Saffron Road Motorcycle Tours

Vietnam 2009
24th March to 15th April

From the Mekong Delta to the China border, this 24-day adventure the length of Vietnam is a motorcycle tour with a difference. The bikes alone will surprise, the country will astound and the people will capture your heart. Riding on the right in chaotic conditions is challenging, exhilarating and a lot of fun – riding in the country surrounded by every hue of green is a real joy.

While visiting this fascinating country you will experience bustling Saigon with its mix of modern, colonial and traditional architecture. You can enjoy a cup of coffee at the Hotel Continental where Graham Green’s “The Quiet American” was set, or bargain for that ‘must have’ purchase in the busy markets. After a tantalising first day’s ride, we will relax and laze in a boat while cruising down the tiny waterways off the mighty Mekong River and in the morning take in the spectacle of the water markets. We will also ride the scenic mountain roads of the Central Highlands and along the China border; we’ll visit the ancient imperial capital of Hue, the golden beaches of the South China Sea and stay in the distinctly French colonial capital of Hanoi. And lastly, we experience the serene magic of World Heritage listed, Ha Long Bay with its 1,969 pinnacle islands.

On this Vietnam tour, you can participate in the excitement of a new culture, indulge yourself in the gastronomic delights of the fabulous cuisine and meet the friendly people in a beautiful, safe and welcoming country. All this and more, while satisfying your passion - riding a motorcycle!

In this itinerary and also nearly everywhere else, you will notice the southern commercial capital of Ho Chi Minh City being referred to, especially in print, as HCMC and also Saigon. The reason for the abbreviation HCMC is simple, expediency, but the name Saigon is a little more interesting. When the south fell at the end of the Vietnam war, the north renamed the city in honour of their leader, Ho Chi Minh. However, the name Saigon has not only lingered for sentimental reasons and habitual use, but is also the accepted and official name for the city centre and CBD (also known as District One).

Day-to-Day Itinerary in Brief
A detailed hard-copy will be sent on request

Day 1 – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Arrive Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and transfer to the hotel. Relax, meet group followed by drinks and dinner in the evening.

Day 2 – Saigon. Explore exciting and exotic Saigon, a city of modern commercialism, fascinating history, ancient traditions and great shopping

Day 3 – Saigon - Cu Chi Tunnels (55kms). Experience the city and country traffic from the comfort of an air-conditioned bus on the easy but busy road to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels. These tunnels, which stretch for miles, are where the Vietcong built their barracks, storehouses and a hospital, right under the noses (and feet) of the U.S. forces. Afternoon go check out the bikes before riding out tomorrow

Day 4 – Saigon – Cantho (170kms). Today we ride a hot but pleasant 170kms to Cantho, regional capital of the Mekong Delta. Night stay with a family on an island in the river, experience the hustle and bustle of the morning floating markets and take a cruise down palm-edged backwaters reminiscent of Apocalypse Now.

Day 5 – Cantho – Saigon (170kms). Return to Saigon with a few detours along the way to take in the sights including the beautiful My Thuan Bridge, a virtual replica of the Anzac Bridge in Sydney.

Day 6 – Saigon – Dalat (315kms). Early start to ride the glorious mountain roads to the Central Highlands’ hilltop retreat town of Dalat.

Day 7 – Dalat. Rest Day in cool Dalat, exploring the town and local sights. Dalat is known locally as the Place of Eternal Spring.

Day 8 – Dalat – Nha Trang (214kms). It’s a lovely ride today down meandering roads from the mountains to the sea. An early start has us arriving in Nha Trang in time to enjoy the stunning views and glorious beaches. Swim in the South China Sea with a backdrop of tropical islands and sip a cold drink at a beachside café.

Day 9 – Nha Trang – Quy Nhon (300kms). We head up Highway One towards our next major destination, Quy Nhon on the coast. Another dip in the balmy waters sets us up perfectly for enjoying a seafood dinner at one of the beachfront restaurants.

Day 10 – Quy Nhon – Hoi An (237kms). Keeping to the coastal highway, today’s ride finishes in wonderful Hoi An, a riverside gem and the “Parisian Left Bank” of Vietnam. A haven of artist’s colonies, this ancient town is full of silk, cotton and artwork. It is probably also the best place in Vietnam to shop, so don’t stock up too much in Saigon.

Day 11 – Hoi An. Rest Day chilling out by the pool, riding to the beach 15 minutes away or meandering through shops and markets. There are literally hundreds of restaurants and eateries in Hoi An and the food is superb at most of them.

Day 12 – Hoi An. Nobody wants to leave Hoi An – so we don’t!! There’s time pick up the tailor-made clothes and shoes you ordered and that painting you have been agonising over for two days!

Day 13 – Hoi An – Danang – Hue (135kms). On to Danang (as mentioned by Robin Williams in “Good Morning Vietnam”) and thence to the old capital of Hue (pronounced “way”). En route visit Marble Mountain and take in the breathtaking view from Hoi Van Pass.

Day 14 – Hue – Hanoi (overnight train). Cruise on the Perfumed River, explore the citadel and palaces of the ancient imperial capital. Late afternoon “All aboard” (including the bikes) for a night on the Re-unification Express across the DMZ to Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi.

Day 15 – Hanoi. Rest day with opportunity to explore this obviously French colonial influenced city at your own speed.

Day 16 – Hanoi – Yen Bai (170kms). North-west towards the China border stopping the night in the Yen Bai and visiting mountain tribe people en route.

Day 17 – Yen Bai – Sapa (180kms). On to the remote and beautiful mountain town of Sapa. Today is highlighted by a marvellous, scenic, winding mountain ride reminiscent of the roads found in the foothills of the Himalaya.

Day 18 – Sapa and Environs. Weather and pathway conditions permitting (it is spring and the winter rains can take their toll) there’s a short trek or pony ride to a Tapon village and its ethnic minority residents. In the evening a visit to the local ‘English’ pub is a must.

Day 19 – Sapa – Yen Bai (180kms). Ride back down the mountain and all the way back to Yen Bai with some detours en route.

Day 20 – Yen Bai – Hanoi (170kms). Sadly, it’s the last day on the bikes as we head back to Hanoi. Riding the road we came up on gives us a chance to take in sights we missed on the way up.

Day 21 – Hanoi – Haipong (Halong Bay). At the suggestion of previous groups, we take an air-conditioned bus for the hectic 200kms trip to Haiphong (gateway city to Halong Bay) The road is the only freeway in Vietnam – straight, boring, dangerous and full of traffic travelling at break-neck speed (not a good combination after three very full weeks on the bikes).

However, the adventure has not finished yet. Arriving in Haiphong, we board a fabulous boat to cruise past some of the 1,969 islands in this World Heritage area. Time to relax, explore caves, swim off the boat, laze on the decks and enjoy the succulent meals aboard our vessel.

Day 22 – HalongBay – Hanoi (200kms). If tides allow, the morning maybe spent exploring Cat Ba Island and its beaches before sailing on to a floating village. In the afternoon it’s back to Hanoi for a bit of last-minute shopping and farewell dinner.

Day 23 – Hanoi. Today is all about seeing the sights you missed before, doing heaps of last-minute shopping and getting together tonight for our farewell dinner.

Day 24 – Hanoi and Flights home.

General Information

Departure Date:
This tour commences in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC – Saigon) on 24^th March and finish in Hanoi on 15^th April. Flight schedules are likely to require group members to fly out of their home base on the previous day.

Tour Prices:
Please contact us direct so we may furnish you with rider and/or pillion costs and discuss with you your individual requirements and recommendations for flights etc. Although pillions and riders may use the support vehicles at any time, Saffron Road no longer offers a fulltime bus-passenger option except to private groups.

Saffron Road Motorcycle Tours believes in WYSIWYG – “What you see is what you get” – there are no hidden costs and we offer more standard inclusions than any other motorcycle tour company going to the same destination.

Price includes:
·        A full 24 days in the country
·        Group transfers to/from airport and hotel
·        Accommodation throughout the tour on a Twin-Share basis (Single supplement TBA)
·        All meals with tea/coffee (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
·        Air-conditioned support vehicle with driver and staff (for luggage transport and assistance)
·        Full motorbike rental for the duration of the tour
·        Experienced mechanics
·        All fuel and oil costs
·        Repairs, maintenance and spare parts
·        Motorcycle Damage Insurance
·        Vietnamese Driving Licence
·        Basic emergency first-aid equipment and some medicines
·        Experienced tour leader with current First Aid qualifications
·        English-speaking local guide
·        Entrance fees to selected monuments and attractions
·        All train fares and boat trips
·        All hotel, restaurant and staff gratuities (except porters)
·        Lonely Planet travel guidebook to Vietnam.

Price excludes:
·        Travel insurance policy covering use of motorcycle (25 days approx. Aus$180pp)
·        Tourist visa for Vietnam
·        International Driving Permit (currently $AUD20.00)
·        Vaccinations and personal medication including known allergy antidotes
·        Items of a personal nature such as postage, laundry or souvenirs
·        Personal consumptions such as bottled water, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages

Accommodation
This varies from four-star hotels and resorts to “best in town” in more remote areas. There is a home-stay in the traditional home of our hosts in the Mekong Delta and (if feasible at the time) even a night in a Tarzan and Jane tree-top lodge!

Driving Licences and Travel Insurance
Riders must have a valid and unrestricted international rider’s licence. Travel insurance is mandatory and, if on a bike at all, must cover riding motorcycles. For non-Australian participants, or those not purchasing insurance through the Sydney office, please check the rider clause carefully and any clause relating to medical evacuation before you purchase or use any existing insurance (such as that provided by some credit card companies).

A Vietnamese driver’s licence is also required However Saffron Road Motorcycle Tours organises and pays for this and Motorcycle Damage Insurance on your behalf.

The Bikes
The motorcycles we use are a weird combo of anything 'big' we can get out hands on that suit the riding style or height of our riders - Kawasaki, Honda, Suzuki; 250cc to 750cc; cruisers and tourers.

It should be noted that for many years now it has been illegal in Vietnam for anybody who is not a member of a government recognised motorcycle club to purchase or own any motorcycle bigger than 175cc (imports of new large capacity bikes have been banned for several years). Although 175cc is the officially allowed engine capacity, it is actually impossible to buy any bike larger than 125cc unless it is a scooter (150cc).

So, the bikes are quite old, privately owned and rented to Saffron Road through a club. As such, they are NOT exactly in "Showroom Condition" and it should be understood that a certain amount of mechanical tinkering goes on each day to keep them running! However they are fun and the best available - real ‘Rolls Royce’ stuff for Vietnam and unusual enough to cause a stir when we ride through towns! As a result of the first tour in 2004, we identified some of the bikes as being more reliable than others and have now restricted group numbers so we get a better selection of bikes.

More detailed information, trip notes, travel check list and a Lonely Planet Vietnam guidebook will be mailed to you after we receive your completed booking form and deposit. Prior to departure you will also receive maps, a list of hotels and other important contact numbers.

Please note that this is a “best-fit” itinerary and may need to be changed from time to time due to amended train timetables, weather and road conditions, political expediency and/or on advice from our local ground agent.

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