Ho Chi Minh Trail Motorcycle Tour from Hanoi to Nha Trang – 11 days

We start our exciting journey at 9.30 to avoid the traffic jam during rush hours in Hanoi. Before we hit the road, we give participants a brief about the tour to make them well-prepared and ensure our trip is smooth and fun. We drive from Hanoi to Phu Yen on the paved and smooth road, then stop in Son Tay for a quick break and a short visit to Son Tay.

In Son Tay, some 40 km west of Hanoi, we can visit the Son Tay jail camp, which Vietnam ran to keep American prisoners of war during the war against America, or the Son Tay ancient citadel, a structure made in laterite with the unique architectural feature. The citadel, which houses many monuments and old structures, is a great place for tourists to learn about the history and architecture of Vietnam.

After spending some time exploring Son Tay, we have lunch and continue riding in the twisting trails surrounding the spectacular mountains. With this ride, bikers can enjoy the cool air and beautiful view over the mountain ranges. We head to Phu Yen and spend the night here, ending the first day with a 165 km motorbike ride).

Summary:

Distance: 165 km

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Mai Chau is only 150km from Hanoi but is a world away from the bustling city. Mai Chau is the place for those who want to experience a tranquil life in authentic, beautiful, and rustic Vietnamese villages. Here you can catch sight of the picturesque rice fields dotted with traditional stilt houses, hear the beautiful melodies of gurgling streams and chirping birds and join some fun activities like biking, hiking, or trekking.

The 150 km motorbike ride from Phu Yen to Mai Chau on the second day is an exciting trip. With this route, we follow the dirt road passing through scenic valleys where we can see the rural towns of Hmong, Dzao, and Thai ethnic minorities. Today’s ride is very relaxing and enjoyable as we drive on one of the most established roads that the French built during wartime. We arrive at Mai Chau late afternoon when the last ray of sunshine falls on the green rice terraced fields.

Summary:

Distance: 145 km

Accommodation: Homestay

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Tan Ky is a great destination for a stopover. It is one of the least-visited places on our route but worth a visit. We can explore Thai Minh village, where all residents are Thai ethnic people well recognized for their brocade craft. This district also offers caves, stalactites, valleys, and pristine landscapes for us to discover.

Unlike the previous day, the ride on the third day of our motorbike tour through the Ho Chi Minh trail will be a longer trip, covering nearly 300 km. We spend the whole morning on two wheels- riding along the Ma River until we get to Cam Thuy town to stop for lunch. After a long day, we head to Tan Ky town and spend the night in a hotel. The beautiful sceneries along the way take away bikers’ tiredness.

Summary:

Distance: 290 km

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a light breakfast in Tan Ky, we hit the road and then stop in Pho Chau for a break and sightseeing activities. Unlike the northern Vietnam motorbike tours, this tour takes bikers past numerous historical relics along the legendary Ho Chi Minh Road. The ride today covers about 280km.

After the break, we head to Phong Nha – Ke Bang, home to a national park that boasts some of the most ancient karst mountains in Asia, formed about 400 million years ago. This World Heritage Site is heaven on earth for cave lovers, with hundreds of cave systems and spectacular underground rivers. Besides cave exploration, we can also try forest trekking, mountain biking, or historical site sightseeing. We stay overnight in Phong Nha, Quang Binh province, after a day with lots of activities.

Summary:

Distance: 280 km

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

On our fifth day, we only have a short motorbike ride between attractions in Quang Binh province. This is another relaxing day. We spend the whole morning continuing our discovery of Phong Nha-Ke Bang, the world legacy of Vietnam, where we can enjoy the wonders of nature and see the ancient relics. If we have enough time, we can also take a boat ride or discover the beautiful corners of the various shapes and sizes of caves in Quang Binh.

In the late afternoon, we drive to Dong Hoi and stop for a quick visit to the 17 demilitarized zone or beautiful beach to see the sunset. Spending time watching the sun fall on the beach’s horizon is a nice way to end the day on a happy note.

Summary:

Distance: 60 km

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Driving from Dong Hoi to Khe Sanh on the legendary Ho Chi Minh road with light traffic, motorcyclists will find it interesting to see the changes in landscapes along the way – from the vast green rice fields in the north, the tube houses to the dense jungles and tree-lined streets. After lunch, we will continue on the Ho Chi Minh trail and stop at Truong Son Cemetery, where millions of Vietnamese soldiers had fallen for the country’s peace, to pay tribute to heroic soldiers.

We reach Khe Sanh city in the late afternoon after a 200km ride. We can have a quick visit to the Khe Sanh combat base museum, where we can see the relics of the war, or the Hien Luong Bridge and Vinh Moc tunnel.

Summary:

Distance: 200 km

Accommodation: Homestay

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

From Khe Sanh, we continue our motorbike ride to Hue. Our 180km route will cross by the DaKrong Bridge, developed by Cuban in 1973, and then strike through A Shau valley, which was seriously devastated by the war. We then pass through hills and big mountains, splashed with Agent Orange during wartime. We pass A Luoi, a rugged Hue region home to Bru Van Kieu ethnic people. Our ride in the afternoon goes past scenic green paddy fields before we make it to the ancient Hue city in the late evening. We will remain here for the seventh night of the tour.

Summary:

Distance: 180 km

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

On the eighth day of the Ho Chi Minh Trail Motorbike Tours, our team will ride on Highway 1A, cross the Hai Van pass with a heavenly view, and follow the Ho Chi Minh road on the seaside. After the 145 km motor ride, we make it to the charming ancient town of Hoi An, an important part of Vietnam during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. We spend the night walking around the old quarter of the town, which is just a “prelude” to our exciting trip exploring Hoi An the following day.

Summary:

Distance: 145 km

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

When it comes to ancient towns in Vietnam, no place can beat Hoi An. Once the old harbor town of Champa people, this beautiful little town was located at the estuary of Thu Bon and quite close to the sea. It was a busy harbor and trade hub of Vietnam and Southeast Asia during the 16th and 17th centuries. Many Chinese, Japanese, and Western people came to do business and settle down in Hoi An at the time. The melting pot history of Hoi An is well reflected in its architecture – from shophouses and temples to French colonial buildings and Vietnamese tube houses or the symbolic Japanese bridge with its beautiful pagoda, which was built in the early 17th century by Japanese businesspeople. The pagoda is among the few structures of Japanese architecture in Vietnam’s history.

With its rich values, Hoi An town was recognized as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1999 and is well preserved. Nowadays, street food is also a big part of Hoi An, and your trip seems to be incomplete without trying some local dishes. In the late afternoon, we can ride a motorbike to the Cua Dai beach or rent a bicycle to cycle along the open paddy fields near Hoi An. In the evening, you can enjoy some coffee near the bank of Thu Bon river, tune in to the traditional music performance and discover the magnificence of Hoi An by night with the beautiful and sparkling lanterns.

Summary:

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our tenth day will be a long ride from Hoi An to Quy Nhon through Highway 1. This 280 km route offers bikers the picturesque seascape of Vietnam with long beaches and sand ridges. The coastal Quy Nhon is an emerging destination for holidaymakers with beautiful islands, ancient pagodas, interesting safari, and gorgeous beaches with golden sand, turquoise waters, and tropical palm. It is such a nice experience to stay at a shoreline hotel after a long ride on two wheels.

Summary:

Distance: 280 km

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

On the last day of our Vietnam motorbike tour through Ho Chi Minh Road, we ride from Quy Nhon to Nha Trang city on the paved trail that passes through beautiful beaches. Riding the motorbike while enjoying the breeze and hearing the relaxing sound of ocean waves crashing on the distant beach will be a perfect way to end our 11-day motorbike tour.

Summary:

Distance: 280 km

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

TOUR ENDS.