HCM City 8 Day Loop
Route Summary
Duration: 8 days - 1,405 kms
For those who’d like a good mix of river, lakes, mountains, and coastal views this is my preferred run around the South. The river tracks to get us out of the city and some farmland to the coast. Then loosely following the coast for an hour or so the next day before inland and a great mountain ride to the Ta Dung lakes system, the Inland Ha Long Bay. Two more mountain days back to the coast with some river tracks thrown in and the best coastal ride in the country awaits. Farmland and lakes on the last day back to the big smoke. A great diverse ride.
Click for Route details:
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 its a very different environment for the first timer out of the city. I remember it some 12 years ago fondly for that.
The first stretch of the river road is unsealed but generally pretty solid with plenty of pot holes but you’re out of the rat race and into the fun.
No problem for the XR’s and Adventure bikes but if on a road bike or scoot you might prefer the main road and rejoin this map later.
Always plenty to keep you interested. This isn’t a fast ride but one to relax and take it in along the way.
(A, B, C & D) 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.
(E) on the map is a winding bitumen road and a nice ride if time allows. Plenty of off tracks and temples to explore up there too.
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.
Distance – 120 Kms
Today’s destination, referred to by many as the inland Ha Long Bay, is rather special and up until recent years for most, unknown. A hidden gem on backroads less travelled so ideal for spirited motorcycling.
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.
The area, rich in culture is home to the Ma ethnic minority people and many protected and rare animal and bird species. Home to leopards, doucs and gibbons, pythons and snakes. With more than 1,000 fauna and flora species its certainly an extremely diverse ecosystem.
If time allows there are a number of boat tour options these days. A few hours or up to a two day experience, camping overnight on one of the islands.
(A) is another of my favourite accommodation options in the area but on the best way out of town so works for a pin drop.
(B) A bridge that keep cars off this little back track.
(C) A service station as not much on offer early on today.
(D) Takes you around behind a small lake
(E) The better of a few local restaurants
(F) The first view point to the lakes system.
(G) is a bridge behind the dam wall as vehicle access is no longer permitted.
(H) and (I) are the preferred two of the accommodation options.
Distance: 100 kms
Ta Dung is most often a lunch stop for me as it’s ideally located for that with great roads around it to and from numerous night stops. If with a partner particularly, a great night stay also. Beds aren’t amazing but food and views make up for that.
A short day to Dalat so plenty of time to take in the lakes system you follow early.
(A) From this point you’ll see some fire spotter towers. Good photos from up above the lake system if you don’t have a drone. Pretty tight through here and trucks will sometimes throw gravel onto corners so mindful of that.
(B & C) Cafes I use. Coffee is better in the first, the view, better the second.
After the lakes it’s farmland on an even better road surface. The gravel is gone and it opens up so if on a big banger its game on. Why anyone takes main arterials to Dalat is beyond me.
(D) another of many great viewpoints along this stretch. The girls seem to like it.
(E & F) Waterfalls. The first worth the detour particularly in wet season the second climb up into the statue for great countryside views if you’re feeling fit. The base is worth a look in any case and around it the best view to the waterfall.
(G) a good detour to a mechanics workshop if any bike tweaks are necessary. Also a Cafe with great food.
(H) a unique accommodation option well located but a plethora of choices in Dalat so worth a Bookings search for a bargain.
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.
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.
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) 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.
(B) One of two recommended lunch stops. Good VIetnamese menu right on the beach so a swim opportunity also.
(C) If a seafood lunch appeals this is the best of many great restaurants in the area.
(D & E) Takes you through a fishing village.
(F & G) are just waypoints to keep you on the coast to my favourite of many accommodation options and a few cold beers for sunset over the water.
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.
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.
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.
(A) is a popular photo stop. Usually a lady set up there for a morning coffee too.
(B) takes you on the beach road through a fishing village and marks where you turn inland to the rubber plantations
(C) is a memorial cross in memory of the 18 Australian and 245 Vietnamese soldiers killed In the August 1966 Battle of Long Tan.
(D) and (E) gets you to the next lake though casava and pepper crops.
(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.
(G) 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.
(H) is a random coffee shop marked only to take you around a favourite police haunt for their coffee indulgence.
(I) on the ferry and if returning to our D2 shop just 13km dealing with most riders daily reality here.
