Epic 14-Day Ho Chi Minh Trail Cycling: Vietnam, Laos & Saigon Conquer

Cycling Distance: 60km | (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Today is a celebration of both nature and history. We cycle north into the infamous A Shau Valley, a key entry point from Laos during the war. Start your day breathing the fresh, crisp air as you glide past rural villages, with frequent chances to exchange smiles and greetings with local people. After a smooth warm-up, we embark on the exhilarating off-road challenge of the Long Hill Pass. This rugged section rewards your effort with an immersive jungle experience, culminating in stunning, panoramic vistas from the summit. Celebrate your climb with a fresh tropical fruit break. After lunch back in A Luoi, a transfer takes us to Khe Sanh. No visit is complete without a deeply moving stop at the museum, where the solemn history of the famed siege truly sinks in.

Cycling Distance: 70km (in Laos) | (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

An exhilarating morning awaits! We drive along the historic Route 9—the critical artery of Operation Lam Son 719—feeling the weight of the past. The energy peaks as we reach the Lao Bao Border, where you officially cycle into Laos and meet our dedicated Lao support team. This is a monumental moment—you are now on the true cross-border Trail. We cycle through former battlefields like Ban Dong, but the reality you experience is one of tranquil Lao life and idyllic countryside. As the day warms, you’ll encounter the distinctive, dry heat of this remote region, riding toward Xepon. The feeling of successfully completing this international leg of the journey is one of pure conquest.

Cycling Distance: Rest Day | (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Today is reserved for cultural and historical immersion. We start with a beautiful, unique experience: a traditional Lao Buddhist Blessing from a local Monk, a sacred ritual sealed with a white cotton thread for good fortune on the trail. Later, we drive to the museum at Ban Dong to view war artifacts collected from the surrounding wilderness. For lunch, savor the authentic flavors of traditional Lao cuisine, featuring spicy local dishes and the essential sticky rice. In the afternoon, you will experience a deeply human moment visiting the hidden caves used by locals for storage and shelter from relentless bombing—a humbling connection to the endurance of the human spirit.

Cycling Distance: 94km | (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Today we cycle deep into the forested hills and remote villages of Southern Laos. Heading south from Ban Dong, the atmosphere is quiet and peaceful, a sharp contrast to the Trail’s history. We pass through Muang Nong, a key junction where the Trail connected back to Vietnam. The most poignant sights are the small, traditional homes built with repurposed materials, including old bomb casings—a powerful testament to the resilience and resourcefulness of the local farmers. The ride to Ta Oy is immersive, flowing along scenic backroads that truly give you a feeling of isolation and self-reliance.

Cycling Distance: 120km | (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

This is the physical peak of the Laos journey—a monumental 120km ride that will test your endurance and reward your spirit. Before we start, experience the unique animist culture of the Ta Oy ethnic group and take an invigorating morning walk to see beautiful rapids. Once on the road, you weave through a stunning, remote landscape of mountains, old forests, and farming communities. Although Saravane was historically destroyed, the cycling today is through a tapestry of natural beauty. Conquering this demanding distance in such a remote location will ignite an incredible feeling of shared achievement. We celebrate tonight with a well-deserved tasting of Lao Lao, the potent local rice whiskey.

Cycling Distance: 95km | (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Start the day with a serene glimpse of monks from Wat Kang performing their early morning alms collection. The ride to Sekong takes you through the most ethnically diverse region in all of Laos, home to some 14 different groups. The journey is calm and fascinating, offering a window into the varied cultural tapestry of the country. Sekong itself is a sleepy backwater on the banks of the river, a perfect stop to absorb the slow pace of Lao life. In the evening, you'll be treated to another cultural adventure: trying Lao Hai, the traditional rice alcohol served in a jar, enjoyed communally.

Cycling Distance: 75km | (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

The Sekong River was a vital lifeline for the Trail—a waterway used to float supplies deep into the jungle. Today, we follow this historic route, enjoying a smooth, flowing ride along the river valley to Attapeu. We cycle past the fertile slopes of the Boloven Plateau, home to some of Laos’s finest coffee. With few villages and vast areas of open countryside and forest, this is a day for deep contemplation and closeness with nature, enjoying the quiet beauty of this agricultural heartland.

Cycling Distance: 115km | (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

The climactic day of the Laos section! From Attapeu, we begin the monumental ride back over the Truong Son Mountain Range into Vietnam. This is a truly memorable, difficult, and exhilarating climb. As you ascend, you’ll understand why this region is known as the “Roof of Laos”, offering vast forested panoramas and the intense satisfaction of climbing high mountain peaks. You feel the raw power of nature carrying you forward. The moment you are greeted by our Vietnamese team at the Bo Y Border is a powerful moment of transition. A short transfer takes us to Dak To, where a group dinner celebrates your fantastic achievements in Laos.

Cycling Distance: 60km | (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

An early start takes us to historical sites like the former US Phoenix Airfield and Rocket Ridge, offering a striking juxtaposition of past conflict and present tranquility. We cycle toward Pleiku, the heart of Vietnam’s Central Highlands. The riding is breathtaking, taking you through a wide valley dotted with lush tea and coffee plantations—the source of some of Vietnam’s best brew. We visit the villages of the Jarai and Bhanar minorities, where you can admire their distinctive communal houses with soaring, steep roofs, symbols of immense cultural pride and identity.

Cycling Distance: 70km | (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Today’s route weaves through the historic region that was pivotal in the 1975 Battle of Buon Ma Thuot. After a short transfer, we cycle for 30km through rolling hills and coffee landscapes before turning onto a secluded offbeat backroad. This 25km stretch is mesmerizing, taking you through stunning rubber plantations that form green, aromatic tunnels over the road. It’s an immersive, sensory experience far from traffic. The final miles carry us into Buon Ma Thuot, Vietnam’s renowned coffee capital, completing a day of historical reflection and agricultural beauty.

Cycling Distance: 70km | (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

We ride through ever-changing scenery on our journey to Gia Nghia, the location of a former US Special Forces Camp. The cycling takes you through captivating stretches of the Central Highlands, where breathtaking views are the norm. We explore local minority villages along the way, gaining a deeper understanding of life sustained by the region's fertile soil, cycling past views of endless coffee and rubber plantations. This is a day focused on natural beauty, punctuated by quiet historical markers.

Cycling Distance: 55KM+ | (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

The sense of anticipation is building as we ride closer to Saigon. Today we explore another crucial segment of the Trail, cycling past vibrant tea, pepper, and rubber plantations that fill the air with rich, earthy aromas. We enjoy the natural, unblemished landscape and the simple rhythm of village life. Our destination is Dong Xoai, another former Special Forces Camp and site of major action. You’ll feel the palpable history as you settle in, knowing the final leg of your epic adventure awaits tomorrow.

Cycling Distance: 20km | (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

This is your Grand Finale—the culmination of two weeks of historical cycling and physical endurance! We start with a Victory Ride from Dong Xoai to Chon Thanh, the official, symbolic end point of the Truong Son (Ho Chi Minh) Trail. We pause at the monument erected here to honor the journey’s completion. A three-hour transfer, including lunch, takes us to the historic Cu Chi Tunnels. Here, you will be humbled as you learn how people fought using ingenious methods and even venture down into the narrow tunnels—a claustrophobic but essential experience. Finally, we drive into the electric energy of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), where your lifetime adventure officially concludes. Congratulations—you have conquered the Trail! Your final night's accommodation is included.

This itinerary is designed to captivate cyclists with a hunger for history and a passion for challenging terrain. Which day or section (Vietnam's Central Highlands or the Laos loop) are you most excited to promote?