Vietnam: HCMC > La Gi > Ca Na

Apr 15-16 2025 |

Sections 1-2 of my Vietnam 2025 journey, riding from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang. I combined these 2 rides into 1 post.

Ride: HCMC to La Gi

Ride: 160 km / 4.5 hrs

Stay: Lahona Hotel / $12 / *****

From HCMC, I had to decide whether to ride north up the coast or go inland and follow the mountains. I decided to follow the coast. I left Pham Nhu Lao district and was quickly out of traffic and into the city's edge. Within 1 hour I arrived at the first of 2 ferry crossings on this route, a short 20-min trip across the river. Then >60 mins to the next ferry, 45 mins to Vung Tau. On the ferry I met an Aussie-Vietnamese CFMoto 800 rider taking his bike for a trial ride; can see why the 800 (and the 450 Ibex) are hot commodities; I am guessing his bike must be one of the first in Vietnam.

Though I had considered overnighting in Vung Tau, I decided to keep riding. This is the start of 100+ km of major resort development on the coast, much of it barely occupied, half-built or abandoned, with condos, high buildings, and strip malls that look straight out of Orlando.

I called it a day in La Gi, booked a room in a new hotel, amazing value. This was the first of many towns on the coast that look like they are being built from the ground up, full of new roads, squares, and buildings.

La Gi to Ca Na via Mui Ne

Ride: 188 km / 4.5 hrs

Stay: Hai Son Ca Na (?) / $15 / *

After 1 night, I departed La Gi and rode towards Mui Ne, a renowned beach town. I don't recall much of interest on this ride until Mui Ne, famous as Vietnam's kite-surfing mecca, and full of Russian tourists. While it looked nice, I opted to keep riding. Further on, the scenery changed, from flat and sandy, to mountains of round rocks, really interesting topography. It was getting late in the day, and because I knew a famous stretch of coast road was coming after Ca Na, I stopped there for the day.

Near Ca Na, I saw only a motorcycle accident on this trip, in the middle of an intersection, on a 4-lane highway. I suspect it involved the biker passing a turning truck.

Ca Na is a gritty fishing village with one of the nastiest, dirtiest ports I have ever seen. And as luck would have it, right when it got dark, I got a flat tire. Fortunately, it took me 2 minutes to find a bike shop, where I paid $3 for a repair job, including a new tube. For dinner, I had 2 types of sea snails.

Route and stops

Click to small window at top-left on the map for more details.

Questions or comments?

Drop me a line terraxplor1@gmail.com