BMW GS Vietnam Expedition 11 Days From Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
This 11-day motorcycle expedition from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) traces the full length of Vietnam, connecting the country’s most iconic roads, landscapes, and cultures in one epic ride south.
Starting in the vibrant streets of Hanoi, the route follows Vietnam’s stunning coastline through Hue’s imperial heritage, the legendary Hai Van Pass, the ancient town of Hoi An, and the sun-soaked beaches of Quy Nhon and Nha Trang. The journey then climbs into the Central Highlands, riding sections of the historic Ho Chi Minh Trail through remote mountain scenery and visiting local coffee plantations, before descending into the energy of Saigon.
This tour is perfectly suited for the BMW GS or a lighter adventure bike such as the Honda CB500X, handling everything from smooth coastal highways to remote highland backroads with ease.
Coastal roads, mountain passes, historic trails, and cultural encounters make this one of the most complete and rewarding motorcycle adventures in Southeast Asia.
Tour Highlights:
- Ride the full length of Vietnam on a 14-day motorcycle journey from Hanoi to Saigon along the country’s most legendary roads
- Tackle the iconic Hai Van Pass and sections of the historic Ho Chi Minh Trail through remote Central Highlands scenery
- Explore world-class destinations including Hue, Hoi An, Quy Nhon, Nha Trang, and the Central Highlands in one epic route
- Unwind on stunning Vietnamese beaches with perfectly timed coastal stops built into the itinerary
- A seamless blend of coastal cruising, mountain passes, cultural heritage, and off-road adventure across Vietnam’s most diverse landscapes
Day 1: Hanoi to Tan Ky via Mai Chau (Approx. 390 Km)
Heading northwest from Hanoi, the ride opens alongside Hong Son Lake with sweeping views of limestone peaks, tiny forested islands, and calm reflective waters before descending into the peaceful Mai Chau Valley for lunch.
The afternoon pushes south through terraced rice fields, traditional stilt house villages, and scenic highland countryside before arriving in Tan Ky, a town located at the begging of the famous Ho Chi Minh Road.
Highlights: Hong Son Lake, limestone scenery, Mai Chau Valley, terraced rice fields, Tan Ky heritage town
Day 2: Phong Nha Ke Bang (Approx. 200 km)
The morning ride pushes deeper into the Vietnamese countryside through quaint villages, rice fields, and serene waterways before the landscape dramatically shifts into towering limestone karst formations and dense jungle as Phong Nha draws closer.
Arriving in the late afternoon, there is time to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site or join a boat tour into the legendary Phong Nha Cave before dinner at a local restaurant.
Highlights: Vietnamese countryside riding, limestone karst scenery, Phong Nha UNESCO site, Phong Nha Cave boat tour
Day 3: Khe Sanh (Approx. 250 km)
Leaving Phong Nha, the route joins the Truong Son Trail and follows the western Ho Chi Minh Road through lush jungle and rolling highland scenery. A detour east takes in the haunting Vinh Moc Tunnels and the historic DMZ sites, powerful reminders of Vietnam’s wartime past, before rejoining the Ho Chi Minh Road’s western corridor through quieter jungle roads toward Khe Sanh.
Before arriving, a stop at the Ta Con Airport Relic Museum offers a compelling insight into one of the Vietnam War’s most significant battlegrounds. We arrive in Khe Sanh by late afternoon with time to explore the town and rest.
Highlights: Truong Son Trail, western Ho Chi Minh Road, Vinh Moc Tunnels, DMZ sites, jungle road riding, Ta Con Airport Relic Museum, Khe Sanh town
Day 4: Hoi An vía Hai Van Pass (Approx. 250 km)
Leaving Khe Sanh, the ride heads east through the dramatic Annamite Mountain Range, winding through mountain passes and serene valleys toward the ancient city of Hue. A lunch stop allows time to explore the city’s iconic Imperial Citadel, royal tombs, and historic pagodas before pushing on toward the coast.
The afternoon ride tackles the legendary Hai Van Pass with sweeping views over jungle and sea, descending through the charming coastal town of Danang before arriving in the UNESCO-listed town of Hoi An by early evening. The night closes with a stroll through Hoi An’s iconic lantern-lit ancient streets.
Highlights: Annamite Mountain Range, Hue Imperial Citadel, Hai Van Pass, Hoi An ancient town
Day 5: Pleiku (Approx. 320 km)
Leaving Hoi An, the route heads inland along the scenic Phuoc Son Trail, weaving through lush mountain landscapes and quiet, untouched villages into the Central Highlands. Along the way, the ride passes through remote communities of the Ba Na ethnic minority.
A meaningful stop at Kham Duc, heavily bombarded during the Vietnam War, adds a powerful historical dimension to the journey before the road continues south through dramatic highland terrain into Pleiku, the rugged capital of Gia Lai Province and a gateway to the heart of the Central Highlands.
Highlights: Phuoc Son Trail, Ba Na ethnic villages, Central Highlands scenery, Kham Duc war history, Pleiku city arrival
Day 6: Buon Ma Thuot – Dirt Road Adventure (Approx. 2o0 km)
Leaving Pleiku, the ride heads south through lush forests and rolling hills on a mix of tarmac and dirt road adventure trails through small Central Highlands backroads. A significant stop at the Ia Drang Valley battlefield, one of the most pivotal sites of the Vietnam War, adds historical depth before the route winds into the wilderness of Yok Don National Park, Vietnam’s largest national park and home to rare wildlife and elephant conservation areas.
The day closes in Buon Ma Thuot, Vietnam’s coffee capital.
Highlights: Central Highlands dirt road trails, Ia Drang Valley battlefield, Yok Don National Park, Buon Ma Thuot coffee culture, highland village riding
Day 7 & 8: Nha Trang (Approx. 195 km)
Leaving Buon Ma Thuot, the route takes quiet Central Highland backroads through remote minority villages and dense forested terrain, offering an unhurried and deeply authentic riding experience far from the main highways.
The landscape gradually shifts as the highlands give way to the coast, with sweeping views of emerald green waters and traditional fishing boats appearing on the horizon before descending into Nha Trang.
The following morning kicks off a free day on your own, or plan it with a four-island boat trip around Nha Trang Bay, with lunch served on board.
Day 9: Dalat (Approx. 145 km)
Today’s ride climbs back into the Central Highlands on one of Vietnam’s most iconic mountain roads, famously featured in the BBC Top Gear Vietnam Special. The route winds through majestic highland scenery before arriving in Da Lat, the beloved “City of Love” known for its cool climate, evergreen forests, cascading waterfalls, and stunning flower gardens.
Highlights: Top Gear Vietnam route, Central Highland mountain roads, Da Lat flower gardens, Valley of Love, French colonial architecture
Day 10: Cat Tien National Park (Approx. 210 km). Dirt trail ride
Leaving Da Lat, the route drops off Road 20 onto quiet backroads and dirt trails winding through remote villages and dense highland terrain before arriving at Cat Tien National Park. A detour to a scenic jungle waterfall makes for a rewarding mid-ride stop before pushing deeper into the park.
Arrive, check in to our home-stay / resort, short rest, then proceed to visit the national park.
Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) (Approx. 160 km)
The final day’s ride covers a relatively short distance but builds in excitement as the landscape transitions from jungle wilderness to the buzzing outskirts of Saigon. Traffic thickens on the approach to the city, a fitting contrast to the remote roads left behind, before the tour concludes in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.
Highlights: Cat Tien jungle exit, Saigon city arrival, end of the Vietnam End to End motorcycle adventure