16-Day Exhilarating Saigon Motorbike Tour to Ha Giang via Ho Chi Minh Trail

In this morning, we will start our ride straight to Cat Tien National Park.This trip is not so long but is a big day as traffic is very crazy when we get out of city. At noon, we ride to Cat Tien National Park. This forest area used to be the head quarter of 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.

Right here, you will have a chance to experience off-road rides through jungles with dirty roads to explore the diversity of fauna & flora of National Park

Summary

Distance:  190 km

Accommodation: Guest House in Nam Cat Tien

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

In this morning, after having breakfast at guesthouse in Cat Tien National park, we will set off our funny motorcycle trip by a long ride down on road 20 to Da Lat known as an “internal spring city” located on Central Highland.  En route, we’ll get by so many mountains & valleys cum the local villages so that you sometimes have chances to enjoy the off-road ridings via forests or plantations or stop by to get communications with friendly locals.

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 riding to visit the highlights of Dalat with gardens, cathedral, waterfalls, market, university and key pagodas.

Summary

Distance:  200 km

Accommodation: Hotel in Da Lat

Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight in Da Lat.

This morning, after having breakfast we’ll continue riding onward to Buon Ma Thuot.  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.

After having lunch in Lak Lake, we’ll take an offroad motor-ride to Lak Lake on Road 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. Finally, we’ll ride back to Buon Ma Thuot city for an overnight

Summary

Distance:  200 km

Accommodation: Hotel in Buon Ma Thuot

Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After having breakfast at hotel, we need a time to stop by a coffee shop or bar to drink a cup of the best coffee in Vietnam before setting off another ride to Pleiku because Buon Ma Thuot is so well-known as a Kingdom of coffee not only in Vietnam but also in the world.

We then will follow the Highway 14 to ride straight to Kon Tum via Pleiku. Along the road, we’ll keep on viewing endless coffee plantations on the Central Highland with peaceful villages located on the roadsides.

Lunch at Pleiku, From here, we ride along the Tun River and up over a pass to Kon Tum. Along the way are coffee plantations and the stilt houses of the Central Highland’s largest ethnic group of the Gia Rai.

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.

Summary

Distance:  240 km

Accommodation: Hotel in Kon Tum

Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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

We will then go along the Ho Chi Minh trail visit pineapple plantations and enjoy it, then stopping for swimming and relaxing in the waterfall.

Then continue into the highlands to visit the ethnic minority village. Then continue into the highlands where you can learn about the Civil War of Vietnam before 1975 as well as enjoy the breath-taking nature of the area.

The Battle of Kham Duc was a major battle of the Vietnam War. The event occurred in Khâm Đức, now district capital of Khâm Đức District, then in Quảng Tín Province (now part of Quảng Nam Province, Vietnam), from 10–12 May 1968. During the Tet Offensive of 1968, the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN) 2nd Division tried to capture Đà Nẵng, but they were defeated in the Battle of Lo Giang by elements of the U.S. 1st Marine Division and the 23rd Infantry Division (Americal Division).

PAVN General Chu Huy Mân disengaged from the fight on the outskirts of the city, and pulled the 2nd Division into the mountains to rest, rebuild, and prepare for the next major operation. The US and allied defenders of the Special Forces camp at Khâm Đức, a small district in the north of Quảng Tín, were chosen as the next target for the 2nd Division.

Summary

Distance:  180 km

Accommodation: Hotel in Kon Tum

Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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.

After having lunch, we’ll keep on rolling on the highway to Hoi An and on the way, we’ll stop by to visit 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.

We then get to hotel in Hoi An for a check-in.

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.

You will take a walk around the town and enjoy the dinner.

Summary

Distance:  180 km

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we 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.

We will keep on riding along the coastal line via Da Nang then Hai Van Pass, where we could look down from the top to view the splendid beauties of Lang Co beach and ocean then time to refresh yourself by a cup of coffee before heading straight to Hue.

The Hải Vân Pass (Vietnamese: Đèo Hải Vân or ocean cloud pass’), is an approximately 21-kilometre (13 mi) long mountain pass on National Route 1 in Vietnam. It traverses a spur of the larger Annamite Range that juts into the ‘East Sea’ (Biển Đông, known as the South China Sea in English), on the border of Đà Nẵng and Thừa Thiên–Huế Province, near Bạch Mã National Park. Its name refers to the mists that rise from the sea, reducing visibility.

Historically, the pass was a physical division between the kingdoms of Champa and Đại Việt. The pass is renowned for its scenic beauty.[1] Presenter Jeremy Clarkson, then host of the BBC motoring programme Top Gear, featured the pass during the show’s 2008 Vietnam Special, calling the road “a deserted ribbon of perfection—one of the best coast roads in the world

Upon arrival in Hue, you will have to time to ride around this ancient citadel to explore some highlights with Imperial Citadel and Royal Tombs.

Hue is the capital of Thừa Thiên Huế province in the North Central Coast region of Vietnam, located near the center of Vietnam. Hue (Thuan Hoa) was the capital of Đàng Trong from 1738 to 1775 and of Vietnam during the Nguyễn dynasty from 1802 to 1945. The city served as the old Imperial City and administrative capital for the Nguyễn dynasty and later functioned as the administrative capital of the protectorate of Annam during the French Indochina period. It contains a UNESCO-designated site, the Complex of Huế Monuments, which is a popular tourist attraction. Alongside its moat and thick stone walls the complex encompasses the Imperial City of Huế, with palaces and shrines; the Forbidden Purple City, once the emperor’s home; and a replica of the Royal Theater

Time to check in at the hotel.

Summary

Distance:  180 km

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Departing from Hue we ride along highway 1 to Quang Tri town, visiting Long Hung Church and Quang Tri Old Citadel which was a battlefield in 1972 between North and South Vietnam for 81 days and nights.

Then, we will ride along the coast from Cua Viet Beach to Cua Tung Beach a long stretch of beautiful and peaceful coastline. Next we visit the Vinh Moc tunnels and explore the Demilitarised Zone, stopping for lunch at the Doc Mieu Firebase.

In the afternoon we will have short stop at Truong Son cemetary to pay respects to the soldiers who fought and died on the trail during the American War. Continuing west on highway 9, we will climb into the Truong Son foothills, pass the Rock Pile and stop at some villages and beautiful natural springs and waterfalls near the highway.

Approx 5pm we arrive in Khe Sanh which was established as a forward base by General Westmoreland near Laos to secure highway 9. The Battle of Khe Sanh (21 January – 9 July 1968) was conducted in the Khe Sanh area of northwestern Quảng Trị Province, Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam), during the Vietnam War. The main US forces defending Khe Sanh Combat Base (KSCB) were two regiments of the United States Marine Corps supported by elements from the United States Army and the United States Air Force (USAF), as well as a small number of Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) troops. These were pitted against two to three divisional-size elements of the North Vietnamese People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN).

Check in to hotel, free time at night.

Summary

Distance:  200 km

Accommodation: Hotel in Khe Sanh

Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast visit the Khe Sanh combat base, then we ride the west Ho Chi Minh trail, today you have the chance to see the real trail with its mind-blowing, spectacular scenery – lots of jungle, mountains, waterfalls and villages of the Paco and Van Kieu Minorities.

We will ride through the Sa Mu pass, se pang heng river, Lang Ho village, U bo pass, areas made famous in the American war.

Tonight we stay in Son Trach village near the entrance to the Phong Na-Ke Bang National ParkThe Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2003, covered 85,754 hectares. With this extension, the site covers a total surface area of 123,326 hectares (a 46 % increase) and shares a boundary with the Hin Namno Nature Reserve in the Peoples Democratic Republic of Laos.

The Park’s landscape is formed by limestone plateaux and tropical forests. It features great geological diversity and offers spectacular phenomena, including a large number of caves and underground rivers. The site harbours a high level of biodiversity and many endemic species. The extension ensures a more coherent ecosystem while providing additional protection to the catchment areas that are of vital importance for the integrity of limestone landscapes.

Summary

Distance:  190 km

Accommodation: Hotel in Phong Nha

Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we travel through beautiful countryside on the journey from Phong Nha to Tan Ky. Passing Tea plantations, rice fields, ethnic minority villages, mountains, valleys and streams before arriving in Tan Ky late afternoon.

The Special National Historical Site of Km0 is the starting point of the legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail, located in Tan Ky town, Tan Ky district. From here, millions of tons of weapons, fuel, groceries and other supplies were transported to support the Southern battlefield during the resistance war. After the war ended, this place became a famous historical site in Nghe An province in general and Tan Ky district in particular.

Summary

Distance:  260 km

Accommodation: Hotel in Tan Ky – Nghe An

Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our destination today is Pu Luong, dotted with quaint hamlets and villages throughout the park, each with its own unique history. Most of the communities in the reserve are Thai people, an ethnic group with two local branches, White Thai and Black Thai. The Thai people are highly skilled at wet rice cultivation and their homes are built in a raised stilt style. Being here a fantastic way to experience local customs and see what life is like for this Vietnamese minority.

Endless mountains, fertile valleys and pristine jungle are just a few good reasons to visit.

Pu Luong’s mountains are covered with tropical rainforest, while the valley is a series of cultivated rice terraces. Take a ride along the valley floor or in the foothills to get up close with the area’s flora and fauna. Listen to the waterwheels and forest sounds, wave at farmers and grazing water buffalo, and snap pictures of the greenery and wildlife. Simply being in Pu Luong Nature Reserve is a breath of fresh air.

Summary

Distance:  210 km

Accommodation: Pu Luong Homestay or Lodge

Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We start our Motorbike tour on the epic national road No 15 via MAI CHAU valley with lots of beautiful high mountains, waterfalls, valleys, villages …to Thac Ba lake. See beautiful countryside, rice and green tea fields.

Then we turn to the little road to Vu Linh village, where populated by Dzao ethnic minority by the side of Thac Ba lake, very friendly people and the welcome is exceptional.

Home-stay in Vu Linh.

Summary:

Distance:  210 km

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Home-stay

After breakfast, we motorcycle along the Thac Ba lake on a small road lined by palm trees and scenic mountain views to join the main Road 2, heading up to Ha Giang where we stop for the night and apply for a permit.

Summary:

Distance:  180 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel

After getting the permit to ride in border areas at Ha Giang’s Immigration Police, we motorbike on small challenging mountain roads (but incredibly beautiful) on the land of colorful mountain hill-tribes. Head up the Ma Pi Leng Pass. Here is yet another amazing place, with cloudy mountain ranges and the poetic Nho Que river winding off in the distance.

It is really difficult to find the exact words to describe Ma Pi Leng Pass, located between Dong Van and Meo Vac, near the northernmost tip of Vietnam, as a painting of astonishing beauty and magnificence that captures the eyes of all viewers and nature lovers.

Ride on a zig-zag track until reaching Vuong Family’s Residence, 14 kms before Dong Van.

Vuong Family was considered the King of the Hmong People in Dong Van, Ha Giang. Their residence was built in the scenic valley of Sa Phin with Chinese architecture. The whole house was built out of wood and rock only. The rocks for the buildings were imported from China. Vuong Family Residence is a masterpiece of man work in the valley of heavenly beauty of Sa Phin.

This is a remote area and we can meet the hard-working local people here. It is inspiring to see how they survive as they manage live in the rocks.When we reach Dong Van Town we will have some extra time to wonder the ancient streets lined with H’mong homes of clay bricks and tiles roofs built centuries ago.

Summary:

Distance:  160 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel

The road is still under construction and tracks what make the ride relatively long in spite of few kilometres. The landscape is among the most beautiful of Vietnam, and the slow tempo is only more appreciable.

We cross the wild regions of the mythical province of Ha Giang, Meo Vac is included. It shares the border with Dong Van District of Ha Giang Province and Bao Lam District of Cao Bang Province. Meo Vac has most of the terrain in the Rock Plateau of Dong Van and above 1000m above sea level.

Meo Vac has a harsh climate in the winter which is from November to April with dry and freezing cold weather. It is inhabited by different ethnic minorities including the H’mong, the King, Tay, Dzao…Most ethnic groups have maintained their culture untouched from the outside world.

Beautiful motor ride down to Bac Kan Province in the afternoon. Take a local boat-ride on the reservoir of Na Hang Hydro Power Factory to village near by Dau Dang waterfall in Ba Be National Park for home-stay.

Summary:

Distance:  160 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Home-stay

Note: This is a very big day, we should start early and ride back carefully on Road 3 .After breakfast, take an other boat-ride on Ba Be lake to other side, before jumping on our motorbikes to Cho Ra, head up to main Road 3.

Ba Be National Park is an abundant bioreserve area containing the world’s only fresh-water karst lake and several rare species of fauna and flora. Ba Be lake in VietnamThe biodiverse 10,048 ha park – home to 1,268 species of flora and fauna, a series of caves and a gigantic fresh water lake – was established in 1992 by the Vietnamese Government to preserve forest ecosystems in the northeast.

Ba Be is home to over 3,000 people from the ethnic minorities of Tay, Nung, Dao and Mong, who live in 13 villages =within the park. The Tay people have inhabited Ba Be  area for centuries and make up 58 per cent of the population within the park’s boundaries.

On Road 3, the way back to Hanoi, traffic is getting worst and worst, so we should be back before rush hour.

Summary:

Distance:  230 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

End of the trip!