If you’re a motorbike enthusiast, Quang Nam is one adventure you don’t want to miss. Located in the mountainous district of Tay Giang, 190 kms. west of Tam Ky City, Quang Nam Province presents a spectacular view of nature perfect for a motorbike ride. Moreover, it offers the rare opportunity to witness the life of the ethnic minority group Co Tu, who make up the majority of the district’s population.
 
Mark Wyndham owns one such motorbike adventure tour company based in Hoi An and based on his experience, he attests that Tay Giang District has been successful in preserving the original infrastructure and lifestyle of highland villages. According to him, the province has a good infrastructure system and so roads are passable even in the mountainous areas. In fact, tourists can drive by themselves through the different destinations in the central region easily and safely.
 
Wyndham’s motorbike company consists of 45 motorbikes, scooters and off-road motorcycles to cater to all the adventure needs and desires of its clients. For tourists who want to take the adventure simply as a passenger, the company also offers its own drivers to drive visitors around the place. The trip usually takes two days to completely travel through the districts of Dong Giang and Tay Giang.
 
The motorbike adventure begins in the morning at Hoi An, a 17th century-old town that was once a trading port and is part of the adventure itself since it is an UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site. Along the way, one will be treated to a breathtaking sight of rice farms and peaceful roads with farmers working on a seemingly endless green paddy fields. The ride takes about an hour after which they will pass and can stop over at the 1,000 year-old Cham Temple of Bang An. For the thrill seekers, they can take a descent down the “Hell’s Cave” in Marble Mountain, Ngu Hanh Son District. Or one can simply go mountaineering on the said mountain if the cave is too much adrenaline to fathom.
 
At Laos, tourists will be greeted by Co Tu ethnic villages and the villagers themselves who offer travelers a rest and taste of rice wine in their stilted houses. For those who want to take a day’s rest from the long trip, the cultural village of Bho Hong is especially catered for an overnight stay. The next day, the tour will head to a small family-run guest house located at the center of the hamlet. There, the travelers will have a choice between a home-cooked dinner or the chance to dine with the locals themselves and enjoy a feast of authentic highland meals. At night, the motorbike adventurers will be treated to a party with the host, usually a camp fire with lost of dancing, singing and drinking rice wine.
 
The second day of the tour is considered to be the hardest with 150 kilometers of riding to conquer. First, the riders will head off to the historic Ho Chi Minh Trail, but not before being treated to a send-off coffee and breakfast by the family host. Lunch is picnic at a waterfall hidden among a mountain. In the afternoon, the ride will take towards the coast with a stop at American war bases along the way. They will then take a local ferry to cross the Thu Bon River and follow the floating bridge road back to Hoi An.
 
The motorbike tour is quite a lucrative business with about 1,000 people taking on the adventure every year. It costs about $250 per person, with choices of 45 motorbikes including Belarus-made two-stroke Minsks, Honda sport bikes. A 10-people group is best recommended for the two-day trip, with each motorbike tour group accompanied by a tour guide and mechanic for a safe trip. For those who prefer a “less adventurous and safer” tour, tourists also have a choice to ride in a 1960 U.S. military jeep to explore Quang Nam Province.