PREMIER HANOI MOTORBIKE TOUR TO SAIGON VIA DMZ, HO CHI MINH TRAILS, CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, AND COASTLINE – 14 DAYS

Itinerary:

Hanoi Motorbike Tour to Saigon on Ho Chi Minh Trail & Coastline – Itinerary :

DAY 1: HANOI MOTORCYCLE TOUR TO PU LUONG

In this morning, after having breakfast at hotel you’ll jump on your iron horse to ride along the dyke of Red River where you can have a chance to witness our peaceful & green villages with bamboo trees, gardens of flowers, paddies & local markets. Later on, you’ll turn your way to a very scenic road to get to Quan Son lake which is known as another Halong bay located to the West of Hanoi. We’ll spend more than 1 hour here to ride offroad a bit around the lake to see the magnificent beauties of the lake, mountains, islands & people feeding poultries or catching fishes.

After a short break by the lake, we’ll merge into the Ho Chi Minh trail to ride to Pu Luong Nature Reserve. We’ll have a lunch at a local restaurant on the way.

En route, you’ll stop by to visit other spectacular destinations with jungles, waterfalls, streams, bridges & villages of Thai ethnic people.

The Pu Luong limestone landscape is an area of outstanding beauty, culture interest and high biodiversity value stretching from Mai Chau in the North to West to Cuc Phuong national park in the South East. It is blessed with rich forest, limestone panoramas, magnificent rice terraces and breathtaking scenery. And established in 1999, Pu Luong Nature Reserve is primary tropical forest. This is also living place of ethnic Muong and Thai people. Pu Luong means the highest peak of the village, in Thai language.

At around 17:30, we will get to Hieu hamlet located inside the Pu Luong Nature Reserve where you’ll be hosted by the locals with smiles & great foods.

Overnight at the local’s village (traditional houses on stilts)

Summary:

Distance: 160 km

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Home-stay

DAY 2: PU LUONG MOTORCYCLE TOUR TO VINH CITY

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.

Summary :

Distance:  268 km

Accommodation: Hotel in Vinh City

Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3:VINH MOTORCYCLE TOUR TO HUONG KHE (HA TINH)

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 remote back country, close to the Ha Tinh motorcycle tours 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.

Summary:

Distance:  160 km

Accommodation: Hotel in Huong Khe Town

Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4: HUONG KHE MOTORCYCLE TOUR PASSING PHONG NHA TO DONG HOI (QUANG BINH)

Today’s motor 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 Nga, we ride 30km eastward to the coastal town of Dong Hoi, our today’s overnight spot. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Summary :

Distance:  210 km

Accommodation: Hotel in Dong Hoi Town

Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5:  DONG HOI MOTORCYCLE TOUR TO DONG HA (QUANG TRI)

Today’s motor 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 drive to the mystic Vinh Moc Tunnel and the famous DMZ, Doc Mieu fire base and the historic Hien Luong Bridge.

Dinner and overnight in Dong Ha.

Summary :

Distance:  176 km in the morning & 80 km in the afternoon

Accommodation: Hotel in Dong Ha Town

Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6: DONG HA MOTORCYCLE TOUR PASSING KHE SANH TO A LUOI (QUANG TRI)

Continuing our motorbike tour 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 guest house.

Summary :

Distance:  200 km

Accommodation: Guesthouse in A Luoi

Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7:  A LUOI MOTORCYCLE TOUR PASSING HIEN – THANH MY TO HOI AN (QUANG NAM)

Today’s riding is the best riding of the whole route. For the first 110 km, 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 68 km 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 a luoi motorcycle tours ancient town of Hoian. Dinner and overnight in Hoian.

Summary :

Distance:  240 km

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian Town

Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8: Hanoi Motorbike Tour to Saigon : HOIAN – 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 Hoian retain a magical old world Oriental feel and are a favorite subject for Vietnamese artists.  In the early 1980s Hoian’s ancient quarters and historical monuments came under the protection and restoration efforts of UNESCO and the Polish government.

Those who wish can ride up to Da Nang Beach, where US marines first landed, otherwise enjoy a free day to explore Hoi An by foot or by motorbike taxi. With fine wining and dining (including a range of Hoi An specialties), impressive architecture, fantastic tailoring, endless shopping, and a glorious beach, there is no shortage of activities to indulge in.

Summary :

Accommodation:  Hotel in Hoian Town

Meals:   Breakfast

DAY 9: HOI AN MOTORCYCLE TOUR PASSING MY SON – DONG PHU TO  KHAM DUC (PHUOC SON)

Time to hit the road again!  We leave Hoi An in the morning and head to My Son Sanctuary, a world heritage site that is the Cham version of Angkor Wat.

Most of the temples are dedicated to the Hindu god, Shiva, considered by the Cham as the founder and protector of their dynasties.

From My Son, we will continue along the highway, busy at first, until the road shifts and becomes smaller, although paved.  Then the drive becomes challenging, but a lot of fun and progress is far slower.

We will continue riding 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.

Leaving Dong Phu, eventually, we will come to the town of Kham Duc or Phuoc Son. Overnight in Kham Duc Hotel.

Summary :

Distance:  200 km

Accommodation: Hotel in Kham Duc

Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10: KHAM DUC MOTORCYCLE TOUR TO KONTUM

After breakfast in local restaurant we continue riding north on Highway 14 today on a bit of a bumpy section of the road to Kon Tum.

Today is really a 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.  Lunch will be in Tan Canh, and we can visit a village of Se Dang, before driving on to Kon Tum.

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 can 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.

Overnight in Kon Tum at the Dac Bla Hotel.

Summary :

Distance:  190 km

Accommodation: Hotel in Kon Tum

Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11: KON TUM MOTORCYCLE TOUR TO BUON ME THUOT

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.

We will continue riding Highway 14 today, 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 we can stop by the beer parlors or sample the local coffee grown in the region.  It is far and away the best coffee in Vietnam and worth bringing home. Overnight at the Thang Loi Hotel.

Summary :

Distance:  240 km

Accommodation: Hotel in Buon Ma Thuot

Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12:  BUON MA THUOT – LAK LAKE – DALAT

This morning, we take a motor 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 by 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 weaving and other arts.

After lunch in Lak Lake, we continue on to Da Lat.  The road is narrow, winding, but not busy.  We have three passes to cross – Krong No, Chuoi,  and Phu Son. The drive itself is quite beautiful and lined with dense forests.  Late in the afternoon, we will arrive in the hill town of Da Lat. 

Love Valley – Dalat

Overnight in Dalat.

Summary :

Distance:  200 km

Accommodation: Hotel in Da Lat

Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 13: Hanoi Motorbike Tour to Saigon : DALAT MOTORBIKE TOUR TO MUI NE

Dalat is known as “The City of Love” and is a favorite holiday resort for Vietnamese as well as the French. With evergreen forests, waterfalls, beautiful lakes, the country’s best flower gardens, and delicious fresh produce, Dalat has always provided a welcome respite from the heat of the lowlands. Today we enjoy a drive through the charming pine hill to the summer residence of Vietnam’s last Emperor Bao Dai.

He was forced to abdicate in 1945, shortly after the end of the World War II. This mansion displays a lovely collection of Vietnam treasures. We follow it with a trip to the sacred Lam Ty Ni Pagoda and the Hang Nga Guesthouse. This construction is well known as the Crazy House because of its bizarre architecture.

The lively central market and the old rail station are also visited before we travel by roads passing through the undulating terrains to the picturesque coastal town of Mui Ne. En route we stop at Ca Na beach to see friendly fishermen using fishing nets to catch fish or communicate with the locals to understand more about their life

Check-in at hotel in Mui Ne and then free time to view the Sunset on the sea

O/N in Mui Ne

Summary :

230 km motors riding (5 hours)

Beach Relaxation

Accommodation: Hotel in Mui Ne

Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 14: Hanoi Motorbike Tour to Saigon : MUI NE MOTORBIKE TOUR TO SAIGON

Morning, breakfast & check out then you will be at leisure on the beach for a while. After that, we will ride to visit to Duc Thanh School – the first school built in Central Vietnam where the national Hero “Ho Chi Minh” used to be a teacher there, then visit Chua Ong Pagoda. A stop to explore the central market before continues drive to Van Thuy Tu – a temple where fishermen in Phan Thiet believe and worship their God of the Sea.

We then have a lunch at a local restaurant before riding back to Saigon. End of the trip

Activities:

230 Km of riding (5 hours)

Swimming & sight seeing

Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch

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