Few make the trek to Vietnam. It's a long flight to a remote part of the world. But, spending more than a full day on a plane (the 24-hour kind, not a mere workday) could be worth the discomfort if you plan the right activities on the other side. If that trip involves bicycling from Hanoi to Saigon (now called Ho Chi Minh), dining at the home of a local anthropologist and touring the infamous Cu Chi tunnels, logging all that airline time starts to seem worthwhile.

Ciclismo Classico offers several bicycling excursions throughout the year. Limited to only 16 guests at a time, travelers are able to form a personal relationship with the exotic land they will explore. Trips last 11 days, though there is an optional four-day extension that includes a cycling trek through Cambodia. With a skill level of “athletic beginner, you can expect to bike 24 miles a day for a total of 217 miles for the entire trip.

Aside from the legendarily spicy cuisine, why would you want to take a tour in 'Nam? A visit to the But Thap Pagoda will put you face-to-11-faces with the statue of Avalokitesvara, the Goddess of Mercy, which you’ll need if you haven't spent much time on a bike before taking the trip. Gaze into her 994 eyes, and ask for the energy you’ll need to make it to your next destination, Hue (which, fortunately, will be by plane). In Nha Trang, Ciclismo Classico arranges for a boat ride to the Coral Islands to swim and snorkel or just sit on the beach and enjoy the sun.

Some of the rides can be challenging. In Dalat, you'll face a 3,000-foot ascent up a remote mountain which actually leads to pine forests...in Vietnam! For those less interested in natural beauty, Saigon may be the answer. Slide underground into the Cu Chi tunnels, used by the Vietcong to hide, live and escape from threats on the surface.

For those who take the four-day extension in Cambodia, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King are on the agenda. Guests can tour several temples, including Angkor Wat Temple (the largest temple in the world) by bicycle. The last stop on the itinerary is a nearby orphanage, where the children offer lessons in the ancient Cambodian art of leather puppet-making.

Scripted tours tend to be confining, but Ciclismo Classico has put together a winning formula. Travelers have sufficient time to absorb the stops on their own, and plenty of local interaction is built into the trip. While the rides will keep you busy, upscale accommodations will help you recover along the way. If there is only one way to see Vietnam, this is it.

Tom Johansmeyer

8/27/08