Saigon to Phu Quoc Islands by Bike & Boat

This was a fantastic trip professional organized accommodating and fun. We strongly recommend this to anyone considering a bike trip. Thank you for the amazing time! 07 - 08 - 09 - 10 Feb 2012

Shawn Davidson family from US

Cycle Saigon to Hanoi - Vietnam South to North 10D/9N

Hi Van,
we've just finished our a wonderful trip, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Thai and Mr Hoang looked after us beautifully, and the scenery was fantastic. It was a great way to experience Vietnam.
Now, we are now keen to do a cycle tour (4 days/3 nights) in the Mekong Delta from 18 January to 21 January 2012.

Jessie Harman family from Australia

Vietnam Countryside Discovery - Saigon to HaNoi

Yes - now safely back in the UK. Although there was some snow on the ground when we arrived home last weekend the temperature has just warmed up here and it is now slightly warmer than it was on our first day in Hanoi (17 degrees)!!

We continued to have a great time on our Halong Bay cruise and were looked after well by your guide in Hanoi who also organised a final airport transfer for us.

Mike and I have now reflected on the holiday and both of us were profoundly moved by the whole experience of Vietnam and Cambodia. In particular we found Vietnamese people to be very friendly and welcoming, the food amazing and the scenery spectacular and varied.

We were delighted with the service we received from Vietnam Backroads right from the first contact with you through to the biking trip and the end in Hanoi. It is hard to be critical because we know how much effort you all put in and we feel the trip was really good value for money. Mike and I both think that the trip was even better because Van was with us. As the owner he was able to decide to give us even more out of the trip (e.g food stops) than perhaps Harry could decide on his own on a set budget. The bikes were great, well maintained and the team did everything for us including lending us gloves/sleeves! We went to some wonderful restaurants which we would never have found on our own and were amazed at the quality and quantity of food we were able to order within the package price (and more importantly Van/Harry would order for us which made life really easy and ensured we got to try local specialities). Similarly the drink stops were well organised and much more frequent than we anticipated and the unexpected fruit stops were great. The biking routes were brilliant and we felt we really got a chance to see the 'real' Vietnam. Finally, the team were very flexible in changing itinerary/hotels (e.g Hanoi) at short notice.

It is very difficult to find areas for improvement....on a minor point the hotel we moved to in Hanoi, although set in a spectacular location, was a bit run down and unfortunately they had drained the swimming pool for the season. However this had no impact on the trip as the weather continued cloudy until we left! We cant think of anything else we would change!!

All in all a brilliant trip and we hope to come back and do Laos at some time with you. Please give our regards to Van and Harry and show them the attached pictures. We would recommend Vietnam Backroads to anyone travelling to Vietnam and if you are able to send us some of your new cycling shirts we would happily wear them as an advert for the company. 1st - 14th April 2013.

Sarah Harrington and Mike from the UK.

Bike trip from Ha Tien- Ho Chi Minh

Ms. Hue, My sister and I just got home after our month-long travels in Southeast Asia. We had an amazing trip! We really enjoyed our experience with Vietnam Backroads Bicycle Tours. Our guide, Nghi, and driver, Mr. Loc, picked us up promptly from our hotel in Ha Tien. Mr. Nghi showed us how to adjust the bicycles and then we were off on our adventure! The bicycle tour was a great way to experience the Mekong Delta. We biked through many villages and saw the surrounding countryside that we probably wouldn't have seen otherwise. It was an eye-opening experience as we biked through villages and greeted the local people- many of whom had not seen a foreigner in a long time. We would highly recommend Vietnam Backroads Bicycle Tours! We would suggest that drinks be included in the price of the tour for lunches and dinners. Also, if it would be possible to set up payment through credit card on your website that would be a lot easier than the hassle of the money transfer. 6 - 7 - 8 July 2012

Erica Kaser & Danielle from USA

I am sorry it is not more constructive but really I have no criticisms. For us we were very lucky as you we incredibly flexible and could be as there were just the two of us. You have two converted bike tourers! As for value for money it is certainly not the cheapest trip but good value for what we do, the quality of equipment and for 2 comfortable hotels. However payment is tricky! I understand the need for a deposit but it was surprisingly difficult to do an international bank transfer. None the less I was more comfortable with doing that than supplying my card details. Payment of the balance at the end would have been much easier to do with a card or knowing dollars was your preferred method of payment I would have taken dollars out in Cambodia and carried them with me. So maybe some more info on that before the tour could have been helpful. Anyway thank you again for a fantastic few days - a real highlight of the trip as a whole! I hope it is ok but I suggested my biking friends from Cambodia get in touch if their tour is taking them through Saigon. Feb 2012

Lucy Davies from UK

See Vietnam's Four UNESCO World Heritage Sites - 15 days

We are home now unfortunately, having just spent our first week back at work.
Matt and I thoroughly enjoyed our Vietnam Backroads trip, despite my feedback. Our tour guide Dat and Mr Van were fantastic in immediately recognising my limitations and adjusted the cycling routes and distances accordingly to more closely suit my abilities. The tour itself was good value for money and extremely well organised with high quality, centrally located hotels and a never ending supply of delicious local food!
We loved our time in Vietnam and agree that cycling Vietnams Backroads is definitely the best way to see the country. We would certainly consider another trip with you (at a shorter distance!) and recommend Vietnam Backroads to friends and family. 16th - 29th Mar 2014

Elle and Matt from Australia

Cannot think of a better way to get a taste of Vietnam. Our tour, the one which visits a number of UN World Heritage sites, offers a diversity of both riding and cultural experiences. The riding is fairly rated as a 3 out of 5, so it is designed for recreational riders who are in decent shape. The riding is quite diverse, from mountainous roadways (mostly going down), to trails of dirt, asphalt or concrete along seaside trails and trails through rice paddies, villages, and forested areas. Along the coastal plain, the term backroads is very fitting.

Aside from biking, the tour also caters to historical, cultural and recreational interests. Among others, the tour includes time at the ancient sanctuary at My Son, the Vietnam War Memorial at My Lai, and the Citadel at Hue. The stops during the day and the evening meals focused on Vietnamese fare. More “touristy” activities like the mud bath at Dark Cave and an overnight cruise at Ha Long Bay add to a great holiday.

A lot of work went into putting this package together. Depending upon what one is used to, the accommodations range from adequate to very good. (one of the hotels was the nicest we have ever stayed at) Because the tour covers a long distance, quite a bit of time is spent in the van during transfers from the centre of a city to the tour departure point, or taking us to our hotel at the end of the day. It was nice that there was internet access in the van during these trips.

Finally, a word has to be said about the guide team. A van to carry us and a truck to haul the bikes followed us wherever that was possible (and met up with us when the trails didn't allow it) There was always a guide behind the last rider to ensure that no one ever got lost. And our main guide, Dat, was fabulous, both in leading the group, or letting keener riders ride ahead when the way ahead was straight forward. He was also great at giving us advice when we got to our destination at the end of the day. And he was an excellent guide at the historic sites we visited, providing the background necessary to make the visit worthwhile.

Like a few other bike adventures we have been on, there were one or two “misadventures”. Our own view is that “misadventures” become part of the adventure when the tour operator puts in the work to overcome them with minimal inconvenience to participants.

So, if you are going to Vietnam, do some bike riding, and want to experience a variety of the flavours which the country offers, you should seriously consider what Vietnam Backroads has to offer.

Medicine Hat, Canada

Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh by bicycle & by boat

Great trip. Thang is wealth of knowledge + food choices were brilliant. Cuong- the driver was great, friendly and really knew his way around! All around great time. Some bum but enjoyed it immensely.
You guys rock! April 18, 2014

Joe and Allan from Australia

We had the most wonderful experience with this company! We only cycled for three days and really felt that we got to see the true rural Vietnam. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to get away from the tourist hotspots and see the real country in a safe manner (as your guide is always to hand). Our tour was brilliantly organised and led. Our guide, Dat, made the trip even more special. He was very good at listening to our concerns and even factored in very last minute itinerary changes. He also plied us with fruit and local drinks at every opportunity. Water is also very plentiful. We only had to pay for our drinks at dinner and lunch, all other food, drink and transport was included.
It was brilliant to cycle through very remote villages where all the locals would come out and wave as you pass. The tiny bridges linking the islands are beautiful and occur fairly regularly. However, some can have a few holes in them but don't be undeterred, the local Vietnamese use them all the time.
We caught the minivan for small sections so that we didn't have to cycle on too main roads (quite a health hazard in Vietnam). This was far more pleasurable than expected as you still get to see the sights and fit in lots of cycling. The only negative would be that I felt we were misinformed about the boat trip from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh in the last day. This was a slightly cramped public boat that takes five hours including long stops at the border (most passengers didn't get visas in advance).

Top tips:
- see if you can get Dat as your tour guide
- personalize it: don't be afraid to ask for a shorter/ longer day or for the itinerary to be changed
- be prepared with mosquito spray
- bring clothes that you don't mind getting torn or stained
- try as much of the local cuisine and fruit as possible

Thomas B Berkshire, England, United Kingdom

Sadly we just completed our bike tour through the Mekong delta from Ho Chi Minh city to Chau Doc. We will be completing the tour by boat to Phnom Penh tomorrow. We had an absolutely amazing time and feel so fortunate to see the Mekong delta in this way. Our guide Cong was fabulous. He was very informative about each area we rode through and so kind and generous. Each day was a new experience. We loved meeting the local people and having the opportunity to interact with them. The food was incredible too and Cong was always sure to make sure we stayed well hydrated. We are active seniors and found the ride certainly doable. Highly recommend Vietnam Backroads and hope we can do another ride with them again sometime soon! 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 Nov, 2018

Sadly family from Canada

Biking to Cao Lanh - Sadec - Can Tho

Hi Vietnam Backroads,
An amazing way to see the real Vietnam with a fun, friendly + very knowledgeable guide. Thank you very much for providing such an excellent bike tour. We were very sad when the end of the third day came + hope to book another tour soon. May 1, 2014

Nisha Lucy Taylor from New Zealand

Meandering the Mekong Delta 7 days

Recently returned home from 7/day Vietnam backroads bike tour (march 2017 ) of the Mekong river delta area .Did not know what to expect and was blown away by the biking experience , scenery , challengers , and plentiful food and fruit . Our tour guides Dat and Loc offered great company , knowledge of the area , experience , joviality and lots of care . It was great to get out of the city and bike through the backroads and view the rice paddies , vegetable and fruit plantations , the mighty Mekong River and in general how the Vietnamese people live and produce to survive .Our tour started in Ho Chi Mihn city , travelled southwards & visited cities Tra Vinh , Pach gia , Chau Doc , Cao Lanh , Vihn Long and finally back to Ho Chi Mihn city . Our tour group of eleven people thoroughly enjoyed this unique holiday . I fully recommend this tour and company for a great experience . Well done Mr Van and staff . 20 -26 Feb, 2017

John Novak from Swie land party

Cycling Mekong Delta to My Tho

Dear Ms Hue, I'm still in Vietnam, but it will be my last week here before I go back to Malaysia :( Anyway, here is my comment: This is my second time biking with Vietnam Backroads and Mr. Van. As expected, the experience was great. Although we didn't bike as much as I had expected, the boat trip through the canals was extremely fun too. I enjoyed the the coconut candies, the honey tea, taking pictures with the tame python, the sampan ride and the food. This trip was meant to be a graduation trip with my friends, and I strongly believe that it will be a trip that all of us will remember for many, many years. Hence, thank you very much Vietnam Backroads! If I were to be back in Vietnam again, I would definitely sign up for a longer trip and challenge myself :) Ms Hue, please pass my appreciation to Mr. Trung (spelling?) and Mr. Van. Thanks to you too for the great service! ^^ Sincerely,Wei Syn A day trip cycling to My Tho on June 4th 2012

Wei Syn party of South Saigon International School

Cycling Saigon - Ha Tien - Phu Quoc islands 4D/3N

I am back at my office desk now - sadly my holiday in Vietnam is over. I enjoyed it very much, though - and also enjoyed the bike trip through the Mekong Delta very much. Hung was a very good replacement for you - at least I can say we had lots of fun with him and he really showed us around the back roads. Everything was perfectly arranged, we were felt well, the hotels were all right - we loved the trip. Best wishes from Germany. 05 Dec 2011

I am back at my office desk now - sadly my holiday in Vietna

Cycling from Ho Chi Minh to Ha Tien 4 days

Hi Van, We had a great trip - our guide Thang was great, everything went like clockwork - we did a lot of eating of all sorts of food we never would have tried on our own or known what to order as we told Thang we were interested in trying foods, he introduced us to iced coffee and we had one or two every day. The bikes were good, minivan driver excellent and as we expected our bums a little sore at end of day 3 but what we expected. Our three days were excellent but I strongly suggest you change the last night hotel. I tell you this as I also own my own business and feedback is important - I strongly think you need to change the hotel. We will write good report on trip adviser and will recommend you to others as we did not see another westerner on the days we were on the bike as you promised. 16 Jan 2012

Anne and Terry from Australia

Dolta Festival of Mekong Delta

We have just returned from Vietnam where we were fortunate enough to travel with Vietnam Backroads bicycle tours.
We are a family of 5, 2 adults and 3 children aged 8, 10 & 12 and we all thoroughly enjoyed our 4 days exploring the Mekong Delta by bicycle.
From the minute we were collected from our hotel by Dat, we knew we were in capable hands. The bikes were all new Giant MTB's and very similar to our bikes at home so our kids felt very comfortable cycling each day.
We did the Saigon-Travinh-Cantho-Sadec-Cao Lanh itinerary and it gave us a wonderful insight into life on the river. We shared many a laugh, and witnessed so many trip highlights on our ride.
Thank you to Dat and Van for making our visit to the Mekong Delta so enjoyable. April 30, 2016

JH1305 from Sydney

Cycling Vietnam to Laos - Ha Noi to Luang Prabang

I have just completed my 3rd ride with Vietnam Backroads, having ridden from Hanoi to Saigon in 2012, Mekong Delta/Cambodia 2013 and now Hanoi to Luang Prabang in 2014. The trips have been for 2 weeks and private tours with 12 to 15 friends from the South Coast, NSW, Australia. Van again organised an amazing ride for us. He goes out of his way to make sure our trips are memorable ones. I cannot speak highly enough of his professionalism. We are so impressed with our cycling holidays organised by Van that we will be back in 2015 for another memorable cycling trip

Leonie S Jamberoo, Australia

Biking Chau Doc- Floating Market- Saigon

We are back again in Germany and again very busy in our companies. We enjoyed very much your country and especially the bike-ride in the Mekong Delta. The tour was very interesting and we saw a lot. Mr. Trung was a very good guide and we could ask him everything. He has knowledge about almost everything, so we could ask a lot. Everything worked good, the paths we were riding were fascinating and the distances were not too hard. So we can recommend Vietnam Backroads. Especially the Ba Duc homestay, which Mr. Trung recommended, was very nice. Please say thank you to him. April, 2014

Anna Singer party from Germany

Fabulous ride 4 days/3 nights Chau Doc - Ho Chi Minh

Thanks very much to the entire team for the excellent organization of our vacation in Vietnam. Thanks to our excellent guide Loc, we could really see how beautiful Vietnam and its people are. The Mekong delta is surprisingly rich in the variety of activities, fruits and vegetables that you can find, but you absolutely need a good guide to spot it all. The cycling is making it not only a very interesting, but also sportive and pleasant experience. We especially appreciate the good care that was given when our daughter got sick. Your team did everything to help her and still make it very pleasant for everybody involved. She is getting better now, but still needs further recovery. 20 - 21 - 22 - 23 - 24 July, 2015

Fried Vancraen Fried Vancraen family of 6 from Begium

Top marks to guide, Loc for the personality, local general knowledge, proficiency with English. We enjoyed the fact that we went to non-touristy sights took time to visit with locals and that the guide adapted the tour when the planed item was not of interest to us. It was nice that the guide arranged for such a lovely dinner and setting for our wedding anniversary. An the particular highlight was the Khmer village ride afternoon due to the amazingly beautiful settings. All in all, a very satisfying tour experience. 28 - 29 - 30 -31 Dec, 2015

Kathryn Ann Hjerrild party from UK

Rider's Reviews