by Sharyn+ · Published October 9, 2014 · Updated April 2, 2015
As much as I love living in Ho Chi Minh City, the hustle and bustle can sometimes be overwhelming. That’s when I like to head for quieter locales like the Mekong Delta. You guys probably know from my previous posts and our recent cycling adventure across Australia that I love bike riding. So what better way to de-stress, than a leisurely bicycle ride through the Mekong Delta with one of Vietnam’s best Tour Companies, Vietnam Backroads. I had an awesome day with Dat and two Aussie girls, so I hope you enjoy the second of my Vietnam Cycling Reviews.
Vietnam Backroads has a number of multi-day tours throughout the Delta, the rest of Vietnam and Indochina. Van, the owner spends days on end, searching out new and interesting rides and ensuring his tours get off the well trodden tourist routes. Sadly, I have limited time so it was only a one-day ride for me. The tour I chose is called Mytho Day Trip and it visits a part of the Mekong I haven’t been before.
Getting ready to ride – Safety briefing and bike induction
Dat, our guide and Driver Mr Dung picked me up at my apartment in a very comfy Mercedes van and we headed over to pick up Natty and Roshani, two vivacious Aussies, at their hotel. Their enthusiasm was infectious and I breathed an instant sigh of relief. Other participants can make or break a trip for me. But when I think about it, I think this type of tour attracts happy, enthusiastic, motivated people as opposed to some of the more passive tours.
The 2-hour drive down to the Mekong isn’t all that exciting, but it does give you an insight into the frantic pace of Ho Chi Minh City versus the relative tranquillity of the Mekong. Dat also livened things up with expert commentary about the many interesting facets of Ho Chi Minh City and The Delta.
We pulled up on a quiet road and assembled the bikes. They’re excellent quality and very well maintained. Suspension and gel seats provide a bit of extra comfort on the often bumpy roads. Dat gave us a quick rundown on the gearing, brakes and other safety aspects and we topped up our water (all provided) before heading off.
Almost immediately we were into stunning rural scenery. Workers, in traditional Non La’s toiled diligently in the fields, pausing to smile and wave as we ambled past. There were plenty of opportunities for photos and the whole group was more than willing to pull up when great pics presented themselves. None of us was in a hurry. It was just nice to be out in the fresh air, getting a bit of exercise and enjoying the views.
I have to say Dat was a wealth of information. There wasn’t any question we had that he didn’t know the answers to and he has a phenomenal memory for facts and figures. We also had an impromptu stop at the local hat “factory”, where an extremely friendly local took us through the process of making straw hats in his house and the surrounding neighbourhood. This was definitely not part of the tour but provided an interesting insight into the industrious nature of the people of the Mekong.
Other than our photo stops our first break was just before the 10km mark. We purchased a big bag of local fruits of our choosing from the friendly local ladies, then scooted down the road to a cafe to enjoy them. Delicious longans, custard apples and pomelo, were accompanied by a refreshing coconut juice. Vietnam Bike Tours
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