
Vietnam is the Ideal Destination
If you’re going to do a self-guided cycling tour anywhere in the world, then Vietnam has to be one of the best destinations. Although its traffic is notorious, get away from busy towns and cities and you find yourself on quiet, rural roads - and in recent years that road infrastructure has really improved so you’ll find the road surfaces to be of excellent quality.
The Vietnamese love of street food means you never have to look to hard to find somewhere to refuel, whether it’s a hearty banh mi, a refreshing fresh fruit shake, or an energy jolt from the famed local coffee. And as visitors, you’ll always be made very welcome.
Which also reminds us - if you have any problems, our team are always a phone call away, but you’ll often find they’re not needed. Any locals spotting you in distress will come over to help you instantly, whether it’s to repair a puncture, offer you shelter from a sudden downpour, or give you directions. You’ll be touched by Vietnam’s community spirit wherever you go.
We’ll Make Sure You’re Fully Prepared
Self-guided doesn’t mean you’re completely on your own. We’ll meet you on day one of your tour to give you a bike fitting and a full briefing on what to expect. We’ll provide you with a mountain bike (or e-bike), complete with helmet, panniers, and a basic repair kit. We’ll also provide you with GPS files which you can upload to the navigation app/device of your choice.
We’ll also arrange all your accommodation for you AND provide luggage transfers, so all you need to do every day is get on your bike and ride without worrying about your bags.
And, of course, we provide telephone/instant messaging support in the unlikely event you encounter any problems, so although you’re travelling independently, you still have access to our support network. Think of it as a safety net just in case you need it.
What a Typical Day Looks Like
Cycling buddies Paul and Dave decide to set their alarms a bit later than usual after a beer with the locals the previous evening turned into a bit of a party. They get up at 8am, have a leisurely breakfast at their hotel, and saddle up at 9am to head to their next destination, a ride of around of 5-6 hours at a steady pace.
It’s a hot day and an hour or so into the ride both riders are thirsty. Luckily they ride into a small village where there’s a charming garden coffee shop, so they pull in for fresh orange juice and an invigorating ca phe sua da (Vietnamese iced milk coffee, the fuel for many a Mr Biker tour). The lady who runs the coffee shop stops for a chat and asks for a selfie with her first foreign customers for a while.
After checking their GPS, they notice there’s a small Cao Dai temple just off the map route, so they take a short diversion to check it out, take some photos, and chat to the monks about their unusual religion. Then it’s back on their bikes with the goal of reaching the next town in time for lunch. But they’ve only been going for 15 minutes when Dave notices a wobble from his rear wheel - he’s got a puncture. They pull over to the side of the road and are about to get their emergency repair kit out when an old man emerges from his house waving at them. In no time at all the old man has the rear wheel off, the puncture fixed, and the tyre reinflated. He refuses Dave’s offer of cash and invites them in for a quick cup of tea and some fruit before sending them back on their way.
They arrive in the next town a little later than planned and stop at Mr Biker’s recommended restaurant for a quick, cheap, and tasty lunch of fish soup, rice, vegetables, and fresh fruit. The cold beer looks tempting but with a couple of hours still to ride they decide against it.
The afternoon is spent cycling along quiet country lanes under coconut trees, with another juice/coffee stop. Local village children wave at them as they pass. They get stuck behind a farmer leading his buffalo along a narrow road, but it’s all part of the fun of riding in Vietnam.
At around 4pm, hot, tired, and thirsty, they arrive at their next hotel. Their luggage is already waiting for them in their rooms. Time for a quick shower, and maybe another beer with the locals…
Self-guided bike touring isn’t for everyone, particularly in a mysterious foreign country. However it does offer more flexibility and independence than a guided tour, so if you enjoy cycling at your own pace, not sticking rigidly to a prescribed route, and generally going with the flow, but still want to have backup in case of any problems, a Mr Biker SGT might just be for you! To find out more, contact us to discuss your plans.