T R I P  D E T A I L S

A B O U T
This tour follows our "classic" route, exploring Hanoi, riding along the central coast, south to Nha Trang, then up into the Central Highlands, finally reaching Saigon at trip's end. If you arrive a couple of days beforehand, you can go kayaking on Halong Bay and have seen all four of Vietnam's World Heritage sites by the time you depart. This trip is about Vietnamese culture, a rich and very intense culture, with a focus on cuisine because food is such an expressive and outstanding component of their culture. We'll also bike some, but this not a "bike tour" in the common travel industry sense, ticking away miles with odometers (although we do organize those kind of tours too - please see our Ho Chi Minh Highway tour which covers 1,000 miles in 12 days). We'll certainly bike on this tour, but really because there's no better way to see the country and meet the Vietnamese.

D I F F I C U L T Y
Having said that, with multiple support vans and guides, all cycling abilities and preferences will be accommodated, even non-cycling partners or spouses who will plan separate activities and sightseeing for while other ride. Ride at your pace. Our route is largely flat, with longer two passes coming near the beginning and end of our trip, these are optional, as is any portion of our riding.

Some days we ride in town, such as Hue. We will have an easy orientation ride there to begin the trip, but you should already be comfortable riding on roads shared with traffic and have good bike handling ability. We would be happy to send you are pre-trip training plan for this tour.

T A R I F F
Fee 2012 for this tour is US$3,880 for standard "4-star" accommodations and US$4,860 for luxury hotels, including the Sofitel Metropole in Hanoi and Ana Mandara in Nha Trang (below). Please inquire for more information about the hotels we stay in. Single Supplement: US$1180 (we can try to match you with a roommate).

H O T E L S
For our Iron Chef tour we offer two levels of accommodation, either boutique properties or luxury accommodation. Both classes of hotels offer the very best in each destination and in deluxe, not standard rooms. Below is a selection of the boutique and luxury hotels we stay at on this trip. Please contact us for specific information on any of these properties.

SOFITEL METROPOLE Hanoi
The Historic grande dame, recently restored 230-room French Colonial era hotel with ideal location between the Opera House and picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake. The central location allows walking or pedicab transport to nearby highlights, such as the Old Quarter, which alone gives it the nod over other luxury hotels in the capital, yet the service and infrastructure are also premier.

Evocative century-old original structure and newer Opera Wing (we like the new wing while most others recommend the classic wing, which we find dated and contrived). A peaceful inner courtyard and outdoor pool surrounded by three popular bars, plus Vietnam’s best French and Vietnamese restaurants. A spa and fitness center rounds out the amenities. Recommended if you're looking for top service and renowned reputation. [Hotel Web Site]

THE LIFE RESORT, Hoi An
Life Resort An in-town alternative to staying at the beach resorts located several miles out on the coast, the Life Resort is situated on the Thu Bon River in the center of Hoi An. The property is the finest hotel located within town and new renovations after flooding in 2007, have left the hotel in immaculate condition. With a fine location overlooking the river and steps from all central sites, including the market, tailors, and restaurants, the hotel can serve as a convenient base for multiple outings into town throughout the day, including the market as fisherman arrive before dawn. We recommend the balcony river view rooms. [Hotel Web Site]

ANA MANDARA Nha Trang
A renowned Six Senses property, this stylish resort enclave lies amid tropical gardens on a narrow strip of land fronting the beach (one of the only beachfront resorts), an hour by air north of Saigon. The resort has been welcoming VeloAsia bikers since it opened it's doors in the 90s. The resort's open-air compound features outdoor dining, lounge, pool bar and 17 villas containing 74 high-end rooms. The extra-spacious “Deluxe” or “Ana Mandara” villas, feature chic baths and scenic balconies or terraces overlooking the sea. Two indoor/outdoor restaurants serve excellent Vietnamese and Continental cuisine. Facilities include two swimming pools, tennis courts and spa. A wide variety of water activities, from boat charters to windsurfing, snorkeling and scuba diving, can be arranged.

THE DALAT PALACE, Dalat
One of our all time favorites, the Palace is almost worth a side trip to Dalat just to stay there. This former Sofitel property was elaborately restored during the 1990s to its original French colonial condition, complete to the handmade-period fixtures. Overlooking the central lake and adjacent golf course, the Palace features wide, spacious grounds, outdoor terraces and a gazebo offering plenty of places for privacy and solitude. Polished wooden floors, hundreds of oil paintings, high-ceiling rooms and a large dining room are richly detailed. On the basement level is Larry's Bar, which offers an informal setting for happy hour. Downtown, cathedral, post office, and the lake are a short stroll from the grounds. [Hotel Web Site]

C O M M U N I C A T I O N S
Many of our travelers express concerns bout being able to stay in touch with home or work during this trip. For better and worse, almost all carriers now have coverage within Vietnam which is excellent along this route. Wifi is also available at all of our hotels.

I M M U N I Z A T I O N S
Our comprehensive pre-departure information packet covers information on immunizations and health. There are no immunizations required for Vietnam and malarial does not occur where we will be traveling.

I N C L U S I V E
Comprehensive pre-departure information packet, required Vietnam Visa on Arrival is included. All transport from your arrival in Hanoi until you depart the last day in Saigon, entrance fees, almost all meals, snacks (alcoholic beverages are not included), support, and emergency air evacuation insurance. Ground transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle (complimentary cold towels and drinking water). Sightseeing per itinerary including all services, transport, admission, activities and related fees. Accommodation per itinerary. What's the difference between VeloAsia and other tour companies? All travelers are covered under our emergency medical and air evacuation policy through International SOS. Not even B&R or Backroads offer such coverage.

N O T  I N C L U S I V E
International airlines. Visa fees upon arrival, airport taxes, staff gratuities (customary), and items of a personal nature, such as laundry and telephone. Trip cancellation insurance (ask us for a quote. Electable changes to confirmed itinerary, including hotel, room class, airlines, services, activities, and any other alterations (any itinerary changes are subject to cancellation, change and other fees). Caveat emptor: The purchase and import of goods is a top complaint about travel in the region. Traveler assumes all responsibility for the purchase and import of souvenirs, objet d'art, goods as well as services during their trip. Indochina Travel will not accept any responsibility, in any way, for any transactions or purchases by a traveler regardless of local guide's recommendations or endorsement

B I K E S
This trip can be done on a road bike. If you bring your own bike, we will assemble and disassemble it for you (or along with you). We do have several high-end Trek and Cervelo road bikes available for rent and also Trek Hybrids if that's what your more comfortable riding. We also have Trek mountain bikes with shocks, providing a more stable, albeit slower ride.

W H A T  E L S E?
Vietnam, nor this trip, will please everyone. Vietnam remains, for the most part, a Third-World country without all the amenities, infrastructure, order, and cleanliness we enjoy back home. This is not to say the trip will be roughing it, but if you're expecting precision, absence of the unexpected, and flawless attention to detail, this is not that type of trip nor destination. For any questions you may have about this tour, please do contact us. We'd be happy to put you in contact with previous travelers who have been on this trip.

QUESTIONS? Call us at (415) 731-4377 or (888) 681-0808 or Email us.
We are happy to answer questions or inquiries.