VIETNAM ROAD CYCLING IN HOCHIMINH TRAIL – 9DAYS
The Ho Chi Minh trail was a logistical system that ran from the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) to the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) through the neighboring kingdoms of Laos and Cambodia. The system provided support, in the form of manpower and materiel, to the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam, or derogatively, Vietcong, and the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN), or North Vietnamese Army, during the Vietnam War (1955-1975).
The trail was not a single route, but rather a complex maze of truck routes, paths for foot and bicycle traffic, and river transportation systems. The name, taken from North Vietnamese president Ho Chi Minh. Now day Ho Chi Minh Road or Ho Chi Minh Highway (Vietnamese language: Đường Hồ Chí Minh) is a highway in Vietnam. It runs from the north to the south of Vietnam, west of National Road 1A. The highway was named after Hồ Chí Minh. The route roughly coincides with the Ho Chi Minh Trail during the Vietnam War. It is a two-lane highway and is planned for 8-lane highway and will connect Cao Bang Province by the Sino-Vietnamese border to Ca Mau Province with the total length of 3,167 km. As of 2007, this road runs from Hoa Lac in Ha Tay Province to Ngoc Hoi in Kon Tum Province with a total length of 1,234.5 km. ( from Wikipidia )
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
Riding on quiet roads through traditional villages, this exciting new biking holiday explores the remote and previously inaccessible northern part of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. En route, we visit the spectacular scenery and caves of the Phong Nha National Park and see numerous fascinating relics of the Vietnam War, such as the combat base at Khe Sanh. Other highlights extension tour include the “Imperial City” of Hue and the beach at Hoi An, a perfect place to relax at the end of this great ride
Day 1: Meeting in airport, transfer to hotel in Hanoi. Group meeting in afternoon . Overnight in Hanoi
Day2: Hanoi – Cam Thuy (+- 115km asphalt road )
After breakfast in hotel .We transfer southwest to Xuan Mai- Hoa Binh Province and then we cycling to Cam Thuy. Cycling belong of Ma river. The road gets more beautiful the closer you ride to CamThuy with looming karst limestone cliffs and lush bamboo forest .
Overnight in a small hotel of Cam Thuy. (B,L,D)
Day3: Cam Thuy- Thai Hoa( +- 120 km asphalt road )
Ride on the newly built two lane Ho Chi Minhtrails Highway there is very few traffic! The road makes for smooth fast riding, plenty of exploring possibilities along the way.
Ride on the banks of River Song Chu, the distance covered today is quite long and there will be the chance to transfer some sections by the back-up vehicle to rest weary legs. There are fewer villages today as the route cuts through forests and jungle. Arrival ThaiHoa very late. Dinner and overnight Thai Hoa guesthouse. Overnight in Thai Hoa.(B,L,D)
Day4: ThaiHoa– PhoChau ( +- 120km, asphalt road )
The ride is on smooth road and passing peaceful villages and stunning mountain range
Overnight in PhoChau.(B,L,D)
Day 5:PhoChau- Phong Nha cave ( 140km )
Our ride today toward Phong Nha National Park. Lunch stop on the way.( Please take note that Mini bus standby with 100% support ). Upon arrival in Phong Nha check in Hotel. Overnight on the hotel in Phong Nha . .(B,L,D)
Day 6: Phong Nha-Dong Hoi relax ( +- 50 km,asphalt road )
After breakfast we take boat trip visit Phong Nha Cave, which is a World Heritage Site. Pm: riding to Dong Hoi.
Dinner and Overnight in Dong Hoi
Day 7: Dong Hoi- Dong Ha( Cycling +- 90km, asphalt road )
Breakfast in the hotel, today we will cycling in ” DMZ ” area with “Truong Son National Cemetery ” where some hundred of thousand soldiers of North Vietnam who served in army during Vietnam War are resting in peace, visit Vinh moc tunnel is optional. Dinner and overnight in Dong Ha. .(B,L,D)
Day 8: Dong Ha- A Luoi ( Cycling +-120km, asphalt road )
Cycling to old military base, with ” Da Krong River “. The ride with river and tribal villages along the road. End of riding day in Aluoi. Overnight in A Luoi .(B,L,D)
Day 9: A Luoi– Hue( Cycling +- 60km, asphalt road )
Hard cycling up to high pass. Begin the beautiful ride downhill 40km to Hue city. In the afternoon, riding end in Hue
Overnight in Hue .(B,L,D) . Fare well dinner and end of trip
Day10: Hue.
Free time transfer to airport for departure flight
Email us for details itinerary: info@bikingvietnam.com: bikingvietnam@mail.com
Tour overview
Tour Cost
Guide tour
Group Size 2 Price /person= 1,375 USD
Group tours = 1,219 USD
Single supplement : 170 USD
Note: Prices are based per person, double occupancy, with a separate cost for solo travelers. If you are traveling in a group but prefer single accommodations, a single supplement fee applies. Triple accommodations are not available in many of the destinations we visit.
Best Time to goFrom Mar, Apr, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec ( Jan, Feb very cold , 10-15oC , and soft rain). Jul and Aug too hot
WHAT’S INCLUDED
English speaking local guide
accommodations in hotels in Hanoi, Hue with 3 star hotel.
Local hotel around trip as mention
Meals as mention with B= breakfast, L= Lunch, D= dinner.
airport transfers
sightseeing and activities as noted in the itinerary
ground transportation
additional guides where necessary
entrance fees and permits
basic medical
WHAT NOT: International airfare; meals not noted on itinerary; Vietnam visa; insurance other than basic medical ; optional tipping to leader, guides and local staff; excess baggage charges; international airport taxes; cost of medical immunizations; items of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.).Bike Hire
Surly cross check , Kona sutra, Trek 520 =180USD for whole trip
Bikes suggest: Road bikes, Cyclo cross, Touring 700cc.
If you bring your bikeplease ensure that you bike is in good working order before you leave on tour. If you are not the most mechanically minded we suggest that you get your bike looked at by a professional bike mechanic. In particularly we would suggest looking and adjusting all wheel spokes, greasing all your bearings, checking your brakes/gears cable, tighten all nuts and bolts, check chain, quick release clamps, tires and put in new inner tubes and check wheel rims are not worn. In addition make sure the bike is well serviced and ride it with as much care and attention as possible.
Gears checklist Total Distance +- 900 kmNumber of cycling days8 full daysAverage Daily Distance115kmOff Road0%Max altitude800 metresRoad SurfaceThis tour follows a mix of asphalt roads.SupportOne or two 16-seats air-conditioned transit vans converted to take bikes and bikers.Group SizeMinimum 2 person. Maximum group 10 person.Staff Vietnamese cycling leader plus a Vietnamese cycling guide and drivers and assistants, support team.Accommodation 8 nights in basic tourist class hotels. All accommodation in hotel has a/c or fan, hot water and private facilities. 3 night in good hotel.Food
# All meals are included except on Day 1. Break every 15- 20 km ( 10 miles) for tea break with water, coffee ,tea, juice, bread, tuna ,banana, apple… including
# During the ” BikingVietnam.com” the main meals are breakfast and the evening meal. Thus, breakfast should be large and substantial (and include cereals). We recommend that all participants should bring a supply of their favorite cereals as many of the hotels where we stay don’t yet have cereal on offer at breakfast.
# For lunch (picnic) you will need to make sandwiches in the morning, and take some fruit. We recommend you also bring along some of your favorite energy bars.
# The evening meal will be in a restaurant, and precooked by the Organizers. We will make sure there are always plenty of carbohydrates and protein on the menu.
# Don’t forget adequate hydration is as important as a good meal and so you should make sure you carry enough water with you. In some stages there is no where to “top up” along the way. Follow your guides instructions for each stage. We recommend you use a hydration pack with at least 2l capacity, rather than water bottles. The water bottles don’t carry as much water, plus it will get warm during the day, they are not as hygienic and the water bottle cage can get in the way when you may have to carry your bike.
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