Biking Ho Chi Minh Trails 13 days

Nothern & Central Vietnam biking tour in 13 days: Hanoi – Mai Chau – Pu Luong Nature Reserve – Tan Ky – Huong Khe – Dong Hoi – Dong Ha – A Luoi – Thanh My – Hoian – Danang

The so-called Ho Chi Minh Trail is one of the most renowned legends of the American War. The complicated road system winds along the Truong Son Range, which that facilitated movement of soldiers and war supplies from North Vietnam to battlefields in South Vietnam. Now the historic trail is being turned into a highway and hotels and towns are springing up speedily beside it. The route is incredibly beautiful with new mountain views around every corner, very little traffic, and virtually no tourists.

We start our great Vietnam tours biking adventure with overnight train to Vinh then head south following the new highway. This trip brings you a great chance to learn about the Vietnamese modern history and see it beautiful nature. The trip concludes in Hoian, a charming ancient town in centre Vietnam.

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi.

Upon arrival in Hanoi, you meet our guide at the airport and transfer to your hotel in Hanoi.If time permits we can have riding test in the afternoon. Welcome dinner with local delicacies. Tour briefing at the dinner time. Overnight in Hanoi.

Summary:

• Airport transfer: private AC car
• Meal: Welcome dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi – Mai Chau – Buoc Village

Leave Hanoi at 8am. We drive southwest to Mai Chau, the gateway to the impressive mountainous area of northern Vietnam. The drive is very nice with stunning view of mountains, valleys, sugarcane farms and rice paddies. We would have a stop en route for refreshment. Upon arrival in Mai Chau we have a lunch stop in Pom Coong, a village of Thai ethnic minority. We will have lunch in a local house. After lunch we embark on a biking on village road to Buoc, a village of Thai minority group. We will have dinner and overnight in a traditional stilt-house of a Thai family.

Summary:

• Transfer to Mai Chau: 4 hrs
• Biking:   30km – Moderate grade
• Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Home stay

Day 3: Buoc Village – Hang Village (Pu Luong Nature Reserve)

After breakfast we embark on a beautiful ride following shaded village roads to Van Mai Village where we have lunch in a local house. After lunch we ride southward to Pu Luong Nature Reserve. We will first bike on beautiful tar road through Mai Chau valley before jumping into bumpy village road the last 15km. We will reach Hang Village around 5 pm where we will have dinner and overnight in a traditional stilt-house of a Thai family.

Summary:

• Biking:   40km – unpaved bumpy road – Moderate grade
• Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Home stay

Day 4: Hang Village – Hin Village

Today is a tough day with long climb on mix of dirt paths and village roads. This road is an original part of the historic Ho Chi Minh Trails, which run through the Pu Luong Nature Reserve. In the morning we climb mainly. In the afternoon we enjoy easier ride slightly downhill to Hin, a village of Thai minority. Great mountain view and scenic villages. Lunch in local house en route. Dinner and overnight in Hin village.

Summary:

• Biking:   30km – unpaved bumpy road – Challenging grade
• Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Home stay

Day 5: Hin Village – Canh Nang Town – Cam Thuy – Tan Ky

After breakfast we say good bye to the villagers and ride toward Ma River passing expansive maize fields. Near the river we would see many water wheels which used by the local to water their farms. We cross the river on bridge and have lunch in Canh Nang town. After lunch we continue biking toward the Fairy Fish Stream in Cam Luong where you see thousands of fish in a shallow stream. You can feed and touch them. After that you continue riding southward on Ho Chi Minh Highway. In the afternoon we will use support van for over 100km transfer to Tan Ky Town, where we will stay overnight in a small hotel and have dinner in local restaurant.

Summary:

• Biking:  60km – 40% unpaved bumpy road, 60% paved road – Moderate grade
• Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel

Day 6: Tan Ky – Huong Khe

Breakfast in Tan Ky and ride on HCM Highway to Pho Chau, a small town 87km south of Tan Ky. We will tackle around 40km in the morning. The ride is on smooth road and passing peaceful villages and stunning mountain range. We take bus ride the last 40km to Pho Chau for lunch. After lunch we jump into a branch of HCM Trails, a smaller road leading to Dong Loc T-junction. This was a hot spot, which was bombed heavily during the Vietnam War. Continue riding for 1hr we meet the HCM Highway again. Bus transfer to Huong Khe. Dinner and overnight on Huong Khe.

Summary:

• Biking distance: 70-80km – 60% highway, 40% smaller paved road
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel in Huong Khe

Day 7: Huong Khe – Phong Nha – Dong Hoi

After breakfast bus drive 20km and then we begin our ride today toward Phong Nha National Park. Lunch stop in Liem Phu. After lunch we take bus ride to Phong Nha Cave, which is a World Heritage Site. Upon arrival in Phong Nha we take a boat cruise on river to explore the cave. After the cave exploration we take bus ride to Dong Hoi to check in hotel. Dinner and Overnight in Dong Hoi.

Summary:

• Biking distance: 60km – highway
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel in Dong Hoi

Day 8: Dong Hoi – Dong Ha – DMZ

Breakfast in the hotel. We have a short bus ride before beginning the biking today. The ride is totally on HCM Highway. We will have a stop at the Truong Son Cemetery where some hundred of thousand soldiers who served in army during Vietnam War are resting in peace. Bus transfer to Dong Ha for hotel check in. Lunch in local restaurant. In the afternoon we have a DMZ tour by bus. Dinner and overnight in Dong Ha.

Summary:

• Biking distance: 60km – quiet highway
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel in Dong Ha

Summary:

• Biking distance: 60-70km – quiet highway
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel in Aluoi

Day 10: Aluoi – Thanh My

Breakfast in town. We will have a bus transfer to the summit of a long, high pass. Begin the beautiful ride downhill40km to Prao. Lunch in Prao. In the afternoon, continue riding to Thanh My. Dinner and overnight in Thanh My. 

Summary:

• Biking distance: 70km – Challenging grade
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel in Thanh My
  

Day 11: Thanh My – Hoi An

Breakfast and begin to ride along Vu Gia River to Hoian, the World Heritage Site 80km from Thanh My. Lunch stop in Dai Loc. Continue riding to Hoian. The ride today is pleasant since we ride mainly downhill and on flat terrain. We reach Hoian around 5pm. Check in hotel and have dinner in the Old Quarter of Hoian. Overnight in Hoian.

Summary:

• Biking distance: 80km – Easy grade
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian

Day 12: Hoian

Free day for relaxing or shopping in the Old Quarter. Overnight in Hoian.

Summary:

• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian

* Note: You can also book an optional tour with us for this day. Please contact our travel consultant for a suggestion.

Day 13: Hoian – Danang – Departure flight

Breakfast and free at leisure until we transfer to the airport for flight to onward destination.

Tour Cost 

•  25% surcharges applies for Christmas, New Year and Tet Holidays
  

Tour cost includes:

• AC bus for the whole trip
• Bike truck for the biking section
• Moutain bikes with helmet and biking gloves
• Boats in Phong Nha & Hue
• Hotels based on twin shared
• Mechanic for the biking section
• English speaking guide for the whole trip
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Water and snacks everyday
• Sightseeing fees and entrance fees
  

Tour cost excludes:

• Travel insurance
• Vietnam Visa
• Air-tickets
• Tips
• Personal expenses
  

Note on client safety:

• We reserve the right to deviate from this itinerary for any reasons, including road and weather conditions, frequency of visits to a village, or for any other factor which may influence client safety.