We had such an amazing time on this Mekong Delta biking adventure, all thanks to our guide, Bao! We did this tour right after we had finished a four day tour in another part of the country with a different bike tour company. But this tour was not only biking, but also some kayaking and boating involved, making it an even more exciting adventure. Bao's historical knowledge is abundant and he was able to walk us through detailed historical context (both of Vietnam and of the Mekong Delta specifically) in an interesting and accessible way, whipping out maps and diagrams to give visuals to the history lessons during van transfers between rides. Bao can also speak Mandarin quite proficiently and is part of a large population of ethnically Chinese Vietnamese. This was a history that was fascinating to learn about and Bao was always willing to answer our many questions related to his own personal family history as well. As bilingual English and Mandarin speakers ourselves trying to learn Vietnamese, Bao was giving us mini-Vietnamese language classes throughout our trip based on what we were seeing and local people we were getting the chance to talk with. The itinerary itself was set in its beginning and end destinations each day but was still flexible based on how we were feeling and what we had the most interest in exploring. For example, there were some days that Bao would offer a choice between more backroad, uneven trails that snaked through farmland versus a smoother path on main roads. We also had a van that would meet us throughout the day at various points to deliver snacks and water. If at any point we needed to rest or decided we wanted to cut back on milage for the day, we always had the option to hop on the van. The bikes themselves were quite nice! I remember previously reading reviews about the Mountain Bikes being clunky/heavy. I'm used to riding a super light road bike, this being my first experience on a mountain bike, and I found it to be much lighter than I expected. Your first stop at the beginning of the journey is for bike fittings at their center, so they make sure you are fit with a bike you are comfortable with. We did have a slight issue with one of our tires while in a more remote area, but Bao was able to fix it up and even switched bikes for the road back to the support van in order to make sure everything was in working order. We were there in rainy season which was a concern for us at first. While it did rain almost every day we were there, its the type of rain that comes on really hard for a short amount of time and then there is no more rain after it passes. It's easy to find a coffee shop with cozy hammocks on the side of the road to hang out in when its raining and then start back right where you left off when the rain has moved on. Rain is just part of life, and your local guide will know how to predict it and keep you dry and enjoying yourself the whole time. The home stays were all very comfortable, with good enough food options. And Bao made such an effort to help us interact with as many locals as possible in respectful/non-intrusive ways, introduce us to local food specialties, provide detailed and factual historical and cultural context, and introduce us to some Vietnamese Karaoke bangers that we have been practicing ever since we finished this journey. Much of the itinerary takes you through villages where you get to see and learn about cottage industries like rug making, brick making, various types of farming etc.
Hello Friends, Greetings from Countryside Adventures Team. Many thanks for your great feedback. Countryside Adventures is Offering Off the Beaten Track for those who love to Experience the Authentic Vietnam. All the best from Vietnam. Countryside Adventures Team.
