HCM City – Thac Ba Waterfall – 3 day Loop
Route Summary:
Duration: 3 days - 430 kms
Day one is around 3.5 hours so with Friday afternoon off, easy done for a great weekend out of the rat race. Day two, though an awesome ride, is big so an early start on an XR 150 or bigger is required. Day three through farmland back to the big smoke isn’t a big day so some morning beach time is a nice start to the day
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Cat Lai - Vung Tau via River
Distance: 145 kms
From the first right hand turn you get the feeling Saigon is well behind you and it’s game on.
Though at this point still a view to D7 over the river its a very different environment for the first timer out of the city. I remember it some 13 years ago fondly for that.
The first stretch of the river road was unsealed but generally pretty solid with plenty of pot holes but we were out of the rat race and into the fun. These days its all concrete so accessible even for scooters.
A lot of the land along the river is low lying wetland. Its an amazing area really considering its in such close proximity to the countries largest concrete jungle.
There’s always plenty to keep you interested. This isn’t a fast ride but one to relax and take it all in along the way.
(A, B, C, & D) Are all just way points on this one to keep you exploring off the main arterials. The coffee stop is a good one.
There is a short unavoidable stint on the QL51 before the left turn which gets you back on some quiet back roads again. The farmland areas this side of the highway are very different to the river section adding great diversity to the day.
(E) Is a winding bitumen road and the best of the ride if time allows. There’s plenty of off tracks and temples to explore up there also.
(F & G)Â Take you the best way into town and are two of the better seafood restaurants if a late lunch or early dinner is in order. The second on the water is my preference.
One of our preferred accommodation options overlooking the harbour and sunset. Vung Tau is on a peninsula and unique in Vietnam for a number of reasons. One most notable is that the sunrise is over the back beach and sunset over the front beach.
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Vung Tau - Thac Ba Waterfall Loop
Distance: 332 kms
When putting loops together out of the various cities around the country it’s all about the best road options and interesting scenery. I like there to be a hook though and today the lunch spot is it. Swimmers under your riding gear, people, and take a towel. Pretty big day for an early start is recommended.
(A & B) keeps you to the coast and often a stop to catch up if picking a few up on the way out.
(C & D) take you for a look through an interesting fishing village. Few coffee ladies there if needed.
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. Bullock rides on offer if you get there early enough.
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 through to your night destination really. 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) Your lunch destination and swim spot. Tucked away a bit so very little known outside the local area but popular with local kids so can be quite busy in holiday times.
(G) is a memorial cross in memory of the 18 Australian and 245 Vietnamese soldiers killed In the August 1966 Battle of Long Tan.
(H)Â The Twisted Throttle Tavern for a well deserved beer.Â
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Vung Tau - Cat Lai Ferry via Lakes
Distance: 150 Kms
One of many inaccuracies I hear from foreigners here is that the ride to and from Saigon and Vung Tau is terrible. On the arterials yes, but this diverse farmland ride through rubber, corn, banana, pepper, sweet potato and cassava is relaxed and interesting.Â
If you’re on a loop I likely had you on the river tracks down as it gets you out of the city traffic the quickest but this lakes run is my favourite. Be aware in wet season the trails through the rubber plantations are very slippery.Â
Plenty of great deviations off this map too so if you have time, follow it loosely and enjoy some exploring. Many of the trails aren’t on maps but it doesn’t matter you’ll pick it up again later.Â
(A)Â is a popular photo stop. Usually a lady set up there for a morning coffee too.Â
(B)Â takes you on the beach road through a fishing village and marks where you turn inland to the rubber plantationsÂ
(C) is a memorial cross in memory of the 18 Australian and 245 Vietnamese soldiers killed In the August 1966 Battle of Long Tan. Â
(D) and (E)Â gets you to the next lake though casava and pepper crops.Â
(F) A chocolate factory is your lunch stop on another lovely lake. Orders take a while but the food is good and the portion sizes very generous.Â
(G)Â takes you past two more lakes and is the point we turn left on some trails. Nothing technical but easy to map around it if necessary.Â
(H)Â is a random coffee shop marked only to take you around a favourite police haunt for their coffee indulgence.Â
(I)Â on the ferry and if returning to our D2 shop just 13km dealing with most riders daily reality here.Â
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These are supplied to all our touring bike customers.
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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.
