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

Digby's Journal: Phin Helicopter CrashFrom: The History of the Ho Chi Minh Trail by Digby GreenhalghIn Phin, a CIA-led o...
27/07/2026

Digby's Journal: Phin Helicopter Crash
From: The History of the Ho Chi Minh Trail by Digby Greenhalgh

In Phin, a CIA-led operation intended to reinforce Lao troops with 125 soldiers encountered unexpected challenges. Five CH-3 helicopters were used for the insertion. However, the intended landing site, LS-300, was under the control of NVA forces. The first helicopter, piloted by Ted Silva, was shot and crash-landed, while a second, flown by Phil Conran, was severely damaged by enemy fire after unloading its troops.

Phil Conran established a defensive perimeter and managed air support from two A-1 Skyraiders, enduring significant risk to retrieve essential supplies from the downed helicopter. As the day concluded, Skyraiders dropped CS gas cluster bombs, which disrupted the NVA forces, allowing a successful rescue. Despite being recommended for the Medal of Honor, Conran received the Air Force Cross due to political considerations at the time. Silva's helicopter remains on display in Phin.

Learn more on our website 👇
https://exploreindochina.com/phin-helicopter-crash/

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

25/07/2026

Settle an office debate. Best time to ride?

Sunrise.
Friday after work.
Sunday afternoon.
Sunset.
Random weekday when you would usually be at work.

Other (specify) 👇

The Ho Chi Minh Trail: Then and Now (Part 4)Side by side comparisons of the Ho Chi Minh Trail as it was during the war a...
25/07/2026

The Ho Chi Minh Trail: Then and Now (Part 4)
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 4 features images of the Laotian countryside, showcasing the impact of relentless bombing during the war. This instalment highlights Operation Igloo White and its logistical challenges.

See the full collection 👇
https://exploreindochina.com/the-ho-chi-minh-trail-then-and-now-part-4/

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

24/07/2026

It's a pretty awesome and wholesome experience meeting and spending some time with the locals people in Laos. 🇱🇦

Come and meet the locals on our Ho Chi Minh Trail tour. The best trail ride in the world and we have a few spaces remaining for our trips at the end of this year.

Just shoot us a message for more info or head to our website, link in our bio.




Vietnam Border to Beaches: guided motorcycle tour📍 Lao Cai to Hoi An📅 11 days, 11 nights🛣️ 1,790 km🏍️ Honda CRF250🧭 Desi...
23/07/2026

Vietnam Border to Beaches: guided motorcycle tour
📍 Lao Cai to Hoi An
📅 11 days, 11 nights
🛣️ 1,790 km
🏍️ Honda CRF250

🧭 Designed for experienced road riders
🏔️ Ride karst mountains, forested hills, coastal tarmac

Explore the diverse landscapes of Vietnam on our 11-day Border to Beaches motorcycle tour. Traverse challenging terrain along the Chinese border and unwind on coastal roads, experiencing the region's unique history and culture with every turn.

Hanoi - Lao Cai - Sapa - Mu Cang Chai - Phu Yen - Pu Luong - Vinh - Phong Nha - Khe Sanh - Hue - Hoi An

Book now 👇
https://exploreindochina.com/tour/vietnam-border-to-beaches-11-day-motorcycle-tour/

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

20/07/2026

The most famous cobblestone road in history?

Digby's Journal: Flare TubesFrom: The History of the Ho Chi Minh Trail by Digby GreenhalghDuring the Vietnam War, the Ho...
20/07/2026

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

During the Vietnam War, the Ho Chi Minh Trail was a crucial supply route for NVA forces, who moved supplies under the cover of night. To counter these movements, the USAF deployed C-130A Hercules aircraft, known by the call sign "Blind Bat". These aircraft conducted flare ship missions, using Starlight scopes to identify targets and dropping flares to illuminate them for strike aircraft. Each mission typically involved over 100 flares, and the operation ran from mid-1964 to mid-1970, with two C-130s lost to enemy fire over Laos.

In the years following the war, Laotians have repurposed the aluminum flare tubes into various practical items such as buckets, boxes, and wall panels. These transformed materials are now a common sight along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Additionally, the silk parachutes from the flares were utilised by Pathet Lao soldiers as neck scarves, highlighting the resourcefulness in the region's use of available materials.

Learn more on our website 👇
https://exploreindochina.com/flare-tubes/

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

Dr Paul Carter's describes the incredible petrol pipeline that fueled the Ho Chi Minh Trail🤝 Collaboration with Dr. Paul...
19/07/2026

Dr Paul Carter's describes the incredible petrol pipeline that fueled the Ho Chi Minh Trail
🤝 Collaboration with Dr. Paul T Carter
🎓 Dr. Carter is an American historian and researcher specialising in Southeast Asian history and the Second Indochina War

Dr. Carter and Digby collaborate on a fascinating YouTube series exploring the historical intricacies of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Their journey takes them to caves that still contain the large petrol storage tanks once used to fuel the North Vietnamese Army's 5,000-kilometre pipeline. This extensive network, constructed between 1968 and 1974, stretched from the Chinese border through Laos and Southern Vietnam to depots north of Saigon. In addition to the caves, they visit villages where remnants of the pipeline now serve as house supports, electricity poles, and drain pipes.

View on our website 👇
https://exploreindochina.com/dr-paul-carters-describes-the-incredible-petrol-pipeline-that-fueled-the-ho-chi-minh-trail/

Dr Carter’s YouTube channel 👇
http://www.youtube.com/

Contact Digby:
📱 +84 98 920 4820
✉️ [email protected]

On the War PathPublished: October 2007Author: Digby GreenhalghPublication: Two Wheels MagazineExplore Indochina's founde...
18/07/2026

On the War Path
Published: October 2007
Author: Digby Greenhalgh
Publication: Two Wheels Magazine

Explore Indochina's founder, Digby Greenhalgh, authored an insightful piece for Two Wheels Magazine in 2007. The article, "On the War Path," delves into Digby's experiences along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, highlighting the historical significance and remnants of the Vietnam War that persist in Laos.

Read the full article 👇
https://exploreindochina.com/press/two-wheels-magazine/

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

📺 Gordon Ramsay: Gordon's Great EscapeDuring the filming of *Gordon's Great Escape* in Vietnam, Gordon Ramsay's visit to...
16/07/2026

📺 Gordon Ramsay: Gordon's Great Escape

During the filming of *Gordon's Great Escape* in Vietnam, Gordon Ramsay's visit to the hill-tribe village of Mai Chau offered more than just a culinary journey. While learning about the significance of rice in Vietnamese cuisine, Ramsay surprised everyone with his off-camera demeanour, which was polite and professional. His enthusiasm extended beyond the kitchen when he encountered a 650cc Ural motorcycle provided by Explore Indochina. Ramsay was eager to ride it, although production constraints limited him to a closed-off road.

In a moment of unscripted adventure, Ramsay, accompanied by the show's director and Explore Indochina's team, took to a public road despite initial restrictions. This impromptu ride saw them manoeuvring through traffic and even past a police roadblock, turning a routine filming day into an unexpected thrill. The escapade concluded with shared laughter at the director's query about the delay.

The experience was rounded off with a celebration of the rice harvest alongside local Thai hill-tribe friends. Ramsay participated in the feast preparations, indulging in local moonshine and attempting to master the art of making banh cuon, much to the amusement of the onlookers. The filming wrapped up in a local market, marking the end of a memorable and educational visit to Vietnam.

Read the full article 👇
https://exploreindochina.com/gordon-ramsay-gordons-great-escape/

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

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