One night
Arrive at Tân Hóa in the afternoon, walk the village, family dinner, sleep in a floating house. Dawn at Yên Phú lake, then ride on.
Motorbike riders
Riding the Hồ Chí Minh Road through Kim Phú
The Hồ Chí Minh Road runs along a valley between limestone ranges here. Don’t just ride through: turn off for a night in a floating house at Tân Hóa and catch dawn at Yên Phú lake.
No border-area permit needed inside the Kim Phú tourism area.Details →
Stops
In order, coming from Phong Nha
- Đá Đẽo Pass summitA special national relic of the Trường Sơn trail. Park in the wide area by the memorial.Relic
- Phú Nhiêu valleyThe Hồ Chí Minh Road runs along the valley between two limestone ranges. Stop for photos where it is safe, not on a bend.On the HCM Road
- Hung Tru and Yên HợpTurn off the Hồ Chí Minh Road into the valley. In September–October it floods: leave the bike at the water’s edge and continue by boat or kayak.Off the HCM Road
- Khe Rinh bridgeThe old Khe Rinh ford, where 3,700 bombs fell in 75 days. A special national relic.Relic
- Yên Phú lakeAbout 2 km off the Hồ Chí Minh Road on a concrete lane. Muddy in the rainy season; easier by bike than by car.2 km detour
- Fuel at Ngã ba PheoFill the tank here, on the Hồ Chí Minh Road.Fuel
- Tân Hóa villageSleep in a floating house and eat with your hosts. Every homestay has safe motorbike parking.Overnight
Plan
One night or two?
Two nights
Add a day: a Tú Làn cave tour with Oxalis (book ahead), or Hung Tru, Yên Hợp and Rục Mòn cave with a local guide.
Riders ask
Do I need a permit?
No border-area permit is needed inside the Kim Phú tourism area (Decision 2244/QĐ-UBND, 12 June 2026). If you plan to go beyond the tourism area, ask the commune first.
Where can I get fuel?
At the Ngã ba Pheo junction on the Hồ Chí Minh Road, near the end of the route coming from Phong Nha. Fill up in Phong Nha before you set off.
Where can I eat on the road?
On the Hồ Chí Minh Road: Cường Nhi restaurant, right at the junction with Route 12A (fried stream fish and other local dishes; call ahead), and Ánh Tuyết, between Khe Rinh ford and Phú Nhiêu (cliff snails, Kim Phú chicken, sour stream-fish soup; call ahead). For breakfast, Quán Cứ nearby serves eel porridge, the local speciality (usually mornings only). For local dishes, book a meal with a home cook in Tân Hóa.
Breakdowns and flat tyres?
We are compiling a list of local mechanics. Message us on WhatsApp and we will point you to the nearest one.
Is there safe bike parking?
Yes. Every homestay in Tân Hóa has safe motorbike parking. Verified homestays are on the Stay page.
Phone signal?
Weak or none in the caves and some valleys. Download offline maps and the GPX file before you ride.
When is the best time to ride?
October to December: the caves have reopened and many mornings bring a sea of clouds over the valleys. Around Tết (Lunar New Year) peach and apricot blossom lines the roads and village gardens, loveliest in the cool morning mist. At the full moon of the third lunar month (usually late April or early May) you can join locals in traditional games: tug-of-war, stilts, crossbows and the Rằm market. September–October is flood season: beautiful, but some roads go under water, so ask us first.
Riding with an easy rider or a tour?
Send your guide this page and ask to route via Tân Hóa. Most Hồ Chí Minh Road itineraries go straight to Phong Nha and miss Kim Phú.