Highlights: Hanoi

You will be met at Hanoi Airport (Please notify us of your arrival details). Today is designed to allow you settle in and relax after your journey. The Old Quarter, with its narrow streets where trades people can be seen working on the pavement, is well worth exploring. The Water Puppet show is also highly recommended - it is best to prebook on arrival in Hanoi.

Highlights: Hue

We take the morning flight from Hanoi to Hue (c.1hr 15 mins). Hue,(pop.286,000) built on the banks of the Perfume River, is steeped in 3,000 years of history. Here we will meet our bicycling guide and fit you to your bike and then explore the Citadel and Forbidden City by bicycle. At dinner tonight we will be entertained with traditional music in the garden courtyard.

Highlights: Hai Van Pass

We bicycle from town along a flat coastal road, through various fishing and agricultural villages. You will have your first experience of the friendliness of the locals, especially the children. Lunch is at Long Co Beach, an hour's drive. From here we tackle the Hai Van Pass, a very quiet road and the view from the top, and on the descent, is outstanding and well worth the effort. The support vehicle will be there, of course, should you prefer to shuttle. After a fabulous descent we reach Danang, where we'll board the van to drive to Hoi An (you are welcome to continue riding if you wish).

You may like to visit China Beach where American servicemen went for their R&R during the Vietnam /American War or a marble factory and view the exquisite workmanship.

Hue to Hoi An: 142 km / 89 mi Lang Co Beach to Hoi An: 75 km / 47 mi

Highlights: Explore Hoi An

Today is a day at leisure to explore this delightful town (dating back to 200BC) with its street side cafes, artists and markets. Explore the historic architecture of Japanese and French origin, take in the morning concert of traditional music or take a gentle ride((c.10km return) to fabulous Hoi An beach. There are wonderful pastry shops in the old town and excellent tailors who will make any garment to measure, including cycling jerseys, in just a few hours. A longer ride is also possible if anyone is interested.

Highlights: Fishing villages and local markets

We leave Hoi An on a delightful little road into the countryside where we will sample a slice of rural Vietnamese life. Approaching Quang Ngai we take another lovely side road, passing a fishing village and a lively local market. The route includes twelve km of unpaved road; it is quite rideable but the support vehicle will never be far away. The ride finishes at My Lai; you may wish to visit the memorial site.

Hoi An to Quang Ngai: 118km/ 74 (Backroad section 48 km / 30 mi)

Highlights: Climbs and Views

We drive to Tam Quan to commence cycling on an attractive minor road. It includes 2 steep(c. 10%) climbs, and excellent coastal views. We drive the final 32km to our seaside resort. Total Distance: 178 km / 111 mi Cycling section: 80 km / 50 mi

Highlights: Valley and coastal riding today

We take a delightful quiet road up a gentle valley and then down to Chi Thanh; it includes 17 km of unpaved road that you may wish to shuttle over. The afternoon's ride includes great coastal riding before reaching the highway again and driving into the city. There may be time to visit an ancient Cham Tower, a relic from the ethnic people who once ruled this part of Vietnam.

Total Distance: Qui Nhon to Nha Trang 241 km. Dieu to Tri to Chi Thanh: 73 km / 45 mi and Tuy Hoa to Ca Pass: 40 km / 25 mi

Highlights: Rest day or departure

Today there is the option of a boat trip to the islands at extra cost. You will visit a fishing village and be rowed ashore in Vietnamese round boats. There will be time to swim and snorkel, so bring your "togs". A stop will be made at the Oceanographic Institute and Tri Nguyen Aquarium; lunch will be at a lovely bamboo restaurant on an offshore island.

Highlights: Departure

Thank you for joining us to bicycle Vietnam.