Vietnam’s 1A National Highway has been nominated as the world’s best cycling route by ‘Lonely Planet’, a travel guidebook owned by BBC Worldwide.

“This iconic road runs the length of the narrow country from north to south. It is the most popular cycling route in Vietnam, a long but immensely rewarding trip along the best parts of Vietnam’s coastline. The route has some reasonable hills, climaxing in the mighty Hai Van Pass (496m) (the border of Thua Thien-Hue Province and Da Nang city in the Central)– with a breathtaking descent as pine-clad mountains loom to the west and the sea vanishes into the east. Take the time along the way to gaze at networks of lush rice fields blanketing the hidden valleys below; fish, snorkel or dive the turquoise waters of the coast; and soak up the atmosphere of delightful rural hamlets”, the book described.

Other cycling paradises mentioned are in Isle of Wight, England; West Coast, Tasmania, Australia; Luberon and Mont Ventoux, Provence, France; San Juan Islands, Washington, USA; County Clare, Ireland; La Farola, Cuba; Otago Peninsula, New Zealand; Cape Breton Island, Canada; Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy.