1) The Classic - Total Distance: 2,770km, Average Duration: 2-4 weeks

A topographic mixed bag, The Classic winds through Vietnam’s mountains and coastline, covering both some major attractions and hidden gems.

2) The Beach Bum - Total Distance: 2,050km, Average Duration: 10 days-3 weeks

If beaches are your thing, by the time you finish the route, you may never want to see another grain of sand again. Stretching across 1,300km of coastline, The Beach Bum is a mix of new highways and back-roads leading to sleepy fishing villages and abandoned beaches.

3) Uncle Ho’s Road - Total Distance: 1,880km, Average Duration: 10 days-2 weeks

Once used to move war materials across Vietnam, The Ho Chi Minh Road has since been paved. While utilitarian, this inland route offers up some spectacular views, hamlets populated by ethnic minorities, charming towns and war vestiges.

4) The Big One - Total Distance: 4,180km, Average Duration: 3-6 weeks

Have a month or two to kill? This extended path zigzags through beaches, mountains, major cities, shimmering rivers, back-roads and tourist hot spots.

5) The Easy Rider - Total Distance: 2,230km, Average Duration: 2-4 weeks

If ease of travel is higher on your list than exploration, this may prove to be your best option. Making use of modern highways and the most navigable roads, this route route provides incredible scenery and accommodates visits to major cultural and tourist attractions.

[Photo via Hugh Derr]