Frequently Asked Questions For Cycling Tours

Who would like to cycling in Vietnam and Cambodia?

Viet Vision Travel, we believe a successful tour results from the careful matching of your needs, expectations, and ability. We would like you to review these statements and see if you agree with most of them.
- I am adventurous, energetic, young at heart and open-minded.
- I love the freedom and elegance of touring under my own power.
- I can accept temporary inconveniences and am willing to try new things.
- I can adjust easily to different situations.
- I am in good physical condition and able to carry my own gear.
- I am willing to try to communicate to people who speak a different language, even if I don’t yet speak a word.
- I am eager to ride through a different world with great curiosity about how other people live.
- I am tolerant of other people and cultures, and willing to be a good ambassador of my country.
- I am independent and independently-minded.
- I am excited by the thought of exploring a foreign land from the seat of my bike, and being the object of inquisitive local interest.
- I appreciate a good value and enjoy the simple pleasures in life, even if I can afford the best.
We hope that you agree with most of these statements, because these describe the cyclists with whom we work best.

What support services are provided?

Cycling tour Services Voucher- Viet Vision Travel provides you with an information packet with detailed information concerning your preparations for coming to Vietnam and Cambodia.
- Tour itinerary with a description of the route with distances for each day from beginning to the end of trip.
- Typical daily schedule in brief
- Luggage Requirements checklist
- Rider Orientation Information will include basic riding information as to how riding in Vietnam or Cambodia differs from Western countries (normally at the first day of riding bike, our tour guide or tour leader will take an hour to explain for you how to cycle amongst Vietnam or Cambodia road traffic.)
- General Tour Information
- Hotel accommodations will be provided for each night in double occupancy rooms, unless a single room supplement is specified on the reservation form. All the hotels will be good location, convenience and clean in every city we stay.
- Meals are provided for breakfast, lunch and other up on request, except for lunches on rest days where we spend two days in one place.
- There will be scheduled stops in the morning and afternoon on ride days where you can refill water bottles, and have snacks of fresh fruit.
- Support vehicle will be provided to provide on-the-road support as needed: a lift to sagging cyclists, water bottles refilled, and fresh fruit.
- Luggage transport service is available for all kind of cycling tours.

How are the cycling tours structured?

The cycling tours are structured but you can ride at your own pace under manage of the cycling tour guide or tour leader who accompany group for whole trip. Detailed route maps will be distributed at the beginning of the ride. Included will be maps, qualitative traffic descriptions, and physical road conditions. Also provided will be planned restaurant and night stops, a bilingual list of phrases, and the name of our destination in Vietnamese that you can point to in case you need help from a local. A guide will be available all the time with group and also cycling with you to share his local knowledge. He as well stay at restaurants and hotels to help order food and secure lodgings.

How big of the cycling group size?

Viet Vision Travel is only organize the private trip starting from 1 person and above

What kind of bicycle should I bring?

This is a personal preference, Viet Vision Travel cycling tours included TREK bike for all cycling adventure trips but if you would like to take your own bike, we recommend a men’s frame hybrid or mountain bike with bar-end extenders or ram-horn style handlebars. The bicycle should have 18 to 21 speeds, with a small chainring (sometimes called a "granny" gear located at the pedals) with fewer teeth than the largest gear on the rear wheel. The handlebars should be well padded to protect against hand stress. The brakes should be new or in very good condition. The bike should have at least one and preferably two large water bottles

Should I get special shots or bring medical supplies?

We recommend that you visit a doctor six weeks before the trip for an opinion on your physical condition, and to get any recommended shots or immunizations. Some tours are moderately to fairly difficult, and some include several days at high altitudes (8,000+ feet, 2,000+ meters). First Aid – It is up to you to bring along a personal supply of basic medical items like plasters, aspirin, insect repellent etc. In areas of limited or suspect medical facilities, some travelers also like to take their own emergency medical kit which can be used by the local medical staff in case of accident or illness. Our cycling Tour Leaders carry a comprehensive First Aid Kit (including a sterile pack) for emergencies, but do not dispense medicines.

What sort of tools should I bring?

if you bring your own bike with difference Trek bike we have, the tools that you would pack for any long distance tour: tube repair kits, extra tubes, pump, freewheel remover, 10 extra spokes, small wrench, hex set for the bolts on your bike. Using Trek bikes from us on tour, our cyclist guide will bring with him all tools bike.

What should I expect to see in Vietnam or Cambodia?

A radically different culture of different parts in Vietnam or Cambodia. People may behave in ways that would be considered impolite at home, but are acceptable in Vietnam or Cambodia. Keep an open mind and an easy-going attitude, and you will be fine.

What spending money will I need?

Bring what you expect to use for incidentals; gifts, snacks, minor repairs, new clothes, etc. The tour will include three restaurant meals each day except on rest days, lodging and local attraction entrance fees. The money that you bring should be in the form ATM cards, traveler’s checks, or cash. Credit cards are used in all cities, such as Master Card, Visa Card, Dinner Club, Amex. The Bank of Vietnam, however, can process credit card cash advances for a 3% handling fee. ATM's are widely available in all the cities.

How do I change money?

You may exchange currency at major hotels and at most banks in all parts of Vietnam and Cambodia. In some locations there is also a black market for hard currency (US dollars, German marks, Japanese yen, etc.) Currently, the black market is paying a 1.5% premium over bank rates, but it is best avoided.

What kind of food will be available along Vietnam and Cambodia?

Increasingly famous worldwide with restaurants sprawled over the globe, yet no Vietnamese food abroad can equal in flavor or quality to that made in Vietnam itself. In brief, Vietnamese cuisine depends heavily on rice grown in water paddies throughout the country, with dishes varying from simple everyday meals to most complex dishes designed for the King. Reaching a balance between fresh herbs and meats; as well as a selective use of spices to reach a fine taste, Vietnamese food can be considered one of the healthiest yet most divine cuisines worldwide.

Spices and ingredients

Vietnam’s ingredients reflect its geography and climate. Rice (grown in water paddies throughout the country) is the main starch used in everyday meals, and is also made into different kind of cakes and noodles. Besides a number of Buddhist vegetarian dishes, most Vietnamese dishes or meals are a combination of a variety of vegetables, herbs and meats. Common herbs may include lemon grass, lime or kaffir. Popular meats are pork, beef, chicken, prawn and various fish. Lamb, duck, birds, and even dog or other wild animals are also used but not widely. Fish sauce and soy sauce are used as both flavorings and dipping sauces for nearly every dish. Peanuts are also used widely in Vietnamese cuisine. Vegetarians and those with allergies should be careful and ask beforehand while enjoying Vietnamese cuisine.

Style of cooking

The Vietnamese cook their food in a variety of ways: deep fry, stir fry, boil, steam. Unlike the Vietnamese, the Vietnamese use a minimal amount of oil while cooking. Vietnamese cooks aim to preserve the freshness and natural taste of food as much as possible. Hence Vietnamese cuisine is often considered as one of the healthiest foods in the world.

Food of three regions

Like everything else, Vietnamese food also differs geographically from location to location. North Vietnam’s food uses soy sauce, fish sauce and prawn sauce and has many stir fried dishes. With harsh weather and less developed agriculture than the South, North Vietnamese tend to use less meat, fish and vegetables; and black pepper (instead of chili) to create spice. The taste is strict and less sweet, but more salty than in other regions. Central Vietnam is distinct in its extreme spices and color of food. Hue’s cuisine, affected by royal cuisine once created for kings and queens, emphasized on quality and quantity – A meal constitutes of many complex dishes served only at small proportions. Southern Vietnamese are heavily affected by Cambodia, Thai and Vietnamese cuisines (due to trade and immigrants). Southerners prefer sweet tastes (created by adding sugar or coconut milk) and spicy tastes (created by chili peppers). A variety of dried fish and sauces originate from the South. Southerners prefer seafood and use simple cooking methods with larger and less servings.

Customs

Influenced by the Vietnamese, chopsticks and spoons are used in Vietnam. Many foods (such as cakes) are wrapped in banana or coconut leaves. When eating with elders, younger Vietnamese always ask the elders to eat first.

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