Overview
This is a Southeast Asia family trip to remember. Suitable for all ages, this tour is made up of very achievable rides, interspersed with other activities off the bike like boating, exploring ruins and former military hideouts, and even helping to cook a meal at a homestay. It's the kind of trip that immerses you in the cultural experience while keeping the whole family interested and active.
Vietnam is often known for its bustling cities and economic growth, but there are many areas in rural and coastal Vietnam that still offer a genuine picture of Vietnamese traditional lifestyles and customs. Friendly, engaging people are encountered at every turn and are sure to be one of the lasting memories of this great experience.
This is a country where you could spend a month and still not have seen everything, but in seven days on a bike, you can certainly get a great taste of the Mekong Delta and central coast regions. There is always the option to extend your stay to take in Hue, Hanoi, and the mountains of the north. Get the whole family pedaling through Vietnam for a trip they’ll never forget!
Pedal-assist E-bikes are an available option on this tour for $245.
Please Note - This tour is intended for families only. It is possible for us to schedule a private session of the same tour for adults, on request, at a nominal surcharge.
85 km / 53 mi riding. The riding is always away from busy roads. Mostly we use only small paths through villages and farmland. Some are paved, some are hard-packed dirt. We aim for shaded areas, but this is not always possible. The ride is almost entirely flat, except for a slight incline on day 6. The ride is designed for families of all ages but would be just as enjoyable for adults without kids. In the Mekong Delta, we are on narrow bike and pedestrian style paths and trails where the support vehicle cannot follow.
Highlights
Cycle through rubber plantations and small villages to the incredible network of underground Cu Chi Tunnels.
Stay the night in the home of a local family for a glimpse at authentic Vietnamese life.
Pedal hidden passageways through the Old Town of Hoi An, then some traditional village craftsmen.
Kayak the waterways of Hoi An before riding to an organic vegetable village in the countryside where you’ll help make lunch.
Experience the art of crafting bamboo and design your own gift.
Day to Day
Today we’ll meet in the hotel at 3 pm for a briefing before we head into the city by foot to take in sights such as the Opera House and former Presidential Palace and finish up at Ben Thanh Market. This is a great introduction to Vietnam, then we’ll enjoy a culinary welcome at a traditional Vietnamese restaurant.
We begin our first full day off with a boat up the Saigon River to the starting point for our first ride. The bikes are waiting, so we get straight into the cycling and pedal our way through rubber plantations and small villages in what makes up the western edge of the country. We reach the Cu Chi Tunnels around lunchtime, so before exploring this maze of tunnels, a bite to eat is in order.
Cu Chi Tunnels were just one of many underground bases of the resistance army known as the Viet Cong. This particular one has been widened and preserved as a museum, and it is an intriguing experience for those who aren't afraid of close spaces and fun for kids to run through. For those who get claustrophobic, there is a nice shady spot where you can enjoy a cool drink. In the mid-afternoon, we drive into the Mekong Delta to the first stop, a small town called Ben Tre where a modest but clean and comfortable hotel awaits.
The Mekong Delta has been developed into a network of canals ranging in size from those big enough to fit a small rowboat, all the way up to multi-lane canals used to ship produce. Many of these canals are lined by paths, both paved and unpaved. These are ideal bike lanes, although much of the traffic is made up of motor scooters. Everyone travels at low speed and is considerate of each other’s movements.
We will pedal these paths today and discover why the Mekong Delta is so vital to Vietnam's prosperity. This is the food bowl of the country and in every direction, you will see the planting, harvesting, processing or eating of food. We do some of the eating ourselves and you may be tempted to wonder if this really is a bike tour or a food tour.
The ride concludes as the day heats up and we then drive and boat on to Tra On, a village where the hosts eagerly await you. Tonight we stay in the home of a local family that has been adapted to provide adequate space and bedding, but you do get a good feel for village life.
This morning you'll arise to the sounds of daily life in the Mekong Delta as roosters announce the coming of a new day. Mornings in this region are bustling with activity and energy, as the locals start their day early while temperatures are still cool. Fishermen will be plying their way through the canals, farmers tending to crops, and half the village will be off to the local markets to either buy or sell their daily produce.
The smells of freshly brewed coffee and a homemade breakfast fill the air, the Mekong Delta is renowned for its fresh produce and you can savor some of this bounty one last time before we make our way to the central coast. We have a bit of travel ahead of us today, so we'll have a relaxed start to the morning and you can enjoy soaking in the ambiance of your rural setting.
Our travels begin with a 2.5-hour transfer to the airport in CanTho, then an hour-long flight to DaNang and the central coast, from here it's just a short transfer to reach your resort and new home base in the historic town of Hoi An. Later in the afternoon, your guide will pick you up and you will head into town on a walking tour of the UNESCO listed old town. For diner, your guide can help with any recommendations you might need.
Our half-day cycling itinerary will immerse you in the culture, history, and commerce of the countryside just south of Hoi An. The scenery is sublimely rural and the experience so very Vietnamese. As one family remarked, "It's like riding back in time compared to the modern amenities of our hotel." Yet it's only a stone's throw from Hoi An.
We begin our bike trip from the hotel, exploring hidden passageways and winding alleyways, with a stop to photograph the iconic Japanese bridge. After crossing the bridge near the night market, we visit a local family making Banh Dap using the traditional method. These small, savory rice flour bowls are a common breakfast staple in the countryside. We continue cycling to one of the area’s most beautiful villages, stopping at a family home to learn about the tradition of family chapels. Our host is nearly 90 and fought in the American war.
Continuing on, we pedal past rice fields and vegetable farms along small canals and waterways towards a boat building site. Fishing is still the lifeblood of the province, and the construction of these boat-works is quite amazing to witness and photograph. Our final stops include a traditional mat weaving shop and a family distillery where rice wine has been produced in the same manner for generations. If the timing is right, we'll also have an opportunity to see families gathering to clean the fishing nets between journeys at sea.
It's a short ride from here to where we board a local ferry for a trip back to town. Have your cameras ready for great views of the Hoi An waterfront. Once dockside, we enjoy lunch in the old town along the river then a quick ride to get back to your hotel. There’s time for the kids to swim in the pool or a dip in the ocean. Dinner tonight is on your own with your guide assisting in restaurant suggestions.
Hoi An has a long history dating back as far as the first century but is known mostly for its role as a trading port for Chinese and Japanese sea merchants during the 17th and 18th centuries. The beauty of the town was miraculously spared the damage that many towns suffered during the American-Vietnam war and today Hoi An is a UNESCO world heritage listed city that cannot be compared to anywhere else in Indochina. It is an intriguing, photogenic old town, located just a short distance from a beautiful beach where you can sit and sip a coconut.
Today we explore the waterways, coconut palm plantations and the famous Tra Que organic vegetable village. We begin with kayaking from near the hotel through Hoi An's fascinating waterways surrounded by coconut plantations and villages where age-old traditions have been preserved. After a short stint on the water, our next stop this morning will be a bamboo workshop where you will be amazed on what you can do with bamboo and learn how to make your own gift. We switch back to the bikes for a beautiful ride through rice fields that ends at Hoi An’s organic vegetable village where a family welcomes us into their home. Enjoy a nice locally prepared and delicious traditional Vietnamese lunch. Our private van will speed us back to the hotel early afternoon. There’s time for a swim at the pool or a dip in the ocean.
The tour concludes after breakfast. We will have a car take you onto the Danang Airport. Alternatively, stay on in this lovely, world heritage listed town with its pleasant beach. Much more awaits north of here for those that have the available time. Feel free to discuss ideas with our team at the time of booking your tour.
Dates & Price
EARLY RIDER PRIZE: Be in the first 4 to book a departure and get 5% OFF the tour price*
*Not applicable with guaranteed, private, or self-guided tours, other discounts, trip credit, or special offers
WHAT MAKES US STAND OUT
GRASSHOPPER STYLE
With our years of experience providing premium-quality cycling tours in Southeast Asia, we have specially crafted this itinerary with families in mind. This means shorter, easier cycling distances, plenty of engaging activities, and family-friendly accommodations, many with pools. Rest assured knowing we’ve taken care of every detail to make sure you are safe and comfortable at all times and everything runs smoothly. Now grab the whole family and hop on the bikes!
