MOTORBIKE TOUR 6 DAYS FROM HO CHI MINH CITY TO DALAT

TOUR DESCRIPTION

Embarking on a motorbike journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Dalat is a thrilling way to explore Vietnam’s southeastern coast and central highland. This route covers a range of scenery, from beaches and sand-dunes to mountains, forests, rich culture, and war history, making it a diverse and beautiful journey. When we reach Dalat, the landscape begins to change, with forested mountains, coffee plantations, and even the chance to the most beautiful waterfall surrounding Dalat. Da Lat, a city known for its cool climate and French-colonial architecture, you’ll travel along highland roads with fresh mountain air.

DAY 1: SAI GON →  LONG HAI: 120 KM

We will meet at your hotel at 8: 30 am to pack the luggage for the 10-day motorbike journey to Hoian. As the biggest city in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City is the busiest traffic with more than 7 million vehicles rolling on the street every day. We will ride to escape the city hustle quickly by taking the Cat Lai Ferry across the Dong Nai River.

After crossing the ferry, we will visit the Cao Dai temple, a Vietnamese religion. Caodaism is a syncretic religion founded in southern Vietnam in the 1920s. Combining elements from major world religions including Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, and Islam, Cao Dai promotes unity and a belief in one Supreme Being, Cao Dai means high tower or highest power.

Continue our journey, we'll weave through rural landscapes and stop at the rubber plantations. This plantation was established by the French in the early 20th century. It initially supplied rubber to France and became a major industry in the region. Dong Nai’s climate and fertile soil make it ideal for rubber tree growth, with thousands of hectares dedicated to rubber cultivation.

We will take a part of the busy road to visit the Zen Monastery with its unique architecture and design. The monastery's architecture combines traditional Vietnamese Buddhist aesthetics with Zen simplicity. The monastery offers spaces for meditation and chanting, we will have a relaxing time and silent walking through the peaceful grounds of the Zen Temple.

Back to our motorbike ride, we will come to Binh Chau town for lunch and have a little rest here. Keep going to Long Hai, a coastal town in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, we‘ll visit the salt farm which is home to traditional salt farms that showcase an essential part of Vietnam’s agricultural heritage. Salt farming is a long-standing practice here where salt is harvested from seawater through natural evaporation. This centuries-old method is still widely used in Long Hai, especially during the dry season from December to April, when sunny days and consistent heat aid the evaporation process.

Arrive in Long Hai for the first busy day, we will check in at our hotel around 3 pm and go to the beach for swimming before the dark comes.

Accommodation: Hotel

DAY 2: LONG HAI→  MUI NE: 180 KM

Today is the longest day but it is a most stunning coastline way to Mui Ne, after breakfast we will take a short ride to the nicest beach view and stop for you to take a walk to the rock and take some great photos and ride to The Minh Dam Army Base, a historic site of Vietnam war that served as a strategic base for the Viet Minh and Viet Cong forces during the wars against French and American forces. Located in the Minh Dam Mountains, it’s a place of both natural beauty and historical significance, as the rocky terrain and dense forests provide excellent cover and strategic advantage for guerrilla fighters.

We will take an hour's walk through the mountain to see remnants of the base, including bunkers, caves, and hidden shelters where soldiers lived, planned, and stored supplies. We will see some memorials and plaques honoring those who served and sacrificed here.

After visiting the base, we will take the stunning coastline to Ke Ga islet, it is a small, picturesque island known for its natural beauty, historic lighthouse, and tranquil atmosphere. Built by the French in 1899, the Ke Ga Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in Southeast Asia and one of Vietnam's tallest, standing at about 65 meters. Constructed with granite, it showcases classic French architecture and offers panoramic views of the surrounding ocean and coastline. The Ke Ga islet is accessible by boat from the mainland, with local fishermen often offering ferry services, especially at low tide. The short boat trip adds to the adventure, giving a closer view of the area's marine life and seascape. Continuing our trip, we will pass the coastline to Phan Thiet City for lunch and visit the Van Thuy Tu Whale’s worship which is a historic and cultural site. It was built in 1762, this ancient temple is dedicated to Cá Ông (the Whale God), which local fishermen revere as a protector deity believed to watch over them at sea. The temple houses an impressive collection of whale skeletons, including one approximately 22 meters in length, considered the largest in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. Van Thuy Tu is also known for its traditional festivals, such as the Whale Worshipping Festival and the Fish Praying Festival, which draw many visitors and locals each year. These festivals celebrate maritime culture and pay homage to the Whale God, reflecting the deep spiritual connection of the coastal communities to the sea.

Keep going to our hotel in Mui Ne we will stop at Cham temples, This is one of the most ancient temple groups of the Champa kingdom in Binh Thuan, dating from the early 8th to 9th centuries, only small and medium in size, this tower crystallizes the quintessence of architectural techniques and decorative arts of the ancient Cham people. Arrive at our hotel at 5 pm.

 Accommodation: Hotel

DAY 1: MUI NE→ DI LINH : 130 KM  

Leave Mui Ne town early after breakfast to visit the fairy stream where we can walk in a unique natural with red, and white dunes, a winding stream, and surrounding limestone formations. This shallow, clear stream flows through a narrow canyon bordered by dramatic rock formations, giving it an otherworldly appearance that resembles a fairy tale setting. After the fairy stream, we will stop at the fishing village for a short rest and listen to the story of the fisherman through our guides.

Keep going on our motorbike along the beautiful coastline and visit the white sand – dune, the must-see in the Mui Ne region. It is unlike the typical desert landscape, the dune is surrounded by a lush lake and greenery, creating a surreal mix of sand and oasis. The sand stretches in waves and ridges across the dunes, with some towering over 20 meters high, constantly reshaped by the coastal winds. The area is especially popular for outdoor activities like sandboarding, quad biking, and riding on off-road vehicles the dune is most breathtaking at sunrise and sunset when the sand reflects soft, warm hues, creating an otherworldly scene perfect for photography.

After that, we will continue our motorbike journey through the spectacular mountain landscapes and stop at the dragon fruit farm, which is the most famous dragon fruit region growth in Vietnam, the region’s hot, dry climate and sandy soil provide ideal conditions for growing dragon fruit, particularly the red-skinned variety with white or red flesh. We will try the taste of its fresh and sweet from the farm ( in season). Then, we are going to visit the K'ho hill tribe village that lives on the mountain and our experienced tour guide will try his best to explain to you the culture of this group among 54 different ethnic groups in Vietnam. 

Taking the stunning mountain loops to Di Linh town, we will visit the tea farm - the biggest area of tea farm growing in Vietnam. Di Linh’s tea plantations spread across rolling hills, forming vibrant green landscapes that stretch as far as the eye can see, especially stunning in the early morning when mist hangs over the fields. Farmers in Di Linh traditionally harvest tea leaves by hand, and the process often becomes a picturesque scene, with workers in conical hats picking leaves in neat rows, this area offers a look into traditional Vietnamese tea cultivation. After visiting the tea farm, we will check in at our hotel. We will arrive at our homestay at 5 pm.

Accommodation: Homestay/ Hotel

DAY 4: DI LINH →  DAKMIL : 180 KM

Leaving Di Linh after breakfast, ready for a day-long to Dakmil town, we will enjoy the breathtaking mountain views along the way on the motorbike, we will stop to see the most beautiful lake island - Ta Dung Lake which is called the 2nd Halong Bay in the central highland. Take a walk to H’mong village to see the local life and continue our journey to visit the cashew plantation and factory which is the biggest cashew-growing region and exporting in the world, you can see how the workers make the cashew products for exporting and they welcome you to try its taste. After the factory we will visit another farm - a rubber plantation, where we will tell you about the tapping and processing of the rubber resin which requires skill to avoid damaging the trees and is often done in the early morning when the temperatures are cooler, maximizing latex flow. The sight of a rubber plantation is particularly beautiful in autumn when the leaves turn yellow before falling, leaving the trees bare for a short period, which creates a tranquil, almost surreal landscape.

After that, we will stop to visit a cocoa plantation which is a special area to plant these trees, and hear about how to make chocolate from our tour guide.  Rolling on Ho Chi Minh Road and a part of Ho Chi Minh Trail, our guide will tell you more about the civil war of Vietnam between northern and southern Vietnam before 1975. And also the history of the trail when was it built and what was the purpose of the trail. Riding in the windy mountain loops to Dakmil city at 5:00 pm.

Accommodation: Homestay/ Bungalow.

DAY 5: DAK MIL → LAK LAKE : 140 KM

Leaving Dak Mil town at 8:30 am for breakfast and riding to Draysap waterfall, the most beautiful and massive waterfall in Dak Lak region for relaxing and swimming, after swimming, we will walk for around half an hour in the national park to see another beautiful waterfall. After enjoying swimming at the waterfall, we will have lunch at the local restaurant. 

Continuing our trip, we will ride through the stunning rice field road and stop for some pictures. Before going to Lak Lake we will stop at the pepper plantation and take a small boat to go through a river to Lak village -Lak Village is home to the M’nong people, one of Vietnam's indigenous ethnic groups, you can visit traditional longhouses built on stilts, characteristic of the M’nong community. Arriving in Lak Lake around 5:00 pm.

Accommodation: Hotel.

DAY 6:  LAK LAKE → DALAT : 160 KM

Wake up early 6 am for the dug-out canoe trip, this trip offers a serene and authentic experience of Vietnam’s Central Highlands. Lak Lake, one of the largest natural freshwater lakes in the region, is surrounded by lush forests, rolling hills, and traditional M’nong ethnic villages, creating a peaceful, scenic backdrop.

On this journey, you’ll board a wooden dugout canoe, handcrafted by locals, and gently paddle across the tranquil, glassy waters of the lake. As you drift along, you’ll see local fishermen, herds of water buffalo, and diverse bird species, offering a glimpse into the daily life and natural beauty of the area. The ride also often brings views of the remote M’nong villages along the lakeshore, where traditional stilt houses dot the landscape, preserving ancient customs.

Before Leaving the wildlife of Lak village to Dakmil, we will walk around the village to see many houses made from bamboo and wood, elevated to protect against floods and provide ventilation in the warm climate. The M’nong people have lived here for generations, maintaining their unique customs, stilt houses, and traditional crafts. You can see the M’nong way of life, from farming and fishing to weaving and other traditional crafts. If we come to the festival, we will see M'nong people play folk music, dances, and celebrations, often performed with the beating of gongs.

Goodbye to an authentic village, we will head to the breathtaking countryside road to Dalat to see the beautiful landscapes and visit the coffee plantation where you will try to taste different types of coffee like Robusta, Arabica, or weasel animal coffee. Continue your journey to a local family where you can try the taste of the strongest traditional homemade rice wine. The next destination we will visit to the silk worm factory and see how the workers make silk products from the worms.

After that, we will visit the Elephant Waterfall, which is the most beautiful waterfall in this area. Close to the fall is the Buddhist Temple, a huge Happy Buddha statue, and the highest Lady Buddha statue ( 71 meters high) in the south where you will enjoy your time and get a deeper understanding of  Buddhism through our guides. Arrive at Dalat around 5 pm and finish our 6-day motorbike journey.

√ What's included

  • Motorbike driver

  • Hotel pick up/drop off

  • Accommodation: Double or twin shared rooms at hotel/ homestay: 2 guests/ room

  • English-speaking tour guides

  • Sightseeing tickets

  • Motorcycle protective gears (Helmet, Elbow & Knee pads)

  • Raincoat

  • Souvenirs from our company (Tank top, rubber wristband).

√ What's not included

  • Personal expenses

  • Meals/ Drinks

  • Medical insurance

  • Bike damages (For self-riding)

  • Tips.

√ Important Notes

 • Pick up time: 8:30 am at your hotel or requested area in HCMC city 

 • We can tailor a tour to your preferences and desired dates

 • During the trip, we provide private rooms at the homestay or local hotel. If you want to upgrade to a higher hotel standard, please request it which incurs an extra charge

 • If you are the only one person on the trip or one person want to stay in a private room, there will be an extra charge of 10%

 • The tour price does not include a support vehicle, but we can arrange this service for an additional cost if needed

 • The tour cost can be changed depending on the low/high tourist season or other special requests, please contact us to get the right price for your tour

 • The passengers who sit behind their partners( self-riding) will be charged 70%.

THE EXTRA PRICE FOR SELF-RIDING MOTORBIKE OPTIONS