Planning to ride across Vietnam in 10 days or less? Don’t worry, it’s a common thought. Not everyone has the luxury of a flexible month (or being a travel blogger).
Before we get into configuring the most time efficient route across Vietnam from Hanoi to HCMC, I’d like to offer a very different, almost controversial, perspective.
Don’t try to cross the entire country in 10 days. Instead, I suggest you tackle half of the country, or the Ha Giang Loop.
And this advice applies whether you are a beginner, advanced, or veteran rider.
In my opinion the best 10 day motorbike trip across Vietnam for those wanting a diverse range of culture, sights, and landscapes is from Hanoi in the north down to Danang on the central coast. This is the route I will cover in this article.
For those wanting to ride more remote routes off the beaten track, then I suggest the Ha Giang Loop from Hanoi to Cao Bang with an extension to an Gioc.
But what if you want to see everything on this trip? My simple answer is, come back again. Vietnam isn’t going anywhere.
Start: Hanoi (2 days)
đź“ŤHighlights: Old Quarter streets, hidden cafes, local food
Kick off your ride in Hanoi where you’ll collect your bike and get prepared for the journey. You could land, collect your bike, and head out the same day. But I highly suggest staying an extra day to explore.
Hanoi feels like a collection of villages rather than your average large Asian city. Explore the Old Quarter by foot during the day, visiting old Buddhist temples, hidden back-alley cafes, and loads of northern food. By nightfall, knock back a few glasses of homemade beer for less than $1 each at night.
If you want to escape Hanoi’s tourist zone, then consider exploring the West Lake (Tay Ho) area which has a more local and expat vibe. I’ve covered this and more in my quick guide to Hanoi which is ideal for 2-3 days in the city.
If you’re planning to ride this route, you can check your bike options here
Ninh Binh (1 day)
đź“ŤHighlights: karst mountain landscapes, ancient city
Ninh Binh is sometimes referred to by travellers as Vietnam’s inland Halong Bay. There are similarities, where this scenic area features stunning wetland landscapes with iconic karst limestone mountains towering above (Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve). Spend a night just outside of the city in the local region known as Tam Coc.
Time permitting, a walk through the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is well deserved. These historical streets served as Vietnam’s capital city across multiple dynasties from 968 to 1009. Take in the old architecture, surrounded by tranquil rice fields and the odd water buffalo tilling the fields. Find all this and more in my guide to Ninh Binh.
Phong Nha (2 days)
đź“ŤHighlights: mountain pass riding, huge caves
This is where the ride takes you out into Vietnam’s mountain wilderness. Phong Nha (specifically the Phong Nha Khe Bang National Park) is where you will find some incredible caves including Hang Son Doong which currently the largest cave in the world. While a trek through Hang Son Doong will require a minimum of 5 days, you can still explore other equally stunning caves in one day including Hang En, Phong Nha Cave, and Paradise Cave.
On your second day in Phong Nha it’s worth hopping on the bike to explore this remote region a little further. Venture out to the Pub With Cold Beer for a real rural Vietnam experience where lunch is home grown (including the chickens), beer is cold, and the surroundings are tranquil. Weather permitting, hopping on a tube for a slow cruise down the river out the front is a great way to spend your rest day.
Exploring further off the breaten track link Phong Nha’s surroundings is where having the right bike really makes a difference. See what’s avaiable for your dates here.
Khe Sanh (1 day)
đź“ŤHighlights: mountain pass riding, Vietnam war battle sites
The Ho Chi Minh Trail West is Vietnam’s remote route connecting Phong Nha and Khe Sanh. Over 250km of single lane concrete road snakes its way through the jungle clad mountains. One hairpin turn after another. This is riding in Vietnam at its best, winding roads and next to no traffic. You won’t find a petrol station out here for over 6 hours, so it’s a ride which you’ll want to carry a full tank and some extra fuel for just in case.
Khe Sanh itself is a smaller rural town and really a thoroughfare destination. Historically, this was the location of the Vietnam War’s most intense fighting, with old battleground still scattered around the region.
Dong Ha (1 day)
đź“ŤHighlights: DMZ, Vinh Moc Tunnels
On the fifth leg of this 10 day motorbike trip through northern Vietnam, we cut across from the mountains to coastal Dong Ha before heading directly southward to Danang. The Ben Hai River located about 25km north of Dong Ha marks Vietnam’s former Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Nearby you’ll find the Vinh Moc tunnels, one of the most interesting experiences in the region, and an important part of Vietnam’s war history.
Unlike the claustrophobic passageways of the Chu Chi tunnels outside of HCMC, the Vinh Moc tunnels are significantly larger, sufficiently so to walk about normally. This extensive tunnel network spans multiple levels underground with secret exits taking you directly out to the beach.
For those with keen interest in Vietnam war history, Dong Ha town is also home to the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, the site of an 81-day and night battle between former south and north Vietnam.
Hue (2 days)
đź“ŤHighlights: Imperial Citadel, rural culture
An 80km ride down the coast brings you to the city of Hue, one of my favourite destinations in Vietnam where you could easily spend the best part of a week. Just north of the Perfume River you’ll explore the expansive UNESCO World Heritage listed Imperial Citadel which functioned as Nguyen Dynasty’s capital from 1802 to 1945. History here is well preserved and uniquely functions as a proper living part of the city to this day. You can spend the best part of a day here.
Hue’s surroundings are layered with history over Vietnam’s eras. Visit the Emperor’s Tombs (Khai Dinh and Gia Long) for a glance into the Imperial years, Bunker Hill along the Perfume River gives a snapshot of the Vietnam War, while the rural riverside communities feel like you’ve been transported back 50 to 100 years ago where farmers work the land by water buffalo and cart. Find all of this and more in my guide to Hue.
Danang (1 day)
đź“ŤHighlights: Hai Van Pass, great beaches
The final ride south to Danang is well worth detouring out to the coast for its winding mountain roads. The section of road between Chan May Bay and Danang Bay is well known as the scenic Hai Van Pass. I’ve found it’s particularly nice riding over here in the early morning or late afternoon golden hours.
Danang is a fairly major coastal city with decent beaches like My Khe Beach. There are plenty of things to do here such as visiting the Ba Na HIlls and Golden Bridge, Marble Mountains, Dragon Bridge, and Son Tra Peninsula. You could easily spend a couple of days here wrapping up your 10 day Vietnam motorbike ride.
Extension: Hoi An (2 days)
đź“ŤHighlights: Old Town streets, great beaches
Fortunate enough to have a couple of extra days to spare in Vietnam? I highly recommend an extension of your trip down to Hoi An, located just 30km south of Danang. For more, I’ve written this detailed guide on things to do in Hoi An.
Walk or cycle through Hoi An’s Old Town streets visiting the old shophouses, the Japanese Bridge and Phung Hung Ancient House. After a day exploring the town head out to or even stay at the sandy Cua Dai Beach.
Renting a Motorbike for your 10-day Vietnam ride
If you’ve got even a rough idea of when you’ll do you 10-day Vietnam ride, I highly recommend sending me a motorbike rental enquiry. It takes just 30 seconds.
I’ll get back to you with suitable motorbike options for your specific ride and experience level, confirm availability, and pricing options through my network of reputable local motorbike rental partners who I’ve been working closely with for years.
Once you’ve locked your trip in, I’ll even gear you up with my Vietnam Mega Map and Vietnam Rider Handbook which collectively contain just about everything you need to plan a successful ride across Vietnam.
