Vietnam Cycling And Culinary Holiday

Upon arrival, Viet Prestige travel’s tour guide will pick you up from the airport and then transfer to the hotel for check in. After freshening up, take an orientation tour of the city this afternoon. The tour includes the prominent sights of the Hotel de Ville (home of the city’s People’s Committee), Notre Dame Cathedral and the impressive French style architecture of the GPO building. Following the tour we then have some free time, with options available to pay a visit to the Reunification Palace or the emotive War Crimes Museum. Alternatively you might like to explore the bustling stalls of the Binh Tay Market, the largest wholesale market in southern Vietnam.

Today, free at your leisure, Nha Trang is re-nowned for its golden beaches and turquoise waters. Weather permitting, this morning we take a cruise out to explore some of the surrounding islands. We aim to include Mien, Tam and Mut Islands, affording plenty of opportunities for swimming and snorkeling. There will also be an option to enjoy a seafood lunch on board (at your own expense). Returning to Nha Trang late this afternoon the rest of the day is free to enjoy the sights and sounds of this lovely coastal town. No cycling today – rest day.

Today we combine bus and bicycle along the coast to the city of Quy Nhon. Commence our ride from the hotel in Nha Trang and head out along the Pham Van Dong road and continue on to Ninh An toll fee station (a journey of some 50 kilometres). From here take the bus to Dai Lanh, where we have a chance to swim and relax, before continuing by bus over Ca Pass to Bai Tien Song Cau. From here we resume our journey by bike with a 30 km ride to complete the final leg to Quy Nhon and our hotel for the night.
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 80 kilometres, total ascent 600 meters.

Today, departing Quy Nhon this morning and cycle out across Thi Nai Bridge, the longest sea bridge in Vietnam, which connects the city with the Phuong Mai Peninsula. Once across, continue by bike along the Quy Nhon lagoon towards Phu My some 50 kilometres away. From Phu My we then travel by bus to Quang Ngai, the scene of the My Lai massacre – one of the most infamous episodes of the Vietnam War. Complete the final leg of our journey to Hoi An by minivan.
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 50 kilometres, flat ride.

First colonsied by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Hoi An went on to become one of the busiest trading outposts in South East Asia. This morning, take a walk through the historic heart of this World Heritage Site, go on the city’s famous Japanese Bridge and its museum, before wandering amongst its traditional wooden houses and Chinese temples. This afternoon is then free to perhaps take a gentle river cruise or pay a visit to one of Hoi An’s renowned tailors’ shops, or maybe explore further afield by bike.

Leaving Hoi An after breakfast, transfer beyond Danang to take on High Van (Sea Cloud)  Pass and climb 500 metres over 10 kms. After lunch, drive on to Tu Hien Bridge before cycling along scenic back roads as we wind our way along the Cau Hai Lagoon to Thuan An (a ride of approximately 30 km). And transfer to Hue by minivan for overnight.

This morning is spent visiting Hanoi’s main sights including the One Pillar Pagoda, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, a huge concrete block which houses the former president’s embalmed body. In the afternoon, stroll through the Old Quarter past the old east gate to Thanh Ha market, we can take the opportunity try delicacies and strange (to us) food items while learning about Vietnamese food practices. This busy, eclectic market is alive with the sights and sounds of Hanoi and is the essence of Vietnamese culture! We end our Vietnamese adventure with a traditional water puppet show and overnight in Hanoi.

Today drive to the Gulf of Tonkin and the breathtaking scenery of Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visually impressive landscapes in South East Asia. Boarding the boat in time for lunch we set sail and visit Sung Sot Cave, spending this evening aboard the junk in twin-share, en suite cabins. Overnight on board.

This morning, the boat continue cruising through this wonderfully scenic landscape, enjoying the serenity of its limestone islands and visiting some of the caves (the optional cave visits can involve climbing some slippery steps). Returning to the shore then drive back to Hanoi, a four hour journey that gets us into the capital in time to enjoy a short tour of the city. Overnight in Hanoi.