Motorbike Tour Through Vietnam. This is another Vietnam motorbike tour on Ho Chi Minh Trail but unlike the others, the tour starts from Sa Pa – the top north of Vietnam. It surely offers you the best overview of Vietnam's beauty, Vietnam history, and Vietnamese culture from the north to the south. This is the best Vietnam motorbike tour you should not skip if you have time in Vietnam.
Day 1: Take A Night Train To Lao Cai – Sa Pa.
At 8:30 PM, the bus and tour guide will pick you up from your hotel and escort you to Hanoi Railway station. Wake up after 8 hours of sleep on the train you will be in Lao Cai.
Overnight on express A/C train.
Day 2: Lao Cai To Bat Xat Villages to Sapa – 140 km ( B, L, D ).
Get all the bikes ready after the night train to the local restaurant for rest and breakfast we start the tour at 9.30 AM. The road from Lao Cai to Sapa along the Red River to Bat Xat villages of the Red Dzao people is one of the northern Vietnam roads with the most beautiful view. We ride up to the altitude of 1600 meters above sea level, in addition, there are some nice villages of the ethnic minorities on the way so we get many chances to take pictures and learn about Vietnamese culture. Especially, we will take an interesting visit to the village of the Red Dzao people, before getting to the hotel in Sa Pa. Check in the hotel and have dinner in Sapa.
Overnight in Sa Pa-Hotel.
Day 3: Sa Pa – Than Uyen – 100 km ( B, L, D ).
You are free to explore Sapa town and Sa Pa market by foot until 10 AM, check out the hotel and take a beautiful trip to Lao Chai and Ta Van villages of minority people, and back to Sapa for lunch before we continue the Top Vietnam motorbike tour to Than Uyen, we will make a splendid climb up to the top of Sapa on Tram Ton Pass – at over 2000m above sea level. This is a short motorbike trip but could be the most enjoyable motorbike ride in North Vietnam. The ride offers you an amazing view of the Hoang Lien mountain ranges for miles and miles. We arrive in Than Uyen by 5 PM.
Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 4: Than Uyen – Mu Cang Chai – Phu Yen – 220 km ( B , L , D ).
We should start the day earlier today because the road to Phu Yen is quite long and especially it offers plenty of amazing views of rice terrace fields. Many stops for pictures and visiting the Hmong, the Thai, and the Muong people.
Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 5: Phu Yen – Mai Chau. – 140 km ( B , L , D ).
After breakfast, we will have the short but enjoyable motorbike ride along the Da river to the ferry where we take the boat to cross the river. The road is winding and beautiful with a nice river view. After the river, we motorcycle up and up to Moc Chau plateau – 100 meters above sea level – where we have lunch. And then take a small, quiet road down to Mai Chau. This road was built by the French in the 1920s, it is old but still good for riding motorbike rides especially, the view from the road is nice. So surely we will have a chance to enjoy another good motorbike tour in Vietnam. Arrive Mai Chau at 4.30 PM.
Dinner and overnight in Thai homestay
Day 6: Mai Chau – Tan Ky: 290 KM ( B, L, D ).
After enjoying breakfast in the peaceful village of Mai Chau, keep enjoying a Vietnam motorbike tour on a small, spectacular and paved trail along the Ma river until Cam Thuy town where we stop for lunch and then start the Top Vietnam Motorbike Tour on the historical Ho Chi Minh trail and then stay to Tan Ky town where we spend the night in a hotel. Tan Ky is a very small town located on two sides of Ho Chi Minh road, with some thousands of people this is a good chance to experience the daily life of people in a remote area.
Overnight in Tan Ky – Hotel
Day 7: Ride on Ho Chi Minh Trail to Phong Nha – Ke Bang. – 280 km ( B ,L,D).
After a simple breakfast served by local people, we keep motorcycling on the Ho Chi Minh trail until Pho Chau where we stop to visit the Ho Chi Minh Trail victory monument which is the real starting point of the trail. And then hit Phong Nha – Ke Bang, the biggest and also the most beautiful cave in Vietnam and Indochina and is now a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. The karst formation of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park has evolved since the Paleozoic (some 400 million years ago) and so is the oldest major karst area in Asia. Subject to massive tectonic changes, the park’s karst landscape is extremely complex with many geographic features of considerable significance. The vast area, extending to the border of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, contains spectacular formations including 65 km of caves and underground rivers.
Dinner and overnight in Phong Nha – Hotel
Day 8 : Phong Nha – Khe Sanh – 240 km ( B , L ,D ).
From Phong Nha, the Ho Chi Minh Trail has divided into 2 branches one on the eastern side and another one is in the western side. We recommends riding on the western Ho Chi Minh trail. The trail goes through the National park of Phong Nha – Ke Bang, in more than 200 km, you will just see a few other motorbikes but a lot of beautiful and beautiful landscapes. Especially, we will get a chance to visit the former US Merine Base with tunnels, an Airbase, and an interesting museum of Khe Sanh. Surely, the motorbike ride today is the best motorbike tour on the Ho Chi Minh trail – in Vietnam.
Overnight in Khe Sanh – Hotel.
Day 9: Khe Sanh – Great Motorbike Tour to Vinh Moc Tunnel and Hue – 190 km ( B, L).
The motorbike ride today is mostly on the big road from the west to the east of Vietnam. After breakfast, we will ride along the 17th parallel – the former border between the north and south of Vietnam. We will do some stops to visit the famous historical vestiges such as Hien Luong Bridge. Vinh Moc tunnel…After lunch, we will join the highway No 1 down to the beautiful city of Hue.
Arrive at Hue at about 4.30 PM.
Dinner and overnight in Hue – Hotel.
Vinh Moc (Vịnh Mốc) is a tunnel complex in Quang Tri, Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, it was strategically located on the border of North Vietnam and South Vietnam. The tunnels were built to shelter people from the intense bombing of Son Trung and Son Ha communes in Vinh Linh county of Quang Tri Province in the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone. The American forces believed the villagers of Vinh Moc were supplying food and armaments to the North Vietnamese garrison on the island of Con Co which was, in turn, hindering the American bombers on their way to bomb Hanoi. The idea was to force the villagers of Vinh Moc to leave the area but as is typical in Vietnam there was nowhere else to go. The villagers initially dug the tunnels to move their village 10 meters underground but the American forces designed bombs that burrowed down 10 meters. Eventually against these odds, the villagers moved the village to a depth of 30 meters. It was constructed in several stages beginning in 1966 and used until early 1972. The complex grew to include wells, kitchens, rooms for each family, and spaces for healthcare. Around 60 families lived in the tunnels; as many as 17 children were born inside the tunnels.
Day 10: Discover the Hidden Charm of Hue ( B, L ).
Today we can choose between 2 options:
Opt 1– Take an easy and relaxing bus tour in Hue to see some famous attractions for half-day and another half day for free at leisure.
Opt 2– Take a more interesting motorbike tour in Hue to see some famous attractions and discover the hidden charm of Hue for the whole day.
Hue is well known for its historic monuments, which have earned it a place in UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. The seat of the Nguyen emperors was the Citadel, which occupies a large, walled area on the north side of the Perfume River. Inside the citadel was a forbidden city where only the emperors, concubines, and those close enough to them were granted access; the punishment for trespassing was death. Today, little of the forbidden city remains, though reconstruction efforts are in progress to maintain it as a historic tourist attraction.
Roughly along the Perfume River from Hue lie myriad other monuments, including the tombs of several emperors, including Minh Mang, Khai Đinh, and Tu Duc. Also notable is the Thien Mụ Pagoda, the largest pagoda in Huế and the official symbol of the city.
Several French-style buildings lie along the south bank of the Perfume River. Among them are Quốc Học High School, the oldest high school in Vietnam, and The Hue Royal Antiquities Museum.
Day 11: Hue To Hoian – 170 km ( B, L ).
After breakfast, we will have a motorbike ride to the coastal road to go through the villages along the sea and enjoy the different views of Vietnam's beauty and Vietnamese culture. After lunch, we will have a great Vietnam motorbike tour on the famous Hai Van pass. The pass is between the mountains and the sea which surely offers you a great view. Arrive at Hoi An at 4.30 PM.
Day 12: Hoi An – Free At Leisure ( B )
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 China 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 13 : Hoi An To My Son – Dong Phu To Kham Duc ( Phuoc Son ) ( B , L , D )
Time to hit the road again! We leave Hoi An in the morning and head to My Son, 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, climb 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 14: Kham Duc To Kom Tum ( B, L, D )
After breakfast in a 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 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 Trying 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 the 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 the town. Overnight in Kon Tum at the Dac Bla Hotel.
Summary
Distance: 190 km
Accommodation: Hotel in Kon Tum
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15 : Kom Tum To Buon Me Thuot ( B , L , D )
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 from 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 16 : Buon Me Thuot – Lak Lake – Dalat ( B , L, D )
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 by the lake. There are said to be about 31 different ethnic groups in Dac Lac, each with its 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 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. Overnight in Dalat.
Summary
Distance: 200 km
Accommodation: Hotel in Da Lat
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 17: Dalat Touring ( B )
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. We can spend the day visiting the highlights of Dalat – its gardens, cathedral, waterfalls, market, Valley of Love, convent, university, and key pagodas. Overnight in Da Lat.
Summary
Accommodation: Hotel in Dalat
Meals: Breakfast
Day 18: Dalat Motorbike to Cat Tien National Park ( B, L, D )
Motorcycle down on road 20, we ride to Cat Tien National Park. This forest area used to be the headquarters of the Vietnamese army during the war. The park suffered historically during the Vietnam War when it was extensively sprayed with herbicides like the defoliant Agent Orange. To this day these areas have extensive bamboo and grassland cover and trees have not yet grown back.
Summary
Distance: 190 km
Accommodation: Guest House in Nam Cat Tien
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 19: Cat Tien National Park – Saigon ( B, L )
This is not so long but is a big day as traffic is very crazy when we enter Saigon (HCM City). We ride straight to the train station where we end the ride. If you need information about places to stay and/or to eat, our guide will be able to recommend some.
Tour Inclusive :
– Accommodation based on twin sharing occupancy at hotel,guesthouse…18 nights.
– Meals as indicated in program,B=Breakfast , L=Lunches ,D=Dinner,
– Professional English speaking guide
– Boat , Ferry trip mention in itinerary,
– Pump, bike tools, spares tubes, Honda Xr150cc Motorbike and helmet
–Water, snacks and fruits for riding day
– All entrance fees for sightseeing as indicated in the program,
– Service charges, rooms tax and handling fees,,,
Tour Exclusive :
– Travel assurance ,Visa stamping fee,
– Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks,
– Additional transport required due to any emergency situation,
– Tips for guides and driver
– Personal expenses and other services which are not mentioned in the program.,
– International air tickets and airport departure taxes,
– Meals and drinks not mentioned in the program,
– Optional excursions
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