TOP GEAR VIETNAM MOTORCYCLE TOUR FROM HANOI TO SAIGON ALONG THE COASTLINE – 18 DAYS
Destinations: Hanoi - Cuc Phuong National Park - Vinh - Huong Khe - Phong Nha - Khe Sanh - DMZ - Vinh Moc Tunnels – Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An - My Son Sanctuary - Quy Nhon - Nha Trang - Mui Ne - Saigon
Price: Contact Duration: 18 Days
Highlights:
This 18-day Vietnam Motorcycle Tour from Hanoi to Saigon via Hoi An, Nha Trang, Mui Ne is a combination of sightseeing and offroad riding which offers you the best of Vietnam from North to South via Central coastline. It will take you along the highway with challenging roads, wallowing in the wilderness, catching up the infinite natural scenery and staying in the beautiful white sandy beaches in Danang, Hoi An, Quy Nhon, Mui Ne… The mountains, the winding passes, the valleys and the friendly local people constitute a memorable time which would properly surprise you.
Route Map:
Itinerary:
Day 1: Hanoi Motorbike Tour to Cuc Phuong National Park
Day 2: Cuc Phuong National Park Motorcycle Tour To Vinh City
Day 3: Vinh Motorcycle Tour To Huong Khe (Ha Tinh)
Day 4: Huong Khe motorbike tour to Phong Nha (Quang Binh)
Day 5: Phong Nha motorbike tour to Khe Sanh in Quang Tri (Roughly 250 Km – 7 hours of riding)
Day 6: Quang Tri Motorcycle Tours to DMZ & Vinh Moc Tunnels – Motorbike Tours to Hue (200 Km – 6 hours of riding)
Day 7: Hue Motorcycle Tour for Sightseeings
Day 8: Hue Motorbike Tours via Da Nang to Hoi An (150 Km – 5 hours of riding)
Day 1: Top Gear Vietnam Motorcycle Tour from Hanoi to Saigon via Hoi An, Nha Trang, Muine: Hanoi Motorbike Tour to Cuc Phuong National Park
Hanoi Motorbike Tour to Cuc Phuong National Park
Upon arrival, we take a walk around the Primate Center and then drive further into the middle of the national park. Right here, you won’t have to walk far to find interesting birds or trees. After lunch right in the middle of the rainforest, we’ll have free time for a relaxing walk around and take a visit to the primitive cave before driving back to your bungalow in the mid of forest for an overnight Overnight at Bungalow in Jungle. In the morning, our tour guide with your bikes will be ready in front of your hotel to pick you up at 08.30, and then we will start our Hanoi Motorcycle Tour to Cuc Phuong National Park for about 4 hours. Cuc Phuong National Park
Established in 1962, Cuc Phuong National Park is one of Vietnam’s most beautiful and important protected areas and easily accessible from Hanoi – only a 2 ½ hour journey by road. The ancient forest contains almost 2000 species of trees and amongst them lives some amazing and rare animals including the Clouded leopard, Delacour’s Langur, Owston’s Civet, Otters and Asian Black Bears. The park is surrounded by several limestone cliffs, the highest being May Bac, meaning “silver cloud,” with a height of 656m. There are plenty of plants and mammals living in the park. There are an estimated 2,000 different species of flora and the 450 species fauna account for 38% of the national fauna.
Summary:
Distance: 160 km
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Bungalow
Day 2: Top Gear Vietnam Motorcycle Tour from Hanoi to Saigon via Hoi An, Nha Trang, Muine: Cuc Phuong National Park Motorcycle Tour To Vinh City
Say goodbye to the villagers we then head south on a beautiful winding road which follow the banks of the Ma River. After some hours riding on undulating quiet road we join the new Ho Chi Minh Highway. This newly carved route leads us due south, through remote back country, not far from the Laos border. Lunch will be on the way with local foods. In the afternoon we cut eastward towards the coast and stay overnight in the peaceful city of Vinh, which is close to where Ho Chi Minh was born. Dinner in local restaurant and overnight in hotel.
Summary
Distance: 230 km
Accommodation: Hotel in Vinh City
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Vietnam Motorcycle Tour from Hanoi to Saigon via Hoi An, Nha Trang, Mui Ne: Vinh Motorcycle Tour To Huong Khe (Ha Tinh)
After paying respects to Uncle Ho, we head to the HCM Highway via Thanh Chuong District. You cross the Lam River on the Ro Bridge and then drive primarily on the beautiful new highway of Ho Chi Minh. Lunch break in Pho Chau Town, a tiny town about 40km from Thanh Chuong. This morning we head inland towards the Laos border after 40min riding we can reach the birthplace of Ho Chi Minh in Kim Lien Village. The place is truly a shrine to the Vietnamese and visited by few westerners.
After lunch, we continue on the quiet highway to Dong Loc Intersection, (main junction for supply lines during the war) which is widely regarded in Vietnamese eyes as the beginning of Ho Chi Minh Trail. We then pass through remote back country, close to the Ha Tinh motorcycle tours border, as the scenery steadily becomes dominated by karst limestone rock formations. We will reach our overnight spot, Huong Khe Town, around 5pm. Dinner in local restaurant and overnight in a mini hotel.
Summary
Distance: 160 km
Accommodation: Hotel in Huong Khe Town
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Top Gear Vietnam Motorcycle Tour from Hanoi to Saigon via Hoi An, Nha Trang, Muine: Huong Khe motorbike tour to Phong Nha (Quang Binh)
Ride on Ho Chi Minh Highway until Pho Chau where we stop to visit the HCM Trail victory monument which is in fact the real starting point of our HCM Trail ride. Motorcycle all the way to Phong Nha – Ke Bang, the biggest and also the most beautiful cave in Vietnam and Indochina and is now a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.
The karst formation of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park has evolved since the Paleozoic (some 400 million years ago) and so is the oldest major karst area in Asia. Subject to massive tectonic changes, the park’s karst landscape is extremely complex with many geographic features of considerable significance. The vast area, extending to the border of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, contains spectacular formations including 65 km of caves and underground rivers.
Summary
Distance: 280 km
Accommodation: Hotel in Phong Nha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Top Gear Vietnam Motorcycle Tour from Hanoi to Saigon via Hoi An, Nha Trang, Muine: Phong Nha motorbike tour to Khe Sanh in Quang Tri (Roughly 250 Km – 7 hours of riding)
Continuing west on highway 9, we will climb into the Truong Son foothills, pass the Rock Pile and stop at some villages and beautiful natural springs and waterfalls near the highway. Boating and exploring World Heritage site of Phong Nha where local civilians and military sheltered from incessant bombing during wartime. Then after having lunch, we will keep riding on Ho Chi Minh Trail and have a short stop at Truong Son Cemetary to pay respects to the soldiers who fought and died on the trail during the American War.
Approx 5pm we arrive in Khe Sanh which was established as a forward base by General Westmoreland near Laos to secure highway 9.
Check in to hotel, free time at night
Summary
Distance: 250 km
Accommodation: Hotel in Khe Sanh
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Top Gear Vietnam Motorcycle Tour from Hanoi to Saigon via Hoi An, Nha Trang, Muine: Quang Tri Motorcycle Tours to DMZ & Vinh Moc Tunnels – Motorbike Tours to Hue (200 Km – 6 hours of riding)
In this morning, we ride along highway 1 to Quang Tri town, visiting Long Hung Church and Quang Tri Old Citadel which was a battlefield in 1972 between North and South Vietnam for 81 days and nights. We ride along the coast from Cua Viet Beach to Cua Tung Beach a long stretch of beautiful and peaceful coastline.
Next, we visit the Vinh Moc tunnels and explore the Demilitarised Zone, stopping for lunch at the Doc Mieu Firebase. And then we will keep on riding on Ho Chi Minh Trail via Dong Ha town, where we will stop by to take a look at Dong Ha market known as one of the most hassle and bustle markets in Central. Later on, we will ride directly to Hue and en route, our guide will stop by to show you more war relics before reaching Hue.
Upon arrival in Hue, if time permits, we will take a ride to visit Imperial Citadel and one of Royal Tombs then enjoy sunset on the bank of Perfume River. Check in to hotel, free time at night.
Summary
Distance: 200 km
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Top Gear Vietnam Motorcycle Tour from Hanoi to Saigon via Hoi An, Nha Trang, Muine: Hue Motorcycle Tour for Sightseeings
Today, we’ll have an easy motorbike trip to weave around the city to visit some more royal tombs as well as other important travel sites & relics in Hue
In the afternoon, you’ll be free on your own to relax or go shopping. Overnight at hotel in Hue
Summary
Distance: 100 km
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8: Top Gear Vietnam Motorcycle Tour from Hanoi to Saigon via Hoi An, Nha Trang, Muine: Hue Motorbike Tours via Da Nang to Hoi An (150 Km – 5 hours of riding)
In this morning, we will keep on riding along the coastal line via Hai Van Pass, where we could look down from the top to view the splendid beauties of Lang Co beach and ocean then time to refresh yourself by a cup of coffee before heading straight to Da Nang.
Hai Van Pass
Upon arrival in Da Nang, you will park your bikes somewhere nearby the Railway Station then our guide will take a taxi to get you to the hotel in Hoi An for a check-in. Free time on your own. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.
Summary
Distance: 150 km
Accommodation: hotel in Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9: Top Gear Vietnam Motorcycle Tour from Hanoi to Saigon via Hoi An, Nha Trang, Muine: Hoi An Walking Tour for Sightseeings
Today, after having breakfast at hotel you’ll be taken to walk inside the old quarters of Hoi An to explore timeless beauties of monuments, relics like the ancient houses, pagodas, temples, markets…to understand more about the history of this fascinating ancient town as well as the lifestyle of the locals.
Hoi An Walking Tour for Sightseeings
In the afternoon, you’ll be free on your own to laze on the beach. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An
Summary
Distance: 0 km
Accommodation: hotel in Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10: Top Gear Vietnam Motorcycle Tour from Hanoi to Saigon via Hoi An, Nha Trang, Muine: Hoi An Motorbike Tour to My Son Sanctuary
Today, after having breakfast at hotel you’ll keep jumping on your bikes to ride to explore Vietnam’s most evocative Cham site, My Son, lies 40km southwest of Hoi An, in a bowl of lush wooden hills towered over by the aptly named “Cat’s Tooth Mountain”. It has been recently added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List and richly deserves its place on the tourist map. It is the former capital of the ancient Cham civilization that ruled Central Vietnam from the second to the thirteenth century. Their religion was primarily derived from Indian Hinduism.
Hoi An Motorbike Tour to My Son Sanctuary
My Son is considered to be one of the best-preserved Cham structures in Vietnam. It is comprised of seventy Hindu-like towers and temples dating from the second century. This site is a Must-See for those people who are interested in architecture and ancient civilizations. We return to the hotel around noon.
In the afternoon, you’ll be free on your own to laze on the beach. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.
Summary
Distance: 150 km
Accommodation: hotel in Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 11: Top Gear Vietnam Motorcycle Tour from Hanoi to Saigon via Hoi An, Nha Trang, Muine: Hoi An Motorbike Tour to Quy Nhon
Later on, we’ll keep riding along the coastline through coconuts homeland of central Vietnam & through rice fields and rural villages and mountainous area to get to city of Qui Nhon. Continue cycling to the hotel in the town of Quang Ngai.Have breakfast at the hotel and check out. We then will ride our bikes south of Hoi An to Cua Dai beach and cross Thu Bon river. Ride on back roads through yellow sand dunes to Tam Ky. Have lunch before we keep riding on country roads to My Lai village to visit the memorial of the massacre to remember 504 locals who died.
Hoi An Motorbike Tour to Quy Nhon
Summary
Distance: 250 km
Accommodation: hotel in Quy Nhon
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Top Gear Vietnam Motorcycle Tour from Hanoi to Saigon via Hoi An, Nha Trang, Muine: Quy Nhon Motorbike Tour to Nha Trang
Transfer 30 minutes to the suburb of Qui Nhon city then we’ll start riding along the coast and you could also race along a railway through hills to La Hai, have lunch on the way.
Quy Nhon Motorbike Tour to Nha Trang
After having lunch, we’ll take a rest a bit before riding straight to Nha Trang. Upon getting to Nha Trang, you’ll be helped to get checked in.
Summary
Distance: 230 km
Accommodation: hotel in Nha Trang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: Top Gear Vietnam Motorcycle Tour from Hanoi to Saigon via Hoi An, Nha Trang, Muine: Nha Trang Motorbike Tour for Sightseeing
08h30: Pick up at hotel & ride to the Institute of Oceanography built at the beginning of 20th Century by French, where is exhibiting many oceanic creatures considered to be the most diversified & sufficient in Vietnam.
10h00: Visit Bao Dai King’s Villa – the place for rest & recreation for Bao Dai King when he was alive. That villa was built on a top of hill surrounded by beautiful sceneries.
11h00: Visit Yersin museum, where you will understand more about the life & career & researches of Doctor Yersin. He is the most well-known doctor in the world, whoever lived & died in Nha Trang.
12h00: Have lunch & short break.
14h30: Keep on visiting Long Son Pagoda, Ponagar Towers & shopping at Dam market.
17h00: back to the hotel.
Rest of time, you’ll be free on your own.
Summary
Distance: 100 km
Accommodation: hotel in Nha Trang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 14: Top Gear Vietnam Motorcycle Tour from Hanoi to Saigon via Hoi An, Nha Trang, Muine: Nha Trang Motorbike Tour to Mui Ne
After swim in the morning sunlight on the beach, we’ll say goodbye to Nha Trang to depart for Mui Ne on the amazing coastal road, passing over Ca Na Beach (One of the famous beaches in Vietnam). Right here, we’ll stop for a while to take a bath & photos before riding straight to Mui Ne.
Luxury stopover for some photos
Upon reaching to Mui Ne, you’ll get rooms for a check-in.
The rest of time, you’ll be free by yourself to relax at hotel or on the beach.
Summary:
Distance: 220 km
Accommodation: hotel in Mui Ne
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15: Top Gear Vietnam Motorcycle Tour from Hanoi to Saigon via Hoi An, Nha Trang, Muine: Mui Ne Motorbike Tour to Sand Dunes
After having breakfast at hotel, you’ll be at leisure then keep jumping on the bikes again to ride to visit the most famous travel spots in Mui Ne as Fishing Villages, Pink Stream, Yellow Sand Dunes & Flying Sand Dunes.
In the afternoon, you’ll be free by yourself to relax on the beach Mui Ne Motorbike Tour to Sand Dunes
Summary:
Distance: 100 km
Accommodation: hotel in Mui Ne
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 16: Top Gear Vietnam Motorcycle Tour from Hanoi to Saigon via Hoi An, Nha Trang, Muine: Mui Ne – Free
Today, you’ll be free on your own to relax on the beach or roam around. (No touring)
Summary:
Distance: 0 km
Accommodation: hotel in Mui Ne
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 17: Top Gear Vietnam Motorcycle Tour from Hanoi to Saigon via Hoi An, Nha Trang, Muine: Mui Ne Motorbike Tour to Saigon
Morning, after breakfast & check out, we will leave beautiful Mui Ne Cape to ride straight to Saigon.
Upon getting to your hotel in Saigon, we’ll help you check in then say goodbye to all of you.
Summary:
Distance: 230 km
Accommodation: hotel in Saigon
Meals: Breakfast, lunch.
Day 18: Top Gear Vietnam Motorcycle Tour from Hanoi to Saigon via Hoi An, Nha Trang, Muine: Saigon – Free
Today, you’ll be free on your own to relax on the beach or roam around. (No touring)
Summary:
Distance: 0 km
Accommodation: hotel in Saigon
Meals: Breakfast.
End of Services!
* Inclusions:
+ Motorbike(s) (Honda or Yamaha)
+ Helmet(s)
+ Driving gears
+ Gasoline on tour
+ English speaking guides
+ Mechanic (only for group from 6 passengers)
+ Accommodation as indicated in the itinerary (based on Twin or Double room)
+ Homestay permission
+ Meals as indicated in the itinerary
+ Entrance fees & Sightseeing fees
+ One-way air ticket from Hanoi to Saigon for our tour guides & mechanic
+ Train carriage for bikes from Saigon to Hanoi.
+ Coffee or bottled water or 1 soft drink for every stopover en route.
The best time to visit Vietnam is spring (February to April) and autumn (August to October). The temperatures are more moderate and rainfall is lighter. In spring, March and April have the lowest rainfall across all destinations and temperatures are pleasant, though still cool in the far north.
You must have a valid Vietnamese driver’s license to drive in Vietnam . including for motorcycle 50cc or more . International Driver’s Permits issued in Australia are not recognized in Vietnam.
Long term UK residents of Vietnam can qualify for a Vietnamese driving licence when they are in possession of a diplomatic ID, temporary residence card or residence card validity for 3 months or more and also a valid UK driving licence or UK issued International Driver's Permit
It is strongly recommended that Canadians consider carefully whether they should drive motor vehicles or motorcycles in Vietnam as unfamiliarity with local driving conditions may result in serious injury, or a heavy compensation payment(s) or imprisonment as a result of any accident
it’s always dangerous if you ignore our advices but quite safe if you respect to our local rules. Actually there simply are no rules. Stick to the basics… ride on the right side of the road, keep your eyes on the road and be alert. People often say “when you’re in ROME, just do like Romans do”. Riding a motorbike in Vietnam is different from driving in Europe or North America, so even if you stick to the rules, 99% chance the locals next to you won't. So be alert and stay safe! Wear a helmet. ... Honk at least 1000 times a minute, you cannot go riding around Vietnam without honking
You can just obtain our Vietnamese driving license once you’re long-term officials working & living in Vietnam under the business visa within 6 months or more. But if you are just regular travelers having short-term tourist visa, this seems to be impossible.
We’re not used to renting out bikes only but organizing private guided tours, however, in some typical circumstances, we can rent out manual dirt bikes at the cost of US$ 18/bike/day, US$ 28/bike/day and US$ 50/bike/day for the bikes of 125cc, 150cc & 250cc respectively.
Of course, you can do this but must show up your appropriate legal documents (Vietnamese driving licenses or IDP, validated Visa in Vietnam & copy of your passport).
Yes, you can totally buy & possess a motorbike legally as many other Vietnamese people as long as you act in the laws correctly. Foreigners living in Vietnam can have their national driving license translated to Vietnamese and will be granted a Vietnamese license without passing any exam. ... The cost to obtain the A1 license should not be more than USD 50 with an agent. In case you want to ride a “real” bike, a genuine A2 is required..
