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18 Days Cycling from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh city along Ho Chi Minh Trails

An 18-day cycling expedition from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City along the legendary Ho Chi Minh Trails covers a total cycling distance of approximately 950 km to 1,200 km (excluding support vehicle transfers over heavy traffic or unrideable highway sections). This itinerary takes you deep into the Truong Son mountain range, through lush national parks, historic wartime landmarks, and rural ethnic minority villages before descending into the southern plains

Day 1: Hanoi to Mai Chau Valley ( L, D )

  • Route: 7:30 AM pick up from your hotel in Hanoi and Transfer out of Hanoi's chaotic traffic to Luong Son, then pedal through rural Thai minority villages and tackle the scenic Thong Khe Pass.
  • Cycling Distance: 75 km 

 

Day 2: Mai Chau to Ngoc Lac ( B, L, D )

  • Route: Ride along the peaceful Ma River and paved trails bordering the national park's ancient rainforest.
  • Cycling Distance: 90 km 

Day 3: Ngoc Lac - Nhu Xuan ( B, L, D )

  • Route: Officially join the historic inland Ho Chi Minh Highway, navigating rolling hills and lush agricultural fields.
  • Cycling Distance: 90 km

Day 4: Nhu Xuan to Tan Ky (Thanh Hoa to Nghe An) ( B, L, D )

  • Route: Cycle to Tan Ky, the official wartime starting point of the historical Ho Chi Minh Trail (Km 0).
  • Cycling Distance: 65 km

Day 5: Tan Ky to Pho Chau & Huong Khe ( B, L, D )

  • Route: Follow the quiet, smooth tarmac of the Ho Chi Minh Road through deep green valleys and rubber plantations.
  • Cycling Distance: 90 km 

Day 6: Huong Khe to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park ( B, L, D )

  • Route: A stunning ride over gentle mountain passes into the spectacular limestone karst landscape of Phong Nha.
  • Cycling Distance: 100 km 

Day 7: Rest Day in Phong Nha Caves ( B )

  • Route: Give your legs a break; enjoy an early morning boat excursion inside the legendary Phong Nha Cave.
  • Cycling Distance: 0 km (Rest Day) 

Day 8: Phong Nha to Cam Lo (Across the DMZ) ( B, L, D )

  • Route: Ride the flat sections of the trail crossing the historic 17th Parallel (DMZ), stopping at the Truong Son National Cemetery.
  • Cycling Distance: 85 km 

Day 9: Cam Lo to Khe Sanh Combat Base ( B, L, D )

  • Route: A challenging uphill climb along Route 9, tracing the old demilitarized zone up into the mountains near the Lao border.
  • Cycling Distance: 70 km

Day 10: Khe Sanh to A Luoi Valley ( B, L, D )

  • Route: Pedal the remote western branch of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, a breathtaking roller-coaster of jungle-clad valleys and ethnic villages.
  • Cycling Distance: 95 km

Day 11: A Luoi to Thanh My / Hiep Duc ( B, L, D )

  • Route: Descend from the high valleys toward the central highlands, riding through pristine pine forests and sweeping switchbacks.
  • Cycling Distance: 85 km

Day 12: Hiep Duc to Kham Duc ( B, L, D )

  • Route: Face a demanding mountain stage conquering steep climbs up the Truong Son range into the isolated mountain town of Kham Duc.
  • Cycling Distance: 70 km

Day 13: Kham Duc to Kon Tum (The Central Highlands) ( B, L, D )

  • Route: Cross the historic Lo Bo Pass into the high-altitude plateau, passing local coffee and tea estates.
  • Cycling Distance: 90 km

Day 14: Kon Tum to Pleiku ( B, L, D )

  • Route: Enjoy flatter rolling terrain across the volcanic plains of Gia Lai province, taking in views of the "Sea Lake" (Bien Ho).
  • Cycling Distance: 50 km

Day 15: Pleiku to Buon Ma Thuot  ( B, L, D )

  • Route: Cruise the highland roads through the heart of Vietnam's coffee capital, navigating long, gradual straightaways.
  • Cycling Distance: 95 km

Day 16: Buon Ma Thuot to Lak Lake ( B, L, D )

  • Route: Cycle a scenic secondary route to Lak Lake, observing the traditional stilt-house villages of the M'nong people.
  • Cycling Distance: 55 km

Day 17: Lak Lake to Da Lat (The Final Climb) ( B, L, D )

  • Route: Tackle the grueling but visually spectacular climbs up to the pine-forested alpine city of Da Lat.
  • Cycling Distance: 85 km 

Day 18: Da Lat down to Ho Chi Minh City ( B, L,)

    • Route: Experience a thrilling, winding downhill coast through the Bidoup-Nui Ba Pass before taking a vehicle transfer past the busy outskirts into downtown Saigon.
    • Cycling Distance: 45 km (Total transfer: ~220 km) 

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