Biking 12 days/11 nights & Rock and roll on Ho Chi Minh Highway

The route passes by battlefields like Khe Sanh and the La Drang Valley, skirts tribal villages of the rugged Central Highlands, and offers easy access to some of the country's top attractions - the ancient royal seat of Hue, the picturesque trading port of Hoi An and South China Sea beaches. Nearby, in the rice-farming village of Kim Lien, is the humble hut where Vietnam's revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh was born. The hut has been preserved as a museum dedicated to his turbulent life. Given Ho's standing as a national icon, the village draws an average of 1.5 million domestic and foreign visitors every year.

Day 1: Hanoi - Mai Chau - Mai Chau (home-stay) (B/L/D) (35 km)
Have breakfast at the hotel, check out and drive to Mai Chau through Hoa Binh province. Have lunch in Poom Coong Village, then riding on single track through Thai minority villages. Ride past terraced fields and beautiful valleys. Overnight in a stilt-house of Thai-tribe village.

Day 2: Mai Chau – Nhu Xuan (B/L/D) (90 km)
Leave Mai Chau in the early morning, ride on a small track and paved trails along the Ma river until we reach  Cam Thuy town, where we stop for lunch. We start cycling on Ho Chi Minh trail (now a newly built highway) all the way to Nhu Xuan town.  The hilly mountains roads to Ngoc Lac will allow you to challenge your riding skills. Continue riding to Nhu  Xuan in late afternoon. Overnight in Nhu Xuan

Day 3: Nhu Xuan – Do Luong - Nam Dan -Vinh (B/L/) (80 km)
Today, we have a chance to visit Uncle Ho's house. Nam Dan district, Kiem Lien village is not only the homeland of Ho Chi Minh but also the hometown of many anti-colonist leaders. Ride on the new Ho Chi Minh highway to Kiem Lien village via Tan Ky and Do Luong. Visit Uncle Ho house in the afternoon, have a short drive to Vinh city. Overnight in Vinh.

Day 4: Vinh – Dong Loc T-junction - Huong Khe (B/L/D) (90 km)
In the morning, ride to Dong Loc, the T-junction, which has become unforgettable memorial history in the country during 1964-1972, when soldiers, young volunteers, cadres, and workers guaranteed safe transport to the battlefield. Many people from different localities laid down their lives. In particular, the death of 10 young volunteer girls at Dong Loc T-junction has come to symbolize the patriotism of the era. Now, Dong Loc T-junction relic has become a commemorative area for the national young volunteer force. In the afternoon, ride to Huong Khe.

Day 5: Huong Khe - Phong Nha - Dong Hoi (B/L/) (90 km)
Start cycling from a hotel to Dong Hoi via Phong Nha World Heritage. Ride nearly 90 km winding roads up the Truong Son mountain range to Phong Nha. From here, if time permitting--cycle gentle rolling hills to Dong Hoi city.

Day 6: Dong Hoi - Khe Sanh (B/L/D) (90 km)
Today, we cycle south through the DMZ where Viet Cong and US soldiers clashed when the country was divided. Follow the eastern Ho Chi Minh trails to visit Truong Son cemetery, and cycle to Khe Sanh via Cam Lo. Overnight in Khe Sanh.

Day 7: Khe Sanh – A Luoi (B/L/D) (90 km)
In the morning we head south over the Da Krong Bridge (built by the Cubans in 1973) then jump into back roads and keep riding through remote villages to a A Luoi. Overnight in A Luoi

Day 8: A Luoi - Hue (B/L/) (60 km)
The bike ride of today is easy, the terrain is flat. The distance of biking is 60 km. We will have a bus transfer for the last 14 km to the former capital of Vietnam. Overnight in Hue city

Day 9: Hue city tour (B/L/) (40 km)
Spend a whole day on visiting, explore the Forbidden Citadel,  Royal Tombs of the Nguyen Dynasty and  by bicycle in the morning. Ride on hilly country roads to Thanh Toan tile-roofed Bridge crosses a canal flowing from the beginning to the end of Thanh Toan village, Thuy Thanh Commune, Huong Thuy District.

Day 10:  Hue - Hoi An (B/L/) (100 km)
Have breakfast and transfer to the outskirts of Hue, Thuan An Dist. Start riding on the coast roads to Phuoc Tuong Pass. Pedal past colorful ancient burial-grounds, rice farming land, and fishing villages. Have lunch in Lang Co beach, after lunch, pedal uphill to the top of Hai Van Pass, then downhill to the Pass of Hai Van. Transfer by van to Hoi An in the late afternoon

Day 11: Hoi An (B) (no cycling)
Free time to discover Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural site.

Day 12: Hoi An – Departure (B)
Have breakfast and enjoy your own free time until transfer to airport for flying home.

Contact Lotussia Travel for more details.