Vietnam Central Highlands Loop

Forget the coastal tourist trail. The Central Highlands is where Vietnam gets real. Starting from Da Lat, you'll wind through coffee and tea plantations, past ethnic minority villages, and into landscapes that feel like another planet.\n\nThe road to Kon Tum is my favorite section - 200km of perfect asphalt cutting through forests of rubber trees and bamboo. Stop at the roadside stalls for ca phe sua da (Vietnamese iced coffee) made from beans grown 50 meters away.\n\nRenting a Honda Win is a rite of passage, but consider upgrading to an XR150 if you want reliability on the rougher sections. The guesthouses along this route are basic but welcoming - expect to be invited for family dinners and impromptu rice wine sessions.