Vietnam special adventure tour

Day 1: ARRIVE – HANOI (-/-/-D)
Arriving in Hanoi, you will clear customs and immigration. Leaving the airport, you will be met by your guide, holding a sign with your name on it. He will transfer you to your hotel. The rest of day is free to wash up and rest. 

In the evening we will attend the famous  Water Puppet Show, with its introduction to Vietnamese history and mythology.  At night, you will have a  welcome dinner with local delights.  Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: HANOI – CITY TOUR (B/L/-)
After breakfast we will begin our  city tour of Hanoi. At first, we visit to  Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and the  “Uncle Ho” house. After that we head to the unique  One Stilt Pagoda, which date from one thousand year ago.

Continue to the Hanoi’s famous  Temple of Literature, the first university of Vietnam founded in 1070. The highlight of this cultural, historical site is the garden of stelae where you find 82 stone stelae bearing names, places of birth and achievements of men who received doctorates in each triennial examination from 1442; each stelae sits on a stone tortoise.
Lunch in local restaurant before heading to the  Old Quarter for a relaxing  cyclo tour through the ancient part of Hanoi. Perhaps the most interesting area you will visit is the Old Quarter.  Here many tiny streets join to sell a huge diversity of products.  In the old days, each street bore the name of the product sold – “Shoe Street,” “Noodle Street,” and the like.  Today, the streets sometimes sell a variety of items, but often the names are accurate.  The Old Quarter also houses some of the most interesting art galleries and fashion houses.  

After the cyclo tour we will drive to the  Museum of Ethnology, which is quite away from the central Hanoi. It features a fascinating collection of art and everyday objects gathered from Vietnam and its diverse tribal people. On our trip we will meet some tribal groups – now it is time to learn about them. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3: HANOI – HALONG – KAYAKING (B/L/D)
Leave Hanoi for Halong Bay at 8.30am. On the way we will have a short break for refreshment at a handicraft centre. Upon arrival in Halong City we board a wooden boat for a fine seafood lunch and a short cruise to Thien Cung Cave. After a short exploration of the cave we start our kayaking time paddling through an amazing area of limestone islets. We will pass a floating village to reach Luon Cave, which is a tunnel thrusting through a mountain. Paddling through the tunnels to explore a beautiful secluded lagoon. Dinner and overnight in AC, private cabin.

Day 4: KAYAKING (B/L/D)
After breakfast we start paddling to Van Chai Floating village and then continue paddling to Dark Cave. Tide permitting, we explore this amazing cave by kayak. The cave is a 200m long, dark tunnel thrusting through a limestone mountain. The tunnel is the only entry to a secluded and beautiful lagoon. Lunch on support boat in front of the cave. After lunch we paddle to Ba Trai Dao Lagoon, along a stunning and fairly rough sea channel, to explore its beautiful beaches. Continue paddling to Lan Ha Bay, which is smaller than Halong bay but much more interesting with lots of secluded beaches. Dinner and overnight on boat

Day 5: HALONG – HANOI (B/L/-)
Breakfast on the junk and enjoy the sundeck of the junk while she navigates amazing rock formations of Bai Tu Long Bay to get back to Halong City. Lunch on the junk before reach Halong Harbor for a drive back to Hanoi. On the way back to Hanoi we will have a stop in Dong Trieu Town for refreshment and visiting to a ceramic factory. O/N Hanoi

Day 6: HANOI – MAI CHAU (B/L/D)
In the morning we take a short bus drive the  Ho Chi Minh Trail Museum on the outskirts of Hanoi. The museum is a great place to learn about the historic trail which we will ride on. After the visit to the museum we will jump on our Minsks and spend sometime to get familiar with the bikes.

Now, let’s begin our adventure. We will ride on  Highway 6 passing extensive farming lands comprising a sea of paddy fields split by tree-lined roads punctuated by limestone karst scenery.

After a light lunch in  Hoa Binh Town, the capital of Hoa Binh Province, we cross two short mountain passes then descent to the mountain valley settlement of  Mai Chau. Dinner and  overnight in a stilt house of the Thai people.

Day 7: MAI CHAU – VINH (B/L/D)
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 boder. 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.

Day 8: VINH – HUONG KHE (B/L/D)
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 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.

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 renote back country , close to the 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. 

Day 9: HUONG KHE – PHONG NHA – DONG HOI (B/L/D)
Today’s ride is on a very quiet section of the new highway. En route, you will come to  Khe Ve Intersection and  Pheo – the very first branch of the Ho Chi Minh Trail into Laos.
Continuing on from Pheo, we will arrive in  Phong Nha around noon. After lunch in local restaurant, we board a dragon boat to explore the famous  Nature World Heritage Site of Phong Nha cave.
After the exploration of Phong Nha, we ride 30km eastward to the costal town of  Dong Hoi, our today’s overnight spot. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 10: DONG HOI – DONG HA (B/L/D)
Today’s ride is also on the new, quiet highway.  Along the way, we will have a short stop at  Truong Son National Cemetery to pay respect to the soldiers who fought and died on the trail during the American War. After here we head to  Dong Ha Town passing  Ben Tat Bridge, built by the VC over the  Ben Hai River. 

Arriving in Dong Ha, we will check into the hotel, and have some lunch.  In the afternoon, we dride to the mystic  Vinh Moc Tunnel and the famous  DMZ,  Doc Mieu fire base and the historic  Hien Luong Bridge. Dinner and overnight in Dong Ha.

Day 11 : DONG HA – KHE SANH – A LUOI (B/L/D)
Continuing west on  Highway 9, we will climb into the Truong Son foothills. About 16km from Khe Sanh is the  Dakrong Bridge  and the road turns winding and narrow.  A bit further, we will come to  Huang Hoa, once known as  Khe Sanh Base, which was established as a forward base by General Westmoreland near Laos to secure Highway 9.  About 3km from Khe Sanh is Ta Con Airbase.
Lunch in Khe Sanh and then head out across the famous Dakrong River Bridge on Rte. 14  Near the town of Ta Rut, we will stop for a visit with the  Pa Co people and a walk through their village. 


From Ta Rut, you head over  scenic Pe Ke Pass and then down to  A Luoi for the night. 
Dinner in local restaurant and overnight in a simple gueshouse.

Day 12: A LUOI – HIEN – THANH MY – HOI AN (B/L/-)
Today’s riding is the best riding of the whole route. For the first 110km, we cross one of the longest and most stunning pass on new and quiet road, through stunning scenery of primitive forests backed by the imposing Truong Son mountain range. There are also two long tunnels and very little traffic. The next 68km from  Hien to  Thanh My are on good road with some gentle climbs. Lunch on the way in local restaurant. The last 40km of the day are on an older, bumpier road all the way from  Ai Nghia to the charming ancient town of  Hoi An. Dinner and overnight in Hoi An.

Day 13: HOIAN – CYCLING TO CUA DAI BEACH FOR RELAX (B/-/-)
Hoi An, nestled on the banks of the Thu Bon River.  Before the river silted up, Hoi An was one of the most important trading ports in Southeast Asia, and a center for East-West exchange and trade. The rooftops of Hoi An retain a magical old world Oriental feel and are a favorite subject for Vietnamese artists.  In the early 1980s Hoi An’s ancient quarters and historical monuments came under the protection and restoration efforts of UNESCO and the Polish government.  Cycling with your tourguide to Cua Dai beach for relax. O/N Hoi An.

Day 14: HOIAN – DANANG – SAIGON (B/-/-)
Transfer from Hoi An to Da Nang to take flight to Saigon. Upon arrival in Saigon, trasfer to your hotel for check-in. In the afternoon, visit Saigon with China Town and Thien Hau Pagoda. O/N Saigon

Day 15: SAIGON – CAIBE- VINH LONG - CYCLING (B/L/-)
8.00 am Depature for CaiBe (2.5 hrs), on arrival, we board on boat for visit the floating market and cruise over the mighty mekong river (~ 1.5km wide) to DongPhu island. We start cycling one hour under the green canopy, explore the orchards and daily life of farmers. Lunch break on island & more cruise to VinhLong. In the afternoon we have 2 hours riding on immense rice fields, cycling through numerous rural riverside villages before our bus pick up to Cantho city. Evening free time for promenade along city quay. O/N in CanTho.

    

Day 16: CAN THO – SAIGON (B/L/-)
Morning boat trip to the most chaos CaiRang Floating Market and up a quiet canal for more cruise on winding arroyos. Then bike backcountry roads 2 hrs to enjoy the beautiful Delta scenery and meet the locals (many on bicycle too). After lunch we head back to Saigon. End of tour.

Day 17: SAIGON – DEPARTURES (B/-/-)
At leisure until transfer to the airport for departure flights.

* Please email us at help@traveltolao.com for more information and quotation.

SERVICES INCLUDES:
English-French speaking guide
Support vehicle
Minsk motorbike
Bycles in Mekong Detla
Mechanic 
Hotels and Guesthouse  (twin shared basis)
Home-stay permission 
Meals as indicated in the itinerary
One small bottle of purified water per day
Entrance fees & Sightseeing fees
Airticket from Danang-Saigon

SERVICES EXCLUDES:
Travel insurance
International airticket and visa to Vietnam
Other meals, drink and personal expenses (laundry, phone call, tip..)