Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

Day 1: Hanoi to Mai Chau (140km)

After meeting your guide we head out of Hanoi to Hoa Binh for lunch. Our route then takes us across two mountain passes before descending to the alluring mountain valley settlement of Mai Chau, an area famous for its Thai Ethnic groups. Our hosts for the night are a local family who will provide us with beautiful accommodation in a traditional stilted house and a family dinner where you will be invited to enjoy a delicious spread of home cooked, regional specialities.

(Accommodation: Traditional Thai Stilt House)
(Meals: Lunch, Dinner)

 

Day 2: Mai Chau to Vinh (300 km)

Following the winding banks of the beautiful Ma River, we head south to join the new Ho Chi Minh Highway, which lies *on top of the original Ho Chi Minh Trail. This newly carved route leads us due south through remote back country, not far from the Lao border. We stay overnight in the coastal city of Vinh, close to where Ho Chi Minh was born and an area of particular significance to the US during the war.

(Accommodation: Hotel ***)
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 

Day 3: Vinh to Phong Nha (280 km)

From Vinh, we take Highway One deep into rural Vietnam and onwards towards the Laos border. The drive takes in remote landscapes that steadily shift into views dominated by karst limestone rock formations. In the afternoon we arrive at the World Heritage listed National Park, Phong Nha and embark upon an amazing boat ride into Phong Nha cave, one of the largest caves in the world.

(Accommodation: Hotel ***)
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 

Day 4: Phong Nha to Khe Sanh (210 km)

Today we strike deep into the pristine jungles that encompass the World Heritage Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. A classic drive! Along the way, we pass a number of significant locations where the bulk of North Vietnam’s foot soldiers and trucks crossed into Laos during the war.
In the afternoon, having passed over the mountainous border divide between the former north and south Vietnam, we arrive at Khe Sanh – The site of the former US Marine base and location of the famous siege that precluded the Tet Offensive in 1968.

(Accommodation: Hotel **)
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 

Day 5: Khe Sanh to Hue (160 km)

After a visit to the fascinating Khe Sanh museum, where wrecked Huey and Chinook helicopters testify to the ferocity of the siege here, we head towards the coast through the former DMZ to visit the Vinh Moc Tunnels. An underground tunnel network that was home to thousands of villagers during the course of the war. We then follow the beautiful coastal route south to the Imperial City of Hue, which lies along the banks of the Perfume River.

(Accommodation: Hotel ***)
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 

Day 6: Hue

Hue’s deluge of sights and attractions are tightly packed into one small area – making it the perfect location to wind down the kilometers and relax. In the morning we take the bikes for a gentle spin, visiting the Citadel and the nearby Thien Mu Pagoda, leaving you the afternoon free to explore the rest of the city or to kick back by the pool.

(Accommodation: Hotel ***)
(Meals: Breakfast)

 

Day 7: Hue to Hoi An (180 km)

Hoi An bound, we head east along a beautiful coastal route that passes through many colourful fishing villages beside a seemingly endless beach stretch. The salty air and coastal scenery are a dramatic contrast to the mountains from the previous days. We’ll stop often to dip our toes in the sea, chat with fishermen and to take photos. At the halfway point of our drive, we climb to Highway One’s highest point, the Hai Van Pass and take in the panoramic views of the coast. The road then winds down toward Hoi An, passing through Danang city, Marble Mountain and along the coastline.

(Accommodation: Hotel ***)
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 

Day 8: Hoi An

Today is a rest day, allowing you plenty of time to explore the secret alleys and ancient shop houses that make up the enchanting UNESCO Heritage site of Hoi An. Shopping aside this can take less than four hours, leaving you the option to take in some beach time at Hoi An’s An Bang beach, a 10-minute drive from the old town.

(Accommodation: Hotel ***)
(Meals: Breakfast)

 

Day 9: Hoi An to Kontum (250 km)

Setting out from Hoi An early, we twist and turn our way back into the mountains, our destination – the mountain town of Kontum, a scenic area famous for its diversity, it’s the home of Vietnam’s catholic diocese and the ethnic minority groups: the Bahnar, Sedang and Jarai.

(Accommodation: Hotel ***)
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 

Day 10: Kontum to Qui Nhon (220 km)

Today’s drive is packed with incredible scenery and memorable surprises, as our mountainous route takes us through remote villages where foreign visitors are rare and enthusiastically welcomed. Expect stunning scenery and smiling faces all the way to our destination Quy Nhon, a coastal city famed for it’s Cham temples and architectural remains, and seafood!

(Accommodation: Hotel ***)
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 

Day 11: Quy Nhon to Nha Trang (140 km)

First thing today we will head to Ganh Da Dia to see Vietnam’s own ‘Giant’s Causeway’. They are unique and rare basalt formations similar to those found in Northern Ireland. The formation is rarely visited by tourists and will be a highlight of our ride down the Coast today. Tonight we will rest our heads in the beach city of Nha Trang.

(Accommodation: Hotel ***)
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 

Day 12: Nha Trang to Dalat (180 km)

Heading back into the mountains we follow the road commonly nicknamed ‘the road with 1000 bends’, to the old French hill station town of Dalat, a romantic honeymoon destination that bears the title of Vietnam’s own Paris (it even has it’s own mini Eiffel Tower). In the afternoon we do a city tour visiting famous sites like Bao Dinh palace, The Crazy House and Dalat’s steam train station.

(Accommodation: Hotel ***)
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 

Day 13: Dalat to Mui Ne (150 km)

We leave the quirkiness of Dalat behind and head for Mui Ne. Driving through Pine and sugar cane plantations we arrive in Mui Ne with plenty of time to relax and enjoy this picturesque resort town.

(Accommodation: Hotel ***)
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 

Day 14: Mui Ne to HCMC (150km)

Today is our final day on the bikes as we head to Ho Chi Minh City. Formerly known as Pearl of the Far East it’s now Vietnam’s economic hub and vibrant southern capital.

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)