GPS - Self Guided - Hanoi To HCMC (Saigon) / 14 days

This Vietnam motorcycle tour route between Hanoi and all the way to Saigon is distinguished by lush vegetation, impressive landscapes, amazing natural surroundings and valleys that swarm from life. We will go passed the fertile Mai Chau valley as the Ho Chi Minh trail leads us close to the Laos borders. The enchanting Vinh Moc Tunnel will definitely leave you speechless with awe, and the ancient town of Hoi An, a superb World Heritage site will steal the show for sure! On our way, we will go passed minority villages before we find our way to another World Heritage site, the famous Phong Nha, with mind-blowing caves –the Doong, the Phong Nha Dark Cave, and the Paradise Cave- all described as ridiculously spectacular!
Then we will be heading deeper in the mountains, following the Kham Duc Trail and going straight to Lo So Pass and its amazing surrounding. We will taste Vietnam’s most delicious coffee at Buon Me Thuot, visit 4 different islands, and see Dat Lat, or The City of Love, and the spectacular National Park, from up close. A Vietnam motorcycle tour you wish would never end!

Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau (150Km/4 hours)

As soon as we leave Red River Delta and its verdant land, we go past limestone rock formations and quaint Muong villages located in the foothills of surrounding mountains. We continue our trip at the central range, just before we breach into a lush pass that goes all the way down to the idyllic Mai Chau valley.
We spend the first night among other friends in the village of Pom Coong, where we sleep in a traditional stilt house.

Day 2: Mai Chau – Yen Cat (170km/5 hours)

The Vietnam motorcycle tour day begins nicely, and, as we bid farewell to the friendly and hospitable villagers, we head south. The lovely winding, quiet road along the Ma River banks takes us to the Hochiminh trail, after a few hours. The trail is now a modern highway built a while ago, which will lead us close to the Laos borders, through remote back country, to the south. Lunchtime finds us somewhere along the way, tasting the local cuisine and foods that provide us with enough energy to continue our ride to the town of Pho Chau.
We spend the night in a hotel, in Yen Cat town.

Day 3: Yen Cat – Pho Chau (170km/5 hours)

After breakfast, you can visit the local market, before heading off again. Our first stop is the Tan Ky town, after traveling a beautifully paved trail, where we have some lunch and, depending on the time, we can also try another 30km on the back roads. The goal is to make it to the Hochiminch trail road, after we have visited an ethnic minority village and one of Vietnam’s most remarkable dairy-cows station on the way.

We spend the night in Pho Chau town.

Day 4: Pho Chau – Phong Nha (200km/5 hours)

Today we will be heading towards the Laos borders after we head south and take the highway. As we enter deeper and deeper into inland and leave the remote back country behind, the scenery adopts a distinguishing karst topography and limestone rock formations.

Until 1972, Laos was in the midst of 2 famous intersections and traffic used to be passed over into it. As we go past these intersections, we arrive at Phong Nha, the famous World Heritage site, at around afternoon. The Phong Nha is a significant milestone in Vietnam’s culture, as it used to be the place where both military and local civilians would find a safe getaway from the relentless bombing during wars.

We spend the night in a hotel, in Phong Nha.

Day 5: Phong Nha – Ke Bang (Relaxing and Visiting)

The national park of Phong Nha has gained growing tourist interest lately and is very renowned for its glorious history, beautiful natural surroundings, and its caves, such as the Son Doong (largest cave in the world), the Phong Nha Dark cave and the Paradise cave, which are all listed among the most spectacular caves in the world.

After visiting it all, we still have time to drive around and see more of the park’s karst topography, characterized by various significant geographical features that amaze with their complexity and intricate limestone formations as they peep out of connecting rivers. Needless to say, after a full day’s driving experience, cooling off, and swimming in babbling waters of the river section is definitely refreshing!

We spend the night in Phong Nha

Day 6: Phong Nha – Dong Hoi – Hue (220km/7 hours)

In the morning our Vietnam motorcycle tour finds us riding down to the Dong Hoi coastal town to see the impressive Vinh Moc Tunnel from up close. This is a tunnel that provided shelter to local farmers and fishermen that wanted a safe hiding place, so to avoid the US bombardment. Right after visiting the tunnel, we head for hue, taking the National Highway 1. After a lovely dinner in Hue, we can enjoy traditional folklore music, as we sail the Perfume River.

Day 7: Hue – Hoi An (150km/5 hours)

The end destination for this day is the ancient town of Hoi An, another World Heritage site, most famous for its contribution to trade with South-East Asia, back in the 16th and 17th centuries. Riding National Highway 1 until we meet one of the greatest attractions though, is the Hai Van Pass, the mountain pass, whose scenic beauty will amaze you and its twisting roads will challenge our riding skills! No wonder it has been featured by Top Gear, in 2008, as one of the best cross roads in the world. The pass was controlled by the U.S army during the American war and what remains of the base, are still visible and open to explore. After a short coffee break we descend down the mountain and following the coastal road, which will bring us to Hoi An, where we stay overnight.

We spend the night in Hoi An

Day 8: Hoi An – Ngoc Hoi (200km/7 hours)

Today on the Vietnam motorcycle tour, we ride back on the Kham Duc trail, or Phuoc Son trail, up to the mountains. Then, we go straight to Lo So Pass after we pass the densely populated remote areas, where the Ba Na ethnic group reside. We continue all the way to Kon Tum, a breath away from the border with Laos, where many trail arteries meet.

We spend the night in Ngoc Hoi.

Day 9: Ngoc Hoi – Buon Ma Thuot (270km/8 hours)

The sunrise finds us riding south through the Central Highlands and then past the town of Pleiku. The road takes us to through the Ia Drang valley battlefield, only to lead us to the famous city of Buon Me Thuot, or also referred to as Buon Ma Thuot. This is the place that the northern forces used to launch their last assault on the city that was, then, Saigon. Today, Buon Me Thuot is the place where the best coffee products are produced in Vietnam, in much largest quantities than any other region.

We spend the night in a hotel, in Buon Me Thuot.

Day 10: Buon Ma Thuot – Nha Trang (200km/7 hours)

This should be an easy ride towards the coast. As we leave the Tay Son highlands behind, and about 30km from Nha Trang to the north, we rejoin Highway 1 and take the picturesque coastal road. The Vietnam motorcycle tour continues with enchanting emerald green waters and scenic fishing boats that look like tiny gems all along the way, we reach the popular tourist destination of Nha Trang.

We spend the night at hotel in Nha Trang.

Day 11: Nha Trang (Relax – Boat trip)

This is our day of relaxation on this Vietnam motorcycle tour and a full-day boat trip. In the morning, we sail away and visit 4 different islands. Lunchtime finds us on the boat.

We spend the night in Nha Trang.

Day 12: Nha Trang – Da Lat (150km/6 hours)

After yesterday’s relaxation day, we are ready to ride today’s 150-kilometer mountainous trail that will unveil some of the most famous footages that you might have seen in the Top Gear Vietnam show, as played by BBC, in 2008. We head to Central Highland and reach the City of Love, Dat Lat. It is a very favorite destination for both locals and the French, due to its extraordinary beauty, majestic waterfalls, evergreen forests, mesmerizing lakes, the best flower gardens found in the country, and fresh and tasty agricultural products. It has always been a pleasant oasis for those that wanted an escape from the lowlands’ high temperatures.

With more than many places to see, we can spend the day visiting Da Lat’s highlight, which could include the gardens, the Valley of Love, the key pagodas, the waterfalls, or admire the architecture and beauty of the cathedral, the convent, and the university.

We spend the night in Da Lat.

Day 13: Da Lat – Bao Loc town (120km/7 hours)

Riding on Road 20, we head for the National Park of Cat Tien that was used as a Vietnamese militia headquarters, during the Vietnam War. It is a park that has endured much suffering, as it was massively sprayed with herbicides during the war. Up to this day, you cannot find proper vegetation and tree growth in the land, and it is predominantly covered with grass and bamboo trees.

We spend the night in Bao Loc .

Day 14: Bao Loc town – Saigon (190km/6 hours)

Despite the relatively short route, today’s trip will be rather tiring as the traffic as we enter Saigon can be mind-blowing. The ride ends as soon as we reach the train station. If you require any additional information on accommodation and places to eat, our guide will be more than glad to make some recommendations.
The Vietnam motorcycle Tour ends

Tour Includes

• 01 motorbike per person
• 1 full tank of petrol/gasoline per person (First day)
• Pre-programmed GPS track (The best back roads and scenery)
• Rain gear, helmets
• Motorbike jacket
• 01 night in local stilt house
• 12 nights in hotel in twin share room
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary: 13 Breakfasts (B), 13 Dinners (D)
• A join full day boat tour in Nha Trang
• Depending on availability 1 night stay at our Flamingo Homestay

Tour Excludes

• Visa to Vietnam
• Any other transportations are not mentioned in the itinerary
• Insurance
• Drinks
• Meals are not mentioned in the itinerary
• Tip for guide
• Other personal expenses

What to bring

• Passport
• Good sunglasses
• Good shoes for walking
• Other personal needs and some cash for drinks or souvenirs.

Prices are quoted in US Dollar/ per person in group of: