Why More Aussie Riders Are Discovering Vietnam on Two Wheels
Vietnam is emerging as one of the world’s best-kept secrets for motorcycle touring – and for good reason. With a unique blend of dramatic landscapes, winding coastal roads, rugged highland trails, and deeply rooted local culture, it offers a dream setting for every road-loving Aussie rider. From seasoned grey nomads looking to tick off one last epic adventure to mid-life throttle junkies and couples seeking something more meaningful than another European cruise, Vietnam is calling louder than ever.
But let’s face it – not all riders want full-throttle off-road dirtbike madness. Some of us prefer comfortable, scenic road rides, with just enough adventure to keep things exciting, but without the knee-deep mud or trials-level skills. That’s why this article is made specifically for Australian road riders – the folks who love touring on bitumen, enjoy a good view, crave great food, and appreciate a cold beer at day’s end.
Here’s our expertly curated list of the Best Vietnam Motorbike Tours in 2025, designed with the Aussie road rider in mind.
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The Hai Van Pass Loop (Central Vietnam Coastal Classic)
Tour Overview:
- Duration: 3–4 days
- Start/End: Da Nang or Hoi An
- Route: Hoi An – Da Nang – Hai Van Pass – Lang Co – Hue – Prao – Hoi An
- Road Type: 95% sealed road, minimal offroad
Why It’s Great for Aussie Road Riders:
This loop offers exactly what many Australian riders value most: smooth, well-paved roads with panoramic coastal views that don’t require you to be an off-road expert. Hai Van Pass itself is a bucket-list ride—twisting elegantly through the Truong Son Mountains with stunning views of the East Sea. The route also includes cultural stops in Hue and charming villages like Prao, allowing riders to soak in Vietnam’s history and daily life without the stress of navigating complex terrain.
For Aussie riders used to the Great Ocean Road, this is a tropical version—less touristy, more intimate, and packed with sensory highlights. It’s also a great way to ride with a partner or non-rider who can follow along by support vehicle.

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Northern Vietnam Explorer (Scenic Highroads of the North)
Tour Overview:
- Duration: 8–10 days
- Start/End: Hanoi
- Route: Hanoi – Ba Be Lake – Meo Vac – Dong Van – Ha Giang – Sapa – Hanoi
- Road Type: 85% road, some gravel and twisty sections
Why It’s Great for Aussie Road Riders:
Northern Vietnam’s Ha Giang Loop is the jewel of Indochina for riders. It combines technical mountain curves with jaw-dropping scenery and light traffic – a rare combination. For Aussies who have tackled the Great Alpine Road or Tasmania’s winding highlands, this tour feels familiar in form but foreign in flavor.

The route gives just enough edge to challenge your riding reflexes—tight switchbacks, steep inclines, and rapid descents—without veering into hard-core offroad territory. And every hard-earned climb rewards you with surreal vistas over limestone peaks and terraced rice valleys.
There’s also a deep cultural component. Australian riders appreciate meaningful travel, and this tour delivers: H’mong, Dao, and Tay ethnic groups open their homes, share meals, and remind you that motorbike touring isn’t just about the ride—it’s about the connection.
Lifetime Vietnam Dirt Bike Tour to Sapa, Ha Giang, Mu Cang Chai & Ba Be Lake
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Ho Chi Minh Trail Heritage Ride (Central Highlands and History)
Tour Overview:
- Duration: 7–9 days
- Start/End: Hanoi – Hoi An
- Route: Hanoi – Mai Chau – Tan Ky – Phong Nha – Khe Sanh – A Luoi – Hue – Hoi An
- Road Type: 90% paved, low traffic, some rural sections
Why It’s Great for Aussie Road Riders:
This is a road tour with emotional depth. For many Australians with ties to Vietnam War veterans, the Ho Chi Minh Trail is more than a route—it’s a remembrance. This ride gives you the chance to explore the history through landscapes that were once battlefields, but are now serene and healing.

The roads are surprisingly smooth and quiet, and most of the ride follows low-traffic highways and scenic backroads through jungle-covered mountains. For riders used to long stretches of Outback road or hinterland highways, this tour delivers that peaceful, meditative road experience—but with the added weight of history and culture.
The tour also passes through multiple UNESCO heritage areas and natural wonders like Phong Nha caves, adding educational and eco-tourism value. It’s not just a trip—it’s a layered story that unfolds mile after mile.
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Southern Vietnam & Mekong Chill Ride (For Laid-Back Cruisers)
Tour Overview:
- Duration: 5–7 days
- Start/End: Ho Chi Minh City
- Route: Saigon – Ben Tre – Can Tho – Soc Trang – Chau Doc – Cu Chi – Saigon
- Road Type: 100% sealed road, mostly flat and scenic
Why It’s Great for Aussie Road Riders:
Perfect for Aussie riders who enjoy open cruising and soaking up the countryside without the stress of mountain riding. The Mekong Delta offers straight, smooth roads through a lush maze of coconut palms, rice fields, and river canals. It’s a relaxed, flat ride ideal for two-up touring, especially for older couples or anyone recovering from injury who still wants to ride.
There’s also a strong affinity between Australian travelers and rural Vietnamese life. The Mekong communities are warm, proud, and deeply connected to nature—ideal for riders who want to slow down and dive deeper.
Add in fresh seafood, floating markets, and riverside beer stops, and this tour becomes more than a ride—it’s a sensory experience.
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Dalat to Nha Trang Highlands to Coast Ride
Tour Overview:
- Duration: 3 days
- Start/End: Dalat – Nha Trang
- Route: Dalat – Lak Lake – Buon Ma Thuot – Nha Trang
- Road Type: 90% sealed road, optional backroads
Why It’s Great for Aussie Road Riders:
This tour packs contrast into every kilometer. You begin in the cool, pine-scented hills of Dalat—a city with French colonial charm and café culture that resonates well with Aussies—then drop down into the coastal plains of Nha Trang, famous for its beaches and seafood.
The road itself is thrilling: long sweeping curves, tropical jungle on one side, mountain cliffs on the other. It’s a gentle but exciting descent, ideal for riders who want a compact tour without sacrificing scenery. It’s especially perfect for those short on time but hungry for variety.
Lak Lake and Buon Ma Thuot bring unique local experiences: elephant rides, highland coffee farms, and indigenous M’nong culture—perfect for culturally curious riders who don’t want a purely coastal holiday.

Epic Vietnam Motorcycle Tour from Saigon to Nha Trang through Cat Tien, Ta Dung, and Da Lat
Summary Table: Which Tour Fits You Best?
Tour |
Duration |
Road Difficulty |
Culture |
Scenery |
Ideal For |
Hai Van Pass Loop |
3–4 days |
Easy |
Moderate |
High |
First-time riders, couples |
Northern Explorer |
8–10 days |
Moderate+ |
High |
Breathtaking |
Experienced road riders |
Ho Chi Minh Trail |
7–9 days |
Moderate |
High |
Historic & green |
Veterans, reflective tours |
Mekong Chill Ride |
5–7 days |
Very Easy |
High |
Gentle, lush |
Senior couples, relaxed riders |
Dalat–Nha Trang |
3 days |
Moderate |
Medium |
Contrast-heavy |
Time-limited travelers |
Final Thoughts: Vietnam Is Built for Aussie Road Riders
Vietnam isn’t just another destination – it’s an awakening. For Aussie road riders, it offers a refreshing mix of challenge and comfort, adventure and hospitality. Whether you’re cruising the coastline or climbing toward the clouds, each twist of the throttle brings a new discovery.
If you’ve ever looked at a map and thought, “Where’s the ride that gives me mountains, culture, amazing food, and new mates?” — this is it.
So if you’ve been dreaming of a trip that’s more than just kilometers and maps – something that connects you to people, culture, and yourself – Vietnam’s open roads are waiting.
Throttle on, mate.