This 4 days/ 3 nights Mekong Delta Biking enables you to explore the vast diversity of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. Each daily cycling routes and scenery are entirely different. The first day to ride through the homeland of coconut, the second day is to ride through rice paddy fields and Khmer villages, the highlight of the third day is to watch floating market in action and visit the ancient house of Huynh Thuy Le, which related to the movie "The Lover". The Lover (French: L'Amant) is a 1992 erotic drama film produced by Claude Berri and directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud. Based on the semi-autobiographical 1984 novel by Marguerite Duras, the film details the illicit affair between a teenage French girl and a wealthy Chinese man in 1929 French Indochina. The last day enable you to see the former Viet Cong base in the forest before going back to Ho Chi Minh city.
After you are picked up at 8:00 am, from your hotel, a 1.5 hour transfer through the bustling Ho Chi Minh and it's rural Dist. On arrive in the rural village of Tan An city around 9:00 am, and we ride along amazing paths, view picturesque hamlets, pass primary schools, tiny market along country paths, throught rice paddy fields. Stop at the home of locals making hats and fruit bags from grasses. We ride towards My Tho, passing the vast vegetable farmlands with an irrigation system.
We will stop for lunch in My Tho city. Take a rest on the vehicle for 30 minutes and transfer to Ham Luong Bridge to explore the home of coconut trees. The countryside of Mo Cay is the most beautiful rural District for travelling by bicycle. The routes are smooth concrete paths that crisscross through the villages with lush green water palms, and cross small rivers by local ferry boat, just for bicycle mopeds only. We stop for lunch in My Tho city and break for an hour transfer to Ben Tre for the afternoon easy ride.
The ride in the afternoon is more on shady paths, on narrow country lanes, along villages hide the water palms, lush waterways and coconut-lined pathways. Take a small ferry boat crossing the rivers, stop at some families running small coconut oil businesses. There will be plenty of time to stop along the country roads, experience local life. We will hop on support vehicles at Co Chien River for a 30 minute transfer luxury homestay - Coco Riverside Lodge.
Most daily life activities of locals take place early in the morning. It's the opportinuty to see the real life of locals in surrounding areas; The parents prepare breakfast for their kids, kids going to schools by pushbike, the elderly takes farm products to markets by mopeds, and cargo sampan boats move up and down the rivers, youngman enjoy coffee at small cafe at some corrners while some wartering fruit trees and vegetable. Then go back to the homestay for breakfast.
We cycle from the homestay, wave locals working on farmland of vegetable and fruit orchards, then ride through the villages, to opened paths across rice paddy fields, and make many stops at local home business workshops. Experience the lifestyles and daily activities of Khmer and Vietnamese. on riverside trails, which make it possible to enjoy the greenery and fresh air through villages. Venture into Khmer hamlets, learn more about Theravada Buddhism, visit the beautiful Pagodas and encounter the Khmer monks. Enjoy amazing Mekong Delta scenery
There will be many stops along the country roads; visit fruit orchards and vegetable farmlands with endless photos. Break for lunch at a local restaurant before continuing cycling to Tra On. Take a publish ferry, cross the river to Luc Si Island, see the farmers' life on the islands, taste seasonal fruit at local orchards, and take another ferry to the mainland where we ride on trails alongside the Mekong River the Can Tho suspension bridge. We hop on the van for a short transfer to Can Tho City.
Today's ride is a fantastic ride, with a lively floating market. The Cai Rang floating market offers bustling scenery wholesales boats, and retailed boats bargain over prices. Other tiny sampan vendors are selling noodle soup, coffee, and commodities through the floating market. Enjoy a boat cruise on Can Tho River to Cai Rang floating markets; take this opportunity to experience the largest floating market in the delta. Afterward, we quickly transfer to Binh Minh town for the day ride to Sadec and Cao Lanh city.
The rural villages from Binh Minh to Sadec are pretty different from previous days. We learn the culture of Vietnam and Chinses along the way, explore plenty of family farms of sweet potatoes, tapioca, sugar canes, meandering on country lanes, stop at a family workshop making rice and sticky powder. We stop in Sadec, enjoy lunch at Huynh Thuy Le House. The "Lover's house" in Vietnam's Mekong Delta town of Sa Dec, which well know in the film" The Lover". Marguerite Duras lived in Sa Dec between 1928 and 1932 when her mother ran a school there. In Sa Dec, Duras as a 15-year-old schoolgirl, met Huynh Thuy Le, 27, the son of a wealthy Chinese family. The two began a love affair that inspired Duras's 1984 Prix Goncourt-winning best-selling novel, The Lover (L'Amante) that has been translated into 43 languages and has sold 2.4 million copies.
Following lunch, take a leisurely walk to old Sadec market that sells fresh fruits and freshwater fish. Aftwards, we continue biking to a flower village in rural areas. A village is a great place for plant & flower lovers. The village offers a variety of different flowers, we bike through the town to a beautiful flower village, make some stops, admire the vast colorful flower fields, experience the way to take care of plants and flowers. Afterward, we cycle past rustic country and Buddhist pagodas. Finally, you will transfer to Cao Lanh city with a ferry crossing the Mekong River
Sadec was the major town before 1975. Cao Lanh became the new town when the country unified. Foreigners are rarely seen in this town because it is not any main tourist attraction in return for offering stunning countryside for bicycle explorers. We follow a small narrow lance from the hotel to a rustic area, explore the quiet rural back road passes mango gardens. Past many brick factories along rivers, cross water channels on the little wooden bridges, and ride on a dirt track along the Mekong River. Stop to visit a small workshop weaving dried water hyacinths to make hats, handbags, bins and indoor sandals and so on. Enjoy watching green vegetation fields, passing mudfish farm and mango orchard along the way before we have a ferry ride to a small town.
Break for a coffee in small towns, then carry on biking on country back roads, through the town takes concrete paths across the farmland and agricultural canals to Xeo Quyt forest. Enjoy lunch at a nice restaurant in the In Xeo Quyt Eco. Following lunch, to explore the Viet Cong base and Xeo Quyt forest. Stop at some Viet Cong bunkers, walk to communist leaders, and learn about the Vietnam War and the forest's wildlife. Finally, you will transfer to Saigon in the late afternoon.
An excellent cycling holiday
My wife and I set on the cycle tour organized by Vietnam Backroads. It was supposed to be a group trip but it ended up with just two of us. It appeared like a personalized trip. The whole trip was organized with seamless perfection, the initial communication, the pick up from the hotel, drive, places of stay, route planning, en route stops, food and above the back team and guide by Van and Viet. The team allowed us to enjoy every moment rather than pushing us to do more Kms. In all, we did about 125 km in three days with the fourth day being decided by us to take it easy and visit certain places of interested on the way back to HCM. The highlight of the experience is having food at local joints during the tour rather than the food tours organized in HCM. We had the chance to taste the best of both worlds. Keep up the good work Van and Viet. 21 - 22 - 23 - 24 Jan, 2018
we couldn't have seen if were independent travelers
Good program of activities- We saw so much that we couldn't have seen if were independent travelers. Dat was an excellent guide- We enjoyed his company, he had a great depth of knowledge about the various localities and agriculture which he shared very intelligently. He made the trip a gourmet experience- One that we hadn't expected- by finding new, different and safe snacks and meals at every opportunity. We are not expert, or young, cyclists and Dat varied the program and routes to suit our speed/ fitness/ abilities, so we finished each day tired but happy. We appreciated Mr Loc's driving because he was wise and cautious, sticking to road rules and making us feel safe, even in the most difficult traffic and on bumpy roads. 21 - 22 - 23 - 24 June, 2017
Cycling 4D/3N Saigon - Tra Vinh - Can Tho - Cao Lanh
We thoroughly enjoy the total experience and our guide, Dat, was one of the best we have encountered in all our year of travel. He was always cheerful, informative to the welfare of us all older cyclists! He was always polite and displayed a good sense of humor. We were particularly enjoyed his stories. We were particularly impressed with the care our driver took. Especially in some busy traffic situations and our speed bumps. We always felt safe, and never had to wait for him. 21 - 22 - 23 - 24, June, 2017
Travelling on buses hasn’t done more than scratch the surface
Wow! You couldn’t ask for a better way to see this wonderful country. Anyone who thinks they have seen Vietnam by travelling on buses and trains hasn’t done more than scratch the surface. Van is the man when it comes to organisation, information, safety, good food and a zest for life. I cannot recommend him and his company enough. Van tailored the trip perfectly. 17 July 2011
Dear Van the Man
It is now almost two and a half weeks that we are safely back in Germany. Our onward 5 days cycling trip in Mekong Delta and non adventures from Saigon to Nha Trang then to Hoi An and finally to Siem Reap was very interesting and full of new impressions. We hope that you are fine and that business is going well for you. Very best regards and all the best. The best Mekong Delta bike Tour 25 July 2011
This was one of the best trip we have taken
Dat is excellent. We was very accommodating and flexible. He showed a lot of patience with all of our requests. His positive and attitude meant so much to us. The service and expense were really five star. Dat properly adapted all of the biking routes and distance to fit our family. He demonstrated real earring and enthusiasm which made our trip special. This was one of the best trip we have taken. 29 Dec, 2015 - 01 Jan, 2016
Thanks once again for a great experience
Dear Ms Quang and Van (“The Man”) This just a note to let you know much we enjoyed our tour, tour guide and driver. From the first contact we had with Vietnam Backroads (Ms Quang) we were impressed with the efficiency our tour was organized, questions answered and suggestions made. We found the bikes excellent, in good condition and performed without any problems. Accommodations for the three nights in question were very good. We found the route varied, very interesting, off the beaten track and easy riding. The added attractions, floating market, river barge, temples visited and people we met all added to the overall experience. We can not say enough about our guide Thang and our driver whose Vietnam name meant “Strong” so of course we called him “Strongman” (with his permission) for our trip. Thang’s leadership was very much appreciated. He made a point of making sure we saw things, had experiences, visited out of the way places and generally was a great ambassador for his company and country. His interest in food meant that for 4 days we got to sample very different and authentic Vietnamese food which, on our own, we would never have had the opportunity to sample. Ms Quang we do have a couple of suggestions and although quite minor might help to make the tour even better. A more detailed map of the area the tour was to travel through including the towns/cities could e-mailed prior to the to departure of clients. Some form of carrier, either attached to the handlebars or under the seat would be helpful and useful. More comfortable seats for women who do not necessarily ride a lot and might be a little older. Feel free to use any or all of this e-mail in your advertising should you wish. As long as I can convince others my wife and I would like to return with a larger group. We shall see. Please pass this on to the “Strongman” and Thang. Thanks once again for a great experience. 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 Feb, 2015
My best trip in Vietnam
This tour was much better than I thought it will be. Variations of the culture interest was good. Dat cycle so much I have common so I was a bit anxious for the distance of the tour, but it was no problem. Mostly because of the bikes. It would have been good if there was a recommendation for padded short for longer trips in the confirmation e-mail. Now we did not think about buying them until it was too late. I really enjoyed this trip and will give a great review on TripAdvisor. 2 - 5 Jan 2015
Overall, it was great fun
I enjoyed it very much ! It was a wonderful way to experience the Mekong Delta. I think some better communication needed from our guide - especially with directions- more notice and guidance required. Overall, it was great fun, thank you ! 12 - 15 June 2013
We have already passed on your information to my friends
Hi Van, My apologies for our delay in response but we have been traveling all this time and have just returned home to Australia. This has given us time to reflect on our Mekong Delta Bike ride. It was absolutely fantastic from the quality of the cycling equipment, and the deluxe van and highly professional guide and driver. Dat, as our guide, was exceptional and made this tour a highly memorable, enjoyable and challenging trip. His knowledge of the area, his ability to personalise for our interests, the food and the different bike routes. Our driver, Mr Loc, was very professional, punctual and drove very safely through some very busy parts of the Mekong and Ho Chi Minh City. Please pass onto Dat our regards and gratitude – tell him that Jim will never forget the shave and haircut and that he now looks 10 years younger. We have already passed on your information to people in Australia so hopefully when they go to Vietnam they use your company. WE will definitely put something up on facebook and give a very high rating. 26 - 27 - 28 - 29 April, 2017
4day/3night Cycling the Mekong
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