Saigon to Bangkok

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City - Ben Tre - Tra Vinh, 46 mi, (74 km)
Day 3: Tra Vinh - Can Tho, 48 mi. (78 km)
Day 4: Can Tho - Chau Doc, 34 mi. (56 km)
Day 5: Chau Doc - Phnom Penh
Day 6: Phnom Penh - Oudong - Kampong Thom, 29 mi. (47 km)
Day 7: Kampong Thom - Siem Reap, 40 mi. (64 km)
Day 8: Angkor temples, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 9: Siem Reap Countryside, 34 mi. (54 km)
Day 10: Siem Reap - Battambang
Day 11: Battambang - Pailin, 34 mi. (54 km)
Day 12: Battambang - Thai Border - Chanthaburi 13 mi. (22 km)
Day 13: Chantaburi - Laem Mae Phim, 36 mi. (58 km)
Day 14: Laem Mae Phim - Bangkok

This cycling adventure goes beyond the beaten track and the rides are not always predictable. Due to these reasons, it is occasionally necessary to reroute or update itineraries. The guarantee a trip will not be changed unless for safety or to improve it.

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City
Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon as most locals prefer to call it! On arrival day, we gather in the tour hotel in the late afternoon for a trip briefing and welcome dinner. Please let us know if you need assistance with airport transfers or pre-tour hotel bookings. We also recommend arriving at least a day or two before the tour begins to get acclimated and explore some sites around! (D)

Accommodation: Northern Charm Hotel / Nhat Ha L'Opera Hotel 

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City - Ben Tre - Tra Vinh, 46 mi, (74 km)
Escape the bustling concrete jungle of Saigon and embark on a captivating 2.5-hour journey into the heart of the Mekong Delta. This stunning region is characterized by lush greenery and winding waterways that stretch towards the East Vietnam Sea. Starting in the vibrant city of Ben Tre, you'll quickly adapt to the dynamic Vietnamese road culture, where motorbikes zip by.

Crossing the picturesque Ham Luong River, you'll enter a tranquil world filled with coconut farms, banana plantations, and sugarcane fields. Explore charming hamlets nestled alongside crisscrossing canals and rivers as you travel along narrow farm roads. Your adventure includes several small bridge crossings and two local ferry rides, with the second ferry taking you across the expansive Co Chien River.

Arriving in the city of Tra Vinh, you'll settle in for the night in a place rich with cultural influences from both Vietnamese and Cambodian (Khmer) heritage. Experience the unique blend of traditions that have shaped this region long before modern borders were established. Join us for an unforgettable journey through the enchanting Mekong Delta! (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Cuu Long Hotel 
Elevation gain/loss: +632 m/-628 m

Day 3: Tra Vinh - Can Tho, 48 mi. (78 km)
Departing from Tra Vinh, you head westward through the fertile floodplain between the Cho Chien and Hau Rivers, two key tributaries of the Mekong. This scenic route showcases a stunning patchwork of rice paddies, solidifying the Mekong Delta's reputation as Vietnam’s “rice bowl.”

Vibrant daily life unfolds along the way, featuring a harmonious blend of fields, waterways, fruit orchards, villages, and towns. Numerous Khmer-style Buddhist temples highlight the region's rich Cambodian heritage.

After nearly 80 km, you reach the outskirts of Can Tho where a brief transfer allows you to avoid the bustling city traffic. As the largest city in the Mekong Delta, Can Tho serves as a hub of waterborne culture and commerce, offering a unique glimpse into this captivating region’s lifestyle. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Iris Hotel Can Tho/Ninh Kieu 2 Hotel 
Elevation gain/loss: +422 m/-434 m 

Day 4: Can Tho - Chau Doc, 34 mi. (56 km)
An early start begins with a boat ride to Cai Rang, the Mekong Delta’s largest floating wholesale market. Experience the lively atmosphere as vendors navigate their colorful boats, showcasing goods on tall poles. Enjoy morning coffee, rice noodles, and fresh fruit from the comfort of the chartered boat. Once back on land, it’s time for a final 35 km bike ride through the lush Mekong Delta. Afterward, a support vehicle fast-tracks to the Cambodian border, followed by a shorter afternoon ride to Chau Doc. Along the way, visit the Ba Chuc genocide memorial site, honoring the victims of the Khmer Rouge atrocities in 1978. The ride concludes along country roads with gentle mountains in the background. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Chau Po Hotel 
Elevation gain/loss: +456 m/-452 m

Day 5: Chau Doc - Phnom Penh
In the early morning, a speedboat cruise up the Mekong River begins. Shortly after departing from Chau Doc, immigration formalities at the Cambodian border are completed. The comfortable 5-6 hour journey allows for observation of daily life along the riverbanks. Arriving in Phnom Penh, Cambodia's vibrant capital, in time for lunch, the afternoon is dedicated to exploring the city. While known for its poignant genocide memorial sites, the focus is on Phnom Penh’s bright side. A rickshaw ride takes visitors from the riverside to the Royal Palace, the King of Cambodia's official residence, showcasing stunning architecture and art. After touring this glittering complex, enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure, with optional visits available. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Frangipani Royal Palace Hotel 

Day 6: Phnom Penh - Oudong - Kampong Thom, 29 mi. (47 km)
Navigating out of Phnom Penh by bike can be challenging due to the city’s chaotic traffic, but a ferry ride across the river takes cyclists to a peninsula between the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers. From there, a route through riverside neighborhoods leads to the northern suburbs, transitioning into the countryside after about 30 km. Experience the charm of rural Cambodia while cycling through villages with stilt houses, farms, and friendly locals cheering along the way. The ride concludes at Oudong, where a complex of Buddhist stupas sits atop a ridge. Once Cambodia’s capital, the site requires climbing 400 steps for stunning views. After your visit, enjoy lunch nearby before transferring 3-4 hours to the tranquil town of Kampong Thom for the night. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Sambor Village/Glorious Hotel and Spa 
Elevation gain/loss: +263 m /-207 m

Day 7: Kampong Thom - Siem Reap, 40 mi. (64 km)
Starting from the hotel, the ride along the scenic Stueng Saen River begins. After 8 km, the route crosses the river via a small ferry or makeshift bridge, depending on water levels, then continues north along quiet country roads through Cambodia’s fertile floodplain. Experience rural Cambodia as you cycle through charming villages and vast rice fields. After covering 40 km, arrive at the ancient UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sambor Prei Kuk, home to brick temples entwined with tree roots, connected by sandy paths—a perfect spot for some mountain biking. After exploring the temples, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before completing the final 15 km to the main road. A 2-hour transfer follows to Siem Reap, the “gateway to Angkor,” where three nights will be spent. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Steung Siem Reap Hotel
Elevation gain/loss: +341 m /-342 m

Day 8: Angkor temples, 26 mi. (42 km)
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor features the former capital cities of the Khmer Empire, where lavish stone temples were built from the 9th to 15th centuries. Today, explore Angkor’s iconic sites by cycling along paths that wind through the temples and ruins. At Ta Prohm, famous from the film “Tomb Raider,” discover the stunning façade of laterite and sandstone entwined with massive fig tree roots. The Bayon temple, designed as a microcosm of the heavens, showcases rows of carved faces gazing in all directions. At Angkor Wat, Cambodia's national symbol and the largest religious structure in the world, stroll through courtyards adorned with beautifully preserved carvings depicting Hindu myths and daily life. In the afternoon, return to Siem Reap and enjoy dinner at SPOONS, a social enterprise restaurant serving authentic Khmer cuisine while supporting the training of marginalized youth. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Steung Siem Reap Hotel
Elevation gain/loss: +334 m /-334 m

Day 9: Siem Reap Countryside, 34 mi. (54 km)
Today's adventure shifts focus from Angkor's main sites to the surrounding countryside, allowing for a more peaceful experience. Departing Siem Reap by bike, the route begins on paved roads before transitioning to quiet dirt paths through rice fields and small villages. Along the way, visit local homes to see cottage industries like basket weaving and sugar palm production. The ride concludes at the 10th-century Banteay Srey temple, celebrated for its exquisite bas-reliefs carved into delicate pink sandstone. Enjoy lunch at a nearby local restaurant before transferring back to Siem Reap, leaving the afternoon free to relax by the pool, enjoy a massage, or explore the town. For those with extra energy, cycling back to Siem Reap is an option (about 40 km along the main road). Dinner is at your leisure tonight. (B,L)

Accommodation: Steung Siem Reap Hotel 
Elevation gain/loss: +171 /-139 m

Day 10: Siem Reap - Battambang
Today is a break from cycling, but it's packed with activities! The goal is to reach Battambang, situated across Tonle Sap, Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake. If water levels are high (typically October to January), enjoy a 6 to 8-hour boat cruise across the lake. If the levels are lower, take a morning cruise to a nearby floating village and then transfer to Battambang by vehicle, which takes about 3 hours.

Upon arrival, unwind before hopping into tuk-tuks to visit Phnom Sampov, where you'll witness millions of bats swirling into the twilight sky from a cave. Enjoy drinks at the base of the hill as you take in the spectacle. After dusk, return to Battambang for dinner in the historic core, known for its relaxed atmosphere and well-preserved French colonial architecture. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Classy Hotel & Spa

Day 11: Battambang - Pailin, 34 mi. (54 km)
The countryside around Battambang is alive with vibrant rural scenes and a rich history. Begin with a 25 km ride along the banks of the Sangker River, passing traditional cottage industries where local favorites like banana chips, rice wine, and prahok (fermented fish paste) are made. Visit Wat Phnom Eak, an 11th-century Angkorian ruin, and pay respects at the Samrong Knong Killing Field, a genocide memorial within a Buddhist temple. The ride continues through lush rice paddies and roadside markets, leading to a unique Battambang experience: a bamboo train ride on bamboo platforms powered by a small motor. Before returning to the city, cross a hanging bridge reminiscent of an Indiana Jones movie and visit the Cambodian Peace Gallery, an exhibition on war and reconciliation. After some afternoon free time, enjoy dinner at Jaan Bai, a social enterprise restaurant serving fresh local cuisine while supporting Cambodian youth. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Classy Hotel & Spa
Elevation gain/loss: +268 m /-268 m

Day 12: Battambang - Thai Border - Chanthaburi 13 mi. (22 km)
It’s time to move on to Thailand! After a 2-hour transfer from Battambang to the Ban Pakkad border crossing and completing immigration, the SpiceRoads Thailand team will welcome us to the “Land of Smiles.” Next, enjoy a 1.5-hour transfer to Chanthaburi Province's coast. Satisfy your cravings with a delicious, world-famous Thai lunch before a short afternoon ride. Starting from Laem Sing, cycle just over 20 km along a well-paved road by the Gulf of Thailand. Spend the evening relaxing near Chao Lao Beach, a serene stretch of palm-fringed sand popular with locals. If border procedures go smoothly, there’s an option to extend the ride by about 10 km. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Chanchalao Beach Resort 
Elevation gain/loss: +169/-148 m

Day 13: Chantaburi - Laem Mae Phim, 36 mi. (58 km)
Starting from your resort in Laem Sing, the final ride heads west along the Gulf of Thailand's coast. Cycling on well-paved secondary roads, pass shrimp farms, rubber plantations, and vibrant fishing communities with colorful boats. Enjoy scenic bridge crossings over river mouths leading to the sea.

The ride concludes along Laem Mae Phim Beach, perfect for high fives and perhaps a cold drink. The afternoon is free for a swim, a relaxing massage, or poolside lounging. In the evening, gather for a farewell Thai feast to celebrate the end of our adventure. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Grande Blue Resort
Elevation gain/loss: +247 m/- 350 m

Day 14: Laem Mae Phim - Bangkok
The morning is free to enjoy the beach before heading back to Bangkok. Arrival back in Bangkok at approximately 3 pm. Ask about an extension to the beach or Koh Samet. (B)

If you’re looking for a different flavor, check out our full list of bike tours in Europe or view all our featured tours, specials, and news.

Accommodations in 3-star hotels. On each day’s itinerary, you will find the preferred accommodation listed. If for any reason, a change is necessary due to availability or other circumstance, the alternative will always be of the same standard or better.

Bicycles