden beaches and turquoise waters, Nha Trang has quickly grown into a bustling town and popular tourist destination. Weather permitting, this morning we take a cruise out to explore the surrounding seas and islands. We'll aim to stop near one of the islands where you have the option to swim from the boat (possible to hire snorkelling equipment). We'll move on to another tiny island where we plan to spend a few hours to relax and swim. The island is privately owned and it's possible to rent a sun lounger and parasol. There will also be the option to enjoy drinks, a seafood lunch or a snack on the island (at your own expense). Returning to Nha Trang later this afternoon, the rest of the day is free.

No cycling today. Rest day.

Travelling by bus this morning, we continue along the coast to the city of Quy Nhon. We'll drive north over the scenic Ca Pass to Bai Tien Song Cau. From here, we resume our journey by bike with a 60-kilometre/37.3-mile ride to complete the final leg to Quy Nhon and our hotel for the night.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 60 kilometres/37.3 miles (total accumulated ascent 640 metres/2,100 feet, total accumulated descent 775 metres/2,543 feet).

Departing Quy Nhon this morning, we cycle out across Thi Nai Bridge, the longest sea bridge in Vietnam, which connects the city with the Phuong Mai Peninsula. Once across, we'll continue by bike along the Quy Nyon lagoon towards Phu My some 50 kilometres/31.1 miles away. From Phu My, we'll travel by bus to Quang Ngai, the scene of the My Lai massacre - one of the most infamous episodes of the Vietnam War. After visiting the site and visitor's centre, we'll complete the final leg to Hoi An by bus, a journey of around two-to-three hours.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 59 kilometres/36.7 miles (total accumulated ascent 395 metres/1,296 feet, total accumulated descent 390 metres/1,280 feet).

The historic merchant town of Hoi An was one of the busiest international trading ports of Southeast Asia in the 17th and 18th centuries. Colonised by the Portuguese in the 16th century, it still retains its charm today.

This morning, we'll take a walk through the historic heart of this World Heritage Site, taking in the city's famous Japanese Bridge and its museum, before wandering amongst its traditional wooden houses and Chinese temples. This afternoon is free to spend as you like - you could take a gentle river cruise, try your hand at Vietnamese cooking or pay a visit to one of Hoi An's renowned tailors' shops, or maybe explore further afield by bike.

No cycling today. Rest day.

Leaving Hoi An after breakfast, we travel by bus up the coast to Danang followed by a twisting drive up to the lofty heights of the Hai Van (Sea Cloud) Pass. This stunningly scenic region once marked the boundary between Vietnam and the Champa Kingdom to the south and, as we reach the summit of the pass, the panoramas before us are simply spectacular. Descending by bus we head next to Lang Co where today's ride starts. We cycle along scenic back roads as we wind our way alongside the Cau Hai Lagoon to end the ride finally at Phu Bai. Meeting our bus in Thuan An, we then drive for around one hour to Hué on the shores of the Perfume River.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 80 kilometres/49.7 miles (total accumulated ascent 100 metres/328 feet, total accumulated descent 100 metres/328 feet).

Once the capital of Vietnam and an inspiration for poets and artists alike for centuries, Hue is still a thriving and important city. First thing this morning, we'll drive to the impressive Old Citadel that still dominates the left bank of the river. After visiting the citadel, we'll set off for our final cycle ride. Our route follows the Perfume River and leads us to the 19th-century Nguyen Tomb of Ming Mang. After visiting the mausoleum, we return to our hotel to freshen up before the mid- to late-afternoon departure of the overnight train to Hanoi.

We plan to stay in 'soft-sleeper' four berth cabins, bunk bed style and bedding is provided. Both Western and Asian style toilets are at the end of each carriage as well as a basin. Our tour leader will allocate beds and will try to keep our group together as far as possible, however, it might be necessary to share with other travellers and passengers of a different gender.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 20 kilometres/12.4 miles (total accumulated ascent 130 metres/427 feet, total accumulated descent 115 metres/377 feet).

Arriving in the Vietnamese capital early this morning, we'll drive to the hotel in time for breakfast. Later this morning, we then drive (two-and-a-half hours) to the Gulf of Tonkin and the breathtaking scenery of Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visually impressive landscapes in Southeast Asia. Boarding the boat in time for lunch we set sail and visit Sung Sot Cave, spending this evening aboard the junk in twin-share, en suite cabins. Please note - the boat is not exclusive to us and we may be sharing with other tourists. You have the option to leave the majority of your luggage in the hotel in Hanoi and take only an overnight bag. If you prefer to take your main luggage it is fine but please note that the cabins are inevitably small.

No cycling today. Rest day.

This morning, we'll continue cruising through this wonderfully scenic landscape, enjoying the serenity of its limestone islands and visiting some of the caves (the optional cave visits can involve climbing some slippery steps). Returning to shore mid-morning, we'll then drive back to Hanoi, a two-and-a-half hour journey that gets us into the capital in time to enjoy a short tour of the city. Our late afternoon walking tour includes a visit to the Ba Dinh Square and the Temple of Literature, as well as a chance to explore a little something of the city's fascinating Old Quarter.

No cycling today. Rest day.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Hanoi.

There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Hanoi at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), which is around 45 minutes from the hotel.