Vietnam Adventure 2026
Thirteen days, a loop from Ho Chi Minh and back, no drive longer than four hours. The sea at Vung Tau, then the wind: Mui Ne and kite heaven in Phan Rang, a break in the Dalat highlands, one more session in Mui Ne and home. 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 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 & kiting
Coast road east to the kite capital of Vietnam — December is peak season, 20–25 knots most afternoons. Kiting every day, a sunrise jeep to the White Dunes, sunset on the Red Dunes and the Fairy Stream.
Phan Rang — kite heaven
Three hours 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, Ninh Chu bay as plan B.
Dalat — the highlands
A rest for the arms: up the mountain road into the pine hills at 1,500 m — nights around 12 °C, bring a jacket. Canyoning down waterfalls, the Crazy House, coffee farms and Christmas Eve at the night market.
Mui Ne — one more session
Back down from the hills to the beach for a Christmas Day kite session in the afternoon wind, and a seafood dinner on the sand.
Back to Ho Chi Minh
Three and a half hours on the expressway and the loop is closed where it started. One last phở, one last cà phê sữa đá.
🏁 Ho Chi Minh → Ho Chi Minh
13 days in Vietnam, Dec 14 – 26, 2026, all by road, max ~4 h per drive. Ho Chi Minh 2 · Vung Tau 1 · Mui Ne 3 · Phan Rang 3 · Dalat 2 · Mui Ne 1 — about 7 days of kiting.