Hoi An Cycling Tour: Discover the Best Self-Guided Routes

Nestled between pristine white sandy beaches and the serene Thu Bon River, Hoi An offers an idyllic setting for a cycling adventure. This charming town is best explored on two wheels, with its quaint old quarter being especially cycle-friendly. A short ride from Hoi An’s Old Town will quickly immerse you in lush rice paddies and traditional villages, making for a picturesque journey.

At Danavitour, we’ve done the hard work for you, exploring the various cycling routes in and around Hoi An. In this article, we share our top Hoi An cycling tour tips and essential information to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable biking experience. We guide you along the best self-guided routes, providing detailed insights and recommendations. For those seeking a guided experience, check out our comprehensive review of Hoi An’s best cycling tours here.

Bicycle Rental in Hoi An for Your Ultimate Hoi An Cycling Tour

When you arrive in Hoi An, you’ll notice bicycles everywhere. Cycling is a popular choice for both tourists exploring Hoi An and locals navigating their daily routines. For your Hoi An Cycling Tour, you have two main rental options: fixed-gear town bikes and mountain bikes.

Most hostels and hotels offer bikes for rent, either for free or at a minimal cost—usually less than 25,000 VND (1 USD) per day. You can also find numerous rental spots around town, predominantly offering fixed-gear town bikes, which vary in condition.

These town bikes are ideal for exploring Hoi An’s Old Town or cycling to the beach. However, due to their lack of gears and suspension, they’re not suited for longer journeys. If you plan to venture into the countryside or travel beyond Hoi An, we highly recommend opting for a mountain bike to ensure a more comfortable ride.

Choose the best option

Renting a standard fixed-gear town bicycle in Hoi An is straightforward. If your hotel doesn’t provide one, you can find bikes for rent on nearly every street, and they are quite affordable. However, if you’re looking for a proper mountain bike for your Hoi An Cycling Tour, your options are a bit more limited.

Make sure to check that a bike lock is included, the brakes function properly, and the gears (if applicable) shift smoothly. Ensure the tyres are fully inflated and take the bike for a quick test ride to confirm it’s in good condition. If you’re taller than average, verify that they have large or extra-large bike frames available. For mountain bike rentals, Hidden recommends the following places:

For the best quality, selection, and well-maintained mountain bikes in Hoi An, visit Grasshopper Adventures. Their bikes are meticulously cleaned and serviced, ensuring reliability. They offer a range of sizes, including options for kids and child seats. Daily rental is 150,000 VND (7.50 USD), with a deposit required—either a passport or 5,000,000 VND (250 USD).

Help Expat Services offers a smaller selection of mountain bikes, starting at 60,000 VND (3 USD) per day or 300,000 VND (15 USD) per week. Their bikes are well-maintained, and the owner is friendly, also providing motorbike rentals and various other services.

Essential Cycling Tips

The roads in Vietnam can be quite chaotic, but fortunately, Hoi An is relatively small, and the traffic is much more manageable compared to the larger cities. Nonetheless, there are essential safety tips to keep in mind for your Hoi An Cycling Tour.

In Vietnam, vehicles drive on the right side of the road. This is crucial to remember when crossing streets, as you might mistakenly look in the wrong direction for oncoming traffic. Exercise caution at intersections, particularly four-way ones, where local motorbikes may come around corners on the incorrect side of the road. If your bike has a bell, use it when approaching intersections to alert others of your presence and avoid potential accidents.

Top Safety Tips

We strongly advise against cycling in Hoi An at night due to the potential hazards. Some motorcyclists may not use their headlights, making them hard to see, and many traffic lights are turned off after 10 pm, increasing the risk. If you must cycle after dark, wear reflective clothing and ensure your bike is equipped with both front and rear lights.

When you’re out and need to leave your bike unattended, always use a bike lock to prevent theft. At night, it’s best to bring your bike inside the fenced area of your hostel or hotel and lock it securely.

During the day, Hoi An can be scorching. Even a leisurely pace can quickly lead to exhaustion and excessive sweating. Opt for light clothing and a sunhat to stay comfortable. Apply sunscreen while cycling and carry plenty of water with you. A large bottle is sufficient for shorter, half-day rides, but for longer excursions, it’s wise to bring two bottles to stay hydrated. These tips will ensure a safer and more enjoyable Hoi An Cycling Tour.

Readmore: Quan Am Pagoda Hoi An: A Sacred Sanctuary in Hoi An

Kick Off Your Day with a Bike Ride

Even if the sun is shining when you begin your Hoi An Cycling Tour, be prepared for sudden weather changes, as conditions in Hoi An and Vietnam can shift rapidly. Bring a small backpack with water and a raincoat or poncho when venturing into the countryside.

Although many locals and tourists in Hoi An choose not to wear helmets while cycling, having extra head protection can be wise. It could prove invaluable if you have a fall. Be sure to request a helmet when you rent your bike. Should you experience a flat tire during your ride, stop by any of the numerous bike rental spots in town; if they can’t assist you, they will direct you to someone nearby who can.

If you find yourself farther from town, don’t panic. Head to the nearest village and ask a local for assistance. Even if they can’t fix the problem themselves, they will know who can. Fixing a puncture typically costs no more than 80,000 VND (4 USD), though replacing the tube may be slightly more expensive.

Top Cycling Destinations

Hoi An offers a variety of cycling experiences both within the town and in the surrounding areas. For a leisurely morning or afternoon ride filled with great food and shopping, Hoi An’s Old Town is the ideal spot. Although the Old Town is small enough to walk across in 20 minutes, cycling provides the freedom to explore more extensively and easily retrace your steps or discover new routes.

Keep in mind that the Old Town is closed to motorbikes from 3 pm onwards, and it can become quite crowded, making it a bit stressful to navigate through the crowds. We recommend embarking on your Hoi An Cycling Tour in the morning to avoid the rush and the heat.

Take time to explore the historical sites scattered throughout the Old Town (tickets are available at all entrances), enjoy some shopping, and savor delicious Vietnamese cuisine at one of the numerous restaurants. Afterward, return to your accommodation to escape the afternoon heat.

While the Old Town is charming and well-suited for tourists, a short ride into the countryside offers a glimpse into traditional Vietnamese life. There are several guided and self-guided tours available that showcase the best of the Hoi An countryside, providing a richer, more authentic experience.

DIY Hoi An Cycling Tour

Prefer to skip the tour group and explore on your own? Try this self-guided Hoi An Cycling Tour through the picturesque rice fields. This route showcases the best of Hoi An’s countryside, though you’re free to venture off the path and discover hidden gems.

Often, the most memorable sights and experiences are found down less-traveled side streets and alleyways. For the most enjoyable ride, cycle in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the peak heat of the day. We suggest opting for the late afternoon when locals are out socializing and the sunset over the rice paddies creates a stunning backdrop.

One Hour Self-Guided Hoi An Cycling Tour – The Blue Route

Just a short five to ten minutes from town, this route offers a perfect escape into the Hoi An countryside. You’ll find numerous photo opportunities, including a massive banyan tree, expansive rice fields, traditional boats, and scenic river views.

This easy ride, suitable for kids and manageable on a standard bike, starts at Ly Thai To Street and winds through rice paddies. It then takes you into Cam Ha Village before looping back to Hai Ba Trung, a main road. From there, you can head left for a five-minute ride to An Bang Beach, where you can relax on a lounger, or continue right for a 20-minute ride back into Hoi An.

Our Direction

Begin the loop from Ly Thai To Street at the ‘Short Loop Start’ point on the map. Once you leave the main road, you’ll cycle straight into the open rice paddies, offering excellent views of local life and the motorbikes and bicycles traversing the fields. The contrast between the rural countryside and Hoi An’s buildings is striking.

Circle to the right of the small group of buildings, then turn right and take the third left into the rice field turning. You’ll need to cross the busy Hai Ba Trung Road, marked as “point 1” on the map. This road is often congested, so it’s advisable to dismount and walk across for safety.

Additional Tips

As you cycle through the rice fields, you’ll enter Cam Ha Village. In the afternoon, you might see children playing and neighbors socializing. Keep an eye out for the Van Duc family temple with its impressive front gate. If you’re friendly and respectful, you might even be allowed a closer look.

The Jeep Club Café, located along the route, is a great spot to cool down with a drink. The route turns sharply right here off the larger road.

Hidden Hint: Start this Hoi An Cycling Tour around 3:30 pm to catch the sunset over the river, avoiding the day’s heat and enjoying stunning views and photo opportunities.

As you pass large ponds, which are shrimp farms, you’ll cross a small bridge over the river and enter the village on the other side. Cycle with the village on your left and the river on your right. Depending on the time of day, you might see fishermen setting or emptying nets and a variety of traditional boats.

After passing the Sessions Under the Bridge bar and restaurant, you’ll reach the end of the marked trail. At Hai Ba Trung Street, you can turn left to head to the beach or right to return to Hoi An’s Old Town.

Advanced Ride – The Yellow Route

This more challenging ride takes three to four hours and is mostly flat. It will take you beyond Hoi An to the top of Cua Dai Bridge for breathtaking views, then into local villages and farmland where cows and water buffalo roam. Look out for ornate family temples with statues on their roofs.

Our Recommendation

We suggest starting your Hoi An Cycling Tour in the late afternoon (around two or three o’clock) to see local life in full swing. Schools will be letting out, and you might catch children singing and dancing. The Vietnamese are very social after work; you may see men playing cards or listening to loud techno music. Expect friendly waves from children, some of whom might even try to race alongside you.

This advanced self-guided tour is longer but remains flat, with the toughest part being the climb up Cua Dai Bridge. The route heads east from Hoi An’s Old Town along the river, crosses Cua Dai Bridge, and continues west, crossing several bridges and reaching Cam Kim Island before heading back to An Hoi Island and central Hoi An.

Follow the route on our map or navigate using Google Maps: Cau Cua Dai – Cau Truong Giang – Cau Duy Thanh – Cau Thu Bon – Cau Cam Kim, and then to your desired destination. Note that the Cau Thu Bon bridge is under construction, but the nearby Cầu Duy Phước bridge will serve the same route. For a bit of adventure, a temporary wooden bridge will add a touch of excitement to your ride.

Danavitour’s Thoughts:

Cycling is undoubtedly one of the best ways to explore Hoi An. It’s convenient, budget-friendly, environmentally friendly, and offers a peaceful experience with minimal engine noise. There’s a variety of self-guided Hoi An Cycling Tours to suit everyone. Whether you prefer a bike-mounted shopping spree through Hoi An’s Old Town or a tranquil ride through the picturesque countryside, you’re sure to find a route that fits your style. Grab a bike and start pedaling on your Hoi An Cycling Tour!