Overview
An eight-day, privately guided tour, cycling Central Vietnam’s many cultural and natural highlights. Starting in Hanoi and finishing in Hội An, cycling through the capital with a guide is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in Vietnamese culture. After a sleeper train journey down to Huế, your cycling Central Vietnam adventure takes you to the likes of Huế Imperial Citadel and along the Hương River, with boat trips included. The last few days of the trip are spent cycling in and around the ancient but lively town of Hội An, including a longtail boat ride on the Sông Thu Bồn River.
- Hanoi
- Từ Hiếu Pagoda
- Dragon Bridge
- Hội An
- Huế citadel
- Thanh Toan bridge
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi
Meet the driver and guide at Hanoi airport for a transfer to the hotel. The hotel is ideally located next to the railway station and there are plenty of local restaurants and hidden coffee shops to explore. The rooms are available from 14.00 but it is possible to book an early check-in with a surcharge. Upon arrival at the hotel, the guide will hand over the train tickets for your onward journey to Huế.
- Accommodation: Mercure Hanoi La Gare or similar in Hanoi
Day 2: Free day in Hanoi
A full day at leisure to explore the city and its diverse architecture, parks and lakes. An optional guided cycling tour is also available today. Late check-out is included, with the room being available until 18.00 as tonight will be spent in a shared 4-berth cabin on a sleeper train. (Arrive at the station at least 30mins before departure).
- Accommodation: Sleeper train, Hanoi – Huế
- Included meals: Breakfast
Optional sightseeing tour around Hanoi | 18km
This guided cycling tour explores the different districts and atmospheres Hanoi has to offer. Cycle along large avenues and narrow lanes, passing lakes and busy street markets. Cycle past iconic landmarks such as the Opera House, before reaching the heart of Hanoi connecting Hoàn Kiếm Lake to the Đồng Xuân market in the old quarter. The tour continues toTrúc Bạch Lake, a great location to stop for a drink. The second part of the morning leads to a lively street market, perfect for a street-food lunch, followed by a visit to the Temple of Literature. The day concludes by passing by the imposing Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum on the way back to the hotel.
- Cycling for the day: 18km
- Included meals: Lunch
Day 3: Circular route from Huế | 20km
When you arrive at Huế railway station, there is a quick walk to the coffee shop across the street for breakfast (not included). Today’s cycling route takes you past Từ Hiếu Pagoda before continuing towards Thủy Biều. You then cycle to the Hương River for a short boat ride, before disembarking and heading toward Kim Long for lunch. Following lunch, explore Huế Imperial Citadel, a city inside the city, with narrow streets, hidden alleys, waterways and secret viewpoints.
- Cycling for the day: 20km
- Accommodation: Spatel D’Annam Hotel or similar in Huế
- Included meals: Lunch
Day 4: Circular route from Huế | 40km
Today’s route heads through the countryside on small roads and narrow pathways, with many stops en route. After leaving the hotel, the route quickly leads to quieter roads on the shore of the Hương River. Stop at Làng Sình for refreshments and admire the art that the area is known for. Cycle to the shores of Đầm Chuồn lagoon and, shortly after this, you come to a fishing village with houses and pathways on stilts. Board a sampan to a restaurant on stilts and enjoy lunch in a venue surrounded by water. In the afternoon, cycle alongside canals to the Japanese Thanh Toan Bridge and visit the Museum of Agriculture. The day concludes at the hotel for a second evening of leisure in Huế.
- Cycling for the day: 40km
- Accommodation: Spatel D’Annam Hotel or similar in Huế
- Included meals: Breakfast and lunch
Day 5: Huế to Hội An | 25km
Enjoy a lie-in this morning followed by a mid-morning transfer in a traditional rickshaw to the railway station to catch the train from Huế to Da Nang. Once in Da Nang, cycle to Dragon Bridge before continuing onto My Khe beach for a late lunch by the sea. Today’s route ends at a hotel located a short walk away from the beach.
- Cycling for the day: 25km
- Accommodation: Aira Boutique Hội An or similar in Hội An
- Included meals: Breakfast and lunch
Day 6: Circular route from Hội An | 40km
This morning’s cycle follows the coast to the southern edge of Cửa Đại Peninsula before heading over Cầu Cửa Đại. From here, continue south to reach a rum distillery, located on a pristine stretch of sandy beach. Take a tour of the rum distillery. The second half of the route heads takes you past rice fields and waterways before following the Trường Giang River. The route then heads over bridges to Cam Kim Island and An Hoi Islet, before finally reaching the hotel in Hội An. The hotel is located at the heart of the old quarter, perfect for an evening walk through the centre.
- Cycling for the day: 40km
- Accommodation: Vĩnh Hưng Riverside Resort and Spa or similar in Hội An
- Included meals: Breakfast and lunch
Day 7: Circular route from Hội An | 15km
Start the day with a short cruise in a longtail boat along the Sông Thu Bồn River, before disembarking and cycling to a nearby bamboo workshop for a tour. From here, continue along small countryside roads to an organic farm where you will prepare lunch yourself, under the guidance of the host. Enjoy the fruits of your labour before heading towards another farm for refreshments before heading back toward the hotel.
- Cycling for the day: 15km
- Accommodation: Vĩnh Hưng Riverside Resort and Spa or similar in Hội An
- Included meals: Breakfast and lunch
Day 8: Free day in Hội An
Spend a day at your leisure taking in the extraordinary city of Hội An, strolling or shopping in its artisan stores, or just chilling at the beach. Feasting on the city’s street food is always a must in Vietnam, but particularly in Hội An.
- Accommodation: Vĩnh Hưng Riverside Resort and Spa or similar in Hội An
- Included meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Departure
After breakfast, a complimentary transfer brings you to Da Nang International Airport.
- Included meals: Breakfast
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of mainly small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view our default hotels for this trip
- Mercure Hanoi La Gare (Hanoi)
- Spatel D’Annam Hotel (Huế)
- Aira Boutique Hội An (Hội An)
- Vĩnh Hưng Riverside Resort and Spa (Hội An)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Seven breakfasts and five lunches are included in the trip. Dinner is available either from restaurants at the accommodation or from restaurants in the local area (not included).
Difficulty and terrain
This tour is rated easy to moderate, with daily distances ranging between 15-40km. Some cycling will be through densely populated areas so you should be comfortable navigating through areas like these on a bike. (read more about difficulty grades).
When to go
This trip is available all year round. There will be a surcharge applied for bookings that fall during holiday periods, such as the Lunar New Year. Please note that rainy season in central Vietnam is during the months of October and November.
The Lunar New Year falls between 09 – 13 Feb 2024, please contact our sales team for further details of the surcharge.
Getting there
Click to view travel options and route planner
Our recommended arrival airport for this tour is Nội Bài airport in Hanoi.
Please note: Our recommended departure airport is Da Nang.
Arrival flight: You will need to arrive at Nội Bài International airport where you will have a complimentary transfer to your first hotel.
Departure flight: At the end of the tour, a complimentary transfer will bring you to Da Nang International Airport. You will need to book your departure flight from here.
Inclusions
Included
- 8 overnights as detailed in the itinerary
- 7 breakfasts
- 5 lunches
- Snacks, fruit and drinking water on all cycling days
- Bike rental with helmet
- Train ticket Hanoi to Huế (shared four-berth sleeper cabin)
- Train ticket Huế to Da Nang
- Arrival and departure transfers as per the itinerary
- Transfers as per the itinerary
- Boats as per the itinerary
- Entrance fees as per the itinerary
- Government tax and service charge
- English-speaking guides (as per the itinerary)
Excluded
- Airfare and airport taxes in and out of Vietnam
- Visas (if required*)
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Surcharge for peak season (New Year, Vietnamese Lunar New Year, Christmas), public holidays and/or compulsory meals
- Early check-in or late check-out
- Drinks and other meals not indicated in the itinerary
- Personal expenses
- Optional excursions
- Any items not specifically mentioned as included in the programme
*From 15 August 2023, Vietnam reintroduced visa waivers for nationals of thirteen countries, including the UK. Visa waivers allow for visits to Vietnam for up to 45 days without needing to apply for a visa. If needed, Vietnamese visas can be applied for here.
Options, extras and supplements
- If you are travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Cycling tour of Hanoi on day two
- Private cabin on sleeper train
Complimentary bike rental
We offer complimentary standard mountain bikes, suitable for the paths you will be riding on. All bikes come with a helmet. Sample pictures attached below, note that the exact models might differ depending on availability, but the standard will be the same.
Trek Marlin 7
- Weight: 13.8kg
- Suspension: Hardtail
- Travel: 100mm front
- Frame: Aluminum
- Fork: RockShox Judy
- Wheels: 27.5″ / 29″ Aluminum
- Drivetrain: 1 × 10
- Groupset: Deore, FSA
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc
Trek X Caliber 7
- Weight: 13.8kg
- Suspension: Hardtail
- Travel: 100mm front
- Frame: Aluminum
- Fork: RockShox 30 Silver TK
- Wheels: 27.5″ Aluminum
- Drivetrain: 2 × 9
- Groupset: Alivio, Acera
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc
Gallery
