Run to the Sun is a great option for those travelling south: it begins in Hanoi and ends in Danang. Ride through pristine jungle past remnants of the Vietnam War on the Vietnamese section of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Visit UNESCO World Heritage Site Phong Nha national park, ride the Hai Van Pass (made famous by the BBC's Top Gear), visit Vietnam's ancient capital Hue and end your adventure in the beach city of Danang.
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Itinerary
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Day 1: Ha Noi – Pu Luong
180 km
6 hours
Hoa Binh back roads; Hoa Binh Dam; Pu luong Nature Reserve
We get out of Hanoi as quickly as possible so that we can spend time on the smaller roads enjoying the views and being out of the traffic. We can get off onto some of the smaller ATK roads for detours and wind our way over to the Pu Luong Valley before ending up at our secluded homestay.
Day 2: Pu Luong – Tan Ky
220 km
8 hours
quieter back roads heading south
This is a long run southwards to where the Ho Chi Minh Trail starts at Km 0 in Tan Ky. We stay on the quieter roads but it is still quite busy with traffic dropping off the further South we get. We can make good time on this road and we start to get into the hills later in the day.
Day 3: Tan Ky – Phong Nha
275 km
8 hours
mountain views; Phong Nha Nature Reserve
We now get into the quieter regions of Vietnam and begin to skirt the border with Laos. You will see a mixture of people here, due to the proximity of the border. Also, we get into the hill country and the views start to improve as we enter the thick jungle and have to take some very windy roads up and over the mountains.
Day 4: Phong Nha
optional
-
chilling in Phong Nha; various caves, lakes and back roads
There is plenty to see and do in Phong Nha. Take your pick from ziplining, caving, mud bathing or hanging in the homestay by the pool. If you want, you can take a ride around the area or even head to the coast for a dip in the ocean. Today is your day and the world is your oyster.
Day 5: Phong Nha – Khe Sanh
250 km
8 hours
Ho Chi Minh Trail
It’s back onto the HCM Trail today to head down to Khe Sanh. We drive on some pretty isolated road through the jungle but, luckily enough, it is pretty hard to take the wrong road. Here you can move at your own pace and we’ll meet up just on the outskirts of town. There should be plenty of time to visit the war memorial and airbase.
Day 6: Khe Sanh – Hue
175 km
6 hours
Ho Chi Minh Trail
Another magnificent day of driving through the thick jungle as we continue on the HCM Trail southwards before heading to the coast and the Imperial Citadel in Hue.
Day 7: Hue
optional
-
beaches, tombs and historical sites in the Ancient Capital, Hue; Tiger Arena
There is plenty to see and do in Hue, not least the many citadels and tombs of the ancient kings. You can also head out to the beach or take a boat ride on the perfume river up to Thien Mu Pagoda, which was made famous by Thich Nhat Hanh. It is here that we can choose to stay in A Luoi and then continue through the jungle to get to Danang, but this means missing out on the famous Hai Van Pass. It’s a tough call.
Day 8: Hue or A Luoi – Danang
110 km
5 hours
Danang; Hai Van Pass; Lang Co Beach
From Hue: Here we go over the famous Hai Van (Sea Cloud) Pass and enjoy some spectacular views out over the East Sea and see some of both the new and old military installations. This is still a very important strategic point for the Vietnamese military so it pays to be careful about where you do and don’t go. From A Luoi: This is more back road jungle riding and means you stay out in the countryside for as long as possible. We can choose to take the 14g (shorter) or the 14b (longer) to get to Danang. Both routes are fun to ride and offer more of the same interesting jungle sights and sounds. Either way, we will be into Danang in time to get washed up and ready for our farewell meal and drinks.
