Vung Tau – Phan Rang – 5 Day Loop
Route Summary:
Duration: 5 days - 1,140 kms
Of the five day options, this from a riding perspective is my favourite. The first three days are all great riding and if you like a good steak you won’t do better than Sorrento. The two days hugging the coast home has its own appeal too for those that haven’t experienced it.
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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 - Ta Dung - Dalat
Distance: 250 kms
As you will find evident with most of my recommended routes, the best way is far from the shortest way. Today’s ride is a great example of that. We literally go backwards to go forwards but so worth it.Â
(A) takes you around the dam wall as you can no longer ride over that. Good photo spot when you get to the wall. Especially if they are letting some water go.
(B) is your lunch stop. The food’s good and the restaurant views up with the best.
(C) a café I often stop at but added primarily as a way point otherwise Google will take you places you don’t want to be.Â
(D) is worth a stop. Climb up into the statue for great countryside views if you’re feeling fit. The Buddhist prayer area inside the statue at the base is worth checking out and from the base the best view of the waterfall also.
 You’ll find plenty of great photo stops during the afternoon ride. Really a great day in the South particularly given how terrible the busier options are.
Lots of accommodation options in Dalat but even so can be very busy in holiday times so it’s wise to book ahead.
(F) a favourite I use a lot. Quite unique particularly if you’re with a lady and a short walk to the night market and many of the recommended food options listed.
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Da Lat - Sorrento Beach Club
Distance: 215 kms
This is one of my favourite ride days in the South. A mix of great mountain and valley riding with some incredibly beautiful coastline thrown in.
Lorelle is your host for breakfast at One More Cafe. Very cheap for the quality of the meals though 8am open so it depends how early you want to get away. I recommend a good breakfast in any case as a good lunch spot I’m still yet to find on the route.
The morning ride off the plateau is a ripper.
(A) Some ladies selling fruit and drinks just before the big descent is a great first stop. This lovely lady has been looking after me there for years.
At the bottom of the descent plenty of cafes before the left turn where you start to follow the Cai River.
(B) A waterfall detour. It’s a bit of a trek in and with swim or fishing spots everywhere through there if you’re keen, an easy one to leave out.
(C) On the top of another range with views to the coast on a clear day is a must stop.
A short highway link then the coast ride around the headlands to your night stop is one of the best coastal rides in the country.
D, E, F & G all way points strategically placed as great photo stops before your night stop.
Sorrento Club - Mui Ne
Distance: 180 kms
Trust me on this. If you don’t party too hard with Rachel and Ty at the bar the night before the dawn here is a nice experience. Not a swimming beach so much but two great pools for that. A good beach walk and on low tide the locals out digging for shellfish.
Breakfast on this ride is recommended starting at 7.30am. Ty’s usually around well before that though to get the coffee brewing. Only Vietnamese offerings through Phan Rang which I don’t map into this day and until you get to your destination really so I tend to go straight through for an early dinner.
(A) The salt farm and fish farming area is far from the picturesque coast line on either side of it but interesting and you’ll see more of them later.
This map pretty much bypasses Phan Rang City. Can go for a look in but really not too much of interest.
(B) This area is stunning. The ride around the Cape is up with the best coastal rides in Vietnam. Great road and beautiful views.
Use the dedicated bays for photography. They are well placed and safe. Be mindful of sand on corners and often goats and cattle on the road.
Through the salt mines off the cape be aware strong cross winds are usual so keep speed down there if so.
A short unavoidable stretch on the A1 as you pass the Power Station. We get off as soon as possible though back on the absolute coast road.
(C) is a pebbly, rugged coastline you might like to check out.
(D) a larger fishing village. Pretty much the last services are there.
(E) takes you right to the beach. You can use that road all the way through if you have the time. You’ll find good isolated swim spots down there if you beat the wind.
(F) is some fun in the dunes. Hire a 4WD with a driver or take your own quad bike. Barter on price. They will get you if they can.
(G) will take you through the fishing township to your night stop.
(H) You might like to check out the Fairy Stream. I haven’t been there for a while but they had Ostrich rides there which were fun.
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Mui Ne - Vung Tau via Coast
Distance: 195 kms
As is my habit, a morning swim in any beach town is a great start to the day. Mui Ne though is not the beach paradise of the last few days if you’ve been coming down the coast.
Some areas are decent but unless staying at the adjoining beachside resort most are inaccessible to the public. In most of the town there simply is no beach at all.
All accommodation options have a good pool to fix this problem and we have a great time here regardless. A big breakfast and we get out of town on the coast.
This is a simple and relaxing relatively short day to Vietnam’s Southernmost beach town on the mainland.
(A) Is a viewpoint to keep you off the A1.
(B)Â At 64 metres high and built by the French in 1899 the oldest and highest lighthouse in Vietnam. A great first stop to have a walk and check out the area.Â
(C) One of two recommended lunch stops. Good VIetnamese menu right on the beach so a swim opportunity also.
(D) If a seafood lunch appeals this is the best of many great restaurants in the area.
(E & F) Takes you through a fishing village.
(G & H) PÃns to keep you on the coast to our preferred accommodation options.
(I) Twisted Throttle Tavern for a few cold beers and great pub food.
Vung Tau, the city I choose to base myself, has over 500,000 residents but doesn’t feel that big. A clean city with a good year around climate and a lot to offer visitors. To date not particularly well marketed but I feel that will change with the development of the beach areas in progress and planned for the near future.
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These are supplied to all our touring bike customers and excluded from the above itinerary.
