Vung Tau – Cat Lai Ferry via River

Vung Tau - Cat Lai Ferry via River

Distance: 145 kms

Most I talk to say how bad the ride to Saigon is and yes the QL51 is up with the worst roads in the country. They have a very different view after taking this. One of my two favourites.

We start out through a fishing village then cross the main road for a farmland ride. Later there’s a short highway link to the river tracks all the way to the river ferry into HCMC.

(A) Is simply a way point to take you out of town on the newly developed Back Beach esplanade.

(B and C) Are two of my favourite seafood restaurants in the area. (B) on the water, the pick. Marked on this may primarily to take you off the main arterial and through a fishing village.

(D) 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.

(E) Is a lovely lake area where we turn West through some tracks back towards the highway.

There is a short unavoidable stint on the QL51 before the left turn which gets you back on some quiet back roads again. The river tracks this side of the highway are very different to the farmland adding great diversity to the day.

There’s plenty to keep you interested. This isn’t a fast ride but one to relax and take it all in along the way.

(F) This water park is surprisingly busy in holiday times given how remote it is.

Historically as some photos show these tracks were unsealed and rough in places. They are almost all concrete now so it’s an option for all bike styles.

(G & H) Are two Ma and Pa cafes only marked to get you on the right tracks.