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HO
CHI MINH TRAIL (HCMT)
MOTORCYCLE RIDE STANDARD ROUTE 9 DAYS
(9
days, 8 nights)
Highlight
Ride participants are to make their own
travel arrangements to Hanoi from their own
country. One night's accommodation in Hanoi is
included in the tour price. We are happy to
assist with additional hotel bookings in Hanoi
where necessary. Once the tour is finished in
Hoi An, ride participants are free to make their
way further south or return to Hanoi. Once
again, these arrangements are not included in
the tour but we are happy to assist with
bookings.
Day 1: Hanoi - Mai Chau
In the morning we
visit the Ho Chi Minh Trail museum on the
outskirts of Hanoi. Then we jump on the bikes
and pass extensive farming lands comprising a
sea of paddy fields split by tree-lined roads
punctuated by limestone karst scenery. After a
light lunch near Hoa Binh we cross two mountain
passes before descending to the mountain valley
settlement of Mai Chau. Overnight in a Thai
ethnicity stilt house in Mai Chau. (B, L, D)
Day 2: Mai Chau
There are many
small roads that lead into the mountains around
Mai Chau so we’ll take the chance to ride out
to isolated H’mong, Dao and Thai villages. We
will take on the challenge of an old road built
by the French army and spend the afternoon
exploring nearby villages. Overnight in a Thai
ethnicity stilt house in Mai Chau. (B, L, D)
Day 3: Mai Chau - Vinh
We head south on a
beautiful winding road which follows the banks
of the Ma River until we join the new Ho Chi
Minh Highway. This newly carved route leads us
due south, through remote back country, not far
from the Lao border. In the afternoon we cut
eastwards towards the coast and stay overnight
in the coastal city of Vinh, which is close to
where Ho Chi Minh was born. Overnight in Vinh.
(B, L, D)
Day 4: Vinh - Dong Hoi
We head south
along Highway One, before heading inland towards
the Lao border. We pass the Dong Loc
intersection, (main junction for supply lines
during the War) which is widely regarded in
Vietnamese eyes as the beginning of the Ho Chi
Minh Trail. We then pass through remote back
country, close to the border, as the scenery
steadily becomes dominated by karst limestone
rock formations. We pass two famous
intersections where until 1972 most of the
Trail's traffic passed over into Lao. In the
afternoon we arrive at the World Heritage site
of Phong Nha where local civilians and military
sheltered from incessant bombing during wartime.
Then we drive down to the coastal town of Doing
Hoi, which was heavily shelled by US warships
during the war. At a hotel over looking the
beach, we can take in some sunbathing by the
beach. Overnight in Dong Hoi. (B, L, D)
Day 5: Dong Hoi - Khe Sanh
We strike south
through foothills which were once sprayed
heavily by Agent Orange towards the former DMZ.
There is still much evidence of bombing on the
mountain sides and from time to time we will see
remnants of the original Trail. We take in the
famous Hien Luong Bridge (former demarcation
line between North and South Vietnam, Khe Sanh
(former US Marine base), Lang Vie (former US
special forces base) and the Truong Son
Cemetery. Overnight in Khe Sanh. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Khe Sanh - Hue
In the morning we
head south over the Da Krong Bridge (built by
the Cubans in 1973) into the infamous A Shau
valley, an area of intense wartime activity.
Passing Hamburger Hill and mountains still
barren due to the extended effects of Agent
Orange, we arrive at A Luoi, where there are
many Bru Van hill tribe people. Then, cruising
through green back country down the steep Me Oi
Pass, we continue on to the beautiful city of
Hue which lies along the banks of the Perfume
River. Overnight in Hue. (B, L, D)
Day 7: Hue Sightsee Tour
Hue is the former
imperial capital of feudal Vietnam and is a
perfect place to relax after our driving to
date. Take a boat cruise along the Perfume River
to visit the tombs of the former Emperors Minh
Mang and Tu Duc ior visit the remains of the
Imperial Citadel, which was largely destroyed
during the Tet Offensive in 1968. Overnight in
Hue. (B, L, D)
Day 8: Hue - Hoi An
We head back up
the Me Oi pass to A Luoi in order the rejoin the
Trail. Many Ta Oi and Co Tu people will be seen
tending their fields. We then skirt the Lao
border on the side of a large mountain covered
in thick jungle. At the remote town of Hien we
turn off the trail and drop down the Ba Na
mountain range to the World Heritage site of Hoi
An, a major trading centre in SE Asia in the
16th and 17th centuries. Overnight in Hoi An.
(B, L, D)
Day 9: Hoi An - Dearture
Those who wish can
ride up to China Beach, where US marines first
landed, otherwise enjoy a free day to explore
Hoi An by foot or by bike. With fine wining and
dining (including a range of Hoi An
specialties), impressive architecture, fantastic
tailoring, endless shopping, and a glorious
beach, there is no shortage of activities to
indulge in. Overnight in Hoi An. End of tour.
(B, L)
There are two options: Return to Hanoi on
train or go down South on your own.
B: Breakfast.
L: Lunch.
D: Dinner.
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