[Dumbod]

I think I've talked my wife into a bike trip in Vietnam this winter. REI triggered our interest but we've done other REI trips and (1) they hire local guides and (2) the REI markup is considerable. On the other hand, we know what we're getting.

Can anybody else make a suggestion about touring companies? (fully supported and hotels. my wife won't camp any more. She say that nothing makes a woman look her age more than camping. Her words, not mine.)

Thanks.

 

[oarsman]

I
Can anybody else make a suggestion about touring companies? (
Thanks.

You might want to try www.spiceroads.com They are based in Thailand. I have been thinking of doing their Bhutan trip, but am not going to be able to fit it in this year. I cannot speak from personal knowledge, mind you. They look experienced and sent me quite a bit of useful information, but who knows from a website.

 

[blackhat]

I don't have any touring company advice for you but you might enjoy Hurl Everstone's account of his trip that he wrote for bike mag a couple years ago.

http://bikemag.com/searchresults/?terms=saigon&pg=1&cs=&stype=A

 

[Henry Chinaski]

I can't help with tour companies, but great choice! I spent three weeks in Vietnam about ten years ago and it was amazing. Great place for a bike tour. Sadly, the only bike riding I did was when I convinced a pedicab driver to switch places with me in Hanoi.

Just make sure to figure out the anti-malaria drugs. They were pretty nasty ten years ago but I heard they have something better now. I'd love to go back...