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).