DA LAT TO HOI AN 8-DAY MOTORBIKE EXPEDITION THROUGH HO CHI MINH ROAD

The village of M'nong people in Lake-town

We start early at 6 am with a peaceful dug-out canoe trip on Lak Lake, one of the largest natural lakes in Vietnam’s Central Highlands. As you glide across the calm waters in a handcrafted wooden canoe, you’ll see fishermen at work, water buffalo by the shore, and traditional M’nong villages with their stilt houses nestled along the lake.

Afterward, we walk around a local village to experience the authentic lifestyle of the M’nong people, known for their farming, fishing, weaving, and gong music traditions. Their bamboo-and-wood stilt houses reflect a way of life preserved for generations.

Leaving the lake behind, we continue our motorbike journey toward Dray Sap Waterfall, the most stunning in Dak Lak province. Here, you can relax, swim, and enjoy a picnic lunch with fresh local food or dine at a nearby restaurant. A short trek through the national park also leads us to another beautiful hidden waterfall.

In the afternoon, we ride through rustic village roads and rice fields, stopping at seasonal mushroom farms, incense-making workshops, and a cocoa plantation, before arriving in Buon Ma Thuot City, the vibrant capital of the Central Highlands.

Accommodation:  hotel. 

The victory monument in BMT city - the old capital city during French colonized

Our Vietnam Motorbike Tour continues as we leave the coffee capital, Buon Ma Thuot. In the morning, we explore the Dak Lak Cultural and Historical Museum (closed Mondays), a unique building inspired by traditional longhouses. Here, riders gain a deeper understanding of the Central Highlands’ history and culture, with exhibits on the Ede, Jarai, and M’nong ethnic groups, as well as displays about the resistance during the Vietnam War.

Back on the road, this motorbike adventure in Vietnam takes us through rice fields, village roads, and plantations. We stop at a pepper farm to taste the fresh, spicy flavor, then visit a rubber plantation, one of the largest tree industries in the Central Highlands. A short coffee break in a roadside hammock is the perfect way to experience the slow pace of rural Vietnam.

After lunch at a local restaurant along the legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail, our Vietnam Motorbike Tour heads to Phu Cuong Waterfall, a breathtaking cascade set in lush nature. By late afternoon, we arrive in Chư Sê, ending another unforgettable day of riding.

Accommodation: Hotel

Riding in a part of the Ho Chi Minh Trail

On the fourth day of our Vietnam Motorbike Tour, we continue riding along the legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail toward Pleiku. Our first stop is Sea Lake, known as “The Eyes of Pleiku,” a peaceful destination where locals come to enjoy the cool climate and stunning natural scenery. From here, we ride to the region’s oldest tea plantation, established during the French colonial era. Walking through the lush tea fields, you can learn about the cultivation process and enjoy a refreshing cup of tea or coffee. Nearby, we also visit an ancient Buddhist temple with its impressive reclining Buddha statue.

Afterward, the motorbike trip in Vietnam continues to Kon Tum, a charming town by the Dakbla River. Famous for its unspoiled landscapes and diverse ethnic minority cultures such as the Bahnar, J’rai, and Sedang, Kon Tum is also home to unique architecture, including its historic wooden church. After lunch, we check in at the hotel, then spend the afternoon exploring Kon K’tu ethnic village, where traditional Rong houses tower above the riverbanks and local life remains authentic and deeply rooted in tradition.

Accommodation:  Hotel. 

Riding through the suspension bridge in the village of K'tu ethnic people

Before leaving the land of the Bana people, our Vietnam Motorbike Tour takes you to the iconic Wooden Church of Kon Tum, built in 1913. Made entirely from local wood, this church is a stunning blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles, decorated with intricate carvings that reflect both Christian and indigenous traditions. More than just a place of worship, it serves as a cultural hub for the local community, hosting religious ceremonies, festivals, and gatherings.

From here, we ride about an hour to Ngoc Hoi Town, once one of the fiercest battlefields during the Vietnam War. At the war monument, you’ll see original VC tanks used in combat. Continuing along the legendary Ho Chi Minh Road, we visit Charlie Hill and the remains of Phoenix Airport, both strategic sites of heavy battles during the war. Standing here, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the sacrifices made and the war’s profound impact on this region.

We then ride to the historic Indochina T-Junction, where the borders of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia meet, and stop for lunch. In the afternoon, the road winds through the magnificent Truong Son Mountain Range, with opportunities to relax and swim in a jungle stream along the way. By late afternoon, we arrive in Phuoc Son town, check into our hotel, and unwind after another adventurous day on this unforgettable Vietnam Motorbike Tour.

Accommodation: Hotel.

The mountain path on the Ho Chi Minh Road

Departing after breakfast, we continue our Vietnam Motorbike Tour along the lush, tree-lined Ho Chi Minh Road. Our first stop is the historic diesel pipeline system from the Truong Son range, which once supplied military vehicles during the liberation of the South.

We then ride through green forests and winding rivers to visit the Ta Oi ethnic minority village, where you’ll experience their unique cultural heritage and learn about their heroic sacrifices in protecting their homeland. Along the way, we’ll also pass through small Paco and Van Kieu villages, each perched on cliffs with just a handful of homes, showcasing the remote beauty of Vietnam’s highlands.

Our journey highlights the historic significance of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. During the resistance against the US, local people contributed both labor and courage to support the movement, paving roads and transporting essential goods along this vital route. Key battles at Kham Duc and Ngok Ta Vak Base in May 1968 secured the National Highway 14, transforming it into a strategic corridor connecting Quang Tri to the Central Highlands.

Amidst history, nature awaits — we’ll stop at stunning waterfalls to relax and take a refreshing swim. After a full day of riding through history, culture, and nature, we arrive at our hotel in A Luoi around 5 pm.

Overnight: A Luoi Hotel

Taking the 9 Nam Lao Road- A part of Ho Chi Minh Road

Today’s Vietnam Motorbike Tour takes us along the historic 9 Nam Lao Road, a section of the Ho Chi Minh Road connecting Quang Tri to Laos. This legendary route, once a crucial battlefield during the Vietnam War, stretches 250 km to Hue and offers breathtaking mountain landscapes, winding roads, and remote villages — perfect for adventure seekers and motorbike enthusiasts.

Along the way, we visit Ta Con Airport, also known as Khe Sanh Combat Base, a pivotal U.S. military airstrip during the Vietnam War. Here, you’ll explore old bunkers, trenches, and war relics including C-130 aircraft, M-41 tanks, and artillery, while learning about the 77-day siege of Khe Sanh in 1968. We also stop at the Rock Pile Hill, another historic site scarred by wartime battles.

After a full day riding through history and stunning landscapes, we arrive in Hue around 5 pm.

Overnight: Hue Hotel