The provided information might be useful for your preparation of cycling vacations.

Passports and Visas

A visa is required for all nationalities (exempt Asean Citizens (Vietnam , Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, The Philippines, Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia), Scandinavian citizens as well as Japanese, South Korean tourists.). Full passport is required. This must be valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay.

Insurance

It is essential that insurance be purchased. It must cover medical care and helicopter emergency evacuation and repatriation. This is an adventurous activity and some of our routes pass through remote areas. On arrival, hand copies of emergency contact numbers to the TITC guide.  Insurance can be purchased through TITC.

Vaccinations and Health

Before travel, please consult a local General Practitioner for up to date advice on recommended vaccines and malaria prophylaxis.

First Aid

All TITC guides have received basic first aid training. Our biking guides will be carrying a small first aid kit, but it is strongly recommended that each client bring her/his own personal first aid supplies. The kit needs to include antiseptic wound wipes, antiseptic liquid/cream, steristrips, sterile gauze and bandage and oral rehydration sachets.

Weather

The climate is mainly hot and humid throughout, but there are a range of climate differences between the North and the South. The South is generally quite tropical, with warm temperatures throughout the year. Hanoi has a distinctly cooler season from November to February, and there is a pronounced wet season in the middle of the country in September and October. For biking, September, October November and March, April and May are the best times –not so hot and pretty dry!

Essential Biking Gear

Cycle helmet, gloves and shorts; stiff soled cycling shoes or trainers; water bottles, eye protection; lightweight waterproof jacket; insect repellent; sunhat; strong sunscreen, puncture repair kit.

On Arrival 

Safety

Safety is our most important consideration when leading bike trips. It is Company Policy when hiring an TITC bike that clients must wear a helmet. We can provide helmets at time of hire. Be aware that cycling can be dangerous and accidents can happen, you must be responsible for your own safety whilst riding. It is customary to sign a disclaimer form before riding a hire bike for our insurance purposes. Traffic rules in Vietnam are not strict! It is advisable to ask the TITC guide about safe riding on the roads.

The Bikes

Our bikes are good quality lightweight Trek 4300/4500 24speed Mountain bikes with Shimano Deore components, V Brakes and Rock Shock front suspension. We can offer a range of frame sizes from 16” to 22.5”. It is recommended when confirming a booking to give your height to the operator so she/he can book the correct size well in advance. The bike tour will be led by an experienced bike guide proficient in maintaining and repairing the bikes. All tools and spares will be provided. These will be carried by the support vehicle.

Transport and Support

Depending on the nature of the biking tour, there will be a private air-conditioned bus, minibus or jeep that will support the riding throughout the tour. The support bus is there for clients who need to rest, to carry the spare bike parts, and will often contain refreshments such as water, snacks and soft drinks to make riding more enjoyable.  The support bus will follow at a discreet distance all the time. During transfer sections, the bikes will be carried in the bus where necessary.  When riding off road on singletrack trails support will sometimes be by motorbike. The guide will carry water and the first aid kit with him/her until the trail joins the main track where the bus will be waiting.

Responsible Traveller

With our biking tours we are continually checking our holidays to try to make sure that they are as socially, economically and environmentally sound as possible.

We are committed to and have been affiliate members of the Environmental Certification Green Globe 21 Scheme. We are working to develop our operational and management practices in an environmentally sustainable way. Our intention is to deliver biking tours that do not contribute to the destruction of Vietnam’s unique cultural and natural environment.

What to Bring

A wise man once remarked that: "A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to leave alone." This rule works fairly well for bicycle touring. Part of the reason for going on a bicycle tour should be to get away from the complexities of the world. You should also consider that we have a finite amount of space to carry luggage, so we ask you to pack as lightly as you can. We also ask you not to bring a suitcase. You should be able to pack everything you need into one medium sized kit bag or sports bag.

On most days your main luggage will be stowed out of reach while we ride, so it is a good idea to bring a day bag or small rucksack in addition to your camelback.

Remember that in all likelihood you will buy souvenirs and some local clothing so leave some space if you can. The attached list is a guide to what you should think about bringing. It is by no means the definitive list, so don’t blame us if you forget something or neglect to bring a favorite or prized item.

Travel

• Passport. Valid for 6 months and with spare pages and valid visas.
• Passport photos
• Travel insurance details
• Flight tickets
• Cash/credit cards
• Phrase book

Clothes

• Gloves. Make sure they are well padded. You will need at least two pairs.
• Cycle short-sleeve shirts. Coolmax shirts are great, baggy mountain bike tops or general bike shirts.
• Cycle Shorts. Well padded lycra, and guys, you might like to wear baggy shorts over the top to preserve some modesty whilst riding in Asia.
• Lightweight waterproof rain jacket. Rain is unlikely, but certainly possible. A Gore-Tex rain jacket can also serve as a wind breaker.
• Light fleece-type jacket. To wear in the evenings or if the weather is bad as a layer under your rain jacket.
• Shirts and tops. Comfortable and functional will be more valuable than fashionable. One long-sleeved top for sun protection while riding is advised.
• Long trousers/ skirt /shorts. To have something besides biking clothes to wear in the evenings.
• Underwear. Light and quick drying. They should not be worn under cycling shorts as they will cause chaffing.
• Socks. Some for riding and some for covering your ankles in the evenings.
• Sun hat. Wide brimmed and crushable is best, though baseball style will do. For sun protection at lunch.
• Bandana or sweat band. Useful for keeping the sweat out of your eyes or to cover your mouth if there is a dusty track.
• Shoes. Stiff soled cycling shoes are recommended; very good quality sandals work and give your feet some extra ventilation, whilst a decent pair of trainers will be fine. If you want to use SPDs you must bring your own shoes and pedals.

Miscellaneous

• Towel
• Sarong
• Torch/Head Lamp. Head lamps are great for reading in bed and for those late night toilet runs when you need your hands free.
• Sunglasses
• Mosquito repellent
• Sun cream. High factor protection is essential as the sun will be strong.
• Sun block for lips. Burnt lips hurt and take a long time to heal.
• Camera. You’d be silly not to.
• Spare batteries. For camera and flashlights.
• Toilet kit. Suggestions: toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, moisture lotion, razor and shaving cream, tampons etc. (there won’t be many convenience stores nearby)
• First Aid. We carry a major first aid kit, but you should cover minor repairs such as paracetamol, Imodium, band aids, etc.
• Electrolyte powder or tablets