I just love the straight-forwardness of the Brits, thanks for this! What is your take on doing the HCMR on a bicycle? I'm a bikepacker and was wondering if it's possible and most importantly enjoyable? Wanted to go from Da Nang to Phong Na :)
I did this 7 years ago, on one of those shit motorbikes you speak of. It was my first time ever on a motorcycle, and it was amazing. Highly, highly recommend.
Are there plenty of gas stations along the route? Do you just top off that tank whenever you get the chance? Also, any reason riding alone along this route would be a problem?
There a plenty of gas stations on the route now. Just a bit of common sense to keep it top'd up as you feel you are disappearing into the jungle. Overall it is pretty obvious.
Your info is priceless. 1.- Where can i find more info about the ho chi minh Trail? The ho chi minh road seems very boring to me... 2.- Can i ride my own (european plate) bike? Its there any law or pratical problems to do so? Thanks.
1. From what I know there is no information on the Ho Chi Minh Trail. I can send you a map if you email jon@tigitmotorbikes.com Our route planner pieced together information using old forums, places like GT Rider. The Ho Chi MInh Trail is in Laos. I specialize in Vietnam and don't know the rules of Laos.
@@person.X. Well the thing is with this part of the world is the forests are so thick you can't really go wandering off into no mans land. Vietnam side will definitely be clear though. The Laos side, well it's very remote and few people around. If you made an effort to go hiking (not driving) into the bush, then sure, wouldn't surprise me if you ran into a mine.
So a point I missed in the video is that Phong Nha to Hanoi is two days of not great driving. To do Danang to Hanoi is five days, which includes the "wasted" days of Phong Nha to Hanoi Danang to Phong Nha/Dong Hai is 2 days of great driving, but you need to fly and use train in Dong Hoi. This is expensive. Yes it is possible to send a bike from Hanoi back to HCM.
@@Tigitmotorbikes Hi tigitmotorbikes, I will be doing this trip next week. I have 16 days in total and would like to also to the ha giang loop which I am planning for about 5-6 days of my trip. I will be leaving from da nang. Would you recommend loading my bike on the train from phong nha to hanoi and skipping the northern half of the road ? Is it worth the drive to all the way to hanoi with limited time?
I have done it on everything from a Honda Blade 110cc up to the CB 500x. Because the road is so narrow with a lot of turns, you can't really use the power of a bigger bike properly. I traveled on the CB, and a friend was on an XR 150, and I couldn't leave him behind. For me, my best experience on the road was the Blade 110cc. Basically it doesn't matter what motorbike you have.
Hi have you got an information video on the ho chi minh trail? And a contact email for some further info please I'm looking to book my trip soon and would like to hire a bike from you after watching your videos
Glad to see you’re still at it!
very interesting and helpful video John ! I'm planning to do this route when the situation gets better in Vietnam. thank you very much for the tips !
No worries
I just love the straight-forwardness of the Brits, thanks for this! What is your take on doing the HCMR on a bicycle? I'm a bikepacker and was wondering if it's possible and most importantly enjoyable? Wanted to go from Da Nang to Phong Na :)
Definitely possible and I have seen cyclists doing it. Can be very, very hot though and really remote. Carry lots of water.
@Tigitmotorbikes Thanks! Spoken to some folks that are doing it right now. Certainly seems like proper planning is demanded
1:33 Cheers mate! Greate video, well structured! By any chance, can you remember the coordinates of this straight road?
Pretty sure its this one 17.51885, 106.27892
@@Tigitmotorbikes Epic! Thx!
I did this 7 years ago, on one of those shit motorbikes you speak of. It was my first time ever on a motorcycle, and it was amazing. Highly, highly recommend.
hahaha. :) Glad you enjoyed.
Are there plenty of gas stations along the route? Do you just top off that tank whenever you get the chance? Also, any reason riding alone along this route would be a problem?
There a plenty of gas stations on the route now. Just a bit of common sense to keep it top'd up as you feel you are disappearing into the jungle. Overall it is pretty obvious.
Your info is priceless.
1.- Where can i find more info about the ho chi minh Trail? The ho chi minh road seems very boring to me...
2.- Can i ride my own (european plate) bike? Its there any law or pratical problems to do so?
Thanks.
1. From what I know there is no information on the Ho Chi Minh Trail. I can send you a map if you email jon@tigitmotorbikes.com
Our route planner pieced together information using old forums, places like GT Rider.
The Ho Chi MInh Trail is in Laos. I specialize in Vietnam and don't know the rules of Laos.
@@Tigitmotorbikes Thanks a lot. I'll send an email.
There's any problem if riding a european plate bike in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia? Thanks.
@@Tigitmotorbikes Is it safe with regards to unexploded bombs/mines etc? I guess if a modern trail exists it has been tried and tested?
@@person.X. Well the thing is with this part of the world is the forests are so thick you can't really go wandering off into no mans land. Vietnam side will definitely be clear though. The Laos side, well it's very remote and few people around. If you made an effort to go hiking (not driving) into the bush, then sure, wouldn't surprise me if you ran into a mine.
@@manuelfvdias You definitely can't do Vietnam.
Only Vietnamese bikes in Vietnam.
Cambodia and Thailand, I am not sure.
Which section Bro?
So it's 5 odd days to cover it right? Can one load the bike at some rail station in the North and come back to hcmc? Thanks.
So a point I missed in the video is that Phong Nha to Hanoi is two days of not great driving.
To do Danang to Hanoi is five days, which includes the "wasted" days of Phong Nha to Hanoi
Danang to Phong Nha/Dong Hai is 2 days of great driving, but you need to fly and use train in Dong Hoi. This is expensive.
Yes it is possible to send a bike from Hanoi back to HCM.
@@Tigitmotorbikes Hi tigitmotorbikes, I will be doing this trip next week. I have 16 days in total and would like to also to the ha giang loop which I am planning for about 5-6 days of my trip. I will be leaving from da nang. Would you recommend loading my bike on the train from phong nha to hanoi and skipping the northern half of the road ? Is it worth the drive to all the way to hanoi with limited time?
What motorcycle power would you recommend on the HCM Road? Kawasaki Versys 650 or the Suzuki V-Storm 650 or just the regular motorbike?
I have done it on everything from a Honda Blade 110cc up to the CB 500x. Because the road is so narrow with a lot of turns, you can't really use the power of a bigger bike properly. I traveled on the CB, and a friend was on an XR 150, and I couldn't leave him behind.
For me, my best experience on the road was the Blade 110cc. Basically it doesn't matter what motorbike you have.
I’ll be doing it the day after tomorrow on a Honda Future that I’ve ridden up on from Phu Quoc Island.
How good are the highways in Vietnam?
Busy, but good enough.
Hi have you got an information video on the ho chi minh trail? And a contact email for some further info please I'm looking to book my trip soon and would like to hire a bike from you after watching your videos