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What To Expect From A Vietnam Central Highlands 7-day Tour

Hi everyone!

In December 2024, I had an amazing 7-day trip to Vietnam Central Highlands — one of the best Vietnam off the beaten path destinations. I started from Ho Chi Minh City and visited Dalat, Buon Ma Thuot, Kon Tum, and ended in Hoi An. In this blog, I’ll share my full travel itinerary 7 days in the Central Highlands of Vietnam: how I got there, what I packed, and some useful tips. I’ll also tell you reasons why December is a great time to visit — cool weather, beautiful nature, local culture, and special seasonal activities. If you don’t want to plan everything yourself, you can book with a travel agency in Vietnam like Autour Asia to make it easier. Let’s discover this hidden gem together!

I. Why you should Visit Vietnam Central Highlands in December ?

December was the perfect time for my Vietnam Central Highlands 7-day tour. The weather was cool, fresh, and sunny most days. It’s the dry season from November to April, so I didn’t have to worry about rain. The temperature stayed around 20°C, which was really nice for walking around. I loved seeing the bright yellow wild sunflowers along the hills in Dalat, Buon Ma Thuot, and Kon Tum. The waterfalls like Elephant Waterfall and Dray Nur were super powerful after the rainy season — so beautiful!

I also got to drink fresh coffee in Buon Ma Thuot, visit peaceful villages around Lak Lake, and explore cool places like Kon Klor Bridge in Kon Tum. December felt calm, not too busy, and full of nature and culture. I really enjoyed every day!

II. My full Vietnam Central Highlands 7-day tour

Day 1: Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City

My itinerary 7 days to Vietnam Central Highlands started in Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon. After landing at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, I went straight to my hotel in District 1. The location was super convenient, right in the heart of the city. After a quick rest, I couldn’t wait to get outside and feel the energy of Saigon.

I’ve always heard people say Saigon has one of the best nightlife scenes in Southeast Asia, maybe just after Bangkok — and I totally agree! The streets were full of life, with motorbikes everywhere, delicious street food smells, and people chatting all around. I grabbed some tasty local snacks and ended my first night at a rooftop bar, looking over the sparkling city lights. It was the perfect way to kick off my trip.

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City Tour

The second day of my Vietnam Central Highlands 7-day tour was all about getting to know Saigon a bit better. After breakfast, I joined a city tour and the first stop was the Cu Chi Tunnels. Walking inside the small, dark tunnels felt strange — it was hot, a little cramped, but really interesting. I could picture how people had to live and hide down there, and it made me respect their strength even more.

Then I visited the Reunification Palace. The big old rooms looked quiet but somehow heavy, like they were keeping old stories. In the afternoon, I walked around Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. Saigon felt loud and busy, but the more I walked around, the more I noticed quiet corners and old buildings that made me want to slow down. It was a nice feeling.

Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City to Dalat

After breakfast, I left Ho Chi Minh City and took a sleeper bus to Dalat. This part of my trip to Vietnam Central Highlands took about 8 hours for 300 km. I picked a sleeper bus with soft beds, which cost around 400,000 VND (about €15). It was more comfortable than I expected. The road was a little bumpy sometimes, but I managed to sleep for a few hours.

Looking out of the window, I saw long lines of rubber trees, green cashew farms, and big hills full of coffee and tea plants. We had a quick stop for free tea and coffee, which was a nice surprise after hours on the road. I also got to visit Pongour Waterfall, one of the biggest waterfalls in southern Vietnam. The sound of the water was loud but calming, and I stayed there for a while to enjoy the cool air.

We reached Dalat around 5 PM. After checking in, I grabbed a quick bite at a street food stall. I tried bánh tráng nướng — crispy rice paper grilled with egg, sausage, and green onions. It was simple but tasty, perfect after a long trip. Sitting by the roadside, enjoying the cool weather, I felt ready to explore this peaceful highland city.

Day 4: Dalat City Tour

My Da Lat trip from Ho Chi Minh City felt completely different from the busy city life. The cool, fresh air was the first thing I noticed, and it made me feel calm right away. I recommend wearing a light sweater, and if you stay out until the evening, bring a coat because Da Lat gets quite cold at night.

I started my day with a Jeep ride to Langbiang Mountain, one of the famous places in Da Lat. The ride was bumpy but fun, and the view from the top was amazing — I could see the city, green forests, and peaceful lakes from above. Then I visited Datanla Waterfall, where I tried the alpine coaster. It was exciting but not scary, and zooming through the pine trees was one of my favorite moments.

After all that fun, I took it slow at the City Flower Garden. The colors of the flowers were beautiful, and it felt nice just walking around and breathing in the fresh air.

In the afternoon, I explored Crazy House — a strange but fun spot with weird, twisting buildings, like something out of a storybook. Then I relaxed at Tuyen Lam Lake and Truc Lam Zen Monastery, surrounded by nature and quiet spaces.

I ended the day at Linh Phuoc Pagoda, famous for its colorful mosaics and a giant dragon made of beer bottles. Before returning to my hotel, I stopped by the old Da Lat Railway Station, simple but charming, like a peaceful reminder of the city’s history.

Day 5: Dalat to Buon Ma Thuot

On the fifth day of my Vietnam Central Highlands 7-day tour, I left Dalat and headed deeper into the highlands towards Buon Ma Thuot. The drive was really nice, with lots of green forests, farms, and small hills along the way. I stopped at a weasel coffee farm and tried the famous coffee — it was stronger than I expected but quite good. I also visited a rice wine workshop and a cricket farm where I tasted fried crickets for the first time — honestly, they were crunchy and not bad at all!

Later, I stopped by a silk factory, then visited Elephant Waterfall, one of the biggest in the area. Nearby was Linh An Pagoda with a huge smiling Buddha, which felt peaceful and fun at the same time.

In the afternoon, I walked around Lak Lake and visited a M’nong village. I spent about two hours learning about their simple life and traditions, which felt very special. I ended the day in Buon Ma Thuot, feeling happy after so many new experiences.

Day 6: Buon Ma Thuoc to Kon Tum

After a good night’s sleep, I continued my 7 days in Vietnam Central Highland. In the morning, I stopped by the Museum of Ethnic Minority Cultures in Buon Ma Thuot. With over 1,000 artifacts, it gave me a better understanding of the E De, M’nong, and other highland communities. There were also displays about local wildlife and nature, which I found fascinating. Before leaving the city, I took a short walk through Buon Ma Thuot market. It was noisy, colorful, and full of life — the kind of place where you feel the true local vibe.

The drive to Kon Tum followed a part of the old Ho Chi Minh Trail. Along the way, I passed green pepper farms and long stretches of rubber trees. In Pleiku, I made a quick stop at Sea Lake, which used to be a volcanic crater. The peaceful water and the history behind it made the visit memorable.

By evening, I reached Kon Tum — a quiet town surrounded by mountains. I checked into my hotel, feeling a mix of tiredness and curiosity, ready to explore more the next day. The night air in the Central Highlands was much cooler than I expected, so I was glad I had my jacket with me. If you visit, don’t forget to bring a warm layer because it can get quite chilly after sunset.

Day 7: Kon Tum to Hoi An

On the final day of my Vietnam Central Highlands 7-day tour, I tried to enjoy every little moment. In the morning, I explored a few peaceful spots in Kon Tum. The Wooden Church was really special — a mix of Roman style and Ba Na traditional stilt houses. It felt quiet and beautiful. I also visited the Bishop’s House and a small orphanage, where I could feel the warm and simple life of the local people.

Before leaving, I went to Ba Na Village. I saw the tall Rong house and crossed a long iron suspension bridge, surrounded by nature. Kon Tum Prison was my last stop in town — a small place, but it made me think more about the history here.

Then I continued my trip to Hoi An. On the way, we passed by Dak To Battlefield and Charlie Hill, two quiet war sites. By afternoon, I reached Hoi An, feeling tired but happy after this amazing 7-day itinerary in Vietnam Central Highlands.

This Vietnam Central Highlands 7-day tour was one of the most memorable trips I’ve taken. I loved how each place felt so different — from the busy streets of Saigon to the peaceful mountains of Da Lat, the rich coffee lands in Buon Ma Thuot, and the quiet charm of Kon Tum. Every day was filled with nature, history, and local culture. I got to see waterfalls, beautiful lakes, small ethnic villages, and important war sites. Ending the trip in Hoi An, with its lovely old town, was the perfect way to finish the journey. I booked everything through Autour Asia - a local travel agency in Vietnam, which made the trip much easier and more comfortable. This trip gave me so many special memories.