The Ho Chi Minh Trail - Vietnam Organised Motor Cycle Tours

With packed bags and passport in hand, you leave home to head to Hanoi in Vietnam, the gateway to your adventure.

Welcome to Hanoi, the vibrant capital of Vietnam, where centuries of history blend seamlessly with the energy of modern-day life. Our adventure begins in the heart of the city’s famous Old Quarter, a fascinating maze of narrow streets, quirky tall buildings, bustling markets, and endless streams of scooters.

This evening, we’ll gather for a welcome dinner where you’ll meet your fellow riders, guides, support crew, and the RAMS Adventures team as we prepare for the incredible journey ahead.

Overnight: Hanoi

After breakfast, the day is yours to explore at your own pace. Alternatively, join us for a guided tour of Hanoi’s fascinating history and culture.

We’ll visit the remains of the famous B-52 bomber resting in Huu Tiep Lake, explore the Vietnam Military History Museum, and discover the sobering history of the infamous Hoa Lo Prison, better known as the “Hanoi Hilton”. 

Along the way, we’ll stop for some of Hanoi’s finest street food, including the city’s Bun Cha, followed by a traditional Vietnamese egg coffee at the legendary Train Street. After an early dinner, we make our way to Hanoi Railway Station and board the overnight sleeper train bound for Dong Hoi.

Settle into your berth and drift off to sleep as the train heads south through the Vietnamese countryside.

Overnight: The Train

Leaving the coastal city of Dong Hoi, the route heads south along quiet rural roads towards the coast. The scenery is deceptively peaceful; rice paddies stretch to the horizon, fishing villages dot the coastline, and farmers work the fields much as they have for generations.

The first major stop is the Vinh Moc Tunnels, an extraordinary underground village built by local civilians to survive the intense American bombing campaign

From Vinh Moc, the ride continues towards the historic Ben Hai River and the Hien Luong Bridge, which once marked the border between North and South Vietnam along the 17th Parallel.

For many riders, the journey from Dong Hoi through the DMZ to Khe Sanh becomes one of the most memorable days of the entire expedition. It is a ride through landscapes that have healed from war but continue to tell their story to those who travel through them.

Overnight: Khe Sanh

Leaving the plateau at Khe Sanh, you’re riding out of one of the most storied military locations of the war. The former Khe Sanh Combat Base, also known as Tà Cơn Airbase, was the centre of the 1968 siege that drew global attention. Today it feels quiet and open, surrounded by rolling hills and coffee plantations, but the remnants of bunkers, aircraft, and trenches still sit on the old airstrip.

One of the key historical landmarks along this section is the site of the of Hamburger Hill, officially known as Battle of Hamburger Hill in the A Shau Valley.

After days of remote riding and war history, Huế offers a completely different atmosphere, calm, cultured, and deeply historic in a more ancient sense. It’s the perfect contrast to the rugged mountain sections that precede it.

Overnight:Huế

Leaving the imperial city of Huế, the ride begins gently as we head out into the surrounding countryside, keep an eye out for the Imperial City.

Tucked away from the main routes, these cool jungle pools and cascading falls offer the perfect opportunity to stop, relax, and take in the natural beauty of the region. It’s a chance to step away from the bikes, cool off in fresh mountain water, and enjoy a quieter side of Vietnam that many travellers never see.

Refreshed and recharged, we turn south for one of the great riding highlights of the entire trip, the legendary Hai Van Pass before dropping into Hoi An.

Overnight: Hoi An

Relax and recharge in Hoi An, a vibrant town known for tailor-made clothing, as seen on Top Gear Vietnam.

Swim in the ocean, explore boutiques, or simply soak up the laid-back beach vibes.

Overnight: Hoi An

Leaving the charm of Hoi An, we head south along Vietnam’s central coastline, trading lantern-lit streets and ancient architecture for quiet rural roads, fishing communities, and long stretches of unspoilt scenery.

Our destination is the peaceful coastal town of Thu Xa which is near the historic area of Son My (My Lai), a place forever linked to one of the most significant and sobering events of the Vietnam War.

Overnight: Thu Xa

Today is a wonderfully relaxed riding day, with long open stretches and minimal traffic, allowing plenty of time to enjoy the scenery. The coastline here feels untouched in places, traditional wooden boats resting on the sand, farmers working the fields, and small roadside markets offering a glimpse into everyday life far from the major tourist routes.

Our destination is the coastal city of Quy Nhon, a laid-back seaside town that has quietly become one of Vietnam’s most appealing coastal stops. Unlike the busier cities further north and south, Quy Nhon retains a relaxed, authentic atmosphere, with a long sweep of beach, calm waters, and a growing café culture shaped by both locals and travellers.

Overnight: Qui Nhon

The ride today continues south along one of the most enjoyable stretches of Vietnam’s coastline. This is a day defined by flowing roads, open sea views, and a sense of space as the landscape gradually transitions from quiet provincial coast to the more tropical feel of southern central Vietnam.

Our destination is the coastal district of Ninh Hoa, offering a more authentic glimpse of coastal Vietnam. Here, life is still closely connected to the sea, with fishing communities, traditional salt production, and long, peaceful beaches that remain largely untouched by mass tourism.

Overnight: Ninh Hoa

Leaving the coastal calm of Ninh Hoa, the landscape begins to change almost immediately as we turn inland and head towards the Central Highlands. The sea gradually disappears behind us, replaced by rising hills, dense forest, and winding rural roads that mark the transition into a very different side of Vietnam.

Our destination is the tranquil lakeside setting of Lak Lake, where we arrive at the unique Lai Lake Village. Set on the edge of the water and surrounded by rolling highlands, this is one of the most atmospheric stays of the entire trip.

Overnight: Lak Lake

Leaving the peaceful shores of Lak Lake, the ride continues deeper into Vietnam’s Central Highlands, where the landscape becomes increasingly dramatic. The roads begin to climb once again, winding through forested hills, coffee plantations, and remote ethnic minority villages that reflect the traditional highland way of life.

Eventually, the road climbs towards one of Vietnam’s most distinctive destinations, the mountain city of Da Lat. Known as the “City of Eternal Spring,” Da Lat sits high in the Central Highlands and offers a completely different atmosphere to the rest of the country.

Overnight: Da Lat

As we lose altitude, the landscape changes rapidly. The air becomes warmer, the terrain flattens, and the scenery shifts from highland greenery to dry hills, sandier soil, and eventually the coastal plains. This transition is one of the most striking of the entire journey—moving in a single day from cool mountain climate to tropical coastal heat.

Our destination is the laid-back coastal area of Mui Ne, a relaxed beachfront retreat set directly on the sand. Simple, comfortable, and perfectly positioned, it offers the ideal place to unwind after a full day of riding from the highlands.

Overnight: Mui Ne

The morning starts with open coastal roads, the sea stretching out to our left as we wind our way along Vietnam’s southern shoreline. Fishing boats head out to sea, local markets come to life, and the rhythm of everyday life continues unchanged as we make steady progress towards the country’s largest and most dynamic city.

Riding into Ho Chi Minh City is an experience in itself. The roads become busier, the skyline rises ahead, and the unmistakable pulse of Saigon takes over. Scooters fill every lane, street vendors line the pavements, and the city’s famous organised chaos unfolds around us.

Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City

Spend the morning at leisure in Ho Chi Minh City before transfers to the airport for your return flight home, taking memories of Vietnam and the epic Rams Adventure Ho Chi Minh Trail rider motorcycle tour with you.