BIKING 9days/8nights PERFECT MEKONG DELTA
Highlight: Óc Eo is an archaeological site proposed to be named by the French archaeologist site Louis Mallaret in Thoại Sơn District in southern An Giang Province, Vietnam, in the Mekong River Delta region of Vietnam. It is also one of the modern day Communes of Vietnam. This site may have been a busy port of the kingdom of Funan between the 1st and 7th centuries AD.
The excavation of the site began on February 10, 1942 after the French archaeologist had discovered this site with aerial photographing. The excavation covers 450 ha and contains in it many artifacts of the Funan kingdom. Oc Eo is placed between a network of ancient canals that crisscross the low flatland of the delta. One of the canals connects Oc Eo to the town's seaport while another goes 42 miles north-northeast to Angkor Borei. Oc Eo is longitudinally bisected by a canal, and there are four transverse canals along which pile-supported houses were perhaps ranged.
The Vietnamese historian Ha Van Tan has questioned whether the vestiges excavated at Oc Eo belonged to the Funan kingdom, in view of the complete lack of any Khmer records relating to a kingdom of this name: he argues that Oc Eo gradually emerged as an economic and cultural centre of the Mekong Delta and, with an important position on the Southeast Asian sea routes, became a meeting place for craftsmen and traders, which provided adequate conditions for urbanization, receiving foreign influences which in turn stimulated internal development.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh - My Tho - Ben Tre 50km (L,D)
We’ll transfer out of city to My Tho - a gateway to Mekong delta- to take a boat trip to see local homes and businesses on the water. Then, we’ll ride our bikes on the islands and coconut plantations before heading to the local town Ben Tre for an overnight stay.
Day 2: Ben Tre - Tra Vinh - Soc Trang 85km (B,L)
We’ll cross the Mekong River by ferryboat and then ride to Mo Cay. We’ll stop to visit the city, which was considered the homeland of communists during the Vietnam War. Then, we’ll keep cycling through villages on paths and tracks to the Khmer town of Tra Vinh. There, we’ll visit the historical Ba Om Pond and oldest Ang pagoda. In the afternoon, we’ll ride deeper into the Mekong to Soc Trang to stay overnight.
Day 3: Soc Trang - Bac Lieu - Ca Mau 60km (B,L)
After breakfast at hotel, we’ll have a short ride to the well-known Bat Pagoda where you can see hundreds of Bats hanging in the pagoda and the trees. This is one of the most unusual sights and it has become a favorite stop-off for both foreign and domestic tourists. Then, Vietnam Bike Tours’ll re-mount our bikes and cycle along narrow country lanes, easy dirt tracks, and trails to Bac Lieu. Lunch will be held at a local restaurant that used to be home of the “Baclieu Prince”. Then, we’ll have a 1.5-hour transfer to Camau at the southern tip of Vietnam. We’ll stay overnight at a local hotel in Ca Mau.
Day 4: Ca Mau - Rach Gia 100km (B,L)
The fourth day’s ride starts at the hotel after breakfast. The morning’s ride is long, but the beauty of the unspoiled land and spectacular sites along the way make it worthwhile. We’ll stop en route to enjoy a picnic lunch. The ride in the afternoon ride will be shorter and will require a quick transfer to Rach Gia, the gateway to Phu Quoc Island. We’ll stay overnight in Rach Gia.
Day 5: Rach Gia - Ha Tien 55km (B,L)
After breakfast at a local establishment, we’ll transfer out to a quiet road to begin cycling. Rach Gia is at the south coast and there are many limestone mountains to see along the way. We’ll be cycling to Hon Chong, a Buddhist pilgrimage site with a sacred pagoda. There, we’ll enjoy lunch at the top of a hill overlooking the sea. Then, we’ll rest before our afternoon ride to Ha Tien. We’ll cross over the To Chau bridge where the sea meets the river on our way into town. We’ll stay overnight in Ha Tien.
Day 6: Ha Tien - Chau Doc 85km (B,L)
In the morning, we’ll cycle along the Cambodian border and see the Vinh Te canals dug by locals in the early 19th century. The oldest canals in the Mekong, these are a main irrigation source for local rice fields. Most people here are Cambodian, and speak both Cambodian and Vietnamese; you’ll experience a bit of both cultures. We’ll stop for a picnic lunch before riding the rest of the way to Chau Doc for sunset at the top of Sam Mountain.
Day 7: Chau Doc - Cao Lanh 60km (B,L)
Once more, the scenery is completely different. After a short ferry, the cycling route loops round to Cao Lanh along the Mekong’s rivers. Lunch will be held at a local restaurant. Then, we’ll ride to Cho Moi along incredible country roads to catch a ferry to Cao Lanh. Upon arrival, Vietnam Bike Tours’ll visit a bird sanctuary, Tram Chim, which is famous for it’s unique Red Crane. Dinner will be held at a local restaurant that specializes in the region’s famous food: Rat Meat (the restaurant has other dishes as well, but it is worth a try!). We’ll stay overnight at a local hotel in Cao Lanh.
Day 8: Cao Lanh - Can Tho 65km (B,L)
In the morning, we’ll have a short transfer back on the ferry. Then, our bus will head to the cycling starting point on road 849. The road is great for biking and there are many worthwhile places to see along the way. We’ll continue cycling and take a country road along the Hau River to another ferry that will take us to Can Tho. Upon arrival at the hotel, you’ll have some time to explore the town on your own. Dinner will be held at a local restaurant with a river view.
Day 9: Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh City 30km (B,L)
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll take a fascinating tour to explore typical sites of Mekong delta. We’ll visit the famous Cai Rang floating market and watch as locals make rice noodles and other Vietnamese food-staples. Then, we’ll mount our bikes and ride for about 30km to our bus to transfer back into town for lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward, we’ll transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City to end the trip.
Inclusive of:
- Air-conditioned bus
- Support vehicle to carry gear, luggage, first aid
- English speaking tour guide
- Entrance fees, boat trips, ferry & speedboat tickets
- Airport transfer in/out
- Pick up & drop off at your hotel
- Meals as mentioned (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
- All biking gear (bike, helmet, tool kit, water cage)
- Water, snacks, soft drinks, and fresh fruit on cycling days
- Accommodation
Exclusive of:
- Travel insurance
- Visas
- Personal expenses
Departure dates: Daily
Group Size: Maximum of ten cyclists
Price: Rates vary. Please contact us to get the best possible price based upon your travel period and specific touring needs*
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