"As an American asked to serve, I was prepared to fight, to be wounded, to be captured and even prepared to die, But I was not prepared to be abandoned!"
Moped Tour DMZ Zone
(6 days)
Day 1: Da Nang to Prao
We started our trip in Da Nang and left the city to hit the wide spread rice fields in the countryside. Soon you will recognize a lot of tombstones sticking out everywhere in the landscape and you understand now what the Vietnamese had to suffer 40 years ago. The first war memorial we see since being in Saigon.
* My Son *
- The temple of the Champs -
One of Vietnams World Heritage Sites.
- The temple of the Champs -
One of Vietnams World Heritage Sites.
We had to cross several rivers which was always a nice short break from riding the bike.
The ride from My Son to Prao showed us already an amazing fauna covering the mountains in Vietnam... and the amazing fauna of Laotian mountains! Our ride took us along the border of Laos.
Cinnamon, mushrooms, young bamboo, bananas, sweet potatoes & green tea. And don't forget ginseng.
The "Original Ho Chi Minh Path" from 60s/70s.
Visit of one of the Native minorities in Vietnam: the village of the "Kotu"
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Day 2: Prao to Khe Sanh
On our second day we had a wonderful ride through the mountains of the National Park Cuc Phuong, always along the Laotian border.
An incredible hard climb on top of the mountain. But you have to have strong legs! Finally you get a stunning view!
Waterfall in the National Park Cuc Phuong
Our route led us through an amazing scenery of the rain forest, passing through tunnels & swerved around cows laying on the street. We stopped at another village of minority Natives and were just a few steps away from Laos.
* Hamburger Hills *
I don't know if you can walk on top of the "Hamburger Hills". It's said that you can still find military equipment & war material there. Be careful with mines!
Besides the heavy fights they had in this region, the nature recovers very well. Off course, it is not so rich in fauna like the area we passed before.
Besides the heavy fights they had in this region, the nature recovers very well. Off course, it is not so rich in fauna like the area we passed before.
* Dakrong Bridge by Khe Sanh *
Known for the massacre of Khe Sanh (memorial) and big losses on the part of the USA, the bridge was always a main target because the US believed it was part of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. It had to be reconstructed several times.
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Day 3: Khe Sanh to Ke Bang National Park
* Khe Sanh *
In the morning before we left Khe Sanh we visited the former airfield, abandoned US bunkers and a museum about the region's past of the 60s/70s.
In the morning before we left Khe Sanh we visited the former airfield, abandoned US bunkers and a museum about the region's past of the 60s/70s.
The Museum of Khe Sanh
Now, we reach the 'real' Khe Sanh, the former spot of the village in the 70s. Today, a populated place for smuggling goods between the 2 countries Vietnam and Laos.
* Rock Pile *
* Camp Caroll *
Ou our way we passed by cultivated land and several temples which are build as a war memorial for the fallen soldiers of the war with the USA.
* Camlo Cemetery *
When we visited the Camlo Cemetery, we got the chance to meet and to talk to South Vietnamese Veterans. Thanks to our tour guide who translated for us.
* Ke Bang National Park *
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Day 4: Ke Bang National Park to Vinh Moc
The next morning was a beautiful ride through the National Park Ke Bang. We were on our way to see the Paradise Cave called Thien Duong. The cave has a length of 31 kilometers and was first found in 2005.
* Thien Duong - Paradise Cave *
After visiting the cave we took off to get down to the coastline and left the National Park Ke Bang.
* The Tunnels of Vinh Moc *
The tunnels of Vinh Moc were not so far away from our hotel. We had a nice place with balcony and an amazing sunset for the end of the day.
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Day 5: Vinh Moc to Da Nang
The morning showed us a lot of movement on the water - the fishermen were at work. From our hotel balcony we were able to watch the activities of the men very well.
* DMZ - Zone / 17th Parallel between North- and South Vietnam along the Ben-Hai-River *
The Hien-Luong-Bridge with a war memorial along the demarkations line at the Ben-Hai-River.
The "border" of the two sides: the South and the North of Vietnam!
The "border" of the two sides: the South and the North of Vietnam!
There you can find a very good museum which shows you the history of the construction of the Vinh Moc tunnels.
* Bombed Church from the 70s *
* Hue - City Bastille *
Our drive through the city Hue.
* Hai Van Pass *
On our way back to Da Nang we got to see a cinnamon distillery. Just a little spot right next to the street.
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Day 6: Da Nang to Quin Doi
In the morning we headed with the bikes to the Marble Mountains and stopped at a street market with a lo of delicious food, like snails, big eels and huge mussels.
* The Marble Mountains *
From the Marble Mountains we had a long way to get to our last goal with Truonc & Truc.
Short stop with the night bus to get the tyre fixed...