With 11-day motorcycling tour in Ho Chi Minh trail in total 18 day trip from Hanoi to Saigon, this motorcycling grading of tour is considered as Moderate to challenging by Active Travel Asia
Vietnam motorcycle tours
The Ho Chi Minh Trail was the supply line used by North Vietnam to link North and South Vietnam during the American War. Soldiers, ammunition, 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.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 riding, deep in the Vietnamese countryside, this ride takes in the charming ancient trading towns of Hoian, Khe Sanh battle site and the DMZ. Travelers also take time to stay overnight with a traditional Thai hill tribe and visit some tribal villages along the way.
The trip starts in Hanoi, with a Hanoi city tour to visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and the “Uncle Ho” house and other famous sights, including a bicycle tour through the ancient part of Hanoi.
Next day, its 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. After the visit to the museum travelers will jump on our Minsks and spend time familiarising with the bikes. We cross two short mountain passes then descend to the mountain valley settlement of Mai Chau. Dinner and overnight in a stilt house of the Thai people.
Next day, we head south on a beautiful winding road which follow the Ma River. After some hours riding on undulating quiet roads travelers join the new Ho Chi Minh Highway. This newly carved route leads due south, through remote back country, not far from the Laos border. 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 himself was born.
The next morning, we head inland towards the Laos border, after 40min ride 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.
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. The route then passes through remote back country, close to the border, and the scenery steadily becomes dominated by karst limestone rock formations. We should reach our overnight spot, Huong Khe Town, around 5pm.
Next day, we will arrive in Phong Nha around noon. We board a dragon boat to explore the famous Nature World Heritage Site of Phong Nha cave.
After the exploration of Phong Nga, we head 30km eastward to the costal town of Dong Hoi, the day's overnight spot.
Next day’s ride is also on the new, quiet highway. Along the way, there is 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 travelers head to Dong Ha Town passing Ben Tat Bridge, built by the VC over the Ben Hai River.
Arriving in Dong Ha, we into the hotel, and have some lunch. In the afternoon, we drive to the mystic Vinh Moc Tunnel and the famous DMZ, Doc Mieu fire base and the historic Hien Luong Bridge.
Next day, continuing west on Highway 9, we 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 stop for a visit with the Pa Co people and a walk through their village.
Next day’s riding is the best of the whole route. For the first 110 km, we cross one of the longest and most stunning passes on the new 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 68 km from Hien to Thanh My are on good roads with some gentle climbs.
Next day, Travelers will spend the day visiting the town of Hoian on their own.
Next day, we leave Hoi An in the morning and head to My Son, a world heritage site that is the Cham version of Angkor Wat.
From My Son, we will continue along the highway, busy at first, until the road shifts and becomes smaller, though still paved. Then the drive becomes challenging, but a lot of fun, and progress is far slower.
We continue driving along the river, but the road itself, new and not very busy, climbs up along a very steep valley with the river rushing below. The river below is dotted with unique rock formations and there are waterfalls along the way. Lunch will be in Dong Phu.
Next day, we continue riding north on Highway 14 today on a bit of a bumpy section of the road to Kon Tum.
Next day to visit different minority villages, we will ride over Lo Xo Pass, making lots of stops along the way to meet De and Trieng minorities, who live along the Dak Po Ko river. Along the river are many amazing hanging bridges, built by the local people to cross to the opposite shore.
Along the way, we also pass one of the key towns and battle sites of the Vietnam War – Dak To and outpost Charlie.
In Kon Tum we visit the Catholic church and the orphanage, based behind the Catholic Church in town and run by a group of French nuns. If time permits, you can also visit a beautiful Bahnar village near town.
The new Ho Chi Minh Highway was built on the old trail, but from Kon Tum to Daklak, the historic HCM trail (Highway 14C), runs parallel to Highway 14 linking Kon Tum, Pleiku, and Buon Me Thuot.
Continuing along Highway 14, finding that traffic is busier than usual, lunch will be in Pleiku. From here, we ride along the Tun River and up over a pass. Along the way are coffee plantations and the stilt houses of the Central Highland’s largest ethnic group, the Gia Rai. Eventually, we will cross the Nha Rong pass down into Buon Me Thuot, the provincial capital of Dac Lac Province, and the site of the last battle of the Vietnam war in March 1975.
At night travelers can stop by the beer parlours or sample the local coffee grown in the region. It is far and away the best coffee in Vietnam and worth bringing home.
Next day, we ride to Lak Lake on Rte. 27, a small paved road with poor surfacing and quite busy. Here we can have a break for refreshment and troll around the lake. There are said to be about 31 different ethnic groups in Dac Lac, each with their own traditional dress and customs. Some of the villages are known for elephant hunting and taming, some for carving and other arts.
After lunch in Lak Lake, we continue on to Da Lat. The road is narrow, winding, but not busy. Travelers have three passes to cross – Krong No, Chuoi, and Phu Son. The ride itself is quite beautiful and lined with dense forests. Late in the afternoon, we arrive in the hill town of Da Lat.
Travelers can spend the day visiting the highlights of Dalat - its gardens, cathedral, waterfalls, market, Valley of Love, convent, university and key pagodas.
Next day, we head for Saigon on the bus, since the road is so very crowded and busy! On the way, we stop for lunch in Bao Loc, where travelers can also see the impressive Dambri Waterfall. In the afternoon, we finally arrive in Ho Chi Minh City and the famous Rex Hotel.
Travelers might want to visit Saigon famous sightseeings such as Re-Unification Palace, the former palace of President Thieu and his predecessors, Cu Chi tunnel, Ben Thanh Market…
More information at http://www.activetravelvietnam.com/tour.php?op=detail&tourId=33