Cycling in Asia forum

Cycling/Trekking Vietnam..Tour Operators Good or Bad?

star1976

newbie
Posts: 1

I'm going to SE Asia in about a week and I really want to do a cycle tour of Vietnam, but can't seem to get any response from the company websites. can anyone recommend a good tour operator (for cycling or trekking) which won't cost the earth?

#1 Posted: 6/3/2009 - 04:22
eljefe

motodop
Posts: 25

I have no idea what your budget is but Spice Roads is a reputable company. They have a 12 day trip from Hanoi to Luang Prabang, leaving on 15 March. The first 8 days are in VN:
http://www.spiceroads.com/vietnam/hanoi_luangprabang

They also have a tough MTB tour in the far north, but it doesn't leave until 29 March:
http://www.spiceroads.com/vietnam/northwest

#2 Posted: 11/3/2009 - 14:14
trailwalker

longtail driver
Posts: 5

Posted from within Vietnam.

I booked mountain biking and cycle touring of Asianventure Tours last year. it ran quite smoothly. both guides and gears in Thailand and Vietnam were great.

#3 Posted: 16/3/2009 - 12:56
daawgon

adventurer
Posts: 500

When taking cycling trips in Vietnam, always demand to know what kind and condition of equipment to be used. Although I only rented push bikes on a daily basis in Hoi An and Mai Chau, the condition of these bikes was none too good (do not settle for a cheap, one-speed, Chinese model - American made mountain bikes are available in country).

#4 Posted: 21/3/2009 - 12:51
DanPastor

newbie
Posts: 4

Posted from within Vietnam.

Footprint in Hanoi is for trekking the North Vietnam, they also offer some cycling there in North and down in the Mekong delta.

Cheers.

#5 Posted: 28/3/2009 - 10:51
eljefe

motodop
Posts: 25

Good advice to confirm the type of bike.
SpiceRoads uses Trek 4300's, Trek 4500's and the equivalent, depending on the tour. If you request something specific ahead of time, like slick tires, they can usually make the modification.

#6 Posted: 28/3/2009 - 14:41
keatherley

longtail driver
Posts: 7

Posted from within Vietnam.

Related to this post. Does anyone know of any others that aren't as expensive as Spice Roads? It looks fantastic, but I just can't get over the prices...

#7 Posted: 6/4/2009 - 01:06
ChrZap1703

longtail driver
Posts: 9

Posted from within Vietnam.

Hi there ! I just finished 4 days of trekking Sapa with activetravelvietnam. they were good, everything very well organized, good guide, etc. and the prices were pretty reasonable. Don't know about MBK though.

Cheers,

Christoph

#8 Posted: 10/4/2009 - 15:14
tseg

newbie
Posts: 1

There is an article in a online newsletter put out by Off the Radar (www.travelofftheradar.com) - it highlights a tour operator by the name of Buffalo Tours. I checked out their website and they seem to offer a myriad of tours - cycling in Vietnam is one of them. They seem like a great place and I believe there is an opportunity to volunteer at the end of your trip.

Check it out - seems well worth it and they are all about responsible travel. There is a link in the article to Buffalo Tours.
http://campaign-archive.com/?u=739c8154ec3c917e6c910ba03&id=8717b0a592

#9 Posted: 30/4/2009 - 08:57
veloasia

newbie
Posts: 4
Located in:

Although our trips may be out of your budget, www.sinhbalo.com offers some great, inexpensive and no-frills trips through the Mekong delta.

#10 Posted: 10/12/2009 - 05:54
Gioia

newbie
Posts: 1

Posted from within Vietnam.

In Hanoi , if you are bored with classic city tour, try a cycling tour with Urban Discovery Cycling. It is a new travel agent that even to me, a Hanoian, was also surprised with a new exploration of the Hanoi countrysid on the bike. Not too expensive and the guide is cool enough. Just try it and see these guys, a Dutch boss. Love bicycles. that's all, a bit off beaten track
http://www.urbandiscovery.asia/cycling.html

#11 Posted: 30/8/2010 - 23:09