Asking "Why Vietnam?" is like asking why you ride. Is it the anticipation of what’s around the corner? The exhilaration of a place you’ve never been? Maybe it’s the serenity of a quiet footpath that’s 2,000 years old. Or experiencing Hoi An, a second-century fishing village that now blends modern luxury with its history. How about the fun of passing rice paddies in a blur of speed? Or stopping at an open-air market and haggling with locals? Everything that’s great about getting on your bike makes getting on your bike in Vietnam just such an incredible idea.
Day 1 Enter an ancient Hanoi temple rarely visited by foreign travelers
Our local guides, Dragon and Borin, bring to life the intertwined cultures of Vietnam and Cambodia 
On foot and via bicycle rickshaw, explore the city’s bustling neighborhoods; with its tree-lined boulevards, French-Colonial architecture, lakes and parks, Hanoi is called the "Paris of the Orient."
Day 2 Indulge in some of Asia's freshest and tastiest cuisine
Grand mausoleums of past empires punctuate your ride through small rural communities Experience a cycling thrill like no other: share the road with food carts, water buffalo, locals biking to work and kids walking to school.
Day 3 Explore the historic monuments of Hué, once the capital of imperial Vietnam, including the Royal Citadel, modeled after China’s Forbidden City and the site of intense conflict during the Vietnam War.
Days 4-5 Hoi An: Vietnam's oldest town, beautifully preserved and a delight to discover
Bike over Cloud Pass en route to Danang Leaving the tourists behind, pedal past bucolic settlements and vibrant green rice paddies on wonderfully quiet roads Searching for a keepsake? There are plenty to pick from on Cam Kim, an island famous for ornate wood carvings.
Days 6-9 Ride through Cambodia's exciting ruins of Angkor Wat,
a former metropolis built to glorify a succession of Khmer kings A sunset from atop ruins: you've never seen anything like this! Spin through peaceful, seemingly undiscovered rural villages.
Trip Highlights
- Enter an ancient Hanoi temple rarely visited by foreign travelers
- Hoi An: Vietnam’s oldest town, beautifully preserved and a delight to explore
- Ride through Cambodia's thrilling Angkor Wat ruins
- Explore the historic monuments of Hué, once the capital of imperial Vietnam
- Indulge in some of Asia’s freshest and tastiest cuisine
Premiere Inns
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi (1 night): In the heart of old Hanoi near the Opera House, this five-star historic landmark is a French-Colonial gem with accolades from Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler. (pool, spa)
La Résidence Hôtel & Spa (2 nights): A blend of Asian style and Colonial charm, this boutique hotel is housed in the former governor’s mansion on the bank of the Perfume River. (pool, spa, tennis)
The Nam Hai (2 nights): This luxury resort - a Condé Nast Traveler editor's pick - is set on pristine China Beach, near the picturesque town of Hoi An. (pool, spa, tennis)
Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor (3 nights): This Condé Nast Traveler Gold List winner is described by Andrew Harper as a "stylish and beautifully restored landmark resort-hotel surrounded by a 15-acre park, less than five miles from Angkor Wat." (pool, spa, tennis)
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Guided Walk 1.5 hours
Day 2
- Level 2 2 Route Options Available
- 24, 30 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 2 to 3 2 Route Options Available
- 25, 35 miles
- 500 - 1500 feet elevation gain
- Guided Walk 1 hour
Day 4
- Levels 2 to 4 2 Route Options Available
- 29, 44 miles
- 500 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Level 2 1 Route Option Available
- 22 miles
- 500 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Travel Day
- Level 2 1 Route Option Available
- 27 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
- Optional Guided Walks 2 hours
Day 8
- Level 3 1 Route Option Available
- 39 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
- Guided Walk 30 minutes
Day 9
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 16 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
- Guided Walk 1.5 hours
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests
and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the
next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours.
So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly
what and how much you want to do.| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 mile | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
2012 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 4/1-9Price: $5498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1000 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $525
- 11/5-13Price: $5898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1000 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $525
- 12/5-13Price: $5298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1000 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $525
- 12/16-24Price: $5298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1000 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $525
- 12/27-1/4Price: $5298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1000 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $525
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Guest Trip Reviews
Fabulous trip! One of the best we've taken with Backroads. So multi-faceted: exotic culture, great food, great biking, great hotels, incredible people, fascinating history and temples! WOW. Really loved the cooking class too, helped me appreciate the complexity of what we were eating and loved the Vietnamese cuisine!- Jackson, WY
I can't believe a month has passed since my sister and I got back from our Backroads trip to Vietnam and Cambodia. I have been referring to the experience as "the trip of a lifetime" and it truly was! Having lived in both Sri Lanka and China I didn't really think it was possible to have an 'authentic' experience in a country in just 10 days on a group tour, but Backroads proved me wrong. Biking in small groups and sometimes on my own down remote country roads afforded me the ability to interact, see the people, and experience their country in a way that I believe is difficult for tourists on a short visit.- San Francisco, CA
Backroads never fails to satisfy my curiosity and sense of adventure. The trip leaders always seem to surpass expectations. This latest trip was no exception! I think this was my 6th or 7th Backroads trip over the past 25 years. I've never been disappointed. It’s been a fascination to watch your marketing and service strategies evolve (perfectly!) over the past few decades. I love the direction you are taking with these trips. It is my preferred way to see new countries and new cultures, and there’s truly something for everyone in each trip. The quality of your guides and trip leaders continues to improve to even greater excellence. I wish all businesses were run with this kind of customer-service attention, and basic knowledge (both programs and operations) at such a high caliber. Tom Hale and his team are geniuses!- Sierra Madre, CA
I usually go on trips almost exclusively for the biking, but this trip turned out to be so much more. As Lance Armstrong's book title said "It's not about the bike" and that would have been an appropriate name for this trip. The best trip that I have taken with Backroads due to the profound cultural experience. We really experienced the true meaning of Backroads on this trip. Thank you for a wonderful vacation.- Pennington, NJ
I've taken several Backroads trips, but this would have to be my favorite (so far.) A fascinating region of the world, full of the unexpected. I can't imagine that anyone with a bit of curiosity and a sense of adventure wouldn't enjoy this trip.- Tuscaloosa, AL
A really outstanding trip on many levels - mentally challenging biking, extraordinary cultural and culinary experiences, and the fascinating exploration of an emerging nation.- Madison, WI
Our leaders were superb - attentive, knowledgeable, helpful at all times, positive and fun. The local support was excellent too. We felt cared for all the time. Thanks for the superb routes, accommodations, food, and all the extras. Backroads, you did it again!- N. Vancouver BC
The trip was extremely well designed to cover a lot of territory in a short period of time. It was well-balanced, providing us with a great introduction to the Vietnamese landscape and culture. The accommodations and food were truly amazing. Overall, it was a wonderful trip that I will highly recommend to my friends.- Vancouver, BC
When word spreads, I’m sure you’ll experience a stampede to get on this trip for cultural, historical, local flavor, culinary, spa and hotel accommodation, interaction with locals, seeing what a real "Backroads" experience is about, not having to worry about immigration and check-in service, and every other reason I can think of that attracts Backroads participants in the first place. This is what the Cambodian and Vietnamese biking adventure was about. I’ve had some great Backroads adventures, but, having experienced this, even for those who are less than the Backroads-types aficionados, I couldn't imagine and can’t imagine anyone else who brings an "adventurous" mindset to their travels enjoying a trip more. Thank you!!!!- Santiago, Chile
Beautiful, friendly, fascinating, adventurous and wonderful trip! After a while I had to decide not to stop for every picture moment and chalk it up to a memorable moment or else I would never reach my final destination!!- Saratoga, CA
It was wonderful! Everyone, from the trip leaders to the support leaders from Trails of Indochina went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure our safety, happiness, and well being!! Food was delicious, accommodations superb, and the trip was fantastic!!- Saratoga, CA
The trip was amazing from start to finish. Everything exceeded my expectations, from the leaders’ efficient, confident handling of all arrangements, to the superb food and magnificent accommodations. I have not one complaint!
This was my first trip with you all & I am so impressed. You really put together a great trip.- Collex, Switzerland
Backroads employees are awesome!Carol Waldo - Ventura, CA