Mekong Adventures & Overlands in Cambodia

Today’s ride takes us through some of the Mekong Delta’s most beautiful countryside, with changing scenery across Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, and the rustic Dung Island in Soc Trang.

We begin with an easy ride along quiet bike paths shaded by coconut trees, passing through peaceful rural villages. Along the way, we enjoy several small ferry crossings over narrow waterways and make stops at local homes and workshops producing sweets, snacks, and other farm products before continuing by ferry toward Tra Vinh City. Lunch is served in town.

In the afternoon, the ride offers a deeper insight into Khmer culture and history. We stop at ancient temples and pass Khmer communities working in the rice paddies and farmlands. Cycling on well-maintained crisscrossing paths, we also visit local homes and experience a glimpse of everyday life in the countryside.

From Cau Quan, we take a ferry to Dung Island, where we explore how local people make their living. The route passes betel gardens, sugarcane plantations, vegetable farms, and freshwater fish ponds before another ferry brings us to Long Phu Town. Here, our private vehicle will be waiting to transfer us on a 30-minute drive to Soc Trang City.

We visit Bat Pagoda and spend time wandering through its peaceful gardens, learning why thousands of bats have returned here to roost for generations. After that, we hop back on our bikes to experience the local culture, soak in the authentic countryside atmosphere, and enjoy the timeless rural landscapes.

Cycling along quiet country roads, we observe how local people raise free-range ducks on rice paddies, rivers, and canals. We continue deeper into remote, undeveloped hamlets, where some families still live in simple thatched houses without running water or proper sanitation.

Along the way, we stop to sample a variety of organic fruits from local orchards, ride narrow paths tracing winding rivers, and even race alongside grocery boats broadcasting their goods through loudspeakers. After lunch en route to Phung Hiep, we pass ancient Khmer temples, pause at tiny local markets, and exchange smiles and gestures with villagers.

Upon reaching Phung Hiep, we board our support vehicle for a one-hour drive to Can Tho City.

Boarding a boat for a pleasure boat ride passes many stilt-house along the riverbank to Cai Rang floating market. This is a chance to watch sampan boats, small ferries crossing the Can Tho River, and many boats cruising to Cai Rang. Watch the most significant and busiest floating market, as it is real. Then, your guide will choose the best route for a morning ride to Sadec. Travel through lush farmlands of sweet potato and peanut plantations, stop at local homes, and learn more about the rear life of Vietnam and China along the way to Sadec. Break for lunch in Sadec town, enjoy lunch at Huynh Thuy Le House. It's the "Lover's house" in Vietnam's Mekong Delta town of Sa Dec, which well known in the film" The Lover". Marguerite Duras lived in Sa Dec between 1928 and 1932 when her mother ran a school there.  

Following lunch, take a leisurely bike ride to Cao Lanh City with a stop at a flower village. The village offers various flowers, admires the vast, colourful flower fields, and experiences the way to take care of plants and flowers. Afterwards, we cycle past rustic country and Buddhist pagodas. Finally, you will transfer to Cao Lanh by ferry crossing the Mekong River.

Start your bike ride today by exploring the scenic countryside through mango orchards, small villages, local workshops, and smooth tracks along the Mekong River. Stop at a small café by the river and enjoy the peaceful daily life in the wetlands of Dong Thap. Farmers here grow two rice crops at different times of the year, and one crop must be harvested before the flood season arrives. People also rely heavily on fishing in the rivers and flooded rice fields.

Cross the Mekong River by ferry to Gieng Island and continue discovering local life, with a stop at a local market. The French built charming colonial buildings, cathedrals, and monasteries on Cu Lao Gieng between 1879 and 1889. Many of the construction materials were brought from France, giving these buildings a distinctive and impressive style.

Visit the monastery, the first monastery built in Indochina, established in 1874, and explore the cathedral. Be amazed by how local people live during the annual flood season, in stilt houses across the low wetlands. Stop at a bridge to admire the scenery along the riverbanks and watch people fishing in the river before boarding the support vehicle to Cho Moi for lunch.

In the afternoon, continue cycling to Chau Doc, experiencing local life amid lush green vegetation and passing through Muslim villages, home to the Cham people of Chau Doc.

Today is the final ride in Vietnam as we say goodbye to the Vietnam Backroads team and continue our cycling adventure into Cambodia, where we will meet our Cambodian support crew.

We begin riding from the hotel in Chau Doc, following back roads along the Vinh Te canals. Along the way, we pass thatched and stilt houses, and see buffaloes working in the rice paddies near the border.

We arrive at Tinh Bien Border Gate around 10:30 AM for immigration procedures into Cambodia. After crossing, we meet our Cambodian team and enjoy lunch before the afternoon ride. We then pedal along quiet back roads to Phnom Den, passing through villages, local homes, and temples along the way. Overnight stay in Ta Keo Town.

Keep your passport, visa photos, and any other required documents in your day bag for the visa application process. Your local guide will assist you with exit, entry, and visa procedures at both the Vietnamese and Cambodian border gates.

Exit point: Tinh Bien Border Gate

Entry point: Phnom Den Border Gate

Your bike guide will lead you along small paths and dirt tracks through villages, past stilt houses, palm trees, primary schools, and local markets. Along the way, you will visit several temples and stop at a café to enjoy some local snacks.

You will also have the opportunity to visit a local orphanage run by New Futures, where you can learn more about their valuable educational work in the surrounding villages.

In the late afternoon, you will transfer to Phnom Penh City. Tour ends.