Ride the Vietnam Ocean Road - Epic Itinerary

Your bike tour will commence in the tranquil city of Hue, a former seat of Imperial power in Vietnam. A Grasshopper Self-guided representative will meet at your hotel to conduct a briefing on the road and travel conditions in Vietnam, deliver your equipment and explain how to use the technology. You will then have the afternoon free to get comfortable with your new wheels as you explore the atmospheric Perfume River, colonial French architecture and crumbling Citadel walls of this historic city.

Today it's time to get some distance under your belt. Passing the outskirts of Hue, you will ride along country roads with few other vehicles. Farmers’ huts and rice fields will give way to fishing cottages and sand dunes as the ocean comes into view. You then enjoy some rolling hills as you weave in and out of the coastline throughout the day, with an abundance of delicious Vietnamese restaurants and food stalls to stop and refuel along the way. Your ride today concludes in Lang Co, a charming beachside town located on a slim peninsula between a lagoon and the ocean. Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop and you’ll seldom encounter other travelers here aside from local Vietnamese families.

Today will involve a somewhat challenging but memorably scenic climb over the Hai Van Pass, a mountain roadway that offers picturesque views over the lagoon and coastline below. You can expect to enjoy a quiet road and relaxed gradient, as the majority of the traffic passes through an alternative tunnel to bypass the mountain route. The descent down the other side takes you along the coastline into the ancient trade town of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is a melting pot of various architectural styles throughout the town's history.

Today you will ride a loop from Hoi An to enchanting My Son historic site, a set of ruins of Hindu tower-temples located in a mountainous valley. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, My Son was discovered by French archaeologists in the 19th century and was once the primary religious and intellectual center of the kingdom of Champa. The route will take you across rivers, through scenic countryside, along back roads hidden from most tourist routes and accessible only by bike. Along the way, you will pass family farms and small villages full of curious locals, before returning to spend the evening in the beautiful Hoi An.

A welcome rest day will allow you to prepare for the ride ahead and provide an opportunity to explore the beauty of this ancient town. There’s a diverse mix of architecture to enjoy, both contemporary and traditional food to dine on and a nearby beach located just a short ride away. Take our recommendations in the app, or seek out your own adventure in this UNESCO World Heritage old town.

As you depart Hoi An, you'll likely pass some of the market vendors bringing in produce from the surrounding farms. Then you’ll cross the river before taking a gravel road through an assortment of small fishing villages along the coast. The next part of the route involves some riding along Highway 1. While you can expect to encounter some traffic, the well-made road should ensure this is a smooth ride. En route to Quang Ngai, you will pass the sobering but poignant Son My Memorial, site of the My Lai Massacre – one of the most horrific crimes committed by the U.S. Army against civilians during the Vietnam War. At the memorial site there is an assembly of sculptures constructed in memory of the victims, a war history museum and gallery. From here you’ll continue on to the university town of Quang Ngai to spend the evening.

Today is arguably one of the best days of the tour, as you break from the coast for part of the route and cycle through the hinterland. The ride goes across rickety bridges and along canal paths, passing friendly locals hard at work out in the fields. The route is an intricate set of forks and bends, but the Self-guided app and notes provided will ensure you stay on track. You return to the coastline for the final leg of the journey and cycle towards Tam Quan, a coastal town where a cozy hotel awaits located off the beaten path.

Today provides some great views of the coastline as you climb a few steep but short hills. In the early part of the day, villages are sparse, but the latter part of the ride showcases some modern Vietnamese engineering as you cycle over a giant bridge spanning a vast lagoon which delivers you into the coastal city of Quy Nhon. Quy Nhon sits on a headland with grand boulevards that are ideal for strolling and a harbor packed with colorful squid boats. You will then have a short ride to your beachfront accommodation in Bai Xep, an authentic Vietnamese fishing village bordered by mountainous jungle.

Following lunch today you board a train for a leisurely and scenic journey along the coast. Sit back and relax as you traverse beaches, villages, rice fields and mountains. You can expect the majority of your fellow passengers to be Vietnamese, so you can strike up a conversation with some locals in the buffet car. By early evening you arrive Nha Trang, a vibrant seaside resort town with an impressive promenade, sweeping beachfront and an array of dining options for you to enjoy.

Your journey today begins on somewhat busy, but flat, roads through rice fields and sugarcane plantations. You’ll then turn away from the coast and ride some rolling hills, where the momentum from each descent helps propel you up the next gradient. Eventually, this transitions into a steady uphill climb as you ascend the Khanh Vinh pass. Whilst challenging, the mountainous scenery and views of the forested valleys help mitigate any fatigue – and then you can enjoy the descent!

The next part of the route involves more rolling hills, through coffee plantations and rural villages onto the town of Dalat, where you’ll continue to an upscale resort for a well-deserved rest.

At the conclusion of your tour in Dalat, a Grasshopper representative will meet you at your hotel and take receipt of the equipment. If you are ready to leave, there are daily flights to Hoh Chi Minh city or the Grasshopper Self-guided team can assist with booking further accommodation or transport if required.