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Overview

Bicycle Tours in Vietnam: Vietnam Explorer: Bicycle Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (TourzPlus(TM))

OVERVIEW

This is your chance to bicycle through Vietnam alongside friendly locals. Ride your bike past rice fields, visit local ethnicvillages and explore imperial cities.

We'll Visit the Imperial City of Hue, historic Hoi An, the beach resort of Nha Trang, Dalat - an old French spa resort, andcosmopolitan Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City).

This trip combines Beaches and Highlands and Ancient Vietnam tours.

Learn more about our TourzPlus(TM) partner tours and how they differ from regular ExperiencePlus! bicycle tours.

HIGHLIGHTS

Saigon,Hue,Fishing villages and quiet roads

TOUR FACTS

Use of a 27-speed quality hybrid bike, 15 breakfast, 12 lunches, 11 dinners and accommodatons in threeand four star French colonial hotels. Includes

VietnamCountriesHanoi / Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)Begin/EndHanoi Airport (Noi Bai) (HAN) / Ho Chi Minh City Airport (SGN) Arrive/Depart1073 km (Much less actual riding due to shuttling on some stretches)Total Distance0-118 km per riding dayAvg. Daily Distance301-401: Most roads are paved (exceptions are noted in the itinerary) but the road surface is sometimesrough. We only offer hybrid bikes for this reason.Difficulty

We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Hereare some things to keep in mind about this tour.Most days the cycling distances between places are too great to ride the entire way so expect a combinationof cycling, sightseeing, and exploring.

Keep in Mind

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Dates and Prices


DATES & PRICES

Dates Price Single Supplement* *We are happy to match solo travelers who would like to share a roomwith someone of the same gender. If no match exists, due to hotelpricing, we will charge 50% of the single supplement rate. This fee willbe collected at the time of the final payment. If a roommate assignmentis available this fee will be refunded at the conclusion of the tour.

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Day to Day Itinerary


DAY 1Hanoi

Highlights Hanoi

You will met at the Hanoi airport. Today is designed to allow you settle in and relaxafter your journey. The Old Quarter, with its narrow streets where trades peole can beseen working on the pavement, is well worth exploring. The Water Puppet show is alsohighly recommended - it is best to prebook on arrival in Hanoi. We also recommendthat you add a few extra days in Hanoi and the World Heritage Park of Halong Baybefore the tour.

Meals Dinner

DAY 2Hanoi to Hue

Highlights Bike fitting and exploration of Hue, traditional music show

We take the morning flight from Hanoi to Hue (c.1hr 15 mins). Hue, (pop.286,000)built on the banks of the Perfume River, is steeped in 3,000 years of history. Here wewill meet our cycling guide and fit you to your rental bike, or unpack your own andthen explore the Citadel and Forbidden City by bicycle. At dinner tonight we will beentertained with traditional music in the garden courtyard.

Meals Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 3Hue to - Hoi An (population 76,000)

Highlights Coastal riding, Hai Van Pass

We bicycle from town along a flat coastal road, through various fishing and agriculturalvillages. You will have your first experience of the friendliness of the locals, especiallythe children. Lunch is at Long Co Beach, which is an hour's drive. From here wetackle the Hai Van Pass - the view from the top, and on the descent, is outstandingand well worth the effort. (The support vehicle will be there, of course, should youprefer to take a ride) After a fabulous descent we reach Danang, where you can boardour support vehicle to drive to Hoi An (you can also continue riding if you prefer). Youmay like to visit China Beach where American servicemen went for their R&R duringthe Vietnam /American War or a marble factory and view the exquisiteworkmanship.Bicycling Options:Morning ride: 40 km / 25 miAfternoon ride: 21 km /13 mi over Hai Van Pass, or 66 km / 41 mi to Hoi An

Meals Breakfast

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DAY 4Hoi An

Highlights Rest day in Hoi An

Today is a day at leisure to explore this delightful town (dating back to 200BC) with itsstreet side cafes, artists and markets. Explore the historic architecture of Japaneseand French origin, take in the morning concert of traditional music or take a gentleride (c.10km return) to fabulous Hoi An beach. There is much to see and do and thereare also wonderful pastry shops in the old town and excellent tailors who will make anygarment to measure, including cycling jerseys, in a few hours. Let your guide know ifyou would like an an extra ride.

DAY 5Hoi An to Sa Huynh

Highlights Visit an ethnic village

We drive out of Hoi An town for about 45 minutes (25km) to the start of cycle sectionon Highway 1. The country side is pancake flat with green fields and we will sample aslice of rural Vietnamese life-look out for villagers harvesting rice. We start cycling(about 50km) on a quiet road hugging the coastline before a half hour vehicle transferto Tam Ky for lunch.After lunch, an hour vehicle transfer (42km) from Tam Ky to ChauO Town. From here, we veer towards the coast to start our ride on country roadsthrough Saky fishing village to My Lai. The route includes 12km of unsealed road; it isquite rideable but the support vehicle will never be far away. The ride finishes at MyLai at 4:00 pm; you may wish to visit the massacre memorial site (1968). Pleasediscuss with your guide in the morning whether you wish to tour this site. We thencontinue driving 60km to Sa Huynh resort. Bicycling Options:Morning Ride 50 km /31 miAfternoon Ride 32 km / 20 mi

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6Sa Huynh to Quy Nhon (pop. 260,000)

Highlights Seaside resort

We drive to Tam Quan (15km, 9 miles) to commence cycling on an attractive minorroad through rice paddies, salt making flats, mountainous area and later past shrimpfarms. We will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant on the way. After lunch, continueriding to Tuy Phuoc town where we meet our vehicle and driving 30 km to Quy Nhoncity. We will arrive between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm.Bicycling section: 88 km / 55 mi

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DAY 7Quy Nhon to Tuy Hoa (pop. 202,000)

Highlights Wonderful valley and coastal ride

Transfer 20 minutes out of the city for the start of ride at Café shop in Dieu Trivillage. From here, we start cycling (about 60km) on a delightful quiet road to MeTrang café, though cassava and sugar cane plantations. A picnic lunch will be servedwhen we arrive at Me Trang café. After lunch, continue riding 10 km to Chi Thanhtown before reaching Highway 1 where our vehicle will transfer us (about 29 km) toTuy Hoa city. Bicyling Options:70km (44 miles)

DAY 8Tuy Hoa to Nha Trang (pop. 315,000)

Highlights Vung Ro Bay

Drive out of Tuy Hoa city about 15 km to Tuy Hoa airport. Here we start cycling onquiet road to Vung Ro Bay then up to the top of Ca Pass (about 35 km). You will havea chance to enjoy jungle and bay views on both sides of the road up the pass. Have ashort break at Vung Ro Bay for photographs and a recharge of energy levels beforeheading to the top of Ca Pass. Then we drive to Dai Lanh for lunch before transferringto Nha Trang city. Our last ride is about 17 km through Nha Trang city to the Novotelhotel for our overnight stay.Cycling Distance: 52km (32.5 miles)

Meals Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 9Nha Trang

Highlights Rest Day

Today there is the option of a boat trip to the islands. There will be time to swim andsnorkel, so bring your "togs". Lunch will be at a lovely bamboo restaurant on anoffshore island, returning to Nha Trang mid afternoon. There will be an opportunity tohave a manicure or a relaxing massage while on the boat. There may be time to visitan ancient Cham Tower, a relic from the ethnic people who once ruled this part ofVietnam.

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DAY 10Nha Trang to Buon Ma Thuot (pop. 187,000)

Highlights M'Nong people

Today we cycle through the mountainous Central Highlands. A feature is the longhouses of the Edeh and M'Nong people (the two main ethnic groups in the CentralHighlands). We drive 18 kms from the city to begin cycling on quiet roads, past sugarcane farms towards Dat Set village, which has a local market and on an undulatingroute around a national park. After lunch there is a climb to the Phuong Hoang Passbefore a final drive to the town of Buon Ma Thuot. Buon Ma Thuot is known as thecoffee capital of Vietnam, a country that is second only to Brazil for its coffeeexports.Cycling Distance: 82km (51 miles)

DAY 11Buon Ma Thout to Dalat (pop. 130,000)

Highlights Wonderful route, ethnic village, anyone up for an elephant ride?

We cycle on a very attractive road through a wonderful variety of scenery - through hillsand broad valleys we head for Lien Son, the summer palace of the late Emperor, withits sweeping views of Ho Lak and the surrounding countryside. We also stop at anethnic village, with its long houses and may have the opportunity to have a ride onworking elephants. Bicycling Options:Buon Ma to Lien Son: 75 km / 47 mi (An uphillbut good cycling day)

DAY 12Dalat

Highlights Rest day

We will sample a slice of rural Vietnamese life as we take a lovely side road out ofQuang Ngai. On the wDa Lat, at 1,475 metres (4,839 ft) above sea level, is atemperate region dotted with lakes and waterfalls and surrounded by evergreen forests.Once known as "Little Paris", this was once a French hill station. The surrounding hillsprovide South Vietnam with the more temperately grown flowers, fruits and vegetablessuch as strawberries, carrots and apples. In the morning we visit a silk embroideryvillage, the "Crazy House", with its weird architecture, and the Art Deco summerpalace built for former emperor Bao Dai in 1933. The afternoon is free for you toexplore: Dalat is an excellent area to explore by foot or bicycle. You may wish to ridearound Xuan Huong Lake, or take the cable-car to the Zen Pagoda. A half day tour toan ethnic village is an optional extra - please ask your guide to arrange this.

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DAY 13Dalat to Mui Ne (near Phan Tiet, pop. 169,000)

Highlights Wonderful descent, bamboo village resort, ethnic village of K'Ho

We descend the Prenn Pass, then take a minor road, with superb views, throughisolated country, to a K'Ho, an ethnic minority village where we'll have lunch. Fromhere we continue our descent gently to the coast and our overnight stay at beautifulBamboo Village resort on the golden sand Mui Ne.Bicycling Options:Ta In to Mui Ne118 km / 74 mi (mostly downhill) Or from our picnic lunch to Mui Ne: 57 km / 35 mi

DAY 14Mui Ne to Loc An

Highlights Desert reserve at Phuoc Buu

Quiet roads take us to the coastal desert reserve at Phuoc Buu. Lunch will be at LaGi. In the afternoon there will be more coastal riding as we cycle beside large sanddunes and plantations of the bizarre looking Dragon fruit. You decide how much you'dlike to ride.

DAY 15Loc An Beach to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)

Highlights Ho Chi Minh City

We cycle by rubber, cashew nut and black pepper plantations. On reaching a road sidetemple we load up to avoid the busy highway into Ho Chi Minh City and take the CatLai car ferry across one of the many branches of the Mekong. There is the option ofnot cycling today in order to spend more time in Saigon.

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DAY 16Ho Chi Minh City

Highlights Enjoy the rest of your travels

The tour finishes after breakfast this morning. We will gladly take you to the airportshould you depart this morning. We hope you have enjoyed your holiday and wish youa safe journey home.

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BEFORE YOU LEAVE

Tour planning tips on what to bring, what to leave home,and what you might like to read before your trip.

Bicycle Tour Training program designed specifically foryour tour rating by renowned cycling coach, Joe Friel.

Assistance with flights, trains and booking extra nights atyour starting and ending tour hotels.

A complimentary gift of your choice

ON YOUR BICYCLE TOUR

Superb tour leaders who are great fun and also bilingual,bicultural experts, and avid cyclists. They're experiencedto help you navigate confidently on and off the road.

Comfortable lodging in 3-4 star hotels located in or nearthe town square with easy access to your favorite café(bar, gelato, espresso) of the day, always with a privatebath.

All breakfasts & at least half of your dinners eachfeaturing multi-courses, fresh, seasonal specialties andwine or beer. See specific tour information for details.

On many tours we also have 1 or 2 lunches—see specifictour itineraries for details.

Use of a high quality bike—a Titanium road bike, hybrid,or an aluminum tandem in Continental Europe. For toursin South America, Scotland and Ireland we havealuminum frames. All of our bikes are geared specificallyto cruise the flats and help ease you over the mountain.

Our bikes come with a computer so you can track yourmiles. They also have an expandable rear rack pack tocarry your stuff, and a water bottle that's yours to keep.

Full van support to carry luggage - and tired cyclists, too!

Special events like wine tastings and cultural visits asdescribed in the trip itinerary.

All tips and gratuities at tour hotels and group meals.

Unique routes, marked with our signature chalk dustarrows that ensure you won't get lost. They also give youthe freedom to travel at your own pace.

Daily mileage options—for those folks who just can't getenough cycling, we'll suggest optional routes off ourmarked course.

Detailed route map, and arrows that will lead you tohidden wonders on your bicycle ride.

All the fun (and more) that you expect from yourvacation.

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Transportation to and from the bicycling tour includingairfare, or train travel

Helmets - we ask that you bring your own to ensure thebest fit

Meals not listed in the itinerary

Tour Leader gratuity (with the exception of Expeditions)

AFTER YOUR BICYCLE TOUR

Deeply discounted tours with our "Re-Cycle Program."Your fifth tour with us will be discounted by 50% of theaverage price of your previous four tours; your tenth tourwill be discounted by 100% of the average price of yourprevious nine tours!

Included

INCLUDED

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Our itinerary descriptions provide daily mileage to help youdetermine if a bicycle tour is suited to your physicalcapabilities and interest. You'll also find a note about thetrip's terrain on the "Tour Facts" page of each tour. Thepurpose of this page is to offer a general explanation of ourrating categories.

BIKE TOURS 101

Perfect for people looking for mostly flat terrain, or thosenewer to cycling. Also great for families traveling withyounger children (8—14).

Average daily mileage: 50—57km (30 to 35 miles). Besure to check the day by day itinerary description for thetour you are considering for specific mileages.

Terrain: 101 tours offer flat to gently rolling terrain.You'll find specific information on the "Tour Facts" pageof each itinerary where you see the tour rating.

BIKE TOURS 201

For riders who prefer a combination of flat and rollingterrain with moderate climbs on one or two days. Anexcellent compromise for friends who have diverse ridingabilities.

Average daily mileage: 50—57km (30 to 35 miles). Besure to check the day by day itinerary description for thetour you are considering for specific mileages.

Terrain: 201 tours feature mostly flat and rolling terrainwith moderate climbs on one or two days where youmight gain up to 2,000 feet. Some 201 tours may havesome longer mileage days of up to 85 kms (50 miles)over fairly flat terrain. While others may have days of 30- 45 kms (18—25 miles) with steeper climbs. You'll findspecific information on the "Tour Facts" page of eachitinerary where you see the tour rating.

BIKE TOURS 301

For riders who enjoy some climbing every day. These toursare best suited to intermediate level recreational riders. Fitbeginners will likely do well but may want to shuttle ondays with steeper climbs.

Average daily mileage: 50 to 75 km (35—45 miles). Besure to check the day by day itinerary description for thetour you are considering for specific mileages.

Terrain: For 301 tours expect cumulative daily climbs of1,500—2,000 feet and several days of climbing inexcess of 3,000 feet. You might encounter some longermileage 80—90 km (50-60 miles) days with rollingterrain. You'll find specific information on the "TourFacts" page of each itinerary where you see the tourrating.

BIKE TOURS 401

For cyclists who love to climb (and descend)! If you haven'ttrained or are an inexperienced rider you will find thesetrips very challenging and will very likely need to shuttleregularly.

Average daily mileage: 50 to 75 km (35—45 miles). Besure to check the day by day itinerary description for thetour you are considering for specific mileages.

Terrain: 401 tours are challenging. Expect the possibilityof longer mileage days of 80 - 120 kms (50 to 70 miles)with rolling terrain, or some sustained hills forconsiderable distances - think mountain passes, orsteeper (+5%) climbs that come with regularity andcould be as long as 10 km (6+ miles). You will havegains of 1000 meters (3000 feet) on a third of the days.You'll find specific information on the "Tour Facts" pageof each itinerary where you see the tour rating.

BIKE TOURS 501

Our ExpeditionPlus! tours designed for strong riders lookingfor the challenge of riding across countries or continents.Long daily mileages means limited van support so werecommended these tours for riders who feel confident thatthey can ride every mile.

Average daily mileage: 120 km (75 miles). Be sure tocheck the day by day itinerary description for the touryou are considering for specific mileages.

Terrain: Expect and be prepared for any and everything.

REMEMBER

It is almost always possible to adapt the day's ride to howyou are feeling either by taking advantage of the supportvan, or asking tour leaders for additional mileage.

Need More Miles? On just about every day of every tour it ispossible to add miles to the day. Just talk to your tourleader about the options.

Need Fewer Miles? If you aren't sure about your abilities orhow much you want to ride remember the support van isavailable to offer snacks, encouragement, a lift over thenext hill, or to the next hotel. You are on vacation and we'rehere to help make it perfect for you.

Chalk Dust Arrows. Remember, no matter what level of touryou choose ExperiencePlus! uses chalk dust arrows to markour routes so riders can take the day at their own pace!Whether you prefer to stop at every gelateria, take ahundred photos a day, or push to achieve a new personalbest you'll be happy on our tours.

Level Ratings

LEVEL RATINGS

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BICYCLES

Your bike comes with a pack for the rear rack, lock,cyclometer (bicycle computer), a spare tube and patch kitand pump. If you would like to bring your own pedals andshoes we recommend doing so—your tour leaders willinstall them during the bike fitting. We have flat pedalswith or without cages and straps available. For safety andhygiene reasons you are responsible for bringing a helmet.

Daily Routine (Procedures and Logistics)DAYSHEETS

Each day you'll receive a daysheet with information on theday's activities, meals and ride. These also include TourLeader phone numbers, hotel information and interestinghistorical and cultural information about sites that you maywant to stop and see along the route. Your Tour Leaderswill also post daily announcements in the hotel lobby withinformation about sightseeing in town or restaurantrecommendations for dinners on your own as well asimportant information about breakfast, luggage down and"arrows down" time.

NAVIGATING ON TOUR

At breakfast each day we will make the "Master Route Map"available so you can highlight your map for the day's ride.Of course, we also mark the route every day with oursignature chalk dust arrows. Our arrows make navigatingvery easy—you may never need to look at the map! Thearrows also allow you to ride at your own pace. There is noneed to "keep up" with the group—this is your ride!

But what if it rains? What happens to the arrows? In a lightrain, the arrows actually "set up" and become morepermanent. In a heavy rain, they do wash away. If thathappens, we'll re-group to cycle together for those whowant to continue cycling while those who prefer to stay drycan shuttle.

VAN SUPPORT

The van carries luggage and supports cyclists. It also haswater, fruit and snacks. Though the van has snacks, weencourage you to stop and enjoy markets and find your ownfavorite local specialty.

HOTELS

We have carefully chosen all of our accommodations fortheir charm and location. They are typically small, familyrun hotels that offer you a glimpse into the local culture.

We prefer hotels near interesting sites in the center of townlocated along the best cycling route in the area. Becausemany of the hotels are small not all of the rooms will be

exactly the same. We keep this in mind and do our best todistribute rooms fairly by the end of the tour. Our itinerarylists our primary hotels. On rare occasions, listed hotels aresubject to change.

MEALS AND RESTAURANTS

Breakfasts: we work hard to arrange complete breakfastsbut some hotels still serve continental style breakfasts;cycling is energy intensive so we do recommend you planfor a morning or mid-morning snack on the road at a localcafé or market.

Water is OK in almost all hotels and in country fountains; ifthere is a problem, we will advise you.

We'll recommend lunch locations en route and mostitineraries include a few group picnics. We limit thenumber of picnics so you don't feel pressured to be at acertain place in the middle of your ride.

Dinners together are often pre-planned and pre-ordered.We'll ask you if you have special dietary requirements. Pre-planned meals allow us to provide a variety of regionalspecialties and facilitate efficient service. Water, wine andbeer are included.

TIPPING YOUR TOUR LEADER TEAM

If you feel your tour leader team has demonstrated greatexpertise and service, common practice within the travelindustry is to tip. Tipping is voluntary and greatlyappreciated, and gratuity amounts vary widely. Should youdecide to leave a tip, as a guideline, we suggest 5% of thetour cost per traveler – this for the entire tour leader team,not each Tour Leader. If you’d like to show your gratitudefor your Tour Leaders’ excellent service you can give the tipto any member of the tour leader team, as they share itevenly. In order to avoid social tensions, we encourage youto tip as individuals and not as a group. If you feel yourTour Leaders did not quite meet your expectations, then wewould like to know about it. You will also have theopportunity to leave your comments in our evaluationsurvey which we email to you after your trip.

PHOTOS

We'll be taking photos throughout the tour and weencourage you to do the same. Please note that we mayuse these for promotional purposes. Please inform us if youprefer images of you not be used. We realize that many ofour travelers are great photographers and often people wantto share photos after the trip. We'd love to see and shareyour photos from the tour with the world so if you don'tmind the possibility of being famous (at least in theExperiencePlus! world) send us a link to your tour photogallery, or upload your favorite 20 - 30 pictures to your tourdeparture gallery - we'll send you the link to that onlinephoto gallery in your final email!

What to Expect

WHAT TO EXPECT

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TO DO TODAY!

Read through your Reservation Confirmation Email, it has important information to help you plan your trip!

Check the date on your passport. The expiration date should extend three months past your date of return to your homecountry

Complete the Customer Information Form online at www.experienceplus.com/travelinfo/tourcif

Apply for trip cancellation/interruption insurance within 21 days of booking your tour. Find detailsat http://www.experienceplus.com/assets/files/packingbicycle.pdf

Download the bicycle training program found on the Training Program Blog Page at www.experienceplus.com/training

3—6 MONTHS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE

Reserve your flights after you know you have a confirmed tour departure. Please check with our office if you do not knowif your trip is confirmed. As you make your plans refer to the Getting To and Away sent to you in your bookingconfirmation email it provides meeting times and the starting and ending hotels and shuttle information whenapplicable.

Book your pre and post-tour hotel nights. Please refer to the Getting To and Away sheet you received in your ReservationConfirmation Email.

12 weeks before your tour begin your training program www.experienceplus.com/training.

Final payment is due 90 days prior to the tour start. Please refer to your Deposit Payment Invoice and the Final PaymentReminder e-mail you have received for detailed instructions.

6 WEEKS—2 WEEKS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE

Start reading one of the books or watching one of the movies from our Suggested Reading and Movie List which you'llfind on the country page linked from the www.experienceplus.com/travelinfo page.

Plan what you are going to pack and start packing! Refer to the Packing List on our website atwww.experienceplus.com/assets/files/packingbicycle.pdf.

We'll email your Hotel Itinerary information 30 days prior to departure.

DAY OF YOUR FLIGHT

Get as much sleep on the plane as you can. Pack your Getting To and Away information and one day of cycling gear in yourcarry-on. See you soon!

Pre Trip Planning Checklist

CHECKLIST

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Download - Overview Bicycle Tours in Vietnam: Vietnam Explorer ... · PDF fileOverview Bicycle Tours in Vietnam: Vietnam ... Our last ride is about 17 km through Nha Trang city to ... Bicycle

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