Hue cycling tour — Top 5 best cycling tours in Hue City, Vietnam

If you love nature, culture and particularly cycling then exploring Hue, the ancient capital of Vietnam, is a must. There several reasons why I say that. First of all, Hue is renown for its easy-going traffic flown and the city is too either big or chaotic compared to other cosmopolitan cities such as Hanoi or Saigon. This is the necessary condition for cycling perfectly. Secondly, being bestowed by nature with an array of trees, rivers, spectacular mountains, lakes from center to suburb, Hue is the ideal place with fresh air for a physical activity like cycling. Last but not least, Hue is rich in culture and history, which are inherited from Nguyen dynasty, the last feudalism in Vietnam. Learning about Hue is a chance for you to know more about the life of the kings and their royal families, and old practices. Now, let’s discover Hue cycling tour (Hue bicycle tour) — Top 5 best cycling tours in Hue City, Vietnam with Living Nomads below.

Text & photos: Phuoc Tai

I highly recommend “Hue cycling tour and rentals” team, a professional cycling team, who can totally live up your expectations about how to have the best cycling tour. I would like to share information, my feelings about the cycling tours I joined with them. Below are several options provided by the team you may be interested in.

1. Cycling, fishing and cooking in 1 day

From my perspective, first impressions are important to me, and the team did not disappoint me on this first trip. Without a shadow of a doubt, this tour is my favorite. About the tour, you will leave the city center to visit Thanh Toan village, a historic place located on peaceful suburb (about 9km away from the center). It would be interesting when you pass with green fields, temples, pagodas on off the beaten tracks. You can stop anytime to visit and learn more about those architecture. In Thanh Toan village, you will catch a glimpse of a local market, see local daily activities, try to catch fish with them by traditional tools. Last, you will join a cooking class at Thanh Toan Eco tour restaurant to learn how to cook Vietnam traditional food and enjoy your results.

2. Start of the trip on Dragon boat

The title of this trip may leave you several questions, why “dragon boat” on a cycling tour?. But, trust me, you will have impressive moments with this tour. At first, you and your bike will be on a traditional dragon boat at Toa Kham boat Wharf (Address. 49 Le Loi street, Phu Hoi Ward, Hue City). Upon the laid-back flown of The iconic Perfume river, the boat will lead you through lush green views to the Heavenly Lady Pagoda, one of the oldest pagoda in Vietnam. The fresh atmosphere when on a boat will make your mind comfortable. Next, you will cycle to Thanh Toan Village, visit the ancient bridge and the agriculture museum here, thereby having a picture of culture and life of the locals.

 

3. Cycling to discover traditional crafts with Hue Artisans

If you are into traditional arts, then this tour is tailor-made for you. The tour will start by visiting Dong Ba market, a big local market located in the center. You will be surprised at vivid colors from local goods, chaotic atmosphere, or how local bargain. Then you will cycle to Bao Vinh old quarter, which brings you a sense of nostalgia with ancient houses near a river. After this, you will go to Thanh Tien village and Sinh Village (Addres: Phu Mau Commune, Phu Vang District, Thua Thien Hue province), which are famous for making paper flowers and traditional paintings respectively. These products are used in traditional festival or rituals.

4. Cycling to Truc Chi garden

You will start this tour by cycling around Hue Citadel, which is recognized as a World Heritage by UNESCO, then paying a visit to Truc Chi garden. Regarding Truc Chi garden (Address: 5 Thach Han, Thuan Hoa Ward, Hue city) where you can approach a sophisticated new form of arts, you will observe and learn how to make products such as wallets, lamps, decorative pictures, umbrella from Bamboo Pulp. It would be challenging but worth a try. In my opinion, the process of making a product under the instruction of local artisans will give you memorable experiences . After this, you will cycle to the beautiful outskirt of Hue.

5. The further you cycle, the deeper understanding about Heritage in Hue you get

This tour is suitable for those who want to cycle longer distance (more than 20 kilometers). You will cycle to 4 places Thanh Toan village, Hue citadel, Khai Dinh tomb and Heavenly Lady Pagoda, respectively. For further information about Khai Dinh tomb, this tomb is different from other tomb of Nguyen Dynasty due to its architectural style which is a elegant blend of Western and Eastern style. There is also a special point in this tour which gives you a chance to get on a traditional dragon boat to come back the city center after visiting the Heavenly Lady Pagoda.

 

Further information

With these recommendations, I sincerely hope you will have unforgettable cycling trip and amazing moments.

P/s: Please feel free to contact “Hue cycling and rentals” team on Facebook or at the address: 18 Duong Van An, Xuan Phu Ward, Hue City to get useful advice or bicycle rental.
For online services, please visit at: www.huecycling.com

Read more Hue travel guide at here.