Vietnam
Itinerary in brief
A detailed hard-copy will be sent on request.
Day 1
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
Arrive
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and transfer to the hotel. Relax,
meet group followed by drinks and dinner in the evening.
Day 2
Saigon.
Explore exciting and exotic Saigon,
a city of modern commercialism, fascinating history, ancient
traditions and great shopping.
Day 3
Saigon - Cu Chi Tunnels (55kms).
Experience the city and country traffic from the comfort
of an air-conditioned bus on the easy but busy road to the
famous Cu Chi Tunnels. These tunnels,
which stretch for miles, are where the Vietcong built
their barracks, storehouses and a hospital, right under the
noses (and feet) of the U.S. forces. Afternoon go check out
the bikes before riding out tomorrow.
Day 4
Saigon – My Tho – Cantho (170kms).
Today
we ride a hot but pleasant 170kms to Cantho,
regional capital of the Mekong Delta. Night stay with a family
on an island in the river, experience the hustle and bustle
of the morning floating markets and take a cruise down palm-edged
backwaters reminiscent of Apocalypse Now.
Day 5
Cantho – Saigon (170kms).
Return
to Saigon with a few detours along the way to take in the
sights including the beautiful My Thuan Bridge,
a virtual replica of the Anzac Bridge in Sydney.
Day 6
Saigon – Dalat (315kms).
Early
start to ride the glorious mountain roads to the Central
Highlands’ hilltop retreat town of Dalat.
Day 7
Dalat.
Rest Day in cool
Dalat, exploring the town and local sights. Dalat is known
locally as the Place of Eternal Spring.
Day 8
Dalat – Nha Trang (214kms).
It’s a lovely ride today down meandering roads from the mountains
to the sea. An early start has us arriving in Nha
Trang in time to enjoy the stunning views
and glorious beaches. Swim in the South China
Sea with a backdrop of tropical islands and
sip a cold drink at a beachside café.
Day 9
Nha Trang – Quy Nhon (300kms).
We head up Highway One towards our
next major destination, Quy Nhon on
the coast. Another dip in the balmy waters sets us up perfectly
for enjoying a seafood dinner at one of the beachfront
restaurants.
Day 10
Quy Nhon – Hoi An (237kms).
Keeping
to the coastal highway, today’s ride finishes in wonderful Hoi
An, a riverside gem and the “Parisian Left
Bank” of Vietnam. A haven of artist’s colonies, this ancient
town is full of silk, cotton and artwork. It is probably
also the best place in Vietnam to shop, so don’t stock up
too much in Saigon.
Day 11
Hoi An.
Rest Day chilling
out by the pool, riding to the beach 15 minutes away or meandering
through shops and markets. There are literally hundreds of
restaurants and eateries in Hoi An and
the food is superb at most of them.
Day 12
Hoi An.
Nobody wants to leave
Hoi An – so we don’t!! There’s time pick up the tailor-made
clothes and shoes you ordered and that painting you have
been agonising over for two days!
Day 13
Hoi An – Danang – Hue (135kms).
On to Danang (as mentioned by Robin Williams in “Good Morning
Vietnam”) and thence to the old capital of Hue (pronounced
“way”). En route visit Marble Mountain and take
in the breathtaking view from Hoi Van Pass. We leave
the larger bikes at this point.
Day 14
Hue – Hanoi (overnight train).
Cruise on the Perfumed River, explore the citadel
and palaces of the ancient imperial capital. Late afternoon
“All aboard” for a night on the Re-unification Express across
the DMZ to Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi.
Day 15
Hanoi
Rest day with opportunity to explore this obviously French
colonial influenced city at your own speed. Pick up new bikes.
Day 16
Hanoi – Yen Bai (170kms).
North-west towards the China border stopping the night in
the Yen Bai and visiting mountain
tribe people en route.
Day 17
Yen Bai – Sapa (180kms).
On to
the remote and beautiful mountain town of Sapa.
Today is highlighted by a marvellous, scenic, winding mountain
ride reminiscent of the roads found in the foothills of the
Himalaya.
Day 18
Sapa and Environs.
Weather
and pathway conditions permitting (it is spring and the winter
rains can take their toll) there’s a short trek or pony ride
to a Tapon village and its ethnic minority residents.
In the evening a visit to the local ‘English’ pub is a must.
Day 19
Sapa – Yen Bai (180kms).
Ride
back down the mountain and all the way back to Yen
Bai with some detours en route.
Day 20
Yen Bai – Hanoi (170kms).
Sadly,
it’s the last day on the bikes as we head back to Hanoi.
Riding the road we came up on gives us a chance to take in
sights we missed on the way up.
Day 21
Hanoi – Haipong (Halong Bay).
At
the suggestion of previous groups, we take an air-conditioned
bus for the hectic 200kms trip to Haiphong (gateway
city to Halong Bay) The road is the only
freeway in Vietnam – straight, boring, dangerous and full
of traffic travelling at break-neck speed (not a good combination
after three very full weeks on the bikes).
However, the adventure has not finished yet. Arriving in Haiphong, we board a fabulous boat to cruise past some of the 1,969 islands in this World Heritage area. Time to relax, explore caves, swim off the boat, laze on the decks and enjoy the succulent meals aboard our vessel.
Day 22
HalongBay – Hanoi (200kms).
If
tides allow, the morning maybe spent exploring Cat Ba Island
and its beaches before sailing on to a floating village.
In the afternoon it’s back to Hanoi for
a bit of last-minute shopping and farewell dinner.
Day 23
Hanoi.
Today is all about seeing
the sights you missed before, doing heaps of last-minute
shopping and getting together tonight for our farewell dinner.
Day 24
Hanoi and Flights home
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