Cycling on country roads

The peaceful countryside landscapes of the southern provinces have attracted local and international travelers to the Mekong Delta region for many years. A leisurely day can be spent rowing through the canals in small boats, watching the daily life of local people and visiting orchards to taste the typical fruits of the region.

Recently some tour operators have introduced bicycle tours in the area, giving travelers, especially those from abroad, more options to explore the daily life of the locals by cycling through villages and paddy fields in the region.

Among those tour providers, Asiana Travel Mate has designed a bicycle tour to the Mekong Delta region especially for expats and international travelers. One such tour is the one-day My Tho – Ben Tre tour, a 25 kilometer ride through the flat village trails in the region.

After arriving at My Tho City and crossing on the Rach Mieu ferry, travelers will be given a bike for their journey. They can cycle leisurely on country roads, winding through the green coconut shadows which are abundant in the region and have made the Mekong Delta area of Ben Tra famous for its coconut candy.

There is no need to hurry on the journey. Riders can stop any where at any time to take photos, provided they do not forget to take their cameras of course! Another tip is to remember to take drinking water and comfortable walking shoes.

The tour includes not only a ride through tranquil and pristine countryside landscapes but also a lunch break, with a traditional meal and seasonal fruits of the region, and an opportunity to take a row boat along the small canals, stopping at coconut candy and handicraft workshops to buy gifts for families and friends, if time permits, before returning to HCMC. Those with more free time can choose the two-day option. This cycling tour includes an overnight home-stay, and a traditional rural music performance after dinner.

Prices for cycling tours vary according to the tour provider and the length of the tour, as well as the group size of travelers. For example, the Asiana Travel Mate prices for a one-day cycling Mekong tour run from US$154 per person, or US$100 for a group of three, and US$61 for a group over eight people. Prices include air-conditioned transportation, English speaking guide and bicycles.

For more information, contact the following tour operators:
- Asiana Travel Mate: 4G-4H Le Loi Blvd, Dist.1, HCMC. Tel: (08) 825 0615.
- Saigontourist: 49 Le Thanh Ton St., Dist. 1, HCMC. Tel: (08) 824 4554.
- Ben Thanh Tourist: 89A Ham Nghi St., Dist. 1, HCMC. Tel: (08) 520 2020.

Source SaigonTimes