Vung Tau – Nha Trang – 6 Day Loop
Route Summary:
Duration: 6 days - 1,095 kms
If diversity is what appeals to you, this certainly has that in spades. Night one you’re across the river from Vietnam’s second biggest National Park. You could easily add a day there to explore. The views in the next three 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. This ride is offered in the five day options also but this way, a night in Ta Dung shortens up a day that might be a stretch for some riders and machinery.
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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
Distance: 200 kms
If you’ve ridden with me or followed our rides you’ll know I enjoy the dawn. This is one of the places the early riser is rewarded. The rogue rooster doing his thing somewhere down the river. Some Gibbons singing if you’re lucky. Just do it!
If you’d like to explore Cat Tien a little. The Gibbon Island tour is informative and a great morning walk through the jungle. The first boat crosses the river at 7am. Check with your accommodation for up to the minute on that.
Go early and you’ll still get this day in but if back to nature is your thing a great area to spend an extra day if you have the time.
This map is around 200 km and is all sealed so a leisurely day with loads of great photo opportunities.
Although Google doesn’t recognise it, there is a bridge between (A) and (B) and it’s a nice way to go. Once over the bridge the map will correct your route.
North with a couple of minor diversions until the left turn West. This stretch is up with my favourite roads in the South. Very open and quiet so on the right machine encourages spirited riding.
(C) is a beautiful area. Often paragliding seen here
You’ll run around the back of the Dong Nai River dam wall which creates the lakes system and the beauty of Ta Dung separating the Dak Nong and Lam Dong provinces.
(D) This Waterfall isn’t up with Vietnam’s most spectacular, but a nice ride in, so worth the detour.
From here to the night stay some great views but keep your focus on the job. Gravel at times kicked onto the road by heavy vehicles.
(E) A good first proper look at the lakes system.
(F) Very impressive also from your night stop.
If travelling with ladies in the group I strongly recommend including this in your itinerary as a night stop. The accommodation really isn’t anything special but food and the views are very good and the place is loaded with interesting photo opportunities that the girls tend to love. At least a lunch stop.
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Ta Dung - Dalat
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.
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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.
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(Excluded from the above itinerary)Â
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