Vietnam Grand Cycling

An adventurous cycling trip for you to see Vietnam’s captivating diversity - A great combination of sightseeing, cycling, driving and train. From North to South you will find the "authentic" Asia - the fertile plains of the Red River Delta, majestic mountains in the north, long deserted stretches of spectacular coastline in the centre, bustling cities and street markets and faded elegance from the French colonial era. You will also encounter a nation of people rich in culture, tradition and history with a captivating warmth and friendliness unequalled in South East Asia, a people who have put the war-torn past behind them and are clearly focused on a brighter future.

The following experiences are feasible from Hanoi. Talk to our travel expert about how to make your holiday extra special: Hanoi Old Quarter Shopping Adventure Take an in-depth walking tours of Hanoi's Old Quarter, the heart of the city's trade for over 2000 years. More than 70 streets are dedicated to specific goods: silk clothing, embroidery, silver products, wood turner's street, shiny paper products, herbal medicine, bamboo goods, fish sauce, tin ware, toys, linens, and cooking utensils. We take our travelers to Hanoi's most impressive modern art galleries and silk stores for custom clothing. Hanoi Historical Tour of the Countryside If you have half a day to spare we suggest you head to Co Loa (the nation's capital in the 10th

Century), just 16km outside of Hanoi. Dating back to the 3rd Century BC are the remains of a massive fortified citadel, the first ever recorded in Vietnamese history. Close to the city, there is the pottery village of Bat Trang, famous for the excellent ceramics produced from the manual labour of the village's artisans. An excellent place for you to pick up a selection of authentic souvenirs. Ho Chi Minh Complex Tour If you're interested to history, you might want to visit Ba Dinh Square, where imposing mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh located. See the simple stilt-house where Uncle Ho lived and worked. Nearby, visit the Ho

Chi Minh Museum, an extraordinary tribute in abstract form to the life of the 'father of the country' and the evolution of Vietnamese independence. Awaken Your Spirituality at the Thay Pagoda Situateded 40 kilometres southwest of Hanoi lies the Thay Pagoda, a place to worship the Lord Buddha. Thay Pagoda is widely known for its finely carved statues of Buddha in lacquer and gold for its colourful Buddhist ceremonies performed here during auspicious dates of the Lunar calendar. If you're lucky, water puppetry is occasionally performed in the courtyard of the pagoda (generally limited to festivals and holiday periods). Discover the Natural World Heritage Halong Bay Halong Bay is a collection of 1969 spectacular limestone outcroppings, cliffs, arches and coves in an area that is without doubt the most outstanding natural beautiful in the country.

Journey 3-hours east from Hanoi through verdant rice fields to Halong Bay for a private Chinese junk cruise in this world-famous bay. Alternatively, spend a memorable night aboard a luxury cruise. Cruise the among secret islands, enjoy incredible scenery, and perhaps also opt to participate in kayaking, a cooking class, swimming, visits to local villages, and Tai Chi class. Experience Mai Chau Valley Life First Hand If you're eager to experience rural Vietnamese life, you should head northwest to

peaceful valley of Mai Chau, home to the communities of the Thai ethnic group (distinguished by their head-scarves and pleated skirts). Inhabiting the lowland areas among the karst formations of Northwest Vietnam, the Thai live in thatched homes made from bamboo and local timbers. You should arrange for a guide to introduce and exhibit their simple, though ingenious, forms of farming, irrigation and hunting. We suggest that you partake in traditional performance and a drink of locally brewed rice wine traditionally sucked through thin bamboo pipes from a large communal jar.

Please click here to download detailed program