Explore Indochina

Explore Indochina Explore Indochina runs specialist motorcycle tours across Asia led by veteran expedition rider and Ho Chi Minh Trail expert Digby Greenhalgh.

Exciting motorbike adventures to remote locations rarely visited

18/08/2026

What a ride up the Shinku La Pass. All riders made it.. 👌😆

Bookings open for our 2027 Himalayan High tour. Get in touch for more information.

17/08/2026

The sound of a Royal Enfield against the back drop of the majestic Himalayan mountains is something quite special. 👌

Digby's Journal: Destroyed Bridges on Route Colonial 23From: The History of the Ho Chi Minh Trail by Digby GreenhalghRou...
17/08/2026

Digby's Journal: Destroyed Bridges on Route Colonial 23
From: The History of the Ho Chi Minh Trail by Digby Greenhalgh

Route Colonial 23 (RC23), constructed by the French as an alternative to Route Colonial 13, featured several significant bridges built in the early 1940s. One such bridge at Tad Hai, designed by Prince Souphanouvong in 1942, spanned the Xe Banghiang River. This infrastructure was part of a larger effort to establish a robust inland route.

Further south on RC23, another bridge designed by Souphanouvong met a similar fate during the intense U.S. bombing campaigns. Souphanouvong, often referred to as the "Red Prince," later aligned with the communist Pathet Lao and served as the first President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic from 1975 to 1991.

Learn more on our website 👇
https://exploreindochina.com/destroyed-bridges-on-route-colonial-23/

More from this collection 👇
https://exploreindochina.com/category/the-ho-chi-minh-trail-by-digby-greenhalgh/

The Ho Chi Minh Trail: Then and Now (Part 1)Side by side comparisons of the Ho Chi Minh Trail as it was during the war a...
15/08/2026

The Ho Chi Minh Trail: Then and Now (Part 1)
Side by side comparisons of the Ho Chi Minh Trail as it was during the war and how it appears today. The modern images were taken during our extensive fieldwork mapping the trail for motorcycle travel.

Part 1 includes historical photos of the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos, showcasing jets, trucks, tanks, and the HQ of the 559 Engineering Corps. Images highlight jet fuel canisters and unexploded ordnance.

See the full collection 👇
https://exploreindochina.com/the-ho-chi-minh-trail-then-and-now-part-1/

More from this series 👇
https://exploreindochina.com/category/ho-chi-minh-trail-then-and-now/

📺 Top Gear Vietnam Special: Constructing the Motorcycle BoatsDuring the Top Gear Vietnam Special, Digby from Explore Ind...
13/08/2026

📺 Top Gear Vietnam Special: Constructing the Motorcycle Boats

During the Top Gear Vietnam Special, Digby from Explore Indochina faced a unique challenge: converting motorbikes into floating vehicles. The task was to enable the presenters to drive their bikes across the waters of Ha Long Bay. Using his regional knowledge and experience, Digby drew inspiration from swan pedal boats in Hanoi, which shared a similar chain mechanism with motorbikes. Initial tests proved tricky, as the bikes' weight caused the paddles to splash excessively, but after some adjustments, success was achieved.

The project took an unexpected turn when the Top Gear team, impressed by the robust designs, decided to go further with the concept. A last-minute addition of a Vespa required the expertise of a safety engineer from the UK. Collaborating with a local contact, they created a Mississippi-style paddle boat for the Vespa in just four days, testing it in a d**e before heading to Ha Long Bay.

Despite meticulous preparations, unforeseen issues arose during filming. A strong gust of wind disrupted the initial launch, leading to a series of mishaps. Jeremy Clarkson's bike was pushed onto a rock pier, while James May's bike got tangled in ropes, resulting in balance problems. Quick thinking and swift adjustments by the Explore Indochina team ensured the show continued, with the highlights capturing a stunning day in Ha Long Bay.

Read the full article 👇
https://exploreindochina.com/top-gear-vietnam-special-constructing-the-motorcycle-boats/

More Explore Indochina TV Appearances 👇
https://exploreindochina.com/category/tv-appearances/

We are in India.
11/08/2026

We are in India.

Digby's Journal: Trucks on the Ho Chi Minh TrailFrom: The History of the Ho Chi Minh Trail by Digby GreenhalghRussian-bu...
10/08/2026

Digby's Journal: Trucks on the Ho Chi Minh Trail
From: The History of the Ho Chi Minh Trail by Digby Greenhalgh

Russian-built trucks played a crucial role on the Ho Chi Minh Trail in the mid-1960s, becoming the backbone of supply transport. Initially, supplies were carried by porters and bicycles, but the Group 559 Corps soon realised that trucks were the most effective method for mass transport. These trucks, capable of hauling up to four tonnes daily, were rugged and designed for easy repair. Damaged trucks were stripped for parts at repair depots along the trail, ensuring a continuous flow of supplies despite challenges.

The U.S. struggled with accurately estimating the number of operational trucks due to their rapid repair and reuse. Russian-designed trucks were driven at night without lights to avoid detection, yet they remained vulnerable to AC-130 gunships equipped with infrared sensors. Entire convoys could be destroyed in a single night. The simplicity of the trucks meant repairs were resourceful; for example, a blown gasket might be sealed with buffalo dung, showcasing the ingenuity required to maintain supply lines.

Learn more on our website 👇
https://exploreindochina.com/trucks-on-the-ho-chi-minh-trail/

More from this collection 👇
https://exploreindochina.com/category/the-ho-chi-minh-trail-by-digby-greenhalgh/

09/08/2026

A repurposed mortar.. 🐄

Ride the HCM trail. Multiple tours running late 2026 & early 2027. Send us a message for more information.

Into The RicePublished: March 2004Author: Andrew CherneyPublication: Motorcycle Escape MagazineIn the article "Into The ...
08/08/2026

Into The Rice
Published: March 2004
Author: Andrew Cherney
Publication: Motorcycle Escape Magazine

In the article "Into The Rice" by Andrew Cherney for Motorcycle Escape Magazine, Cherney shares his experiences touring Vietnam on a Minsk motorcycle with Explore Indochina. The journey included challenging road conditions, local culinary adventures, and interactions with tribal communities. Explore Indochina's expertise and local knowledge provided a unique and immersive travel experience.

Read the full article 👇
https://exploreindochina.com/press/motorcycle-escape-magazine/

Explore motorcycle tours 👇
https://exploreindochina.com/tour/

Vietnam Border Crawl: guided motorcycle tour📍 Explore the mountains along the border with China📅 8 days, 7 nights🛣️ 1,39...
06/08/2026

Vietnam Border Crawl: guided motorcycle tour
📍 Explore the mountains along the border with China
📅 8 days, 7 nights
🛣️ 1,390 km
🏍️ Honda CRF250

🧭 Designed for experienced road riders
🏔️ Ride mountain passes, steep ascents, winding paved roads

Explore the Vietnam Border Crawl on our 8-day motorcycle tour. Navigate challenging trails along the remote northern borders, where history and landscape converge for an unparalleled riding experience.

Hanoi - That Khe - Ban Gioc Waterfall - Ba Be Lake - D**g Van - Ha Giang - Hoang Su Phi - Vu Linh - Hanoi

Book now 👇
https://exploreindochina.com/tour/vietnam-border-crawl-8-day-motorcycle-tour/

Get in touch 👇
📱 +84 98 920 4820
✉️ [email protected]

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Mipec Riverside, Long Bien
Hanoi
100000

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+84989204820

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