We suggest arriving a few days early if you’d like time to acclimate and explore this vibrant and captivating city. Some top attractions include the Cu Chi Tunnels—a vast underground network used by the Viet Cong for shelter, storage, and medical care during the war (a day trip is highly recommended). You can also visit the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum, and the Ho Chi Minh Museum, or admire the French colonial architecture of landmarks like Notre Dame Cathedral and the historic Saigon Central Post Office.

• Reunification Palace
• Ho Chi Minh Museum
• Notre Dame Cathedral
• Old Saigon Post Office
• Jade Emperor Pagoda
• Ben Thanh Market
• Tunnels of Cu Chi
• Mekong Delta

Over the next few weeks, we’ll steadily make our way north, weaving along the historic Ho Chi Minh Trail and occasionally detouring to key coastal locations and attractions. While Vietnam is a well-loved tourist destination, most visitors stick to the major cities, Halong Bay, and a few coastal towns—often traveling via train, plane, or along the notoriously busy Highway 1. Our journey takes a different route, steering clear of the typical tourist hotspots to offer a more authentic experience of the real Vietnam. Don’t worry—it’s not all cycling! We’ve planned a mix of shorter riding days and three scheduled rest days, each in locations with optional activities for those who wish to explore further.

We also recommend considering a few extra days at the end of the tour, whether you’d like to delve deeper into the capital city or unwind with a visit to Halong Bay. If you’re interested, we’re happy to help arrange a Halong Bay tour—just get in touch.

Some other highlights include:

• Ponagar Cham Tower
• Long Son Pagoda
• Visit Dalat & Hoi An
• Riding the Hai Van Pass
• Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park
• 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
• Fairy Twin Mountain
• Dong Van Karst Plauteau
• Sung La Valley
• Vietnams Most northerly point – Lung Cu Flag Tower
• Ride the Ma Pi Leng Pass
• Visit Ba Be National Park
• The Old Quarter Hanoi

Included:

• Overlanders Guide(s) and Local Guide(s)
• Recent & well maintained motorcycles. Remember this is Vietnam and large cc motorcycles are very scarce – we recommend mid-size!
• Fuel for motorcycles. 
• Tour price is based on a Honda CB500X or Kawasaki Versys 300 or Similar – our choice and recommendation. Upgrade options subject to availability and on request – please call.
• All meals on riding days: Enjoy local food in every region you visit.
• Boat trips on Lakes or Rivers – Ferry crossings etc.
• All entrance tickets / Permits to remote / restricted areas
• Airport Transfers
• Hotel on arrival and pre-departure
• Welcome and farewell dinners
• Ethnic entertainment in homestays
• Support vehicle (for luggage transfers)

Excludes:

• Personal Motorcycle gear
• Fansipan Entrance ticket or optional rest day activities.
• 3rd Party Liability Insurance – not available – call for more info!
• Motorbike insurance to Cover any damages to the gear or the motorcycle.
• Insurance (damage waiver) = €15/day
• Security Deposit (with no damage waiver insurance)
• Visa fee (approximately 25 USD/person, depending on nationality)
• Tip, drinks, personal expenses, and other expenses not listed
• Any travel costs to get to the start and from the finish point for the tour.
• Personal travel, accident and medical insurance (covering matters such as medical expenses, repatriation, cancellation, curtailment, loss or damage to property)
• Personal documentation (eg visas, passport), vaccinations, personal taxes, border crossing fees
• Costs of motorcycle repair (parts, labour or other related costs), tyres
• Traffic fines or other charges relating to breach of the law
• Any other item not specifically included in the price.

As with all our guided tours we carefully select very good standard 3 or 4* hotels. Over the years we have built up a vast selection of tried and tested hotels around the world and we select hotels for their character and service rather than just on their star rating.  Hotel standards vary all over the world and a 4* in Africa or South America is not always the same as in Europe. In some more remote locations, we may use equivalent 3* hotels or the best available in the area, which could be a more family run establishment, with local character.

In Vietnam we will stay in a few choice carefully selected homestay’s – these are an absolutely fantastic experience often with local ethnic entertainment.

This is Vietnam!

Riding Difficulty

This tour is classed as difficult riding and is only recommended for experienced motorcyclists. The standard of driving in Vietnam is different than anywhere else in the South East Asia and indeed the world. Maybe similar to India. Other road users are the primary hazards. It requires riders to adapt to the local ways to using the public roads and to be on full alert at all times. It’s not un-common to witness close calls on the roads every day! Additionally there are sections of roads in the more remote regions that are un-sealed. Generally the surface is good though and not much different to the sealed roads.

Should you have concerns please do not hesitate to contact us. It is your responsibility to ensure your motorcycling skills are up to the requirements for this tour. Obviously advanced riding skills increase enjoyment factor and reduce risk.

You will need an International Driving Permit for this tour and third party liability insurance is another topic.

Is this ride suitable for a passenger?
Yes. Pillion passengers should be experienced tourers / travelers. 

What is the average group size?
Our groups are normally between 8 – 14 riders (some riders will have passengers). Most riders are from the Ireland, but we do also have overseas riders who may take part.

What documents do I need?
You will need your original documents as follows: 

• Passport and Driving License. Passengers only need their passport.  As a general rule, passports should be valid for at least 6 months after the end of the tour; however, this may be shorter in some European countries. 
• International Driving Permit – available online
• In addition, you must have valid travel/medical insurance.
• Visas as required. An E-Visa can be applied for online and typically takes 3 working days and is valid for 1 month. Please ensure that you are fully aware of all passport and visa requirements and that you allow adequate time to obtain them. If you have any queries the likes of Trailfinders can help/advise or even apply for you.
• For more travel advise, please visit the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade for the most up to date information. 

What will the weather be like?

Hot and humid in the south and a little cooler in the North – As you can imagine Vietnam has many different climates. Depending on season / time of year we will advise expected weather conditions in the pre-trip information and also suggest the most suitable gear based on our experience. It is imperative that tour participants have suitably adequate gear. Please note our tour calendar is carefully planned taking into account the most suitable seasons / local weather for the destination. However, as much as we would like, we cannot always guarantee the best weather. Particularly considering the un-predictable climates the world has been experiencing.

What about my health when I am abroad?
You need to be physically fit and healthy and also take the necessary health precautions.  It is essential for you to consult your doctor or travel clinic for up-to-date medical travel information prior of travel, particularly if you have a pre-existing medical condition. Please ensure that you are fully aware of all official travel advice, local customs, current affairs, travel requirements and medical/travel advice. Please check with your GP regarding recommended inoculations. 

Do I need Travel / Medical Insurance?
It is a condition of you travelling with us that you are adequately insured.  Your insurance policy must cover you for the costs of any medical expenses, medical treatment or repatriation needed, due to injury or illness on this trip, including those that occur whilst motorcycle touring, either as the rider or a passenger.  It is important that your insurance company understands that the main purpose of your trip is motorcycle touring, using your own large capacity cc motorcycle or a rental motorcycle.  Your insurance must cover you for the full duration of the trip and for all countries we travel through.

In addition, we strongly recommend that your insurance policy has cover for loss or damage to your personal belongings, delay at your outward or homeward point of departure, personal liability, overseas legal expenses and cancellation and curtailment. We do not refund your deposit simply because you failed to take out insurance in sufficient time. Some travel insurance policies do not cover motorcycle travel over a certain cc or for a prolonged duration.

Minimum Numbers
We require a minimum number of 8 riders on this tour.  If we do not have this number of bookings, then we reserve the right to cancel the tour.

Booking:

• Overlanders may accept a booking online, via telephone or by email. To confirm a booking a deposit is required – once the deposit is received the booking is confirmed.

Payments & Fees:

• A deposit is required at time of booking.
• Guided tours – 50% required at least 60 days prior to the shipment / travel date.
• All payments must be made in full at least 30 days prior to the shipment / travel date.

Cancellation/Amendments/Refund Policy:

• Please note that all payments and deposits are non refundable nor transferrable if cancellation accrues within one month before the shipment / tour date.
• Where possible we will try to accommodate any amendments you wish to make.
• In the event of curtailment no refunds shall be made.
• Refunds may be processed via the original method of payment, except for cash transactions where refunds will be provided by cheque.