The beautiful countryside around Hoi An is perfect to explore by bicycle! With this fun bike tour, you’ll venture off the beaten path and discover local life while enjoying picturesque views of the rice fields. You’ll pedal across charming bridges, spot water buffaloes grazing in the meadows, and visit several local craft businesses. This bike tour is a delightful way to get to know the real Vietnam and escape the city’s hustle and bustle. Therefore, it’s definitely one of the most enjoyable things to do in Hoi An!
The Countryside of Hoi An
The countryside surrounding Hoi An is stunning. You’ll find vast rice paddies, swaying palm trees, and locals working in the fields. Almost all the locals here wear traditional Vietnamese conical hats, and the children wave enthusiastically as you cycle past. In the Hoi An countryside, you’ll come across many small villages with traditional houses made of bamboo, wood, and clay. You’ll also find numerous small family businesses, such as coffee roasting, rattan mat weaving, or rice wine production.
What Will You See and Do During the Bike Tour?
The bike tour takes you through the countryside of Hoi An. The tour starts with a boat ride of about half an hour, and then you hop on your bike. In total, you’ll cover a scenic route of approximately nine kilometers. You’ll be cycling with a small group of up to 10 people, accompanied by an enthusiastic guide. The guide speaks good English and will share insights about Vietnamese rural life. Along the way, you’ll make several stops for tasty snacks and visit some family businesses. You’ll have the chance to observe a family weaving colorful traditional mats and stop by a family business where typical Vietnamese fishing baskets are woven. You’ll even get to try balancing in these fishing baskets on the water, and believe me, it’s not easy to stay steady!
At the next stop, you’ll witness the process of making rice wine, also known as sake. This alcoholic beverage is made from special sake rice and contains 5% to 19% alcohol. During the visit, you’ll see how they polish the outer layer of rice grains to release starch. Starch is essential for converting sugars into alcohol during fermentation. The more the rice is polished, the smoother the taste of the drink. At the end of the stop, everyone can try a shot or two.
The last stop is at a family selling various handcrafted wooden accessories. Every detail here is made by hand. So, the bike tour is not just about cycling; it also includes enjoyable and informative stops along the way.
Combine the Bike Tour with a Cooking Class
If you don’t have much time in Hoi An and you’d like to learn Vietnamese cooking, you can combine this bike tour with an authentic cooking class. During this cooking class, you’ll learn to cook traditional Vietnamese dishes under the guidance of Thom, who was born and raised in Hoi An. Thom will share insights about Vietnamese cuisine and why food is so important in Vietnamese culture. In total, you’ll prepare four different dishes, including the delicious Banh Xeo, a stuffed rice pancake. At the end of the cooking class, you’ll receive a small cookbook with the Vietnamese dishes you prepared that day. After the cooking class, you’ll hop on your bike and explore the Hoi An countryside. The cooking class is organized by the same company as the bike tour, so if you’re interested, you can book the combination tour where you’ll do both activities in one day. Highly recommended!
Useful Information and Practical Tips for the Bike Tour
- Don’t forget to wear a hat or cap to protect against the sun
- Apply sunscreen generously
- In the winter months, it’s a good idea to bring something warm
- Bring a raincoat
- If you’re a vegetarian or have other dietary preferences, please mention this in the booking process comments
Where Can You Book This Bike Tour?
This bike tour is very popular, and it’s advisable not to wait until the last minute to book. You can book the bike tour here, and if your travel plans change, you can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours in advance. Enjoy your bike ride in Hoi An!
