Epic Cycling & Cruise Adventure Through Vietnam’s Diverse Landscapes
An unforgettable bike and boat journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. Pedal past Ninh Binh’s emerald rice fields, cruise the karst islands of Ha Long Bay, and explore the lush canals of the Mekong Delta. Along the way, discover imperial Huế, lantern-lit Hội An, and authentic local Phở.
From Historic Dynasties to Tropical Water Labyrinths
This trip combines active cycling with scenic boat cruises and support transfers. Ride peaceful rural sections by bike, then board traditional wooden junks and river boats to maximize your time in Vietnam’s most spectacular locations.
ROUTE
The journey takes you through the spectacular landscapes of Vietnam from north to south, combining cycling stages with carefully planned boat cruises and transfers that connect the country’s most remarkable highlights. From Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, the route unfolds across emerald rice fields, dramatic karst islands, and tropical river channels.
The program balances cycling days, traditional junk boat stays, and comfortable hotels to create a seamless experience between riding, cruising, and cultural discovery. Each stage reveals a different side of Vietnam’s diversity, from ancient imperial cities to the expansive water labyrinths of the Mekong Delta.
Guided experience
This guided tour combines cycling with dedicated boat and vehicle support throughout the route, ensuring comfort, flexibility, and assistance at every stage of the journey. It is a fully organised experience designed to explore Vietnam’s most scenic and culturally rich regions in depth.
During the trip, you will cycle selected sections through rural villages, historic valleys, and palm-shaded delta islands. Along the way, the journey includes kayaking in Lan Ha Bay and sailing through the spectacular Ha Long Bay, offering unforgettable encounters with Vietnam’s natural wonders and local traditions.
Itinerary
Day 1 Sunday: Arrival in Hanoi
Welcome to Vietnam!
Once you have arrived at Hanoi Airport, a shuttle bus takes you to the hotel in the heart of Hanoi’s old quarter. Despite its three million inhabitants, you can feel Hanoi’s traditional charm. The historic old town district is considered one of the best preserved in Southeast Asia. There may be time to enjoy a walk through the vibrant, lively streets before meeting your fellow travellers at the hotel in the late afternoon. During a visit to the famous water puppet theatre, a traditional Vietnamese art form, and dinner at a local restaurant, everyone has the chance to get to know each other better. Overnight stay at the hotel in Hanoi.
Includes: Dinner.
Day 2 (Mon): Hanoi – Ninh Binh (Van Long) – Hoa Lu – Tam Coc
14 miles / 22 km + 6 miles/ 10 km
After breakfast our shuttle bus takes us in the direction of the rural province of Ninh Binh. That’s where we start our first cycling tour along vibrant green rice fields to Hoa Lu, the former capital of Vietnam. After exploring the fascinating historical site with its well-preserved relics of past dynasties, we continue our cycling tour, which takes us through Vietnam‘s most spectacular landscapes. Along the way we stop in the quaint village of Tran An where we are able to try some local specialties for lunch. After lunch we continue by bike for a few kilometres to Tam Coc where we leave the bikes and board a traditional row boat, which takes us into the heart of a hidden valley. The last activity for today is a visitation of a local bird sanctuary. Every evening the flock of birds returning to their nests is a spectacular sight. Overnight stay in Tam Coc.
Includes meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 (Tue): Tam Coc – Ha Long Bay
11 miles/17 km
After breakfast, we visit a hidden valley nestled in a dramatic rocky landscape and home to a Buddhist temple. Afterwards, we take a four-hour transfer to Ha Long Bay, where we board a junk (a traditional wooden boat) and enjoy our lunch. Soon after we leave the harbour for our first boat passage through the spectacular UNESCO protected island world of Ha Long Bay with its wonderful, bizarre rock formations. Here we get a first impression of the lush vegetation of the islands and the numerous caves that have formed over the millennia in the bay. In the late afternoon a sunset kayak tour is offered to those who wish to take part. The night is spent on anchor.
Includes meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 (Wed): Halong Bay – Viet Hai Village Bả Island – Bai Tu Long Bay
12 miles / 18 km
After breakfast we cruise, via a smaller boat, to the national park of Cat Ba Island. Once we have arrived, we begin our cycling tour to a small tribal village of the Việt Hải minority. We park the bikes here and enjoy a guided walk through the protected old-growth forest where wild, unspoilt nature rules. The destination is the highest peak of the island which, on a good day, offers breath-taking views over the island and out to Hạ Long Bay. We then cruise east of Bo Hon Island to the so-called ‘Virgin Cave’ (Trinh Nu Cave). A visit to this cave combines the incredible beauty of Halong Bay with the folklore of Vietnamese heritage. We will enjoy dinner followed by an overnight on the ship.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5 (Thu): Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay
kayak-day
This morning we disembark the Junk and take a transfer boat to Lan Ha Bay, where we are able to take part in an introductory lesson in kayak touring. As soon as you feel secure with your tandem partner, you are able to take a guided tour through the lagoon-like shoreline landscape. With a bit of luck, we will be able to observe monkeys that live on the steep rocks with lush vegetation and occasionally their curiosity will bring them down to the shore. Today’s beach destination is beautiful beyond imagination. After lunch and a lengthy relaxing swim break in the emerald green waters our Kayak tour will take us past floating houses to Cat Ba, the next destination of our journey. A short transfer takes us to a beautiful resort, where the evening can be enjoyed on the hotel’s very own sandy beach or at the pool.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6 (Fri): Cát Bà Island – Hai Phong – Hoi An
After a morning visit to the Cat Ba market, we can enjoy a free morning by the beach (late hotel checkout until 2:00pm). We then take a transfer to Hai Phong / Hanoi Airport for a late afternoon flight to Danang. Dinner and overnight will be enjoyed in a hotel in Hội An. Note: in the event the original flight to Danang (from Hai Phong) is cancelled or changed, we will transfer guests to Hanoi to catch a connecting flight.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7 Sat): Hội An – Cycle to Tra Que Vegetable Village
11 miles/17 km
Today we have the opportunity to experience the everyday life and work of the local farmers. After breakfast, we ride through the quiet countryside of Hội An towards Tra Que Village. The name of the area originates from a sweet-scented vegetable often used by the locals to spice up their meals: a totally new and foreign speciality! We prepare a meal with our host who familiarises us with the exotic ingredients. The afternoon can be spent as you wish: A stroll through the picturesque old town or a relaxing afternoon swim at the white beach of Cửa Đại or at An Bang Beach. Overnight stay at a hotel in Hội An.
Includes: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 8 (Sun): Hội An
We have the full day to explore (on foot) the sights and sounds of Hội An. Its narrow streets, lantern-lit storefronts and fusion of various styles of traditional Asian architecture give it a charming feel. Two of the city’s main specialties are clothing and food. Also, don’t miss visiting the Japanese Bridge and Quan Cong Temple. In the afternoon you can enjoy all the benefits of your luxurious hotel resort and end the day at the palm tree shaded pool. Overnight at the Hotel in Hội An
Includes: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 9 (Mon): Hội An – Huế
27 miles/40 km
After breakfast we check out of the hotel and make our way to the former imperial city of Huế. Our transfer takes us over the Cloud Pass, the weather line between North and South Vietnam. After a short stopover on Lăng Cô Beach we have the opportunity to cycle all the way along the coastline to Thuan An beach. On the way we will have a lunch break.
You can decide for yourself how many kilometres you wish to travel by bike or by bus. If weather conditions allow, we can stay for a refreshing swim before continuing to Huế. After checking into our lodge, the evening offers us some leisure time to explore the city for ourselves. Overnight stay at a hotel in Hue.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10: Huế countryside
10 miles/16 km
Today is dedicated to the old imperial city Huế, charmingly situated between hills and rice fields on the bend of the Perfume River. It is here that the spiritual heart of Vietnam beats with more than 300 temples and pagodas. After breakfast, we enjoy a relatively easy ride toward Thanh Thuy Village. After exploring the village (with its unique architecture, temples & bridges) we bike back to Huế where guests will eat lunch before taking a tour of the Imperial Citadel. After lunch, we visit the extensive citadel with its “Forbidden Purple City“, which was once exclusively for the use of the emperors of the Nguyen dynasty. The evening can be spent as you wish with plenty of time to explore the lively centre of Huế.
Includes: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 11 (Wed): Huế – Hồ Chí Minh City– Mekong Delta
12,5 miles/20 km
After breakfast we have a flight to Hồ Chí Minh City with a subsequent transfer to Mỹ Tho, the entrance of the delta, where check-in on board the ship takes place. The ship takes us along the Mekong in the direction of Cái Bè. During the short trip we cruise along the Mekong and can enjoy the flourishing nature of the delta as well as the river related life of the inhabitants. In the afternoon we take part on our first bike tour along the river mouth, exploring the surroundings of a number of the Mekong river arms and channels and the scattered islands therein and take the opportunity to try exotic fruits while being astonished by different local handcrafts. In turn your Junk will take you for a sunset sail towards Cai Be, where you will spend the night on anchor.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 12 (Thu): Mekong Delta – Islands of Vĩnh Long and Tra On
9 miles/30 km
In the morning we cross over to Vĩnh Long Island, where we cycle under palm-shaded paths around the island. We continue by boat to Tra On Island where we again have the opportunity to explore the surroundings by bike. Later on we can enjoy the excellent cuisine on board and the wonderful evening atmosphere in the water labyrinth of the Mekong Delta.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 13 (Fri): Can Thơ – Hồ Chí Minh City
During breakfast, we cruise to Cần Thơ where we discover one of the last floating markets in Vietnam. We then visit the region’s largest farmer´s market, rounding out our cultural experience of Southern Vietnam. Make sure to have a camera at the ready, as the colourful fruit stands beg to be captured. After lunch on board the junk, we check out and take a transfer back to Hồ Chí Minh City. Overnight stay at a hotel in Hồ Chí Minh City.
Includes: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 14 (Sat): Hồ Chí Minh City
Hồ Chí Minh City, former Saigon, is the Boomtown and the modern centre of Vietnam. On a guided city tour we learn about the growing megacity, the town hall, the cathedral Notre Dame, main post office and other important sights which characterize the city’s history. In the afternoon we have the possibility to buy some souvenirs and dive into the madding crowd of the Bến Thành Market. A comfortable evening meal together allows us to reflect on the events of the vacation and to farewell our engaged tour guides and caring crew. Overnight stay in the hotel.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 15 Sunday: individual departure
Departure after breakfast or extended stay in Ho Chí Minh City or Siem Reap.
Includes: Breakfast
Hanoi Pick-up Point
Pick-up is included from Hanoi Airport on the official arrival day. A shuttle bus takes all participants and luggage directly to the hotel in the heart of Hanoi’s historic old quarter.
Airport transfers on the official arrival and departure days are fully included.
Individual airport transfers if not on the arrival and departure days are available on request.
How to get to Vietnam – Flights
Book your flights through your travel agent. Arrival should be in Hanoi before noon, and departure from Ho Chi Minh City no earlier than 8 pm due to the late tour ending. Early booking is recommended for better fares.
If extending the trip to Siem Reap, flights can be arranged from Ho Chi Minh City with possible direct return from Siem Reap. Check connections carefully; Vietnam Airlines may offer convenient fares for combined bookings.
How to book this tour
25% deposit per person upon reservation, final payment 6 weeks before tour departure.
Included
- 15 day trip/14 nights of which 4 overnight stays on comfortable ships in air conditioned double cabins and 10 overnight stays in very good hotels at least 3 stars ranking
- Catering as specified in the itinerary
- Domestic flights see description
- Guided bicycle tours and walks according to the program
- All city tours and entrance charges to National Parks, museums, etc.
- English speaking guides
- Rental regular bikes, the bikes vary from destination to destination
- Airport transfers on official arrival and departure day
- Domestic flights (see description)
- English speaking guides
Not Included
- Inbound flight to Hanoi and outbound flight from Ho Chi Minh City
- Upgrade to an E-Bike (optional)
- Drinks on board and in hotels
- Meals not mentioned under “Included”
- Valid Visa for Vietnam
- Personal (travel) insurances
- Travel insurance
- Anything not specifically mentioned under “Included”
Check available options
Departures & Prices
Choose the option that best fits your schedule and start planning your cycling journey.
Prices are per person in a double room for 2027
2027
March
from
3869€
Options & Supplements
✓
Single Supplement +50%
✓
E-Bike +200€
*Single rooms guaranteed at hotels only.
Have questions or need more information?
Please get in touch with us – we’ll be happy to help!
Accomodation
Carefully selected to ensure comfort, quality, and a relaxing and unforgettable journey.
Vietnam Junks
Premium Class
Stay on comfortable ships in Lan Ha and Ha Long Bays, featuring air-conditioned cabins with private bathrooms and panoramic windows. On board, enjoy the sun deck, dining room and sky bar while cruising through Vietnam’s spectacular limestone seascape.
On land, stay in carefully selected 3–4 star hotels with private bathrooms and air conditioning.
BIKES
Below you’ll find the essential information for rent options.
Regular bike
0€
Electric Bike
200€
Insurance
10 €/trip