Cycle Vietnam & Cambodia-Saigon to Siem Reap

Leave the center of Saigon and enjoy a scenic drive along the national highway. After approximately one hour of transfer, we begin our ride in Long An, the gateway to the Mekong Delta. Blessed with fertile soil and abundant freshwater year-round, the Mekong region is known as the country’s “rice bowl,” featuring vast verdant fields and numerous orchards spread across flat, easy-to-explore terrain.

Cycle along quiet rural paths, crossing agricultural lands and soaking in the lush scenery. Discover the rustic charm of local hamlets and gain insight into the daily lives of farmers. The route offers a variety of terrains—concrete paths, dirt lanes, and gravel roads—winding through green rice paddies and vibrant villages in the rural districts of Long An and My Tho. Enjoy a delicious local lunch in My Tho.

In the afternoon, transfer to Ham Luong Bridge for the next stage of your adventure. Ride along smooth concrete paths shaded by coconut trees as you pass through peaceful villages. Cross rivers via ferries and narrow bridges, including small suspension bridges, and explore coconut-processing workshops and family-run businesses.

The countryside reveals ever-changing scenery, from rustic villages to lush water palm-lined canals. Finally, in the late afternoon, take a ferry across to Tra Vinh City, marking the end of a rewarding day’s journey.

After breakfast, a short 20-minute transfer takes you out of town for a morning ride into the heartland of the Khmer (Cambodian) people. Most follow Theravada Buddhism, a branch with roots in India. Cycling through remote hamlets, you may see monks walking through villages as locals offer them food—a daily ritual that reflects the community’s deep spiritual traditions.

Along the way, visit colorful ancient Khmer temples and traditional homes, and learn about the history of the Khmer Empire and its rich culture. Meet local farmers at work, cross irrigation canals, and ride through lush fruit gardens. Lunch is served en route.

In the afternoon, a 30-minute transfer brings you to the rural district of Vinh Long to continue your ride. Explore vibrant riverside villages along the Mekong, pedal through orchards, and enjoy several ferry crossings. The day’s cycling ends in Binh Minh, followed by a short drive to Can Tho, the bustling capital of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta.

After breakfast, we check out and take a motorized boat ride to the bustling Cai Rang Floating Market. In the early morning, locals from nearby rural villages bring their farm produce here by boat. It’s a lively scene where daily life unfolds on the water—buyers and sellers exchange goods from sampan to sampan as countless small wooden boats weave through the market in search of the best deals.

After exploring the floating market, we transfer across the Hau Giang River via the region’s longest suspension bridge. From there, we begin our ride through expansive farmlands of sweet potatoes, enjoying peaceful cycling along dirt tracks. Along the way, we visit a local household that produces rice and sticky rice flour, gaining insight into traditional methods.

We then stop in Sa Dec town for a highlight visit to the historic Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House. This charming riverfront residence, built in 1895, once belonged to the son of a wealthy Chinese family. He is known for his romance with French writer Marguerite Duras, who later immortalized their story in her novel The Lover, which was eventually adapted into a film. The house features a unique Sino-French architectural style, with intricate wood carvings, mother-of-pearl inlaid doors, antique furniture, and original French floor tiles.

Enjoy a delicious lunch at the house before continuing our cycling journey through Sa Dec’s famous flower village. Here, you’ll be surrounded by vibrant colors as you observe and experience the cultivation of a wide variety of ornamental plants and flowers. We make several stops to admire the blooming fields and interact with local gardeners.

Afterward, we ride through peaceful countryside dotted with rustic homes and Buddhist pagodas. Finally, we transfer to Cao Lanh City, crossing the Mekong River by ferry to conclude the day’s journey.

In the morning, we explore the wetlands of the Mekong Delta and Gieng Island in An Giang Province. Many houses in the riverside villages are traditional stilt homes, built using local materials. This offers a unique opportunity to experience local life as we travel along quiet country roads lined with these charming structures. We pause at small roadside markets in rural corners, where locals gather and pass by.

Enjoy the scenic beauty of the Mekong River aboard a ferry as we explore the islands, including the peaceful and seemingly undiscovered Gieng Island with its rustic villages. Cu Lao Gieng is known as one of the largest and oldest Catholic parishes in the Mekong Delta. Take time to experience the local culture, cycle past the Catholic monastery, and capture photos of the impressive monastery complex. We also visit one of the island’s beautiful Roman churches.

Leaving the island via a newly built bridge, we take in views of catfish farms along the river. Afterwards, a 30-minute transfer brings us to Cho Moi for lunch. In the afternoon, we continue exploring charming villages, passing pagodas, lush greenery, and small hamlets along the Bassac River, where fish farming is common. We wander through riverside communities, including Cham Muslim villages and scenic towns, before taking a ferry to Chau Doc.

Today, we depart Vietnam for Cambodia by speedboat. This 4.5-hour journey along the waterways between the two countries is a favorite among international travelers and offers a wonderful opportunity to admire the timeless beauty of the Mekong Delta.

The luxury boat features comfortable seating, a packed lunch served on board, and a professional team accompanied by a local guide. Your guide will assist with visa procedures at Vinh Xuong Water Border Gate and Kaamsamnor Border Gate before arrival in Phnom Penh.

Along the way, enjoy glimpses of daily life on the riverbanks—fishing villages, bamboo stilt houses, vibrant floating communities, and local ferries transporting residents across the Mekong River.

After breakfast, say goodbye to your team and board the speedboat at 7:15 AM. Travelers who have not obtained a Cambodian visa in advance will apply for one at the border. Please bring three passport-sized photos with you.

You will arrive in Phnom Penh around midday, where your guide and driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the city at your own pace. In the evening, enjoy dinner in town with your guide, who will also provide a briefing for the upcoming days in Cambodia.

Important reminder:
Please keep your passport, visa photos, and all necessary documents in your day bag for easy access during the visa application process. Do not pack these items in your suitcase. Your guide will assist you with both exit and entry procedures at the Vietnamese and Cambodian border checkpoints.

Border Information:

• Exit point: Song Tien Border Gate
• Entry point: Kaamsamnor Border Gate

Oudong is one of Cambodia’s ancient towns, located at the base of Phnom Udong Mountain, northwest of Phnom Penh. It served as the royal capital from the 17th to the 19th centuries and is home to numerous historical sites and remnants of former royal palaces.

After breakfast, transfer to Prek Phnov Bridge to begin a leisurely cycling journey through rural Cambodia. The route passes small village communities and farmlands, with varied terrain ranging from paved roads to gravel paths winding through traditional stilt-house villages. Cycle past rice paddies and stop along the way to learn about the region’s rich culture and history.

Continue to explore Oudong Mountain, including a visit to Preah Reach Troap Mountain. Enjoy the stunning scenery and panoramic views over the surrounding green fields. A delicious lunch will be served at a local home.

In the afternoon, the ride continues along the outskirts of Oudong toward Kampong Chhnang. Along the way, rejoin the support vehicle in a rural village and transfer to Kampong Chhnang.

Kampong Chhnang is a charming small town near Tonlé Sap Lake. Centuries ago, the province was a coastal trading hub along the route between China and India. Over time, sediment from the Mekong River pushed the coastline farther out to sea. When the Tonlé Sap River later changed its course, the city lost its primary water source and was eventually abandoned, with residents relocating to nearby Kampong Tralach. A new town gradually developed, bringing fresh life to Kampong Chhnang. Today, a local museum showcases archaeological evidence of the region’s rich history.

This morning, we set off early for the long journey to Battambang. After a 1.5-hour transfer to Krakor township, we begin cycling toward the remarkable Kampong Luong Floating Village. Here, we take a 30-minute boat ride to observe daily life on the water—passing floating grocery shops, schools, petrol stations, pagodas, hospitals, and even ice factories. You’ll see locals producing dried fish, neatly arranged on bamboo racks to dry in the sun and preserved for up to a year. Life in the village unfolds entirely on floating houses and boats.

After the visit, we continue cycling along dirt tracks through lowland farms of mixed vegetables and rice paddies, passing several ancient temples along the way. The route follows scenic trails shaded by palm trees and continues along the Pursat River. Lunch is served en route. The day’s ride concludes in Pursat town, where you’ll transfer onward to Battambang.

Battambang is a charming small town known for its blend of French colonial architecture and beautiful surrounding countryside. Founded in the 11th century during the Khmer Empire, it is now Cambodia’s leading rice-producing province.

This morning, explore the warmth and smiles of the locals by bicycle, and experience the unique bamboo train. Along the way, stop to visit traditional rice paper production, local Buddhist monasteries, and a rice wine workshop. Enjoy the scenery as you cycle at your own pace through the peaceful countryside.

After a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, embark on a scenic boat cruise along the Sangker River. Drift past fishing villages, palm trees, and lush rice paddies before arriving at the Tonle Sap dock. From here, transfer to Siem Reap in the late afternoon.

In the afternoon, following lunch, there are two options depending on the season:

• Rainy season (late July to early January, high water levels): Take a boat ride from Battambang to Siem Reap.
• Dry season (late January to early July, low water levels): Travel by road transfer from Battambang to Siem Reap.

Angkor Wat is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest religious complexes in the world. As the highlight of your journey, you’ll transfer to the entrance of this iconic temple to begin your exploration.

We cycle along a scenic route connecting some of the most remarkable temples in the area. Our first stop is Ta Prohm, famously entwined with towering tree roots that create a mystical, jungle-like atmosphere. We then continue to Angkor Thom to visit the captivating Bayon and the impressive Terrace of the Elephants.

Along the way, marvel at the enigmatic giant stone faces and the intricate carvings that showcase the extraordinary artistry of the Khmer Empire.

Enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant before continuing your unforgettable discovery of the Angkor temples.

Your morning begins early with a sunrise visit to Angkor. Climb to the top of the temple to enjoy breathtaking views over the majestic complex and the surrounding jungle. Afterwards, return to your hotel for breakfast before transferring to Siem Reap Airport. The tour concludes.