Da Nang – Hanoi – 6 Days
Route Summary:
Distance: 6 days - 1,340 kms
If you are riding between these two cities there is simply no better way than this to do it. Plan to add, at least, a day off in Phong Nha and Tam Coc.
Da Nang - Hue
Distance: 180 kms
This is a relatively short ride day so no time pressure to get at it early. The early riser though, is regularly rewarded with a beautiful sunrise on busy beaches.
One of my preferred morning beach cities for the vibe. Several ladies in their dancing groups mixing exercise with social entertainment.
For those who get at it early, the morning views from the Monkey Pass over Danang City and from the Hai Van pass of the ocean are quite spectacular so long as there is no low cloud.
For those on automatic transmission scooters delete (A, B & C) as they are now allowed on the Monkey Pass.
You need to be aware that trucks carrying flammables are not allowed in the tunnel so run over the pass. This is less frequent now with many using the expressway around behind the pass.
(D) Is the coffee stop at the top of the Pass. Plenty of sellers there with souvenirs etc. Some fortresses too, battle scarred from gunfire to hold ground between the North and South historically.
Some nice views coming off the pass on the North side too but keep focused on the job and park safely for photography.
(E) Is your seafood lunch stop right on the beach. A few options in the area. All good, but this one has western seating and always been happy with the food.
(F) Don’t miss this detour. One of the nicest secluded beaches in the country. Pack a picnic and this would be a unique lunch stop option.
(G) Is a museum but marked on the map more so to take you up through burial grounds with tombs dating back the the Nguyen Dynasty
A sunset boat ride up the Perfume River is a nice finish for the day and relatively inexpensive.
Equally as good is the sunrise coffee and the river boardwalks to start the day.
Hue (formally the Imperial Capital of Vietnam) is my favourite river city in the country. Around 1.8M people reside here and it has a huge amount of ancient and more recent history. Â
The Citadel (The Imperial City), right in town was the Kings residence in the Nguyen Dynasty. Worth the time to do it but If it’s a hot day, take plenty of water. I find with the high perimeter walls it can get uncomfortably hot in there.Â
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Hue - Khe Sanh
Distance: 195 kms
Get down to the river early. It’s a nice vibe with the locals exercising along the boardwalk and fisherman beating the sun in their open boats.
This isn’t a big day travel time wise but you can burn some time at the stops. A nice early start following the Perfume River out of Hue.
(A, B & C) are all historic points of interest. A good coffee stop right in front at the left turn up the top.
(D) on the map is Hamburger Hill, the site of a significant battle offensive in May 1969. There is a memorial at the top and a number of other sites off the main track.
It’s quite a climb and as I understand it you are supposed to have a guide although I did it by myself. Adds only 15 kms to the day but some time. Take water if tackling this.
Even if you decide against the climb it’s a great area to go exploring off this map in any case. I went alone the first time and all went okay but very remote so I advise sticking to the main tracks if by yourself.
From there we meet up with the HCM Road and follow the Thach Han River. Some really nice swim and photo opportunities along this stretch.
(E) on the map the best of them.
(F & G) again historical sites keeping you on the right path.
(G) is the US Military Combat Base. Opens at 7.30am if you get in late and well worth a look for the modest entry fee. Quite a bit to learn there if you want to commit the time.
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Khe Sanh - Phong Nha
Distance: 230 kms
This is not a huge day distance wise but will take longer than you think. With an early start you’ll get it done comfortably at a relaxed pace though. This stretch of the Ho Chi Minh Road is quite simply a must do experience in this country. Mostly a raked concrete surface with plenty of grip but hard on tyre’s and challenging in places if riding spiritedly. Landslides are common through here so be mindful of sand or clay on corners. My favourite ride day between Danang and Hanoi.
These days there is fuel available about half way but as always a good idea to fill before you leave and take water. There’s not too much in the way of services through much of this.
These days there is fuel available about half way but as always a good idea to fill before you leave and take water. Not too much in the way of services through much of this.
(A) The US Military Combat Base. Opens at 7.30am and is well worth a look for the modest entry fee. Quite a bit to learn there if you want to commit the time.
(B & C) are nice swim spots well located for rest stops.
(D) a good photo stop.
(E) one of few accommodation options if you wanted to break it up.
(F) another photo stop and
(G) a higher end accommodation option in the village on the river.
(B) This waterfall is my swim stop but better located when running this road South. A bit early in the day North bound but a great photo stop in any case.
(C) A roadside waterfall which in wet season particularly is a well located rest and photo stop.
(D) Always a stop here, one of very few intersections if leading others to group up. A historic milestone marks the corner and if you take left you’re off to the coast.
(E) Historically decent food on this ride has been hard to come by but Ms Thu at this well set up roadside cafe has got us covered these days.
(F) In recent times this hotel is an option in the unlikely event of a bike or health problem. I’ve never used it but now nice to know there’s something if needed.
(G) One of many caves in the area if you want to add that to the day. I’m usually to focused on the road to bother but it is a good rest stop.
(H) Phong Nha – Ke Bang tourist centre to pick up a souvenir of the area maybe on your way out or a boat for a run through the Phong Nha Cave.
(I) Is my go to out of town on the plain. Well appointed comfortable ensuite hotel rooms to pool villas with a well stocked bar, great pool and an extensive menu. Ben and Bich the hosts have great local knowledge and work hard putting together activities for their guests.
Phong Nha township on the banks of the Son River is part of Phong Nha-Kẻ Bà ng National Park, a UNESCO’s World Heritage Site
The area has developed in recent years as a popular tourist destination.
Attractions include numerous caves to explore. Phong Nha Cave a leisurely river cruise though caves under the mountains and Paradise a little more traditional dry cave are cheap and readily accessible. At the high end Hang Son Doong is reportedly the world’s largest cave with its own very unique ecosystem and a four day commitment, far from cheap to explore.
Also of note the limestone and bauxite monoliths rising from a vast floodplain to the North, were the land sections in the filming of King Kong. This area is a great motorcycling day loop from the township.
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Phong Nha - Gio Lao
Distance: 300 kms
This looks like a big day but really it isn’t. Open deserted roads so you’ll make good time. Unless coming off the HCM Road the accommodation options today are pretty thin so it’s worth an early start and get it done.
The road into the Laos border is an absolute beauty. Don’t miss that 38k’s each way but obviously by letting it slide you’ll shorten the day significantly. Plenty of trucks, mostly pulling ore out of Laos so you need to be mindful of that. As the photo suggests, not all get it right.
Once back on Uncle Ho’s Road it opens up and is a bit of a transit leg comparatively to your night stop.
(B) The pick up point for a boat tour around the tea farms.
Weather permitting, it’s a pleasant experience and not expensive. I’ve been a few times and never crowded.
Great drone area too. This is one of my favourite low level shots.
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Gia Lao - Tam Coc
Distance: 300 kms
A reasonable sized day distance wise but easy as it’s not as big a day scenery wise, therefore photography wise. Compared with where you’ve come from and particularly where you may be going the country flattens out a bit in this section so with that higher average speed.
 If you don’t have time for a day off in your schedule, get an early start tomorrow to be in mid afternoon. The Tam Coc area is worthy of a good look around. Besides, a dawn start every so often is good for your soul.
(A) a good morning coffee option
(B) is the HCM Trail 0 milestone. Good first photo and rest stop.
Plenty of good food options along the way as always. Where restaurants are over water you can be sure of good seafood even this far off the coast. Alive in tanks so no question around freshness.
(C) is a massive sunflower farm that at certain times of the year is quite spectacular.
(D) is just keeping you on the right track
(E) is an interesting place to check out. A lot of this 13th century Imperial Fortress is in ruins but the gates I imagine rebuilt are pretty impressive. Have a good look around and leave through the East gate to pick up this map again.
(F) another tour option you could bypass if time poor
(G) a great accommodation option perfectly located
It is at the end of the village so an early morning walk through the rice paddies and mountain area is recommended. Having a flick for a fish is good fun.
(H) The Caves boat tour is a must do.
The best of many tours offered in the area if having a day off here or in early enough to squeeze it into the afternoon. Last boats leave at 3.30pm for the full 3 hour tour.
While the lady paddles down the back, relax and enjoy this beautiful part of the country. Of note this is the area the water scenes for King Kong movie blockbuster were shot.
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Tam Coc - Hanoi
Distance: 135 kms
Without going stupidly out of the way a stretch on the A1 is unavoidable on your way towards the Capital. As you get closer though the pins on this map takes you around the worst of it on top of a levee bank.
We run along that to within a few kilometres of the Southern side of the city.
Be particularly aware of other road users into Hanoi. If you think HCM drivers and riders are reckless wait until you see the antics of some of these characters
If your stay in the Old Quarter is a weekend the Hoan Kiem Lake just a few minutes walk is shut off to traffic and a pretty cool scene. ‘Note Coffee’ on your right as you approach the lake do a great job of the morning caffeine fix.
Plenty of option bars and food options wise in this area also.
The Tay Ho, West Lakes area is the other to consider for your accommodation. Most expats live in this area and also has plenty of great restaurant and bar options.
The morning walk around this lake is exceptional as far as major cities go.
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