A full day on a bicycle from Chan May port: country lanes outside Hue, three royal tombs (Khai Dinh, Gia Long, Tu Duc), a ferry over the Perfume River and a local lunch. Good if you are fit and like to move. Not good if you want air-con all day.
Honestly, it depends on your legs. Most of the day is on a bike, on small roads and village paths around Hue. It is not a race and we stop often, but it is still a long day: about 1.5 hours in the van from Chan May to Hue, a day of riding, then 1.5 hours back.
Meeting at Chan May port. When you get off the ship, walk about 300 metres from the gangway to the end of the bus row, near the security barrier. Our guide is waiting there with a sign saying "365Aplus Travel" and your name (or your group leader's name). If you cannot see the sign, keep walking towards the barrier, or WhatsApp us on +84 986 430 302.
Drive to Hue and bike fitting. About 1.5 hours by private van. In Hue we fit your bike and helmet before you start.
Quoc Hoc High School. A French-built school from the colonial time. Many Vietnamese leaders studied here, Ho Chi Minh among them.
Country paths and Khai Dinh tomb. We ride out past pagodas and small shrines to the tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh. It looks very different from the other tombs: grey stone outside, and inside the walls are covered in mosaics made from broken porcelain and glass. The mix of European and Asian style is odd at first, then it grows on you.
Khai Dinh tomb from above. You climb those steps on foot, so take your time.
The stone mandarins and horses in the courtyard of Khai Dinh tomb.
Da Khe village and Gia Long tomb. A short stop at Da Khe, a village known for bamboo handicrafts. Then a short boat ride to the tomb of Gia Long, the first Nguyen emperor. It is quiet, far from the crowds, and the setting is the reason to come.
Along the Perfume River. We ride along the north bank of the river under old pine trees, then take a local ferry across, bikes and all, and cycle to lunch.
The Perfume River. We cross it on a local ferry, bikes included.
Lunch. A set lunch with one soft drink at a local restaurant. If you would rather skip lunch, tell us and we deduct 10 USD per person.
Tu Duc tomb (after lunch, riding is finished). Tu Duc was the fourth Nguyen emperor and more of a poet than a ruler. His tomb has lakes, pavilions and trees, and it is the most relaxed of the three. If there is time, we also stop at a village that makes incense sticks, conical hats or bronze.
Xung Khiem pavilion at Tu Duc tomb, where the emperor came to write poems.
Back to the ship. We plan to have you at the cruise terminal 1.5 hours before your ship departs. If the traffic is bad, we cut the last village stop, not your buffer.
Comfortable shoes or sports sandals, sunglasses, sunscreen and a camera. In the cooler months (roughly November to February) bring a light jacket, and a rain jacket is a good idea at any time of year in Hue.
Questions before you book? WhatsApp us on +84 986 430 302. A real person answers, within 24 hours.
