Hop on a motorbike and conquer the most beautiful coastal roads in Vietnam.

The majestic Hai Van Pass

"The most magnificent pass in the world" is the accolade bestowed by King Le Thanh Tong himself upon the pass that cuts across the Bach Ma mountain range, connecting the two provinces of Quang Nam and Thua Thien. Over 20 km long, with its highest point at 500 m, Hai Van Pass is one of the most treacherous roads in Vietnam. Unlike most passes in Central Vietnam, which are full of sunshine and wind, Hai Van boasts the lush green beauty of the passes in the Northwest of the country. The pass, winding across the Bach Ma range like a ribbon, leans against the precarious mountainside on one side and gazes out at the vast East Sea on the other. This picturesque landscape is sometimes further enhanced by clouds drifting lazily across the mountain peaks, then suddenly cascading down the pass like a torrential waterfall.

The winding hairpin bends and steep slopes stretching to the horizon are sure to captivate bikers on their way to conquering the majestic Hai Van Pass. If you need a place to rest on Hai Van Pass, you can consider interesting locations such as Hai Van Quan (at the summit), Don Ca arched bridge, Turtle Rock, or the "lonely" pine tree.

Mon Lagoon is peaceful.

Dam Mon is a small peninsula nestled in Van Phong Bay, Khanh Hoa province, home to the famous Diep Son island. Previously, Dam Mon was only known as a small road leading to Mui Doi – the easternmost point on the mainland of Vietnam. However, its tourism potential has gradually become apparent, transforming Dam Mon into a new and attractive destination for tourists, especially backpackers.

The DT651 road, running along the Dam Mon peninsula, starts from the foot of Co Ma pass, cuts through the fishing villages of Van Tho and Van Thanh communes, and ends at the Dam Mon Border Guard Post. Although only 19 km long, this route boasts a diverse and interesting landscape, accompanied by a peaceful and pristine atmosphere.

First, you can leisurely drive through a fishing village, with rustic, simple houses on one side and endless stretches of seafood farms along the coast on the other. Next, gently sloping white sand dunes embrace the single-lane road leading into a small, sun-drenched desert. The most beautiful part of the journey is when you reach the top of a long slope, revealing the turquoise blue of the sea. Descending the slope, a small curve leads along some of the most pristine beaches in Khanh Hoa province.

Vinh Hy in the season of changing leaves

Vinh Hy, renowned as one of Vietnam's four most beautiful bays, is a precious gem of Ninh Thuan province's tourism industry. The 30-kilometer coastal mountain pass (a section of DT702) embracing Vinh Hy Bay, stretching from Binh Lap peninsula to the end of Nui Chua National Park, is also a must-see route for any biker.

In July, the dry forests of the Chua Mountain range, in their leaf-changing season, don a vibrant and magical blend of yellow and orange hues, even more striking against the backdrop of the deep blue waters of Cam Ranh Bay and Vinh Hy Bay. The mountain pass, cutting across the range, sometimes hides in deep rocky gorges, sometimes emerges precariously on the edge of the sea; sometimes features gentle curves, and other times challenges bikers with slopes up to 11 degrees.

The viewpoints along the mountain pass are strategically placed. From these points, one can observe a portion of the southern part of Cam Ranh Bay, with the bustling Binh Hung Island; the pristine beaches at the foot of the pass; and, most notably, admire the panoramic view of the picturesque Vinh Hy Bay.

The pristine Khuong Hai Pass

South of Vinh Hy Bay lies Phan Rang Bay, home to the Khuong Hai Pass. The name Khuong Hai is unfamiliar to many; in fact, the pass is located on the DT701 road, newly constructed in 2015 to connect two nuclear power plants in Ninh Thuan province (both of which have ceased construction). Because it doesn't serve any major transportation route, the 15-kilometer-long pass from Mui Dinh to Ca Na beach remains relatively new, deserted, and unspoiled.

"Wind like Phan, sun like Rang" - the harsh weather of Ninh Thuan province makes the landscape of the road somewhat barren and dry. The Khuong Hai pass winds through layers of bare rocks, clinging to dry bushes, with the deep blue sea on one side. While not possessing majestic beauty, the pass's wild and unspoiled nature creates a unique charm, attracting the curiosity and desire for exploration of bikers.

Both the beginning and end points of Khuong Hai Pass are must-see attractions. If coming from Phan Rang, be sure to visit Mui Dinh, where an ancient lighthouse sits peacefully amidst a barren desert; at the end of the pass are the vast, pristine white salt fields of Ca Na, stretching to the horizon.

Crossing the Bau Trang sand dunes

The Phan Rí Cửa - Bàu Trắng route can be considered the most worthwhile coastal road experience for everyone. From young people looking for a unique spot to check in, to bikers passionate about endless straight roads, or those who simply want to wander and admire the captivating, unspoiled beauty of nature… Everyone will be satisfied, even amazed, by the beauty of this coastal road.

Starting from Phan Rí Cửa town and heading towards Bàu Trắng Eco-tourism Area, your vehicle will roll along a wide, deserted road stretching 20 km, lined with vast, endless white sand dunes – a unique "specialty" of Bình Thuận province. At the end of the road are the Bàu Ông and Bàu Bà lakes, where the fragrant scent of lotus blossoms permeates the air. The green of the lakes and trees, the pink of the lotus petals, and the pristine white of the desert blend together to create a picturesque landscape.

At Bau Trang, tourism services are currently developing with many forms of entertainment for visitors such as sandboarding, renting off-road vehicles to explore the sand dunes, or renting boats to cruise on the lotus lake…

Things to note when traveling by motorbike along coastal roads.

• Get your vehicle well-prepared; a reliable travel companion will ensure your peace of mind and safety on every journey.

• Don't forget protective equipment and respect safety rules when traveling long distances. Accidents can happen at any time if you are careless. - Pay close attention to both sides of the road; deserted, isolated roads are often where locals let their livestock roam freely.

Hai Anh