Central Vietnam, a narrow strip of land brimming with wonders, has always been a dream destination for travel enthusiasts. Beyond its renowned long coastline with white sand and crystal-clear waters, Central Vietnam captivates visitors with unique cultural heritage, majestic mountains, and a rich, flavorful culinary scene. If you’re a young soul who loves freedom, spontaneity, and exploring new horizons, backpacking through Central Vietnam is the perfect choice. Join me on an unforgettable journey along stunning coastal roads and discover the hidden gems of this sunny and breezy region.
Phu Yen – The Land of “Yellow Flowers on Green Grass”
Phu Yen, the first stop on my Central Vietnam backpacking trip, welcomed me with its pristine, rustic, and strangely captivating beauty. In Phu Yen, you can’t miss Ganh Da Dia (The Cliff of Stone Plates), a natural masterpiece with basalt columns stacked upon each other in a unique way, creating a majestic and impressive landscape. Early morning at Ganh Da Dia is the ideal time to admire this magnificent beauty and capture stunning sunrise moments.
After fully exploring Ganh Da Dia, take time to wander around Tuy Hoa city, savor local specialties like “bánh canh chả cá” (fish cake noodle soup), “bún cá” (fish vermicelli), Phu Yen chicken rice, and feel the slow, peaceful rhythm of this coastal city. In the evening, you can immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere at Tuy Hoa beach, enjoy fresh seafood, and chat with friends.
Basalt columns at Ganh Da Dia in Phu Yen, Vietnam
Ganh Da Dia rock formations in Phu Yen, Vietnam
Ninh Hoa – Khanh Hoa: Land of Salt and Sea
Leaving Phu Yen, my backpacking journey through Central Vietnam continued to Ninh Hoa, a small town in Khanh Hoa province, famous for Hon Khoi salt village and Doc Let beach. Hon Khoi appears like a unique painting with vast white salt fields, conical salt mounds, and diligent salt farmers working under the scorching sun. Visiting Hon Khoi during the salt harvesting season, you’ll witness the scene of people harvesting salt, creating a simple yet heart-stirringly beautiful labor landscape.
Doc Let beach offers a completely different beauty. With its long stretch of smooth white sand, clear blue water, and rows of green coconut trees, Doc Let is an ideal destination for relaxing, swimming, and enjoying the fresh sea breeze. Here, you can also participate in water sports activities like surfing, kayaking, or enjoy fresh seafood at beachfront restaurants.
Salt farmers working in the Hon Khoi salt fields in Ninh Hoa, Vietnam
Doc Let beach with white sand and blue water in Ninh Hoa, Vietnam
Nha Trang – Vinh Hy: Island Paradise
Nha Trang, a vibrant and alluring coastal city, was the next stop on my Central Vietnam backpacking journey. Nha Trang is not only famous for its picturesque beaches and pristine islands but also attracts visitors with its diverse range of entertainment activities and cuisine. In Nha Trang, you can freely swim at Tran Phu beach, explore the beauty of Hon Mun, Hon Tam, VinWonders Nha Trang, and enjoy fresh seafood, especially the renowned Ninh Hoa grilled fermented pork roll (“nem nướng Ninh Hòa”).
From Nha Trang, I continued my journey to Vinh Hy, a stunning bay nestled amidst majestic mountains. Vinh Hy possesses a pristine, peaceful beauty with crystal-clear water, vibrant coral reefs, and smooth white sandy beaches. In Vinh Hy, you can engage in activities such as scuba diving to admire coral reefs, glass-bottom boat trips, and exploring Hang Rai (Otter Cave), a unique spot with ancient coral rocks eroded by the sea, creating a strange and impressive landscape.
Rock formations at Hang Rai (Otter Cave) in Vinh Hy, Vietnam
Da Lat – City of Thousand Flowers
Leaving behind the blue sea and white sand, my Central Vietnam backpacking journey took me to Da Lat, the dreamy city of a thousand flowers. Da Lat offers a completely different atmosphere compared to the sunny and windy coastal regions of Central Vietnam. With a year-round cool climate, green pine hills, vibrant flower gardens, and classic French architectural works, Da Lat is always an ideal destination for those seeking peace and romance.
In Da Lat, you can visit the Valley of Love, Xuan Huong Lake, Truc Lam Zen Monastery, Da Lat Railway Station, Da Lat Pedagogical College, and enjoy specialties like “bánh căn” (mini savory pancakes), “bánh ướt lòng gà” (steamed rice rolls with chicken giblets), “lẩu bò ba toa” (beef hotpot), and more. In the evening, stroll around Da Lat night market, enjoy the cool air, and shop for unique souvenirs.
Scenic road leading to Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam
Valley of Love scenic park in Da Lat, Vietnam
Co Thach – Phan Thiet: Wild Beauty of Binh Thuan
Continuing my Central Vietnam backpacking journey, I arrived at Co Thach, a unique tourist destination in Binh Thuan province. Co Thach is famous for its bizarre seven-colored pebble beach, formed from countless pebbles of various colors and shapes. Sunrise on Co Thach pebble beach is a beautiful moment you shouldn’t miss. Besides the seven-colored pebble beach, Co Thach also has Co Thach Pagoda, an ancient pagoda nestled in natural caves, offering a tranquil and sacred space.
From Co Thach, I moved to Phan Thiet, a coastal city famous for Mui Ne and Bau Trang (White Sand Dunes). Mui Ne attracts visitors with its long stretches of red sand dunes, beautiful beaches, and coastal fishing villages. Bau Trang offers a pristine, majestic beauty with vast white sand dunes, clear blue lakes, and rows of green casuarina trees. At Bau Trang, you can rent ATVs to conquer the sand dunes and experience thrilling excitement.
Red sand dunes in Mui Ne, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Mui Ne beach and coastline in Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City – The Final Stop
The final stop on my Central Vietnam backpacking journey was Ho Chi Minh City, a dynamic and modern metropolis. Ho Chi Minh City is not only the largest economic and cultural center of Vietnam but also an attractive tourist destination with many unique architectural works, bustling markets, and diverse cuisine. In Ho Chi Minh City, you can visit Notre Dame Cathedral, Independence Palace, Central Post Office, Ben Thanh Market, Cu Chi Tunnels, and enjoy famous street foods like “bánh mì” (Vietnamese sandwich), “phở” (noodle soup), “hủ tiếu” (rice noodle soup), and more.
Skyline of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Summary of Central Vietnam Backpacking Trip
My 14-day backpacking trip through Central Vietnam brought me incredibly memorable experiences. From the pristine beauty of Phu Yen, the simplicity of Ninh Hoa, the allure of Nha Trang, the dreaminess of Da Lat, the wildness of Binh Thuan, to the vibrancy of Ho Chi Minh City, each destination offered a unique color, creating a diverse and colorful picture of Central Vietnam.
If you are also harboring a Central Vietnam backpacking trip, plan it today and discover the endless beauty of this sunny and breezy region. Surely, this journey will bring you unforgettable memories and wonderful experiences.