Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

From learning to cross the road in Saigon (yep its an art form), to eating spring rolls in the winding back streets of Hoi An to cycling through tiny fishing villages, paddy fields and up beautiful coastal mountain passes - Cycling Vietnam is a delight for all the senses.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lam was incredibly relaxed, very knowledgeable and sociable with amazing restaurant and food recommendations.  He was a joy to cycle with (especially on some of the tougher hills) and he ran his team like clockwork.  Couldn't have asked for better.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You won't be disappointed - this trip is everything it promises to be.  Bring your waterproofs for the inevitable downpours and leave some space in your bag for souvenirs.

Most Inspirational Moment

Coming down the pass from the Mountain Park after overnighting in Dalat. 1500m descent in 30km with countless waterfalls on either side of the road was unforgettable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Chi was fabulous. He was always calm and had a sparkling sense of humor. In his own right he is a very good cyclist but patiently rode with the weakest members of the tour. I believe that the tour would not have been the success it was without him. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do some proper training, be able to ride at at least 23km per hour for 3 hours, do at least a non-stop 80km ride self-supported, know how to use a water bottle in a cage on a bike..... all cycling basics. Unfortunately the cycling can only be as fast as the slowest rider and these basics will make it much more enjoyable for those who are stronger cyclists than you.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing us all conquer the Hai Van Pass. Brilliant!!Cycling through the villages - with high 5's from the kids, as we past, and hearing them laugh at the 'long noses' (us). Truly uplifting, and I felt honoured to be cycling through this amazing country

Thoughts on Group Leader

Long - he was great; really interested to give us the history of the areas; laughed with us. whenever I see a fish market, it will remind me of him. He seemed to be keen to show us one in every town!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes - take a head camera, so that you can film the 33km 1500m descent (Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park.) Truly awesome 1 hour downhill .WOW

Most Inspirational Moment

On two wheels, reaching the top of the Hai Van pass and realising that I've completed the trip, just a year after suffering near fatal head and leg injuries in a cycling accident. Off the bike, the real highlight was Halong Bay. The bay is stunning, the boat was very good and the food on board was exceptional.There are so many others. Crossing the road in Saigon. All the kids shouting hello as you ride past. Sharing utterly disgusting food with Vietnamese rail workers on the Reunification Express. Swimming in the south china sea.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Chi was very friendly, knowledgable, always smiling and very energetic. A brilliant group leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The average age of this group was about 50, maybe more.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many great memories ,  visiting Saigon and trying to cross the road what an experience also paragliding on the boat trip at Nha Trang and cycling on the Hai Van pass,  seeing and experiencing the history of the country. and last but not least the Cu Chi tunnels

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent Chi brought the trip alive a great karaoke singer with a great sense of humor. The whole team were great and the accommodation first class.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go and soak up the whole atmosphere you will not be disappointed.

Most Inspirational Moment

The thing that most inspired me and restored my faith in `humanity` was the welcome from the people, especially the children who waved and shouted hello wherever we rode. The riders in the Tour de France couldn't have had a better reception.The opportunities to undertake other activities was better than expected, and included snorkelling, parascending, kayaking, as well as a cookery lesson. And the overnight cruise in Halong Bay was superb.And the cycling wasn't bad either, with one awesome and some moresome descent of 30 kilometers !Mind you, it did get pretty hot as well; and when it rains, you know it, but carry on cycling anyway 'cos you'll soon dry out.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Chi Nguyen, was very hard working; always available to help or translate, well organised and a dry sense of humour.  Both himself  and his team couldn't be faulted.Apparently he is very good at kareoke as well, but that's just his opinion!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go for it, and enjoy !

Most Inspirational Moment

In Saigon you must visit the War Renmants museum and for me cycling the 103 km from Dalat past villages and forests was just out of this world. Meeting the local ethnic people along the way made this a great bike ride. To finish up with a 30 km down hill fast ride in the forest made a great way to end the day after some up hill climbs. Every day was different with other good cycling days and I was please to cycle up the Hai Van Pass even if it was not that easy I made it to the top and then it was all down hill. The food in Vietnam was good and very cheap in the places where we stayed. The beaches with golden sands and deep blue water are some of the best I have seen in the world.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was Lam and his staff helped out to made this a real great cycling holiday.  Lam made the holiday and with his staff we had good stops for rest every 15 to 20 km. So it was not so hard to ride 100 km in one day and after the fist few days you got use to longer days.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Best take good cycling cloths like pedded shorts as you will need them. A must is a long sleeved cycling shirt if you are not used to the sun you will burn and plentry of good sun protection and after sun. Gel cvover for the bike saddle can be of use.

Most Inspirational Moment

Completing the cycling climbs. The descents were quite awesome as well. Had the best meal for a long time in Hoi An. Truly wonderful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The whole team were wonderful.

Most Inspirational Moment

I spend a lot of time in the region so was not too taken aback at the culture, scenery or general hustle and bustle, but thoroughly enjoyed the experience of my first overnight train journey despite the "prison-cell" conditions of First Class and was left in awe of some of the viewpoints over the passes during the cycling stages. For me the triumph was finishing the 30km uphill climb at the end of the tour - and ignoring the group leader's sage advice on careful riding to hurtle down the other side through thick fog and kickbacks to lower altitude and some breathtaking views. Riding at its best!

Thoughts on Group Leader

His enthusiasm and versatility in changing the itinerary to ensure maximum experiences made the trip for me. He was on hand without being pushy and seemed genuinely interested in making the trip a success for everyone - while maintaining an irreverent attitude and humorous approach throughout. Even his restaurant recommendations were sound - ranging from Vietnamese to Italian and Asian BBQs - and seemed to ideally suit the mood / budgets of the goup. I would certainly view him as a major asset to the company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't overpack - the tour leader arranged two laundry stops en route for pennies, but do consider the climate spectrum (in March at least) and pack a sweatshirt / jeans for evenings as you head further North.The Trek bikes provided were more than adequate for the cycling on this trip and unless you are a pro-wannabe doubt you would gain any additional benefit from the hassle of bringing your own machine, though a gel seat at least is a must.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling full pelt downhill for 30km in about 50 minutes.......starting in the mist, rain and cold weather at the top of the mountain and ending up safe and sound at the bottom with the biggest smile on my face!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Chi was the leader - what a great chap....couldn't have wished for a better tour leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you go in March, the temperature difference between south and north is very noticeable. The mountains outside Dalat are colder than you will probably pack for.........and Halong Bay was a bit nippy too.  Take a fleece and a light rain-proof jacket.  Oh, and the coach will not have heating....just air con.  No issues with mozzies, the hotels are great.  Look out for the old propaganda posters to buy in Hanoi.