Route Summary
This route takes you from the charming coastal city of Phan Rang to Cam Ranh on Vietnam’s south-central coastline.
This 77km promontory ride is set alongside the East Sea and forms the Nui Chua National Park. A remote and untouched park, with considerable flora and fauna, including the black Asian bear and the black mountain goat. Up until recently, the area only had local dirt roads, but with a new coastal road now in place, the area is open and becoming more and more popular.
Go soon, before it’s splendor has been lost!
Quick Information
Distance & Elevation
- Total distance of our ride –77km
- Elevation – 720 meters of climbing / 720 meters of descending
Time Recommended
- We cycled the national park in one day
- We suggest taking it slow (2-3 days) and really enjoying the scenery, people & energy.
Scenery
- Tropical beaches
- Crystal clear water
- Jagged mountains
- Black goats
- Palm Trees
- Coconuts
- Fishing boats
- Coastal villages
- Heaven on earth
Road Considerations
- Excellent new coastal roads
- Very light traffic
Important Considerations
- Don’t be fooled by the highway that’s enticingly quicker. Take this road instead and enjoy yourself 10x.
Route
This national park was an absolute highlight for us, and actually one of the places we definitely want to go back and cycle. Surprisingly sections of this park look very similar to Europe, with tiny fishing villages and cliffs that could be set in Sicily or Croatia. That being said, you can turn around another bay and see tropical, dense jungle, making you feel like you’re in Hawaii! This national park is a must do, and one of our favorite rides in Vietnam.
Nui Chua Highlights
Cycling Through Vineyards
Entering this area almost feels like you’re being transported to a seaside vineyard town in Europe. Lush grape vines, ocean views and endless roadside wine stalls made for some dreamy riding. This area has a perfect climate for the vines, and a majority of these grapes are actually used to make Dalat Wine. We had to resist stopping as we had the rest of the national park to explore, but it’s definitely one of the places we want to go back and stay some day.
Endless Tropical Beaches
One of our favorite parts of this route was the smooth descent to Bai Chuoi beach. Surrounded by ocean as far as the eye can see, the descent down to this secluded crystal clear bay was pure heaven. This coastline is truly one of the most beautiful we’ve ever seen, so we recommend you stop and enjoy it!
There’s plenty of places to stay, restaurants and parts to explore on this route. Our one regret in Vietnam was not spending more time here… so learn from our mistake and take your bloody time!!
It’s also the most popular place in Vietnam for kite/ windsurfing and so if that’s your jam you will love it.
Bays & Bays of Beauty!
As you cycle through the National Park, the jagged mountains that frame the road open up to reveal bay after bay of secluded, tropical beauty. Each bay ia unique and each bay has it’s own personality. From floating restaurants and seafood vendors to tiny local fishing ports, these bays are alive with activity and trade.
Our favorite bay was Vinh Hy which we’ve marked on the map for you to enjoy too. Stop by, grab some seafood (if that’s your thing) or sit a while and relax watching the fishermen.
