Route Summary
3 Days – 475 kms
If a few days is all you have it’s hard to argue against this as the best way to spend it from a riders perspective. All good roads and Hue is an interesting overnighter. Read up on Khe Sanh and it speaks for itself.
Day 1: Da Nang – Hue – 180 kms
Da Nang – Hue
Distance: 180 kms
This is a relatively short ride day so no time pressure to get at it early. The early riser though, is regularly rewarded with a beautiful sunrise on busy beaches.
One of my preferred morning beach cities for the vibe. Several ladies in their dancing groups mixing exercise with social entertainment.
For those who get at it early, the morning views from the Monkey Pass over Danang City and from the Hai Van pass of the ocean are quite spectacular so long as there is no low cloud.
For those on automatic transmission scooters delete (A, B & C) as they are now allowed on the Monkey Pass.
You need to be aware that trucks carrying flammables are not allowed in the tunnel so run over the pass. This is less frequent now with many using the expressway around behind the pass.
(D) Is the coffee stop at the top of the Pass. Plenty of sellers there with souvenirs etc. Some fortresses too, battle scarred from gunfire to hold ground between the North and South historically.
Some nice views coming off the pass on the North side too but keep focused on the job and park safely for photography.
(E) Is your seafood lunch stop right on the beach. A few options in the area. All good, but this one has western seating and always been happy with the food.
(F) Don’t miss this detour. One of the nicest secluded beaches in the country. Pack a picnic and this would be a unique lunch stop option.
(G) Is a museum but marked on the map more so to take you up through burial grounds with tombs dating back the the Nguyen Dynasty
A sunset boat ride up the Perfume River is a nice finish for the day and relatively inexpensive.
Equally as good is the sunrise coffee and the river boardwalks to start the day.
Hue (formally the Imperial Capital of Vietnam) is my favourite river city in the country. Around 1.8M people reside here and it has a huge amount of ancient and more recent history.
The Citadel (The Imperial City), right in town was the Kings residence in the Nguyen Dynasty. Worth the time to do it but If it’s a hot day, take plenty of water. I find with the high perimeter walls it can get uncomfortably hot in there.
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Alba Hotel 0234 3839 983
This has been my go to the last few years. Happy with the staff, rooms and location.
Friendly Hue Hotel 0234 3834 666
Tried this recently and the staff, family I expect, couldn’t be better. Bikes are on the road in front of the hotel but with security.
Thai Binh 2 0234 3827 561
Good value and well located to the tourist area and night-life activity.
MAP LINK BELOW
From Danang Motorcycles, 80 Hồ Xuân Hương, Khuê Mỹ, Ngũ Hành Sơn, Đà Nẵng 550000 to Alba Hotel, 12 Nguyễn Văn Cừ, Vĩnh Ninh, Thành phố Huế, Thừa Thiên Huế via Võ Nguyên Giáp and Hoàng Sa.
4 hr 34 min (177 km)
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Day 2: Hue – Khe Sanh – 195 kms
Hue – Khe Sanh
Distance: 195 kms
Get down to the river early. It’s a nice vibe with the locals exercising along the boardwalk and fisherman beating the sun in their open boats.
This isn’t a big day travel time wise but you can burn some time at the stops. A nice early start following the Perfume River out of Hue.
(A, B & C) are all historic points of interest. A good coffee stop right in front at the left turn up the top.
(D) on the map is Hamburger Hill, the site of a significant battle offensive in May 1969. There is a memorial at the top and a number of other sites off the main track.
It’s quite a climb and as I understand it you are supposed to have a guide although I did it by myself. Adds only 15 kms to the day but some time. Take water if tackling this.
Even if you decide against the climb it’s a great area to go exploring off this map in any case. I went alone the first time and all went okay but very remote so I advise sticking to the main tracks if by yourself.
From there we meet up with the HCM Road and follow the Thach Han River. Some really nice swim and photo opportunities along this stretch.
(E) on the map the best of them.
(F & G) again historical sites keeping you on the right path.
(G) is the US Military Combat Base. Opens at 7.30am if you get in late and well worth a look for the modest entry fee. Quite a bit to learn there if you want to commit the time.
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Retro 0911 222 678.
Quaint little cabins with friendly hosts, cold beer and great views.
Khe Sanh Luxury Hotel 0971 809 777
A little out of town but with a great coffee shop with good food and cold beer directly across the road no need to go anywhere.
Green Hotel 0233 2222 868
Nothing flash but does have an indoor pool and can walk to dinner. My go to for many years in the absence of other choices. In emergency only these days.
MAP LINK BELOW
From Alba Hotel, 12 Nguyễn Văn Cừ, Vĩnh Ninh, Thành phố Huế, Thừa Thiên Huế to Khe Sanh Camp – Special Forces, MP3H+MW2, Tà Cơn, Hướng Hóa, Quảng Trị via Nguyễn Phúc Nguyên.
4 hr 59 min (203 km)
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Day 3: Khe Sanh – Da Nang – 100 kms
Khe Sanh – Da Nang
Distance: 100 kms
A reasonable day distance wise but very quiet roads so you’ll hold good average speed. If getting away a bit late or not keen for an early swim or Hamburger Hill delete (A & C). Will drop 20k’s and at least an hour off your time, two if you climb.
(A) An early swim spot and (B) just landmark photo stops really.
(C) Hamburger Hill is quite a climb and as I now understand it you are supposed to have a guide although I did it by myself. Take water if tackling this.
(D-G) Is a 70km section of motorcycling heaven. Strategically marked points for photography and rest stops if you can resist staying in the rhythm.
(E) Is a tunnel around 20 km into this and by myself in 2019, riding rather spiritedly I encountered this King Cobra crossing the road. Just missed his tail and went back for this grainy shot of him in the drain, not very happy with me.
(H) If you’re going okay for time is a swimming spot
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
A plethora of options here as well so a hotels search for a bargain but a couple of my favourites below.
DA NANG
Fansipan Hotel – 0236 3913 555
Sea Phoenix – 0236 3525 999
Both are reasonably priced, good and very near our Danang Motorcycles location and a short walk to the beach in the midrange.
HOI AN
20km further along the coast:
Beach Haven Suites – 0948 217 557
An Giang beach at the higher end is very nice accommodation with a great pool and across the road from the exceptional beachside, Bare Foot Bar and Restaurant.
FOOD OPTIONS
Bare Feet and Esco
An Giang Beach nearer to Hoi An are good.
Dirty Fingers – 0236 3552 297
Scott is your host and great staff. Texas barbecue and great pub food options. Sport or live music if your timing’s right.
Kaz Bistro – 0967 087 959
Karen and Michael are the hosts. Kaz the chef has a great menu and Michael the man to guide you through a wide range of Craft Beers on draft.
Olivia’s Prime Steakhouse – 0908 163 352
At the high end if you want to spoil yourself is exceptional. As good as you’ll get anywhere in the country.
Greedy Pig – 0904 368 020
Exceptional if you like to start the day with a big breakfast
MAP LINK BELOW
From Retro Khe Sanh, JQP5+86F, QL9, Tân Hợp, Hướng Hóa, Quảng Trị to Danang Motorcycles, 80 Hồ Xuân Hương, Khuê Mỹ, Ngũ Hành Sơn, Đà Nẵng 550000 via Hồ Chí Minh Tây/QL9 and Đ. Hồ Chí Minh/QL14.
7 hr 29 min (305 km)
For the best route in current traffic click below
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