Setting out to cycle the backroads of Vietnam

On the road in Vietnam | Richard I'Anson

Cycling the back roads of Vietnam | Lachlan Gardiner

Vietnam Self Guided Cycle: Central Highlands

Explore southern Vietnam’s vibrant contrasts on a self-guided ride - independent and immersive

7 Days from

$1120 USD

Trip Code: HSG

View dates to Book Essential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Single Supplement

$240 USD

Duration

7 Days

Activities

4 Day Self Guided Cycle

Accommodation

5 Nights Hotel
1 Nights Homestay

Meals

6 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading

5 / 10

Moderate

Carbon Footprint

40kg of CO₂-e PP per day

(242kg of CO₂-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

Enjoy scenic climbs and panoramic views en route to Da Lat
Ride through Vietnam’s tea and coffee heartland
Luggage transfers and 24/7 local support throughout
Experience Vietnam’s landscapes and culture at your own pace
Self-guided flexibility with detailed maps and GPX navigation

Overview

Uncover a different side of Vietnam as you cycle through the cool, misty hills and vibrant farmlands of the Central Highlands on a self-guided adventure designed for independent travellers. This route is ideal for those who enjoy the freedom of exploring at their own pace, supported by reliable local logistics and thoughtfully selected accommodation.

World Expeditions has been offering immersive cycling journeys in Vietnam since the early 1990s. This itinerary showcases a quieter, scenic region rich in natural beauty and cultural diversity, far from the well-worn tourist trail.

Beginning in Saigon, your journey leads you to the serene Tri An Lake and through rolling countryside dotted with rubber plantations, fruit orchards, and small farming villages. From the lowland forests of Madagui to the tea hills around Bao Loc and the peaceful farmlands of Lam Ha, each day brings new landscapes and local encounters.

You’ll finish in Da Lat, a highland town known for its fresh mountain air, flower gardens, and French-inspired charm. With its cooler climate and relaxed atmosphere, it’s the perfect reward after several days in the saddle.

Daily luggage transfers, detailed route notes, GPX files, and local on-call support give you the confidence to enjoy the ride without worrying about logistics. While the terrain includes some climbs, the route is achievable for most regular cyclists, with daily distances ranging from 60–80km on quiet, scenic backroads.

This isn’t a group tour, and there’s no guide setting the pace. It’s just you, your bike, and the chance to ride into a Vietnam few travellers get to see. Whether you stop for a roadside coffee or linger at a hilltop viewpoint, this journey gives you the space and time to experience Vietnam on your own terms.

Itinerary

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On arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, you will be met by your driver and transferred to your centrally located hotel. If you are arriving on the official Day 1, this transfer is included in your trip. Your hotel is conveniently positioned for easy access to many of the city's key cultural and historical sites. After check-in, the remainder of the day is at leisure. You may wish to explore the local neighbourhood on foot or visit nearby landmarks such as Ben Thanh Market, the War Remnants Museum or Notre-Dame Cathedral. Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant metropolis where French colonial architecture, lively street life and modern development blend to create a dynamic first impression of Vietnam. At 4:00pm, a trip briefing and bike fitting will take place at the designated bike shop. Please make your own way to the bike shop. Here, you’ll meet your local support team, receive your bicycle and trip materials, and be guided through essential information to help prepare for your self-guided journey. This session is an important part of your trip. If you’re unable to arrive by early afternoon on Day 1, we recommend arriving the day prior to ensure you don’t miss it. Overnight: The Odys Boutique or similar

Meals: Nil

After breakfast, you'll be transferred by private vehicle from Ho Chi Minh City to the starting point of today’s ride. The drive takes approximately three hours, with your luggage transported separately to your next hotel. The day begins at Tri An Lake a peaceful setting where calm waters and surrounding greenery provide a gentle introduction to Vietnam’s rural interior. From here, your ride follows quiet backroads through a landscape shaped by agriculture and village life. You'll pass through rubber plantations, cassava fields and small farming communities, with glimpses of daily life along the way locals tending crops and buffalo grazing in the shade. As the ride continues, the terrain gradually begins to rise, marking the approach to the southern highlands. As you arrive at Cát Tiên National Park, you'll find yourself surrounded by dense lowland forest, home to a rich variety of wildlife and rare bird species. In the evening, you may like to join a guided night walk to spot some of the park’s nocturnal animals in their natural habitat. If you’re keen, head to the ticket booth near the main accommodation area before 5 PM to check availability and secure your place. Driving: Approx. ± 111km/70mi (± 3hrs) Cycling: Approx. 48km/30mi, +228m/784ft, -198m/650ft Overnight: Green Bamboo Lodge Resort or similar

Meals: B

Departing from Cát Tiên National Park, you’ll follow a quieter route through farmland, gentle hills, and remote ethnic minority villages. The elevation steadily increases, and with it, the climate shifts replaced by crisp, refreshing mountain air and wide, sweeping views of the highland terrain. The route follows quiet country roads lined with tea bushes, fruit orchards and coffee plantations, where the rich greens of the foliage contrast beautifully with the mist-draped slopes of the highlands. The riding is peaceful, with little traffic and a steady rhythm as you wind through rural villages where locals often greet cyclists with a smile or wave. Arriving in Bao Loc, you’ll find a laid-back town known for its tea production and relaxed atmosphere. After checking in, there’s time to explore the area on foot, browse local markets, or simply enjoy a freshly brewed cup of locally grown tea as the sun sets over the hills. Cycling: Approx. 70km/43mi, +1,185m/3,888ft, -465m/1,526ft Overnight: Sandal Vista Hotel or similar

Meals: B

Today’s ride unfolds at a gentler pace as you continue through the tranquil highlands of Vietnam. The route meanders past low hills blanketed with tea bushes, coffee plantations and patches of tropical vegetation, where banana trees and mist-shrouded slopes create a distinctly local landscape. Riding along quiet rural roads, you’ll share the way with farmers on their morning commute and children cycling to school, often offering a cheerful wave as you pass. With less elevation gain than previous days, there’s time to pause, take in the scenery, and enjoy the unhurried rhythm of life in the highlands. By late afternoon, you’ll arrive at your homestay in Lam Ha—a welcoming and peaceful setting surrounded by gardens. This evening offers more than just a comfortable place to rest: you’ll enjoy a home-cooked meal and the chance to chat with your hosts, offering insight into the region’s culture and a more personal connection to the journey. Cycling: Approx. 66km/41mi, +1,239m/4,065ft, -1,116m/3,661ft Overnight: Trang Nguyên Garden House or similar

Meals: B

Today marks the final stage of your highland journey as you ride toward Da Lat, perched at over 1,500 metres (4,900ft) in the Central Highlands. The route features a mix of steady climbs and rolling hills, offering a satisfying challenge balanced by spectacular scenery throughout. As you gain altitude, the landscape transforms once more—tropical vegetation gives way to pine forests, flower farms brighten the hillsides with bursts of colour, and expansive views stretch across the valleys below. The cooler mountain air and sweeping panoramas provide a refreshing contrast to the warmer, flatter terrain of the Mekong. Arriving into Da Lat, known as the “City of Eternal Spring,” you’ll be welcomed by its temperate climate, serene lakes, colonial architecture and bustling markets. With the most demanding climbs behind you, there’s time to enjoy a sense of achievement and indulge in the local atmosphere—perhaps with a cup of highland coffee or a punnet of Da Lat’s famous strawberries. Cycling: Approx. 60km/37mi, +1,107m/3,632ft, -576m/1,890ft Overnight: TTC Da Lat or similar

Meals: B

Enjoy a relaxed start to the day with time to explore Da Lat at your own pace. You might stroll the city’s tree-lined streets, browse the lively central market, or take in the tranquil setting of Xuan Huong Lake. If you’re in the mood for a treat, don’t miss two of Da Lat’s local favourites: fresh strawberries and creamy avocado ice cream—both regional specialties thanks to the city’s cool highland climate. Today your self-guided cycling journey through the delta concludes.

Meals: B

This morning is free at leisure in Ho Chi Minh City. Trip concludes.

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.

Ready to start your adventure?

View dates to Book

What’s included?

Included

6 breakfasts
5 nights comfortable hotel on a twinshare basis
1 nights traditional homestay on multishare basis
Airport to hotel transfer (if arriving on day 1 of the trip)
Private air conditioned vehicle on transfer days 2 & 6
Modern mountain bikes with 1 waterproof pannier (10L), phone holder & basic repair kit (Option to upgrade to e-bike at additional cost; subject to availability)
Hotel-to-hotel luggage transfer
Sightseeing and entry fees as listed in itinerary
Navigational App and route maps
Emergency on-call support
Introductory briefing and bike fitting on Day 1 of tour

Not included

International airfares
Visa fees
Travel Insurance (compulsory)
Bike Helmet (compulsory)
Meals and beverages not mentioned in the itinerary
Items of a personal nature such as laundry, phone calls, alcohol etc
Tips and gratuities
Return Transfer to airport