The aim of the Ho Chi Minh Trail Challenge is to encourage tourists to go down the Ho Chi Minh Trail, which will help local businesses in those parts of Laos and Vietnam.
The Trail was the North Vietnamese logistical supply line designed and built by them during the Vietnam War.
The Challenge is an endurance route through Laos and Vietnam for those who want to do 1,000 km of the Trail on foot, by push bike, motorbike or 4 by 4.
Tours
Virginia has linked with Chris Corbett (who owns Lao Adv Tours), to do adventure tours down the Ho Chi Minh Trail, see Ho Chi Minh Trail and the Blog. One of the tours is The Challenge.
Photos by Clive A. Hills.
The Challenge Route
Leg 1 - Tan Ky (KM0 approximately 200 km south of Hanoi) to La Khe.
Leg 2 - La Khe - cross the border at Route 12 into Laos - Bualapha.
Leg 3 - Bualapha to Xepon (along Route 9 in Laos)
Leg 4 - Xepon to Ta Oi.
Leg 5 - Ta Oi to Sekong.
Leg 6 - Sekong - to Dak Chung and cutting south to Paam - Attapeu.
Leg 7 - Attapeu - via the tri-border back into Vietnam - Dak To.
Leg 8 - Dak To to Chu Se.
Leg 9 - Chu Se to Buon Ma Thuot.
Leg 10 - Buon Ma Thuot to Kien Duc.
Leg 11 - Kien Duc to Chon Thanh (approx. 50 km outside Ho Chi Minh City).
https://www.facebook.com/HCMTC
Recognition
Presented with a campaign medal by Lieutenant General Dong Si Nguyen, for travelling 500miles along the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos becoming the first westerner in peacetime to do so. Lieutenant General Dong Si Nguyen was the longest serving commander of the Trail.
Presented to Virginia by Brigadier General Tran Van Phuc for her part in establishing the route of the Ho Chi Minh Trail Challenge. General Phuc was part of the Truong Son Army during the Vietnam War, and after he became vice commander of Corps 12 (the new name of the Trail army).