The Ultimate Vietnam Tour is organized through Pedaltours, a cycle tour company based in Auckland, NZ. We have used this tour company in the past (Vietnam and India) and have been very satisfied with their leadership, attention to detail and value for money. The tour will be a smorgasbord of cultural and historical delights, and at the end you’ll feel that perhaps you might better understand this sliver of a country just south of mighty China.

The tour takes us from Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon) to Hanoi and continues north to the Chinese border. The tour starts with a short flight (included in tour fee) to Da Lat to introduce us to some mountain villages north of Ho Chi Minh City (HCM City). We then cycle down to the coast and continue north through beautiful beaches, villages and countryside whose names we may recall from the Vietnam war, as well as historic towns of Hoi An and Hue, the ancient capital of Vietnam. We then fly from Hue to Hanoi, overflying a 500 km zone of monsoon rains. The second half of the tour takes us to semi-isolated mountain villages north of Hanoi, many with unique cultures and colourful dress. A highlight will be the weekly fair at Bac Ha, one of the most colourful in the country. We finish off with an optional, two-day (non-cycling) visit to Halong Bay with its unusual limestone islands and huge caves, where we overnight in a junk.

The tour includes two domestic flights and an overnight train trip from the Chinese border back to Hanoi.

The cycling tour is 22 days in length, with an optional two-day trip to Halong Bay.

It is recommended that you arrive 1-2 days early to get over jet lag and explore HCM City.

We will have 4 non-cycle days during the tour: in Quy Nhon, Hoi An, Dien Bien Phu and Sapa.

Tour Fee and Bike Rental Costs:

• • US $4,310/pp for a group of 12, US $3,890/pp for a group of 16;
  • Single Supplement: US$840.
  • Bike Rentals:    Trek hard tail with hybrid tyres = US$350; E-bike = US$600. Helmet not included.
  • Halong Bay (a 2-day optional (non-cycling) extension): US$245 pp twin share on a junk with full board.

An extra night in Hanoi, which includes dinner and a hotel room after the Halong Bay trip, will cost an additional US$140.

All accommodations are provided during the tour period. They are at a very high standard (4-star hotels or best available).

Costs are based on two people sharing a room. If you’re traveling solo and would like a room-mate, the leaders will attempt to find one for you after closing of lottery. Please note at the time of registration if you want a single room or are looking for a room-mate.

All meals are provided apart from L & D on rest days.

We will have 15 cycling days for a total cycling distance of 1,250 kms.  Estimated 85% of the roads are paved, 15% gravel. Average elevation gain is about 1,200 m per day, with the highest gain of 2,250m.

We will be riding quiet country roads for the most part, where traffic will be modest and mainly motorbikes. We don’t plan to cycle in major cities (eg., HCM City, Hanoi) where traffic is hectic.

The tour has flexibility in both pace and the number of stops along the way. In order to enjoy this flexibility, each rider should be able to navigate the route using RidewithGPS.

Weather in November in the South is warm and sunny with temperatures between 240C and 320C. In the Central Region (Hue, Hoi An), one can expect occasional showers as it’s the rainy season. In Northern Vietnam (Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay), the weather is cool, dry and perhaps foggy, ranging from 150C to 250C.

• All accommodations during the tour period.
• All meals apart from L & D on rest days.
• English-speaking cycling guides and bike mechanics – number depends on group size.
• RideWithGPS maps.
• 2 domestic flights, economy class: Saigon to Da Lat and Hue to Hanoi.
• Night train Lao Cai to Hanoi.
• Air-conditioned vehicles for transfers and support.
• Support vehicle to carry gear, luggage, first aid and as needed for biker transport.
• Entrance fees, visits.
• Water, snacks, soft drinks, fresh fruit on biking days.
• Pedaltours jersey or arm warmers.
• Basic third party accident insurance through CCCTS.
• One tour leader’s fee at 50% of tour fee.

Stripe fees of 3% for refund of any fees paid through the CCCTS website.

• Vietnam visa, excessive weight luggage, personal expenses, tipping, laundry, alcoholic drinks, international air fares
• Travel insurance for cyclist’s medical and trip cancellation.
• Tipping at your own discretion.
• Note that the trip to Halong Bay, an optional cost, is not included in the Pedal Tours trip fee quotes.
• Airport transfer at tour start and end.
• Any services not mentioned in the itinerary.

Day 1 (Nov 03, Mon) – Arrival (Ho Chi Minh City – Saigon) – no cycling – (D)

Day 2 (Nov 04, Tues) – Saigon – Da Lat – 50km, cycling – B/L/D

Day 3 (Nov 05, Wed) – Da Lat – Hon Giao Pass – Nha Trang –100km, cycling – B/L/D

Day 4 (Nov 06, Thurs) – Nha Trang – Phu Yen – 100 km, cycling – B/L/D

Day 5 Nov 07, Fri) – Phu Yen – Quy Nhon –100 km, cycling – B/L/D

Day 6 (Nov 08, Sat) – Rest day in Quy Nhon – no cycling (B)

Day 7 (Nov 09, Sun) – Quy Nhon – Quang Ngai –100 km, cycling – B/L/D

Day 8 (Nov 10, Mon) – Quang Ngai – My Lai – Hoi An – 100 km, cycling – B/L/D

Day 9 (Nov 11, Tues) – Rest day in Hoi An – no cycling – B

Day 10 (Nov 12, Wed) – Hoi An – Hai Van Pass – Hue –100 km, cycling – B/L/D

Day 11 (Nov 13, Thurs) – Hue flight to Hanoi – no cycling – B/L/D

Day 12 (Nov 14, Fri) – Ha Noi – Mai Chau village – 60 km cycling/elevation 3000ft – B/L/D

Day 13 (Nov 15, Sat) – Mai Chau to Son La – 80 km cycling, – B/L/D

Day 14 (Nov 16, Sun) – Son La – Dien Bien Phu: 86 km cycling – B/L/D

Day 15 (Nov 17, Mon) – Rest Day in Dien Bien Phu – No cycling – B

Day 16 (Nov 18, Tues) – Dien Bien Phu to Muong Lay/ Sin Ho. Cycling: 80 km – B/L/D

Day 17 (Nov 19, Wed) – Sin Ho to Lai Chau Cycling Distance: 65 km, B/L/D

Day 18 (Nov 20, Thurs) – Lai Chau – Sapa Cycling: 70 km, B/L/D

Day 19 (Nov 21, Fri) – Rest-day Sapa – no cycling (B)

Day 20 (Nov 22, Sat) – Sapa to Bac Ha , 80 km / 35-50mi, B/L/D

Day 21 (Nov 23, Sun) – Bac Ha – Lao Cai – 50km cycling – then overnight train to Hanoi B/L/D

Day 22 (Nov 24, Mon) – Tour ends after breakfast

Optional Halong Bay tour:

Day 22 (Nov 25, Tues) – depart Hanoi by bus to Halong Bay – Overnight on a junk

Day 23 (Nov 26, Wed) – Halong Bay to Hanoi. Overnight in hotel.

Day 24 (Nov 27, Thurs) – Depart Vietnam.

Number of cycling days: 15 days

Registration will be available on the CCCTS website as of the dates shown above. Participant selection is done primarily by lottery results, though the leader will make the final decision on who is accepted for the tour and has the option to prioritize up to 30% of the participants (or 4 participants for a 16-person tour). The computerized lottery system will be used if the event is over-subscribed.  A $100 payment is required at the time of registration. The lottery signup will run for 8 days, at which time the leaders will evaluate registrants based on the following criteria:

• fitness and riding ability and experience required for the tour.
• a history of riding with CCCTS and demonstrating safe riding practices.
• acceptable social behaviour.

The leaders may interview riders or others who know them so as to verify their suitability for the tour.  The leaders will have the discretion to make the final decision on whether someone is accepted for the event and may reject applicants after discussion with the Tour Director. Registration fee payments are considered non-refundable in the event of registrant’s cancellation.

The leaders will notify registrants of their selection status. If the ride is not filled to capacity, registration will continue until Sept 17.

Wait-listed cyclists who don't make it to the Ride's "Go List" are encouraged to remain on the wait list; alternatively, they may request a refund of their registration fee (minus the 3% Stripe fee).

After notification that you have been selected for the tour, you will be given instructions on how to make the following payments to Pedaltours:

Payment Terms:      

• US $1,000 within two weeks of acceptance as participant
• US $1,000 by July 1, 2025
• Balance by Sept. 1, 2025

Pedaltours Cancellation Policy:

Cancellations must be made by e-mail to the tour leader and Pedaltours:  (uzi@pedaltours.co.nz).

The amount of payment that will be forfeited if you cancel and if no replacement can be found are:

1. Cancellation more than 60 days of departure – No cancellation charges. Admin fee of NZ$100pp.
2. Cancellation from 59 to 45 days before departure – Cancellation charges of 50% of deposit.
3. Cancellation from 44 to 30 days before departure – Cancellation charges of 100% deposit.
4. Cancellation after 29 to 16 days before departure – Cancellation charges of 50% of the tour package.
5. Cancellation 15 days before departure – Cancellation charges of 100% of the tour package.

Pedaltours strongly recommends you take out travel, accident, medical, baggage and cancellation insurance.

Communicable Illnesses: CCCTS Communicable Illness Policy takes into consideration regulations and recommendations from Public Health Authority of Canada, and BC Centre of Disease Control. In the case of illness while on tour, it is expected that all participants will follow the procedures outlined in this policy. Please refer to https://cccts.org/club-document/communicable-illness/ for details on the club’s Communicable Illness Policy. CCCTS strongly encourages all participants to be up to date on their vaccinations for COVID and all other communicable diseases.  Everyone should bring three COVID test kits with them on the tour and take responsibility for self-testing if they feel ill.  All participants must have medical insurance for this trip, including coverage for COVID-related illness.

Aviation Emissions: It is estimated that the flight from Vancouver to Ho Chi Minh City and return from Hanoi to Vancouver will produce 4.7 tonnes of aviation emissions per person.  This compares to an average of 2.1 tonnes / pp per year for use of a gasoline-driven car.