Vung Tau – Nha Trang – 5 Day Loop
Route Summary:
Duration: 5 days - 1,055 kms
If diversity is what appeals to you, this certainly has that in spades. Night one you’re across the river from Vietnams second biggest National Park. You could easily add a day there to explore. The views in the next two days have to be experienced to the second biggest coastal city in the country. Again easy to add a day here too before the two day coastal run back to Vung Tau.
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Vung Tau - Cat Tien
Distance: 185 Kms
This backroads route initially hugs the coast before we divert inland through farmland mainly, with a few water stops to the Cat Tien township. The last of the Southern Vietnam plains before the mountains that cover the rest of the country.Â
The Cat Tien National Park covers an area of 750 km² in the provinces of Dong Nai, Bình Phuoc and Lam Dong and preserves one of the largest areas of lowland tropical forests left in Vietnam. Easy to spend some time there if natural beauty in peace and quiet appeals as a nice change of pace. Â
(A) and (B) keep us on the coast where possible. (B) is a popular photo stop before we head for the rubber plantations.Â
(C) 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
(D) and (F) are both short diversions to lake stops along the way. A good option if you’re ready for a break or for a photo but can also be deleted if you want to keep at it.Â
(E) This tourist area is a great swim opportunity on a hot day. At its best in wet season.
(G) and (H) take you across a dam wall before for me the best stretch of road for the day into your night stop.Â
(I) One of many great accommodation options we recommend in the area and time to feel the serenity.Â
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Cat Tien - Ta Dung - Da Lat
Distance: 260 kms
This is a great ride day. Some will see Ta Dung and want to spend a night there. If so, May Farm 0352 649 966 is my latest accommodation favourite up there. Accommodation and views exceptional.Â
(A) takes you over this bridge and immediately into good ridingÂ
(B) is a bridge around behind the Dam Wall. The public are not allowed on the Dam Wall.Â
After this bridge which is now clean again you will come to a dam wall. Worth stopping for some photos there. Its quite impressive especially if letting some water go.
(C) on the map on your way to the Viewpoint is the best lunch alternative if you’d prefer pork ribs and bits.
(E) at Ta Dung is a great Vietnamese food lunch spot with exceptional views.
Plenty of great views with photo opportunity along the way. Some care after lunch the QL28 can in places have gravel kicked out by trucks on a few corners.
(E) Is a fuel stop marked to keep you on the best route
(F) Elephant Falls is worth dropping into. Go where the Buddha Statue is and if you’re up for the stairs great views of the surrounding farmland from her eyes.
(G) Quite a unique and well located accommodation but a plethora of options in Dalat so worth a bookings search.Â
(H) An Australian owned bar well located with good Western pub food. The chicken parmigiana as good as I’ve had anywhere in Vietnam.Â
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Dalat - Nha Trang
Distance: 140 kms
This has been one of the most variable days in the South over the last decade. The road in its best condition in good weather is hard to beat. Over the years though it has been at times in poor condition and with heavy traffic not without risk. Pretty good at the moment as I write this.
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. Short day if only going to Nha Trang so it’s a good option.
On your way out of the city a great spot at the end of the lake for a photo.
Dalat is 1500 metres above sea level so this run off the plateau particularly if getting away early can be clouded in. Trucks and tour buses use this road and are predictably careless so be aware in those conditions.
I’ve used the best of your photo opportunities as way points but plenty of others. It’s a short day so take it in with no time pressure.
A few off roads if you feel like exploring but some a bit sketchy so I don’t promote them. Depends on your bike and experience really but on the right gear you can fill in the day playing in this area.
The last point on this route is a great beach bar right in the city. Pub prices on the beach and usually a good social starting point.
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Nha Trang - Mui Ne
Distance: 275 kms
The starting point for this map, is for those that might be ready for a Big English Breakfast. All the food is good but the breakfast a standout in Vietnam.
(A) Is one of many view points around what is certainly the best motorcycling coastal stretch in the country.
(B) The viewpoint over a protected fishing village tucked into the mountains.
(C) If up for a coffee or you’re away early this is a great breakfast stop.Â
(D) A salt farm but you’ll see more of them later.
This area to the next cape land is scattered with fish farming, salt mining, wind turbines and solar panels. Not too picturesque but interesting.
(E) The ride around the Cape is up with the best coastal rides in Vietnam. Great road and beautiful views. Â
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 mine off the cape 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.
(F) the bridge out of a larger fishing village. Pretty much last services are there.
(G) 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.
(H) will take you through the fishing township to your night stop.
(I) one of many accommodation recommendations. All good for different reasons.
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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.
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.
