Motorbikes, temples, and a waterfall swim in one day. This Nha Trang countryside tour mixes quick cultural stops with time in nature at Hon Ba Nature Reserve, with lunch cooked right there. You’ll ride past working villages, rice fields, and hills, then cool off at a waterfall before heading back.
I especially love the small-group feel (max 10) and the way the guides keep things personal and flexible. The ride comes with a safety-first mindset, and names like Bo, Kevin, Boo, Monkey Boy, Nhan, and Bi show up again and again in standout reviews, along with praise for great BBQ cooking.
One thing to consider: you’re on a motorbike most of the day, and at least one review notes highway riding around 70 km/h. If you’re nervous about motorcycles, don’t ignore that factor.
In This Review
- Quick hits before you book Hon Ba
- A Motorbike Day Trip from Nha Trang With Temples and a Waterfall
- Price and value: What you get for $75
- Small group and pickup: Comfortable logistics, less hassle
- Riding out past working villages: the rural stops that make the day
- Long Son Pagoda and Po Nagar Temple: what you’ll actually notice
- Long Son Pagoda (19th century and a 24 m Buddha)
- Po Nagar Temple (Champa history in an older tower)
- Hon Ba Nature Reserve: the waterfall swim and BBQ lunch moment
- What to wear and bring for the swim
- Lunch is part of the experience, not an afterthought
- How the motorbike ride feels: safety, speed, and who should feel good about it
- Who this tour fits well
- Who should think twice
- Timing and pacing: a 5 to 7 hour day that stays on track
- Food options: BBQ lunch and vegetarian planning
- Should you book the True Friends Easy Rider Hon Ba tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the Hon Ba Nature Reserve motorcycle tour?
- What time does the tour start in Nha Trang?
- Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
- Can I request a vegetarian meal?
- What should I wear for the waterfall swim?
- What happens if the weather is poor?
Quick hits before you book Hon Ba
- Max 10 people means you get more than just set-photo stops
- Pickup and drop-off takes the stress out of getting in and out of the countryside
- Long Son Pagoda + Po Nagar Temple add cultural weight with clear historical context
- Hon Ba waterfall swim + BBQ is the heart of the day, with drinks included
- Safety-focused drivers (Bo, Kevin, Boo, Monkey Boy, Nhan, Bi and more) make the ride feel manageable
A Motorbike Day Trip from Nha Trang With Temples and a Waterfall
This is the kind of day that works when you want more than beaches but don’t want to spend your whole trip planning. The route is built around a countryside motorbike ride, a couple of major religious sites, and a genuine nature break at Hon Ba Nature Reserve.
The big idea is simple: you move through different worlds in one go. Morning starts with temples, then the day turns into rural Vietnam on the back of a motorbike, and it ends with swimming and lunch near the waterfall.
What makes it feel good for most people is pacing. You get time at each stop, not just a quick glance, and the waterfall portion isn’t rushed.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Nha Trang.
Price and value: What you get for $75
At $75 per person for a 5 to 7 hour outing, the value is strong because the tour bundles what usually costs extra when you DIY.
Here’s what’s included:
- Hotel/port pickup and drop-off
- A professional guide
- Motorbike, helmet, and protection gear
- Entrance fees for the stops
- BBQ lunch with drinks (and beer shows up in the tour title and reviews)
- All fees and taxes
That’s a lot for one ticket. You’re basically paying for transport, guiding, entry costs, and lunch together. You’ll also see why riders like this: you’re not just riding in a car past viewpoints, you’re getting close to daily life along the way.
If you’re comparing to buying tickets to temples and arranging a separate rural day tour, the combined package tends to be the easier deal.
Small group and pickup: Comfortable logistics, less hassle
The tour caps at 10 travelers, which matters more than it sounds. Smaller groups usually mean fewer rushed photo moments and fewer “wait while others catch up” delays.
Pickup and drop-off also help a lot. You can start from your hotel, resort, or even a port area, and the tour brings you back afterward. There’s also a self-drive option mentioned if you want to drive instead of riding, as long as you ask during booking.
You’ll receive a mobile ticket, and the start time is 8:30 am. That early start is part of the reason the day feels full but not chaotic.
Riding out past working villages: the rural stops that make the day
The ride is more than transportation. It’s the sightseeing. Expect stretches through countryside with rice paddies and coconut plantations, plus stops that give you a peek at local work and crafts.
The day starts at True Friends Easy Rider, where you begin the trip and get set up with the group before moving out. After that, you’ll keep moving, with guide-led stops along the way.
From the reviews, you can also pick up an idea of the kinds of small workshop moments that may appear during the route, such as:
- rice paper and rice noodle related experiences
- bread making
- weaving and straw mat making
- duck farm stops
- chances to try hands-on activities (like making something or getting a quick try-through)
Not every micro-stop is guaranteed based on the info here, but the pattern is consistent: you’re meant to see local life, not just landmarks from a distance.
If you like travel days that feel active and human, this is where the tour shines.
Long Son Pagoda and Po Nagar Temple: what you’ll actually notice
Before Hon Ba, you hit two big sights around Nha Trang.
You can also read our reviews of more drinking tours in Nha Trang
Long Son Pagoda (19th century and a 24 m Buddha)
Long Son Pagoda is described as an ancient Buddhist temple built in the 19th century, and the centerpiece is a massive seated Buddha statue that’s listed as 24 meters high. This stop is short, about 30 minutes, so it’s best used for orientation: get your photos, take in the scale, and listen to the guide’s context without worrying about a slow museum-style visit.
One drawback with any short temple stop is you can’t linger the way you might at major world temples. Here, it’s more like: see the main point, learn the story, move on.
Po Nagar Temple (Champa history in an older tower)
Next comes Ponagar Temple, also known as Po Nagar, described as a Hindu tower built from the 11th to 13th century. Your guide explains Champa history, which helps the site feel more than old stone.
This stop runs about 40 minutes. That extra time compared to Long Son is nice if you want to get better photos and ask questions, because the guide’s explanation tends to make the architecture click.
If you’re the type who likes sites with clear backstory, these temple stops give the day a grounded cultural base before you jump into nature.
Hon Ba Nature Reserve: the waterfall swim and BBQ lunch moment
This is the reason most people sign up. You arrive at Hon Ba Nature Reserve and get both views and water time.
The itinerary lists about 3 hours here. In that window, you’ll get:
- mountain views
- time to swim in the crystal waterfall
- a BBQ lunch prepared by your guide
Reviews are clear about the feel of the waterfall stop. It’s described as cool water and a more secluded vibe compared to crowded sightseeing. One review even says they basically had the falls to themselves, which is exactly what you’re hoping for when you choose this kind of day.
What to wear and bring for the swim
The info you can trust from reviews:
- Wear sneakers, because you may walk up and down hills to reach the waterfall.
- There’s no need for water shoes, since you’re not climbing rocks in the water.
Also, bring sunscreen. At least one review specifically calls that out, and the day is long enough for a sunburn to sneak up on you.
Lunch is part of the experience, not an afterthought
One of the most praised details is the BBQ cooking. Kevin is singled out in reviews for an incredible BBQ, and the overall tone is that the food is genuinely good, not just something thrown together for a tour group.
Drinks are included, and the tour title plus reviews point to beer being part of that lunch setup. You’ll likely appreciate that after a swim and a motorbike ride.
How the motorbike ride feels: safety, speed, and who should feel good about it
Let’s talk honestly about the motorbike piece, because it’s the make-or-break factor for some people.
Most reviews praise safe driving and guide competence. Names like Bo, Kevin, Boo, Monkey Boy, Nhan, Bi, Lee, Khan, and Hai come up alongside phrases like feeling safe the whole time and being good drivers.
One review adds nuance: there was an extended period of highway riding around 70 km/h. Even with experienced drivers, that’s still a thing to consider if you get anxious on motorcycles or you’re new to riding.
Who this tour fits well
You’ll probably love it if:
- you want to see real rural Vietnam from the road
- you like guided stops where you can ask questions
- you’re comfortable sitting on a motorbike for several hours, especially with helmets and protection gear provided
Who should think twice
Think twice if:
- motorcycles make you tense even when drivers are skilled
- you’re expecting a mostly walking tour with light riding
The good news: the tour operators clearly plan around safety, and the repeated praise from multiple guides suggests this isn’t casual riding.
Timing and pacing: a 5 to 7 hour day that stays on track
The day runs roughly 5 to 7 hours and starts at 8:30 am. That means you’ll return before evening plans, but you should still treat it like a full-day outing.
The stop structure looks like:
- quick start and set-up
- two temple stops
- a long chunk of nature time at Hon Ba
- return to where you’ll be dropped off (hotel, resort, port, or a chosen point)
In a day like this, the best strategy is mental. Decide you’re here for movement. When you expect motion, the day feels fun instead of exhausting.
Food options: BBQ lunch and vegetarian planning
The tour says a vegetarian option is available, and you should request it at booking. If you have dietary needs, send them early so the kitchen plan matches what you eat.
The BBQ lunch is part of why the tour gets strong reviews, so it’s worth making sure your meal will work for you.
Should you book the True Friends Easy Rider Hon Ba tour?
Yes, I’d book it if you want a one-day mix of countryside riding, two cultural stops, and a real nature reward. The value is solid because the price includes pickup, entrances, motorbike gear, and lunch with drinks.
It’s especially a good fit if you’re tired of tourist-only days and want to spend time where locals actually work and live, then end with a swim and a properly cooked BBQ.
Skip or at least think hard before booking if motorcycles make you uneasy, especially because there can be highway time at speed even with experienced drivers.
If you’re comfortable riding and you want a memorable, active day from Nha Trang, this is one of the better ways to do it without overcomplicating your schedule.
FAQ
How long is the Hon Ba Nature Reserve motorcycle tour?
The tour lasts about 5 to 7 hours.
What time does the tour start in Nha Trang?
Start time is 8:30 am.
Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
Yes. The tour includes hotel/port pickup and drop-off.
Can I request a vegetarian meal?
Yes. A vegetarian option is available if you advise the provider at booking.
What should I wear for the waterfall swim?
Wear sneakers since you may walk up and down hills to reach the waterfall. The reviews also note there’s no need for water shoes.
What happens if the weather is poor?
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
