Trip grading – ADVENTUROUS Suitable for travellers with above-average levels of fitness and mobility. Prepare for some long road journeys, basic facilities at your home-stay and plenty of walking. Cycling components are leisurely two- to four-hour rides and our support vehicle is always on hand when you’d like to sit out.

What's included – 15 nights hotel accommodation, 1 overnight train (soft sleeper four-berth shared cabin), 1 overnight home-stay and 1 overnight boat trip, all road transport by air-conditioned vehicles, use of mountain bikes and support vehicle from Hue to Saigon, all sightseeing as specified (excluding entrance fees), Western tour leader, local English-speaking guides throughout, arrival and departure transfers, breakfast daily, three lunches and two dinners. This journey requires a minimum of seven passengers to operate.

Tour Leader: Travel Indochina tour leader based on a minimum of 7 people.

Maximum group size: 15

Prices from AU$3,295

Itinerary

Your Journey starts Hanoi, ends Saigon

Days 1–4 – Hanoi & Halong Bay Arrive in Hanoi and take a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter, the best way to get to know the ancient laneways and local people. Discover historic Ba Dinh Square and take time at Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and Museum, and the One Pillar Pagoda. Spend a magical evening aboard your private boat, cruising the waters of Halong Bay.
Hotels: Hoa Binh, overnight boat

Days 5–9 – Reunification Express, Hue & Hoi An An exciting overnight train will bring you to Hue, Vietnam’s imperial capital. Visit the Citadel, seat of power during the Nguyen Dynasty, as well as the tombs of former emperors. Drive and cycle to the enchanting ancient town of Hoi An where you can relax by the beach, have clothing made at one of the many tailor shops, or try your hands at Vietnamese cooking at a culinary demonstration. Make sure to rise early on your free morning to check out the fish market as ships return from the sea – a photographer’s dream come true.
Hotels: Pilgrimage Village, Hoi An Hotel

Days 10–12 – Quy Nhon & Nha Trang Peddle through quiet countryside into the coastal village of Quy Nhon. Quy Nhon has not been developed as extensively as some of Vietnam’s other destinations, and is a relaxing place to overnight off the beaten path. Continue on to Nha Trang for some sunny relaxation time. A fresh seafood lunch is served on board your boat trip around the islands off Nha Trang; take a swim, do some snorkelling or just enjoy your seaside surrounds.
Hotels: Saigon Quy Nhon, Que Huong

Days 13–14 – Dalat Drive and cycle into the Central Highlands’ beautiful French hill station, Dalat. Here you will meet the local hilltribe people and discover a fascinating market – one of the most picturesque in the country. The cooler climate in Dalat means you can enjoy a relaxing peddle around the central lake. Visit the summer residence of the last emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty, Bao Dai, before hitting the road for your journey south.
Hotel: Novotel Dalat

Days 15–19 – Saigon & Mekong Delta Drive down to Vietnam’s most exciting city, Saigon. A walking tour to the most iconic sights in District One will acquaint you with the Opera House, the Hotel de Ville and Dong Khoi Street. Take a bicycle ride out to the Cu Chi Tunnels to learn about the tenacity and resilience of the Vietnamese. Travel into the Mekong Delta and cycle around a small village, where you will spend the night at a memorable home-stay. Return to Saigon. Depart on day 19.
Hotels: Metropole, home-stay

Dates

Duration – 19 days