A real discovery of Vietnam 

Motorcycling the Ho Chi Minh trail.

Destinations: Hanoi - Mai Chau - Vinh - Huong Khe - Phong Nha - Dong Hoi - Dong Ha - Khe Sanh - A Luoi - Hoi An - Da Nang
Duration: 11-day trip with 7-day motorcycling
Motorcycling grade: Moderate

Tour's name: A real discovery of Vietnam
Trip code: VNMOR1
Trip starts from: Hanoi
Trip ends in ; Hoi An
Motorbikes | Riding manual

Trip profile: The legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail was the supply line used by North Vietnam to link North and South Vietnam during the American War. Soldiers, ammunition, weapons and supplies were carried by hand, bicycle and truck for hundreds of kilometers through the otherwise impenetrable jungle that covered Vietnam’s mountainous border with Laos. A testimony to the ingenuity, fortitude and commitment of the northern Vietnamese, the trail slipped from use at the end of the war and was taken back by the jungle. Recent road work that follow original sections of the trail have changed this.

Besides incredible driving, deep in the Vietnamese countryside, this ride takes in the charming ancient trading town of Hoian, Khe Sanh battle site and DMZ. We also take time to stay overnight in a traditional Thai hill tribe and visit to some tribal villages on the way.

• Beautiful natural scenery
• Historical sites
• Charming ancient trading town of Hoian
• Just you, no others travelers
• All inclusive

Itinerary in brief:

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi
Day 2: City tour of Hanoi
Day 3: Ride to Mai Chau/village home stay
Day 4: Head south to Vinh
Day 5: Drive to Huong Khe
Day 6: Drive to Phong Nha for cave exploration / continue to Dong Hoi
Day 7: Ride to Dong Ha
Day 8: Head west to Khe Sanh/ride to Aluoi
Day 9: Long drive to Hoian
Day 10: In Hoian
Day 11: Transfer to Da Nang Airport for departure

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrival in Hanoi.

Upon arrival to airport, met and transfered to hotel in Hanoi by driver and tourguide, time at leisure.. Dinner in famous restaurant.  Overnight in Hanoi. (D)

Day 02: Hanoi sightseeing .

Take a visit to Ho Chi Minh complex including mausoleum, presidential palace, his house on stilt  and one pillar pagoda . Then we visit '' Hanoi Hilton'' , temple of literature -first university in Viet Nam .Have lunch, after that the ethnology museum will be our next destination where the images , objects , a few houses of 54 ethnic group are displayed .Drive to the old quarter which include ''36 ancient streets '' set up since 15th century  for cyclo tour  , walking around the Returned-Sword lake ,visit Ngoc Son temple. We enjoin water puppet show , highlighted art of Vietnamese .Dinner included , Overnight in Hanoi. (B/L/D)

Day 03: Hanoi – Mai Chau. (Distance: 140 km)

In the morning we take a short bus drive the  Ho Chi Minh Trail Museum on the outskirts of Hanoi. The museum is a great place to learn about the historic trail which we will ride on. After the visit to the museum we will jump on our Minsks and spend sometime to get familiar with the bikes.

Now, let’s begin our adventure. We will ride on  Highway 6 passing extensive farming lands comprising a sea of paddy fields split by tree-lined roads punctuated by limestone karst scenery.

After a light lunch in  Hoa Binh Town, the capital of Hoa Binh Province, we cross two short mountain passes then descent to the mountain valley settlement of  Mai Chau. Dinner and  overnight in a traditional stilt house of the Thai people. (B/L/D)
 

Day 04: Mai Chau – Vinh. (Distance : 268 km)

Say goodbye to the villagers we then head south on a beautiful winding road which follow the banks of the  Ma River. After some hours riding on undulating quiet road we join the new Ho Chi Minh Highway. This newly carved route leads us due south, through remote back country , not far from the Laos border. Lunch will be on the way with local foods. In the afternoon we cut eastward towards the coast and stay overnight in the peaceful city of  Vinh, which is close to where Ho Chi Minh was born. Dinner in local restaurant and overnight in hotel. (B/L/D)
 

Day 05: Vinh – Huong Khe. (Distance : 160 km )

This morning we head inland towards the Laos border after 40min riding we can reach the birthplace of Ho Chi Minh in  Kim Lien Village. The place is truly a shrine to the Vietnamese and visited by few westerners. 

After paying respects to Uncle Ho, we head to the HCM Highway via Thanh Chuong District.  You cross the  Lam River on the  Ro Bridge and then drive primarily on the beautiful new highway of Ho Chi Minh.  Lunch break in Pho Chau Town, a tiny town about 40km from Thanh Chuong.

After lunch, we continue on the quiet highway to  Dong Loc Intersection, (main junction for supply lines during the war) which is widely regarded in Vietnamese eyes as the beginning of Ho Chi Minh Trail. We then pass through renote back country , close to the border , as the scenery steadily becomes dominated by karst limestone rock formations. We will reach our overnight spot,  Huong Khe Town, around 5pm. Dinner in local restaurant and overnight in a mini hotel. (B/L/D) 
 

Day 06: Huong Khe – Phong Nha – Dong Hoi (Quang Binh). (Distance: 210 km)

Today’s ride is on a very quiet section of the new highway. En route, you will come to  Khe Ve Intersection and  Pheo – the very first branch of the Ho Chi Minh Trail into Laos.

Continuing on from Pheo, we will arrive in  Phong Nha around noon. After lunch in local restaurant, we board a dragon boat to explore the famous  Nature World Heritage Site of Phong Nha cave.

After the exploration of Phong Nha, we ride 30km eastward to the costal town of  Dong Hoi, our today’s overnight spot. Dinner and overnight in hotel. (B/L/D)

Day 07: Dong Hoi – Dong Ha (Quang Tri). (Distance: 176 km)

Today’s ride is also on the new, quiet highway.  Along the way, we will have a short stop at  Truong Son National Cemetery to pay respect to the soldiers who fought and died on the trail during the American War. After here we head to  Dong Ha Town passing  Ben Tat Bridge, built by the VC over the  Ben Hai River. 

Arriving in Dong Ha, we will check into the hotel, and have some lunch.  In the afternoon, we dride to the mystic  Vinh Moc Tunnel and the famous  DMZ,  Doc Mieu fire base and the historic  Hien Luong Bridge. (B/L/D)
Dinner and overnight in Dong Ha town.
 

Day 08: Dong Ha – Khe Sanh – A Luoi (Thua Thien Hue Province). (Distance : 200 km)

Continuing west on  Highway 9, we will climb into the Truong Son foothills. About 16km from Khe Sanh is the  Dakrong Bridge  and the road turns winding and narrow.  A bit further, we will come to  Huang Hoa, once known as  Khe Sanh Base, which was established as a forward base by General Westmoreland near Laos to secure Highway 9.  About 3km from Khe Sanh is Ta Con Airbase.

Lunch in Khe Sanh and then head out across the famous Dakrong River Bridge on Rte. 14  Near the town of Ta Rut, we will stop for a visit with the  Pa Co people and a walk through their village. 

From Ta Rut, you head over  scenic Pe Ke Pass and then down to  A Luoi for the night. 
Dinner in local restaurant and overnight in a simple guesthouse. (B/L/D)
 

Day 09: A Luoi – Hien – Thanh My – Hoi An . (Distance: 240 km)

Today’s riding is the best riding of the whole route. For the first 110km, we cross one of the longest and most stunning pass on new and quiet road, through stunning scenery of primitive forests backed by the imposing Truong Son mountain range. There are also two long tunnels and very little traffic. The next 68km from  Hien to  Thanh My are on good road with some gentle climbs. Lunch on the way in local restaurant. The last 40km of the day are on an older, bumpier road all the way from  Ai Nghia to the charming ancient town of  Hoi An. Dinner and overnight in Hoi An. (B/L/D)
 

Day 10: Hoi An – Free at leisure.

Hoi An, nestled on the banks of the Thu Bon River.  Before the river silted up, Hoi An was one of the most important trading ports in Southeast Asia, and a center for East-West exchange and trade. The rooftops of Hoi An retain a magical old world Oriental feel and are a favorite subject for Vietnamese artists.  In the early 1980s Hoi An’s ancient quarters and historical monuments came under the protection and restoration efforts of UNESCO and the Polish government. 

You will spend the day visiting the town of Hoi An on your own. Overnight in Hoi An.(B)

Day 11: Departure.

Transfer from Hoi An to Da Nang for departure flight .(B)
 

Trip includes: 

• Support vehicle (4 pax onward)
• Minsk motorbike
• Helmet
• Gasoline for the ride
• English or French speaking guide
• Mechanic
• Hotels & Guesthouse based on twin shared
• Home stay permission
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary , B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner.
• Water & Snacks
• First-aid kit
• Entrance fees & Sightseeing fees

Trip excludes:

• Travel insurance
• Visa arrangement
• Air fares
• Tips and gratuities
• Personal expenses
• Services not mentioned in the itinerary

What To Bring?

 we suggest for motorcycle touring with these items:
-CLOTHING: rain gloves, Wellington boots (rubber boots for rainy season from April to September), summer gloves, balaclava, t-shirts, socks & underwear, long sleeved shirts, turtleneck shirts, extra jeans, a light jacket, leather chaps, zip-lock bags, riding boots, bandanas, sunglasses and goggles.
-PERSONAL ITEMS: original Passport, basic toiletries, emergency cash, sunscreen and earplugs.
-EMERGENCY ITEMS: a first aid kit, emergency contact number, list medical conditions, list medications, a flashlight, chargers and a duct tape.
-MISCELLANEOUS : a small towel, a bath towel, trash bags, camera and cargo net...and probably some gifts for children.

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