Vietnam is a beautiful country with a long and sometimes turbulent past. It can trace its origins back 25,000 years and is one of the oldest countries in the world.
Booking
ADVENTURE: VIETNAM
At a Glance
Tour Dates
06 Feb 2025 02 Mar 2025
05 Feb 2026 01 Mar 2026
Duration
25 Days
Tour Starts in
Bangkok, TH
Tour Leaders
Travel Distance
Approx 3110 miles
Difficulty
Tour Difficulty
Roads
95% Tarmac, 5% Gravel
Hire Bikes
Available
Price From
9495 £
Tour Overview
Often occupied and fought over it has included Chinese and French occupation, but this time of conflict ended with the second Indochina war between the communist Soviet backed north and the capitalist US backed south. Since the late 1970’s peace has largely settled on this land and as the communist state has reformed it has grown into the country we find today. Our Vietnam motorcycle tour visits key scenic sites, historic sites from the first and second Indochina wars and some of the most beautiful places the country has to offer. We also spend some time away from the “must see” sites to see the real Vietnam. To see this country properly we are taking three weeks to traverse almost from top to bottom.
Fly into Bangkok and you will be met and transferred to our flight to Chiang Rai. From there a road transfer to Chiang Khong to meet the bikes and prepare for our pre tour briefing and welcome dinner. We are heading out of Thailand on the very first day and as we cross the border to Laos through villages and past rice paddies, and lots of local Laos children waving furiously as you ride past on ‘big bikes’, a sight they rarely see as it’s a culture where the scooter is king. From here we cross into Vietnam at the Tay Trang Border post to the Dien Bien Province, site of the battle to finally liberate the Vietnamese people from French occupation.
We head to Sapa over the mighty O Quy Ho Pass. one of the highest and most dangerous roads in Vietnam. In Sapa we have a day off to explore the Ancient Rock Fields or if you want more on bike time to ride the Tram Ton Pass. The next few days are running the border with China over the Dong Van Plateau and the iconic “Fairy Twin Mountain”. We visit Vietnams most northerly point the Lung Cu Flag pole up 389 stone steps. We ride the road of Happiness over the Ma Pi Leng Pass and on past vertical stone cliffs.
Two special nights in the UNESCO listed Ha Long Bay are followed by two nights in Hanoi the capital. We have time to visit the Old Quarter – a maze of narrow streets dating back to the 13th century, the One Pillar Pagoda and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Ba Ðình Square, where Ho read the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945, establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
Heading south from Hanoi we cross the old DMZ line and ride through the UNESCO listed Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park where massive tectonic movements have left miles of underground caves and rivers and a unique landscape on the surface. We also visit the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel which in 1972 was bombed for 80 days and nights by a rota of 140 B52 bombers. Only the front and rear gates remain. We also visit the UNESCO listed city of Hue touring the city on our bikes visiting the Forbidden City and UNESCO list Hoi An Ancient town.
Our route is heading south now along the coast visiting the twin Cham towers of Quy Nhon, Cliff of Stone Plates – Ganh Da Dia in Nhan Trang, the white beaches of Vietnams resort destinations as well as Mui Ne Habour. All this before we arrive at Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) and the challenge of riding through thousands of scooters in the city! An experience to behold. A day off here provides time to explore this most fascinating and vibrant of cities. We will visit the vast tunnels of Cu Chi dug by the Viet Cong to store weapons, hide in, treat their wounded and generally avoid the Southern army. You can also visit the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum, the Ho Chi Minh Museum or enjoy the French colonial architecture of the Notre Dame and the old Saigon Post Office.
Leaving Ho Chi Minh City we are heading into the central Highlands. Da Lat is the City of Flowers and the mist resting almost permanently in the valley, along with the flowers give it the name, City of Eternal Spring. From Da Lat we are riding a section of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, now road, as we head to our last night in Vietnam. Across the border to Laos and the small provincial town of Attapeu, before heading back to Thailand and our farewell party at Ubon Ratchathani. From here we will transfer you to the airport and onto our internal flight back to Bangkok for the international flights home.
“This trip will amaze you every day. Whether it’s the natural beauty, the architecture from past to present, the beaches, the food or the unforgettable driving and riding styles of the locals in cars, trucks and on scooters. I can assure you this will be a trip you will never forget”. Paul Mostyn Tour Leader
This trip has opened up a whole new world of adventure motorbike touring to us and we will definitely be back for more. The experience was amazing. We can only thank you Richard for this wonderful adventure. It was certainly challenging at times but that is what a true adventure is all about.
Len Tunney
Motorrad Tours welcome all makes and models of bike on tour. We also have a range of BMW bikes that you can hire. All our hire bikes for Classic and European Explorer Tours are current model BMW’s complete with ABS, Heated Grips, Panniers, Top Box, Tank Bag, Inner bags for all boxes and a pre programmed BMW Navigator GPS included.
Price option | Solo Rider Shared Room | Solo Rider Single Room | *Rider and passenger |
---|---|---|---|
Including an F800/850GS Hire Bike | 9495 | 10295 | 14395 |
Including an R1200/1250GS Hire Bike | 10695 | 11495 | 15595 |
Motorcycles for this tour are supplied by our local BMW Travel Partner. They are BMW's equipped with ABS, heated grips and panniers. You are welcome to take your own GPS unit or you can rent one. We will provide complete GPS routes and GPS maps for the tour. For further details of hire bikes and terms and conditions please see the Hire Bikes page. Third party motorcycle insurance is included.
PLEASE NOTE: The BMW F800GS for this tour are all low chassis models. This is the standard build for Thailand.
IMPORTANT:
Most people will require Visa's to undertake this Tour. Please check with the Vietnam, Laos and Thailand Embassies in your home country for your requirements.
UK residents currently do not require a Visa for Thailand unless you have previous frequent visits to Thailand in the past year. You can apply for a Laos Visa at the border, but will require a Visa for Vietnam as we are in the country for more than 15 days. You should also ensure that your passport has at least 6 blank pages prior to travel.
You can check your requirements at:
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have all the correct visas in place for travel.
You may also like to check for recommended Vaccinations for this trip. There are none currently legally required unless you are travelling from a country with Yellow Fever, in which case you must get a Yellow Fever Vaccination prior to the tour.
* Rider and Passenger price is for both people, not per person.
HIRE BIKES: If you are booking with a hire bike we will hand your bike over on the afternoon prior to the first tour day. This will give you a chance to get familiar with the bike, make any adjustments, arrange your packing and not waste any time on the first day riding.
Day 1 Arrive in Chiang Rai during the morning for your transfer to Chiang Khong for pre tour briefing and welcome dinner on the banks of the Mekong River
Day 2 An early start as today we cross to Laos riding past ride fields stopping at Luang Namtha market for Lunch
Day 3 Another border crossing (which can be slow!) and a ride to Dien Bien Phu site of the final defeat of the French Colonial forces in 1954
Day 4 The ride to Sapa takes us over the O Quy Ho Pass over 2,000 metres high in the Hoang Lien Son Mountains
Day 5 A day off in Sapa to explore the terraces of the Muong Hoa Valley, visit the 100m Sapa Silver Waterfall, experience the Cau Kinh Rong May Glass Bridge or ride "Heavens Gate" the 1,900m Tram Ton Pass
Day 6 Today we run along the border with China headed for the town of Ha Giang the highest in Vietnam
Day 7 Continuing along the China border on the Dong Van Plateau we can enjoy the wild scenery and beautiful Yen Ninh Valley, before heading for the most northerly point of Vietnam Lung Cu Flag Tower
Day 8 Ride the "Road of Happiness" and the Ma Pi Leng Pass to Cau Bag where we are staying in the "Official Government Tourism" hotel
Day 9 An early start and a long day today as we ride to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay for two special nights in this incredible and memorable bay
Day 10 A day off the bikes to relax and soak up the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay. Kayaking, swimming, visiting caves or just relaxing and taking in the views.
Day 11 After a late start we have a short day to negotiate the hustle and bustle of chaotic, vibrant and iconic Hanoi
Day 12 A day off here to explore this 1,000 year old city, the birthplace of modern Vietnam. Visit the Water Puppet Theatre, the One Pillar Pagoda or the heart of Hanoi the Hoan Kiem Lake
Day 13 Departing Hanoi early to avoid the rush hour traffic we are heading south down the spine of Vietnam to Vinh Cua Lo, once home to Ho Chi Minh with its long sandy beaches
Day 14 AOur longest riding day on tour as we continue down the coast south past some of the most significant battlefields of the America-Vietnam war en route to the Imperial city of Hue
Day 15 We will spend the morning in Hue to see this UNESCO World Heritage city and take a tour of the Forbidden City before departing after lunch for the short ride to Hoi An famous for its lanterns and fascinating markets
Day 16 Today we are heading for the small port of Quy Nhon, home to shipbuilders, cool beaches and the ancient Thap Doi Cham - Twin Cham Towers
Day 17 Ride along one of the most beautiful beach road from Quy Nhon to Nha Trang and visit the Ganh Da Dia stone plates - a intriguing series of interlocking basalt columns
Day 18 South along the coast with spectacular views of Mui Ne Harbour and the white sand dunes. Arrive early to relax in this amazing beach resort
Day 19 The beautiful peaceful countryside en route will contrast with the crazy traffic in Ho Chi Minh City. Be observant and don't hesitate - fortune favours the brave!
Day 20 A full day to explore the city including the tunnels of Cu Chi, the Old Saigon Post Office, the War Remnants Museum or the Jade Emperor Pagoda and much more in this charming, busy city
Day 21 We ride through coffee and tea plantations as we head for the "City of Eternal Spring" as we climb back to the central highlands
Day 22 Today we are riding along the route of the infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail though the bustling town of Boun Ma Thout to Pleiku and our last night in Vietnam
Day 23 Today we are crossing back in Laos at the Ngoc Hoi Border point before riding to Attapeu. This provincial "capital" is off the tourist trail giving a brief taste of the real Laos
Day 24 We cross from Laos to Thailand and head for Ubon Ratchathani and our farewell party at the end of this epic journey through Vietnam
Day 25 Transfer to the airport for the short flight to Bangkok and your international flights home, with hearts and cameras full of enchanting Vietnam
- Museum of The Dien Bien Phu battle
- The A1 Hills & *Muong Thanh Airfield
- The Command Bunker of Dien Bien Phu
- Him Lam & Doc Lap Hills
- Ride the O Quy Ho Pass
- Ride the Hoang Lien Son Pass
- Ride the beautiful Muong Hoa Valley
- Riding the Fansipan Mountain Range
- The 100m high Sapa Silver Waterfall
- The 100m high Sapa Silver Waterfall
- Marvel at the Sapa Ancient Rock Field
- Marvel at the Sapa Ancient Rock Field
- Fairy Twin Mountain
- Dong Van Karst Plauteau
- Dong Van Karst Plauteau
- Vietnams Most northerly point – Lung Cu Flag Tower
- Ride the Ma Pi Leng Pass
- The One Pillar Pagoda
- The One Pillar Pagoda
- Hoan Kiem Lake
- Hoan Kiem Lake
- Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park
- Truong Son Marytrs’s Cemetery
- Truong Son Marytrs’s Cemetery
- Truong Son Marytrs’s Cemetery
- Riding the Hai Van Pass
- Riding the Hai Van Pass
- Riding the Hai Van Pass
- Cliff of Stone Plates – Ganh Da Dia
- Ponagar Cham Tower
- Long Son Pagoda
- Long Son Pagoda
- Mui Ne Fairy Stream
- Vung Tau City
- Reunification Palace
- Ho Chi Minh Museum
- Notre Dame Catheral
- Old Saigon Post Office
- Notre Dame Catheral
- Jade Emperor Pagoda
- Ben Thanh Market
- Tunnels of Cu Chi
Well planned and executed - great. If you fancy somewhere really different, Vietnam could be for you. Add in the superb organisation of Motorrad tours and the rare chance to ride the country on a GS, and you've bagged a winner. . .
Max Bower
What's Included
- Pre tour pack including tour information, maps and GPS routes in Garmin/BMW format
- Electronic copy of the World of BMW Touring Essentials Book
- All accommodation as listed primarily in 4 star hotels
- All breakfasts
- Lunches when on the road
- Due the remote nature of many locations dinner is included on many tour nights (excludes beverages)
- Entrance to all parks and attractions listed in the highlights
- Motorrad Tours Tour Leader throughout the Tour
- Local guide throughout the Tour
- Motorcycle rental for the duration of the tour
- Third Party Insurance
- Support vehicle and driver throughout the Tour
- Carriage of one 60L soft bag per customer luggage in the support vehicle
- Airport transfers to and from from Bangkok Airport
- Expert advice and support throughout
- The protection of booking with a fully bonded tour operator
Not Included
- Fuel
- Flights
- Lunches
- Travel Insurance
- Bike Freight (if using your own bike)
- Anything not listed as included
Tour Availability
From | To | Days | Nights | |
---|---|---|---|---|
06-February-2025 |
02-March-2025 |
25 |
24 |
|
05-February-2026 |
01-March-2026 |
25 |
24 |