A land of staggering natural beauty and cultural complexities, of dynamic megacities and hill-tribe villages, Vietnam is both exotic and compelling. The colonial history and the triumph of the Vietnamese people to gain independence from French and then Americans - it the most inspiring tale of our times. There is a cultural complexity and diversity along the longish Vietnam. The ancient temples display distinctly Chinese influences in the north and remnant Hindu origins in the south. This rising ASEAN tiger deserves an exploration by the road.
The defeat of merciless and modern Americas Army by the ethnic Vietnamese is the stuff of legends. The iconic Ho Chi Minh Trail was the supply line used by North Vietnam to link North and South Vietnam during the bloody American War. Soldiers, ammunition, weapons and supplies were carried by hand, bicycle, and truck for hundreds of kilometres through the otherwise impenetrable jungle that covered Vietnam’s mountainous border with Laos.
This trail is a testimony to the ingenuity, fortitude, and commitment of the northern Vietnamese. The trail slipped from use at the end of the war and was taken back by the jungle; recent roadwork that follows original sections of the trail has changed this. Besides an incredible ride, deep in the Vietnamese countryside, our Vietnam motorcycle tour of the Ho Chi Minh Trail takes in the charming ancient trading town of Hoian, Khe Sanh battle site and DMZ.
It all begins with we picking you up at the Hanoi airport.You would check in at La Suite hotel in Hanoi and take a much needed Rest in the hotel. We then go on a pedal bike tour around the old quarter, visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and his former Residence, One-Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature - known as the first University of Vietnam, built in as far back as 1070.
We take our lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon we drive you 20 km east of Hanoi on a bumpy dyke-road to Bat Trang pottery village that is famous for its 1,000 years old of traditional pottery. You take a short walk around the village before a stopover to visit a workshop where you will be guided by the local artisans to form, paint and enamel your own products.
These products are then baked for several hours in huge kilns until they become finished products and given to you as souvenirs as an unforgettable time in Vietnam. We then get back to the hotel and have a welcome dinner in Hanoi.
In the morning we start at 7.30 AM from Ha Noi to Duong Lam village ( About 60km from Ha Noi). You’ll visit Mong Phu temple. Have a chat with the locals in their ancient homes by visiting the old houses of Mr. Lam, Mr. Ha, and Mr. Huyen. In the afternoon, after having lunch - we take some rest. We continue to visit the unique Mia Pagoda(built in the 15th century and admire 287 statues of all sizes).Then visit Ngo Quyen Temple and Phung Hung Temple. And after that, we’ll come back to Ha Noi. We have our dinner & overnight at La Suite hotel.
Ninh Binh is about 90 km from Ha Noi to the south. With over 1,400 sq km of natural area, Ninh Binh has forests, sea and a diverse system of flora and fauna. Ninh Binh topography encompasses plains and the mountains of the Vietnam northwest mountain range. Ninh Binh also has been a strategic position for military security and social development. Here, troops were rallied on their way to the north or south of Vietnam, creating famous victories in Vietnamese national history.
Breakfast will be at hotel. Our tour starts at 7:00 am. Drive ahead to Ninh Binh Town, Ninh Binh ( Tam Coc ) is considered as “ Inland Ha Long” & Hoa Lu is known to be the ancient capital of independent Vietnam. On arrival, we visit two temples dedicated to the King Dinh Tien Hoang and the King Le Dai Hanh and the remaining sanctuary of the ancient citadel.
Lunch will be at a local restaurant. We will transfer to Tam Coc wharf for a rowing sampan trip along the tranquil river, between picturesque limestone mountain and lush, green rice paddy fields. Next we explore the Tam Coc Caves. We finish the trip of the day around 3:30 PM and get back to Hotel. We have dinner & overnight will be in Tam Coc Ecolodge.
Once we leave Ninh Binh, we will begin to explore the legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail towards the south.The ride route is very beautiful with imposing passes, twisty roads, and romantic springs.
On the road from Tam Coc to Vinh, there are many hill tribe villages with their unique and distinct culture and lifestyle. We will visit Cam Thuy Holy Fish Spring and Ho citadel which is a historic relic raised from the feudal period to the wars against Chinese colonist. You will enjoy a peaceful night in Muong Thanh Grand Phuong Dong hotel.
Today, we have breakfast in the hotel, start to the first visit to Ho Chi Minh born village. This is followed with a quick stop at Nga 3 Dong Loc to learn about Vietnamese and American war. We do the lunch on the way, and then visit Quang Binh - a province with strong historical associations the homeland of legendary General Von Nguyen Giap. Besides being famous for historical relics, the province is well-known for one big obvious attraction-Phongnha-Kebang national park.
We then ride to Phong Nha Cave. Then we start a boat journey to discover Tien Son cave with stunning stalagmites and stalactites. We stay overnight at Tan Binh hotel in Dong Hoi.
From Dong Hoi to Khe Sanh, you would witness a vast number of war relics along the Demilitarised Zone or DMZ. DMZ is the demarcation line between North and south Vietnam during the Vietnam-American war. You will visit Ben Hai river, Hien Luong bridge, Vinh Moc tunnel, Truong Son war cemetery and Khe Sanh combat base, etc, in Quang tri-province. We stay overnight here in Khanh Phuong Hotel.
We say goodbye to Khe Sanh after breakfast. Following the highway 49 we ride up to the top of Ma Oi pass where we stop for swimming at Mau waterfall and see the handicraft sewing of the Van Kieu ethnic minority. We spend a whole afternoon on the legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail. Its a spectacular ride and through the mountains, stopping to visit ethnic minority villages that live along Ho Chi Minh Trail. We have lunch in A Luoi. In the afternoon we will visit Forbidden Citadel and Minh Mang Mausoleum. Overnight we stay in Hue.
We then continue our journeyto Hoi An from Hue on the National Road No.1 via Hai Van Pass - the most beautiful pass in Vietnam. Feel free to stop anytime for photos and admire the scenery.
We have lunch on the road in Da Nang. Stop in Da Nang to visit Son Tra island, Ngu Hanh Son mountain and swim in My Khe beach. Later in afternoon we continue to ride to Hoi An and arrive by 5 pm. We have a look-see around the ancient city. Overnight would be in a local Homestay.
We visit rice paper and brick making – See how people make incense sticks. Then we visit Cao Dai temple and pineapple plantation. Following the Ho Chi Minh trail you would begin to understand about the intricacies of Vietnam war. Down the trail next would be – the Phoenix Airport. We would – Stop over at the spring Dak Ha to enjoy Chicken egg in hot boiling water. We then see Trieng Minority Village and try crossing the Tiny Suspension Bridge – Charlie hill and visit the Dakto battlefield. Stay overnight will be at Green hotel.
Visit Kon Tum village and their traditional Rong house… – Visit wooden church – Visit orphanage – Visit Kon tum market. Experience the daily life of Highlanders – Seeing the way of Vietnamese making rice paper and rice noodle. views rubber plantations, cashew, and black pepper gardens. Arrive at Buon Me and stay overnight in Coffee tour resort.
Da Lat is known as ''The city of love'' and is a favorite holiday resort for Vietnamese as well as the colonial French. With evergreen forests, waterfalls, beautiful lakes, the country's best flower gardens and delicious fresh produce, Da Lat has always provided a welcome respite from the heat of the lowlands. We can spend the day visiting the highlight of Da Lat-its gardens, cathedral, waterfalls, market, the valley of love, convent, university, train station and key pagodas. Lunch on the way and overnight stay in Best Western Da Lat Plaza Hotel.
Leaving Bao Loc for Mui Ne we continue traveling to the Central Highlands and stop in the K'ho ethnic minority village to learn the culture of their wildlife on the edge of the Central Highlands.On the way, we visit the green tea farms, the cascade waterfall, Pongour, enjoy the hospitality of the Chill hill tribe by visiting their home, stop for lunch and try the different dishes of the Vietnamese cuisine. We then visit the fishing village, fairy springs, red canyon and white sand dunes. We then drop by at a local family’s place to know the daily life of farmers who plant the dragon fruits. Stay overnight at Mui Ne in the Palms hotel.
Today, we ride to Cat Tien National Pack. This forest area was the headquarter 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. Lunch at local cafe in Cat Tien.
We continue driving 160km to Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon - known as " the pearl of the Far East". We would arrive, Ho Chi Minh City by about 5:00 PM. Have dinner and overnight in the hotel here.
Morning:
08:45 AM Depart from TheSinh Tourist Office to Giac Lam pagoda built in the 17th century and is one of the oldest temples in the city. Then visiting Chinatown, Cho Lon (Binh Tay) market, not only seeing the locals bartering, purchasing and selling merchandises at the market but also seeing a rich and diverse Chinese culture that is subtle yet distinctive from other parts of the city. Stopping at Thien Hau Lady temple that was built in the early 19th century dedicated to Thien Hau - Goddess of seafarers. Traveling along the Saigon Riverside to overview Nha Rong wharf where Ho Chi Minh President first left Vietnam in 1911. Returning back to The Sinh Tourist office and having free time for lunch at own expense.
Afternoon:
02:15 PM Visiting War Remnants Museum - originally opened in September 1975; it displays old military equipment and other related items from Vietnam War. Afterward, continuing seeing the Reunification Palace, formerly known as the Presidential Palace. The place symbolizes the end of Vietnam War when a North Vietnamese army tank went through its gates. Then taking a short stroll to see Notre Dame Cathedral and General Post Office, they are the beautiful examples of architecture from the French colonial period. We would do a farewell dinner.
- Motorcycles rentals
- All gas (fuel)
- 3 - 4 Stars Hotel in twin share room with breakfast
- All tourist place entrance fees, tickets on the tour
- Waterproof saddlebags, helmets ( if needed)
- Rain gears
- Tour Guide(s) on motorcycle
- Support vehicle with Driver
- Airport pick up and drop-off
- Motorcycles shipping fee from Ho Chi Minh back to Hanoi at the end of the trip ( ~$50 for one motorcycle )
- Welcome and farewell dinners
- Personal Expenses
- Alcoholic drinks and meals not mentioned
- Train, Bus, Flight, Cable Cab Tickets
- Anything not mentioned in inclusions above
