Buzz
On this 450 km journey, brace yourself for a test of resilience as you traverse vast rubber forests, majestic mountain passes, and leisurely admire rivers, dams, and hydroelectric plants.
Embark on a thrilling adventure: Ho Chi Minh City to Buon Ma Thuot off the beaten path
From the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, you can reach the Tank Intersection in Buon Ma Thuot (over 450 km) without following any national highways. The route primarily consists of provincial roads, inter-communal pathways, and charming red dirt roads winding through expansive rubber forests and lush rice paddies... There's a stretch of about 30 km on QL28, but it's unclear if TL725 extends it further, although it's negligible compared to the 450 km journey.
This route lies between two familiar routes to Buon Ma Thuot: QL14 (350 km) and QL20 towards Lien Khuong, then veering left onto QL27 towards Buon Ma Thuot (450 km).
Key Highlights
Traveling through 7 provinces: Saigon, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Binh Phuoc, Dak Nong, Lam Dong, Dak Lak
The smooth asphalt road runs through the picturesque Ma Da forest.
Navigate and test your psychological endurance while wandering through the vast rubber forest maze, stretching from the border of Dong Nai through Binh Phuoc, to Lam Dong.
Lo Bac Pass, DN4 and DN5 passes are incredibly beautiful.
The stretches through pine and primeval forests in Dak Nong are very fascinating. Vast grasslands spread out. Climb high to admire the panoramic view and witness the vastness of the plateau.
You can visit the villages of the H'Mong, M'Nong, Bahnar people...
Numerous lakes, hydroelectric dams, rivers, and streams are scattered across the landscape.
Passing through the volcanic mountains of Buôn Choah, one can reach the majestic waterfalls of Đray Nur and Đray Sap, which form the longest volcanic cave system in Southeast Asia.
The most challenging section lies on the road from Đạ Tẻh, where drivers have to navigate through continuous bends and twists spanning nearly 200 kilometers to reach the foothills of the Buôn Choah volcano. Drivers with weak stomachs may easily succumb to dizziness and lose control on the subsequent stretch.
Route:
Tracklog. For detailed information and instructions, refer to the tracklog. Here's just a brief overview.
Starting from Notre Dame Cathedral (Ho Chi Minh City), head towards Phan Văn Trị Street, then onto Phạm Văn Đồng towards Thủ Đức, and descend to Kha Vạn Cân. Next, proceed to Sóng Thần, Dĩ An, take Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai and Phạm Văn Diêu, cross the Xóm Lá ferry to completely avoid all national highways and join TL768.
Continue on TL768 for an additional 40 km to Vinh An, then turn left towards Trị An Lake, and proceed towards Mã Đà, Military Zone D, continue straight on TL761 until the Phú Lý intersection. Proceed straight onto TL753, the final destination being the ferry across Mã Đà River to Bình Phước land.
From the ferry, travel for over 20 km then make a right turn, embarking on a gentle journey through the enchanting maze of rubber forests and cashew nut groves. Follow the tracklog, aiming eastward to reach Sao Bộng – Đăng Hà road. Some sections may follow TL312.
At the endpoint, re-enter Sao Bộng – Đăng Hà road via Lâm Đồng land, take TL721 towards Cát Tiên, continue to Đạ Tẻh where TL725 begins, turn left to ascend Lộc Bắc Pass to Lộc Bảo.
Upon reaching Lộc Bảo, proceed towards Quảng Khê, turn right along the lake for 4 km then left onto Quảng Khê – Quảng Sơn road, the final stretch turning right to follow TL684.
Enter TL684 (some rough sections) for approximately 60 km, then veer right towards Buôn Choah, passing by the volcanic mountain or continue alongside the rice fields to the endpoint at the Sêrêpôk River ferry pier (near the upper reaches of Đray Nur and Đray Sap waterfalls).
Cross over to the other side on the ferry, onto the asphalt road following TL2/682 towards rejoining QL1 at Buôn Ma Thuột territory, or navigate through small roads directly to the Victory Monument in Buôn Ma Thuột, concluding the journey from Saigon to Buôn Ma Thuột without following the national highway.
Embark on an adventure through the lush jungles and scenic vistas of Buon Ma Thuot, starting from bustling Ho Chi Minh City.
Explore the off-road trails, but beware: pickup trucks are not suitable for this route due to narrow crossings at Ma Da ferry and numerous tight sections along the rubber tree plantations.
For those new to off-roading, a motorcycle journey offers a gentle introduction. The winding paths through the rubber forests promise a refreshing experience, especially for cycling or motorcycling groups, with their cool shade, picturesque spots, and charming streams.
Attempting to complete the route in a single day is highly challenging, as there's limited time to catch the ferry crossings and the labyrinthine trails through the rubber plantations can be disorienting, with steep inclines that can quickly exhaust even experienced riders.
Opt for a three-day itinerary: Day 1, depart from Saigon to Quang Khe or Quang Son for an overnight stop; Day 2, continue the journey to Buon Ma Thuot for another night's rest; Day 3, leisurely return to Saigon, taking in the beauty of the countryside along the way.
Source: Zing News
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MytourOctober 14, 2016
