Vietnam Heritage by Bicycle
Vietnam Heritage by Bicycle
Vietnam Heritage by Bicycle
7 Days Starting in Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam and ending in H?i An, Qu?ng Nam, Vietnam
Visiting: Hue, Lăng Cô, Hội An, My Son Sanctuary
Tour operator:
Tour code:
VNM-VHB
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 16
Age range:
Min age:14
Special diets catered:
Please advise requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Activities:
Tour Overview
With a history over 4,000 years old, our heritage bicycle tour fuses the beauty of Vietnam’s central landscape with a glimpse into its rich, evocative past. Concentrated to just 250 km, our journey envelops the area surrounding the Hai Van Pass in central Vietnam. At Hue, the former Imperial capital of the Nguyen Dynasty, step into the past to enjoy manicured gardens and the sprawling complex of stunning palace buildings. Then our bicycle tour through Vietnam continues on down the coastal road to My Son, built by the kings of Champa between the 4th and 14th centuries, now the site of the most extensive Cham remains.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Meet In Hue
Location: Hue
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Emm Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
We start this bike tour by meeting in Hue, the old capital of the Nguyen Dynasty. It is worth arriving in the morning, so you have time to explore this wonderfully historic city. You can fly to Hue from Saigon or Hanoi, or alternatively you can fly into Danang and transfer up to Hue (transfer can be arranged at an additional cost). SpiceRoads can arrange these internal flights. We meet in the early afternoon for an introduction to the Nguyen Dynasty at the Imperial Citadel, modeled after the Forbidden City in China. While much of this site was destroyed during the Tet Offensive, you will nevertheless gain a clear understanding of how the royal family lived during the peak of their rule. We then end our day with a traditional Vietnamese dinner.
Day 2 : Hue's Tombs
Location: Hue
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Emm Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We explore by bicycle and boat the rich heritage left behind by the emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty. We start our cycling trip with with a ride to a pier where we meet our boat for a cruise on the Perfume River to the seven-story Thien Mu Pagoda that has become the symbol of the city. Be sure to get a photo with the marble turtle! Then it's back on the bikes for a ride through the rolling countryside to Ming Mang mausoleum. After a walk through this extensive complex, we cycle back across the Perfume River to Hue via the mausoleum of Khai Dinh. After our undulating ride, we will have earned our dinner of Vietnamese specialties.
Ride: 30km
Elevation: +179m
Descent: -179m
Day 3 : Hue Countryside
Location: Hue
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Emm Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, we cycle a loop of Hue’s lush countryside on a mix of footpaths and quiet country lanes to the traditional village of Phuoc Tich. The route follows back roads passing through many untouched villages and local markets. Along the way, we'll come across a Catholic village, perhaps see locals making colourful incense or cutting bamboo into useful items. A highlight of Phuoc Tich are the many homes that date back 200 years and follow traditional feng shui design. We visit ancient houses and learn more about this rich and culturally significant village. In the afternoon, loop back toward Hue along quiet country lanes. Dinner is on your own tonight to experience some authentic Vietnamese dishes.
Ride: 50km
Elevation: +144m
Descent: -145m
Day 4 : Hue - Lang Co
Location: Hue, Lăng Cô
Accommodation: Resort, Resort
Accommodation Name: Lang Co Beach Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We leave Hue and follow the coast south. During our cycle, we'll pass roads shaded by coconut palms, and dunes scattered with mini mausoleums. These colourful graveyards are comprised of inlaid broken tiles and dishes creating symbols of the afterlife with lotus flowers, dragons, and cranes. We ride to Phuoc Tuong Hill and then transfer the final 40 km to Lang Co Beach. Here we have lunch, and the rest of the day is free to enjoy the resort and beach.
Ride: 65km
Elevation: +122m
Descent: -125m
Day 5 : Lang Co - Hoi An
Location: Lăng Cô, Hội An
Accommodation: Resort, Resort
Accommodation Name: Vinh Hung Riverside Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Our hardest cycling day lies ahead, with a 11-km climb and an ascent of 550 m to the top of Hai Van Pass. It is a gradual gradient with many switchbacks, and the superb views at the top make it well worth the effort. The reward is a downhill to Danang, our destination for lunch. After lunch, we have a flat and very scenic ride to Hoi An. It is just a short distance to the Marble Mountains, an outcrop of five rocks said to represent the five elements, (Wood, Water, Metal, Fire, and Earth). We then visit Danang Beach (formerly China Beach), made famous by the American TV series “China Beach”. After a brief stop at the beach, we continue down this country road to Hoi An. The town was known as Faifo to early western traders and was one of Southeast Asia’s major trading ports during the 17th and 18th centuries. It was an important point of call for Chinese, Japanese, and Portuguese traders, and the architecture reflects its cosmopolitan past. More than anywhere in Vietnam, Hoi An retains the feel of the past. There are over 844 structures of historical significance, and most people spend the afternoon wandering around and enjoying the sights and atmosphere.
Ride: 55km
Elevation: +791m
Descent: -788m
Day 6 : Hoi An - My Son - Hoi An
Location: Hội An, Hội An, My Son Sanctuary
Accommodation: Resort, Resort
Accommodation Name: Vinh Hung Riverside Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
We ride out on small village roads on our way to visit My Son, the ancient centre of the Cham civilisation. The ride is worth the effort, as we cycle along scenic country backroads past paddy fields and many pretty villages. Eventually, we arrive at My Son, which was once Champa’s greatest city from the 4th to the 14th centuries. Although many of the temples were destroyed by American bombs, there is still enough of the archaeological site to impress visitors. We take lunch before spending the afternoon visiting the site. Then, we transfer by bus back to Hoi An for dinner. Dinner is your choice, though the decision may be difficult with so many choices!
Ride: 50km
Elevation: +179m
Descent: -179m
Day 7 : Hoi An Departure
Location: Hội An
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our cycling adventure comes to an end today. We celebrate our success with one last breakfast together.
What's Included
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SpiceRoads jersey
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Water bottle
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Support vehicle
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Fully Guided
Experienced local English-speaking guide on this tour.
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Meals
As detailed in itinerary.
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Accommodation
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Bike and helmet
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Snacks and drinks
What's Not Included
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Airport Transfers at Destination
Airport pick up and drop off service are not included.
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Additional Services
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International Travel
International flight are not included.
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Visa fees
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Alcohol
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Tips
Single Supplement
US$ 250
Mode of Transport
Bikes
Included in this tour are well-known makes of mountain bikes with lightweight alloy frames, 24- to 27-speed gearing, v-brakes, and Shimano components and front suspension.
You can also hire an electric bike (or an E-Bike) for the price listed in the tour pricing section. We have 2 sizes available: S = 155 cm - 170 cm and M = 171cm - 180 cm. The E-Bikes are GIANT brand with SHIMANO Alivio1,9 speed, disc brakes, and adjustable suspension fork.
Bike Repairs
Basic spares and tools are carried by the guide and on the support vehicle, though we cannot guarantee having spares for every conceivable problem. Carrying a basic tool kit, a spare tube and a pump while riding is recommended.
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, Local English speaking guide on this tour.
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What is the maximum group size?
The max group size is 16 peoples.
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
This tour is classed as MODERATE.Moderate trips are for the recreational cyclist looking for a bit more of a challenge. Riders can expect distances of over 75 kilometers on flat terrain, or maximum daily climbing of up to 500 meters over a shorter distance. Moderate trips have more variety in day to day riding, and can include a longer or more challenging climbing day or two. Road conditions may be rough or hard-packed dirt, but with no off-road or technical sections. Cycling experience and good fitness are strongly recommended.
To prepare yourself, aim to ride twice a week, with a long ride on the weekend so that you’ll be comfortable riding for several hours at a time. Add variety to your cycling experience, like new routes and in new areas, to build confidence. -
Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Airport pick up and drop off are not included.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
SpiceRoads does not require you to pay a surcharge for traveling alone. We will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveler of the same gender and if we can not match you up we will provide a single room at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room. The cost of the single supplement is US$ 250.
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
Vietnam e-Visa is available to 80 nationalities. Please check this link to determine if your country is on the list. To apply for an e-visa please visit the official government website here and follow the required steps and make payment. You can apply for a single entry visa up to 30 days. Multiple entry e-visas are not currently available. For peace of mind, we suggest applying for your e-visa as early as possible, and no later than 2 weeks before your expected arrival in Vietnam. While processing time is generally no more than 1-3 working days (not including weekends and Vietnamese holidays), it is wise to give yourself some buffer time in case there are any issues.
If your nationality is not on the list for e-visa eligibility, or you need options for longer stays or multiple entries, then you may consider Visa on Arrival. The process for this is more complicated than e-visa and requires the acquisition of a visa letter prior to arrival. Please see here for a detailed overview.
If you are joining our "Saigon to Bangkok" or "Saigon to Siem Reap" tour, when you are applying for your e-visa, please select Song Tien Landport as the exit point. This refers to the river crossing at Chao Doc. -
Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in itinerary.
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Are flights included in this tour?
International and Domestic flights are not included.
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Do I need to have travel insurance?
Yes! SpiceRoads insists that all clients must take out good travel insurance before joining one of our tours. There are inherent risks involved in cycling and mountain biking and we will not be liable for your medical expenses or evacuation in case of an accident. This insurance must include adequate coverage for any personal accident, medical expenses, injury, death and repatriation. Insurance should also provide coverage for cancellations or curtailment of the holiday. Clients should also ensure that there are no exclusion clauses limiting protection for any dangerous or unusual activities that might be included in their tour. If you join the tour without adequate insurance you may be disallowed from continuing on the tour without the right of refund. Clients are solely responsible for arranging their insurance and they should ensure that they are covered for the full duration of their tour. Your tour leader will ask for copies of your insurance before allowing you to join the tour. This protects both you and us.
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Is the trip guaranteed to depart and does it require a minimum number of people?
There is a minimum number of participants (usually 2) required to enable the trip to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to Depart'. Once a trip is guaranteed to depart you are free to book your flights and make other travel arrangements. If the trip status is ‘Limited’ will mean we have only a small number of spaces available for booking. If you are unsure about the trip status, please contact us.
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Why hire a bike from SpiceRoads?
SpiceRoads bikes are never just "fit for duty" but a key component of our riders’ tour experience and satisfaction. For tours with bike hire option, renting one of our bikes saves hassle, not to mention precious luggage allowance. All SpiceRoads tours use well-known makes of mountain, hybrid or road bikes (depending on the tour) with lightweight alloy frames, 24- to 27-speed gearing, v-brakes or disc brakes and Shimano components. Mountain bikes all have front suspension. We renew bikes in our fleet every two seasons. When in use, our bikes are well-cared for, including full service before each trip and daily cleaning while on tour. SpiceRoads tour support vehicles carry plenty of spares and extra tubes for every emergency.
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Do you have E-Bikes?
Electric "pedal assist" e-bikes are available on select tours. E-bikes can help manage long distances and climbing terrain through the use of a pedal-activated electric motor. Unlike other e-bikes, "pedal assistedr" e-bikes feel more natural to the rider. We recommend e-bikes for riders interested in tours that might normally be too challenging for them, or for groups of riders with mixed ability. E-bikes provide assistance for long distance or more challenging terrain, but they can’t do all the work for you! Always chose a tour within the range of your own abilities to ensure your own enjoyment when exploring a new destination. Contact us for a complete list of e-bike available tours.
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What do I need to bring if I rent a SpiceRoads bike?
Bikes rented for tours always come with a helmet, a single water bottle cage, and a standard saddle. If you prefer to bring your own saddle (just the saddle, not the seat post), additional water bottle cage, or SPD pedals, we will fit them to your bike for the tour. Don’t forgot to bring your shoes and cleats if you bring SPD pedals! Women specific seats are recommended for longer tours. We have a limited supply of gel seat covers to soften the ride, and of strap-on toe cages. Please enquire about adding these during your booking.
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Do you have details of the SpiceRoads fleet?
In Thailand we have a fleet of Verve city bikes, TREK 4300 and X-Caliber 7 mountain bikes, TREK 7.2 X, FX 3 and 7200 hybrid bikes and Trek 2.1 C, Domane 2.0, Lexa SL and carbon Émonda S5 road bikes. We also carry Giant 2019 Explore E+ 3 e-bikes. Our bicycles are available in sizes ranging from 13 inches to 22 1/2 inches or 47 cm to 62 cm. Please note that a certain frame model is not guaranteed. In Bangkok and Chiang Mai, baby seats, tag-alongs, and child bikes for children are available. In Bangkok the single-wheeled tag-along bike attach to the seat-post of an adult bike, allowing a child to pedal along behind the adult. There's no age limit to the tag-along bike, but there is a 36 kg weight limit. Bike hire is include in the tour price for short tours, while longer tours offer bike hire as a supplement, as many riders opt to bring their own bike for our cycling tours. Depending on the destination, length of tour, and type of bike, hire costs vary.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
SpiceRoads Cycling allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform spiceroads cycling, 40 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
SpiceRoads Cycling requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of spiceroads cycling charges.
At 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 0% of booking price.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.