Vietnam Adventure 2026
Thirteen days, all by road. Ho Chi Minh, down to the sea at Vung Tau, along the coast to the dunes of Mui Ne, kite heaven in Phan Rang, up into the Dalat highlands, then north to Hoi An and Da Nang — and the long road back to Ho Chi Minh. Scroll to follow the route.
Ho Chi Minh
Two days to land in the chaos: a million scooters, Ben Thanh market, the War Remnants Museum, bánh mì on the street, a rooftop bar over the river and Bui Vien after dark.
Vung Tau — first sea
Two hours down to the coast — the closest sea to Ho Chi Minh. Back Beach, the giant Christ statue on the cape with the view over the sea, the lighthouse and fresh seafood at the night stalls.
Mui Ne — dunes & sea
Along the coast road to the fishing village by the sea. Sunset on the Red Dunes, a 4:30 jeep to the White Dunes for sunrise, the Fairy Stream barefoot and seafood grilled on the beach.
Phan Rang — kite heaven
Further up the coast to the driest, windiest corner of Vietnam. My Hoa lagoon: flat water inside the reef, waves outside, and the northeast monsoon blowing hard. Kiting every day, with Ninh Chu bay as plan B.
Dalat — the highlands
From the beach straight up the mountain road into the pine hills at 1,500 m — nights around 12 °C, so bring a jacket. Canyoning down waterfalls, the Crazy House, coffee farms, the night market and Xuan Huong lake in the morning fog.
Hoi An — Christmas in the lanterns
Night sleeper bus from Dalat down to the coast and north, waking up in the old trading town. Christmas Eve under the lanterns on the Thu Bon river, the Japanese bridge, cao lầu noodles and bikes through the rice fields to An Bang beach.
Da Nang
Christmas Day in the beach city: the Marble Mountains, a swim at My Khe, the Lady Buddha on Son Tra and the Dragon Bridge breathing fire. In the evening, onto the night sleeper south.
The road back to Ho Chi Minh
The whole coast in one go — sleeper bus or the Reunification Express down Highway 1, past Quy Nhon and Nha Trang, rolling into Ho Chi Minh on the 26th. The loop is closed where it started.
🏁 Ho Chi Minh → Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh
13 days in Vietnam, Dec 14 – 26, 2026, all by road. Ho Chi Minh 2 · Vung Tau 1 · Mui Ne 1 · Phan Rang kiting 3 · Dalat 2 · Hoi An 2 · Da Nang 1 · road back to Ho Chi Minh.