Itinerary
- Day 1
Hanoi to Mai Chau
Early morning start from Hanoi heading west on Highway 6, riding through paddy fields and limestone karst landscape. After a light lunch in Hoa Binh Province, you'll cross the Thung Khe mountain pass and enter Mai Chau valley. By evening you're settled into a traditional Thai stilt house where you'll catch a local performance and try rice wine.
- Meals
- Lunch (Light lunch in Hoa Binh Province), Dinner
Included Activities
- Motorbike ride from Hanoi to Mai Chau on Highway 6
- Ride through Hoa Binh Province farming lands
- Cross Thung Khe mountain pass
- Local performance with Thai people
- Share rice wine with locals
Landmarks Highway 6 Hoa Binh Province Thung Khe Mountain Pass 
- Day 2
Mai Chau to Vinh
Today takes you south on winding roads that follow the Ma River, then you'll join the Ho Chi Minh Highway through remote backcountry near the Laos border. There's lunch en route with local food, and after that you turn eastward toward the coast. You'll arrive in Vinh by evening, a peaceful city close to Ho Chi Minh's birthplace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch on the way with local foods), Dinner (Dinner in local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Motorbike ride through Ma River valley on winding roads
- Ride on new Ho Chi Minh Highway
- Journey through remote backcountry near Laos border
Landmarks Ma River Ho Chi Minh Highway - Day 3
Vinh to Huong Khe
Head inland toward the Laos border to visit Ho Chi Minh's birthplace at Kim Lien Village, which holds significant meaning for Vietnamese people. From there you'll continue on the Ho Chi Minh Highway, cross the Lam River at Ro Bridge, and pass through Dong Loc Intersection where the Ho Chi Minh Trail begins. The route takes you through remote backcountry with karst limestone formations, bringing you to Huong Khe Town by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch break in Pho Chau Town), Dinner (Dinner in local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Ho Chi Minh birthplace in Kim Lien Village
- Ride on Ho Chi Minh Highway
- Cross Lam River on Ro Bridge
- Pass Dong Loc Intersection (historic Ho Chi Minh Trail junction)
- Ride through remote backcountry with karst limestone scenery
Landmarks Ho Chi Minh Birthplace - Kim Lien Village Thanh Chuong District Lam River Ro Bridge Dong Loc Intersection - Day 4
Huong Khe to Dong Hoi
You're riding a quiet section of the Ho Chi Minh Highway today, passing Khe Ve Intersection and Pheo, the first branch of the Ho Chi Minh Trail into Laos. By midday you'll reach Phong Nha, grab lunch at a local spot, then board a dragon boat to explore Phong Nha Cave, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After that, a 30km ride east brings you to Dong Hoi on the coast for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in local restaurant), Dinner
Included Activities
- Motorbike ride on quiet Ho Chi Minh Highway section
- Pass Khe Ve Intersection and Pheo (first Ho Chi Minh Trail branch)
- Dragon boat exploration of Phong Nha Cave
Landmarks Khe Ve Intersection Pheo Phong Nha Cave 
- Day 5
Dong Ha to Dong Ha
The quiet Ho Chi Minh Highway continues with a brief stop at Truong Son National Cemetery to remember soldiers from the American War. You'll head to Dong Ha Town, passing Ben Tat Bridge that the Viet Cong built over Ben Hai River. After checking into your hotel and having lunch, the afternoon includes visiting Vinh Moc Tunnel, the DMZ, Doc Mieu fire base, and the historic Hien Luong Bridge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Motorbike ride on Ho Chi Minh Highway
- Stop at Truong Son National Cemetery
- Pass Ben Tat Bridge over Ben Hai River
- Visit Vinh Moc Tunnel
- Visit DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)
- Visit Doc Mieu fire base
- Visit Hien Luong Bridge
Landmarks Truong Son National Cemetery Ben Tat Bridge Ben Hai River Vinh Moc Tunnel DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) Doc Mieu Fire Base Hien Luong Bridge - Day 6
Dong Ha to A Luoi
Riding west on Highway 9, climbing into the Truong Son foothills with Dakrong Bridge behind you. Narrow winding roads lead to Huang Hoa (the former Khe Sanh Base) and Ta Con Airbase. You'll have lunch in Khe Sanh, then cross the famous Dakrong River Bridge on Route 14 near Ta Rut. Before reaching A Luoi for the night, you'll visit a Pa Co village, hike through it, cross Pe Ke Pass, and descend into the valley.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in Khe Sanh), Dinner (Dinner in local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Motorbike ride west on Highway 9
- Climb through Truong Son foothills
- Pass Dakrong Bridge
- Visit Khe Sanh Base area
- Cross Dakrong River Bridge
- Visit Pa Co people village
- Walk through Pa Co village
- Cross Pe Ke Pass
Landmarks Highway 9 Truong Son Foothills Dakrong Bridge Khe Sanh Base Ta Con Airbase Dakrong River Bridge Pe Ke Pass - Day 7
A Luoi to Hoi An
This is the best riding day of the whole trip. The first 110km crosses one of the longest passes on new quiet roads through primitive forests with the Truong Son mountains behind you. There are two long tunnels with very little traffic. From Hien to Thanh My is 68km of good roads with gentle climbs, then the final 40km on older bumpier road leads you to Hoi An, a charming ancient town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch on the way in local restaurant), Dinner
Included Activities
- Motorbike ride through Truong Son mountain range
- Navigate through primitive forests
- Pass through two long tunnels
- Ride through scenic mountain pass
Landmarks Truong Son Mountain Range Ai Nghia - Day 8
Hoi An
Hoi An sits on the Thu Bon River banks and used to be one of Southeast Asia's most important trading ports until the river silted up. Now it's a center for art with rooftops that feel like old world Orient. The ancient quarters and historical monuments have UNESCO and Polish government protection since the early 1980s. You can explore on foot or by motorbike taxi, or ride to Da Nang Beach where US marines landed. There's fine dining, impressive architecture, great tailoring, shopping, and beach time available.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Hoi An ancient town by foot or motorbike taxi
Optional Activities
- Ride to Da Nang Beach where US marines first landed
- Visit UNESCO-protected ancient quarters
- Shop at local tailoring shops
- Dine at fine restaurants featuring Hoi An specialties
Landmarks Thu Bon River Hoi An Ancient Town Da Nang Beach - Day 9
Hoi An to Kham Duc
Leaving Hoi An, you'll head to My Son, a UNESCO World Heritage site with Cham temples dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva (it's been called the Cham version of Angkor Wat). The highway gets busier at first, then becomes smaller and paved. You'll transition to challenging but fun riding on steep valley roads that follow the river with unique rock formations and waterfalls. Lunch is in Dong Phu, then you reach either Kham Duc or Phuoc Son for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch will be in Dong Phu), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit My Son world heritage site
- Motorbike ride through steep valley road with river views
- Ride past waterfalls and rock formations
Landmarks My Son Dong Phu - Day 10
Kham Duc to Kon Tum
Heading north on Highway 14 through bumpy sections to Kon Tum, with stops along the way to meet De and Trieng minority villages on the Dak Po Ko river. You'll see traditional hanging bridges built by locals. Lunch happens in Tan Canh and you'll visit a Se Dang village. After passing Dak To and Charlie outpost (key Vietnam War battle sites), you'll arrive in Kon Tum to visit the Catholic Church and orphanage run by French nuns, and optionally check out a nearby Bahnar village.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch will be in Tan Canh), Dinner
Included Activities
- Motorbike ride on Highway 14
- Visit De minority villages along Dak Po Ko river
- Visit Trieng minority villages along Dak Po Ko river
- View traditional hanging bridges
- Visit Se Dang village
- Pass Dak To and Charlie outpost (Vietnam War battle sites)
- Visit Catholic Church in Kon Tum
- Visit orphanage behind Catholic Church
Optional Activities
- Visit Bahnar village near Kon Tum
Landmarks Highway 14 Lo Xo Pass Dak Po Ko River Tan Canh Dak To Charlie Outpost Kon Tum Catholic Church - Day 11
Kon Tum to Buon Ma Thuot
Highway 14 has busier traffic today than previous days. The historic Ho Chi Minh Trail (Highway 14C) runs parallel to Highway 14, connecting Kon Tum, Pleiku, and Buon Ma Thuot. You'll have lunch in Pleiku, then ride along the Tun River and over a pass. Coffee plantations and stilt houses of the Gia Rai (the Central Highlands' largest ethnic group) come into view. Crossing Nha Rong pass brings you down to Buon Ma Thuot, provincial capital of Dac Lac Province and the site of the last battle of the Vietnam War in March 1975. Later you can visit local beer parlors or try the region's coffee.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch will be in Pleiku), Dinner
Included Activities
- Motorbike ride on Highway 14
- Ride along Tun River and over mountain pass
- View coffee plantations
- View stilt houses of Gia Rai ethnic group
- Cross Nha Rong pass
Optional Activities
- Visit local beer parlors
- Sample local coffee grown in region
Landmarks Highway 14 Highway 14C (Ho Chi Minh Trail) Pleiku Tun River Nha Rong Pass Buon Ma Thuot - Day 12
Buon Ma Thuot to Da Lat
Riding to Lak Lake on Route 27, a small paved road with rough surfacing. You'll stop to refresh and explore where approximately 31 ethnic groups live, each with traditional dress and customs. Some villages work with elephant hunting and taming, others focus on weaving and traditional arts. After lunch at Lak Lake, narrow winding (but not busy) roads take you to Da Lat. You'll cross three passes through dense forests: Krong No, Chuoi, and Phu Son. You arrive in the hill town of Da Lat late afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in Lak Lake), Dinner
Included Activities
- Motorbike ride to Lak Lake on Route 27
- Explore Lak Lake area
- Motorbike ride from Lak Lake to Da Lat
- Cross Krong No pass
- Cross Chuoi pass
- Cross Phu Son pass
Landmarks Lak Lake Route 27 Krong No Pass Chuoi Pass Phu Son Pass - Day 13
Da Lat
Da Lat is called 'The City of Love' and serves as a favorite holiday resort for Vietnamese and French visitors. Evergreen forests, waterfalls, beautiful lakes, the country's best flower gardens, and fresh produce make it a nice break from lowland heat. Today you'll explore highlights including gardens, the cathedral, waterfalls, the market, Valley of Love, a convent, the university, and key pagodas.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Da Lat gardens
- Visit Da Lat cathedral
- Visit Da Lat waterfalls
- Visit Da Lat market
- Visit Valley of Love
- Visit convent
- Visit university
- Visit key pagodas
Landmarks Da Lat Gardens Da Lat Cathedral Da Lat Waterfalls Valley of Love - Day 14
Da Lat to Cat Tien National Park
Motorbike down Road 20 to Cat Tien National Park. This forest area was the Vietnamese army headquarters during the war and suffered extensive damage from herbicides like Agent Orange. Large areas still show only bamboo and grassland as trees haven't yet grown back.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Motorbike ride on Road 20 to Cat Tien National Park
Landmarks Road 20 Cat Tien National Park - Day 15
Cat Tien National Park to Saigon
The final day isn't long but traffic becomes quite intense as you approach Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). You'll ride straight to the train station where the tour ends. Your guide can recommend places to stay and restaurants for after.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Motorbike ride to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) train station
Landmarks Saigon Train Station
