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Southbound Vietnam: Lanterns, Legends & Long Roads
From lantern-lit Hoi An to electric Ho Chi Minh – a coastal ride through Central & Southern Vietnam
Overview
The lowdown
A slow unravel from central to southern Vietnam – Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh with coastal pauses in Quy Nhon, Nha Trang, Phan Rang and Mui Ne. Roam ancient lantern-lit alleyways, war-scarred coastlines, artisan workshops and surf-laced beaches. This is for Vietnam first-timers that want to get under the country’s skin. You’ll travel in a small group of like-minded explorers, swapping stories, meals and moments that can’t be scripted. Expect scenic drives, sobering memorials, street food rituals and sunrise swims. This is travel that lingers.
Highlights
The best bits
Hoi An by Lantern Light
Explore Hoi An’s ancient town by foot, including a visit to a 14-generation family home and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge.
Itinerary
The day to day
Day 1
Hoi An’s Ancient Streets
Day 2
Journey to Quy Nhon
Day 3
Mountain Pass to Nha Trang
Day 4
The Path to Phan Rang
Day 5
Coastal Road to Mui Ne
Day 6
Stillness in Mui Ne
Day 7
Onwards to Ho Chi Minh City
Day 8
One Last Wander
Host
The experts
Authentic Adventures
Authentic Adventures is a group of local guides – AKA your gateway to the good stuff. They’ll unlock family kitchens, backstreet haunts and cultural connection with the ease of a friend and the heart of someone who truly belongs.
Accommodation
The quarters
A cheerful, well-placed stay just steps from Hoi An’s lantern-lit streets. After days of wandering temples and tailors, cool off in the pool or kick back in the leafy courtyard with a cold drink.
EMM Hoi An Hotel (or similar)
Lý Thường Kiệt, Hội An, V...
A breezy coastal base where floor-to-ceiling windows frame the South China Sea. After a long road day, expect soft beds and a 10/10 golden-hour view to unwind to.
Anya Hotel Quy Nhon (or similar)
Nguyễn Trung Tín, Quy Nhơ...
Wake up to the waves at this sleek beachfront stay. With easy ocean access and a short hop to local eats, it’s a sweet spot for a dip and a wander before the next stretch.
Vesna Hotel Nha Trang (or similar)
Trần Phú, Nha Trang, VN
Wooden bungalows tucked into quiet gardens – a peaceful pause between busier stops. It’s all about charm, calm and reconnecting with the slower rhythm of the coast.
TTC Resort Ninh Thuan (or similar)
Yên Ninh, Thành phố Phan...
This is your beachfront breather. A spacious resort with palms, a pool, and the sea just steps away. Ideal for slow mornings, sunset strolls and maybe that massage you’ve been thinking about.
Phu Hai Beach Resort & Spa (or similar)
Nguyễn Đình Chiểu, Thành...
A bright, playful spot in central Saigon with retro-modern flair and all the comforts you want after a long-haul flight or Mekong adventure. Think rooftop drinks, colourful rooms and a quiet escape just minutes from the action.
EMM Saigon Hotel (or similar)
Pasteur, Xuân Hòa, VN
Activities
The fun stuff
As lanterns glow to life, wander Hoi An’s ancient streets with your guide. You’ll step inside a 14-generation family home, cross the Japanese Covered Bridge and learn how this riverside town weaves together heritage, trade and craft – one alley, temple and tiled roof at a time.
Hoi An Walking Tour
Hoi An, VN
On the way to Quy Nhon, stop at the Son My Memorial – a powerful site that marks the My Lai Massacre. Walk through preserved grounds and museum exhibits that honour the lives lost and highlight the war’s human cost. A confronting, important window into Vietnam’s recent past.
Son My Memorial Visit
Quảng Ngãi, VN
Trace the legacy of the Cham Empire across two days. First, visit Banh It Towers – quiet, mossy and full of myth. Later, step into a Cham pottery village where age-old techniques live on. These are timeworn spaces where stone, clay and memory meet.
Cham Monument Stops
Quy Nhon, VN
Drive through the stunning Co Ma and Ca Passes as you head south. Rolling hills, sea views and roadside villages unfold at every turn. With photo stops and cultural encounters along the way, this isn’t just a transfer – it’s a moving window into Vietnam’s coastal soul.
Mountain Pass Drive
Nha Trang, VN
Step inside workshops that keep Vietnam’s craft heritage alive. Watch bamboo boats built by hand, brocade woven thread by thread and clay spun into tradition. These aren’t staged demos – they’re lived-in spaces where artistry is passed down, not printed out.
Artisan Visits
Phan Thiet, VN
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Ride a cable car over jungle and rice paddies to reach Ta Cu Mountain. At the top, stroll past shrines and views to see Vietnam’s longest reclining Buddha. It’s a calm, scenic pause before the final leg into the buzz of Ho Chi Minh City.
Ta Cu Cable Car & Buddha
Hàm Thuận Nam District, V...
Visit the iconic Reunification Palace – once the home and command centre of South Vietnam’s president. With its 60s design, war bunkers, and role in ending the Vietnam War, it’s both a striking architectural site and a symbol of the country’s reunified path forward.
Reunification Palace
District 1, VN
Fine Print
The small stuff
Cancel 65+ days out for a 70% refund. Within 64 days, we’ve locked in logistics, so no refund can be offered. Thanks for understanding – it keeps things running smooth for everyone.