Asia Master Tour

Hoi An is famous for its ancient beauty with various old buildings and exotic architecture. This old town is closed to motorbike so visitors enjoy discovering it by bike or on foot. If you have never been there, here are something about Hoi An cycling and Hoi An cycling route that you can check before going.

1. Where can you hire a bike?

To start your Hoi An cycling trip you need to find somewhere to hire a bike. It’s not difficult to get a bike in Hoi An. You can easily ask your hotel, because almost of hotel have bicycle available. And it only costs you 1 or 2$. Even in some hotel they don’t charge their clients for bike.

If you don’t feel satisfied with the bikes at your hotel, there are also lots of shops that rent bikes. I would say that it costs the same for a day. Moreover, don’t rent the first bike you come across, check carefully before getting it cause once anything breaks it stays broken, which stops you from relaxation.

Hoi An cycling is more compatible than going around by motorbike because it’s a small town and the paddles goes well with the peace of Hoi An. You can choose the most appropriate Hoi An cycling route for you and I can give some advices below.

2. What kind of bicycle you should take for your Hoi An cycling trip?

I believe that most of available bikes in your hotel are for the short ride. This bicycle is equipped with basket on a front for caring your stuff like: camera, small box, bottle of water,… You can have Hoi An cycling around the city and visit some villages on Hoi An cycling route.

This kind of bike also has a seat on back for children or for your other pack that you can’t put at front basket. With this bike you will have a fun Hoi An cycling tour.

There are also various types of bike dedicated for different purposes. And of course, the price varies too. For instance, mountain bike costs 6$ per day, child bike costs 2.5$ per day,… In general, which bike you should choose for your Hoi An cycling depends on your purpose, your physical features and your chosen Hoi An cycling route.

One more thing you need to stay focus is checking your rental bike. No need to be expert, you just need to check tires, wheels, brakes, saddle, chain, lights – all basic parts and you can easily see with your own eyes. If everything ok, it will be the perfect bike for your Hoi An cycling tour.

3. Do you need a guide for Hoi An cycling route?

Yes and no, it depends on you. If you are well oriented and like freedom, you can take a Hoi An cycling trip independently. You can ride around the old town and don’t worry this town is really small, so there is no possibility to get lost. Then with a map marked your Hoi An cycling route before or your smartphone with 3G, you can travel outside the town to some villages like Tra Que. I will tell you more about which Hoi An cycling route you can get later.

Otherwise, you can find a local guide. They can speak very good English and take you to some fantastic places. The advantage is that you can save your time on orientation and on map. You can enjoy totally your Hoi An cycling tour.

For me I prefer Hoi An cycling on my own. Last time I was there, I traveled solo then teamed up with another traveler. We were on the same Hoi An cycling route to Tra Que. Besides of completing our plan, we also went to the beach. We had lots of fun and didn’t realize how far we had cycled.

4. Which Hoi An cycling route you should take?

With Hoi An cycling, you have lots of choice for your route. I would like to divide into different levels of difficulty. If you have enough time and physical conditions, you can try all!

Level 1: easy Hoi An cycling route

Hoi An old town

It’s super easy for you to ride a bike around Hoi An old town. Instead of Hoi An cycling, you also can explore it on foot. This place is closed to motorbike so you won’t panic with Vietnamese traffic.

And don’t miss every small alley of this town. You may find some interesting buildings or a good restaurant there. When you know every corner of Hoi An, your Hoi An cycling trip is totally perfect.

Cam Kim island

I came there at the first day in Hoi An and it’s worth visiting this island as the start of my Hoi An cycling trip. I had to take the ferry to get to the island and they charged me about 50 cents for it.

I had amazing trip there. I was shown how boats were made, how locals made their traditional noodles and how mats were woven. It was practical and interesting experiences. I never regret choosing this Hoi An cycling route and if you are going to have Hoi An cycling trip, don’t miss this route.

Beach

I want to mention An Bang beach. This beach is not overcrowded and very clean. From my hotel in Hoi An town, it took me almost 2 hours of slow ride to the beach. I did have enjoyable time there with blue and high sky, yellow and fine sand.

However, I was overcharged for parking bike. This woman charged me 50.000VND while some visitors there only paid 5.000VND. Anyway, I can skip this little annoying thing because this beach is on my top 3 of my favorite Hoi An cycling route.

There are also sun lounges near the beach. And they will charge you about 30.000VND unless you eat at the restaurant.

Tra Que village

This Hoi An cycling route is for those who love veggies. People there cultivate lots of vegetation and herbs. Along the way of the village, you can see green vegetable fields. If you want, you can join the farming with locals.

I also recommend you to try vegetables there. They taste really good with small leaves and strong smell. In addition, they are super fresh and clean. You can harvest and eat right away.

Level 2: moderate Hoi An cycling route

Hoi An cycling to My Son

This almost 50km Hoi An cycling requires your fitness and hours. You will have to spend a day for this route in order to visit all the sanctuary. Along the way you will pass by old cities, villages, bridges,… which gives you the insight into the way local people live, work and cook.

The entrance fee for My Son sanctuary is 150.000VND for foreigners. It used to be capital and religious center of Cham people. Once you went to Angkor Wat in Cambodia, you will find the similarity in the architecture of two ruins.

With this Hoi An cycling route, you should choose mountain bike with front suspension. Even though the route is predominantly on concrete paths through villages and fields, the design of mountain bike will make your long Hoi An cycling trip more convenient and more comfortable.

Choose your favorite one to enjoy Hoi An. If you are on a tour and your preferable one is different from the route on your itinerary, you can ask the agency to change it for you.

5. What should you prepare for Hoi An cycling?

Since all Hoi An cycling route is short and quite safe so you don’t need to equip yourself like a professional biker. You just need to bring some essential things

Cycling protective gear

Helmet and knee, elbow pads. If you just take a short Hoi An cycling route like around the old town, maybe you don’t need them or just helmet. Streets inside the old town are absolutely safe because motorbike is prohibited.

Sunglasses and sun cream

They are must-have item in every trip. They not only protect your eyes and your skin from UV but also make your Hoi An cycling trip more comfortable.

Water and snacks

They are essential for long ride. If you take Hoi An cycling to My Son, you really need to keep your body hydrated and provide it with energy. In addition, it also helps to strengthen your endurance.

That’s all my experiences for Hoi An cycling trip. I absolutely come back Hoi An again to take another Hoi An cycling route. If you have any advices of further information, share with me.