by North Vietnam to send military supplies to the South. Soldiers carried weapons and
other items for hundreds of kilometers through the jungle. Although many sections
fell into disrepair after the war, recent road work has made many of them once again
accessible.
This drive gives you the chance to explore the Vietnamese countryside, as wll as
stopping by historical town Hoi An and the famous demilitarized zone. You can also stay
overnight in a traditional Thai hill tribe house and visit other tribal villages.
Before hitting the road, check out the Ho Chi Minh Trail Museum on the outskirts of
Hanoi to learn about the trail. Then drive down Highway 6, through farmland and
limestone karst scenery.
Stop for lunch in Hoa Binh, the capital of Hoa Binh Province. Cross two short mountain
passes and descend to Mai Chau, in the beautiful green valley. Spend the night in a
Thai ethnic stilt house, complete with a home-cooked dinner..
In the morning, follow the winding Ma River to the new Ho Chi Minh Highway. You will
travel south through remote back-country, near the Laos border. Stop for lunch, then
move towards the coast and stay overnight in Vinh, near where Ho Chi Minh President was born.
The next morning, you can drive for about 40 minutes to see the leader’s actual
birthplace in Kim Lien Village. Many Vietnamese visit to pay their respects.
After paying tribute to Uncle Ho, drive along the HCM Highway and then continue on
the quiet highway to Dong Loc Intersection, the main junction for supply lines during
the war. This place is generally seen as the beginning of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. As the
scenery is increasingly limestone karst formations, you know you are approaching your
overnight spot - Huong Khe Town.
The next day’s ride is quiet. You will reach Pheo - the first branch of the Ho Chi Minh
Trail into Laos - and then Phong Nha, where you can explore the famous World
Heritage Site caves via dragon boat.
Spend the night in the coastal town of Dong Hoi.
The next day, stop at Truong Son National Cemetery to pay your respects to the
soldiers who fought and died on the trail during the American War. After lunch in Dong
Ha, make your way to Vinh Moc Tunnel and the famous DMZ.
Continue west on Highway 9 into the Truong Son foothills. When the road turns winding
and narrow, you are near Huang Hoa, formerly called Khe Sanh Base, which General
Westmoreland built in an attempt to secure the highway.
Have lunch in Khe Sanh. Stop for a visit with the Pa Co people near Ta Rut and stroll
through their village. Follow scenic Pe Ke Pass down to A Luoi, where you can spend
the night in a guesthouse.
The last day’s ride is the best. You’ll see amazing scenery: primitive forests, the
remarkable Truong Son mountain range. Follow the bumpy road to the historical town of
Hoi An, where you can end your trip on the beach or seeing the preserved old houses.
