Vietnam’s central highlands
The Central Highlands - forests, waterfalls, lakes, and ethnic villages Much of the Central Highlands is a series of flat plateau, mainly inhabited by various ethnic groups. Apart from Da Lat, the tourist guide books are somewhat dismissive of the area. Many remarkable sights and attractions are not even mentioned, probably because they are too far off the regular tourist routes. During the Vietnam war, considerable fighting took place around Buon Ma Thuot, Pleiku and Kontum. This is a blessing for Orienttrails because it provides an opportunity to visit one of Vietnam’s most fascinating areas without bumping into groups of tourists. The sweeping thatched roofs of the traditional ‘Rong’ communal houses of the Ba Na people, and the strange wooden statues around the tombs if the Jarai village cemeteries are fascinating, as is the huge Bien Ho (Sea Lake), the flooded crater of an ancient volcano where the water level hardly varies at all. There are no beggars or other nuisances: even the children don’t cluster around or pester strangers. Trekking and homestays are available.
Dalat - The site of Dalat was discovered in 1897 by Dr Alexandre Yerxin (1863-1943), a portege of Louis Pasteur, who was the first person to identify the plague bacillus. The city itself was established in 1912 and quickly became popular with Europeans as a cool retreat from the sweltering heat of the coastal plains and the Mekong delta. In the local Lat language, Dalat means "the River of the Lat tribe". Its elevation 1475 metres is situated in a temperate region dotted with lakes, waterfalls, evergreen forests and gardens. The cool climate and the park-like environment make this, in some respects, one of the most delightful cities in all of Vietnam. It was once called Le Petit Paris. Dalat is by far Vietnam's most popular honeymoon spot. It is also the favourite haunt of Vietnamese artists and vant-garde types who have made this their permanent home.

Southern coasts
This region offers some of the most pleasant coastline in Vietnam. The coast in lined with many beautiful beaches and bays where you can take the opportunity to enjoy the weather and water. NhaTrang is renowned for its boat trips and ice cream whilst DaiLanh offers a marvelous getaway from the madness and mayhem of much of mainland Vietnam. PhanRang to the south of Nha Trang marks the most direct route inland to DaLat. CaNa and PhanThiet may give you similar view of a little Hawaii.
Phan Thiet and Mui Ne Beach
To the northeast, 200km from Ho Chi Minh City, is the undistinguished town of Phan Thiet and 20km further, the excellent 21km sandy beach of Mui Ne. Phan Thiet has an average beach, a good hotel, and a golf course. Mui Ne Beach is backed with trees and hotels facing a road that runs the length of the beach, with restaurants on the inland side. The hotels range from small ‘backpacker’ places to superior resorts. The development has been well handled: all the hotels are low-rise, and many have wooden or bamboo bungalows on the edge of the beach. Most have good to excellent gardens and tree screening, which gives a sense of seclusion. The beach is safe, and the facilities are good. At the far end of the beach, Mui Ne fishing village and several hectares of massive rolling sand dunes make a pleasant diversion from relaxing on the beach, swimming and windsurfing.

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