One of the best experiences you can have in Vietnam, if you have the fortitude for it, is a motorbike trip North to South. And the only way to accomplish such a huge feat is along the Ho Chi Minh Highway, which carves its way through pristine jungle, mountains and coastal areas, with stops at all the biggest attractions Vietnam has to offer. Want to see the insanity and brilliance of Vietnam in just 11 days, join us and we’ll show you.

• Brief Itinerary

Day 01: Hanoi

Day 02: Hanoi - Mai Chau

Day 03: Mai Chau – Ngoc Lac - Yen Cat - Vinh

Day 04: Vinh – Kim Lien - Huong Khe - Phong Nha

Day 05: Phong Nha - Khe Sanh - A Luoi - Hue

Day 06: Hue - Hoi An

Day 07: Hoi An

Day 08: Hoi An - Phuoc Son - Kon Tum

Day 09: Kon Tum – Pleiku - Buon Ma Thuot.

Day 10: Buon Ma Thuot – Ho Chi Minh City

Day 11: Departure

• Trip Grade:
  

Level of fitness and motorbiking ability is required.
 

• Weather:

Undoubtedly, weather is one of the determining factors for your traveling decisions. If you are heading to Vietnam, then, take it easy to make up your mind. Vietnam’s climate is not just steamy hot as what you are frequently exposed to on movies. All year round here, there is always a perfect place where it is pleasant to stay. Basically, the whole country falls into the tropic and subtropics but its stretching length and diverse topography allow it to span several different climate zones. The weather thus, tends to vary considerably from season to season and also from region to region.

Northern Part
The North of Vietnam is generally cooler than other South East Asian regions in the same longitude. It experiences two main distinct seasons. In winter months, the weather gets colder and colder fromNovember to March and considerably warmer in April (a leap into summer). This is also time to observe much cloud and frequent drizzle. The average winter temperature is 17.2°C (62.9°F). Particularly, the mountainous areas (Northwest) are often much colder, temperature may keep below 10°C (50°F) for long period. Ice and snow even cover Hoang Lien Son Mountains and nearby Sapa town for some times with the lowest record of -3°C (26.6°F) in Feb 2008.
In the summer (from May to October), the whole region is quite hot. Temperature may rise to 37°C (98.6 °F) in the peaks of June and July. Hanoi and coastal provinces around the Red River Delta generally enjoy equitable weather with high average humidity (80%) all year round though they may occasionally be subjected to typhoons and heavy rain in late summers (September to November). Vietnamese people even identify four seasons in the Northern provinces (from Hai Van Pass toward the north) with their distinct features: pleasant spring (typically March-April) and autumn (October-December), a chilly winter (December- February) and a hot summer (June – July).

Central Part
The Central Vietnam with two sub-regions, coastal lowlands and central highlands, can be seen as an in-between climatic area of the North and the South. The coastal strip is usually dry and hotter than the rest in the summer, as the Truong Son Mountains do not allow it to enjoy most rainfall of south-western monsoon (from April to October). Unprotected coasts in their turn, however, make it wet and colder than the rest in winter-monsoon season (from November to March). Also, storms and typhoons strike this area more frequently than the northern coasts in summer months (from July to November). The Central Highlands in particular enjoys nearly double the average rainfall of the country. Two biggest towns in this plateau, Dalat and Pleiku, are ideally cool throughout the year. Near-the-south coastal cities, Quy Nhon, Nha Trang and Phan Thiet, on the contrary, experiences steamy hot weather (21°C-32°C / 70°F-90°F) all year round.

Southern Part
The South of Vietnam, merely 8 degrees north of the Equator, is typical of humid tropical climate which is excellent for growing rice. The region’s temperatures experience little variations in a year (around 27-32°C/80-90°F). There are two main seasons: the rainy and the dry. During the rainy/monsoon season (from May to November), downpours are expected to happen nearly every afternoon, resulting in occasional street flooding in and around Saigon. In the dry season, it is hot from late February to April then slightly cooler when first downpours come. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) enjoys rather equitable tropical climate with high humidity all year round. December to March is said to be the most pleasant time to hit this region’s center.

Note: In all, Vietnam climate is so diverse that there is almost no definition of an average temperature for the whole country. Thanks to these regional variations in weather, generally, you can drop in Vietnam at any time of year. Commonly, based on the duration of your stay, you should plan to catch the good weather and places by either dropping in Saigon in February or March then following the coast to north or hitting Hanoi in October-November then tracing southward.

Day 1: Hanoi
On your arrival at Noi Bai airport, you will be welcomed by your guide and transferred to the hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore Hanoi’s Old quarter.

Overnight in Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi - Mai Chau

Today you drive out of Hanoi to visit the Ho Chi Minh Trail Museum in Ha Dong district where you learn about the historic trail which you will ride on. Then hop on your Hondas and spend some time getting familiar with the bikes. Your challenge begins with a ride on winding roads to Mai Chau passing through extensive farmland, tree-lined roads and limestone karst scenery. Nearer Mai Chau, stop at the Cun Pass for a superb panorama of the Mai Chau valley where many minorities, including the Thai ethnic group, live. Spend the afternoon strolling around the beautiful villages interacting with the friendly Thai people.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight in Mai Chau

Distance: 160 km

Day 3: Mai Chau – Ngoc Lac - Yen Cat - Vinh

After leaving Mai Chau, you head south on a beautiful winding road that follows the banks of the Ma River. Riding on this undulating quiet road, you meet the new Ho Chi Minh (HCM) Highway. This newly carved route leads due south, through remote back country and is not far from the Laos border. You then cut eastward towards the coast and stay overnight in the peaceful city of Vinh.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight in Vinh

Distance: 272 km

Day 4: Vinh –Kim Lien - Huong Khe - Phong Nha

Being a very long day today will mean a 6.30 am start. You head inland towards the Laos border and within an hour reach the birthplace of Ho Chi Minh in Kim Lien Village which is a shrine for the Vietnamese and visited by few westerners. After paying your respects to Uncle Ho, head to the HCM Highway via Thanh Chuong District, cross the Lam River and drive primarily on the new highway. We continue to the Dong Loc intersection, (the main junction for the supply lines during the war) which is regarded by the Vietnamese as the beginning of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. You pass through remote regions close to the border and continue on tarmac to Phong Nha, where you spend the night.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight in Phong Nha.

Distance: 315 km

Day 5: Phong Nha - Khe Sanh - A Luoi- Hue

After exploring the Phong Nha Cave by boat, you ride the 100km to Cam Lo, turning west on Highway 9 to Khe Sanh then climb into the Truong Son foothills. About 16 km from Khe Sanh is the Dakrong Bridge and the road becomes narrow and winding. You’ll pass Huang Hoa, once known as Khe Sanh Base and the Ta Con Airbase, then go to Route 14 to Ta Rut to meet some locals from the Pa Co minority. From Ta Rut, you head over the scenic Pe Ke Pass then down to A Lu Oi where we finish riding on the HCM Trail and drive 60km to Hue where you stop overnight.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight in Hue

Distance: 320 km

Day 6: Hue - Hoi An

You take the morning to do some sightseeing in Hue, which was Vietnam's political capital from 1802 to 1945. Traditionally, the city is one of Vietnam's cultural, religious and educational centers. You will also visit the Imperial Citadel, Tu Duc and Khai Dinh Mausoleums. In the afternoon, enjoy the extremely scenic ride to Hoi An via Lang Co Beach and the famous Hai Van Pass where you can admire the stunning ocean views. After stopping in Da Nang to visit the Cham Museum and Marble Mountain, you head into Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Despite the passing of 200 years and the ravages of weather and war, the center of Hoi An remains much the same as it was in its heyday. A walking tour is the best way to see the wooden-fronted houses that once belonged to the town’s prosperous merchants, the Japanese-covered Bridge and the wonderful market. Hoi An is one of the best places in Vietnam to shop for souvenirs at bargain prices including silk, handicrafts, antiques and paintings.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight in Hoi An

Distance: 180 km

Day 7: Hoi An

You have the full day free to relax by the beach and explore the town. Overnight in Hoi An.

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight in Hoi An

Day 8: Hoi An - Phuoc Son - Kon Tum

You spend a few hours exploring more of the sights in Hoi An and then continue on the motorbikes on the Ho Chi Minh Trail to Kon Tum. The ride heads up into the mountains and passes many vast rubber plantations. Overnight in Kon Tum city.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight in Kon Tum

Distance: Approx. 270 km

Day 9: Kon Tum – Pleiku - Buon Ma Thuot.

Today you ride first to Pleiku, a large, scenic, central-highlands city, then over the Ham Rong Pass passing many derelict military bases including Plei Me and the Ia Drang Valley. There are a few rolling hills but the route settles down to mostly flat roads passing pine forests, tea and coffee plantations and Montagnard "hill tribe" villages. After stopping along the way to visit and interact with hospitable hill tribe people, we arrive in Buon Me Thuot in the late afternoon where you stop overnight.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight in Buon Me Thuot

Distance: Approx. 235 km

Day 10: Buon Ma Thuot – Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon)

Depart early in the morning before a long day on the bike and some seriously winding roads to HCM City. You will take a break along the way to visit some local villages, arriving in HCM City in the late afternoon. The evening is yours to relax.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Distance: Approx. 350 km

Day 11: Departure

At leisure until transfer to airport or onward travel.

Meals: Breakfast

This tour is private and can be tailor-made to suit your travel needs. As a result the price is quoted in US dollars and shown on a per-person basis. The 'Price From' quoted above is for parties of 2, 4 and 6 people and for accommodation in 3 star hotels. The final price will be privately quoted, based on the number in your party, your preferred time of travel, grade of hotel and any additional services requested. Please click on the BOOK NOW button and fill in the booking form, after which one of our travel consultants will customize the best value holiday for you.

REMARKS:
We are aware that a good tour must have good hotels. In Indochina particularly, hotel price makes up most of the cost of your Cambodia cycling, Vietnam cycling, Laos cycling, Myanmar cycling or Thailand cycling. All of our prices are calculated on a twin-shared basis. As a guide, Travel Loops defines hotel grades as follows:

>>Superior Level (3 star hotels in good locations): > 40 USD/room/night
>>Deluxe Level (4 star hotels): > 80 USD/room/night
>>Luxury Level (5 star hotels): > 180 USD/room/night

Price based on twin shared accommodation.
Tour price is indicative only, please enquire for a detailed quotation.
More people means more discount. Please enquire for more details

If, after reviewing the details of this tour, you would like to receive a "Special Offer" tour price, just click on the "INQUIRY" button below. If you wish to “Tailor Make" your trip, simply click on the "CUSTOMIZE TRIP" and enter your contact details.

COST INCLUDED:

• Experienced English speaking guide
• Private transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
• Accommodation in double/twin sharing rooms with daily breakfast
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
• Bottled drinking water for sightseeing
• All sightseeing entrance fee where required in the itinerary.
• Motor-bike and helmet.

COST EXCLUDED:

• International/domestic airfares & tax
• Visa fees.
• Travel Insurance. (We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance from home)
• Personal expenditure (telephone, laundry, shopping and so on…)
• Tips for guide, driver, porters and project cost
• Beverage and alcoholic drinks
• Any other services not clearly mentioned on itinerary and trip inclusive portion.

The hotels listed below are just our suggestions offering the best value for this trip according to the hotel category chosen, but Travel Loops also offers more options to cater for different grades, personal taste, and budget. Please let us know if you have any specific choice of hotels, or personal preferences/requirements.

Note: Our choices for each level of accommodation have been highlighted in orange. As mentioned above our selection criteria are based on: prior client reviews, hotel management and staff training, facilities maintenance, location, business relationship and advantages given exclusively to our clients on price and service.