It was under the French that the Catholic Church took hold in Vietnam and it fact was once the largest landowner in the country. The legacy remains and there are some 8 million Catholics in Vietnam. Recently, American-style Christmas has become popular in Vietnam, as in other parts of the world and there can be seen expressions of it throughout the country during the holiday period. We can't promise snow, but this tour provides a complete Vietnam experience and culminates with a special Christmas Eve dinner in Dalat. The next day we visit the Dalat Cathedral to witness Christmas-day mass with few other tourists in sight.

Witness the rush of modernization in Saigon and life in agrarian villages where little has changed in the last thousand years. Discover ancient wonder in Cham temple ruins, Buddhist pagodas and ancestor worship at the center of Vietnam's spiritual element. We'll encounter the legacy of French rule in the elegant colonial architecture and hotels, study the ancient Chinese influence on customs and food as well as the profound effect of the American period on Vietnamese culture, for better or worse. Ancient traditions, foreign influences and dynamic society make Vietnam a fascinating destination.

Along the way we will observe the distinct personalities of Vietnam's provinces, spending quality time in the fertile Central Highlands, pristine coastal regions and the pastoral countryside where vast stretches of rice paddies meet a jungle foliage that is a hundred shades of green. In addition to stunning landscapes, bicycling will provide access to Vietnam's greatest treasure - its people. Their warm greetings and smiles come naturally and their optimism and enduring spirit are inspiring. The Vietnamese are happy to have visitors again, especially Americans, who are now a novelty, yet historically familiar.

Our route travels the length of Vietnam, from the stoic, socialistic capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, through the unique provinces on the way south to capitalist Saigon. The graceful, tree-lined boulevards of Hanoi recall the days when it was the French capital of Indochine, yet it is where a statue of Lenin makes its last stand. Freshly cooked meals and restful nights in the finest hotels in the country, including the Metrpole, Dalat Palace, and Caravelle, will restore tired legs. Swimming, snorkeling, and exploration by foot round out our itinerary. The experience of a lifetime? Many of our past travelers have said so.

Airlines: December is high season to Vietnam. Airlines fills early — often by the endof August. To avoid disappointment, you should reserve your air travel as soon as possible, either with your own agent or with assistance from us.

Post-tour: If you've come this far, we encourage you not to miss the two most incredible sites in Southeast Asia, one natural and one man-made. Both are World Heritage Sites and unlike anything we'll encounter on the cycling trip. First, we encourage you to consider arriving early for a three-day kayaking trip to Halong Bay we arrange pre-tour. Everyone who does this side trip marvels at the experience (we would be glad to put you in contact with a traveler who has done the trip). Comfortable accommodation is on a large "junk" cruiser with delicious seafood banquets and the trip is appreciated by beginner to those with paddling experience. This World Heritage Site is incredible from water-level with the maneuverable kayaks enabling up-close access. We offer this trip nearly at our cost through a local partner we trust who operates at the highest caliber under our supervision. It's also a great way to get acclimated before your tour.

Post-tour you may want to also consider a non-cycling excursion to another World Heritage Site and the prize of Southeast Asia: the grand Khmer temples at Angkor in neighboring Cambodia. There is now a convenient, direct one-hour flight from Saigon and accommodations are at the splendid Grand Hotel d'Angkor. The New York Times recently ran an article on this hotel and touring the temples.

Click here for more information on our Angkor trip or here for more info on Kayaking in Halong Bay.