Best Road Trips in Vietnam

Long and sinuous, like the mythical naga serpent, Vietnam curves around the eastern shores of mainland Southeast Asia, stretching from China in the north to Cambodia and the Mekong Delta in the south. Its twin megacities – Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City – are divided by 1137km (707 miles) of mountains, jungles, paddy fields, beaches, and historic sites. In other words, this country is perfect for road-tripping.

The drive between Vietnam’s northern and southern capitals is just one of many epic road trips that call out to adventurers on four (or, more commonly, two) wheels. With more than 61 million motorbikes on Vietnam’s roads, intrepid bikers will find themselves in good company as they explore the country’s wonderfully diverse landscapes, with ample repair shops, gas stations, and food stops along the way.

1. Ha Giang Loop

Best road trip for wild swimming and mountain passes
Ha Giang–Ha Giang; 350km (218 miles)

The soaring peaks and plunging valleys of Vietnam’s northernmost province are best enjoyed at a leisurely pace, with plenty of stop-offs for revitalizing dips in waterfalls and roadside snacks. Start the adventure in Ha Giang city, the gateway to a land of conical, forested peaks.

Ha Giang means “water and mountains” in Vietnamese, and you’re never far from either when you tackle this loop through Yen Minh, Dong Van, and Bao Lam, with gurgling streams and cascading waterfalls forming a major part of the scenery. This rewarding multi-day drive offers plenty of opportunities for side trips and activities, including trekking, river-boating, and caving.

Planning tip: The Ma Pi Leng Pass is hands down the most scenic section of the drive, surrounded by jagged mountains and the emerald Nho Que River. Remember to factor in a half-day for a quiet boat trip with a spot of swimming in its enticing waters.

2. Cao Bang to Ban Gioc

Best road trip through Vietnam’s countryside
Cao Bang–Ban Gioc; 80km (50 miles)

The drive from Cao Bang to the Ban Gioc Waterfall, which straddles the China–Vietnam border, takes adventurers through some of Northern Vietnam’s most pristine pastoral terrain. Lush farmlands, stilt villages, and crystal-clear lakes are all on the itinerary. For driving enthusiasts, the 3.5km-long Ma Phuc Pass, with its seven writhing bends, offers gorgeous views of the terraced fields below.

For natural highlights, consider a stop-off at the vast, stalactite-filled Nguom Ngao Cave. Fed by the Quay Son River, the Ban Gioc Waterfalls thunder dramatically over a series of greenery-draped shelves. Take in the falls from the viewing platforms or hop on a bamboo raft for a closer look at the impressive cascades, which fall over 30m (98ft).

Planning tip: While worth tackling as a standalone trip, this route is also a popular add-on to the Ha Giang Loop.

3. Dalat to Nha Trang

Best road trip to a French colonial hill station
Dalat–Nha Trang; 134km (83 miles)

This short road trip from the cool climes of the highlands around Dalat to the sunny beaches of Nha Trang is all about changing scenery and microclimates. Start in the hillsides around Dalat, where the scent of pine trees hangs in the air, and farms cultivate strawberries, coffee, and flowers instead of rice.

The paved QL27C road snakes through tiny villages all the way to the coast, where a dip in the turquoise waters of Nha Trang Beach makes for a worthy close to this trip.

4. Hai Van Pass

Best road trip for dramatic views and hairpin turns
Danang–Lang Co Beach; 20km (12 miles)

The Hai Van Pass has become iconic, bordered by jungle-clad mountains on one side and cliffs plunging down to the East Sea on the other. This stunning ride is a memorable trip even for the novice driver.

Detour: Stop at the mid-way point for a Vietnamese-style iced coffee and admire the Indochina-era Hai Van Gate and the remains of several French fortifications. After reaching Lang Co Beach, most travelers continue for another hour to reach the former imperial city of Hue.

5. Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho

Best road trip along the lush Mekong Delta
Ho Chi Minh City–My Tho; 70km (44 miles)

As you venture from Ho Chi Minh City, the scenery shifts to majestic palms, lush banana trees, and glimmering waterways amongst the emerald rice paddies of the Mekong Delta. The best part of driving in this area is exploring the tiny riverside laneways where life moves at a slower pace.

When you make it to My Tho, cultural experiences await, with the flower farms of Sa Dec a short drive to the west. Additionally, visiting Can Tho, home to the largest floating market in the Delta, presents an opportunity for further exploration.

6. Con Son Island

Best road trip for deserted island beaches
Dam Trau–Ben Dam; 25km (15 miles)

Isolated from the mainland for years, the Con Dao islands are one of Vietnam’s natural wonders. Con Son, the largest and only inhabited island, features a main road stretching across its length. A motorcycle trip is the best way to see the rural splendor of the island while hopping from one gorgeous deserted beach to the next.

Start at Dam Trau and wind your way past forested hillsides and a French colonial-era prison, ending up at Ben Dam. Take things slowly over a morning or afternoon, and bring your swimming costume.

7. Ho Chi Minh Highway

Best road trip for quintessential Vietnam experiences
Ho Chi Minh City–Hanoi; 1880km (1168 miles)

For the best balance between driving time and excellent scenery, hit the Ho Chi Minh Highway, which was once used to transport soldiers and supplies during the Vietnam War. Follow the road along the Truong Son mountain range as it snakes past sleepy hamlets and lush plantations.

Detour: Adventurers will want to stop at Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, home to the world’s largest cave, and Cuc Phuong, Vietnam’s oldest national park located in the Red River Delta, before joining the exciting traffic on the ancient streets of Hanoi.

This article was first published May 14, 2021, and updated Jul 6, 2023.