Travel Vietnam
Bustling Vietnam
Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia’s most exciting and diverse cycling destinations with foods and flavours to equal the stunning rural, river and mountain landscapes.
Having burst onto the world economic scene in recent years, Vietnam has shedded its image of tragic, war-torn destination, replacing it with a modern and forward-moving vibe great for riding.
From the Mekong Delta in the south, to the dramatic mountains of the north, Vietnam also boasts two emerging world-class cities, a coastline dotted with spectacular beaches and some wonderful historical sites to pedal through.
The country is blessed with diverse and picturesque landscapes, warm, friendly people, a rich cultural heritage, and an appealing, tasty and varied cuisine - all best taken in on two wheels.
QUICK FACTS
CURRENCY
Dong
CAPITAL CITY
Hanoi
POPULATION
Approx. 92.5 milliom
TIME ZONE
GMT +7
LANGUAGE
Vietnamese
RELIGION
Buddhism
MAIN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS
Hanoi (HAN) - Saigon (SGN) - Danang (DAD)
Highlights for Visitors
The Big Cities: Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City
It’s not easy choosing which end of Vietnam to cycle in, so we recommend both! Hanoi in the north has protected most of its historic, French colonial past and tends towards modest commercial development, while in the south Saigon embraces more of a high-rise style of modern construction with towering new buildings now dotting the landscape. Both cities exude charm, showcase their history well and retain pride in their wonderful culinary traditions. We recommend spending additional time in the cities before and/or after your bicycle adventures; feel free to ask us for recommendations of things to do and places to stay!
Highlights for Visitors
Historical Hoi An
Hoi An is Vietnam’s most talked about destination, now recognized internationally for its food, architecture and spectacular scenery. No wonder most of our our multi-day bike trip routes pass through this town! The ancient city center is a UNESCO protected site and throughout the region, gentle landscapes and friendly locals make this a paradise for tourists, and cyclists. With a beautiful beach nearby where you can relax after your ride, this is truly a destination for travelers of all ages and with all
Highlights for Visitors
The Mekong Delta
With its flat though stunningly beautiful landscapes, the Mekong Delta is a biking paradise. Fields of rice paddies, fruit orchards, flocks of ducks and endless vegetable farms are the backdrop to shady paved roadways and canal paths. The Delta is also known for its floating markets and handcrafted arts, with foods and flavors to tempt young and old alike.
Highlights for Visitors
Northern Highlands and Villages
Steep, verdant hillsides and numerous ethnic tribes create a colorful backdrop for a ride in the north of Vietnam. Sapa has traditionally been the destination for visiting hill-tribe villages, with its colorful markets and spectacular setting in the shadow of Fansipan, Vietnam's highest mountain. The region of the Ha Giang Plateau is becoming an increasingly popular cycling holiday destination with its stunning scenery and off-the-beaten-track feel.
Highlights for Visitors
Halong Bay
With emerald seas studded with towering limestone, jungle-clad cliffs, Ha Long Bay rightfully deserves its reputation as one of the world’s most spectacular seascapes. Cruising around the islands and exploring their many caves is one of the highlights of any visit to Vietnam, a perfect way to end your biking excursion. Although we don't visit Halong Bay as part of our cycling itineraries, we are happy to recommend trip extensions to this UNESCO protected region with the best boat overnight boat companies.
Weather & Climate
Being 1650km from north to south, Vietnam's seasons vary across the country, making it a year round destination for bike tours. This also means that you will probably encounter some rain if you are travelling extensively, regardless of your month of travel.
Northern Vietnam (Hanoi, Ha Giang and Sapa) is cold in the winter months (Nov-Mar), and can be damp and misty, although there are also beautifully sunny days at this time of year.
The central region (Hoi An, Hue & Nha Trang) is wettest from September to December with occasional typhoons, which can occasionally disrupt travel.
The south experiences the regular Southeast Asian monsoon between June and October, with dry sunny weather from November to April. December and January are the coolest months with temperatures rising during April and May leading to the onset of the rains.
When is the best time to visit Vietnam?
Generally, the best time to visit Vietnam is during the months of November to February when the monsoon rains are not as frequent, the landscape is full of vibrant green, and the temperatures in the central and southern regions in particular are cool and provide some relief from the typical heat and humidity. While the north can be chilly in these months, it is still a great time to visit. Once you reach March and April, temperatures soar and you may be less comfortable being active. Intermittent rain showers hit the country from June to December, and although the rain can come as a relief it also causes some flooding that is best to avoid.
Saigon
Danang
Hanoi
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