UPDATED June 3, 2019

BY Brian Hoeniger

IN Places to Ride

9 comments

UPDATED June 3, 2019

BY Brian Hoeniger

IN Places to Ride

9 comments

A Guide To Cycling Around South-East Asia

The magical and mysterious region of Southeast Asia has in recent times become a mecca for international travellers, including an ever growing number of long distance cycle-tourists. Its allures cover a broad spectrum, from ancient and modern civilizations influenced by Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and folk religions, to spicy culinary delights and every kind of fruit imaginable. The beauty of its diverse terrain and the warm and often hot and humid climes beckon work and winter weary farang to embark on a spiritual retreat at a centuries old temple, a kickback holiday on a tropical isle, or in this case an extended tour from the best seat imaginable – your bike.

Vegetable Market in Stung Treng, Cambodia (Credit: Marek Poplawski)

While Southeast Asia is typically defined as consisting of eleven countries that reach from eastern India to China to the Philippines, this blog focuses on exploring its heartland of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, on two wheels. These neighbouring mainland nations share much in common including the mother Mekong river, super friendly local peoples, relatively low crime rates, and the at times overbearing influence of China, but each delivers its own unique and rich experience.

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Sunset over the Mekong River

The Grand Circle

In fact there is so much to indulge the senses that this blog is simply going to outline a grand circle tour that encompasses many of the region’s must visit locales, with the aim of encouraging you to dream of riding your bike through this awesome corner of the planet. Everyone’s itinerary is different, for some it will be mostly about cycling, while others will choose to sojourn in places that enthral, or divert off the beaten track to where hidden discoveries await. I cycled from Hanoi to Bangkok as part of our company’s Bamboo Road cycle tour in 2017, and I plan to go back for more later this year. Whatever your priorities this route serves as a baseline itinerary for what is bound to be a thrilling adventure of a lifetime. The ideal time to embark on this 3 to 4 month adventure covering approximately 5500-6000 kms is mid October, with the aim of finishing between late January and mid February. This is generally the driest part of the year when temperatures are overall slightly cooler than at other times, ranging from warm to hot. Within this timeframe the ideal locale to start pedalling is probably Vientiane, the capital of Lao, and from there riding towards northern Vietnam, down most of its length, then into Cambodia, along Thailand’s coast to Bangkok, than upcountry to Chiang Mai, and back into Laos.

Credit: Ride with GPS

What to Bring

SE Asia has a road network whose primary routes are generally in good to excellent condition, and if you must bring a road bike than sticking to pavement will be your approach. But you’ll also be dealing with more traffic, above all scooters, and your ability to truly explore will be reduced. With that in mind, a gravel or cross or hard tail mountain bike are the best choices, as they will enable you to navigate secondary and rougher roads and to adopt a “go wherever I choose” approach. Puncture resistance tires of width 32-40 mm and a cache of spare tubes will serve you well.

In Hanoi (shown here) and other Vietnamese cities, the scooter rules the road

Campsites are rare and there are reasonably priced and comfortable accommodations to be found virtually everywhere. Likewise cheap restaurants and delicious food abound, so there is no need for a tent, sleeping bag, or cooking equipment. In short, you can plan on travelling fairly light, with the strongest rear rack you can buy, a set of quality panniers containing a few changes of cycling and casual clothes, footwear, rain gear, the tools and spare parts essential to keep your bike rolling, a smart phone/camera utilizing local SIM cards, detailed country maps, basic toiletries including sun protection, and your documents.

Visas can be obtained at your point of entry/border crossing; the exception is Vietnam which has to be secured in advance. In terms of money, bring a reasonable amount of US$ cash for use when needed; beyond that your debit/credit card will work for withdrawing local funds – just be aware its always safer to use ATMs inside larger banks than street side machines. Note that the US$ is the predominate currency in Cambodia and ATMs in the larger Khmer towns and cities will surprisingly spit out greenbacks.

Laos

The “Land of 1000 Elephants” is the least densely populated, the cleanest and the most relaxed of the 4 countries en route; in other words the perfect place to acclimatize and begin spinning one’s wheels. Some of the must see highlights include:

The languid temple strewn capital city of Vientiane offers low cost digs, great street markets, a fascinating old quarter, delicious food washed down with Beer Lao, your introduction to the Mekong river sunsets, and quality bike shops.

Heading north, check out the cluster of Buddhas at Vang Sang, and then go caving, rafting and zip lining in rural paradise around Vang Vieng.

330 km north of Vientiane at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers lies the UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang Prabang, famed for its 33 wats (temples), royal history, French colonial villas, saffron clad monks, and world class gastronomy. LP is also one of the country’s eco-tourism centres and its nearby waterfalls, mountain bike trails, and serene landscapes will ensure your stay here is longer than expected.

Monks worshipping at Wat Souvanna Poumaram in Luang Prabang

From Luang Prabang, cycle northeast towards Vietnam. En route you’ll encounter vividly attired local tribes, including the Hmong, as you spin through rustic countryside, alongside river valleys and up and down twisting roads over mountain ridges.

Vietnam

Vietnam stretches almost 1500 km from top to bottom, bordered by the Gulf of Tomken and South China Sea on the east and a series of mountain ranges characterizing much of its western and northern frontiers. Away from the coast it’s rarely flat, with hilly terrain, and tropical forests in abundance. Outside of the more mountainous areas it’s also very heavily populated, and the omni-present scooter dominates traffic – cyclists beware. All in all Vietnam is a bargain and a feast for the senses, including its renowned national cuisine, conical hat clad peoples and ubiquitous rice paddies.

Terraced Rice Fields in Mu Cang Chai, northern Vietnam

From the border at Tay Trang head across forested hills to Dien Bien Phu where the Viet Minh defeated the French in 1954. Then turn north on route 12 through hill tribes country bound for the trekking centre of Sa Pa, surrounded by the country’s highest peaks. Turning southeast, breathtaking Route 32 is a premium option that will take you via Mu Cang Chai (see above photo) and usher you most of the way to Hanoi.

In this 1000 year old capital city it’s imperative to dodge the seemingly millions of scooters. Dive into the unbelievable street food while exploring the old quarter and paying homage to Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum. Leave your bike for a tune up in town, and take the bus for a kick back side trip to the World Heritage site that is mystical Ha Long Bay’s thousands of limestone karst islands.

Vista of Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

With your legs and spirits rejuvenated, explore Vietnam’s extensive coastline and empty beaches en route to the Nguyen empire’s capital of Hue, and the atmospheric town of Hoi An, before heading inland to the temperate garden center of Da Lat. From there route 20 will steer you to Saigon, the “Land of the Blue Dragon’s” pulsating metropolis. Here the War Remnants museum will give you a sobering reminder of the ravages of the USA-Vietnam conflict before you immerse yourself back into the bustling streets and heartbeat of this fast forward moving nation.

Cambodia

Cambodia is a paradox. On the one hand the “Land of the Khmer” is SE Asia’s poorest country, on the other it’s steeped in history and mystery. And while the genocidal era of Poi Pot and the Khmer Rouge is fading into the past, the omnipresent rule of the current one party state is not to be messed with. For the cycle tourist Cambodia offers the tranquility of cycling on quiet roads along the Mekong past villages of stilted houses before you encounter its principal destinations.

Depending on your chosen route, you’ll probably meet the Mekong at Kratie, where Irrawaddy dolphins frolic in its waters, or in the unhurried provincial town of Kampong Cham. From there we recommend taking the back roads on the south side of the river to where the ferries cross into downtown Phnom Penh. This sultry capital has much more to offer than casually meets the eye, above all its gilded national palace compound, riverside restaurants, street markets, and anything goes nightlife.

Khmer Royal Palace, Phnom Penh

Leaving Phnom Penh you have 2 enticing but entirely different options – pedalling the smooth pavement of Highway 6 or taking a leisurely boat cruise meandering up the Sap River and across Tonle Sap lake. Both will deliver you to Siem Reap, gateway to the Angkor temples complexes. The town of Siem Reap can be an assault on the senses, with hordes of tourists congregating around gaudy Pub street, but it does have many fine dining options and some cool handicraft markets. Remember to buy your tickets to the temples on the outskirts of town before taking a tuk tuk with guide or your bike to gape at Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious building, Bayon’s faces of Buddha, jungle swallowed Ta Prohm, and the other fortunately less frequented temples. It’s best to arrive at sunrise before the throngs of Chinese package holidayers overwhelm the place.

Bayon Temple’s ever smiling faces of Buddha

Back on your bike, the Thai border at Poipet is a quick 200 km west but we recommend instead taking the longer route south via the laid back towns of Battambang and Krong Koh Kong, before entering the Kingdom of Siam along the Gulf of Thailand coast.

Thailand

Known as the “Land of Smiles,” SE Asia’s densely populated economic and tourist engine, has it all; culinary paradise, temples and ruins, kick back Islands and beaches, hedonism and spirituality, elephant festivals and agricultural drudgery, all stirred together in one unfathomable and unforgettable pot.

Following the coastline north-eastwards gives the long distance cyclist the chance to slowly adjust to Thai temptations, including the omnipresent massage options. The island national park of Koh Chang and the palm lined bays of tiny Ko Mak are among the many possible retreats that will provide a relaxing respite for tired legs in paradise.

Pattaya marks the onset of more frenetic Thailand, including the unsettling phenomena that is the sexpat industry. We’ll leave the seemingly endless list of what to do’s in Bangkok, the “City of Angels” (and Demons some would say), to the Guidebook experts. Our only suggestion is that you ferry into this megapolis of 12 million people from the south on the Chao Phraya river and exit by train or bus heading north, thereby reducing your exposure to the smog and nightmarish traffic.

Bangkok, Thailand

About 50 km beyond Krung Thep’s sprawl, Ayutthaya and its network of crumbling temple ruins, is a logical place to hop back in the saddle. From there the 3000 and 1000 series of secondary roads will eventually take you to Sukhothai, whose 13th-14th century Kingdom is often referred to as the Golden Age of Thai civilization. Then it’s on to another of the major highlights of the “Grand Circle”, namely Chiang Mai, a glittering city of temples, markets and museums that served as the former capital of the Kingdom of Lanna.

Pagoda in Doi Inthanon National park, Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is also renowned for its cooler climate and as a gateway to Thailand’s beautiful and rugged northern region. It’s the perfect place to base oneself for a few days or weeks or even months, before reality sets back in.

Laos revisited

The final leg of our journey takes one back into Laos at the border town of Muang Nguen and en route to the dense jungle of Nam Ha National Protected Area, home to a rich variety of wildlife including leopards. From there it’s a short exhilarating pedal back to sublime Luang Prabang. Hopefully this is where you’ll bless your bike for the last time because, and it’s unclear the extent to which this is possible nowadays, but if it is, then, as a tranquil finishing touch to your SE Asian odyssey, you should try to float down the mother Mekong by boat to Vientiane.

A few Do’s and Don’ts

Don’t get into arguments with or criticize the locals. Saving face is a key tenet of Eastern Asian cultures, creating embarrassment or dispute can cause an easy going person to turn nasty. Splurge on massages, they’re cheap and the perfect antidote to long days in the saddle. If you are not faint of stomach, eat the street food wherever you’re confident it’s safe, above all in the larger towns and cities in Vietnam, Lao and Thailand. In Cambodia food poisoning can be a riskier prospect.

Rodents and birds as dinner options at a village market in Lao

Closing Thought

Do it now! South-East Asia is only becoming more popular, its primary destinations more swamped with tourists, and its roads more crowded.

Peddling down the road in Vietnam

Brian Hoeniger works for TDA Global Cycling. He cycled from Hanoi to Bangkok in 2017 and is planning on spinning onwards from Bangkok to Singapore in late 2019, as a participant on TDAs Bamboo Road tour.

9 Comments for "A Guide To Cycling Around South-East Asia"

Already living in this part of the world I feel this trip would be amazing as it gives you a much more “up close and personal” view of SE Asia. At what level would a rider need to be to complete this type of journey?

Great article!
Would you know if you can enter Laos from Ubon R to Pakse at Vangtao on bicycles?
Thanks
Jp

    Sorry no idea but likely you could.

Semi-retired and just completed our second tour, cycling 3,200 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica (Route 66) then up to San Francisco. Our first tour was around our home country of Scotland (North Coast 500), then down to the southern tip of England (JOGLE). We just bought ourselves a Hase Pino Tour to try our hand at tandem cycling and starting to plan the next adventure. We just acquired a set of maps and off-the-shelf visitor guides to South East Asia for the general stuff, but now seeking information about exploring on two wheels.

Hey Brian how you doing ? this article is really helpful and especially the cycling map you have provided in this blog. I am planning to explore SE Asia on my bicycle next year around July 2023. Is july till september a good time to visit SE Asia on a bicycle ? Please advise. many thanks. Gopal negi from kumaon himalayas, uttarakhand, India

    Yes, July to September would be a good time but September to December would be better. Good luck on your ride!

Hello! Amazing article and incredible route. I was wondering if there’s the map available for download or any further details about the route for purchase or on any of the other blogs. Has anyone else done a similar route – any feedback? We’d be looking to get some trains/buses to cut off some distance as we only have 3 month’s and are planning to do lots of sight seeing. Cheers ?

    Glad it was helpful 🙂
    You are welcome to download the daily itineraries of our 2 Southeast Asian tours to aid in your own planning but we are quite busy planning our own tours and wont be able to assist beyond that. Good luck and happy pedalling.

    Hi Catrin, we also have 3 months planned in February next year so sounds very similar to the trip you were planning. Have you gone yet? And if so would you be able to share and details/advice please? Thanks, George

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