Enjoying the backroads by bike

On the road in Vietnam | Richard I'Anson

Photo opportunities along the quiet and scenic roads, Vietnam | Richard I'Anson

Cycling the back roads of Vietnam | Lachlan Gardiner

Vietnam Self Guided Cycle: Mekong Delta

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

7 Days from

$1190 USD

Trip Code: MSG

View dates to Book Essential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

E-Bike Upgrade

$130 USD

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

(440kg of CO₂-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

Explore Vietnam’s hidden backroads through the Mekong Delta at your own pace
Ride quiet backroads past rice paddies, coconut groves and fruit farms
Visit Khmer temples and soak up Tra Vinh’s local culture
Explore Cai Rang’s floating market by traditional boat
Luggage transfers and 24/7 local support throughout
Experience Vietnam’s landscapes and culture at your own pace

Overview

Uncover the beauty and culture of southern Vietnam on a self-guided cycling trip designed for independent travellers who enjoy exploring at their own rhythm. With reliable local support and carefully planned logistics, this journey offers the perfect balance of freedom and confidence on the road.

World Expeditions has been creating active travel experiences in Vietnam since the early 1990s. This itinerary showcases the lesser-seen side of the Mekong Delta, offering a slower, more personal way to experience its rich landscapes and traditions.

From your first pedal stroke, you’ll ride through a patchwork of waterways, rice fields, and fruit orchards. Quiet village paths lead past Khmer temples and stilt houses, with time to pause at local markets or enjoy a coffee along the canals. The delta’s charm lies in its pace and simplicity perfectly suited to two wheels.

You’ll enjoy the freedom of travelling independently, with daily luggage transfers, detailed maps and route notes, handpicked accommodation, and around-the-clock support if needed. The riding is varied but achievable, with daily distances averaging 35–55km (22–34mi) along backroads chosen for scenery and safety.

This is not a group tour, and there’s no fixed schedule just you, the bike, and a carefully crafted route that invites you to take your time and soak it all in. This trip offers an engaging and flexible way to experience the real Vietnam beyond the usual trail.

Itinerary

Expand all | Collapse all

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

You will be collected from your hotel early this morning by your support driver and transferred to the bike shop for your trip briefing and bike fitting. Here, you’ll meet the local support team, receive your bicycle and trip materials, and be guided through essential information to prepare for your self-guided journey. This session is an important part of your trip. If you have arranged your own pre-tour accommodation, please ensure your reservations consultant has these details so we can coordinate your pick-up. If you are arriving in Ho Chi Minh City the day before prior to 4pm, we recommend scheduling your bike fitting and briefing on that day. Please speak with your consultant if you’d like us to arrange this. After your bike fitting, your journey begins with a private road transfer of approximately 90 minutes, taking you out of the city to the edge of Long An Province, the northern gateway to the Mekong Delta. En route, you’ll stop at a local café for a short break and a traditional Vietnamese coffee, while your bike is prepared for the day ahead. Your luggage is transferred separately, allowing you to ride unencumbered. Once on the bike, the scenery quickly changes. Leaving the urban bustle behind, you’ll cycle through a patchwork of rice paddies and rural backroads flanked by expansive dragon fruit farms—some of the largest in the country. The quiet roads offer a relaxed introduction to the rhythms of rural Vietnam. In the afternoon, the route leads into Ben Tre Province, widely known as the “Coconut Kingdom” for its abundant coconut palms. You’ll follow a mix of sealed and hard-packed local roads, cross narrow bridges, and take short ferry rides across the Mekong’s network of channels and islands. In the final stretch, the ride winds along slender paths between waterways—where you may find water shimmering on both sides of your wheels. Driving: 50km / 31mi (± 1.5hrs) Cycling: Approx. 65km/40mi, +256m/840ft, -240m/787ft Overnight: Maison du Pays de Ben Tre or similar

Meals: B

Today’s ride begins with a relaxed departure from Ben Tre, following a quiet route through lush countryside and alongside narrow canals that wind through the delta landscape. The scenery remains serene, with minimal traffic and regular glimpses of daily life in the delta—locals tending to fields, children cycling to school, and shaded roadside stalls selling fresh fruit. As you cross into Tra Vinh Province, a distinct cultural shift becomes apparent. This region is home to one of Vietnam’s largest Khmer communities, and the influence is seen in the ornate Buddhist temples, bright pagodas and detailed sculptures that dot the route. You’ll pass several traditional monasteries, often surrounded by serene palm groves and rice paddies. Tonight’s accommodation is in the heart of Tra Vinh, a tranquil town known for its strong Khmer heritage and welcoming atmosphere. After checking in, you may wish to explore the nearby streets or simply relax. In the evening, enjoy the chance to try local specialties—many of which blend Vietnamese and Khmer culinary traditions unique to this part of the Mekong. Cycling: Approx. 42km/26mi, +197m/646ft, -200m/656ft Overnight: Cuu Long Hotel or similar

Meals: B

Today’s ride offers a deeper exploration of the Khmer cultural landscape that defines much of Tra Vinh Province. Your self-guided route leads along quiet backroads through rural villages, peaceful rice paddies and shaded lanes dotted with ornate temples and colourful monasteries. A key highlight is your visit to Ang Pagoda, one of the oldest and most revered Khmer temples in the region. Believed to be over 800 years old, the pagoda is beautifully situated beside Ba Om Pond—a tranquil, lotus-filled basin surrounded by centuries-old trees. The site remains an active centre of Khmer Buddhist worship and reflects the distinct spiritual traditions and architecture of the local Khmer community. You’ll have time to explore the temple grounds, observe daily monastic life, and take in the calm atmosphere before continuing your ride through the surrounding countryside. Cycling: Approx. 59km/37mi, +147m/482ft, -140m/459ft Overnight: Suonsia Homestay or similar

Meals: B

Today’s route leads you from the quiet rural landscapes of Tra Vinh into the vibrant heart of the Mekong Delta. As you approach Can Tho—the region’s largest city and economic hub—you’ll notice the scenery gradually shift from peaceful farmland to the urban buzz of riverfront commerce, scooters, and lively street scenes. After checking in to your centrally located hotel, the rest of the afternoon is free to explore at your own pace. A stroll along Ninh Kieu Quay is highly recommended. This riverside promenade is especially atmospheric in the early evening, when local families gather, food vendors set up along the boardwalk, and the adjacent night market springs to life. It’s a fitting contrast to the stillness of the delta roads and a rewarding way to round out the day. Cycling: Approx. 56km/34mi, +255m/837ft, -250m/820ft Overnight: Ninh Kieu Riverside Hotel or similar

Meals: B

After an early breakfast, you'll board a local boat for a visit to the Cai Rang floating market one of the Mekong Delta’s most iconic and enduring trading hubs. As you cruise through the busy waterways, you'll see vendors selling fresh produce and household goods directly from their boats, continuing a way of life shaped by the region’s rivers. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the daily rhythm of commerce on the water and a memorable cultural highlight. After returning from the market, your self-guided cycling journey through the delta concludes. A private van transfer takes you back to Saigon, covering approximately 160km (100mi) over three hours. Upon arrival, you'll check in to your hotel and have the remainder of the day free to relax or explore the city at your own pace. Driving: Approx. 160km/100mi (± 3hrs) Overnight: The Odys Boutique or similar

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