Delve deep in to the heart of southern Vietnam as you explore the Mekong Delta on two wheels. Traveling by bike, you get a unique perspective on this scenic area as you witness first hand the daily lives of the region’s inhabitants. This fertile area is where the mighty Mekong River approaches the sea and splits in to a network of hundreds of tributaries.
Inhabited largely by ethnic groups, the Mekong Delta has a rich diversity of traditional cultures living side by side. Vietnamese and Khmer ethnic people dominate the area, with a sizeable group of Chinese descendants. Evidence of these cultures is most evident in the architecture of the peoples’ houses and temples.
Leave the bustle of the big city behind as you depart from Ho Chi Minh City southwards to the Delta. From here, quiet laneways and dirt paths weave in and out of villages and fields, and the local form of transport changes from motorbikes to pedal bikes. Small children whiz by on their way to school, women pedal gracefully in their traditional ao dai dresses, and elderly vendors carry their groceries on the handlebars. Join the locals as you start your cycling journey in the heart of the Delta.
Setting out from Cai Lay, pedal to your homestay, where your gracious hosts welcome you in to a traditional Vietnamese house. The next day, travel by bike and local boat through the streams and islands of the Delta. Visit fruit orchards, rice fields, and Khmer villages on your way to Tra Vinh. Continue the next day on to Can Tho, the Delta’s biggest town, as you ride through more gorgeous scenery and traditional villages. On the final day, wind through the morning markets where the colors and smells excite the senses.
Get on yer bike and head to the Mekong Delta! The region’s myriad of orchards, rice fields, tiny villages, wooden bridges, canals, and local temples are all waiting to be explored by bike.
After breakfast, transfer from Saigon to the southern town of Cai Lay. Your cycling adventure begins with a 1.5 hour ride through quiet back roads to Cai Be. Rest and refuel as you enjoy lunch on a small Mekong island before continuing pedaling to a local home stay run by a lovely retired couple, Mr and Mrs Ba. Their typical Mekong Delta Vietnamese house has airy rooms is surrounded by dirt paths which are perfect for exploring by bike! Enjoy a delicious dinner of Mekong specialties with your welcoming hosts. (Today's journey is 18-30km of cycling)
Overnight at homestay, Cai Be.
From the nearby town of Vinh Long, enjoy a boat journey out to one of the Mekong Islands and in to the Heart of the Delta. Here you can pedal along narrow country lanes, easy dirt tracks and trails. This is biking at its most glorious as you pass through tiny orchards, witness colorful life along the riverside, pedal past picturesque delta homes, and clack across innumerable wooden bridges. Cross a narrow canal on a local sampan, before finishing at the main ferry for a refreshing boat trip across the expansive Co Chien River. The last short ride takes you to the Khmer town of Tra Vinh where there is plenty of time to explore side tracks and trails of the area. (Today's journey is approximately 40km of cycling)
Overnight in Tra Vinh.
Today's ride is through Khmer-influenced villages where you will find interesting regional architecture and there are many unique Khmer temples. Cycle as much or as little as is preferred; the road is peaceful, narrow and scenic all the way to Can Tho! En route, pedal to Ba Om Pond with its magnificent lotus flowers, and observe local women having their future predicted in the small temple nearby. After a glorious day of cycling, arrive in to Can Tho, the Mekong's largest town located at the confluence of the Can Tho and Hau Giang rivers. (Today's journey is 40-80km of cycling)
Overnight in Can Tho.
After breakfast, hop on your bike and weave through roads teeming with early morning market bustle along the banks of an active riverfront. Ride on a narrow paved road to the Phong Dien floating market. Absorb the sights of endless cottage industries, timber merchants, small docks loading rice on to boats, and tiny vibrant markets. Continue by bike on the narrow lane and loop around back to the main road. After lunch, return to the hotel to check out and transfer back to Saigon. (Today's journey is approximately 40km of cycling)
4 Days / 3 Nights
Year Round / On Demand
Available upon Request
Rates vary frequently. Please contact us to get the best possible price based upon your travel period and specific touring needs.
Our Meandering the Mekong by Bike Tour rates Include:
- 01 Exotissimo English speaking biking guide include eating with clients for all meals mentioned in the itinerary. (02 guides if group bigger than 7). Biking guides are first aid qualified and can maintain bikes. Their role is to deliver a safe and enjoyable tour to the clients, they manage the group, co ordinate the driver and support vehicle, buy snacks and fruit along the way, look out for clients needs. They are cultural guides as well as pure biking. More details about their role is outlined in the EXO Adventure manual.
- Private air-conditioned for a group pick up at ferry port and all support until drop off at the hotel in Saigon on day 4: (one 16 seater regarding group size of 2-4; One 25 seater from 5-7; Two 16 seater regarding group size 8-10, and one 25 seaters plus a luggage van for group size of 11 - 16). (Larger buses are not possible on the narrow roads in the Mekong and there are weight restrictions over the small bridges.)
- Bottled drinking water for cycling day as itinerary.
- Snack and fresh fruit, ice and refresher towels for cycling day as itinerary.
- Meals in local restaurants as mentioned in the itinerary. (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner).
- Boat trip to Cai Be market as itinerary.
- Local ferry tickets where required.
- Sight seeing entrance fees where stated in the itinerary.
Our Meandering the Mekong by Bike Tour rates Include:
- International air ticket to/from Vietnam and international airport departure tax (14 USD)
- Visa to Vietnam.
- Tips to drivers, driver assistants, local people, porters at boat station, hotels and airports, guides. Recommended tip: $3 per day per pax for driver, $4-5 per day per pax for guide, 10 000 VND per pax for hotel porters.
- Transfer to/from the airport
- Alcoholic drinks and drinks during meals
- Personal travel insurance.
- Local bike hire including transport of bikes, and spares
- Personal expenditure (telephone, laundry, shopping, camera film and so on)
- Accommodation in Saigon pre/post trip
- Any other services not clearly stated in the itinerary and trip inclusive portio
Creating Unique Touring Experiences All the touring itineraries on this website have been carefully crafted by our in-country management teams and represent a series of experiences we can certainly recommend. However, we understand that every travel experience should be as unique and individual as each traveler. Our consultants are waiting to hear from you so that we can tailor or custom design a Vietnam tour to your individual specifications.
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We enjoyed the tour very much and thank you for the organization, which went smoothly and exceptionally well. >> Read more
We returned home safely and,despite bad weather in Sapa,we enjoyed our trip the organization of which was perfect. Our ... >> Read more
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