Join an exciting 3 days / 2 nights cycling trip through the Mekong riverside and discover the many cultural and historical wonders of Vietnam
Day 1 - Ho Chi Minh / Vinh Long
We will pick you up at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh and get ready for departure at 8:00 A.M. for a 2 hours’ car ride to Long An. Long An is Located on the Mekong Delta, an area surrounded by Tay Ninh Province and Cambodia on the north, Ho Chi Minh City on the east, Tien Giang Province on the south and Dong Thap Province on the west. It is also famously known as the gateway to the mighty Mekong. You will start cycling along the first 25 km stretch of Long An suburb as you head to My Tho city, pass through green rice paddy fields and dragon fruit farms while our guide explains how local farmers set up their dragon fruit farms and take care of their special cacti tree. Then you will turn to a small village track and visit a rice noodle workshop in My Phong Commune. See and learn the traditional craft of noodle making passed down in the Chinese community back in 1679. Since then, the noodle has become the famous noodle soup now called Hutiu. If you would like to try this famous noodle, do let your guide know. Then, we will have a lunch break at the local restaurant at My Tho city.
Afterwards, you will continue your journey by traveling to Cai Lay and enjoying a leisurely 2 hours’ afternoon bike ride on peaceful country lanes and quiet roads through local villages and canals. This is also the prime opportunity for you to stop by the local farm and try out some of the seasonal fruits such as rambutans, jackfruits, longans, and durians. You can also watch the farmers harvest some beans from their fields and stop by the market to buy some fruits back home.
Once you arrive at Cai Be, pick up your backpack, get on board the cruise and cross the 1.5 km-wide Mekong river to Binh Hua Phuoc Island. Enjoy the stunning sunset by the golden Mekong water as you wolf down your scrumptious dinner and stay at the island’s eco-guesthouse.
If you are a novice cyclist, there is also a shorter cycling route to Cai Be where you get to paddle small sampans along narrow arroyos (waterways) and discover the various local activities on Binh Hua Phuoc Island. Then, you will board the main boat and cruise to your eco-guesthouse on the island. It is important to note, however, that the possibility of a sampan paddling depends on the river tide. Kindly discuss this option during lunch with your travel guide should you wish to explore this option.
Day 2 - Vinh Long / Can Tho
Finishing breakfast, we will proceed with a half an hour bike ride on a small pedestrian path and hop on a ferry to Vinh Long then for an extended ride to Can Tho. Along the way, you will pass through beautiful villages with a brick kiln, terracotta roofs and green rice fields. Next, stop for lunch at a local restaurant as you replenish the energy you have used during the journey. Once you are stuffed and ready, you get to make a choice: you can opt for an optional transfer to Can Tho or continue biking through the tranquil paths and lush canals of the area and make your way to the scenic, backcountry roads toward Dong Thanh, home to the Khmer Pagoda. The Khmer Pagoda is a community venue that is similar to the communal house of the Kinh majority and the Rong house of minority ethnic groups. The Khmer themselves are Buddhists and they build a pagoda at the same city where they live. Pagoda is not purely a religious place but also a school for children and a venue for people to share and exchange their knowledge. Pagodas have also been an important element in spreading and preserving the Khmer culture.
The Khmer pagoda preserves the sacred Buddhist Sutras and the Khmer tribe’s cultural documents. A Khmer pagoda has a spacious yard, curved roof, and a high tower to symbolise the sacred summit. Pagoda roofs are also engraved with images of the Naga, taking the form of a cobra with several heads. The three-headed Naga represents heaven, earth, and humankind. The 5-headed Naga depicts the different elements of the universe: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. The 7-headed Naga is a symbol of reaching the peak of one’s way. And the 9-head Naga leads people to heaven.
When you finish exploring the Khmer Pagoda, you can continue with a promenade along the city quay in the afternoon, or more cycling over the suspension bridge to Can Tho city where you will be staying for the night.
Day 3 - Can Tho / Ho Chi Minh
Wake up early in the morning and have an early breakfast around 6:00 A.M. before embarking on a morning boat trip and exploring the vibrant and bustling Cai Rang floating market. The first thing you will notice about Cai Rang floating market is how lively and crowded it is. Witness the efficiency of each seller selling and bargaining with their customers on the best price for the item. Interestingly, in the middle of such a bustling trading scene, you will still somehow find comfort as you immerse yourself in the rustic lifestyle of the Vietnamese marketplace as you breathe in the cool breeze of the great river. Cai Rang floating market itself offers a great variety of product for sale. Besides staple commodities, it is also a famous location to find reasonably priced local products. Find an assortment of different products all for your choosing such as durians, rambutans, mangosteens and grapefruits.
Next, we will continue our cruise along small winding waterways around Can Tho. You will also have the chance to visit a local rice husking mill or a vermicelli production factory and so on. Afterwards, we mount our bikes for another two hours’ pleasant ride along the lush green jungle canopy in one of the most scenic areas of the Delta. The path will also pass through numerous rural villages alongside small canals where you will be able to greet local passers-by. Keep your eyes peeled for how local merchandisers conduct their businesses as well.
After a lunch break, you will head straight back to Ho Chi Minh on our private van. If you still wish to go on more bike rides, please discuss with your guides. You might be able to arrange for a route that passes through orchards and rice fields on your way back to Ho Chi Minh city. By 5:30 P.M., your tour will end and you will be able to rest your tired legs.
Refer to the map below to see a list of pick up location(s) that are available for you to choose from. You can select your desired pick up location when you book the tour.
List of Location(s):
Pick up is also available for other location(s) under the vicinity of Ho Chi Minh City. For more information, please contact Adventoro's concierge service.
Make use of Adventoro's complimentary concierge service by emailing info@adventoro.com to effortlessly plan your next adventure!