Highlights:
The ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam, the Mekong Delta is a landscape carpeted in a dizzying variety of greens and slashed with mighty waterways. It's a water world where boats, houses, restaurants and even markets float upon the innumerable rivers, canals and streams that flow through the region like arteries. At times you can quite simply lose sight of land.
The area is both riparian and deeply rural, but it's also one of Vietnam's most densely populated regions, with nearly every hectare intensively farmed. Visitors can dwell on southern charm in little-visited riverside cities, sample fruits traded in the colourful floating markets, or feast on home-cooked delicacies before overnighting as a homestay guest. Mangrove forests, sacred Khmer pagodas and off-the-beaten-track attractions round out the picture.
Those seeking tropical hideaways can come ashore on Phu Quoc, a divine forested island fringed with white-sand beaches and crisscrossed with empty dirt roads that simply beg for motorbike exploration.
11 Days - Cycling trip in Mekong  is the best way to explore magnificent scenic beauty and contamplate quaint village life, vibrant floating markets, swimming in emerald water on  crystal sand beach. Tasting fresh seafood in oriental architecture restaurant
Cycling through Mekong Delta is great journey for us to explore the culture, Customes and daily life of three main tribes who have been preserving and developing unique national identity of southern Vietnam

Day 1: Saigon Arrival.

Welcome to “ The Pearl Of Far East City -  Saigon” -  (Ho Chi Minh City). Our team will warmly Welcome   and pick you up to Hotel. Arrive in the late morning and enjoy an orientation tour through Saigon’s bustling streets en route to the hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure to recover from jet lag and explore the city on your own. In the evening, enjoy the welcome dinner at one of the finest restaurants in town.
Summary:
Activity: Transferring and meeting group
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: The Northern Hotel****
 

Day 2: Saigon - Can Duoc - Go Cong - My Tho

Having hearty breakfast in Hotel, leaving the hustling and bustling city behind, our shullte bus take us on New high way to Can Duoc – the gateway of Mekog Delta.
Today is first great day on our trip as our’ bicycle riding is divided into 2 different sections. In the morning, we bike through Can Duoc' countryside; biking through jasmine rice paddy fields, okra, squash vegetable fields. We stop for lunch in small town of Can Duoc.
 Can Duoc district is a major rice producer, particularly Jasmine rice (Nang Thom) which is grown nationwide. But, the most delicious is Nang Thom Cho Dao variety cultivated in My Le commune. The taste is silky, soft and delicate flavor from the unique exotic region because of its. After lunch, we bike to ferry where we cross Vam Co River. Our pleasure ride is on unique paths along Vam Co River; passing local farms which growing shrimp, fish. The last ferry will take us crossing small River. Lovely countryside in Cho Gao and its' friendly people here makes your pleasant cycling become a highlight of today'ride.
Summary:
Activities:Transferring and cycling
Accommodations: My Tho Mekong Hotel****
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance: 45- 75 km
 

Day 3: My Tho - Ben Tre - Tra Vinh

Following to breakfast in Hotel, taking short transfer to avoid traffic in city to Chau Thanh Distr, Ben Tre for a morning ride. The areas we cycle to explore today is Ben Tre’ countryside. Your guide will choose shady path to lead you cycling through plantations of coconut and banana. It has bike paths criss-cross its land and these paths link village to village. Your guide will arrange a locally made lunch. After lunch, you can take a rest on hammocks/ a short nap before the afternoon' ride continue. passing local primary schools, stopping at kindergarten to see parents picking up their kids from school. Then we keep cycling on smooth concrete paths through water palm, villages to Co Chien River.
Summary:
Activities: Cycling
Accommodations: Cuu Long Hotel***
Meals: B/L/D
Cycling distance: 45 – 75 Km
 

Day 4: Tra Vinh – Dai Ngai - Soc Trang

After filling up energy, we commence cycling from Hotel then follow  small road which linking to rural village, then we continue ride to through Khmer villages, local markets to Cau Quan, you can see how rural lanes offer rural trails into the heart of Khmer community.
Your guide will lead the ways through tranquil villages, pass shimmering rice paddies, observe farmers working on the fields, and visit some Vietnamese, Chinese Buddhist temples and colorful Khmer temples. After we go across Mekong Rivers by 2 public ferries, then we enjoy lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon, your adventure starts as we cycle through many of the wildest and untouched countryside; natural rural trails, a network of natural creeks and tiny villages. The rural cycling routes in the areas is such a wonderful rural back road; smooth concrete along small branches of Mekong River and they are wide enough for 2 bikes get through. We end up today' ride in urban Dist, not far from Soc Trang city.
Summary:
Activities: Cycling
Accommodations: Minh Phuong Hotel**
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance: 30 – 70 Km
 

Day 5: Soc Trang – Vinh Chau - Bac Lieu

Today is contrastly sights and images in our trip compare yesterday. After having breakfast in hotel, we gear up our bike on village road to Bat Pagoda – the National Heritage relic of khme People and unique architecture of Vietnam. After visiting Pagoda, our cycling trip will devided in two dramatically sections
In the morning, we bike deeply to remote villages in the morning. A beautiful bike ride through gently undulating farmland filled with large shrimp and fish farms. You will enjoy and experience a leisurely way of local life, friendly people in countryside villages until you reach the Vinh Chau town. After lunch in town, we bike through tranquil villages and bustling riverside markets before we reach and cycle on quiet back roads closed to ocean side to Bac Lieu.
Summary:
Activities: Cycling
Accommodations: New Palace Hotel****
Meals: B/L/D
Cycling distance: 30 -75 Km
 

Day 6: Bac Lieu – Ganh Hao - Ca Mau

Today is actually great and a long day for us to witness most from real life of local in untouched countryside, especially the way of earning a living.
We pedal cross salt fields and shrimp farms and mangrove forest before we stop at Ganh Hao for lunch. This afternoon gives a you a chance to experience daily activities in the areas that water way is a regular transport; small and long composit boats with long tailed engines are almost seen here. It is because they go fast and also could go on shallow water rivers and canals. Countryside of rural Dists in Ca Mau is beautiful. You can see farmers working on farmland with buffaloes and cows. Many shelters along the country back roads are small for ducks, cows buffaloes and we could stop for photo taken. We will end up our ride today in outskirt of Ca mau city and get on A/C van/bus for driving to Ca Mau city
Summary:
Activities: Cycling
Accommodations: Muong Thanh Luxury hotel*****
Meals: B/L/D
Cycling distance: 40 – 85 Km
 

Day 7: Ca Mau – U Minh - Rach Gia

Today is another fascinating cycling day in our trip as we cycle on smooth path through untouched villages, small jungle. Especially, we cycle the real back roads a long remote rivers; see many stilt houses, timber factories, and mangrove forests. We ride past tiny villages that Vietnamese and Chinese and Khmer living along river bank. You can see locals living use boat as main mean transport; cargo boats, water taxi, family high-speed boats with long tailed engine moving from different directions. After we have lunch at local restaurant, we get back to the bikes and continue to hit the path. We choose the best country back road to Tac Cau and have some ferry crossings in rural areas before we follow coastal road to Hoa Rach Gia Resort. Another option for the afternoon ride: who love to rock and roll on single track through cajuput forest for 15 km before we reach to small town where we get on van/bus for driving toRach Gia city.
Summary:
Activities: Cycling
Accommodations: Hoa Binh Rach Gia Hotel****
Meals: B/L/D
Cycling distance: 35 – 80 Km
 

Day 8: Rach Gia – Tri Ton – Chau Doc

Filling up water and our shuttle bus take us to cycling point where you ready for off-road cycling. We pedal on path, single track across villages and wild grass fields, cajeput forest along river as you racing with local cargo boats. Then we follow a single track along eucalyptus field to mountain To which is near Tri Ton. Passing some pagodas through palm trees closed to mountain. Stop for lunch at Tri Ton town. Tri Ton Dist belonged to An Giang province which owned many beautiful mountains and hilly single track and country back roads in the Delta of Vietnam. This is a chance you can challenge cycling skills and enjoy beautiful road; see farmers harvesting chili, tapioca, and corns. Then we carry on our cycling adventure on back road to Tra Su forest. This is the best time you explore this forest included; motor boat ride, sampan boat rowing, see many kids of birds, bats when they are going back home to sleep. Have a short transfer to hotel after visiting Tra Su forest.
Summary:
Activities: cycling
Accommodations: Victoria Chau Doc ****
Meals: B/L/D
Cycling distance: 40 -85 Km
 

Day 9: Chau Doc – Cho Moi - Cao Lanh

Enjoy an hour motorized boat to catfish farms and floating village before you discover the lowland of Dong Thap province. You will mingle with children on bike on rural road through villages of house on stilts. Ride on dirt track to Cho Moi, pedal past Hoa Hao Buddhism holy temple. On your afternoon cycle, we ride to the Monastery, which was built 120 years ago by the French. The first monastery building site was established in 1874 in Indochina. Then we will explore Gieng Islet; enjoy cycling on smooth country back roads, stopping at local markets, fruit garden before we get on small ferry to Cao rural Dist of Cao Lanh. From here we will have a cycle leisurely through the countryside by Mekong River, passing mango orchards sometime. Today’ ride will end up at urban Dist then we have a transfer to cao lanh city by van/bus
Summary:
Activities: Cycling
Accommodations: Song Tra Hotel**
Meals: B/L/D
Cycling distance: 30 -70 Km
 

Day 10: Cao Lanh – Sadec – Can Tho

Cao Lanh is new town after 1975 and Sadec was the main town before Vietnam War. You can see difference between new and old. The drowsy former capital of Dong Thap province, Sadec is a comparatively peaceful city of tree-lined streets and fading colonial villas. Your guide will lead you cycling beautiful route through flowery villages, flower plantation and will have lunch at the ancient house of Huynh Thuy Le. In this afternoon, cycling adventure through the countryside, we bike through sweet potatos fields, local workshop producing rice/ stick rice powders, stopping at eel farms, frog farms. This ride will bring you up close and personal with friendly local people, their unique culture and beautiful villages all the way to Can Tho.
Summary:
Activities:Cycling
Accommodations: Ninh Kieu2 Hotel****
Meals: B/L/D
Cycling distance: 40 – 70 Km
 

Day 11: Can Tho – Vinh Long – Cai Be - HCM

Can Tho is located in the center of the 12 provinces which make up the Mekong Delta. It is not only famous for rice but is also wellknow for it's many floating markets. We'll have an early start by boat to a floating market, then head back to the hotel for breakfast. Transfer for an hour to Vinh Long town where we will cross the Co Chien River. Continue by bike to An Binh. Cycle 17 km to Cai Be town, then enjoy delicious lunch at an ancient house. After lunch, we will cycle another 15 km on back roads to Cay Lay, Tien Giang province. Transfer to Saigon.
Summary:
Activities: Boat Trip, Cycling and transferring
Accommodations: The Northern hotel****
Meals: B/L/D
Cycling distance:  35 Km
 

Note: Hotels  are subject to change due to availability. In that case we will choose equivalent  rooms
Meals: if you have any specific food requirements ( vegetarian, vegan, food allergies) please inform us in advance so that we can provide notice to our restaurant, tour guide, our partners so that they can server you better. If you are a food lover, Snail Adventure tours can be your culinary guide and provide you opportunity to savor tempting local food and world famous – dishes
 

Tour included in:

• English speaking cycling guide ( other languages upon requests)

• Accommodations are based on double/ twin occupancy

• Meals details in itineraries ( 10breakfast, 11lunches, 11dinners)

• A/C transfer/ and transportation

• Van or bus supported during the cycling times.

• Truck supported for the group size from 6 and above.

• Trek mountain bikes – 4300  with disc brake and  helmets

• Boat trip in Cai Rang and Chau Doc Floating Market

• Sightseeing excursions as outlined itineraries

• Bike tour pump, bike tools, spares tubes, spare bikes

• First aid kit

• Cold water box, small fresh towel.

• Mineral water for drinking

• Fruit and snack for cycling days

Tour excluded in:

• International airfare

• Travel insurance

• Items of personal nature

• Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks in meals

• Mineral water beyond that supplied

• Optional excursions

• Additional transport required due to any emergency situation

• Personal expenses such as telephone, laundry bills.

• Visa fee

• Departure  tax

• Tip for team and guide

Tour infor
Bikes: we use the new 4300/4500 trek  and Cannondale Trail 5 and tango 5 mountain bikes for all most cycling trip with different size from 13.5’’  - 23,5’’.We generally use 2012 /2013 models of TREK  mountain bikes because they are high quality, durable pieces of equipment. Besides,

 We like the versatility and durability of the mountain bike as it has been designed to cope with different types of terrain and riding. Our trips can be on asphalt and can often be broken or potholed, and there are usually unsurfaced sections included, so mountain bikes are the most suitable. They also have the range of gears to cope with the hills.

Each bike comes with a single water bottle cage, if you prefer more you are welcome to bring your own. Bikes also have gel seat cover slips if you prefer a softer ride. If you have your own saddle that you are comfortable with seat, you are welcome to bring it and we'll fit it. On long tours women specific seats are recommended and we have some available, but we cannot guarantee we will available for every tour.These bikes also are available for rent in case you want to go it alone or just need a bike for a day.
Bikes repairs: basic spaires and tools kid are generally carried by guide and on the support vehicle, although we can not guarantee having spares for every conceivable problem. Carring a basic tool kids, a spare tube and a pump while riding is  recommended.
we can not guarantee having spares for every conceivable problem. Carring a basic tool kids, a spare tube and a pump while riding is  recommended.
Safety: wearing a helmet is compulsory on all our biking adventures. Your tour guide are trained in first aid and emergency rescure, tour guide often carry first aid  box with their bikes while riding
Support: we often used mini bus and bus  with air condition for transfer and back up as itineraries
We use van Support bikes and cyclist
( 1 – 4 pax) we use Van to support and carry out bikes)
( 5 – 8 pax) we use one Van and one truck to supports
Accommodation:When cycling we stay in friendly hotel, guesthouse or homestays. Some are more basic than others! Bear in mind that some of the places we overnight in are not on the standard tourist trail.In larger cities and towns, our hotels are generally more western style and are three or four hotels or resort. Please do not expect the same standard as you would your home.
Our guides: the tour will be led by one of English - speaking guides. All our guides have great knowledge of history, local culture,  and religions of the area where you are cycling and introduce that experiences for you . our guides have been  trained  in this field and is fully licensed in tour guiding by Vietnam National Tourism. Our guides are also medically skilled in first Aid by SOS  and they know how to deal  with hard situations.\
Grading definition: To assist you visualise how our trip is difficult, we have graded our adventure tours into three categories, easy, moderate, and challenging, we group many factors into consideration into this grading, including distant covered, terrain, altitude, weather conditions and vehicle support
Easy: suitable for most people in good health. These trips  generally include short days, on good paths and at low attitudes
Moderate: A reasonable level of fitness is required, as these trips can require sustained endurance levels, hill longer days and altitude.All of our moderate trips have a support vehicle following closely, weary travellers can hitch a ride and take a rest for a while.
Challenging: these trips are physically demanding and best suite for  fit people with high endurancce level. Day can be longer, often at altitude, in remoted regions and sometimes without supports vehicle nearby.. travellers may be required  to carry a backpacks.
Terrain: Distances on full cycling days average around 50 – 80km. Our route is mainly on tarmac roads of varing quality with are some more like hard – packed dirt, Terrain is generally flat or undulating with a few notable climbs..  Distance for second days and  half of third day is around 60- 80 km. Our routes are mainly on single track, dirt road and trail , we cycle around villages and villages, through rice paddy terraces.
Food: All the meals which, are mentioned in itinerary, are included in the price of this tour. Most of meals are Vietnamese local food in Homestays . while in towns, we will enjoy Vietnamese cuisine in delicious restaurants
Meals consist of a variety of banlanced dishes and aim for universal appeal, we avoid highly spiced foods.
Vegetarians are certainly welcome and are always accommodated, please let us know of any dietary concerns at time of booking.  Beverage  and alcoholic drink are not included  at mealtime or in restaurants
Snack/ Water: when we transfer, ride by minibus ( no cycling day),  our bottled waters are always available  for you ( two little for one day for person with wet tissue)
When we have cycling days, we will offer cold water and wet tissue in box plus fresh tropical fruides, soft – drink, energy – drinking, ( five little water for cycling day/ person).
Beer is freely available everywhere in Vietnam, but not include in our trip.
The Homestays: Homestay in the villages is simple interm of  bedding condition and ementies. We will sleep  on beds  or floor with mattress, clean sheet, pillow and mosquito nets. Toilet is usually western style.
Weather: Vietnam has a tropical monsoon climate. Broadly speaking, the weather in Vietnam is dictated by two seasons - the southwest monsoon from April to September and the Northeast monsoon  from October to late march  or early April.
Due to regional climate differences, there are no right or wrong  seasons to visit Vietnam.the north Vietnam is cool, damp in winters between November and December and February with tempreture in Hanoi falling to around 15oC. The summer months from April to October  are hot and dry.the best time visit Vietnam is spring ( February – April) or Autunm( late September – December) when it is not so humid. The weather turns quite cold and wet in January and this continues to  march. The humidity can prove oppresive from May to the early September.
Money:  the official national currency is the Vietnamese Dong ( VND), but the US dollar is widely accepted in allmost tourist centers. However, small towns and the villages the VND is preferred, ATM are available in all major cities and towns, tourist destinations, Vietcombank, Agriculture banks are the best networks with  a limit a single withdraw limit of 2000,000 d ( 95 USD). Most major currrencies can be exchanged in leading in Vietnam, but th USD is preferred  away from the tourist centers. Changing 100 USD  wil make you to be a millionaire. You can not legally take the dong out of Vietnam but you can reconvert reasonable amounts of it into USD on departure,.
Clothing:  comfortable lightweight clothing  in natural fabrics such as cotton is most suitable for travelling in Vietnam. The dress code is fairly casual as it is in most parts of the tropics but it is advisable to cover arms and legs in the evening against bitting  insects. A light weight raincoat or rain cape  is a good ideal in the raining season. For on the bike you will need to bring a couple of pairs of cycling shorts and short leeve jerseys, a pairs of cycling glove and if you use them, your clip in cycling shoes/ sandals.. when travel in the North Vietnam during winter months ( late November – March) warm clothe is needed.Visitors to Buddhist countries should not to wear shorts, short skirts  or other skimpy clothing when visiting religious centers and shoes should be removed  before entering private homes.
Passport and visa: All visitors  are required to have a valid  visa to enter Vietnam. A one month tourist visa is usually sufficients for most visitors, though it is possible to arrange  three months  or six month – multiple entry visa for regular visitors. The Snail Adventure Tours company  is authorised to issue visa on arrival at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, Danang International Airport in Danang,  and Tan San Nhat in Ho chi Minh city.The same authorisation proceduce  and a minimum mof 5 days working  notice is required. In emergency case they can arrange a visa o arrival if notice of 2  working days is given
Tipping: Tipping for good services is always appreciated in these developing countries. It is customary, though not compulsory, to tip tour guides and drivers at the end of the tour. Hotels and station porters should also be tipped a small amount for . We recommend 5 US Dollar  / person/per day  for cycling tour guides .. 2 USD/ person/ day for driver and 1 USD/ person/ day for door bell when checking in and out.
Responsible tourism: we strongly believe that Responsible Tourism  can support to local  communities: proving incomes,positive cultural exchanges and an incentive to protect natural invironment. We recognise that  there is always space for improvement. We continually strive to narrow the gap between principle and practice.
Environment : we have been turning invironmently responsible tourism into practices  to minimize tourist impact upon the local habitat. From biodegradable soaps to re - usable water containers, we provide clients with the best information and mean to help them identify and implement effective ways to positive protect local nature and communities. It is a vital criteria that can be passed on and abided by all, long after the trip ended.
Community:  Prior to our tours, we contact and work with local community leaders to make sure we are welcome and in a manner that minimizes negative social and cultural impacts. We visit local development and community projects specific to the region, encouraging custommers  to donate and assist such a projects in appropriate and sustainable manner.
Where make sure that where and whenever possible our tours positively benefit the local community. We stayed at locally owned accommodation and visit  cottage industries  for local handicraft souvenir, generating  income for local business. We often employ, hire support team such as local guide, moto taxi drivers, cook assistants on all trips to ensure that  the local community benefit not only short term but with increased employment opportunities for the future.