The 7 best road trips by bicycle and motorbike in Vietnam

With misty mountain passes in the North, bumpy tracks flanked by rice fields in the South and glorious coastal highways, Vietnam begs to be explored on four or – more commonly – two wheels.

In Vietnam, scooters dominate the roads. Whether you're planning to hit the road by car or motorbike, here are some suggestions for the best road trips in the country.

1. Hai Van Pass

Departure – Danang; Arrival – Lang Co beach
Distance – approximately 20 km/12 miles

Passing through Cloud Pass offers a breathtaking view of the mountains on one side and the East Sea on the other. The road to Lang Co Beach is a short drive offering spectacular scenery, ideal for novice drivers.

>> Read more: Top 4 Most Beautiful Beaches in Hue

2. Ha Giang Loop

Departure – Ha Giang; Arrival – Ha Giang
Distance – approximately 350 km/218 miles

Epic landscapes await you on the Ha Giang loop.

This three-to-five-day journey through Vietnam's northernmost province offers breathtaking scenery, with stops to explore waterfalls, rice terraces and ethnic villages. Ma Pi Leng Pass is a particularly scenic section of the route.

>> Read more: Ma Pi Leng Pass, the biggest challenge on the Dong Van plateau

>> Read more: Trek to Ha Giang, how to succeed on your journey?

3. Cao Bang to Ban Gioc

Departure – Cao Bang; Arrival – Ban Gioc
Distance – approximately 80 km/50 miles

This ride takes travelers through pristine pastoral landscapes, with stops to admire the views from Ma Phuc Pass and explore the vast Nguom Ngao Cave.

Ban Gioc Waterfalls provide a memorable endpoint to this road trip.

>> Read more: Ban Gioc waterfall from every angle in autumn

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4. Dalat to Nha Trang

Departure – Dalat; Arrival – Nha Trang
Distance – approximately 134 km/83 miles

Dalat is an ancient French mountain resort with a unique microclimate.

This ride offers a picturesque transition from the cool highlands of Dalat to the sunny beaches of Nha Trang, with stops to discover lush green hills and picturesque villages along the way.

>> Read more: What to visit in Da Lat, city of eternal spring?

5. Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho

Departure – Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon); Arrival – My Tho
Distance – approximately 70 km/44 miles

This journey through the Mekong Delta offers an immersion into Vietnamese rural life, with stops to explore the small palm-lined streets and discover the floating markets of Can Tho.

An excursion to the Mekong Delta

>> Read more: What to do in Can Tho, charming city of the Mekong Delta?

6. Con Son Island

Departure – Dam Trau; Arrival – Ben Dam
Distance – approximately 25 km/15 miles

Isolated from the mainland for years, the Con Dao Islands are one of Vietnam's natural wonders. Con Son is the largest and only inhabited island in the archipelago. On Con Son Island, travelers can explore stunning scenery by motorbike along the island's only main road, with stops to discover secluded beaches and historic sites.

>> Read more: Con Dao Travel Guide

7. New Ho Chi Minh – Hanoi Highway

Departure – Ho Chi Minh City; Arrival – Hanoi
Distance – approximately 1880 km/1168 miles

This highway provides a convenient route between Vietnam's two largest cities, with possible stops to explore Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park and Cuc Phuong National Park along the way.

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