Phnom Penh to Saigon: Kampot's pepper farms, then over the border and into the Mekong Delta.
Difficulty note: Flat riding, with possibly longer days in Vietnam. Some off-road sections and an optional climb up Bokor Mountain.
Also available: Cambodia → Vietnam · 16 days →
*per person, twin share 100 AUD deposit holds your place. Booking Terms
Phnom Penh to Saigon in twelve days, six of them on the bike, about 460 km. It is flat apart from one optional climb. The three riding days in Vietnam are the long ones, at 80 to 100 km each, mostly on narrow paved roads.
The ride opens with a day in Phnom Penh: Friends International in the morning, then the S-21 genocide museum, a hard visit that we recommend. The next day you ride 65 km south to Chisaur Temple, and the van carries on to Kampot. There you have the optional climb up Bokor Mountain (30 km to the top, the first 10 flat), a morning at Chumkriel Language School and a Khmer cooking class. The last day in Cambodia runs through the pepper plantations and salt lakes of Kep to the border at Ha Tien.
Across the border is the Mekong Delta. You take back roads through rice paddies to Can Tho, spend a morning at the floating markets, and stay a night with a family in Ben Tre. The last 15 km into Saigon is optional, and about half the riders usually take the van. The final visit is Mekong Plus, which trains people to make quilts, handicrafts and bamboo bicycles.
From the Journal: Phnom Penh → Kampot → Can Tho → Ho Chi Minh City →
Day by day, hotels, what's included and prices. We'll email it to you.
At the end of the ride, you choose the organisation that impacted you the most, and we'll contribute 200 AUD on your behalf.
Welcome to Cambodia. You can check in at the hotel any time from 2 pm. If you are flying into Phnom Penh today, we will arrange your airport transfer.
The day is yours to explore the city until the group arrives. We meet in the afternoon, around 6 pm, for a quick get-to-know-you chat and a briefing on the ride, and then fit you for your bike.
The evening is free. You can spend it with the rest of the group, or join Hoem and the crew for a local feast.
Hotel: Check Inn (or equivalent)
The day starts at Friends International, where we meet the people there and learn about their work in the community. It is a good look at real, everyday local issues. From there we head towards the Russian market and on to Tuol Sleng, also known as the S-21 Genocide Museum. The museum tells a devastating chapter of Khmer Rouge and Cambodian history. It is emotionally challenging, and we strongly recommend it. There is some free time in the afternoon to process the day, and we meet again for a local Khmer BBQ dinner.
Hotel: Check Inn · Meals: B, D
Activities: S-21 Genocide Museum
NGO: Friends International
The ride south of Phnom Penh to Chisaur Mountain Temple, in rural Cambodia, is perfectly flat. At 130 m, the temple is not really much of a mountain. We cycle casually through remote villages and waterways, on narrow dirt tracks, and stop at Chisaur Temple for lunch. There is plenty of time to explore the ruins, which are 200 years older than Angkor Wat. From here the van takes us down to the Cambodian coastal town of Kampot, where there is good food on offer.
Cycling: 65 km · Hotel: JBreak · Meals: B
Activities: Chisaur Temple
The day starts with the optional, mammoth Bokor Mountain cycle challenge. It is 30 km to the top. The first 10 km is flat, then it just keeps going up, and up, and up. If hill climbing isn't for you, we can bring your bike in the van and you can cycle down. If you would rather take time off the bike, Kampot is a great town to caffeinate, people-watch and relax.
Cycling: 60 km · Hotel: JBreak
Activities: Bokor Mountain
In the morning we visit Chumkriel Language School. There are no children at the school at the time of our visit. Mr Suthy set this grassroots local school up as an NGO, to give children of the salt field community access to education. In the afternoon there is a cooking class, where we learn the best of Khmer cuisine.
Cycling: 10 km · Hotel: JBreak · Meals: D
Activities: Cooking class
NGO: Chumkriel Language School
Today we cross the border into Vietnam, but first we discover the province of Kep. Located just before the border, Kep is famous for its fresh seafood, particularly crab. We spend a couple of hours exploring the famous pepper plantations and salt lakes on the way. Navigating the back roads, we go around the National Park to the border crossing into Ha Tien, Vietnam. From Ha Tien we jump in the van and head to Rach Gia for a feast of local seafood and Banh Xeo.
Cycling: 65 km · Hotel: Dai Luong Hotel · Meals: D
Activities: Pepper farm tour
Can Tho is where the Mekong Delta really comes into its own. We cut through the back roads of rice paddies and farmland to get there, arriving in the city by late afternoon. The ride finishes about 20 km out of the city. If your legs and the daylight permit, you can continue all the way in. Alternatively, you can jump in the van.
Can Tho has a population of over a million and a thriving tourist trade. The evening is for exploring the city. For dinner we will pull up a patch of grass at the night market, where you can treat yourself to a degustation of street food.
Cycling: 80 to 100 km · Hotel: Ninh Kieu Hotel · Meals: B
Most of the morning is at the floating markets, where local people trade, sell and buy every day. It is working life for local people. After that we visit the noodle factory, where you can make your own noodles, and the cocoa farms, just before lunch. The rest of the afternoon is yours to rest or get a massage.
Hotel: Ninh Kieu Hotel · Meals: B
Activities: Cocoa farm, rice noodle factory, floating market boat ride
We take a day to explore the Mekong Delta casually, from the coconut candy factories of Ben Tre to the canals and floating markets of My Tho. The pace is easy. To avoid the hordes of tourists in My Tho, we use Ben Tre as a base for the region. It is still a full day of cycling from Can Tho, and we enjoy getting amongst the maze that is the Mekong Delta.
We should get into Ben Tre for 5 pm and relax with a local family in their home (private rooms). You also have the chance to have an impromptu cooking class for great local food.
Cycling: 85 to 100 km · Hotel: Local family homestay (private rooms) · Meals: B, D
We start early to beat the heat and what we can of the traffic. First stop is a coconut candy factory, by van or by bike, to learn more about this local delicacy. It is the last cycling day of the ride.
Ho Chi Minh City is what the world would look like if cars had never been invented. There are whole lanes and roads dedicated to two wheels, so it is the city of the future as the population grows. Cycling the final 15 km or so is completely optional if you are not comfortable in the traffic. Usually about half the riders choose to take the van.
Our hotel is in the heart of the city, a short stroll from the Street Food Market for dinner and a live band.
Cycling: 80 to 100 km · Hotel: Prague Hotel, Saigon · Meals: B
We visit Mekong Plus, our final NGO of the ride. It is a grassroots local NGO with a presence in Cambodia and Vietnam, and it works to a hand-up, not hand-out, policy. The social enterprise part of the NGO trains beneficiaries to make quilts, handicrafts and bamboo bicycles. Its holistic approach also includes education scholarships, vocational training, microfinance programs and social enterprise businesses.
Use the day to explore at your leisure. There are local markets, shopping centres, museums and other sights in Ho Chi Minh City. In the evening we meet for dinner, swap stories and photos, and decide where you would like the donation money to go.
Hotel: Prague Hotel · Meals: B, D
NGO: Mekong Plus
You have cycled across two countries, about 460 km in the saddle. We have a final breakfast together, then take you to the airport and on your way home.
Meals: B
Mixed terrain, flat, single track, moderate
10km flat, 20km up and back, paved
Paved, gravel and track, lots of breaks
out of 12 days cycling
Easy to moderate
Approx 460km
All flat, except the Bokor climb
Mostly paved, some off road
Average pace 15-18km/h
Narrow paved roads, easy to moderate
More narrow roads, some single track
Into Saigon on back roads, mostly paved
This ride side by side with two others. Change either one to compare a different ride.
| Ride | Cambodia · 11 days | Cambodia · 7 days | Cambodia → Vietnam · 12 days | Cambodia → Vietnam · 16 days | Laos · 11 days | Laos → Vietnam · 12 days | Laos → Vietnam · 20 days | Mongolia · 11 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Days | 11 | 7 | 12 | 16 | 11 | 12 | 20 | 11 |
| Total Distance | 400 km | 210 km | 460 km | 670 km | 403 km | 419 km | 794 km | 350 km |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 2 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| From Price | 2,750 AUDper person, twin share | 2,100 AUDper person, twin share | 2,950 AUDper person, twin share | 3,850 AUDper person, twin share | 3,150 AUDper person, twin share | 3,450 AUDper person, twin share | 5,850 AUDper person, twin share | 3,950 AUDper person, twin share |
| Single Room | from 550 AUD | from 350 AUD | from 550 AUD | from 750 AUD | from 500 AUD | from 550 AUD | from 850 AUD | Ask Us |
| Group Size | Up to 10 riders | Up to 10 riders | Up to 10 riders | Up to 10 riders | Up to 10 riders | Up to 10 riders | Up to 10 riders | Up to 10 riders |
| E-Bikes | Available (350 AUD) | Available (220 AUD) | Available (300 AUD) | Available (450 AUD) | Available (290 AUD) | Available (290 AUD) | Available (580 AUD) | Ask Us |
| Route | Siem Reap → Phnom Penh via Kampot | Siem Reap → Phnom Penh | Phnom Penh → Saigon | Siem Reap → Saigon | Vientiane → Luang Prabang | Luang Prabang → Hanoi | Vientiane → Hanoi | Ulaanbaatar return |
| Next Departure | 12 Nov 2026 Guaranteed | 12 Nov 2026 Open | 16 Nov 2026 Open | 15 Oct 2026 Guaranteed | 2 Nov 2026 Open | 10 Nov 2026 Open | 2 Nov 2026 Open | 9 May 2027 Open |
| Ride Page | View Ride | View Ride | View Ride | View Ride | View Ride | View Ride | View Ride | View Ride |
A flat-bar mountain bike with flat pedals and a unisex saddle, in frame sizes from small to XL. The make varies from country to country. Bike hire is included in the price of every ride. You are welcome to bring your own saddle or pedals.
One of our standard bikes.
A mountain bike with a motor that helps as you pedal. You still ride; the hills and the long days get easier. Available on this ride for an extra 300 AUD. Ask for one when you book. We hire our e-bikes from different suppliers, so the model varies.
One of our e-bikes.
Bikes shown are examples. The make and model on your ride may differ. Helmets are compulsory: we have some on hand, but bring your own if you can, so you know it fits.
Bringing your own saddle, pedals or bike: see FAQ & Travel Info →
Practical details for every ride, visas to bikes: FAQ & Travel Info →
“I'm not really one for group tours and I'm not that great a cyclist... But this tour through Cambodia and Vietnam was simply amazing. Brett's organisation pre tour is great and the tour itself is scheduled but with lots of opportunity for adventure and exploration. This tour takes you off the beaten track where you experience the real country, meet real people and gain an understanding of their challenges. The generosity of people in sharing their stories is a testament to social cycles relationships with and commitment to people striving to change their corner of the world. If you want to see the top 5 sites and stay in 5 star hotels then this isn't your tour - but if you want a travel experience that challenges, opens the mind and changes you for the better - go now!”
“Our 12 day tour from Phnom Penh to Saigon was an absolutely amazing trip. Our international group all gelled, we made new friends and we had a great time seeing the real countryside at bike pace rather than just whizzing through it in a bus. I wore my hand out waving to all the happy locals and went hoarse shouting hi in return. Both Cambodia and Vietnam are absolutely stunning countries recovering from a difficult recent past; everyone there is so happy seemingly living a very simple life which is a great lesson. All the tour guides were absolutely brilliant and freely shared their knowledge of the countries; I only wish there were bananas, pineapple, water, an ice bucket and sugar cane juice every 90 minutes on my rides in the UK. The itinerary was well structured including rest days to allow recovery from the days cycling in the heat. The insight into the NGO operations via their talks was sobering and it was rewarding to be able to give something back in the donation debate at the end in Saigon. I would definitely do a trip with them again.”
“Great guides, excellent way to get to know a different side of Cambodia and Vietnam. Good quality bikes, meeting the NGO’s Ali g the way was incredibly impactful. Would definitely do it again.”
Fifteen minutes on the phone with Brett answers most questions about Cambodia → Vietnam · 12 days.