Cycling Adventure on the Ho Chi Minh Trail

Begin the tour with a flight from either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to Dong Hoi. Upon arrival at the airport in Dong Hoi, a guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to the hotel for check in. Overnight in Dong Hoi

Distance and Journey Time
Transfer from Donghoi airport to riding point: 1 hour
Cycling distance: 18-30 miles – the distance is varied based on the time of arrival
Difficulty: Easy

After an early morning exploration of Paradise Cave, a vehicle transfer of approximately one and a half hours will be provided. Then, the cycling begins! Ride the Ho Chi Minh Trail across the DMZ, also known as the 17th Parallel, to Cam Lo; the road here is quite flat. A stop will be made en route to visit the Truong Son Cemetery, a memorial to the tens of thousands of North Vietnamese soldiers who were killed in the Truong Son Mountains along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. It’s a short cycle farther, just 8.5 miles to the town of Cam Lo; the trail here leads directly across the border into Laos. Instead of crossing into Laos, a vehicle transfer continues your Vietnamese adventure to Khe Sanh, near the border of Laos, the site of a former US marine base and the infamous 1968 battle. Overnight in Khe Sanh

Distance and Journey Time
Transfer: 1.5 hours
Cycling distance: 50 miles
Difficulty: Medium

The morning begins with a visit to the Khe Sanh combat base where relics of the war are exhibited. The old airstrip is also found here, where to this day nothing will grow. Ride through spectacular scenery, mainly downhill, from the Laos border to Dakrong River. Cross the bridge and ride along the river to what was once considered the southern part of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Again, enjoy a traffic-free road as the terrain undulates throughout the hills; a nice contrast to the flat plains of the previous day’s ride.
Overnight in A Luoi

Distance and Journey Time
Cycling distance up to: 40 miles
Difficulty: Medium

Due to the bad roads south of A Loui, the journey cuts across the countryside to Hue. The ride travels through the middle of Vietnam for about 35 miles on back roads before hitting Highway 1, just a few miles south of Hue. You have the choice to continue the ride into town or transfer by vehicle. Overnight in Hue

Distance and Journey Time
Cycling distance up to: 45 miles
Difficulty: Medium

Following breakfast, enjoy a relatively easy cycle through the lush countryside of Hue on a mix of footpaths and quiet country lanes. Hue was the seat of the thirteen Nguyen Emperors from 1802 to 1945, and your first stop is a visit to their former Imperial Citadel. After exploring the ruins of this grand monument, ride the backstreets along the banks of the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, the official symbol of the city.
Scattered throughout the surrounding area of Hue are royal tombs from the Nguyen emperors. The ride continues onwards into the countryside to visit some of the tombs, including the Ming Manh mausoleum and the funerary monument to Khai Dinh, looping back across the river to Hue. The afternoon is free to explore Hue. Overnight in Hue

Distance and Journey Time
Cycling distance up to: 20 miles
Difficulty: Easy

Today marks an epic ride with two short hills to conquer before the big climb of the day, a 7-mile ascent to the Hai Van Pass. As the main road tunnels through the mountain, there will be very little traffic on the old road running up and over. Before making the ascent, enjoy a break for lunch at Lang Co beach with some time to swim and enjoy its white sands and emerald waters. After reaching the summit, coast down to Danang and transfer onwards 25 miles to the UNESCO-celebrated ancient town of Hoi An. In the evening, explore the lanes of this ancient port town. While dinner will be on your own, Hoi An’s pedestrian-oriented layout offers plenty of choices. Overnight in Hoi An

Distance and Journey Time
Transfer: 1 hour
Cycling distance up to: 65 miles
Difficulty: Hard

It is an easy ride out to visit the My Son Sanctuary, the ancient spiritual center of the Cham civilization. To avoid the traffic of the main road, there will be a brief transfer out of town, sending today’s cycle along scenic back country roads through paddy fields, eucalyptus forests, and scenic villages. The meandering road ultimately leads to My Son, where, despite being largely destroyed during the Vietnam/American War, many temples still impressively stand. A brief lunch break will be had before entering the temple sanctuary, followed by a late afternoon return to Hoi An by bus. Spend the evening wandering Hoi An and soaking up the unique atmosphere of this quaint town. Overnight in Hoi An

Distance and Journey Time
Transfer: 1 hour
Cycling distance up to: 34 miles
Difficulty: Easy

Spend the day at leisure until the departing flight back to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City – or extend your stay in Asia!