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Hanoi to Saigon Cycling Tour | |
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Vietnam |
April 5-20, 2008 |
| Cycling tours to Vietnam have turned up on many OTHGI evaluation forms as an idea for a future trip – and we listened! We are very excited to bring you this fabulous activity-packed adventure to experience some of the best that Vietnam has to offer. This tour has been designed with care to ensure that you get the most from your visit by including flights between two major cities to shorten travel time. Our hotels were chosen for their unique qualities and high level of service. They reflect French and Vietnamese colonial styles as well as newer properties that showcase the diversity of modern Vietnam. We took the term “cycling” a bit liberally with this tour – in addition to nine days of riding, we have included two very typical Vietnamese activities on wheels which will get you out in the country and around town. You’ll experience a cyclo ride in Hanoi and a motorbike tour in Hue (as a passenger only!) You will begin your journey with individual airport pick-ups for a comfortable ride to our first hotel. This evening we will enjoy a cyclo ride to KOTO’s for dinner, the not-for-profit restaurant and training program supported by OTHGI. In Hanoi you will enjoy a guided walk around the Old Quarter, see the world famous Water Puppets and stretch your legs on a glorious countryside bike tour where you’ll be riding through villages, farmland and other interesting stops. The following two nights will be spent near Hoa Binh at a French-Vietnamese hotel in the midst of a Viet-Hmong hill tribe village. Tucked in 25 hectares of tea plantations and lakes, La Ferme du Colvert is the perfect starting point for two days of fantastic riding. There will be some hills on this part of the itinerary but you’ll have plenty of opportunities for photos and breaks to take in the surrounding beauty. After an afternoon flight from Hanoi, we arrive at Hue, the former Vietnamese capital and Imperial City. Its cultural and historical significance is echoed in our French Colonial hotel, which will be home base for the next three nights. You’ll ride to the Citadel and the Imperial City and then on to the Tomb of Tu Doc for a guided tour. The Imperial City was built in 1804 for exclusive use by the emperor and his household, very much like Beijing’s Forbidden City. We’ve included a motorbike tour the next day for an exciting excursion into the countryside, visiting small villages and markets, riding between the rice paddies and getting out of town in a uniquely Vietnamese way. Cycle out of Hue the following day through back roads and then transfer to Lang Co for a lazy afternoon on the beach or by the pool – and take a well-deserved rest! Hoi An, your next destination, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. This old-world gem was Vietnam’s most important port and trading post from the 16th to the 18th century. Today you’ll be transferred to the top of Hai Van Pass for a spectacular ride down the mountain and along the coastal road. After a fantastic morning ride past mangroves, rice fields (even a short section right into the rice fields) and fruit farming, enjoy an afternoon walking tour of Hoi An with a visit to The Japanese Bridge and buildings of historic interest. Complete your day by enjoying a rest at the pool or exploring the excellent shopping in Hoi An. On the drive to Quy Ngon the following day, we will make a stop at the My Lai Massacre Memorial near Quang Ngai as well as other points of interest along the route. The following day you’ll take a morning bike ride along the coast with an option to extend the ride. Two nights are spent at the Life Resort with its beautiful beaches and nearby islands. There are plenty of activities to occupy your free time at this peaceful resort. An early morning flight whisks you to Saigon for the final two nights of the tour. Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) is Vietnam’s commercial headquarters. The wide boulevards and grand colonial facades of central Saigon are a result of years of French control and influence. Our hotel, a 1925 landmark, reflects this colonial past and retains much of its original charm. An afternoon walking tour of Saigon is planned. The Cu Chi Tunnels will be our destination the following morning where, after a coach transfer, you will cycle on quiet roads. In the afternoon a tour of the historic Tunnels is planned. Enjoy a wonderful farewell dinner this evening in Saigon. After 15 days of experiencing so much of what is good about Vietnam, sharing memories of the more difficult years of this country and celebrating our success in being able to do all of this from the view of a bicycle with OTHGI friends – we think you’ll agree that this is a trip not to miss! |
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| We are also offering a pre-trip extension to Halong Bay from April 2-5 2008. More info to follow... | |