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Explore Vietnam’s beauty on our Ho Chi Minh Trail bike ride! ( https://goldentrailtravel.com/vietnam-cycling-tours )Discover the stunning landscapes from Hanoi to Hoi An. Experience the thrill of cycling through lush valleys, picturesque villages, and historic sites. Join our Ho Chi Minh Trail bike tour for an unforgettable adventure.
Over the next ten days, we’ll pedal our way through diverse terrains, from lush valleys to historic trails, and even coastal roads with stunning vistas. Our journey will take us from the bustling streets of Hanoi to the tranquil beauty of Mai Chau, through remote mountain ranges, past war relics, and into the enchanting world of Phong Nha National Park. We’ll explore caves, pass through charming villages, and learn about the fascinating history of Vietnam.
This adventure is more than just a cycling trip; it’s a cultural immersion, a chance to meet locals, and an opportunity to witness Vietnam’s stunning natural beauty up close. So fasten your helmet, hop on your bike, and get ready for an incredible exploration of Vietnam’s hidden treasures. Your readers are in for a treat, and you’re in for an unforgettable experience!
Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau.
The Vietnam Cycling Tours team will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi. We’ll start our journey to Mai Chau early in the morning, and the drive is simply breathtaking. From the summit of Cun Mountain, you can take in the panoramic view of Mai Chau’s lush green valley with its charming stilt houses dotting the landscape. We’ll have an early lunch at Poom Coong village before we embark on our cycling adventure. We’ll ride on a combination of well-maintained single-track paths and undulating rough jeep trails, taking us to the Thai village of Cun Pheo. Along the way, you’ll be treated to remarkable views as we pass through villages, hot springs, suspension bridges, and picturesque rice paddies. We’ll spend the night in Mai Chau.
Day 2: Mai Chau – Yen Cat.
We’ll kick off the day early to beat the heat. Our journey will lead us away from the river, taking us through a range of mountains stretching from Mai Chau to Cuc Phuong to Hoa Lu. You’ll have ample opportunities for stunning photos with the ever-present and majestic Karst limestone cliffs and abundant lush vegetation. Although we’ll be on a paved road, the terrain can be a bit challenging due to its rolling nature. At Ngoc Lac, we’ll board a bus to transfer to Nhu Xuan, giving our tired legs a rest. We’ll spend the night in a local hotel in Nhu Xuan.
Day 3: Yen Cat – Vinh.
Today, our ride will take us on the newly constructed two-lane Ho Chi Minh Highway. Despite light traffic, this road provides a smooth and fast cycling experience. For those who prefer it, there’s also the older gravel highway that meanders alongside the new one, offering plenty of exploration opportunities. A must-see along the route is the birthplace of President Ho Chi Minh in Kim Lien village. This province has a history of producing charismatic revolutionary leaders; not only was Ho Chi Minh born here, but also Phan Boi Chau, another fervent anti-colonialist. From Kim Lien, we’ll likely transfer to Vinh city by bus or car.
Day 4: Vinh – Huong Khe.
After breakfast, our shuttle will take us back to the Ho Chi Minh Highway. We’ll disembark at Pho Chau, where our cycling adventure begins. Today’s roads wind their way through lush jungles and picturesque villages nestled in the shadow of the historic Truong Son Mountain range. By day’s end, we’ll reach Huong Khe, a remote town in Nghe An province. We’ll spend the night in a standard guesthouse.
Day 5: Huong Khe – Phong Nha National Park.
After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll continue our journey on the Ho Chi Minh Trail. From Huong Khe, the mountains rise majestically, and the road winds along the hillsides. The scenery is breathtaking, and the road peaceful. We’ll cycle up to 80km and then transfer to Phong Nha National Park. The park is home to one of Vietnam’s most spectacular caves, which was formed around 250 million years ago and served as a hospital and ammunition depot during the war. The entrance still bears the marks of aircraft attacks. There are ongoing community projects with Flora and Fauna International, and you may have the opportunity to visit village initiatives and learn more about the forests. We’ll spend the night in a standard National Park Guest House.
Day 6: Phong Nha National Park – Dong Hoi.
After breakfast, we’ll visit the magnificent Phong Nha cave by boat and explore the cavern, passing by ancient Cham ruins. The stalactites and stalagmites here are awe-inspiring. Exploring the cave typically takes a few hours, after which we’ll return to the hotel. We’ll then hop back on our bikes and head toward the charming town of Dong Hoi.
Day 7: Dong Hoi – Khe Sanh.
For a brief detour from the Ho Chi Minh highway, we’ll drive approximately 100km along a flat stretch of Highway 1 to visit the Vinh Moc Tunnels. These 2.8km tunnels served as a refuge for the Vietnamese during heavy bombardments by American troops during the Vietnam War. Just 30km from Dong Ha, we’ll resume our cycling journey across the DMZ, better known as the 17th Parallel. The road is mostly flat and perfect for cruising. Along the way, you’ll pass by remnants from the war, ultimately reaching the Vietnam/Laos border town of Khe Sanh, where some of the most intense battles of the war took place. We’ll spend the night in a hotel in Khe Sanh.
Day 8: Khe Sanh – A Luoi.
After exploring Khe Sanh, we’ll begin our ride on H9 to Dakrong Bridge, then turn onto the southern section of the HCM Trail. This will lead us into the mountains along a remote and extraordinary road to the small town of A Luoi. The route takes us through dense forests and stunning landscapes. A Luoi is home to various ethnic minorities and is known for the historic Hamburger Hill.
Day 9: A Luoi – Hue.
Following breakfast, we’ll leave the HCM Trail for good and cycle 60km to reach Hue. The ride is relatively easy as the terrain is mostly flat. You’ll pass through charming villages, lush jungles, and alongside rivers. Our ride concludes at Bach Ho Bridge, and we’ll take a short bus ride for the last 12km into Hue.
Day 10: Hue – Hai Van Pass – Hoi An.
Today, we head south to Hoi An, crossing the famous Hai Van Pass, often called the ‘Pass of the Ocean Clouds.’ Our journey will take us via Lang Co Beach, where we’ll conquer a couple of 2km climbs before enjoying a thrilling descent covering 20 kilometers. Upon reaching Da Nang, we’ll wrap up the cycling portion of our adventure and switch to a comfortable vehicle for a 60-minute transfer to Hoi An.
Ho Chi Minh Trail bike tours
Vietnam Cycling Tours is a local bike tour operator housing an experienced team of biking guide, bike mechanic, driver, cycling tour consultant and bicycle specialists. We can create a unique, custom-designed independent itinerary that is fully adapted to your needs, whether you are traveling solo, with family and friends, or as a group. The itinerary above is only a sample that can be re-designed to better fit your needs and/or budget. Please click here to let us know what you are interested in adding or excluding to customize a selected itinerary or to design a completely new program just for you.
Explore Vietnam’s beauty on our Ho Chi Minh Trail bike ride! ( https://goldentrailtravel.com/vietnam-cycling-tours )Discover the stunning landscapes from Hanoi to Hoi An. Experience the thrill of cycling through lush valleys, picturesque villages, and historic sites. Join our Ho Chi Minh Trail bike tour for an unforgettable adventure.
Over the next ten days, we’ll pedal our way through diverse terrains, from lush valleys to historic trails, and even coastal roads with stunning vistas. Our journey will take us from the bustling streets of Hanoi to the tranquil beauty of Mai Chau, through remote mountain ranges, past war relics, and into the enchanting world of Phong Nha National Park. We’ll explore caves, pass through charming villages, and learn about the fascinating history of Vietnam.
This adventure is more than just a cycling trip; it’s a cultural immersion, a chance to meet locals, and an opportunity to witness Vietnam’s stunning natural beauty up close. So fasten your helmet, hop on your bike, and get ready for an incredible exploration of Vietnam’s hidden treasures. Your readers are in for a treat, and you’re in for an unforgettable experience!
Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau.
The Vietnam Cycling Tours team will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi. We’ll start our journey to Mai Chau early in the morning, and the drive is simply breathtaking. From the summit of Cun Mountain, you can take in the panoramic view of Mai Chau’s lush green valley with its charming stilt houses dotting the landscape. We’ll have an early lunch at Poom Coong village before we embark on our cycling adventure. We’ll ride on a combination of well-maintained single-track paths and undulating rough jeep trails, taking us to the Thai village of Cun Pheo. Along the way, you’ll be treated to remarkable views as we pass through villages, hot springs, suspension bridges, and picturesque rice paddies. We’ll spend the night in Mai Chau.
Day 2: Mai Chau – Yen Cat.
We’ll kick off the day early to beat the heat. Our journey will lead us away from the river, taking us through a range of mountains stretching from Mai Chau to Cuc Phuong to Hoa Lu. You’ll have ample opportunities for stunning photos with the ever-present and majestic Karst limestone cliffs and abundant lush vegetation. Although we’ll be on a paved road, the terrain can be a bit challenging due to its rolling nature. At Ngoc Lac, we’ll board a bus to transfer to Nhu Xuan, giving our tired legs a rest. We’ll spend the night in a local hotel in Nhu Xuan.
Day 3: Yen Cat – Vinh.
Today, our ride will take us on the newly constructed two-lane Ho Chi Minh Highway. Despite light traffic, this road provides a smooth and fast cycling experience. For those who prefer it, there’s also the older gravel highway that meanders alongside the new one, offering plenty of exploration opportunities. A must-see along the route is the birthplace of President Ho Chi Minh in Kim Lien village. This province has a history of producing charismatic revolutionary leaders; not only was Ho Chi Minh born here, but also Phan Boi Chau, another fervent anti-colonialist. From Kim Lien, we’ll likely transfer to Vinh city by bus or car.
Day 4: Vinh – Huong Khe.
After breakfast, our shuttle will take us back to the Ho Chi Minh Highway. We’ll disembark at Pho Chau, where our cycling adventure begins. Today’s roads wind their way through lush jungles and picturesque villages nestled in the shadow of the historic Truong Son Mountain range. By day’s end, we’ll reach Huong Khe, a remote town in Nghe An province. We’ll spend the night in a standard guesthouse.
Day 5: Huong Khe – Phong Nha National Park.
After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll continue our journey on the Ho Chi Minh Trail. From Huong Khe, the mountains rise majestically, and the road winds along the hillsides. The scenery is breathtaking, and the road peaceful. We’ll cycle up to 80km and then transfer to Phong Nha National Park. The park is home to one of Vietnam’s most spectacular caves, which was formed around 250 million years ago and served as a hospital and ammunition depot during the war. The entrance still bears the marks of aircraft attacks. There are ongoing community projects with Flora and Fauna International, and you may have the opportunity to visit village initiatives and learn more about the forests. We’ll spend the night in a standard National Park Guest House.
Day 6: Phong Nha National Park – Dong Hoi.
After breakfast, we’ll visit the magnificent Phong Nha cave by boat and explore the cavern, passing by ancient Cham ruins. The stalactites and stalagmites here are awe-inspiring. Exploring the cave typically takes a few hours, after which we’ll return to the hotel. We’ll then hop back on our bikes and head toward the charming town of Dong Hoi.
Day 7: Dong Hoi – Khe Sanh.
For a brief detour from the Ho Chi Minh highway, we’ll drive approximately 100km along a flat stretch of Highway 1 to visit the Vinh Moc Tunnels. These 2.8km tunnels served as a refuge for the Vietnamese during heavy bombardments by American troops during the Vietnam War. Just 30km from Dong Ha, we’ll resume our cycling journey across the DMZ, better known as the 17th Parallel. The road is mostly flat and perfect for cruising. Along the way, you’ll pass by remnants from the war, ultimately reaching the Vietnam/Laos border town of Khe Sanh, where some of the most intense battles of the war took place. We’ll spend the night in a hotel in Khe Sanh.
Day 8: Khe Sanh – A Luoi.
After exploring Khe Sanh, we’ll begin our ride on H9 to Dakrong Bridge, then turn onto the southern section of the HCM Trail. This will lead us into the mountains along a remote and extraordinary road to the small town of A Luoi. The route takes us through dense forests and stunning landscapes. A Luoi is home to various ethnic minorities and is known for the historic Hamburger Hill.
Day 9: A Luoi – Hue.
Following breakfast, we’ll leave the HCM Trail for good and cycle 60km to reach Hue. The ride is relatively easy as the terrain is mostly flat. You’ll pass through charming villages, lush jungles, and alongside rivers. Our ride concludes at Bach Ho Bridge, and we’ll take a short bus ride for the last 12km into Hue.
Day 10: Hue – Hai Van Pass – Hoi An.
Today, we head south to Hoi An, crossing the famous Hai Van Pass, often called the ‘Pass of the Ocean Clouds.’ Our journey will take us via Lang Co Beach, where we’ll conquer a couple of 2km climbs before enjoying a thrilling descent covering 20 kilometers. Upon reaching Da Nang, we’ll wrap up the cycling portion of our adventure and switch to a comfortable vehicle for a 60-minute transfer to Hoi An.
Ho Chi Minh Trail bike tours
Vietnam Cycling Tours is a local bike tour operator housing an experienced team of biking guide, bike mechanic, driver, cycling tour consultant and bicycle specialists. We can create a unique, custom-designed independent itinerary that is fully adapted to your needs, whether you are traveling solo, with family and friends, or as a group. The itinerary above is only a sample that can be re-designed to better fit your needs and/or budget. Please click here to let us know what you are interested in adding or excluding to customize a selected itinerary or to design a completely new program just for you.