Cycling Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh 15 days/14 nights

Touring
Cycling Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh 15 days/14 nights
Join on an unforgettable multi-country cycling adventure that takes you through the vibrant landscapes and cultural wonders of Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. This journey with Vietnam Backroads offers an extraordinary blend of coastal charm, ancient history, and authentic local experiences.
Stage 1: Thailand – Coastal Back Roads and Sandy Beaches Begin your journey in the bustling city of Bangkok, where you'll set off on two wheels to explore Thailand's serene coastal back roads. Cycle past picturesque fishing villages, wave to friendly fishermen, and take in the breathtaking coastal scenery. Enjoy a relaxing stop at Laem Mae Phim, a tranquil beachside destination where you can unwind on soft sandy shores and indulge in fresh seafood.
Stage 2: Cambodia – Temples of Angkor and Rural Exploration Cross the border into Cambodia, where history and culture come alive. Pedal your way to the magnificent Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most iconic temple complexes in the world. Experience the charm of rural Cambodia as you ride through quiet villages, interact with welcoming locals, and witness traditional ways of life.
Stage 3: Vietnam – Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City Enter Vietnam's lush Mekong Delta by speed boat, immersing yourself in a region rich with floating markets, vibrant fruit orchards, and peaceful river landscapes. Cycle through the delta's narrow pathways and explore charming riverside towns. Your journey culminates in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), a bustling metropolis where modern skyscrapers contrast sharply with the serene countryside you’ve just explored.
Welcome to Bangkok! Upon arrival at the airport, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, our guide will provide a short briefing and tour instructions to help you prepare for the days ahead. Enjoy some time to rest and recover from your journey. In the evening, join your guide for a welcome dinner in town.
Depart from the hotel for a 2-hour transfer to the starting point of today’s ride in Pattaya, a former U.S. Marine base now known for its vibrant tourism and nightlife. Upon arrival, pick up your bikes and adjust the saddles for comfort before beginning a scenic ride along the dramatic coastline of the Gulf of Thailand. Cycle along picturesque coastal roads, taking in sweeping ocean views. Stop for a delicious lunch at a local restaurant before continuing the journey to Rayong, arriving in the afternoon.
After an early breakfast, we’ll transfer to a quiet rural area to begin our ride. Today’s cycling route takes us to the Pak Nam Prasae Mangrove Forest, home to one of Thailand’s most successful forest restoration projects. Pedaling along scenic local backroads, we pass through charming fishing villages and peaceful coastal communities. In the afternoon, we continue riding along the picturesque coastal roads of Kung Wiman Bay, where we’ll take in sweeping views of the bay, vibrant fishing boats, lush fruit orchards, and rubber plantations nestled along the slopes of the Cardamom Mountains in Chantaburi. We finish the day’s ride at a relaxing resort on Chaolao Beach.
After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll transfer to Pongnamron and begin a scenic morning ride toward the border. Upon arrival, we enjoy lunch and bid farewell to our Vietnamese team before proceeding with immigration formalities and crossing into Cambodia. On the other side, our Cambodian team will be waiting with bikes ready and gear prepared. From the border gate, we turn onto peaceful back roads and cycle 18 kilometers through charming villages, rice paddies, and fertile farmlands en route to Pailin. Nestled at the northern edge of the Cardamom Mountains near the Thai border, Pailin is known for its natural beauty, including mountains, waterfalls, coffee and pepper plantations, and its frontier-town atmosphere. It also serves as a key gateway for international travelers between Cambodia and Thailand.
After refilling our water bottles and receiving a briefing on the day’s activities, we set off from the border town and cycle deeper into the picturesque countryside. The route leads us along dirt tracks and rural roads through a patchwork of cornfields, peanut farms, and rice paddies. We pass through charming villages nestled on open plains with occasional gentle hills, where curious locals often greet us with warm smiles—you’ll likely be the center of attention. In the afternoon, we explore the rural districts of Battambang, pedaling past vibrant temples and quiet villages before reaching the outskirts of Battambang City. In the evening, enjoy a delicious local-style dinner in town.
After leisurely breakfast, we start from the hotel at 7:30 am. Spend the morning seeing highlights and learning about traditional local food and snack making, experiencing daily of locals, small villages, and beautiful countryside. Battambang is surrounded by stunning countryside, with rice paddies, small villages, and temples scattered throughout the area. Visit family and workshop, taste local specialties and seasonal fruits, and enjoy a short bamboo train ride. Finish the morning bike ride by visiting the Wat Samrong Khnong memorial site for the victims of the Khmer Rouge before we return to the hotel. Check out and have lunch in town before a-3 hour's transfer to Siem Reap in the afternoon. There will be an option to the Angkor at sunset.
If your option to see Angkor hasn't been made yesterday afternoon? So it will be at sunrise today. Start early for a transfer to Angkor Wat, where you'll settle in front of the reflection pond to watch the sunrise magnificently over the five temple spires of the world's largest religious building. Then we have breakfast before we explore Angkor Wat Temple Complex and the jungle by bicycle. We ride into Angkor Thom Ancient City, and we'll focus your explorations at the mammoth, stepped Bayon Temple, where 216 huge stone smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara and 54 towers at the Terrace of the Elephants. Then cycle to the root-entangled Ta Prohm. Finish the day's ride by cycling on trails through the jungle and have lunch before we return to Siem Reap. Enjoy a Khmer dinner and performance of Apsara dancing in town.
After a short transfer from Siem Reap, we collect our bikes and begin cycling along quiet rural dirt roads that wind through lush rice paddies, peaceful villages, and scenic temple landscapes. Along the way, we visit Banteay Srei—also known as the “Citadel of Women”—a remarkable 10th-century temple carved from pink sandstone and famed for its intricate, well-preserved details.
Following our temple visit, we conclude the morning ride and hop into the support vehicles to continue our journey to Kbal Spean, the “River of a Thousand Lingas,” hidden deep in the jungle northeast of Angkor. A short trek through the forest brings us to this unique archaeological site where sacred carvings lie beneath the flowing waters of the river.
After lunch, we travel back to Siem Reap by support vehicle, with a meaningful stop at the Landmine Museum to learn about Cambodia’s past and ongoing efforts for recovery.
After breakfast, we leave Siem Reap early and head out of town by vehicle. Soon, we’ll pick up our bikes and begin a scenic ride through peaceful countryside, passing rustic villages and lush farmlands along quiet back roads. This relaxing morning ride covers approximately 25 kilometers, offering an authentic glimpse of rural Siem Reap.
After our ride, we board the support vehicle for a long transfer to Phnom Penh, approximately 5 hours. We'll take a break en route at the historical town of Kampong Kdei, known for its ancient Angkor-era bridge. We arrive in Phnom Penh in the late afternoon. The evening is yours to relax or explore the capital at your leisure.
In the morning, we’ll explore Phnom Penh, starting with a visit to the notorious Tuol Sleng Museum, followed by the Royal Palace and Wat Phnom. After returning to the hotel for check-out, enjoy a delicious lunch before boarding a speedboat for a downstream journey to Chau Doc, Vietnam. The boat ride takes approximately four hours and follows the Mekong River. Upon arrival, you’ll be warmly welcomed by the Vietnamese team at the dock and transferred to your hotel. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with your guide, who will also walk you through the detailed itinerary for the upcoming days as you continue your journey through Mekong Delta to Ho Chi Minh City.
Begin your day with a leisurely morning ride through the vibrant villages surrounding Chau Doc. Pedal along scenic riverbanks, where local life unfolds before your eyes, and stop at bustling local markets to experience the colors, aromas, and rhythms of daily commerce. Continue cycling through lush rice paddies, tranquil farming canals, and blooming lotus fields on your way to the tranquil Tra Su Cajuput Forest.
Upon arrival, embark on a peaceful rowing boat ride through the flooded forest, where you’ll learn about the diverse birdlife and rich ecosystem that make Tra Su a haven for wildlife lovers. After the boat tour, enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch at the forest restaurant, surrounded by nature. In the afternoon, return to your hotel and unwind by the pool, reflecting on a day immersed in the natural and cultural beauty of the Mekong Delta.
Chau Doc is a small but well-known town due to its international border gates—both land and water—that facilitate travel between Vietnam and Cambodia. Our cycling journey here is easy and relaxing, taking us along the scenic banks of the Mekong River. We'll make a stop at a local mosque and ride on quiet village paths, where you can observe farmers tending to vegetables, chili, eggplants, water rice fields, and fish farms along natural creeks. In the afternoon, we explore Gieng Islet by bicycle, passing by an architecturally striking monastery, bustling local markets, and traditional stilt houses before crossing by ferry to the mainland. We then continue riding along peaceful backroads through lush mango orchards on our way to Cao Lanh city.
The ride begins from your hotel after breakfast, taking you along beautiful back roads that offer plenty of photo opportunities and the freedom to cycle at your own pace. Along the way, you’ll encounter friendly locals and observe their daily lives and livelihoods. During the morning, you may see elderly vendors at bustling markets, children riding small bicycles to school, and others commuting on mopeds.
We'll pause to board a local ferry for a short river crossing, adding a touch of adventure to your morning ride. Continuing onward, we reach Sa Dec, where you’ll explore the town's flower village—home to bonsai caretakers and vibrant nursery gardens, all part of the local lifestyle.
One of the town's highlights is the ancient house of Huynh Thuy Le, made famous by the novel and film The Lover. Your guide will share the fascinating story of Marguerite Duras and her connection to this historical home. Lunch will be served here, offering a special experience in a place rich with literary and cultural significance.
In the afternoon, we continue cycling along peaceful country back roads that wind through lush rice paddies, sweet potato fields, and a maze of narrow rivers. Eventually, we’ll board the van or bus for a short transfer to Can Tho city, concluding a day full of authentic encounters and scenic exploration.
After breakfast, check out and embark on a scenic boat ride to the bustling floating market. After experiencing the vibrant atmosphere on the water, we disembark and take a short transfer to the cycling starting point. From here, we begin our ride along quiet trails by the Mekong River, exploring river islands and visiting lush pomelo orchards. Enjoy a tasting of fresh tropical fruits before joining locals on a second ferry to another island, offering a glimpse into authentic daily life before arriving on the mainland at Tra On.
We stop for lunch in a charming small town, then continue with an afternoon transfer to Cau Ke. Later, we explore the rural Khmer villages in the Tra Vinh region of the Mekong Delta. Our cycling route takes us deeper into peaceful Khmer hamlets, passing rice paddies and traditional thatch-roof houses. There's time to walk around the villages, engage in friendly conversations with local residents, and soak in the unique cultural atmosphere.
Our final day of cycling features some of the most picturesque scenery of the journey. We ride along a narrow, winding lane that meanders through quiet, rustic villages, dense clusters of water palms, vibrant banana plantations, and across quaint suspension bridges. As we approach the outskirts of Ben Tre, we conclude our cycling adventure. From there, we board the support vehicle for a transfer to My Tho, where we enjoy a well-deserved lunch. Afterward, we continue with a relaxing 1.5-hour drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. Tour concludes. Tour End!