Cycling Vietnam

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 73 reviews.

Ryan Lock

CYCLING VIETNAM

Written April 2013
This trip seemed to have the right balance. A good amount of cycling with also a good portion of sightseeing. A good balance of hill and flat roads and city and rural roads.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Final night drinks in Hanoi. And doing a 1700 meter downhill!
What did you think of your group leader?
Very good. Great attention to detail. A high level of organisation made everything run like clockwork.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take 3 changes of cycling gear. Don't bother taking too much else in the way of clothes. (buy cheap clothes there!)
Is there anything else you would like to add?
It would not like to live in Vietnam, but it is one hell of a place to visit.
Mike Hargreaves

CYCLING VIETNAM

Written April 2013
I had very high expectations of the country having wanted to go there for over 10 years and put the trip off on a few occasions. I know many people who have been to Vietnam and they have all come back with glowing reviews and this trip did not let me down at all. I can honestly say that I enjoyed every single day and was amazed with how beautiful and old fashioned the country. Honestly, this is the best way to see a country as you really do take in sights, sounds and smells of it (plus a bit of mud, grit and diesel fumes). It will take a lot to top this trip.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Cycling to Dalat and up the Hai Van Pass were personal highlights as the scenery was so beautiful I did not dare stop when the going got tough as I wanted to savour the sights rather than zip through them on the bus. I can honestly say that around every corner and over the top of every hill was a sight worth seeing and savouring. One turn it might be a peaceful river scene with a little boat gently putt putting its way around, the next you might see a load of water buffalo snouts poking through the water right the way through to beautiful rainforests, the most stunning beaches and ocean views I can say I have seen anywhere in the world...to date.
What did you think of your group leader?
Danh was great fun and had a good blend of knowledge and humour all throughout the trip. Cocktails on the sleeper train, cramming all 19 of us into a 4 man cabin on the sleeper train and the "penguins" are all good examples of his sense of humour. Always made sure that the pace of the trip was suitable for all members and gave good guidance as to what was coming up in terms of the following day and what we needed to do, where we needed to be and by when.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Do train for the trip as elements of it are tough. If you are relatively fit and take your time in the granny gears you can climb anything.

Read up on Vietnam as there is a lot of history that you will be ignorant to.

Whatever you plan on packing, I would say halve it and then take a few less items. You will only need 2-3 set of cycling clothing and the same for the evening. As Ryan said in the review before this one, you can buy anything else very cheaply when you are out there.

Take a mixture of Vietnamese Dong and US Dollars as both are useful to possess. You can change money in the hotels are decent rates without commission being charged as well.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
If you have any questions regarding the trip, please feel free to contact me via my profile links.
desmond smyth

CYCLING VIETNAM

Written March 2013
It was a trip that had a lot of promise,and it delivered it ,and indeed exceeded expectations.I would have difficulty in suggesting improvements,without lenghtening the duration of the trip.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The inspiration came from the people,and especially the kids who greeted us so enthusiastically.The people were friendly and welcoming,and placid-despite the overwhelming number of mopeds on the roads I never once encountered road rage !
The scenery at times was spectacular,and the hotels were generally better than expected.
What did you think of your group leader?
Chi was superb,and hugely popular with the group. He was everything an excellent guide should be-knowledgeable,helpful,courteous,good sense of humour,always in complete control in a very relaxed way.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I am not a serious cyclist-I am used to short rides of 2 hours or less-and I had no trouble with the cycling apart from the Mai Van Pass where I struggled,but made it ( I am in my sixties ! ).I did experience though saddle soreness at times,as did many others , so a gel cover is essential. Perhaps also a chamois cream.We were extremely well looked after at rest stops with refreshments-no need to take your own with you.Take care with the downhills,and with potholed roads - we had 2 accidents,neither fortunately too serious,but serious enough to stop any further cycling for the 2 individuals for the rest of the trip.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I cannot recommend this trip highly enough-if you are considering but are not sure,do it-and do it before too long before tourism takes a big hold as it most certainly will in the next few years.
Lars Brynningsen

CYCLING VIETNAM

Written February 2013
First cycling trip ever...but not the last one!! Fantastic trip with a great group of people and an excellent guide.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The warm greetings from the Vietnamese people - the kids cheering at the side of the Road as we cycled by. Truly amazing experience. Great feeling when you reached the top of the Hoi Van pass. The decent from Dalat was stunning - plenty of photos.
What did you think of your group leader?
Danh was great. Very competent with knowledge of the history and landscapes we passed through. Great laugh :-)
Claudine And Nick Paluch

CYCLING VIETNAM

Written February 2013
Fantastic holiday, a brilliant way to really experience this amazing country. We can honestly say we enjoyed every moment. The group were great fun and by the end felt like one big family.Our guide Danh was superb.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
So many... Cycling through the villages where all the local children just wanted to smile and wave and get a high five! The amazing scenery in the mountains of Dalat. The glorious sunset swim in the ocean at Mui Ne Sunrise breakfast on the terrace the next day. Eating with the locals in the pavement cafe at Hoi An.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our leader Danh was excellent in every way. He entertained us with his comprehensive knowledge of the country, the culture, history, politics and present day life. Nothing was too much trouble for him. His sole aim was for us to really enjoy our experience in his country. He was incredible at leading us through the hundreds of scooters in rush hour whistle in mouth stopping traffic in all directions! The trip would certainly not have been the same without him.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
We were worried as the awful weather at home over winter had meant we had not done much cycling in preparation for this trip but we were pleasantly surprised. The cycling is spaced out with times in the bus to cover the ground and you soon cover the mileage with the others to chat to and so much to see. The support bus is always there if ever anyone feels they have done enough for one day or is not feeling up to it for a while.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This was our first Exodus trip but certainly will not be the last!
Timothy Johnston

CYCLING VIETNAM

Written February 2013
This was a fantastic tour: a reasonably amount of cycling (329miles), some amazing scenery and some cultural highlights. The Vietnamese people were very friendly - even getting invited to sing at a wedding which we declined - and the food was great. Hotels were in the main pretty good and the boat around Halong Bay far better than expected. Organisation of the tour first class and couldn't be faulted.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The 30Km decent down the mountain from Delat and achieving 103.1 KM that day
Swimming in the surf in the South China sea in Mui Ne as the sun set
The fishing village at Ngn Trang where very few tourists go. Also passing through the villages off the beaten track.
Hoi An lit up at night, the rice cakes being crisped up and the hand made shoes being made
The Mausoleum to Tu Doc in Hue and the Citadel.
Learning about the history of Vietnam and something of the culture.
The lagoon at Halong Bay.
Local Markets
The reviving lemon drink!

What did you think of your group leader?
Danh was fantastic. Nothing was too much trouble to sort out. He was friendly and knowledgeable. The organisation of the tour went like clockwork. I can't praise him highly enough.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
It is worth seeeing this tour as a tour of Vietnam with some cycling, although some days are quite hard. I think we had 3 days over 80km which is quite hard on a mountain bike with pretty thick tyres. I took clip-on pedals and cycling shoes - which certainly helped me although only 2 us did in a party of 19.There are quite a few long session on the coach but this is more than main up by seeing the main cultural highlights of the country. There are stops every 20km but it is really too hot to wear a back pack (although some did). I brought a small carrier that can fit on the back of the bike a take a compact camera, my glasses and an energy bar which I found useful. A couple of 'wicking' tops were good.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Would have like more time to explore Hanoi The tour of the Citadel in Hue was rather rushed but understand this not everyone wants to spend time looking at ruins!
Kelly Hutchison

CYCLING VIETNAM

Written February 2013
A tough experience but thoroughly rewarding when you completed your day of cycling.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Cycling downhill through Bidoup Nui National Park, 30kms of winding roads in the glorious sunshine and wind against you, the view was amazing.
Riding through the villages and children coming out and high-fiving you
Seeing the amazing gravestones in one of the villages, known as Ghost City
Watching how happy and content the Vietnamese people are even with the simplest things in life, teaches us westerners some things as we have so much and are still never happy!
What did you think of your group leader?
Tom was brilliant! He couldnt help people enough and had so much knowledge.
His quote summarised the trip - 'Everyday is another best day'
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Make sure you practice riding even if you are reasonably fit. I thought I was quite fit as I play netball and do bootcamps and am quite active but nothing prepared me for those long days on the bike and especially the hills!
Make sure you take lots of padding for your backside!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I really enjoyed this trip even though I am not a cyclist, just seeing the amazing places and people was fantastic and having a great group and leader makes all the difference, thankfully we had both!

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Cycling Vietnam

Our Clients’ Reviews

CYCLING VIETNAM

CYCLING VIETNAM

CYCLING VIETNAM

CYCLING VIETNAM

CYCLING VIETNAM

CYCLING VIETNAM

CYCLING VIETNAM