Da Nang – Vung Tau – 5 days inland

Route Summary

Duration: 5 days - 1,245 kms

Five days of diversity in the remote mountain areas of Vietnams Central and Southern Highlands. A great mix of some bigger country cities, mountain villages and National Parks.

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Day 1: Da Nang - Mang Den - 270 kms

Da Nang - Mang Den

Distance: 270 kms

Starting from our Danang location this day is make up of two very different halves. The first half of the day is exploring the coast, staying off the main arterials as much as practical. The second half we go inland to riders heaven. The last stretch of this day as good as motorcycling gets.

Out over the rivers South of Hoi An and the the traffic thins for a relaxed transit section.

(A) A very well developed entertainment complex. A must if taking a child pillion as I often like to do.

(B) If only for a coffee this beachside cafe bar is worth dropping into. The Monster Burger as good as I’ve ever had anywhere.

(C & D) Are beachside view points to keep you off the main road. Nothing special there but far better than playing with trucks, buses and police.

From the time we move away from the coast the second half of this ride is exceptional. Not only for the riding but the interesting countryside.

(E, F & G) The best of many viewpoints up through this pass looking over the valley. (G) A very special area rarely ridden other than locals on scooters moving produce.

The ride from the top of the pass to your night stop is the best hard top in the country for high capacity bikes particularly. Taking a break from that to go exploring off map can also be very rewarding in this remote bushland.

(H) My favourite accommodation in Mang Den, formally the Dak Long commune. A very interesting village and another place to enjoy the dawn around the Dak Ke Lake if you’re up for it.

(I) A nice little waterfall that only adds 8 km if you haven’t had enough exploring.

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Day 2: Mang Den - Buon Ma Thuot - 325 kms

Mang Den - Buon Ma Thuot

Distance: 325 kms

Mang Den is one of my get up early and enjoy the dawn places. There’s some great walks but around Dak Ke Lake is one of the best if you like playing with cameras.

Whilst distance wise this is a big day, time wise with a reasonably early start you’ll do it easy. Most of the day is quite remote with very little traffic and comparatively less photo stops.

Early on there’s a village on your left. Turning off the map and exploring out the other side of the village is a lot of fun but with the new awesome road now I usually stick at it these days.

After the right turn at the cross road watch for cattle on the road for the first few kilometres. Thereafter you have two hours of motorcycling bliss.

(A & B) Are my preferred coffee and food stops. Around (B) theres plenty of options.

Between (B & C) is mostly farmland but in recent years like many other areas around the country has been littered with wind farms.

There’s an unavoidable stretch on the main road. When on that keep your speed in check. There’s always police presence there.

(D & E) Are very cool coffee stops though which take you on an alternative route to miss most of it.

(F,G & H) Once into town are the town monument, a good value hotel and an interesting afternoon or night spot if with a group of thirsty lads.

Buon Ma Thuot, is the capital and economic hub of the Dak Lak Province. With a population of around 440,000 its the largest city in the Central Highlands and prides itself with a coffee culture. The city is tidy and the people for a big city ooze a country town hospitality attitude.

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Day 3: Buon Ma Thuot - Gia Nghia - 230kms

Buon Ma Thuot - Gia Nghia

Distance: 231 kms

This is an area largely overlooked by westerners and tourists in general. Like a lot of the far North West, we get some funny looks here. Like all remote areas though, the country people are so friendly and hospitable.

The higher country in the South is largely overlooked because the South has by far the best coast rides. This in a multi day loop adds to a sensational and very diverse experience.

(A &B) These waterfalls are the smaller of the two in this river area. Well worth the 30km diversion in wet season though. You might choose to drop them in the dry season.

(C) Don’t miss this waterfall though. Only a short diversion and has coffee and food if you choose to get away early and make it the breakfast stop.

(D) Plenty of accommodation and restaurants around this the most populated of the four lakes for the day. Elephant rides around this lake area also if interested.

(E) A hydro dam wall retaining the third of todays lakes. Its around a 12km diversion so if time is your friend especially if you travel with a drone.

(H) The biggest lake by far for today. This natural lake covers over 80 hectares and and is surrounded with an abundance of flora and fauna. A place the nature lover could spend days to explore.

(I) A very unique accommodation with a number of options. My first night here a very memorable night with some great mates many years ago so became a favourite in the area.

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Day 4: Gia Nghia – Cat Tien - 230 kms

Gia Nghia - Cat Tien

Distance: 230 kms

This isn’t a big day distance wise but you can easily take all day getting it done. The river, lake and waterfall views are a stand out day in the South.

Your destination, 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.

(A) The first of three waterfalls today. As this photo shows its not much in dry season so could be one to leave out. Worth the short detour in wet season though.

(B) Ta Dung National Park previously a Nature Reserve covers 220 km². At its heart a hydro dam that created a massive lakes system with 40 islands and peninsulas in the Dong Nai River system. Don’t miss this short detour for some great view points.

A good coffee stop or brunch maybe if you skipped breakfast. Plenty of good local food options in this area.

(C) A big wide bridge, well located for a break and a photo opportunity with your trusty steed.

(D) Dambri Falls. Its 200k admission per person so not everyone opts in. It’s a nicely set up attraction though with a toboggan ride, cinema, cafes. This gets very busy with locals in holiday times so better to avoid that.

(F) A good viewpoint for a break

(G) This sturdy suspension bridge is the best option into your night stop to avoid the main road. There is a river crossing option but you really need to know how to take that on.

(H) To one of our preferred accommodation options in the village. There hasn’t been too much on offer here historically but there’s plenty of choice now so worth a hotels search for a bargain.

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Day 5: Cat Tien - Vung Tau - 190 kms

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.

(A & B) takes you over a dam wall. It’s more solid now than this photo indicates and a great viewpoint over the lake.

(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) The Long Tan Cross established in memory of the 18 Australian and 245 Vietnamese soldiers killed In the August 1966 Battle of Long Tan.

(G) A great coastal photo stop before hitting the peninsula to Vung Tau.

(H) will take you along the esplanade with views to the newly redeveloped back beach parkland.

(I) The Twisted Throttle Tavern for some well deserved refreshments.

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.

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Happy Home 0254 2239 979
Next to the Twisted Throttle Tavern, this has basic clean and tidy air conditioned rooms for 300 – 350k a night.

Green IP Hotel
Just 150 metres from the Twisted Throttle Tavern this hotel poses the best value. Big well appointed rooms at just 550k a night.

Fusion Suites 0254 6257 272
The high end option but very nice and well located to the beach and night life. A very nice rooftop bar and pool has harbour and sunset views.

FOOD OPTIONS

Twisted Throttle Tavern +84 906 849 000
An air-conditioned, motorcycle themed, sports bar as one of our five motorcycle retail, rental, touring and repair locations around Vietnam. This one, quite unique, with a spacious bar, restaurant and beer garden with a separate kids fun zone.

Yummy Yummy
Run by a local family that absolutely get western food. Very reasonably priced for the quality.

Emily’s Kitchen
The whole menu is very good but for me a breakfast spot with plenty of options.

Belly’s Watering Hole
John Bell a rough diamond is the host. Once met, never forgotten. Good western menu and a place to organise a Long Tan tour if that interests you.

Mr C’s Speakeasy Bar
Randy and Tam host this small open air bar with good local blokes as their customer base. Wood fired pizza after 5pm is exceptional.

Bob’s Bar
Bob and Di run this little family bar with great comfort food, cold beers and sports. Bob’s a long termer so a good bloke around local advice.

Down Under Bar
Tony and Men have a great set up and the go to for AFL games. Basic bar food.

Booster Bar +84 9661 25459
A nice, open air sports bar with great staff and a good menu.

MAP LINK BELOW

4 hr 15 min (189 km)
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