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Vietnam boasts many stunning roads, from misty mountain passes in the North, rugged trails alongside rice paddies in the South, to vibrant coastal highways stretching along the Central region. Vietnam is considered an ideal destination for motorbike exploration. Below is a ranking of the 7 most beautiful road trips in Vietnam, as selected by the renowned travel website Lonely Planet.
1. Hai Van Pass (Da Nang - Thua Thien-Hue)
Distance: 20 km
Hai Van Pass, located 20 km from Da Nang city and 80 km from Hue city, forms a natural boundary connecting the two provinces. It was once voted one of the top 10 most beautiful roads in the world by Travel+Leisure magazine. Hai Van Pass is also stunning, ranking 4th out of 10 most checked-in roads in the world (with over 52,000 photos hashtagged on Instagram).
Hai Van Pass is also considered one of the most treacherous roads in Vietnam, offering visitors unique experiences. The journey from the foot of the pass is incredibly exhilarating. As you travel slowly, you'll feel a little nervous and anxious as you navigate the winding, dangerous sections of the road. However, upon reaching the summit, you'll be utterly amazed by the majestic natural scenery.
2. Ha Giang route
Distance: approximately 350 km
Tourists from all over the world call the Ha Giang route the "Ha Giang Loop." This is an exciting loop route with challenging roads and towering, jagged limestone cliffs. Some activities you shouldn't miss on this trip include kayaking on the Nho Que River, taking photos at the top of Ma Pi Leng Pass, trekking through the forest, exploring caves, and discovering the local culture.
3. Cao Bang - Ban Gioc route
Distance: 80 km
On the journey to conquer the Cao Bang - Ban Gioc Waterfall route, tourists will cross the 3.5 km long Ma Phuc Pass with 7 winding curves. Although the road is quite challenging, the surrounding scenery is truly impressive, offering stunning views of the terraced rice fields. Along the way, tourists should not miss famous destinations such as Ban Gioc Waterfall, Nguom Ngao Cave, Lenin Stream, etc.
4. Da Lat - Nha Trang route
Distance: 134 km
Often described as the route connecting "the sea and flowers," the road from Da Lat to Nha Trang, also known as the Khanh Le Pass, takes travelers from the cool highlands to the sunny and windy coastal region. The road traverses many rugged hills and mountains, high cliffs, and ravines up to 300 meters deep, passing through Bidoup Nui Ba National Park – home to some of the most diverse biological resources in Vietnam. This route takes approximately three hours to conquer, and travelers should choose to travel during the day for safety.
5. Ho Chi Minh - My Tho route
Distance: 70 km
Leaving behind the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City, travelers can take a 70-kilometer route to My Tho City (Tien Giang province). The most special thing about this route isn't the majestic scenery, but the tranquil, peaceful beauty of the rural fields. On this journey back to the waterways of the Mekong Delta, visitors shouldn't miss the opportunity to enjoy unique local dishes and explore the customs, traditions, and rustic charm of this region.
6. Con Dao route
Distance: 25 km
Con Dao boasts a pristine road that enchants travelers. Starting from Dam Trau Beach, ranked among the top 25 most beautiful beaches in the world, visitors can enjoy unspoiled seascapes largely untouched by human activity. The destination is Ben Dam port, where you can participate in many outdoor activities such as kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, and surfing.
7. Ho Chi Minh City - Hanoi Expressway
Distance: approximately 1880 km
Although transportation options from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi are now very convenient and fast, such as airplanes, trains, and cars, a two-week journey along this route is still a great idea for travelers with the time for a long-distance trip. It's a fantastic opportunity to explore the beauty of Vietnam through its various regions. When the journey concludes, travelers will feel just like they've completed a cross-Vietnam motorbike trip.
