About this trip.
The length of Vietnam by backroad
It's more than 1,100 miles from Saigon to Hanoi, and this trip threads as much of that distance as a fortnight allows — minus the busiest stretches, where transfers lift you out of the cities and back onto quieter roads. The point isn't to cycle every mile, but to ride the parts worth riding: the Central Highlands, the coast road north of Nha Trang, the rice-paddy lanes inland of Hoi An. Vietnam suits this approach. The country is long and lean, the regional differences are real — southern food is sweeter, the old hill stations feel French, the north is cooler and more austere — and a bike is the best vehicle for noticing any of it. You smell the pho stalls before you see them. You feel the humidity drop as you climb into Dalat.
The route
Things start in Ho Chi Minh City — still Saigon to most who live there — with time to find your feet before heading out to the Cu Chi tunnels for an unflinching look at the war from the Vietnamese side. From there it's east to the coast at Mui Ne for a swim and a sunset over the South China Sea, then a climb inland to Dalat, the old French hill station with its colonial villas and cool air. The descent from Dalat down to Nha Trang is one of the signature days: a long drop towards a six-kilometre beach and the kind of seafood that justifies the ride.
North of Nha Trang the route hugs the coast, slipping through small villages and past rice paddies that see very few tourists, before reaching the UNESCO-listed old town of Hoi An. A couple of days around Hue follow — imperial citadel, royal tombs, the Perfume River — before a sleeper train carries you and the bikes overnight to Hanoi for a final day in the capital. Graded 3 out of 5, so moderate rather than hard: rolling terrain, a handful of proper climbs, plenty of flat coastal riding.
Bookings and logistics
Fifteen days door-to-door, including overnight flights at either end, with prices from £2,165 per person. The trip is guided and group-based, with hotel accommodation throughout and a support vehicle following the route — so you can sit out a section if the heat gets the better of you. Saddle Skedaddle donate to World Bicycle Relief for every booking on this trip, aiming to fund a Buffalo Bicycle per long-haul departure; you can add to the pot at the point of booking.
It suits cyclists who want a proper distance and a proper country, but who'd rather not negotiate Highway 1 in thirty-five-degree heat to get it. The transfers are the trade-off, and a sensible one — they're what lets the saddle time actually be the good stuff: backroads, coffee stops at roadside stalls, conversations in villages well off the tourist track. Not a gentle pootle, but not a brutal expedition either. A fortnight of varied riding through one of the more rewarding countries in the region to do this in.
The shape of the trip.
What's typically in the price, what isn't.
A general guide for cycling holidays of this kind. Check the operator's booking page for the final inclusions on this specific trip.
Typically included
- ✓Hotel accommodation, double or twin en-suite rooms
- ✓Daily breakfast at each hotel
- ✓Luggage transfer between hotels on every riding day
- ✓Bike rental (usually a hybrid), helmet, and panniers
- ✓Detailed route notes with GPX files and emergency contacts
- ✓24/7 support line in English for the duration of the trip
Typically not included
- ×Flights to and from the country of travel
- ×Travel insurance with cycle cover (strongly recommended)
- ×Lunches and most evening meals — eat locally on the route
- ×E-bike or road-bike upgrades (usually a supplement)
- ×Repair kit consumables (tubes, chain lube) beyond what comes with the bike
- ×Any alcohol beyond wine included with set dinners
Everything you might be wondering.
Q1How hard are the climbs?
Grading reflects daily distance, total climbing, and traffic. Moderate routes typically involve 40-60km a day with 300-600m of climbing, on quiet roads or well-surfaced bike paths. If you ride regularly at home and can manage a 40km weekend ride, you'll be fine. Check the daily elevation profile when the operator shares it.
Q2Is bike rental included?
It's usually included, with a hybrid as standard and an e-bike or road-bike upgrade available for a supplement. Helmets and panniers normally come with the rental. Check the operator's booking page for the exact inclusions on this trip.
Q3What if I get a puncture?
Rental bikes come with a small repair kit and a pump. If you can't fix it yourself, the operator's support line can arrange a replacement or a lift to the next hotel — times vary by location. Carry a phone and the support number at all times.
Q4Can I use my own bike?
Yes, most operators are happy for you to bring your own bike — you'll often get a small discount off the trip price in lieu of rental. Check with the airline on how to transport it, and bring basic spares (tubes, multi-tool).
Q5Can I do this solo?
Absolutely — self-guided cycling holidays work well for solo travellers. The route notes, GPX files, and 24/7 support are designed for confident independent riders.
Q6What if the weather is bad?
The route is rideable in rain if you're dressed for it, though some surfaces get slower. The operator's support line can reroute you onto a lower / flatter alternative or arrange a vehicle transfer for any stage if conditions are genuinely unsafe.
Q7How do I get there from the UK?
Fly into the nearest airport, then train or transfer to the start point. The operator will advise — some will book onward trains for a small fee. If you're bringing your own bike, check dimensions and dismantling requirements with the airline in advance.
Q8What about cancellation?
A deposit (usually 20-25%) is taken at booking, with the balance due 8-10 weeks before departure. The operator's own terms apply — Mooch doesn't handle the booking or refunds. Travel insurance with cycle cover is strongly recommended.
Three cycling holidays, side-by-side.
Other cycling holidays on Mooch in the same spirit. All prices per person, from the operator.
