Vietnam Cycle Touring
Choose where you sleep
- Les Manguiers, Kampot
Cycle the tracks and trails of the verdant Mekong Delta through southern Vietnam and Cambodia.
The Nine Dragons (Cuu Long) is the name given to the nine "tails" or distributaries of the Mekong River that flow through the verdant, watery world of the Mekong Delta in Southern Vietnam and Cambodia. The first of these to break away from the Mekong is the Bassac, starting in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh and making up one of the star of 4 converging waterways upon which Phnom Penh sits.
The Challenge of the 9 Dragons is a magnificent cycle ride that follows minor roads, tracks and trails, criss-crossing the many waterways of the Mekong Delta, starting from the Southern Vietnam capital of Ho Chi Minh City - still commonly referred to as Saigon - and finishing in Phnom Penh.
The ride, although flat, is challenging ... and so it should be as we will be using it as a fundraising expedition in support of underpriviledged children in the two countries through which we pedal, Vietnam and Cambodia. Each participant will be asked to solicit sponsorship from friends and colleagues -- part of our efforts to ensure that tourism to South East Asia does benefit those who most need help.
This cycle ride takes the advantage of the border crossing between Vietnam and Cambodia at Ha Tien on the Gulf of Thailand coast. From there we will cross to the former "Cambodian Riviera" resort of Kep, presently enjoying a revival before cycling to the quaint French colonial period town of Kampot, once the country's primary port, but now a sleepy riverside backwater. A challenging mountain climb to the top of Bokor Mountain, for those who wish to, to see the ruined casino that sits atop a dramatic escarpment with immense views out to see, before riding north to Phnom Penh through Cambodia's unique rural countryside.
Day 2: SAIGON ~ GO CONG ~ BINH DAI ~ BEN TRE [80 km]
The route begins by following the road for 5 km until we reach the Ben Do Chua ferry across Mekong tributary number 1, Cua Tieu. Once across we turn right along an unsurfaced road, past the market at Phu Dong and after just 14 km we come to the second tributary, Cua Dai. Depending on our progress, we may need to charter a boat to bring us across this one if the ferry schedules do not fit. The second river traversed we turn north and follow a canal that runs parallel to the river.
Day 3: BEN TRE ~ BA TRI ~ THANH PHU ~ TRA VINH [77 km]
The first ferry crossing (Ben do Phuoc Mai) is after 14.5 km and is a 5 minute crossing. As we cycling we will pass a coconut factory and a rice husking mill, and will see sugar cane growing on both side of the road. We will also pass a small temple and a Khmer pagoda. After the town of Ba Tri and 49 km since leaving Ben Try we will finally cross Mekong delta No 4, Cua Nam Luong. 10 km further on we conquer no. 5, Cua Cho Chien, this one a 45 minute crossing, and then another 10 km to Cua Cung Hau, this one a 25 minute boat ride. From the landing point it is now just a 7 km cycle ride along small paths to the centre of Tra Vinh and the Cuu Long Hotel. Dinner and overnight. [B, D]
Day 4: TRA VINH ~ TRA CU ~ SOC TRANG [86 km]
Day 5: SOC TRANG ~ KE SACH ~ PHUNG HIEP ~ CAN THO [97 km]
Full day free from cycling to explore Can Tho and surroundings. In the morning there will be a boat trip to visit the colourful floating market at Cai Rang where traders but and sell everything from fresh produce to steaming bowls of noodles and plastic kitchenware from boat to boat, ladies standing aft with crossed oars, often using their feet top row. the return journey to the hotel will take us along narrow canals and past a farm where one of Asia most popular vegetables is cultivated - a type water hyacinth often translated in to 
English at "morning glory" which actually grows on the water surface. You will see farmers steering their boats through the thick layers of green, selectively harvesting to ensure continued production. Afternoon free to lounge by the pool, wander around town or to pedal out and explore. There is one great cycle ride to be done on the other side of the river which follows narrow paths through the communities that have developed on the river bank but, due to the 
removal of one bridge, we were unable to include it in our route. Overnight at the Victoria Can Tho. [B, D]
Day 9: RACH GIA ~ HA TIEN [c.100km]
towering karst limestone hills. There are temple caves to visit and the rural charm of Cambodia will instantly make its impression on you. Overnight at the simple but charming riverside home of a French expat with his Cambodian wife, Les Manguiers.
Situated between the Kampot River (300 m wide) and rice fields, with views across the river to the Elephant range of mountains, Les Manguiers is set in a large garden of Mango trees stretching 800m along the riverbank of the Kampot River. .jpg)
At home there is badminton and petanque to add to the entertainment.
