Vung Tau – Da Lat – 4 Day Loop
Route Summary:
Duration: 4 days - 1,055 kms
This ride gets you on many of the best mountain roads in the South. An XR of an adventure bike is recommended for this one as the day three route still undergoing road works is still rugged going. The last day home is an easy ride following the coast.
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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 - Mui Ne
Distance - 185 Kms
I normally start a map at the likely accommodation but in Dalat, Lorelle is your host for breakfast at One More Café. Very cheap for the quality of the meals though 8am open so depends how early you want to get away.
Vietnam with the exception of the Mekong Delta is very mountainous. With that we are spoilt with not only exceptional riding but the rivers, lakes and waterfalls they create.
Today you will visit up to three of the more Southern ones. How spectacular, like all waterfalls, will be determined by the rainfall in their catchment area. Always good in wet season.
(A) is the Datanla Waterfall. Lots of activities including a toboggan ride there but quite commercial and the least favourite of the three we visit today.
(B)Â is Prenn Waterfall and well worth the visit. Nice area.Â
(C)Â Chicken Village. Don’t expect too much but some interesting history. If its a boys trip could easily skip this.Â
(D) is Bao Dai Waterfall and the pick of them for me. If your only doing one do this one and get a swim in. Â
(E)Â is where we hit the coast and Vietnam’s best sand dunes. Hire a quad or they will take you in 4WD’s. Barter on price. They will get you if you let them.Â
(F) and (G)Â the beach run into the township with the Fairy Stream a local attraction. Over a decade ago i rode an Ostrich there but not sure that’s still on offer.Â
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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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(Excluded from the above itinerary)Â
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These are supplied to all our touring bike customers and excluded from the above itinerary.
