Vietnam curves around the eastern shores of mainland Southeast Asia from China in the north to Cambodia in the south. The megacities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are separated by mountains, jungles, paddies, beaches and historic sites. This is a great place to go for road tripping.
There are many epic road trips between Vietnam's northern and southern capitals. With more than 61 million motorbikes on Vietnam's roads, intrepid bikers will find themselves in good company as they traverse the country's wonderfully diverse landscapes, with plenty of repair shops, gas stations and those all important food stops along the way.
Whether you want to hit the road in a car or motorbike, here's our pick of Vietnam's best road trips.
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The fear of going through the Hai Van Pass was enough to make bus passengers shiver before the tunnel was finished. With less car traffic, this short but stunning ride is even more enjoyable for beginners.
The Hai Van Pass is bordered by jungle-clad mountains on one side and cliffs plunging down to the East Sea on the other, making it one of the most photographed highways in the world.
The remains of several French fortifications can be seen if you stop at the mid-way point for a drink. While the pass officially ends at the Lang Co Beach at the northern end, most travelers continue for another hour or so to reach the former imperial city of Hue to see its palaces and tombs.
Approx 350 km/ 218 miles is the distance between Ha Giang andHa Giang.
The peaks and valleys of Vietnam's northernmost province are best enjoyed at a leisurely pace, with plenty of stop-offs for revitalising dips in waterfalls, roadside snacks, and to snap photos of the rice and corn terraces tumbling down. The gateway to the land of conical, forested peaks is Ha Giang city.
The name Ha Giang means 'water and mountains' in Vietnam, and you're never far from either when you go through the loop through Yen Minh, Dong Van and Bao Lam, with epic summits looming overhead and gurgling streams and cascading waterfalls forming a major part of the scenery. Winding its way through communities of at least 10 different ethnic minorities, this three to five day drive offers plenty of opportunities for side trips and activities.
The most scenic part of the drive is the Ma Pi Leng Pass. It's a good idea to factor in a half day for a quiet boat trip with a spot to swim.
Ban Gioc is approximately 80 km/ 50 miles.
Some of Northern Vietnam's most pristine pastoral terrain can be found on the way to the cascading Ban Gioc Waterfall. There are lots of farms, villages and lakes on the itinerary. The 3.5 km-long Ma Phuc Pass is a man-made wonder that offers gorgeous views of the terraced fields below.
Save plenty of time for the road trip's primary focus by stopping at the vast, stalactite-filled Nguom Ngao Cave, which spans several kilometres underground. The Ban Gioc Waterfalls are located in China and Vietnam and they thunder over a series of steps.
You can see the cascades from the viewing platforms or on a bamboo raft. This route is a popular add-on to the Ha Giang loop.
The distance from Dalat to Nha Trang is approximately 134 km.
This short and simple road trip is all about changing scenery and climates. You have time to appreciate the hilly terrain and the coastal views after you start.
The hill station of Dalat was founded as a salubrious place where French people could escape the heat of Saigon. The scent of pine trees hangs in the air and farms grow flowers instead of rice in this area of Vietnam.
Things begin to feel more normal as you descend down the mountain. You can take a dip in the turquoise waters of Nha Trang Beach if you take the paved QL 27C road all the way to the coast.
The city of Ho Chi Minh City is approximately 70 km/ 44 miles long.
The rice paper-flat Mekong Delta doesn't get much road trip love because it can turn from mesmeric to slightly boring as the miles go by. Outside of Ho Chi Minh City, you can see majestic palms, lush banana trees, and water.
The best part of driving in the Mekong Delta is taking your foot off the gas and losing yourself in the tiny riverside laneways and byways, where life moves at a very different pace to the bustling streets of HCMC.
The largest floating market in the Delta is located to the southwest and Sa Dec is a short drive to the west.
The start, end, and distance are approx 25 km/15 miles.
One of Vietnam's natural wonders is the Con Dao islands.
Start at Dam Trau, a long stretch of beach dotted by seafood shacks near the airport, and then take the ferry to Ben Dam, where you can see glorious beaches that only appear during low tides.
The start and end are in Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam.
The Ho Chi Minh Highway, part of which was once used to transport soldiers, is the best way to travel between Vietnam's two biggest cities, because it offers the best balance between driving time and scenery.
The road leads past sleepy hamlets where the smell of coffee from nearby plantations hangs thick in the air. The most scenic part of the road trip is the forested mountains that rise as you travel to Central Vietnam. The world's largest cave and Vietnam's oldest national park are both located in the Red River Delta.
The article was last updated about 3 hours ago.
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