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Vietnam is a country of diverse terrains with rocky mountain ranges, fertile deltas, interlacing rivers, and sandy seashores. As a biker, you can come to North or South of Vietnam for the experience of one of those landscapes, but for true excitement, you must ride to Central Vietnam, where you can get from mountain tops, ravines, green fields, to the white sand beaches and the sea beyond. During the trip, if you face several towering challenges that may slow down your pace, you will never get lonely in the hospitality of the people here, who are so kind and generous.
Below are 18 off-the-beaten-track destinations in Central Vietnam we would like to introduce to you in this article, which might come in handy when you plan for your Central Vietnam trips.
Central Vietnam frequently faces natural disasters from July to December. Hence, the most appropriate time for Central Tours is from January to June. However, some places you can still pay a visit at any time of the year are Hoi An and Dalat, where you can experience the romantic and poetic beauty from season to season.
The Central region probably welcomes you with sea tours along the endless beaches in the summer of Nha Trang or Da Nang. Besides, traveling in the spring is a wise choice as Central Vietnam’s spring has a warm climate with a little rain, which is fantastic for a perfect Central trip.
The 130 km trip from Thanh Hoa city to Pu Luong can bring a lot of fascinating experiences to backpackers. This charming valley captivates visitors with its romantic scenes: the immaculate terraced rice fields enclosed by untamed jungles and the slender stilt houses hidden on the hillsides. It has been long a promising land of adventurers and on the wishlist of young travelers.
The preferable time to visit Pu Luong is around June and October, when ripening rice fields spread a golden hue over the hills, creating a new coat for the peaceful dreamlike vista of Pu Luong valley.
A sight that cannot be missed when one wanders around Pu Luong is the waterfall of Hieu village. On the way from Pho Doan town to the inner village, along the streams, you can see the water wheels of the Thai people. Going through the rickety bridge and steep hills, you might be amazed at what appears before your eyes, the gorgeous cascade of Hieu fall rushing merrily through a maze of eroded stones.
Come to the Pho Don market on Thursday or Sunday, where the inhabitants of this land gather to trade intriguing products such as traditional brocade items, can wine (a type of native wine drunk through straws), woodland vegetables, insect food, and fresh fruits.
With the three sides enclosed by mountains and jungles, the seashore of Binh Tien, which is 30 km from Phan Rang city, enjoys a tranquil scene that few sights possess. You can breathe in the pure salty air of the sea while leisurely strolling the long white beach with fine sand, swimming in the sea, or just sitting back for relaxation. Have it your way on this pretty beach.
You can traverse the seaside jungle only a 15-minute walk from Binh Tien beach to immerse yourself in the clear spring from the nearby Mount Lord, heading out to the sea. This beach is also a good choice for those who like camping out at night. You can take this chance to follow local fishermen from nearby villages to sail out and catch fresh seafood. After that, you will have a chance to enjoy the tasty dishes processed from the fish you have caught.
The island of Phu Quy, also known as Thu islet or Khoai Xu islet, is an island district of Binh Thuan province and 111 km from Phan Thiet city.
Strangely but beautifully shaped, Phu Quy island stands out in the vast sea and sky. It also allures many visitors due to its colorful surrounding reef, sparkling waves, and pure fresh air.
There are many interesting activities for you to try out there, like watching the sunrise on Doi Thay cape (cape of Mo Thay), watching the sunset on the Forbidden Mountain (Mount Cam), visiting a range of nearby small islands such as Hon Den, Hon Trung, Hon Giua, Hon Do, and Hon Tranh, and learning the techniques of diving and catching lobsters from the locals. You can also see the giant whale bones at Van An Thanh; go hiking in the mountains like Cao Cat or Cam; and visit the pagodas of Linh Buu, Linh Quang, and Thanh Lam.
At night, you can throw a bonfire party on the beach, catch squid and shrimp or walk along the beach. And don't forget to try moon crab, a local specialty here. Its taste and smell are so delicious. You'll like it.
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The Paradise Cave at Son Trach commune of Bo Trach district, Quang Binh province, is located near Km16, which is 4 kilometers from the Western branch of Ho Chi Minh Highway. With a total length of 31.4 kilometers, this is one of the longest dry caves in Asia. The narrow entrance only allows one to get in at a time. But inside, it gets much bigger; some places have a breadth of over 150 meters and a height of 80 meters.
Going into the cave, you will enjoy the cool air and contemplate numerous stalactites and stalagmites of myriad forms and shapes. The wooden walkway system and white light guide you to famous sites such as Cổ Tháp (Ancient Tower), Quần Tiên Hội Tụ palace (Chamber Fairy Meetings Palace), Liên Hoa Tháp (Lotus Tower), Kỳ Hươu, and Voi Ma Mút (The Mammoth)
While admiring the magnificent masterpieces the Creator gave, you’ll soon be convinced that this place is a part of heaven.
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Spreading on three different districts of Anh Son, Con Cuong, and Tuong Duong of Nghe An province, Pu Mat national park still bears the primal grandness of an untainted wild jungle. There you can witness the biodiversity of ancient forests in Vietnam, with over a thousand kinds of plants, more than fifty species of mammals, and about three hundred species of birds, including rare ones such as crested argus, red pheasants, and so on.
There are many more wondrous landscapes, like the Khe Kem waterfall, the spring of Nuoc Moc, and the Giang river, where you can free your spirit into a refreshing cool expanse lively with birds’ songs. The distinctive cultural features of Thai, H’Mong and Dan Lai ethnic groups also hold interesting value to be discovered.
The Enchanted Fish Spring of Cam Luong and Ngoc village is associated with the myth of the Sacred Snake. This spring lies on Mount Truong Sinh's foot, in the Cam Luong commune in Cam Thuy district, 80 km northwest of the center of Thanh Hoa city. The small spring comes from the water veins inside the lime mountain of Bo Um. Despite having a length of only over 150 m, this spring harbors a school of fish to a thousand individuals. The Muong people hold them revered and believe the fish can see and know.
Big fish weighs 30 kg, but they only leave their cave on seasonal occasions when water pours in plentiful. The water is never depleted and rises to about 80 cm in rainy seasons. You might find it most astonishing that the crystal-clear spring doesn't smell fishy at all. Near the spring stands a shrine and a cave, Ngoc temple, and Cay Dang carven for tourists to visit.
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Vuc Phun is located at Hoa My Tay commune in the Tay Hoa district of Phu Yen province. Following the National Route No.1A to Phu Lam town and take the way to Route No.29, go straight to Da Den mountain site, and take a turn towards Banh Lai river. There you will find the clear water cascading from a 15 m height of a fall where the Cai river pours into the deep ravine between steep ridges.
The monumental yet romantic landscape is enclosed by boundless jungles and rocky hills, the Vuc Phun. Come to this place; you can enjoy a masterpiece of nature and outdoor activities like rowing, camping, hiking, or bathing in the stream. Another cultural site nearby you can visit on your trip is Huong Tich pagoda, an old Buddhist temple in Phu Yen province.
In the list of off-the-beaten-track travel destinations in Central Vietnam, you cannot miss Vung Ro, a small bay that lies beneath the Ca mountain pass at Xuan Hoa Nam commune in Dong Hoa district of Phu Yen province. It is enclosed in three directions, east, north, and west, by high ridges of rocky mountains. And with the small island of Hon Nua blocking the harsh winds from the south, the water in Vung Ro bay is calm throughout the year. Twelve smaller sand beaches inside the bay allure their guests with fascinating views; tall hills and rocky cliffs stand over the deep blue sapphire water and long white dunes of fine sand.
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ou can bathe freely and enjoy seafood near the beach, ride a boat to the sea, or set yourself to conquer the 700 m high Mount Da Bia, dubbed as “the greatest pillar of the South”. Other places to visit include the Lighthouse, Bai Mon beach, or the Mui Dien headland.
Poetic, charming, sweet, and mysterious - that description may still not be enough to portray the glorious beauty of Ben En. This is also one of the places for backpackers to get away from the bustling and crowded cities and find peace in their minds. Ben En is more than 46 km southwest of the center of Thanh Hoa City. Passing through hustling and noisy traffic streets, the road leading to Ben En comes across the rustic and small villages of Thai, Tho, and Muong people.
You will have a chance to contemplate the endless ranges of limestone mountains surrounding these authentic villages, a typical topography of Thanh Hoa. En route, the breathtaking views and the poor yet friendly and interesting ethnic minority hamlets will make good stops for visitors.
Besides visiting the natural scenery, do not forget to stop by Ben En National Park in 2 districts - Nhu Thanh and Nhu Xuan, Thanh Hoa province. It is known as a famous ecological population with a system of mountains - rivers - lakes covering over 16,000 ha, including more than 8,500 ha of primeval forests with rich and diverse flora and fauna with hundreds of species, ordo, familia, etc.
Con Cuong is a highland district on the southwestern border of Nghe An, 130 km from Vinh city, with a tremendous number of the vast forest. Especially the Pu Mat National Park here, with an area of 61,000 ha, is the flagship park on the northern massif of the Truong Son Mountains along the Vietnamese-Lao border. This is a rare primary conservation area in Vietnam, with rich and diverse forest resources. In Pu Mat, you can find a wide range of precious species of plants and animals in the Red Book, such as Sao La, with numerous mysterious and picturesque caves and stunning and charming waterfalls. Pu Mat National Forest is considered the huge potential ecotourism of Nghe An.
The adventurers spend a few hours driving to the famous tourist attractions such as Khe Kem waterfall (Boc Bo waterfall) flows from a height of 150m, creating a majestic landscape. Follow the rugger rock slope, through the passes and the clear streams, to the tops of Khe Bu, KheThoi, and Khe Choang to contemplate the immense forests of "po mu", and pay a visit to the mysterious Dwarf forest of about 1600 square kilometers, at an altitude of 1700m.
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Thung Nham Bird Park Ecotourism is about 12 kilometers east of Ninh Binh city, completely located in the core of Trang An scenic complex, next to the famous Tam Coc - Bich Dong tourist area. From Bich Dong pagoda along a 4-kilometer road, visitors have arrived in the magical world of beautiful birds.
You go from Hanoi to Ninh Binh (about 100km) along Highway 1, then drive another 4km on 30/6 street. After that, you can ask someone know how to reach the bridge Vom (near Quang Dung hotel). Move about 4 kilometers inside the Tam Coc area, then turn into Thung Nang according to the instruction signs. You will keep going from 1 to 2 kilometers to Bich Dong pagoda before leaving for Hai Nham village. Feel free to raise your voice if you need friendly villagers to help you. From here, visitors will go straight 4 kilometers to the Thung Nham tourist area.
There are various attractions here to fulfill your dream of discovery, such as Vai Gioi cave, Buddha cave, the moving banyan tree, the thousand-year-old tree, Ba Co cave (Three Girls Cave), Tien Ca cave (Mermaid Cave), underwater palace, and especially bird garden, where you will not get your eyes off the amazing collections of birds such as storks, cauldron, herons, silver teals, white-rumped shamas, and so on.
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The road from Hai Van Quan, the territory of Thua Thien Hue province on Hai Van Pass, to Bach Ma National Park is less than 60 kilometers but guaranteed you will be ecstatic with what is in front of your eyes. Travel Hai Van Pass; from above, you can contemplate Lang Co Bay, the road leading to Hai Van Tunnel.
At the end of the pass, you will come to the junction of Highway 1A. However, according to experienced travelers, instead of this road, you should turn left into Nguyen Van Street to have a panoramic view of Lap An lagoon - an extremely attractive and romantic place you should not skip! On the road, crowds of seafood restaurants are built right on the lagoon; you can enjoy the delicious fresh seafood and admire the picturesque scenery here. What a perfect journey!
Along the Nguyen Van road, you will come to Highway 1A, go through the Phuoc Tuong tunnel to the fork of the Cau Hai market, and turn right to enter Bach Ma National Park. This place is a magnificent natural gift that the Creator granted people there. It is time to immerse yourself in the pure and pristine nature and soothe your soul. Remember not to miss the drop-dead gorgeous destinations of Bach Ma park, such as Vong Hai Dai with the breathtaking beauty of mountains and sky like a watercolor painting, Do Quyen Waterfall, Ngu Ho (Five Lakes), Tri Sao Waterfall, Cho Den Forest, Truot Waterfall, etc.
You are excited about riding through Hai Van Pass, then refer to the following tours:
If you love the splendid coastal roads, you definitely cannot miss this 49B highway. One side is the range of large lagoons; the other is the immense blue sea.
Highway 49B will take you through the famous lagoons, including Cau Hai, Thuy Tu, Ha Trung, Sam, Thanh Lam, and Tam Giang lagoons. In parallel, the road also leads you through Thuan An, Thuan Hai, and Ham Rong sea, where you will enjoy the refreshing breezes, blowing up a bit of chop on the stunning sea.
While Thuan An beach is a familiar destination to visitors, Ham Rong beach is also an ideal choice because this place is still extremely wild, waiting for you to explore and experience. Linh Thai mountain, nearly 800 meters high, winding in many arcs hugging this nearly-6-kilometer long beach, brings the vast green of forests, whose fresh scent fills Ham Rong. Along with the poetic and elegant sights, three ideal swimming spots include Ham Rong, Dong Duong, and Dam beaches.
If you are waiting for something beyond your expectations, don't worry! 49B Highway has two very interesting places that are nowhere to be found. One is the fishing village of An Bang, which has a unique culture that the Daily Mail commented that "its bizarre graveyard, featuring colorful and lavish tombs". In Hue, people still call this fishing village unique names like "city of the dead" or "An Bang ghost city".
Ninety percent of the villagers have overseas relatives who are mostly living and working in America. They have sent money home, much of which is used to build the well-decorated and even luxury tombs. Especially the competition in the construction of the villagers leads to more magnificent mausoleums with elaborate patterns appearing, becoming a unique beauty of An Bang village that attracts a large flock of tourists annually.
Another place is Ham Rua cave, which has not yet appeared on Vietnam's tourism map. However, it will be a perfect option if you are an adventurous traveler and get ready to explore this mysterious cave on your own! The hidden charm of Ham Rua cave is worth taking time and effort to discover!
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Another extravagant, beautiful road in Hue is Highway 49 to A Nor waterfall. Many local young people choose this route because of its pristine scenery, easy access, and numerous wonderful stops to explore. From Hue city, following the National Road 49 to the Bot Do junction, you will pass the legendary A Co pass, Mo Qua bridge, and upstream against the current of Bo river to A Luoi.
A Luoi is a mountainous district adjacent to Laos. The weather here is almost the same as in Ba Na. It is sunny yet slight and pleasant all day. At the same time, you will feel very cold at night; deep misty covers all the rustic rooftops, the main streets, and the green hills and mountains in the early morning. Visitors will feel lost in the wonderland.
To reach the waterfall, you continue to go through an additional iron bridge, taking the name of a national hero - A Vau. The presence of this bridge has made traveling to the waterfall much more convenient than before. From a distance, you can hear the water rumbling down. The sound echoed in the middle of the mountains as if to create an attraction for your footsteps, albeit a little tired but still strongly moving forward.
Amidst the vast green forest, with two waterfalls streams, A Nor is truly a magnificent wonder of Mother Nature. You will find yourself pleasantly overwhelmed by the superb views of the cascade glimpsed through dense foliage. Coming to A Nor, it is hard to resist the crystal and seductive water.
If you like the thrilling experiences and swimming, try standing on a ledge and dropping yourself into the stream. Any words cannot describe this refreshing feeling! Give it a try!
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There is no need to say much about the legendary Truong Son route, also known as Ho Chi Minh road on National Highway 14. This is also a road along the Vietnam-Laos border. In Thua Thien Hue province, on this road, you will have to come through the PeKe pass, which gives you a great opportunity to have an overview of the daily lives of the friendly and simple people of the A Luoi district.
A Luoi is also home to many well-known places associated with heroic wartime, such as Me Oi Pass, Mau stream, Thit Bam hill, A Lin stream, and so on. Ho Chi Minh road is considered the trade bridge between A Luoi, Quang Tri, and Quang Nam. There are also border gates with Laos, including Hong Van - Cu Tai, A Dot - Ta Vang, promising a wonderful future to develop tourism in A Luoi.
Along Ho Chi Minh Road, you will go through many primeval forests, especially a forest in A Roang commune, 30 kilometers from A Luoi town, extending from A Luoi to the Giang district of Quang Nam province. This forest is considered the most pristine and magnificent in this land and is put into the district's tourism activities.
The ancient forest with many gorgeous waterfalls and the deep abyss is very attractive and charming for eco-tourism and adventurous travelers. Once passed, this legendary route will remain engraved in your memory for the rest of your life.
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Compared to the four roads above, provincial road 14B is the least chosen route because of the rugged path. Cut with National Highway 1A; it is not difficult for you to find provincial road 14B, laid peacefully beside the majestic Bach Ma National Park. Khe Tre town is at the end of the road. To continue your journey, you must walk upstream of the Thuong Lo river to visit the national park.
However, it is a different story for those passionate about discovering nature.
If you want a truly relaxing trip en route to Khe Tre town, you should pay a visit to the Mo waterfall tourist area, Nam Dong. While the Hue plain is the hot days, you will experience a different cold feeling in the mountainous district of Nam Dong. Mo waterfall welcomes the strong and cool streams from the more-than-1400-meter-high Bach Ma mountain.
Mo waterfall has been much loved and visited by the locals for a long time. People choose this place as an ideal getaway destination to enjoy the superb natural beauty and its attractive surroundings in peace while also wallowing in the sense of silence and nostalgia here. Located on the main trail leading to the local mountains and beyond is the extended Bach Ma mountain range; Mo waterfall is a highlight among the immense and majestic beauty of Hue - the land of dreams.
You will be overwhelmingly impressed by the large blue lake, marking the final point of 3 magnificent waterfalls from the high mountains. Endowed with nature, three large puddles, over 100m² each, are available to serve all visitors who want to soak and relax in the fresh and cool water.
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Unlike the bustling and hustling Cua Dai beach, An Bang, with its peaceful and quiet beauty, will make you fall in love with this calm beach from first sight.
An Bang beach is located in Cam An ward, about 3 kilometers east of the Hoi An ancient town. Sit in the dappled sunlight on a rock, dangling your feet in the cool water, allow yourself a moment to walk through the serene atmosphere and, feel the smooth sand under your barefoot, catch the first moments of a glorious day when the sun rises from the horizon and cover everything a bright yellow.
This picture is so magical that it couldn’t possibly exist in the real world!
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At different times of the year, Dalat puts a different and unique dress on its scenery, which is a truly immersive experience for visitors. However, the most suitable time to pack your travel bag and visit Dalat is from early November to March. It is the time when the late autumn still has not left nostalgically, the early winter knocks on the door slightly, and the spring is hidden behind the glittering dew drops on the beautiful petals. Also, when you come to Dalat at the end of October and early November, you will have a chance to contemplate a brilliantly breathtaking yellow sea with vast wild sunflowers in full bloom.
In spring, all stretches of roads in Dalat are now glowing in a blanket of flowers with pink petals that are fresh, delicate, and attractive, as well as other blooming flowers. Spring, the most beautiful season of the year, embellish Dalat with brilliant colors. If you plan to go to Dalat by motorbike, you depart from Saigon to go along Ho Chi Minh Highway - Long Thanh - Dong Nai, then drive straight to Lam Dong. After that, you continue going to Highway 20, coming through Prenn Pass and arriving at Dalat. A motorbike trip to this poetic city takes about 8 - 9 hours.
Traveling to Dalat by motorbike, you have precious opportunities to visit Dambri waterfall (Bao Loc) and Pongour (Duc Trong) in Lam Dong and discover many other interesting places on the road. Besides, you also don't need to rent a vehicle in Dalat, which helps you save more money for a perfect trip!
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To explore Dalat and other famous destinations in Central Vietnam, please take this tour Ho Chi Minh Trail Motorcycle Tour from Hanoi to Saigon - 16 days
If you dream of conquering awesome off-the-beaten-track destinations in Central Vietnam, don't miss the opportunity to take a ride to the sites above for incredible off-road experiences.
In case you want to get South and North tours, it is advisable to read more Vietnam Destinations:
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