It is easy to see Nha Trang as nothing more than the sea, the beach and the promenade. But ride out of the city on a bike and Vietnam changes within a few dozen kilometres. Instead of hotels you get rice paddies, jungle, mountain rivers, clouds at road level and switchbacks worth an extra hundred kilometres simply because they are beautiful.

If you are wondering where to ride from Nha Trang, here are five passes to start with. There is an easy couple-of-hours loop and there are serious mountain roads that will take a full day.

1. Cù Hin — the sea on one side, mountains on the other

The simplest way to find out whether you enjoy exploring Vietnam on two wheels at all.

The Cù Hin pass sits right next to Nha Trang on Nguyễn Tất Thành road towards Cam Ranh. The winding section is short — around 8 km — but the view is close to perfect: a mountain slope, a wide road, and the sea appearing suddenly between the corners.

Instead of turning back at the top you can carry on to Bãi Dài beach, stop for a coffee or some seafood, and ride back into the city from there at your own pace.

Who it suits: almost anyone who is confident on a scooter.
Time needed: 2–4 hours without rushing.
The highlight: that picture-postcard Vietnam where the road runs beside a blue sea.

2. Khánh Sơn — switchbacks for those who want quiet

If Cù Hin is a pretty resort ride, Khánh Sơn already feels like a small expedition.

First you head south out of Nha Trang towards Cam Ranh, then turn inland from the coast into the mountains. The road begins to climb, settlements thin out, the air gets cooler and the corners get more interesting.

The Khánh Sơn pass leads into the highland part of the province, where the atmosphere is completely different: forest, small villages, plantations and noticeably fewer tourists. A good choice if what you want is the road itself rather than another sight to tick off.

The route is at its best in the morning. Mist may be sitting in the valleys, and a few corners later you are above it.

Who it suits: experienced riders.
Time needed: a full day out.
The highlight: the feeling that touristy Nha Trang has been left a very long way behind.

3. Khánh Lê, or the Omega Pass — the legend of the Nha Trang – Da Lat route

This is the pass worth renting a bike for on its own.

Khánh Lê lies on the QL27C highway between Nha Trang and Da Lat. The mountain section runs for roughly 30 km: long climbs, linked corners, waterfalls after rain, jungle, and clouds that sometimes sit directly on the road.

The best part is watching the climate change as you go. You start almost on the tropical coast and a few hours later you are among cool mountains and pine trees.

You can ride to the pass and turn back, but it is far more rewarding to turn the road into a Nha Trang – Da Lat bike trip with a night in the city.

The machine matters here. On long climbs, and especially on the descents, healthy brakes, good tyres and a decent reserve of power are worth a great deal.

Who it suits: confident riders.
Time needed: a big day out, or a trip to Da Lat with an overnight stay.
The highlight: one of those roads the photos on your phone will never quite capture.

4. Cổ Mã — a short pass overlooking Đại Lãnh

Now we head north.

On the road from Nha Trang towards Đại Lãnh you will find the small Cổ Mã pass. It cannot match Khánh Lê for scale, but it wins on location: the road curves around a green headland directly above the sea, with the long sandy beach of Đại Lãnh opening up ahead.

This route is less about demanding riding and more about the journey itself. Leave Nha Trang early, cruise along the coast, stop by the sea and carry on to the next entry on this list.

Just do not relax too much: this is an important transport road, so you will meet buses and lorries.

Who it suits: riders with moderate experience.
Time needed: part of a one-day route to the north.
The highlight: mountains running straight into the sea.

5. Đèo Cả — the road above Vũng Rô bay

If you have made it to Cổ Mã, it makes sense to keep going.

Beyond Đại Lãnh begins Đèo Cả, a more serious pass on the border between Khánh Hòa and Phú Yên provinces. Bikes take the old mountain road: the tunnel under the pass is not open to motorcycles.

The road climbs steadily through dense greenery and opens up views of the coast and Vũng Rô bay. This is where the real pleasure of good switchbacks kicks in: accelerate, brake, turn, a short straight — and another new view.

The Nha Trang – Cổ Mã – Đại Lãnh – Đèo Cả chain makes an excellent self-guided full-day ride.

Who it suits: confident riders.
Time needed: a full day on the bike with an early start.
The highlight: the real Vietnam of the open road, with no tour bus and no fixed timetable.

What to take into the mountains

Even if it is 30 °C and sunny in Nha Trang in the morning, the mountains can be a different story. Take a rain jacket, water, a charged phone or a power bank, and something long-sleeved for the higher sections.

Before a long ride, always check tyre pressure and condition, the brakes and how much fuel you have. After heavy rain, mountain roads can have loose rocks, mud and small landslides, so the weather forecast matters more here than a perfectly planned route.

One more piece of advice: do not turn a mountain pass into a race. The best part begins exactly when you stop hurrying — when you pull over at a nameless viewpoint, drink coffee at a tiny roadside café and notice the places a car would simply have driven past.

Which bike to choose for a ride out of Nha Trang

For Cù Hin and a relaxed coastal ride, a comfortable city scooter is enough. For Khánh Sơn, Khánh Lê or a long route over Đèo Cả, pick something with good brakes, confident pull on the climbs and a comfortable riding position.

At Chill Panda we can match a bike to your specific route — from a light scooter for trips around Nha Trang to a maxi-scooter or a motorcycle for a longer journey.

Because Nha Trang is lovely from the beach. But sometimes the best view of the sea is the one you get when the beach is far below you and the next corner is opening up ahead.