Vung Tau – Cat Tien 3 Day Loop
Route Summary:
Duration: 3 days - 700 kms
To mix some of the best mountain roads and national park wilderness in the South this is the best option with just three days to do it. A ride that will bring you back for more.
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Vung Tau - Bao Loc
Distance: 300 kms
Day one out of Vung Tau is just so much nicer than out of Ho Chi Minh City. We start off along the coast rather than having to battle the city traffic. Some weekend tourist traffic along this stretch but very quiet weekdays.
(A & B) get you the best way out then,
(C & D) take you for a look through an interesting fishing village.
The road leaves the absolute coast then a little and some heavy vehicles to be aware of until you get to
(E) on the map which is a great coffee stop on the water. Fully renovated now so this quaint little bar no longer.
Go easy speed wise into and out of Lagi. The traffic police in this area are rather dedicated.
Once you cross the A1 its game on though to your night destination really.
Note: In the first 5km after you cross the expressway there is often cattle on the road.
Good consistent hot mix. Fast open sweepers early then tightens up in the mountains. If you’re scratching the pegs here you won’t anywhere. One of my favourites in the South.
(F) missing this detour will cut your day by 15 km but a great lunch and swim spot.
(G) The first lake is worth the short detour but the road into the dam wall is sometimes closed of late.
(H) on the map is a detour 10 km each way and really worth doing if you have the time. Some great photo stops around a very picturesque lake system.
Bao Loc, home to the Ma Indigenous people is the commercial hub of Lam Dong province. A city of around 200,000 people with elevation of 850 Metres. Like Dalat, it can get cold at night and my experience has been that if its going to rain it will here.
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Bao Loc - Cat Tien
Distance: 210 Kms
The first half of this ride day is as good as it gets for me in the South. The first 25km is transit through a semi urban area then its game on, away from traffic, the rest of the day.
Two lakes early on and take the time to check out both dam walls. Some exceptional views, particularly the first. In recent times a boom gate may stop you at the second. A friendly gesture if you just want to take a photo will generally get you in.
This is a horsepower road. The more the better. Very good hotmix, on camber corners and little traffic. An absolute pleasure to ride. The waterfall at (C) adds 40km, has food so makes a great lunch stop and is an exceptional swimming hole. Certainly worth it if you have the time.
From there the stretch to Cat Tien is on a decent but very minority back road with only local traffic.
(A) Ham Thuan Lake is one of the nicer ones in the country and a great ride around to the dam wall.
(B) Da Mi is another great lake. The dam wall is huge and almost always locals fishing from it.
(C) adds 40 km to the day. A small waterfall but with a great swimming hole. The best lunch option for me with good Vietnamese food and beverage available while you’re drying off.
(D & E) is over a dam wall and a great photo stop. Lake one side and rice fields the other.
(G) The second of the three accommodation options in Cat Tien Vilage.
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Cat Tien - Vung Tau
Distance: 190 kms
This is one of the great locations to enjoy the dawn. If the rouge rooster up the river isn’t enough to wake you set an alarm and enjoy the serenity. If you are very lucky the peaceful sound of the bush is broken by the Gibbons singing in the sanctuary across the river.
If coming from further North that’s the mountains done. This ride mostly through farmland is interesting with a few water stops but from here the country flattens out.
The first stretch is out of the village and onto some really nice hotmix to the first way points.Â
(A & B)Â takes you over a dam wall. It’s more solid now than this photo indicates and a great viewpoint over the lake.Â
(C & E) are another two lake areas. Theres some great off map tracks around these if you’re feeling adventurous.
(D) This tourist area is a great swim opportunity on a hot day. At its best in wet season.
(F)Â The Long Tan Cross established in memory of the 18 Australian and 245 Vietnamese soldiers killed In the August 1966 Battle of Long Tan.Â
(G)Â A great coastal photo stop before hitting the peninsula to Vung Tau.Â
(H)Â will take you along the esplanade with views to the newly redeveloped back beach parkland.Â
(I)Â The Twisted Throttle Tavern for some well deserved refreshments.Â
Log in below to view full route maps, accommodation and food information.
These are supplied to all our touring bike customers.
(Excluded from the above itinerary)Â
Log in below to view full route maps, accommodation and food information.
These are supplied to all our touring bike customers and excluded from the above itinerary.
