Vietnam is a country full of originality, overwhelming nature and mysterious monuments of times gone by. It is a country full of contrasts, with bustling, vibrant cities and rural districts where time seems to have stood still. Experience 2 weeks of Oriental flair and discover by bike and boat this fascinating country at the other side of the world.
Explore the rocky fairytale world of the famous Ha Long Bay sailing on a traditional junk and get in close touch with this unique landscape by bike and kayak. Admire the lush green rice fields and meet the friendly water buffaloes, visit colourful temples and pagodas and let the emerald-green waters of the South China Sea and the incredible cave formations enchant you. In Central Vietnam you can explore the impressive monuments of the Vietnamese emperors as well as the historical town of Hoi An - a World Heritage site - and in South Vietnam the expansive water labyrinth of the Mekong Deltas.

Arrival at Hanoi airport where a transfer bus is waiting to take us to our hotel in the heart of Hanoi's old town centre. Despite its 3 million inhabitants, Hanoi seems rural and traditional. The historical old quarter is considered one of the best-preserved in all of Southeast Asia. During a first walk through the colourful, lively streets we can let ourself be captivated by the incomparable Asian flair. Late in the afternoon we have the opportunity to attend the famous water-puppet theatre, a traditional Vietnamese art form. We get to know our fellow travellers during a first communal dinner. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, the bus is already waiting to take us past extensive rice fields to Van Don Island. After a picnic lunch begins our first bike tour. Initially we bicycle on an asphalt road along the coast before crossing the heavily wooded island centre on rural paths.
Afterwards we check in on our junk and enjoy the first crossing on the traditional wooden boat with the carved dragon head at the prow.

In the morning, our ship takes us to Tra Ban Island. On small paths and through green rice fields we bicycle across the island entirely untouched by tourism. We can see the water buffaloes so typical for Vietnam and perhaps even chat with some farmers cultivating their fields and living in the small villages along the way. After this pleasant bike ride we meet up again with our ship which, in a fairly long cruise during lunch, takes us to Quan Lan Island. We discover this island, famous for the brilliant white sand of its immense, pristine beaches, on the second bike tour of this day. Afterwards the ship will leave towards Ha Long Bay.

After a short sail this day begins with a visit to the "Amazing Cave", one of the largest and most beautiful caves at Ha Long Bay and one which really deserves its name. Let yourself be enthralled by the beautifully illuminated limestone formations. At noon we reach Ha Long Bay. In the afternoon we explore this craggy fairytale world by kayak, which is the best way to reach caves, lagoons and remote bays. The lookout point at Titop Island presents us in the evening with the unforgettable vista of the wonders of Ha Long Bay.

After breakfast we take leave of our junk and move with our luggage onto a smaller ship taking us to the bay of Lan Ha.During the cruise we pass the famous "floating villages", which allows us a close look at the traditional way of life of the fishers and their families.
From there we start once more on a kayak excursion that takes us to a picture-book beach. There we have lunch and then plenty of time for swimming in the emerald-green sea. In the afternoon we are picked up at the beach and taken to a small landing on Cat Ba, from where a bus transfers us to our resort.

Early in the morning, the transfer bus takes us back to the small landing, where we left the ship the previous day. A one-hour crossing brings us and our bikes to another small landing place. From there we bicycle to a remote village inhabited by the Viet Hai, an ethnic minority. We leave our bikes there and continue on foot on a fascinating guided walk through this primary forest that will amaze us with its wild pristine flora and giant colourful butterflies. The destination is one of the island's highest mountains which, on a clear day, presents a grandiose view across Ha Long Bay and the entire island. Then we bicycle back to the boat and end the day quietly on the private beach of the Sunrise resort. Overnight at the hotel.

After visiting the local market, the morning bike tour takes us to the center of the island and back to Cat Ba Town along the island’s panoramic coastal road.  Here we have lunch and enough time to refresh waiting for the Hydrofoil, which will take us back to the mainland. From there a bus transfers us back to Hanoi. In the evening we are free to stroll through the lively streets and lanes of the capital. Overnight at the hotel.

In the morning we fly from Hanoi to Hue which is prettily located between hills and rice fields at a bend of the Perfume River. The spiritual heart of Vietnam beats here, in more than 300 temples and pagodas. In the afternoon we bicycle through this ancient imperial city to visit the expansive citadel with the “Forbidden Purple City” which was once exclusively reserved for the Ngyen dynasty. Afterwards we visit the Thien Mu Pagoda which is part of one of the most influential monasteries in Vietnam.

The day ends with a leisurely boat trip on the Perfume River.

In the morning a transfer bus takes us to one of the famous Vietnamese Emperor’s tombs. Afterwards we continue by bus to Hoi An. En route we make a brief stop at the Cloud Pass, the weather line between North and South Vietnam and at the Marble Mountain with its numerous little sanctuaries.

Hoi An, once the most important port of Southeast Asia, has a delightful old centre inviting us to stroll around in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

The sightseeing tour of Hoi An, which is a World Heritage site, is the highpoint of this morning. Our tour guide takes us around this picturesque little town with its abundance of historical buildings, many dating back as far as the 16th cent. and which, despite changing fortunes, have survived unscathed. Still before noon we bicycle to the ancient pottery village of Thanh Ha, were we can admire Vietnamese craftsmanship and perhaps even try our own hand at pottery making. After a break for lunch we bicycle on to Cua Dai Beach whose white sands extend for more than 30 km. Overnight at the hotel.

In the morning we will be transferred to Da Nang and fly to Ho Chi Ming City, formerly Saigon. The city is the vibrant heart of the south. On a guided tour through the rapidly growing metropolis we visit the town hall, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum commemorating the Vietnam War. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast transfer to Can Duoc where we board your ship, which takes us first on an interesting cruise along the Cho Gao Canal and then on to the Mekong River. Along the route we can admire the luxuriant flora of the Delta and enjoy glimpses into the local life so closely interwoven with the river. In the afternoon we tie up at My Tho and explore Thoi Ton Island where we can enjoy exotic fruits and all sorts of handicrafts. In the evening the ship takes us to Cai Be where we spend the night.

In the morning we cross over to Vingh Long Island and under palm-shaded paths we cycle around the island. We continue by boat to Traon Island where we have once more the opportunity to explore the surroundings by bike. Later on we can enjoy the excellent cuisine on board and the wonderful evening atmosphere in the water labyrinth of the Mekong Delta.

During breakfast the ship takes us to Can Tho, where we will be transferred to a small boat taking us to Cai Rong, the most famous floating market of the Delta. Make sure to have your camera at the ready before getting caught up in the unique atmosphere of the merchants on their gaily painted boats. The following cruise through the small tributaries of the Delta completes our visit in the south. After lunch on board of the Conchinchine we check out and are transferred back to Ho Chi Minh City. The trip ends at about 06:00 PM with the drop off at the airport or the transfer to an additional overnight at the hotel in Ho Chi MInh City.

Alterations
On account of unpredictable wind and weather conditions as well as organisational requirements we reserve the right to change routes.

Recommendations (Level1-2)
The cycle routes require a certain level of fitness which one should have required by regular cycling trips. The bike routes have a length of approx. 25 / 16 mi. and lead through hilly or mountainous areas and will be crossed without time constraints. The roads are mainly asphalted, but good accessible natural roads are crossed as well.

Children
We believe that only children in a good physical condition and of a minimum age of 10 and with previous bicycle tour experience are able to master the bike-tours on their own strength. Please note that the minimum height for a rental bike is 1.40 m (4.6 ft.)

Hotels
In Hanoi, on Cat Bay Island, in Hue and Hoi An (Central Vietnam) and in Ho Chi Minh City you spend the night in very good 3 - 4 star hotels.

Catering
The price includes catering as specified in the itinerary which at all stations of the journey comprises local and regional cuisine (B=breakfast; L=lunch; D=dinner).

Participants

• Minimum 10 participants
• Maximaum 18 participants