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Summer is approaching, and it promises an exhilarating journey along the winding roads adorned with pristine sand dunes and turquoise seas. Let's explore 5 stunning hillside routes that will leave you breathless, courtesy of Mytour.
Top 5 Exhilarating Hillside Routes for Adventurers in Vietnam
1. DT706B: Vo Nguyen Giap – Bau Trang (Binh Thuan)
Spanning 37km from Nguyen Thong roundabout to Bau Trang intersection, this route is a beloved path for beach enthusiasts. Completed in 2014, Vo Nguyen Giap Road is part of coastal route 706B, running parallel to Nguyen Dinh Chieu Road along the 16.2km Ham Tien – Mui Ne tourist area. Continuing from Mui Ne towards Bau Trang on DT716 for about 21km, you'll marvel at the vast, ever-changing sand dunes, transitioning from golden to red and then to white. The breathtaking scenery along the way will leave you in awe of nature's craftsmanship.
Traveling on what's hailed as Phan Thiet's most beautiful route, you'll catch a glimpse of Mui Ne fishing village from above, the renowned Doi Cat Bay tourist area, and the picturesque Hon Rom Bay. The road is wide, easy to navigate, and sparse of cars. It's safe to say that this is a route you absolutely must set foot on at least once in your lifetime in Vietnam.
2. DT716: Luong Son Junction – Phan Ri (Binh Thuan)
Stretching nearly 40km, DT716 is among Vietnam's classic routes, passing through two immensely famous freshwater lakes of Binh Thuan province: Bau Sen and Bau Trang. From Luong Son junction, turning right and traveling about 20km will lead you to Bau Ong. Continuing from Bau Ong, you'll encounter Bau Ba, extending for many kilometers.
This route winds through pristine sand dunes, hills, offering stunning scenery. Additionally, the coastal section TL716B completed at the end of 2015, connecting Phan Thiet and Phan Ri, makes this route easier to navigate than ever before.
3. DT651: Co Ma Pass – Dam Mon Estuary (Khanh Hoa)
Spanning just 22km from the foot of Co Ma Pass to Xuan Dung hamlet, DT651 to Dam Mon Peninsula completed in 2002 seems to have become a legend for those who love sand and sea. As you venture deeper, breathtaking scenery unfolds, even the most experienced drivers are mesmerized. The route alternates between beach and sand dunes, surrounded by hills.
On this route, you'll have the chance to admire towering white sand dunes. Since the completion of the asphalt road, hills have been cultivated, now covered in greenery. Particularly, the sea in this area remains pristine and relatively clean, sheltered by a system of small crescent-shaped islands, so it's calm, and you can even see the seabed. The final stop of the journey is a quaint fishing village nestled in the bay, secluded, shaded by coconut trees all year round, named Xuan Dung.
4. QL19B: Thi Nai Bridge – Trung Luong (Quy Nhon)
Upon crossing the longest sea overpass in Southeast Asia, you'll venture into the new economic zone of Nhơn Hội with the vital artery QL19B, situated in the Phương Mai Peninsula. Stretching about 17km, this route will lead you to the Phương Mai sand dunes, among the most beautiful in Bình Định province. Currently completed, the route still lacks many industrial zones, hence the scenery remains relatively untouched and picturesque. This route also takes you to Eo Gio Cape or Ky Co Beach, the tourist paradises of Quy Nhơn, Bình Định.
Driving on this road, you must wear a mask, goggles for health protection, and be extremely careful to prevent sandstorms. Due to the coastal sand dunes being deforested to make way for economic zones, without adequate protective structures, they are vulnerable to strong winds and storms. Winds blow sand thickly on roads from the Nhơn Hội economic zone to Nhơn Lý commune and Cát Tiến commune. Many sections have thick sand layers over half a meter high, causing continuous falls or being hit by sand dust, causing burning sensation.
5. QL1A Bypass: Quan Hau Bridge – Sen Lake (Quang Binh)
If you're not paying attention, you might easily overlook this beautiful road in Quang Binh. This is the QL1A bypass from Quan Hau Bridge to Sen Lake, connecting Dong Hoi city and Le Thuy district. Previously, this nearly 40km stretch was just a vast expanse of white sand, then it was invested in to pave the way through the sand. The most impressive feature of this stretch is the two parallel white sand dunes that mesmerize many, the scenery here is no less beautiful than the Bau Trang – Phan Ri stretch.
Sand in Quang Binh comes in two distinct colors, white and yellow. Along the road, you'll witness the captivating dance of sand. You can also visit the beaches of Le Thuy, which are some of the beautiful beaches in Quang Binh. Like the aforementioned routes, because this bypass is far from residential areas, when driving on it, you must check if your gas tank is full to avoid running out of gas in the middle of nowhere.
By Tiểu Duy
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Reference: Mytour Travel Handbook
MytourApril 13, 2016
