HCM City – Phan Rang – 6 Day Loop
Route Summary:
Duration: 6 days - 1,140 kms
The best of the coast as high as Cam Ranh Bay and then a climb over two ranges to the Da Lat Plateau. Then the decent off the Plateau and the biggest waterfall in the South before hitting the National Park wilderness. A day off to relax or explore the National Park is nice before the last day home to reality.
Click for Route details:
Cat Lai - Vung Tau via River
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 over the river its a very different environment for the first timer out of the city. I remember it some 13 years ago fondly for that.
The first stretch of the river road was unsealed but generally pretty solid with plenty of pot holes but we were out of the rat race and into the fun. These days its all concrete so accessible even for scooters.
A lot of the land along the river is low lying wetland. Its an amazing area really considering its in such close proximity to the countries largest concrete jungle.
There’s always plenty to keep you interested. This isn’t a fast ride but one to relax and take it all in along the way.
(A, B, C, & D) Are 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 again. The farmland areas this side of the highway are very different to the river section adding great diversity to the day.
(E) Is a winding bitumen road and the best of the ride if time allows. There’s plenty of off tracks and temples to explore up there also.
(F & G)Â Take you the best way into town and are two of the better seafood restaurants if a late lunch or early dinner is in order. The second on the water is my preference.
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Vung Tau - Mui Ne via Coast
Distance: 195 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.
(A & B) get you the best way out.
(C & D) take you for a look through an interesting fishing village.
(E) Is a great beach front coffee stop.
We hug the coast though as times move away from it through farmland to our next rest stop.
(F) At 64 metres high and built by the French in 1899 the oldest and highest lighthouse in Vietnam. A good stop to have a walk and check out the area.
(G) Is a point off the best beach stretch and an area known for its sunsets over the water.
As is evident to anyone riding the “esplanade” beach access in MuiNe is very limited. In fact it’s easy to forget you’re in a beach town through much of it at all.
If planning some time here a beachfront resort out of the accommodation options is worth considering particularly if with family.
(H) The town is well positioned as a good stopover though and this hotel is clean, great staff, very reasonably priced and has a good pool though the bar we normally use for a few beers on arrival is street front.
Plenty of great lunch and dinner options a short walk make it a great choice I now use often.
(I) Another great option off the beach at the higher end. Great unique cabins with a natural pool and great restaurant / party area.
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Mui Ne - Sorrento Beach Club
Distance: 170 kms
Although MuiNe has some great hotels and restaurants, for a coastal town its easy to go away disappointed. Almost all beach views are built out right through town.Â
Early on this ride though you realise you don’t have to be far out of town for some lovely and mostly unoccupied coastal beauty. The good news is a wonderful diversity of coastline is yet to come.Â
(A)Â This area has big dunes where you can hire quad bikes or four wheel drives to explore them. Its a lot of fun but barter on price. The fee is at times elevated to the unwary tourist.
(B)Â One of a few small fishing villages you’ll pass for the day.
(C)Â Another great coastal photo stop. There are many over the day so even though its a short ride distance wise its easy to fill the day in exploring.Â
Even when we are forced to endure a short stretch on the main road there is still some camera candy. Watch your speed on the main road. The police are active especially around the power station.
(D & E)Â This capeland area is one of my favourite coastal rides in the country. Use the parking bays to safely take the sights in. Cattle and goats are often roaming this area so you need to stay focused when on the bike.Â
(G)Â The second salt farm area for the day.
(H)Â Our preferred accommodation in this area is one of my favourites in the country. If you can’t have fun here you’re not trying.Â
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Sorrento Beach Club - Da Lat
Distance: 250 kms
A big breakfast before you leave is a good plan and Rachel, Ty and her kitchen staff at Sorrento do it well. Otherwise only basic Vietnamese offerings on this route so I tend to load up and skip lunch other than some fruit maybe or a protein bar along the way.
The morning coastal ride North is exceptional. Some great photo opportunities including
(A) Vinh Hy, a quaint fishing village in a protected bay.
(B)Is one of a number of photo opportunities around the headland. Hard to stop though once you’re into the flow. Best 50km of coast ride in the country.
There’s some flat transit time on the highway to the mountains. For the first stretch to the toll booths when you turn onto the A1 take it easy. Always police on your side.
That done, the climb up the first range has recently had new hotmix and is now an excellent section of the ride.
(C) another great photo stop at the top of the range looking back over the switchbacks and with Cam Ranh in the distance a nice backdrop.
Once off the range a nice valley ride following the River. Only local traffic on this but quite narrow in places so care on blind corners.
(D) on the map is a nice waterfall for an afternoon cool off if you’re up for it but a bit of a trek in.
Once you turn right onto the main road its game on again and the more horsepower the better as you climb up the range. Was when first laid perfect hotmix but heavy transport has knocked it around over the last few years so some gravel etc to be mindful of. At the top of that climb
(E) you’ll see some ladies selling fruit and drinks on the left near a pagoda. It’s a great photo stop with great views over the climb just travelled.
The fun doesn’t end there with another climb to the plateau which is Dalat though generally busier traffic wise so caution with that.
(F) Just takes you past the lake on your way to your chosen accommodation. Good spot for a group photo.
(G) A great accommodation option, especially if with a lady. Period furniture, a wooden elevator and old BMW’S and Volkswagons in the courtyard. A short walk to the night market or Down Under Bar for great Aussie Pub Grub.
Dalat has a population of around 650,000 people but in holiday times the hundreds of hotels will fill so book in advance. This unique city sits around a lake in the centre of a farming Plateau at 1500 metres. Its a much cooler climate than the rest of the tropical South so pack accordingly.
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Da Lat - Cat Tien
Distance: 220 kms
If staying at Saphir Hotel whilst I like the rooms and location the breakfast is ordinary at best. One More Cafe, has great coffee and a quality menu.Â
The winding ride off the Plateau is fantastic. Good hotmix and most corners on camber. Watch for the local boy racers and also heavy vehicles on this stretch though.Â
(A), (C) & (E) on this map are simply way points to get the best riding experience out of your day. Follow Google today and its a train wreck.Â
(B) Elephant falls aren’t that accessible and the water always dirty off the surrounding farmland but an impressive Buddhist temple. You can climb into the main statue if you’re feeling fit and view the surrounding countryside through her eyes. Great coffee stop. Â
These Falls are impressive especially in the wet season.Â
Admission is 200k per person and they’ll hit you up another 30k for the bike. Not for everyone but worth it especially if with a partner. With a reasonably early start you have time to spend the necessary two hours to do it properly with lunch.Â
Toboggan ride to the first falls are included and loads of cafes, restaurants and activities. A great lunch spot.
A short stretch of dirt after the falls but nothing too tricky. Once back to the hard top it’s an exceptional mountain ride most of the way to your night stop.Â
(F) & (G)Â are just way points to take you over a bridge that makes this a better ride and keeps you off the highway.Â
(H)Â is one of many accommodation options these days in and around Cat Tien. Nothing special but i use it because the food is okay, cabins over the river and a short walk to the ferry across the river into the National Park.Â
Cat Tien is a lovely village and for old growth forest, floral and fauna the National Park has no equal in South Vietnam. It covers 720 square kilometers over three provinces so multiple visits are required to even scratch the surface.Â
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Cat Tien - Cat Lai Ferry
Distance: 160 Kms
The first part of the run to the big smoke around the lake area is the best of it. The waterpark is worth a look and a quick dip. From there it’s back to reality the best way possible in the wet season. Works in the dry too but i have options for that.  Â
(A & B) a lake dam wall. Nice and very different views on each side. Â
(C) a waterpark with falls. I’ve been in for a look but don’t use it. A swim stop or a great option travelling with kids. For the purpose of this a pin to keep you off the highway. Â
We stick to back roads where possible, all sealed. You may question some of the route but it’s mapped to minimise police presence, trucks and buses. Three short stretches are unavoidable.  Â
Plenty of off roads too if you have time and want to follow this loosely. Â
(D, E & F) are coffee stops again primarily pinned to keep the ride interesting and safe. (E) and particularly (F) the better ones. Â
(G) the ferry where the Rat Race awaits. If returning with a hire bike refueling on the way to the shop would be very much appreciated. Don’t worry about cleaning, we have that covered. Â
Log in below to view full route maps, accommodation and food information.
These are supplied to all our touring bike customers.
(Excluded from the above itinerary)Â
Log in below to view full route maps, accommodation and food information.
These are supplied to all our touring bike customers and excluded from the above itinerary.
