Ho Chi Minh Trail Bike Ride Hanoi to Hoi An – 10 Days

We’ll start the day early to avoid the heat. Our route will take us away from the river, through a series of mountains that stretch from Mai Chau to Cuc Phuong and Hoa Lu. Along the way, you’ll have plenty of chances to capture stunning photos of the majestic Karst limestone cliffs and lush greenery. While the road is paved, the terrain can be challenging due to its rolling nature. In Ngoc Lac, we’ll hop on a bus for a transfer to Nhu Xuan, allowing our tired legs to rest. We’ll end the day with an overnight stay at a local hotel in Nhu Xuan.

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.

After breakfast, our shuttle will take us back to the Ho Chi Minh Highway, where we’ll disembark at Pho Chau to begin our cycling adventure. Today’s route will take us through lush jungles and charming villages, all set against the backdrop of the historic Truong Son Mountain range. By the end of the day, we’ll arrive in Huong Khe, a remote town in Nghe An province. We’ll spend the night in a comfortable guesthouse.

After a relaxed breakfast, we’ll continue our journey along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. From Huong Khe, the mountains rise dramatically as the road winds through the hillsides, offering breathtaking views and a peaceful atmosphere. We’ll cycle up to 80 km before transferring to Phong Nha National Park. This park is home to one of Vietnam’s most impressive caves, formed around 250 million years ago, which once served as a hospital and ammunition depot during the war. The cave’s entrance still bears the scars of aircraft attacks. There are ongoing community projects with Flora and Fauna International, and you may have the chance to visit local initiatives and learn about the conservation efforts in the surrounding forests. We’ll spend the night in a standard National Park Guest House.

After breakfast, we’ll embark on a boat trip to explore the magnificent Phong Nha Cave. As we navigate through the cavern, we’ll pass by ancient Cham ruins, with awe-inspiring stalactites and stalagmites surrounding us. The cave exploration usually takes a few hours, after which we’ll return to the hotel. Following that, we’ll hop back on our bikes and cycle toward the charming town of Dong Hoi.

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.

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.

After breakfast, we’ll leave the HCM Trail behind and cycle 60 km towards Hue. The ride is relatively easy, with mostly flat terrain as we pass through charming villages, lush jungles, and along scenic rivers. Our cycling journey will conclude at Bach Ho Bridge, where we’ll take a short bus ride for the final 12 km into Hue.

Today, we’ll head south to Hoi An, crossing the famous Hai Van Pass, also known as the ‘Pass of the Ocean Clouds.’ Our route will take us past Lang Co Beach, where we’ll tackle a couple of 2 km climbs before enjoying an exhilarating 20 km descent. Upon reaching Da Nang, we’ll conclude the cycling portion of our journey and transfer to a comfortable vehicle for a 60-minute ride to Hoi An.