• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Uncover Vietnam Travel Guide | Vacations, Travel and Tourism

Header Right

  • Start Here
  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Cities
  • Lodging
  • Transportation
  • Search
  • Start Here
  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Cities
  • Lodging
  • Transportation
  • Search

Header Right

Hai Van pass

Vietnam Scenic Drives

ShareTweet

The feeling of the open road, the Vietnam countryside and fresh air blowing by your motorbike, it’s a worthy bucket list item for any adventurer. There are a number of scenic drives in Vietnam that are perfect for a weekend motorbike or motorcycle trip. There are also private tours, buses and shuttles that travel these routes.

Hai Van Pass

15 Most Beautiful Places in Vietnam

It would be challenging to include all of the most beautiful places in Vietnam in one article, but if you want to learn where to find absolutely stunning scenery, you’ve come to the right place. Each region of the country has its own unique set of impeccable features and hidden gems. So no matter which …

15 Most Beautiful Places in VietnamRead More

Beautiful Driving Routes in Vietnam

Probably the most famous Vietnamese road trip that you can embark on is a cross-country journey, north-to-south or south-to-north. In addition to start or ending in Vietnam’s largest two cities, there’s a slew of mystery awaiting along these epic journeys. Motorbikes can be rented or purchased used for foreigners (and resold) who want to make a trek into the backcountry.

Ha Giang Loop Vietnam

Ha Giang Loop – North Vietnam

Hai Van Pass, Hue

Hai Van Pass – Da Nang to Hue

Mã Pí Lèng Pass, Ha Giang

Ma Pi Leng Pass – Ha Giang

O Quy Ho Pass - Sapa

O Quy Ho Pass – Sapa

Image of the Hai Van Pass in Vietnam

South to North Vietnam Motorbike Route – HCMC to Hanoi

Tram Ton Pass

Tram Ton Pass – Sapa

Featured Road Trips

Image of a motorbike on the beach in Nha Trang, Vietnam

The Essential Vietnam Motorbike Trip Packing List

Before we start, let’s address the elephant in the room: Motorbiking in Vietnam, also referred to…

The Essential Vietnam Motorbike Trip Packing ListRead More

Guide to Scenic Highways in Vietnam

Hai Van pass
Hai Van pass. Photo: Peter Nijenhuis

One of the top ways to see among the most enjoyable parts of Vietnam is by traveling the open road. These routes are incredibly diverse and offer stunning views of the country’s abundant natural beauty while providing some relief from the hecticness of the bigger cities.

Whether you’re renting a car and driver, motorbike, or booking a tour through a private company, these are some of the drives that shouldn’t be missed on your next trip.

Hai Van Pass – 20km/12 miles

The Hai Van Pass is a short, breathtaking drive, complete with sharp turns, blind corners, and steep cliffs. Thanks to the Hai Van Tunnel development, the road that goes through the pass is now significantly less busy and easier to navigate. The views from this road are sweeping and often photographed for social media, with the ocean on one side of the pass and lush jungles on the other.

Visitors can stop at various locations on the pass for an iced drink or look at the Hai Van Gate, in addition to many other French building remnants. The main part of this route goes from Da Nang to Lang Co Beach; however, some tourists go the extra mileage and travel further up to the ancient town of Hue.

Ma Pi Leng Pass – 20km/12 miles

Ma Pi Leng Pass, Vietnam
Ma Pi Leng Pass. Photo: Gavin White

Located in the Ha Giang province in northern Vietnam, the Ma Pi Leng Pass is one of the most famous in the country for its beauty and risky pathway. While there aren’t any specific attractions along the Ma Pi Leng Pass, the scenery includes endless views of limestone mountain ranges and a stunning drop over the Nho Que River from up above. On a clear day, drivers on the pass want to stop multiple times for photos and occasionally see natives navigating their boats on the river.

All times of year are good to visit the Ma Pi Leng Pass area, but each season brings different types of foliage and natural highlights. September has been said to be one of the best times, following the rainy months, usually June through August. Aside from riding the path on a motorbike, tourists can also book a private tour or catch a bus ride from Hanoi.

Ha Giang Loop – 350km/218 miles

The Ha Giang Loop in northern Vietnam is an incredible place to plan an adventure, as this route provides some of the most scenic views with plenty of places to stop. Waterfalls, roadside food venues, and picturesque views of the world-famous rice pattie fields and corn terraces are just some of the fabulous things that you’ll cross while doing this drive.

In Vietnamese, “Ha Giang” means “water and mountains,” both of which are significant parts of the surroundings on the loop. While this drive can be done in a single day, many tourists like to take four or five days to do all the activities and see all the sights. Some of the popular things to do along the way include swimming in the river, taking a boat trip, caving, and hiking. Driving the road takes visitors through several local ethnic groups’ areas as well.

Dalat to Nha Trang – 134km/83 miles

road to/from DaLat
road to DaLat. Photo: Vadim

The path starting in Dalat and ending in Nha Trang isn’t too long of a trip but takes travelers through the beautiful hillsides where pine trees, strawberries, coffee, and wildflowers are grown as opposed to rice and corn. Several small villages are passed through on this route, taking tourists right to the coast. Ending in Nha Trang, this road concludes at the beach with some of the most pristine teal waters in the country.

Con Son Island – 25km/15 miles

The Con Dao islands are some of the country’s most gorgeous, unspoiled areas, considering that they were isolated from visitors from the mainland for so long. This 15-mile route around Con Son Island showcases some of the best rural beach views in Vietnam and passes by many seafood shacks, tropical trees, historical prisons, and dreamy sandy beaches.

While Vietnam has lots of scenic pathways and roads, these are a few of the ones that should make the top of the list.

Related Activities

Hanoi Vietnam April Traffic Motorbikes

Vietnam Motorbikes

Fansipan, Sa Pa

Vietnam Mountains

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Quang Binh Province

Vietnam National Parks

Hanoi Old Quarter Street

Vietnam Streets & Promenades

Tan Son Nhat International, Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam

Vietnam Transportation

Dambri Waterfall

Vietnam Waterfalls

ShareTweet

Primary Sidebar

Vietnam Activities

  • All Activities
  • Amusement Parks
  • Beaches
  • Bridges
  • Buildings
  • Camping
  • Caves
  • Events
  • Food
  • Golfing
  • Hiking
  • Historical Sites
  • Hot Springs and Mud Baths
  • Islands
  • Lakes
  • Landmarks
  • Language
  • Markets
  • Mountains
  • Motorbikes
  • Museums
  • National Parks
  • Nightlife
  • Performing Arts
  • Public Parks
  • Rivers
  • Scenic Drives
  • Shopping
  • Streets
  • Temples
  • Tourist Attractions
  • Waterfalls
  • Weather
  • Wildlife
  • Zip Lines

Discover Vietnam for less

Enter your email below and grab our complimentary guide on how to get luxury travel for less in Vietnam.

Footer

Uncover Vietnam

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Start Here
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter

Travel Guide

  • Travel Blog
  • Vietnam Activities
  • Vietnam Towns
  • Vietnam Transportation
  • Vietnam Hotels
  • Vietnamese Culture
  • Vietnam FAQ

Disclosure: Uncover Vietnam is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Copyright © 2023 · Uncover Vietnam - Vacations, Travel & Tourism | Sitemap