A Self-Guided Bike Tour of Vietnam’s Coast
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Discover the charming village communities, ancient towns, bustling cities and sparkling beach of Vietnam on a self-guided cycle tour. With varied terrain to keep the ride interesting, beautiful sights and our best recommendations for local eats and points of interest make this exploration hard to beat.
Quality Bikes
GT Avalanche Sport or E-bike
Your Guide
Self-guided
Group Size
1 to 14
Accommodation
Comfortable hotels & guesthouses
Activities
Ride
Minimum Age
-
Overview
This unique cycle route will introduce you to the cultural, scenic and culinary tour de force that is coastal Vietnam. Starting from the historic city of Hue, you’ll begin your cycling adventure along the coast. Pedal to the Cau Hai Lagoon, onto Hoi An for a countryside exploration and visit to the My Son ruins or just some time to rest in this UNESCO favorite city. You’ll continue on to some lesser-known beach towns as you ride through seaside villages past bustling fishing ports and cruise the fertile coastal plains. With minimal traffic plus friendly and inquisitive locals at every turn, this is a ride to truly savor and enjoy. With the help of our app and navigation system, you’ll be able to craft your own adventure while following our recommendation. Maybe you’ll learn a few words of Vietnamese with our language guide so you can connect with locals! This will be a scenic and unforgettable cycling exploration of Vietnam’s coast.
Pedal-assist E-bikes are an available option on this tour for $245.
403 km / 250 mi riding: Whilst there are a few days on this bike tour with manageable rolling hills, this route is achievable for anyone who cycles regularly as a commuter or recreationally. Most of the ride will be on well-made roads with minimal traffic or rural back-roads that are off the beaten path.
Highlights
Explore the colonial French architecture and the views from the Perfume River of Hue.
The clear waters of the Cau Hai Lagoon framed by mountains will take your breath away.
Pedal through the villages and rice paddies of rural Hoi An to the UNESCO listed ruins of My Son.
Cycle through traditional fishing villages, then end the day on the paradise island of Tam Hai.
- Itinerary
- What’s Included
- Accommodations
- Trip Extensions
- Reviews
- FAQs
- BOOK THIS TOUR
Day to Day
40km
25mi
You will commence your tour in the historic city of Hue, the last seat of Imperial power in Vietnam. A Grasshopper Self-guided representative will meet with you at your hotel to deliver your equipment, conduct a briefing on the road and travel conditions in Vietnam and explain how to use the technology provided. You will then try out your new wheels on a loop ride explore the many faces of this tranquil city with its crumbling citadel walls, atmospheric Perfume River and colonial French architecture.
65km
40mi
B
Once you clear the city limits you will find yourself on country roads with only an occasional vehicle passing by. Rice fields will give way to low sand dunes and farmers’ homes begin to transition into fishing cottages as the ocean finally comes into view. You’ll then enjoy pedaling some rolling hills weaving in and out of the coastline throughout the day, there will also be plenty of delicious Vietnamese food along the way to fuel your ride. Reaching the vast Cau Hai Lagoon, nested against a dramatic mountain backdrop you will also catch the first glimpse of the ocean. You can expect to encounter very few other people here aside from local Vietnamese families. Take our recommendations for the best local eateries to satisfy your appetite.
80km
50mi
B
Today, you will start cycling on small hills that will prepare you for the challenging but scenic climb up the Hai Van Pass. A well-made road snakes its way up the mountain, offering views over the ocean and lagoon below. The majority of traffic goes through an alternative tunnel, so you can expect to enjoy pedaling a quiet road with a relaxed gradient. The descent down the other side is of equal distance and will lead you along a coastal road into Da Nang, a bustling financial capital of the province. After a section of busier suburban roads you'll see Da Nang from the vantage points of two of its many famous bridges and visit the monument of Lady Buddha.
Finally, you will meet our representative who will transfer you to the ancient trade town of Hoi An that has withstood regular floods and multiple wars to remain wonderfully intact and charming as ever.
28km
17mi
B
A day of rest will help prepare you for the riding ahead and allow you to explore the rich history and diverse architecture of this ancient town. There’s an excellent mix of modern and traditional food to enjoy, plus the beach is just a short ride away. Use our app to follow our recommendations of places to visit, or take a wander on your own. Alternatively, if you feel your lust for cycling has not been satiated enough to take a rest, you can take on our curated 28km ride of the city and surrounding countryside.
60km
37mi
B
Today you will have a ride that takes you from historic Hoi An to the enchanting My Son ruins, a cluster of ancient remains of Hindu tower-temples set amidst a leafy jungle valley. Once the primary intellectual and religious center of the kingdom of Champa, My Son was re-discovered by French archaeologists in the 19th century and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The cycling route will take you across rivers and through picturesque countryside, along rural back roads accessible only by bike and hidden from most tourist routes. Passing small villages and rice fields, inquisitive locals will greet you along the way, it will be a day of smiles, history and tranquillity, before meeting your driver and transferring back to lovely Hoi An for the evening.
70km
43mi
B
As you leave Hoi An, you'll likely see many of the market vendors bringing in their produce from the surrounding farms. Today's ride takes a gravel road through a collection of small fishing villages on another peninsula, where fish are farmed in ponds and ocean winds whip around the homes dotted along the shoreline. With a push from the sea breeze, you continue pedaling south towards the next stop, Tam Ky, the capital city of Quảng Nam Province. After a visit to its notable sights, you will go back towards the ocean and take a ferry to the small Tam Hai Island where your Vietnamese hosts await at a delightful resort.
60km
37mi
B
Today is one of the few days where you will need to spend some of your ride along a major road. While you can expect to encounter more traffic while cycling, the road is very well made and the ride will be smooth. You’ll pass through some manufacturing districts before returning to small coastal roads and quaint villages, where seafood is pulled straight from the ocean and cooked for lunch.
Once your belly is full, you have a short distance remaining to the university town of Quang Nai. Along the way, you pedal past the solemn but poignant Son My Memorial, the site of one of the most infamous crimes committed by the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War – the My Lai Massacre. The memorial site contains a war history museum, gallery and an assembly of sculptures constructed in memory of the multiple civilian victims.
This is where you will meet with our representative who will transfer you back to Hoi An. If you have plans to stay in Quang Ngai or continue south, our representative will relieve you of the equipment. Alternatively, if you are ready to leave there are daily flights from Da Nang to major airports in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh city. If you would like to take a domestic flight then Chu Lai airport connects with all major Vietnamese airports.
If required, the Grasshopper Self-guided team can assist with booking further accommodation or transport for you. If your immediate plan is to board a flight or a train then our team will take you to a friendly hotel where you can use the facilities to freshen up before your flight.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Hopper App
- Bike Upgrade
- E-Bikes
- Good Beds
- Cycling CPU
- Self-Reliance
- Freedom
- Bag Transfer
- Extra Gifts
- Wahoo ELEMNT
- Hotel Upgrade
- Extra Support
- Safety
- Great Wheels

Hopper App
Our dedicated Grasshopper Self-guided Adventures app combines navigating technology with visual and audio descriptions of points of interest along your routes and can be hosted on all Android and iOS devices. The app contains your detailed tour route, podcasts with background information on the regions you will pass through, plus an audio commentary describing points of interest along the way. It also provides dining suggestions along your routes as well in destination locations, with translated menu recommendations. Furthermore, it will provide a and voiced glossaries of common phrases and words, which you can use to find rapport with locals.
On request, we can provide iPads if you don’t wish to use your own mobile device.

Bike Upgrade
Grasshopper Self-guided tours are run with our reliable fleet of all-purpose touring bikes, but depending on availability, and for an additional $225 fee, you can upgrade your ride to our premium bike option - the Norco Search XR!
The next generation of steel performance. At the Search’s heart is a Reynolds 725 Chromoly frame which is significantly lighter than steel frames of the past, but offers all the compliance and comfort riders love. 42mm tires will roll comfortably over any surface you encounter and along with the carbon fork will help absorb the road chatter so your ride is a smooth one.
Hydraulic disc brakes provide confident stopping power, and rounding out the kit is Shimano's new generation GRX gearing specially designed for mixed surface use. The Norco Search is designed to give you the comfort of a hybrid touring bike with the fun of a much sportier bike, so you'll feel as at home on the road as off it!
Contact our support team to find out about availability and secure your bike upgrade today!

E-Bikes
Depending on availability, and for an additional fee, our Premium Self-guided offering in Vietnam includes TREK Conduit+ e-bikes. You still pedal, stop and start as you would on any normal bike, but the TREK e-bike gives you a bit of extra juice with three levels of pedal assist, allowing you to approach your riding day in a more leisurely fashion. All our e-bikes are of the highest quality, fitted with dependable all-weather hydraulic disc brakes and are as lovingly maintained as our regular bike fleet. Read more about our e-bikes.
An upgrade can be purchased for this trip, availability is limited and on a first-in basis.

Good Beds
We choose hotels not just based on star ratings, but for their character, comfort, charm and their ability to work with us to make your journey as seamless and enjoyable as possible. Self Guided gives us booking flexibility that we don’t usually have with large group tours, so this offer is expanded with some really unique venues. In prominent locations or cities, we generally use hotels in the 3-4 star range. In the minor towns, we use the best available accommodation. At the bare minimum, you can expect air conditioning, a private bathroom and a comfortable bed.

Cycling CPU
Exclusive to self-guided tours, our bikes come fitted with top of the range GPS navigation units. These biking computers have remarkable customization capabilities and can easily be ported with all major biking software, such as Strava, RidewithGPS or Kamoot, for all fans of cycling data. Never fear if you are not technically minded, as we've made them accessible to all riders. The device will be customized for you and we will upload the most accurate maps and routes. Furthermore, you will be well briefed on putting it to good use. You can download a free companion app and play around with its setup, download results of a day’s ride, or set yourself daily workout goals.

Self-Reliance
Before you ride out on your Self-guided adventure, you will be given a set of essential tools to handle all possible minor repairs, or you can turn to local mechanics for help. However, in an unlikely event of a breakdown, you just need to reach out to our representative who will either talk you through basic repairs or organize support in your location or will help you handle a transfer to your destination.
On request, and for an additional fee, we provide a premium transfer service, to pick you up anywhere on the road, if you feel you can’t make it to your ride’s destination.

Freedom
We provide the technology, travel planning and attention to detail so that you can just focus on enjoying the ride. You'll have your pick of great places to eat plus endless opportunities for local interaction as you cycle through regional communities. This is true independent touring without the hassle. It will take you to places you'd never reach any other way and allow you to explore new locations at your own pace.

Bag Transfer
We provide secure luggage transfers between each of your hotels. This way you can enjoy the ride knowing that when you arrive, your bags will already be waiting in your room. We will also call ahead to ensure that everything is ready for your arrival.

Extra Gifts
A beautiful souvenir Grasshopper cycling jersey is yours to wear and take home. We also provide a Grasshopper drink bottle as an extra memento.

Wahoo ELEMNT
On this tour we provide Wahoo ELEMNT bike computers for navigational support. These are the latest in user-friendly navigation tech from Wahoo Fitness. With Wahoo devices you will be able to track your progress and monitor your route. Beyond their basic setup, the geek-cyclists will find Wahoo ELEMNTs to be excellent data mining devices allowing to measure almost any aspect of the ride.

Hotel Upgrade
We introduce an opportunity to turn your accommodation into a really special experience. On this tour, you can upgrade your hotels in two locations: Hue and Hoi An.
The hotels that we normally use are carefully selected to offer a comfortable boutique experience with character in the 3-4 star range.
However, if you wish to perk up your tour with a bit of extra luxury then reach out to our experts or mark your interest in the booking form.

Extra Support
The routes of this tour have been selected from among the safest in Vietnam and were designed to be achievable by riders of some experience.
For additional fee, and on demand you can opt for additional van support. This service will allow you to hop on the van each time you feel a bit too tired to continue, or if you just want to cut your cycling short on a given day.
Reach out to our expert team to learn more about additional support.

Safety
We are proud of the skills of our mechanics and put our full trust in the quality of our bikes, but we are always ready to act if something goes wrong. Self-guided touring requires that you can perform minor repairs yourself, but for any tough repairs you can count on our staff to provide assistance.
Your safety on a self-guided tour is our top concern as you ride without a local guide to offer immediate help. For this reason we provide means of contacting our Representative anytime, so if an urgent situation arises they can assist with translation, arranging transportation to medical facilities, or obtaining documentation required by your insurer.

Great Wheels
Quality, well maintained Cannondale Quick CX 3 bikes in a full range of sizes are included in the price of your self-guided tour. They are a hybrid build that offers comfort and makes daily distances very achievable to riders of most skill levels.
ACCOMMODATIONS

Vedana Resort
This stylish resort on the shore of an idyllic lagoon features comfortable rooms with stunning views and private balconies. Take a dip in the pool, kayak around the lagoon, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

Tam Hai La Domaine
Le Domaine De Tam Hai Resort is a place, accessible only by boat, tucked away on the central coast of Vietnam, an hours drive from Hoi An. Eleven shabby chic villas nestled amongst coconut palms, a stone’s throw away from the water's edge.

Lantana Riverside
Overlooking Hoi An's picturesque riverside, just a 15 min walk from the town's UNESCO listed Old Quater, the Lantana Riverside hotel is your comfortable refuge after exploring the highlights of this historic town and its surroundings. Take a refreshing dip in the hotel pool or simply unwind over a cocktail by the riverside.
Trip Extensions

Ha Long Bay Explorer
Explore the strikingly beautiful islands of Ha Long Bay in North Vietnam on an optional 4-day/3-night guided tour extension – 4 unforgettable days of cruising and active adventure in paradise!
Includes: Flights, accommodation, exclusive chartered boat, all meals, guide, transfers, equipment, and activities.
PRIVACY POLICY
GUEST REVIEWS
I did the Vietnam self-guided coastal route, a beautiful trip taking you off the beaten track.
The scenery was beautiful and it was easy to follow the navigational guide. A great trip for cycle enthusiasts!
-Alison
We’ve absolutely enjoyed the self-guided tour since it brought us into contact with the ‘other side’ of Vietnam.
Unexplored small roads, very friendly and curious villagers, lovely food and great sceneries. One of the best experiences to travel through a country!
-Cyrille
Grasshopper looked after all the details so that we could relax and enjoy the riding. What a wonderful way to see more of Vietnam.
-Gillian Pritchard
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is travel in Vietnam like?
Click here to see our Vietnam Travel Guide.
Here is some general travel information for Vietnam.
2. What is a self-guided cycle tour like?
Take a moment to look at our blog: Is Self-guided for you?
3. See our Self-guided FAQ page for more information
WHAT MAKES US STAND OUT
GRASSHOPPER STYLE
The beauty of a self-guided tour is that, though the exploration is on your own, we’ve taken care of all the details for you. This means that the route is planned out and programmed into a GPS system and app and your luggage will be waiting for you at one of our chosen accommodations. This bike exploration of Vietnam combines all the fun of an independent adventure with our expertise and knowledge of the area, the must-see sights and best places to eat in order to make your experience more directed and enjoyable.