Self-drive Vietnam 4×4 Tour on the Ho Chi Minh trail – 8 days

Before departing, we group together for a listen to the safety and essential notes. Then escape from a low-elevation floodplain formed at the mouth of the Red River to hit Phu Yen. This rural district of Son La Province in Northwestern Vietnam is bestowed with various majestic and untouched landscapes by Mother Nature. Phu Yen is a land rich in unique culture and customs in costumes, cuisine, and spiritual life.

During the 100km drive from Hanoi, you will have to go across numerous gigantic mountains created by certain geographical changes and vast rice paddies. As expected, we will arrive in Phu Yen District in the early afternoon. Settle down and we can enjoy the supper in a local restaurant. Stay overnight at a hotel. End of the very first day of the journey.

Today’s point is Mai Chau – the untapped world away from Hanoi’s rush setting in a pastoral valley, surrounded by high hills. The town of Mai Chau is also home to lots of ethnic minority groups. Come here, you will see a new part of Vietnamese culture and a different way of life. With dark green forested mountains as the backdrop, gently winding streams, and bright green rice fields stretching as far as the eye can see, Mai Chau’s calm scenario is without dispute a great laid-back that’s worth your visit.

Along the way, our car will go through solitary villages of H’mong, Dao and Thai people, on both small paved roads and off-road tracks. We will reach Mai Chau at about 4 p.m. Have dinner later and spend the night at a stilt-house homestay in the village.

Leave Mai Chau after a hearty morning meal, we will roll our set of wheels to a mountainous district in Nghe An Province – Tan Ky, which abounds with plenty of historical impressions in the Ho Chi Minh Campaign (Saigon Fall). Firstly, get on a small paved trail along Ma River (Song Ma) – one of the longest rivers of the region. Differ from the Red River, the Ma River delta is narrower with the presence of sandy soil.

Lunchtime at Ngoc Lac Town – the “giant and precious gem”, the intersection of Thanh Hoa Province’s lowland and upland, offers tourists abundant historical sites, cave systems, and original culinary and cultural festivals. Clear the newly built highway section of the Ho Chi Minh trail to hit Tan Ky Town for a stopover.

Continue our journey to the largest and most beautiful National Park and caves in Indochina in general; and in Vietnam in particular – Phong Nha – Ke Bang, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated on the north of the mighty Truong Son range, the national park is known for stunning limestone formations, the prettiest water-grotto system in the world. Moreover, Phong Nha – Ke Bang is also recognized for its biodiversity with the highest number of plants and animals on earth. Besides, it’s home to A Rem ethnic minority, who were believed to be extinct when there were only 18 of them left in 1956.

The park can be said to be the best place for visitors to get closer to nature and uncover the large forest and long rivers. Chow down on dinner and get some sleep at a hotel.

Head south through foothills where stands the former Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) – an important chapter of Vietnam’s history. The barren foothills were heavily affected by Agent Orange back in the war of Vietnam. However, there are still many shreds of evidence of bombing on the mountainsides and we will go see remnants of the original Trail from time to time.

Drive on the famous Western Ho Chi Minh Trail until getting to Khe Sanh (former US Marine Base) for dinner and overnight at a hotel. Located in a valley of red land at an altitude of 400m above sea level, Khe Sanh’s surroundings are rolling hills which saw some of the fiercest fightings during the American War.

Start our 6^th day by venturing over the Da Krong Bridge – the main access point to the Ho Chi Minh Trail during the war. Then, visit the famed A Shau valley, one of the strategic focal points of the Vietnamese wartime. The valley 25-mile long bottomland covered with high elephant grass, fringed by 2 densely forested mountain ridges.

Get on the barren road No. 9 towards the Hien Luong Bridge at the former DMZ before going see Vinh Moc Tunnel – a strategic location on the border of North and South Vietnam, which was built to shelter people from bombing. Back then, when the villagers were forced to leave by the American forces, they dug the tunnels and moved the village to a depth of 30m with wells, kitchen, rooms for each family and even space for healthcare. Fortunately, it was successful and no one died.

Keep driving on the small trail along the coast, we will reach Hue – the city of romantic beauty where lies the famous Perfume River. Sup on a local eatery and have a tight sleep at a hotel there.

Best known as the royal city in Vietnam, Hue is home to splendid palaces, ancient tombs, pagodas, temples, and shrines in a romantic spectacle. With the outstanding architecture, friendly and modest citizens, the simplest things, and the irresistibly delicious cuisine, Hue is such a great place to spend a whole day discovering and relaxing in.

Go for a cruise along with the symbol of Hue city – Huong River, which is so-called Perfume River thanks to the floral scent from flowers falling into the water. With its romantic and poetic sceneries on the sides, the river is the perfect spot for a sailor a stroll. Before bedtime, pay a visit to 2 out of 3 must-visit tombs in Hue: Minh Mang and Tu Duc or the Imperial Citadel’s remnants, which was considerably ruined during the Tet Offensive in the year 1968.

Enter the National Highway No.1 and ascend the Hai Van Pass (Sea-Cloud Pass) to get the best view of clear blue skies and verdant mountains that overlooks Da Nang attractions such as Da Nang city, Son Tra Peninsula, South China Sea, and Tien Sa Port. As the highest pass in Vietnam, Hai Van is well known among adventurous travelers for its abrupt curves, blind corners, and winding roads.

The next destination is the World Heritage Site of Hoi An. As a major trading port of Southeast Asia in the 16^th and 17^th centuries, the seaside town is considered a living museum boasting a variety of old-town architectures, even more. Hoi An has what it takes to attract people to come and stay, such as delectable food, skilled tailors, fun shopping, and endearing inhabitants who always give visitors a cozy atmosphere. As scheduled, we will end up the 8-day self-drive tour at Hoi An in the afternoon.