Ho Chi Minh trail
Ho Chi Minh trail
4.5
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4.5
14 reviews
Excellent
9
Very good
4
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Travel805244
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam2 contributions
Feb 2020 • Solo
Airport taxi lane is marked but there is a plain marked car at the front , do not take this taxi always take a genuine mailin or vinisun taxi . I was on my own and got swayed into a plain taxi ..." do not make the same mistake I made as they just want to count your money on the way out of the airport and rip you off , very annoying .
Written 13 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave G
Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand10 contributions
Feb 2014 • Couples
The HCMT is a must do.
Absolutely beautiful in so many ways. The country, the people and even the roads were a massive surprise.
My partner and I did it during Feb '14 and had an absolutely great time.
Research is key however and we predominately followed the route outlined by a kiwi guy in his blog of the trail - www.timevsfocus.com - has some good tips if you're planning on doing it solo.
And try your best to keep to the remote areas but remember to drive safe as you can be a long way from anything!
Absolutely beautiful in so many ways. The country, the people and even the roads were a massive surprise.
My partner and I did it during Feb '14 and had an absolutely great time.
Research is key however and we predominately followed the route outlined by a kiwi guy in his blog of the trail - www.timevsfocus.com - has some good tips if you're planning on doing it solo.
And try your best to keep to the remote areas but remember to drive safe as you can be a long way from anything!
Written 30 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
xuan_trung83
Hue, Vietnam1 contribution
Jan 2012 • Solo
I would like to show all of travellers, if they want to do the tour by motorcycle. The best !!!!!!! on Ho Chi Minh Trail , I Sure you love Viet Nam so much, beause, let traffict, friendly people, original jungles, waterfalls.... This is a dreams travel in your life!.
Written 3 December 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David B
Rayong, Thailand9,493 contributions
Sept 2017 • Friends
Any tourist to Vietnam taking a guided tour of the Ho Chi Minh Trail needs to understand that what they will get is a very small, localised and sanitized version of the real thing.
The Ho Chi Minh Trail was a network of trails, roads, and waterways that formed the logistical supply system from North Vietnam to its army, and the local Viet Cong, fighting in South Vietnam. It ran from North Vietnam, near the border with Laos, through various staging bases, all the way to near Saigon in what was then South Vietnam.
The problem for tourists, is that most of it is not in Vietnam, but in the mountains, jungles and forests of Laos and Cambodia.
Parts of the trail had existed for hundreds of years as footpaths through jungles, connecting one village to another. During the early years of the Vietnam War these trails were expanded and the main mode of transport was by bicycle, but as the war progressed, parts of the Ho Chi Minh Trail more resembled a highway with six meter wide dirt roads, sometimes paved with gravel.
It is recorded that by 1973, in the final years of the Vietnam War, trucks could drive the whole length of the trail without coming out from under the cover of the jungle canopy.
The photograph posted to one TripAdvisor review of the HCM Trail showing someone walking through a bucolic rice padi is certainly not part of the Trail.
The Ho Chi Minh Trail was a network of trails, roads, and waterways that formed the logistical supply system from North Vietnam to its army, and the local Viet Cong, fighting in South Vietnam. It ran from North Vietnam, near the border with Laos, through various staging bases, all the way to near Saigon in what was then South Vietnam.
The problem for tourists, is that most of it is not in Vietnam, but in the mountains, jungles and forests of Laos and Cambodia.
Parts of the trail had existed for hundreds of years as footpaths through jungles, connecting one village to another. During the early years of the Vietnam War these trails were expanded and the main mode of transport was by bicycle, but as the war progressed, parts of the Ho Chi Minh Trail more resembled a highway with six meter wide dirt roads, sometimes paved with gravel.
It is recorded that by 1973, in the final years of the Vietnam War, trucks could drive the whole length of the trail without coming out from under the cover of the jungle canopy.
The photograph posted to one TripAdvisor review of the HCM Trail showing someone walking through a bucolic rice padi is certainly not part of the Trail.
Written 22 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vladiator
Boracay, Philippines38 contributions
Feb 2013 • Friends
i wasn't even sure if i will go to vietnam five days later i had a motorbike and was driving from hanoi direction south. it was a great trip. i definitely fell in love with vietnam but thats not the only risk. be aware that the traffic in vietnam can be crazy but if you want to go for it just do it. it was the best, most exciting thing i have ever done so far. motorbikes should not be more than 300 USD. it took me one month to go from hanoi to saigon
Written 14 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
halktede
Cardiff, UK3 contributions
During our stay in Vietnam we used Tam for a number of our trips, the biggest being a 2-night stay in Ha Long Bay.
Tam is a very friendly person who speaks excellent English. He allows you to take your time when you are choosing where to go, and has plenty of pictures on his laptop of the places you will be going and staying.
He is very well travelled around Vietnam, and can offer you excellent advice on things to see and places to stay.
Tam was always just a phonecall away if we had any problems during our time in Vietnam and was able to find us good hotel accommodation at very short notice when our plans changed unexpectedly in Hanoi.
When we go back to Vietnam we will certainly be using him again to help us with our travel arrangements.
Tam is a very friendly person who speaks excellent English. He allows you to take your time when you are choosing where to go, and has plenty of pictures on his laptop of the places you will be going and staying.
He is very well travelled around Vietnam, and can offer you excellent advice on things to see and places to stay.
Tam was always just a phonecall away if we had any problems during our time in Vietnam and was able to find us good hotel accommodation at very short notice when our plans changed unexpectedly in Hanoi.
When we go back to Vietnam we will certainly be using him again to help us with our travel arrangements.
Written 19 August 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Doves Q
Tarxien, Malta111 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
The Ho Chi Minh Trail takes you through Mountains, valleys , villages and countryside to see the best Scenery in saigon . Also a great Trail to take some nice Photos . It's a worth visit
Written 12 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BenGoorts
Diemen, The Netherlands1,052 contributions
Nov 2017 • Couples
Follow this route and see tropical wood with rubber trees and other types as well as tea growing at the other side of the road.
Written 18 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LG_Kay
Singapore, Singapore7,512 contributions
Dec 2016 • Solo
I visited this trail as part of my easy motorbike trip from Hue to Phong Nha. This trail was an important road which the Vietcong used to supply to the south during the war.
The trail passed through mountains, valleys, plantations, villages & countryside. Many opportunities to stop by, enjoy the scenic views & photo takings. At certain parts of the trail, I was mesmerised by its natural beauty - the fog rising & sweeping past the mountains, what sight to behold, as if time stand still, what beauty!
Highly recommend to pass this trail.
The trail passed through mountains, valleys, plantations, villages & countryside. Many opportunities to stop by, enjoy the scenic views & photo takings. At certain parts of the trail, I was mesmerised by its natural beauty - the fog rising & sweeping past the mountains, what sight to behold, as if time stand still, what beauty!
Highly recommend to pass this trail.
Written 27 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fjp4564
Sunshine Coast654 contributions
Aug 2014 • Friends
This spot is a must to those who visit Hue, in Vietnam. It is about 3 hours away from the city, and tours are available for tourists in comfortable air conditioned buses. There is a lot of history to observe and learn, and it is best to do the trip with a local guide. There is a memorial to mark the event. It is not hard to go back in time of more than 40 years and understand what was taking place here then. Ideal spot to take some beautiful photos of the river and the local countryside.
Written 20 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi
I am looking to go and do this next year how much is the trip in GBP thanks
Written 21 February 2019
What time of year is best to hike the trail? I have done long distant hikes here in the US and it revolves around timing due to weather and many other factors, I'm ready to hike this trail but can't seem to find any good readings on it! Thanks for your help
Written 27 April 2015
Hello all
I will travel by myself on my touring bike from the beginning of April for about 5 weeks, start in Hanoi to HCM.
I"m looking for GPS file of the best recommended route via HCM highway and rural roads.
Dave, i believe you have done it before, how can i download all your itinerary in one PDF file.
Can somebody recommend what should be the tier width, should be anything between 1.5" to 2.0" .
Can somebody recommend on web site or blog where i can find similar previous tour itinerary it will be very helpful.
Cheers
Ishay
Written 10 March 2015
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