Region Overviews: Vietnam Travel Guide: Overview
Inside this breadth of natural diversity and jaw-dropping beauty, there are bustling cities, remote hillside villages, centuries-old Buddhist temples and skyscraping corporate headquarters.
A biking adventure through this corner of Southeast Asia is something to savor. Like a Vietnamese coffee, this trip is bold and invigorating. It's sweet too, like the smiling faces you'll see as you ride past farmers tending lush rice paddies. And it's well-balanced, with an intriguing contrast of bustling cities and tranquil villages. From vibrant Vietnam to the mesmerizing ancient temples, quiet red-dirt roads and lush jungles of Cambodia, you'll want to experience every last drop of this journey.
THIS ITINERARY: 8 days, 7 nights
ACCOMMODATIONS: Casual Plus Hotels
Start Hanoi, Vietnam / End Siem Reap, Cambodia
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
On foot and via bicycle rickshaw, discover Hanoi's vibrant neighborhoods, tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, lakes and parks | Wind through narrow alleyways and get a true glimpse into everyday life, passing locals on short red stools gossiping over afternoon coffee | Relish renowned Vietnamese delights.
The design of this luxurious neo-baroque-style property, situated in the heart of the French quarter, was inspired by the adjacent Opera House. (pool)
Fly to Hué, once the capital of imperial Vietnam and the site of intense conflict during the Vietnam War | Pedal through rural villages, where relics of past empires unfold before you | By bike, take in the many facets of contemporary Vietnamese life, from the simplicity of pastoral villages to the grandeur of lavish mausoleums | Visit the historic monuments of Hué, including the Royal Citadel and Khai Dinh Mausoleum.
Relaxation comes easy at this beautiful resort, nestled in the quiet countryside just outside of Hué. (pool, spa)
Get to know Hoi An, a World Heritage site with exceptionally preserved 15th- to 19th-century buildings, bridges and pagodas | Pedal past vibrant green rice paddies on peaceful roads | An interactive cooking class at Ms. Vy's, a popular local restaurant, is sure to delight.
This welcoming hotel has an idyllic location on the Thu Bon River and is just steps away from the historic center of Hoi An. (pool, spa)
Travel by air to Cambodia, where the monumental ancient capital of Angkor awaits | Roll along quiet red-dirt roads lined with thatched-roof houses | Enter the iconic West Gate of Angkor Thom, replete with four giant faces of Buddha gazing down at you—this is just the beginning! | Behold massive smiling stone faces, impressive bas-reliefs and enormous strangler fig roots at the iconic temples of Ta Prohm and Bayon | Partake in a traditional water blessing | Bike through peaceful, seemingly undiscovered rural villages | Relish a sunrise ride to Angkor Wat and wander on foot through the temple grounds.
This refined contemporary hotel offers a peaceful refuge in the historic center of Hoi An. (pool, spa)
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy.
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. LEARN MORE.
The key to a stellar day's ride is a bike that's perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Read on for your available bike options for this trip.
This custom-built titanium mountain bike is ideal for all adventures from dirt roads to rough terrain. Equipped with a rigid front fork and wide, low-pressure tires to absorb most of the bumps that come your way.
This custom-designed titanium bike is lightweight and responsive, featuring Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting, 11-speed compact gearing, a premium Mavic Ksyrium Pro wheelset and a full carbon fork.
A proven classic, our most popular custom-designed titanium bike is suited for a wide range of cyclists. It features a comfortable ergonomic seat and a long wheel base that add to the bike’s control and stability.
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Your journey through Vietnam and Cambodia will probably be unlike any other travel experience. The people you'll meet and places you'll visit will likely stay with you for a very long time. As wonderfully fulfilling as travel is in this region, it's not always easy. These are developing countries and even something as simple as crossing the road can be a challenge.
Our itineraries and Trip Leaders remove as many obstacles and inconveniences as possible, making your next extraordinary encounter always within reach. Of course, we can't remove haze and noise from the air, or replace a poorly maintained road. But if you can be flexible and approach the region with an open mind, you'll enjoy your trip to the fullest! Due to the varied road conditions on our routes, we have specially fitted our bikes in Vietnam and Cambodia to maximize your comfort and control. In Vietnam, you'll have the choice of Backroads bicycles with upright or drop handlebars. In Cambodia, all Backroads bikes come with upright handlebars, as the terrain includes some rough roads with dirt and sand sections. Upright handlebars are safer and more comfortable over these mixed-surface roads.
On this trip we occasionally travel by plane to reach the exclusive hotels and activities this destination has to offer. We'll be flying commercially with Vietnam Airways aboard a narrow-body jet that seats 236 passengers and with Cambodian Angkor Air aboard a turboprop plane that seats 72 passengers.
Inside this breadth of natural diversity and jaw-dropping beauty, there are bustling cities, remote hillside villages, centuries-old Buddhist temples and skyscraping corporate headquarters.
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