HCM City – 7 Day Dalat Loop
Route Summary
Duration: 7 days- 1,195 kms
For those who’d like a good mix of water views this is a memorable week away. We start following the Saigon River to the coast. North along the coast and into a great mountain ride to the Ta Dung lakes system, the Inland Ha Long Bay. Two more mountain days back to the coast and coast South with a mix of lakes and farmland back to Saigon.
Notes:
Ta Dung direct to Mui Ne is also a good ride to drop Dalat and one ride day.
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 – 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) is Prenn Waterfall and well worth the visit. Nice area.
(C) Chicken Village. Don’t expect too much but some interesting history. If its a boys trip could easily skip this.
(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.
(E) 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.
(F) and (G) 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.
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.
