Explore Indochina
Explore Indochina
5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
Explore Indochina is the premier motorcycle tour operator in Vietnam. Our team has been exploring the northern mountains of Vietnam and the Ho Chi Minh Trail on both sides of the Vietnam-Laos border for 22 years. We offer classic tours on vintage motorcycles. We trained the rest, ride with the best!
Hanoi, Vietnam
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
5.0
67 reviews
Excellent
65
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
1
Terrible
0
bosslecky
Sydney, Australia24 contributions
Apr 2017 • Friends
Amazing. Just, totally amazing. From the moment the trip started to the moment it ended (sadly) 12 days later.
An overnight train from Hanoi to the Chinese boarder, with our 50 yr old Russian Minsk steeds in the cargo, was to be the start of our intrepid adventure, and what an adventure it was!
From there, it was through the mountains of the north, passing 'tribal' villages with un-prouncable names. Bizarre 'ghost' towns with palatial government buildings built adjacent to tiny shack houses/small businesses. I even managed to lay down in the middle of the main arterial...6 lanes wide! To say this was surreal, is an understatement.
A fine mixture of hotels and home stays, all of which offering their own unique way of making you feel at home.
Every day was a different experience. And with each day, our breath was taken away even more. From picnics overlooking the most spectacular scenery, (not before 'giving it some' up one of the most sweetest trails I've ever ridden) to interacting with local kids in the unpronounceable tiny communes, all the way through to resting up in one of the best hotels Vietnam has to offer.
This trip definitely ticks all the boxes.
Having the opportunity to ride 50 odd year old Russian motorbikes, that were neither Arthur or Marther when it came to distinguishing them between on or off road machines, these things just went everywhere you pointed and wrangled them. No matter what we threw at them, they just soaked it all up.
Our guide, Tony, was an absolute star from the word go. Nothing was ever too much trouble and his knowledge of the areas we visited was top notch. He went out of his way to make sure this experience was the BEST it could be for our group.
And it was!
The mechanic, come security ninja, Vy, was a blast, and despite not really having any major mechanicals, we were safe in the knowledge that he had our back and would get us back on the road in no time.
Culture. History. Spectacular views. Laughter. Waves and even bigger smiles. Extremely friendly and giving people (all smaller than me! Haha). Wildlife. Rain. Wind. Sunshine. Jungle. Beaches. Riding bikes within an inch of their lives, eating excellent food, drinking beers and generally having the best time with a few mates.
If you're after a trip that will give you all of this in one hit. Book NOW!
An overnight train from Hanoi to the Chinese boarder, with our 50 yr old Russian Minsk steeds in the cargo, was to be the start of our intrepid adventure, and what an adventure it was!
From there, it was through the mountains of the north, passing 'tribal' villages with un-prouncable names. Bizarre 'ghost' towns with palatial government buildings built adjacent to tiny shack houses/small businesses. I even managed to lay down in the middle of the main arterial...6 lanes wide! To say this was surreal, is an understatement.
A fine mixture of hotels and home stays, all of which offering their own unique way of making you feel at home.
Every day was a different experience. And with each day, our breath was taken away even more. From picnics overlooking the most spectacular scenery, (not before 'giving it some' up one of the most sweetest trails I've ever ridden) to interacting with local kids in the unpronounceable tiny communes, all the way through to resting up in one of the best hotels Vietnam has to offer.
This trip definitely ticks all the boxes.
Having the opportunity to ride 50 odd year old Russian motorbikes, that were neither Arthur or Marther when it came to distinguishing them between on or off road machines, these things just went everywhere you pointed and wrangled them. No matter what we threw at them, they just soaked it all up.
Our guide, Tony, was an absolute star from the word go. Nothing was ever too much trouble and his knowledge of the areas we visited was top notch. He went out of his way to make sure this experience was the BEST it could be for our group.
And it was!
The mechanic, come security ninja, Vy, was a blast, and despite not really having any major mechanicals, we were safe in the knowledge that he had our back and would get us back on the road in no time.
Culture. History. Spectacular views. Laughter. Waves and even bigger smiles. Extremely friendly and giving people (all smaller than me! Haha). Wildlife. Rain. Wind. Sunshine. Jungle. Beaches. Riding bikes within an inch of their lives, eating excellent food, drinking beers and generally having the best time with a few mates.
If you're after a trip that will give you all of this in one hit. Book NOW!
Written April 11, 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.
Anne P
8 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
This was the best trip of my life--the perfect combination of history, culture, super-fun motorcycle riding of every variety (dirt, mud, rocks, buttery twisty tarmac) and laughter. Planning this was very easy, thanks to the help of Mrs. Thuy, and my husband and I cannot say enough about Tony and Vy, our guide and mechanic, respectively. Tony had us belly-laughing frequently and was also a highly competent guide in every way--giving us road tips, history lessons and smoothing the way with his knowledge of the language and culture. Vy kept our trusty bikes in order and was kind and considerate. We did a combination of the Mountain High and the Border Crawl in 12 days and loved every moment of it. I am certain that there will be another Explore Indochina trip in our future!
Written November 21, 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.
Russell W
2 contributions
May 2016 • Friends
Second border crawl trip with Explore Indo China for me and Glenn kept this one very interesting, same same but different! This time accommodation was up a few levels = outstanding, food matched everybody in our group and plenty of coffee and beers or shots with rice wine seemed to be Glenns answer to support our comfort. We abused the little Minsks but they were "fit for purpose" and wouldn't need to upgrade to any other option. Long (the Stig) was on to any minor mechanical issue as required and anyway he could rebuild a major on the side of the rode if that had actually happened. We went to places that only this style of tourism could access from Hanoi up to ~2,200m ASL lots of single tracks, many dusty and damaged roads plus good riding options on better roads were taken when needed to get to Hotel towns.
The end result is we rode through other peoples lives in a completely different culture to home. Our tour catered for riders like our Kaumatua who at times rode like a possessed monkey,we raced each other in mud with our Mud King the winner and the other three bikes kept up including our 2 up Minsk which mostly kept itself at the front - great effort two up! One of us even kept record intact with their handlebars not touching the ground....
Mrs Thuy, Digby and Glenn made the organising of this trip so easy there was absolutely no stress and I highly recommend the Vietnam style of let it happen and all will be good mixed with a bit of No Wurries from the Aussies!
The Explore Team went out of their way to make it all happen extremely well - even catching us with a replacement set of boots after big foot failure on day 2.
The end result is we rode through other peoples lives in a completely different culture to home. Our tour catered for riders like our Kaumatua who at times rode like a possessed monkey,we raced each other in mud with our Mud King the winner and the other three bikes kept up including our 2 up Minsk which mostly kept itself at the front - great effort two up! One of us even kept record intact with their handlebars not touching the ground....
Mrs Thuy, Digby and Glenn made the organising of this trip so easy there was absolutely no stress and I highly recommend the Vietnam style of let it happen and all will be good mixed with a bit of No Wurries from the Aussies!
The Explore Team went out of their way to make it all happen extremely well - even catching us with a replacement set of boots after big foot failure on day 2.
Written June 7, 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.
Robin L
Cullingworth, UK184 contributions
Jan 2016 • Friends
In 2010 we did a trip from the Chinese border to Hoi An on Urals, a great trip with many highlights, but mainly on tarmac, so when the opportunity came for the same group to ride the trails in Lao on CRF250, no support vehicle, carry all your own stuff, and really get in the jungle I had to go! And what a trip, I am an experienced off road rider, and would suggest you should have some experience off rd to get the best, as Digby was brave enough to take us right into the jungle, with just one way out, riding your bike! Riding though remote villages, hill top tribes, dodging bomb craters and old bombs, he even found a live cluster bomb! So it's a real adventure, we all loved it, and even the accommodation which we were warned might be poor or very poor in places was acceptable for a lads biking trip.
What ever you fancy, CRF250s, Urals or Minsks wherever Digby go's will be an adventure without the health and safety people taking all the adventure out of it.
Great Trip, next time it's North East Vietnam!!
What ever you fancy, CRF250s, Urals or Minsks wherever Digby go's will be an adventure without the health and safety people taking all the adventure out of it.
Great Trip, next time it's North East Vietnam!!
Written January 30, 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.
Trev_n_Leesh
Brisbane19 contributions
Sep 2015 • Friends
One of the best experiences of my life. Digby and his team do everything possible to make this experience perfect. I couldn't wish for a better trip.
Written October 18, 2015
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.
Courtney R
12 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
Did a 5 night tour in the north of Vietnam with Glenn as our guide, and Long and Lap for support. Glenn really went to a lot of effort to tailor the rides everyday depending on how everyone was feeling. We did some nice fast windy roads right through to dusty,muddy and rough tracks. The home stays were great as was the food. Some highlights were going to Bang Gioc falls and Ba Be lake. Definitely worth the money if you're looking for a true adventure!
Written October 1, 2015
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.
Jeremy L
Swansea, Australia9 contributions
Aug 2014 • Solo
Wow and wow. Such a rare freedom to see such a beautiful country and people in the raw from a perspective like the locals. A truly professional team made the experience so much more wow and so many simply amazing memories I will keep forever.
Thank you to all the team. I highly recommend using this team to see the amazing Vietnam on a bike of history and one that is respected by the locals. Have a great trip. I did.
Thank you to all the team. I highly recommend using this team to see the amazing Vietnam on a bike of history and one that is respected by the locals. Have a great trip. I did.
Written July 4, 2015
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.
mark a
Greater Perth, Australia3 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
We did our first tour with Digby back in 2013, the Mountain High route, the scenery was incredible, the people were very friendly, accommodation better than expected and the mighty Minsk bike are unstoppable and yet comfortable. We have such a great time we did a second trip in 2014, the Karst Away tour again with Digby. Again we enjoyed incredible countryside and scenery, the food was something else again.
We are going on a tour in the Hi alaya's with Digby later this month and will be doing another tour with Digby in Vietnam next year.
Do not hesitate to book a tour with Explore Indochina, it is the adventure of a lifetime.
We are going on a tour in the Hi alaya's with Digby later this month and will be doing another tour with Digby in Vietnam next year.
Do not hesitate to book a tour with Explore Indochina, it is the adventure of a lifetime.
Written June 2, 2015
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.
842andrew
Sydney, Australia5 contributions
Aug 2014 • Friends
Vietnam well and truly exceeded my expectations and our eight day motor bike tour through the north region with Explore Indochina just blew me away. The geography, the geology, the people, the smiling laughing kids on the side of the roads, the farming and cropping, the houses, the colour, the energy, the crazy traffic, the shops and markets – where do you start. The Explore Indochina team did a great job and I definitely want to come back and do another tour with them some time.
I really appreciate how well planned and smooth the trip was. From being taken to the most amazing and jaw dropping places well off the beaten track through to pulling up every day to a gourmet tailgate lunch complete with cheese and pâté, nothing was left to chance. It’s a testament to the team at Explore Indochina how much I enjoyed the trip – great job all and hope to see you again soon!
I really appreciate how well planned and smooth the trip was. From being taken to the most amazing and jaw dropping places well off the beaten track through to pulling up every day to a gourmet tailgate lunch complete with cheese and pâté, nothing was left to chance. It’s a testament to the team at Explore Indochina how much I enjoyed the trip – great job all and hope to see you again soon!
Written May 24, 2015
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.
rhysdenny
Hanoi1 contribution
Without a doubt the best trip I've been on, three days exploring the beauty of Northern Vietnam. The best part about this trip is that you hardly touch a main road. You pay for the knowledge gained by the team in exploring uncharted roads and tracks in Vietnam. All I can say is that what you see, places you visit, people you meet and food you experience can't be done by yourself no matter what information you think you have. Amazing trip Glen and Chan. You guys are pros in every sense of the word.
Written May 19, 2015
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 Guys .
Seriously thinking of doing one of the tours but would like to ask a couple of things.
Potentially there will be three of us I would like to do the Ho Chi min trail tour my brother and I have a motocross background and I feel we will be ok with this but our Dad is 73 do you guys think he would be able to cope with this tour or do you recommend one of the other tours.
Written August 9, 2016
The great thing about Explore Indochina is that they tailor every day to the abilities of the riders. My friend and I had very little offroad experience but had a blast on one of the north Vietnam tours. Because we were game for it our guide did take us on more gnarly tracks but if we had struggled there are alternative routes we could have taken. Definitely book with them - you won't regret it and I'll certainly be back!
Written September 6, 2016
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