North to South Classic
Hanoi — Pu Luong — Vinh — Phong Nha National Park — Khe Sanh — Hue — Hoi An — Kon Tum — Quy Nhon — Nha Trang — Dalat — Cat Tien National Park — Ho Chi Minh
The most popular ride in Vietnam! This ride is exceptional at any time of year.
Share:
Tour Overview
Pickup from airport in Hanoi. Return to airport in Ho Chi Minh
16-day motorcycle tour (including arrival and departure days)
2700 km (total distance)
Royal Enfield Himalayan 400
Pillion riders welcome
Tour Details
Itinerary
Arrival Day
We will pick you up from the airport and transfer to your hotel. The day is free to explore the city. Your tour guide will meet you in the afternoon for a full tour briefing, and perhaps a drink or two! We take you out for dinner for your first taste of traditional Vietnamese food.
Day 1: Hanoi — Pu Luong
Although the traffic in Hanoi gets really busy, we’ll start at the edge of the city and quickly leave the traffic behind and enter the countryside towns to the south. After a couple of hours of small towns and farmland, you can see the mountains ahead.
As we enter the area of the White Thai tribe we’ll stop for some hill tribe style lunch in a traditional wooden-framed building. As the road twists through the jungle-covered mountain, we’ll continue further into the mountains.
As the road twists through the jungle-covered mountain, we’ll continue further into the mountains. We’ll stop at the impressive Bong Lai temple, where we can explore amazing caves.
We climb over steep Karst mountains as we enter the stunning landscape of Pu Luong Nature Reserve. There, we can watch the sunset over the stepped rice terraces and sharp pointed mountains.
Day 2: Pu Luong — Vinh
We start the day riding through Pu Luong National Park, with incredible stepped rice paddy terraces up steep cliffs and thick bamboo forest.
Following that, we’ll join the Ho Chi Minh Trail going south through rolling hills and peaceful farmland and stop for a local style lunch at one of many roadside rest areas. Along the coast are find beautiful beaches, countless shrimp farms, and small fishing villages.
As we get to Vinh city we’ll finish at our hotel relaxing by the pool.
Day 3: Vinh — Phong Nha National Park
We start with tanks, missiles, planes and other military vehicles parked up at the Vinh museum and from here we’ll head to Dong Loc junction, the official start of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Following the trail, you can see all types of countryside and farming styles in the small villages. We’ll stop for a local style Lunch on the lake and then continue along the Ho Chi Minh trail. The road starts to climb into the mountains and eventually reaches the limestone karst formation mountains that mark the edge of Phong Nha national park.
Finishing our ride with some of the most amazing mountain scenery in Vietnam, we will reach the Farmstay in time to watch the sunset over the rice paddies.
Day 4: Phong Nha Adventure Day
Today is a full day to explore Phong Nha National Park. Magnificent limestone karst mountains and pristine jungle. Boat rides, cave trips, or buffalo rides are all available here…. or just spend the day relaxing by the pool!
Tour options will be made available on arrival, depending on the season.
Day 5: Phong Nha — Khe Sanh
We follow the historic Victory Road through the jungle and out towards the Laos border through Phong Nha National Park, a UNESCO Heritage area of natural beauty. Next, we’ll join the Ho Chi Minh Trail West road. One of the best roads in Asia for bikers, this road should be on everyone’s bucket list. As we come to the start of the giant limestone Karst formation mountains we can stop for lunch in a small hill tribe town.
In the seemingly endless mountains and jungle, you can see small wooden stilt house villages where the tribes live a peaceful traditional style. After that is an 1100 meter climb over a mountain pass in untouched jungle followed by a visit to the Khe Sanh combat base. The longest battle of all the wars in Vietnam took place here and we can see tanks, helicopters, and planes still sitting on the runway as well as a small museum.
Finally, just a short ride through the coffee farms brings us to Khe Sanh town.
Day 6: Khe Sanh — Hue
We begin by following Route 9 past the remains of many US Bases and out of the mountains and start to cross the DMZ itself, now covered in rubber plantations and pine trees. We’ll visit the 17th Parallel marker and see the famous Hien Luong bridge.
Heading down to the coast, you’ll get a chance to see the incredible underground tunnel network at Vinh Moc village. The entire village lived underground for 8 years to escape the American bombing! A truly amazing place. Following that will be a local style lunch at Vinh Moc and then we’ll track the coast through small fishing villages and aqua-farming ponds.
After crossing the beautiful Tam Giang lagoon, we’ll take the small back roads into Hue city where a cold beer awaits us at the hotel!
Day 7: Hue — Hoi An
Begin the day with a visit to the imperial citadel of Hue, a UNESCO world heritage site, and home to the last emperors of Vietnam. Heading out of the city, you’ll quickly find yourself back in endless rice paddies and riding small roads through the countryside where you can see the massive square fishing nets spread across the giant Tam Giang lagoon system. Afterwards, we’ll visit the City of Ghosts, Vietnam’s most luxurious cemetery followed by lunch on the beach.
Next is a real treat: a short ride down the beautiful Lang Co bay brings us to the incredible Hai Van Pass, where 21 kilometers of sweeping bends over 500 meters of jungle-covered mountain gives us the most amazing coastal views in central Vietnam.
Day 8: Hoi An
Today’s a rest day, with many options available. A day wandering the streets of Hoi An ancient town is delightful, and diving and snorkeling are available in the summer months.
Day 9: Hoi An — Mang Den
Leaving the coast, we can see the mountains ahead as we slowly climb through small villages and rice farming areas.
The rice farming turns to acacia tree plantations and later to jungle as we climb into the hills. In the dense jungle, we’ll find waterfalls and other impressive sights. Lunch will be local style in a remote hill tribe town.
The road from here is only a few years old and we often have it all to ourselves as we’ll climb up to about 1800 meters. From here, there are amazing views of untouched jungle as we ride through small ethnic minority hill tribe villages.
We follow the Ho Chi Minh Road through amazing terrain as we make our way up to the pine forrest plateau around our destination.
Mang Den still feels like the old French hill town of its former days.
Day 10: Mang Den — Quy Nhon
We can stop and marvel at the high thatched roofs on the hill tribe village halls in the SeDang tribal villages, as we make our way south through the jungle.
Stop to marvel at remote waterfalls and perhaps take a quick swim to cool off.
Next is a drive through the endless pepper plantations and rubber tree forests before heading east. The road will start to drop steeply off the high plateau with endless zig-zag hairpin turns to bring us down the mountain.
As we finish our descent we are back into the beautiful rice paddies and corn fields, we’ll pay a visit to the towering Banh It temple sat on top of a hill. Built in the 12th century by the Cham people, it gives great views down to the coast
Our hotel sits right on the beach and we’ll arrive in time for a swim and a cold beer!
Day 11: Quy Nhon — Nha Trang
Following the coast, you can see traditional fishing villages and beautiful beaches. We’ll cross the famous bamboo bridge to head towards the Ganh Da Dia rock formation, where black basalt rock was formed into geometric shapes by volcanic forces.
Passing by the newly built and unused Tuy Hoa airport, you’ll get amazing coastal views from up on the hills.
A visit is possible to the old French lighthouse if you don’t mind a few hundred steps. We’ll take the road south through the countryside and, with a few more stretches of a sweeping coastal bend, get our first glimpse of Nha Trang.
A boom in tourism sees nearly 5 million visitors come to this town each year. Not bad for a city of just 500,000. After checking into the hotel, it’s out to the beach or into the lively bars and nightclubs.
Day 12: Nha Trang — Dalat
Leaving the city, we stop at the Dien Khanh Citadel. Built in 1793, it is still in remarkable condition. Now we’ll start to climb the Khanh Le mountain pass, one of Vietnam’s most fun roads. Climbing steeply to over 1600 meters, you can’t keep count of the zig-zag bends! Scenic viewing areas are abundant.
As we come into Dalat there are huge fruit and vegetable farms and fields of strawberries. Dalat grows all the produce that needs a cooler climate. We’ll a local style lunch in Dalat town, and in the afternoon we have time to visit 2 or 3 of Dalat’s many tourist sights. Some are interesting, some are romantic, and some are just totally crazy!
Riding between tourist sights lets us explore the small lanes and French colonial villas of the city.
Day 13: Dalat — Cat Tien National Park
The Dalat area has many famous waterfalls, and this morning we have time to enjoy 1 or 2 of them. With rolling hills ans great views, we make our way to Cat Tien National Park. Cat Tien is one of the largest areas of lowland tropical forest left in Vietnam. It has been a protected area since 1978 and is home to many rare animal species.
Day 14: Cat Tien National Park — Ho Chi Minh
Leaving Cat Tien, we’ll follow the small countryside roads, staying away from the heavy traffic on the main highways. There are river crossings and the Tri An Lake to enjoy today. As we head south the traffic eventually gets a bit busier, but if we time it right we should reach the city early afternoon when the traffic is quieter. The city is full of amazing architecture with new skyscrapers everywhere we look.
When we reach the city centre, we’ll finish the tour with a nice cold beer!
Departure Day
Enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel with your group. Transfer to the airport is included.
Gear Provided
HELMET
High-quality full-face and open-face helmets
GLOVES
Durable riding gloves for grip and protection
RIDING JACKETS
Protective motorcycle jackets with armor
RAIN GEAR
Waterproof gear for wet weather
LUGGAGE SOLUTIONS
20 litre dry bags and bungee cables
MULTIPLE SIZES*
*Subject to availability
Pricing
Tour Price
Pillion Price
Private Accommodation Supplement
Private Tour (solo rider)
All prices given are in $USD (United States Dollars)
Inclusions
- As-new condition motorcycle
- Experienced, English-speaking tour guide
- All fuel, oil, spare parts, tools as required
- All meals while on tour
- Snacks
- Water & soft drinks while on tour
- First aid kit
- Accommodation fees while on tour
- Entry fees, tolls and other ‘on the road’ fees
- Waterproof jacket & pants
- Tour mechanic
- Pick up & return to hotel (or airport)
What You'll Ride
Royal Enfield Himalayan 400
Engine
Engine Type
Displacement
Bore X Stroke
Ignition
Fuel System
Compression Ratio
Transmission
Starter
Gearbox
Wheels, Suspension and Brakes
Front Suspension
Rear Suspension
Front Brakes
Rear Brakes
Front Tyres
Rear Tyres
Dimensions
Wheelbase
Seat Height
Ground Clearance
Kerb Weight
Fuel Capacity
Dimensions
Gallery
FAQ
When is the best time of year?
Is prior off-road or adventure riding experience required?
What sort of accommodation will we have?
How much luggage can we bring?
What equipment do you provide?
Are there any ‘hidden costs’?
Great company, from start to finish. Tony our tour guide was excellent, accommodation, food and tour was amazing. Highly recommended them for your next adventure.
Guiden Viet was very good at it and a very happy biker.
The upgrades like the crash guards and the reinforced luggage racks they add to their Himalayans (impressive bikes) are welcome additions.
More Motorcycle Tours
- Pickup and return to airport in Danang
- 9-day (includes arrival and departure days)
- US$1850/rider
- Pickup and return to airport in Hanoi
- 12-day (includes arrival and departure days)
- US$2600/rider
- Pickup from airport in Hanoi. Return to airport in Danang
- 9-day (includes arrival and departure days)
- US$1850/rider
- Start - OYB Office in Hoi An. Finish - any hotel in Phong Nha
- 4-day tour
- US$960/rider
