Embark on an unforgettable journey through Vietnam on two wheels. This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know about exploring Vietnam by bike, from terrain and routes to essential travel information. Get ready to experience the beauty and culture of Vietnam in a unique and active way.
Is a Vietnam Bike Trip Right for You?
This cycling adventure is designed for those with a moderate level of fitness and a spirit for exploration. Rated as Activity Level 3 (Moderate) and classified as a Road cycling trip, it’s perfect for cyclists comfortable with varied terrains and daily distances. For a deeper understanding of our activity levels, please refer to our Activity Level Guidelines. If you have any questions regarding the trip’s difficulty, our team is here to assist you.
Trip Highlights:
- Nine days of cycling adventure (including one optional cycling day for flexibility).
- Average daily cycling distance of 43 miles (70 kilometers), allowing for immersive exploration.
- Extensive vehicle support (90 percent), providing assistance and flexibility throughout your journey.
Terrain and Route Details:
The majority of cycling surfaces are well-maintained paved roads, ensuring a comfortable ride. The route is predominantly flat with gentle undulations, creating enjoyable cycling conditions. Notable exceptions include the ascent to Dalat, known for its cooler climate and stunning views, and the iconic Hai Van Pass, a scenic coastal route with some elevation changes.
Vietnam’s climate is characterized by heat and humidity, which can increase the challenge of cycling. However, frequent breaks and readily available hydration will help manage this. Cyclists should be comfortable riding in traffic as some parts of the itinerary involve navigating urban areas.
This is an engaging and dynamic trip with scheduled early departures on cycling days. For those who prefer shorter cycling days, the support vehicle is always available.
Important Note on Itinerary Flexibility:
To ensure the smooth flow of the itinerary and timely arrivals at accommodations, our experienced tour leaders may, on occasion, request participants to utilize the support vehicle. This decision is made if unforeseen delays occur and aims to maintain the planned schedule and ensure everyone’s comfort and safety. Your leader will communicate any such adjustments during daily briefings.
We have assessed this trip and determined that it may not be ideally suited for individuals with reduced mobility in general circumstances. However, if you are an experienced traveler accustomed to such trips, we encourage you to contact our customer service team to discuss your specific needs and the trip’s suitability for you.
Joining Your Bike Vietnam Adventure
Key Travel Information
Arrival Day: You are welcome to arrive at the start hotel at any time on the first day of the tour. A welcome briefing will be held in the evening to provide essential details about the trip. If you arrive late and miss the briefing, your tour leader will ensure you receive all necessary information.
Arrival Airport: Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City is your arrival point.
Airport Transfers and Hotel Access
Getting to the Start Hotel: The start hotel is conveniently located approximately 25 minutes by road from Tan Son Nhat International Airport. For your convenience, complimentary arrival transfers from the airport to the start hotel are provided for all our travelers.
Return Flights and Departure Transfers: Complimentary departure transfers are also provided from the end hotel in Hanoi to Hanoi Airport (HAN), ensuring a seamless departure.
Transfer Details: Unless otherwise specified, transfers are arranged to and from the designated start and end hotels on the official tour start and end dates. Transfers to alternative hotels within the same cities or on different dates may be subject to additional charges. To ensure smooth transfer arrangements, please book your transfers with your sales representative at least two weeks prior to your tour commencement.
Comprehensive joining instructions, including local emergency contact numbers, will be included in your Final Joining Instructions document. This document will be sent to you at least one week before your departure date. If you require these instructions earlier or do not receive them within this timeframe, please contact our office or your travel agent.
Trip Locations:
- Start Location: Ho Chi Minh City, the vibrant southern hub of Vietnam.
- End Location: Hanoi, the historic capital city in the north.
Health and Vaccinations for Vietnam Cycling
Recommended Vaccinations: While there are no mandatory vaccination requirements for Vietnam, it is advisable to ensure you are up-to-date with the following recommended vaccinations: tetanus, polio, typhoid, hepatitis A, and diphtheria. The Travel Health Pro website also suggests considering a rabies vaccination for this trip, as cycling is considered an activity with a potentially higher risk of animal contact.
Malaria and Mosquito-Borne Diseases: The risk of malaria is minimal on this itinerary, but we recommend consulting your doctor for personalized advice. Dengue fever and Zika virus, both transmitted by mosquitoes, are present in the regions you will be visiting. Currently, there are no vaccines or preventative medications for these viruses. Therefore, taking stringent precautions to prevent mosquito bites is strongly recommended. Use insect repellent, wear long sleeves and trousers especially during dawn and dusk, and sleep under mosquito nets where available.
Passport and Visa Requirements for Vietnam
Passport Requirements: To enter Vietnam, your passport must meet the following criteria:
- Validity: Have an expiry date at least six months beyond your intended date of arrival in Vietnam.
- Blank Pages: Contain a minimum of two blank pages for entry and exit stamps.
- Condition: Be free from water damage.
Please ensure you provide your full name, exactly as it appears on your passport (including all middle names), at the time of booking your trip.
Visa Information:
Vietnam Visa Regulations
Visa regulations for Vietnam vary depending on your nationality and length of stay.
- UK Passport Holders: Generally, UK passport holders do not require a visa for tourist visits to Vietnam for stays of up to 45 days.
- US and Irish Passport Holders: Typically require a visa to enter Vietnam.
- EU Citizens: Visa requirements for EU citizens vary by country.
Visa policies are subject to change, and it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visas for your trip. We strongly recommend checking the latest visa information with the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in your country well in advance of your travel dates. This includes checking visa requirements for any countries you may be transiting through.
For your convenience, we have compiled some helpful links to government travel advice websites:
- Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/vietnam
- Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/vietnam
- United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/vietnam
- USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Vietnam.html
Vietnamese Food and Drink Experiences
Included Meals: Your trip includes all breakfasts, nine lunches, and one dinner, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in Vietnamese cuisine.
Culinary Delights of Vietnam: Vietnam’s diverse geography and tropical climate contribute to its reputation as a culinary paradise. Vietnamese cuisine is celebrated as one of the healthiest in the world, bursting with fresh, vibrant, and flavorful dishes.
Vietnamese cooking emphasizes fresh ingredients such as fish, vegetables, rice, and an abundance of aromatic herbs and spices. Lemongrass, ginger, basil, and lime are essential elements, creating the distinctive flavors of Vietnamese food. Influences from Chinese and French culinary traditions are also evident, with dishes like banh mi (stuffed baguette) and pho (noodle soup) being widely enjoyed.
Vietnamese cuisine is guided by the Asian principle of Wu Xing (the five elements), striving for a harmonious balance of spicy, sour, bitter, salty, and sweet flavors in each dish. Don’t miss the opportunity to savor local beverages such as Vietnamese coffee, a strong and sweet iced coffee served with condensed milk, and beer hoi, a fresh local draft beer available on street corners, particularly in northern Vietnam.
Food in Vietnam is generally very affordable. If you prefer milder flavors, you can easily avoid spicier dishes. Western food options are also widely available throughout the country.
Dietary Requirements: We cater well to vegetarians. Please inform us of any specific dietary requests you may have before your departure. However, please note that specialized dietary products, such as gluten-free or dairy-free items, may be limited or unavailable in Southeast Asia. If you require these items, we highly recommend bringing them from home.
Cycling Snacks: You may want to bring your preferred high-energy cycling snacks, such as energy bars or gels, from home to supplement your energy levels during rides.
Snacking Kitty: For those interested, a communal kitty is typically organized. This kitty is used to purchase fresh fruit, nuts, biscuits, and local snacks for the group to enjoy. Homemade lemonade, when in season, is also a refreshing treat from the kitty.
Weather Conditions in Vietnam
Typical Weather: Expect hot and humid weather conditions throughout your Vietnam bike tour, with daytime temperatures generally ranging from 28°C to 34°C (82°F to 93°F). Nighttime temperatures offer only slight relief.
Regional Seasonal Variations: Vietnam experiences distinct seasons that vary between the north and south:
- Southern Vietnam (to Hue): Features a pronounced dry season from December to April, followed by a rainy season from May to November. The rainy season is characterized by short, intense bursts of rain interspersed with sunshine.
- Hanoi (Northern Vietnam): Experiences cooler autumns and even chilly conditions with drizzly rain between November and February.
Best Time to Visit: There is no single “perfect” time to visit Vietnam as pleasant weather can be found throughout the year. However, due to the country’s elongated shape, ideal weather conditions are unlikely to prevail across the entire country for the duration of any single trip.
Ha Long Bay Weather Contingency: Please be aware that boat trips on Ha Long Bay may be subject to last-minute changes due to adverse weather conditions. This can occur at any time of year, but is more common during the monsoon season (October to April). Ha Long Bay boat trips are regulated by local authorities who prioritize safety. If your Ha Long Bay excursion is affected by weather, it may result in a shorter trip or, in rare cases, itinerary adjustments if boat trips are completely suspended. Our local team and tour leaders are experienced in managing such situations and will provide suitable alternatives if necessary.
Angkor Wat Extension (Cambodia): If you are extending your trip to include Angkor Wat in Cambodia, expect hot and humid weather year-round. The dry season in Cambodia is from late October to May, and the monsoon season typically runs from May to October, with transitional periods in between. The dry season offers hot days and clear skies, although occasional showers are possible. The monsoon season brings short, heavy rain showers and generally overcast skies, but this usually does not detract from the enjoyment of the sites. An umbrella or a local poncho is recommended during the monsoon season.
