Pre-Ride Briefing & Welcome Dinner

On Arrival Day you will meet your Tour Guide at the A.R.T garage for a riders’ briefing and bike handover, then head out for local craft beers and a steak dinner… something you won’t be seeing much of on the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

Hotel: Amanaki Saigon Boutique in the bustling central business district

Breathtaking valley views

Ho Chi Minh to Da Lat

300km – 6 hours

Starting out of Ho Chi Minh City, we head north towards the mountain ranges into Da Lat. Da Lat is a city renowned for its endless mountain roads, making for an easy escape from city noise and tourist traffic.

Heading inland through local villages, you start to see the hills coming and you know a cool breeze is not far behind. Climbing the hills, you can find some breathtaking views of the valley floor below as you make your way, stopping at one of the many coffee stalls to soak up the sight.

Ending the day with a wander through a busy Night Market, with an optional nightcap at one of many hipster bars.

Waterfalls, ferry crossings & smiles

Da Lat to Buon Ma Thuot

200km – 5 hours

If there is an easy day on the ride, this would be the day. Leave the city behind, we make our way towards the Central Highlands with some challenging but brilliantly fun roads to look forward to as the day progresses. As you climb, up and down the hills with wonderful cornering, making your way north. The local kids that are often playing in the river are an added bonus, their smiles are infectious and a real joy to interact with as we make our way across the river.

Today we’ve chosen an off-the-beaten-track eco-escape for our stay, nestled on a secluded hill away from the modern world by a pristine lake:  Lak Tented Camp

Chillax and enjoy the view

Dak Lak – Mang Den

285km – 6 hours

If there is an easy day on the ride, this would be the day. A nice low-key ride on the way up the Ho Chi Minh Trail, traveling through the lowlands and coffee fields that cover the landscape before the excitement begins.

Tonight we’ll rest in the town of Mang Den and enjoy a traditional, local dinner of BBQ chicken with sticky rice grilled in bamboo shoots.

Follow the river

Mang Den – Hoi An

260km – 5hrs

Heading northeast towards the ocean, riding next to the ocean can be so relaxing after the excitement of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. By late afternoon we arrive in Hoi An – a stunning historical town notable for being the only city in Vietnam that survived the war.

Tonight you get some free time to relax, go for a massage, enjoy a cool bevy and watch the lanterns float down the river in Old Town, no better way to finish a great day of riding.

Back on the Trail – Altitude Change

Hoi An – Khe Sanh

210km – 4hrs 30 mins

The twists and turns along the road will get your blood going, there are a couple of good mountain climbs that will have you grinning like a Cheshire cat.

There are always places to grab a coffee, a bite to eat, the odd temple or pagoda to check out, but the real attraction of this section of the Ho Chi Minh Trail is the trail itself. Truly a joy to ride.

Game Day – Twists and Turns

Khe Sanh – Phong Nha

230km – 5 hrs 30 mins

We tank up in Khe Sanh before heading north, as we won’t see any signs of civilization for quite some time — save the road itself. The day starts a little slow, there are some Vietnam War era relics to visit as you leave town. The stretch of road to take you up to the Trail are some of the best in the world for twists and turns. If you thought yesterday was a good time (and it was!), today will blow your mind.

Averaging a corner every 200m for over 200 kilometers. You will never forget this road! Coming into a National Forest, seeing the densest jungle you can imagine creating this beautiful green corridor to follow, it is an exhilarating ride like no other.

Hotel:- Phong Nha Farmstay , this Boutique accommodation is set in idyllic surrounding of rice paddy fields, tended daily by the local community, on the edge of National Park, just off the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

Explore the Area

Phong Nha Loop 

There is so much to see, caves to explore, A National Forest to wander through, windy curvy roads to ride and a river’s edge to sit on and enjoy a cold drink. The list goes on, take your pick and enjoy the day, you will not be lacking for choices and experiences to be had.

Sights, Sights and more sights

Phong Nha – Ninh Binh

410 km – 8hrs

Pressing on north, today will be early start and long ride. We’ll be getting into an area a little more populated so while you can find some nice wide empty sections of road, there are some busy city centers to pass through as you make your way toward a stunning destination. 

Hotel: Homestay

To the Capital

Ninh Binh – Hanoi

110km – 3hr

We spend the morning enjoying the views in Ninh Binh. If nature and the outdoors is more your thing, we can check out the river caves and stunning scenery with a Boat Tour. Climb the 500 steps to see an iconic view of the countryside with it’s limestone peaks and valleys, explore one of the numerous caves that dot the area, there are a number of sights to see like no other.

So much to see, well worth the time to explore!

Later in the afternoon we push on to Hanoi, the sights and sounds of the city become stronger and louder as you get closer to the end of the ride. The challenges of Hanoi traffic are hard to describe, just something to experience, and by the end of the day, as you are enjoying a cold brew, the challenges of your journey melt away in the knowledge that you have traversed the Ho Chi Minh Trail on an epic motorcycle. How many of your friends can say the same? Congrats!!

Hotel: Mercure Hanoi La Gare

Book your flight out at anytime from Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi)