On the back of a motorcycle and in the relentless August sun, we road 88 miles down to Hoi An from Hue with the help of Hue Riders. We loaded all of our luggage onto the backs of these bulky bikes in the morning and off we went – first sifting through the busy city traffic and finally breaking free into the mountains and open air. The cruising was perfect, allowing us to sight see and take photos whenever we pleased. This option is an amazing and unique way to travel from city to city, since wasting time in planes and trains can be a drag. We cruised down from Hue and stopped by a fisherman’s village, swam in the elephant spring, passed through stunning coastline and mountains, and finally visited the famous Hai Van Pass where we climbed old French bunkers and took in the breathtaking view below and all around. The Hue Rider’s were kind enough to stop and have us try traditional Da Nang fare at a local spot (the famous Bun Cha Ca), which was nothing short of delicious!

SURPRISE: I can’t recommend Hue Riders enough, and I surely wasn’t expecting this part of Vietnam to have such beautiful coastline and beaches. Don’t rule out Vietnam when it comes to more beachy vacations even if it’s sandwiched into the rest of the your historical sightseeing. We made it to Hoi An before dinner and with plenty of time to spare. Of course, like all trips I take, my camera is handy, ready to snap away at all the amazing sights. Even while trying to hold on to my guide on the roads twists and turns, I couldn’t put down the camera. In terms of photos, I didn’t need to enhance or adjust the colors at all. The greenery and vibrance of the ride is completely natural and part of the reason I loved opting for this motorcycle ride instead of a train ride; really seeing the unbelievable landscape and being immersed in the roads was the highlight of our time in Vietnam.

FISHERMEN’S VILLAGE:

HAI VAN PASS:

The Hai Van pass was instrumental in the Vietnam War with large strategic importance, and was dubbed the “most dangerous mountain” in Vietnam due to its curvy features and difficult driving conditions.