Review: A Cycling-Focused Mekong River Cruise With Grasshopper Adventures

Cycling and cruising along the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia is a journey filled with many adventures — some predictable, and some not. 

When my husband and I set out on a Mekong Bike and Boat Adventure with Grasshopper Adventures, we expected to pedal past rice paddies and other agricultural crops, friendly towns and villages, colorful pagodas, Buddhist temples and incredible sites like Angkor Wat. We didn’t expect to ride our bicycles through the middle of a wedding celebration, but the best adventures are the ones you don’t expect.

Cycling river cruises have long been popular in Europe, but they are just coming into their own in other parts of the world. Biking in less-traveled areas of the Mekong Delta is an incredible experience for clients looking for unique cycling adventures in Southeast Asia.

Cruising provides an element of luxury and convenience, because guests only have to unpack once, and the boat can transport them to smaller communities and agricultural regions. Grasshopper Adventures is one of the only companies that regularly operates cycling river cruises on the Mekong River, and after months of pandemic closures, the company’s program is back in full operation for 2023. 

What to Expect During the Tour

The Mekong Bike and Boat Adventure is a nice mix of walking tours, cultural experiences and guided cycling adventures. Our trip began with a walking tour in Ho Chi Minh City. The largest city in Vietnam has a population of around 9 million people and absolutely insane traffic, so it made sense not to cycle there. Instead, our walking tour took us to several sites, including the Central Post Office, Independence Palace, an art park, Marou Chocolate Factory and a cafe that had been the home of a spy during the Vietnam War. We enjoyed a cool drink at the cafe before exploring the secret tunnels underneath the building. Then, we went to a florist shop for a gourmet lunch served with plenty of floral touches.   

After boarding our cruise, we relaxed on the upper deck of the boat and watched the scenery pass by along one of the world’s longest rivers. Over seven days of cruising, we sailed past bustling riverside communities, other boats and barges, ancient temples and densely forested areas. We enjoyed regional cuisine made from local ingredients by an onboard chef, and relaxed in comfortable cabins. Some evenings, we dined off the ship at unique local restaurants. 

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Our first day of cycling took place on the second day of the cruise. We were up early to beat the heat. Some of the keen road cyclists had brought their own bikes, but Grasshopper Adventures supplied high-end e-bikes, helmets, programmed GPS devices and bikepacking bags. Several guides ensured that experienced cyclists and beginners could travel at their own pace. At the end of the trail, we were met with chilled towels, cold drinks and delicious snacks. 

It was hard not to be enraptured by the beauty of the countryside. On the first day, we pedaled past lush green rice paddies and fields of dragon fruit, jackfruit and durian. We passed farmers wearing traditional conical “non la” hats and stopped to explore a beautiful Buddhist temple decorated with colorful dragon sculptures. 

Over several days of cycling and exploring, we seldom saw any other tourists besides those in our group. Locals in towns and villages welcomed us like we were celebrities with shouts of “Hello!” — the only English word most of them knew. 

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We quickly realized that you really get to know a place when you explore it slowly on foot or by bicycle. This well-planned tour was filled with amazing experiences, and my husband and I enjoyed each one. We loved visiting colorful local markets, meeting artisans, exploring historic sites and cycling through incredible terrain — including Angkor Wat, one of the most important archeological sites in Southeast Asia. 

But, as I said, the most incredible experiences were the ones that weren’t planned: On our third day of cycling in Vietnam, we came across an event tent stretched right across the bike path, which served as the only road into and out of a nearby community. Tables, chairs and decorations were neatly arranged inside the tent and some of the wedding guests had already arrived. Since there was no way to bypass this afternoon wedding reception, we cycled right through it.

I heard someone shout “Hello!” as I rode past the decorated tables, and I couldn’t help but smile.