THE SAPPHIRE SPINE: A New Year's Odyssey Along the Central Coast

The Central Coast of Vietnam is not just a destination; it is a geological drama. It is where the Truong Son mountains crash into the East Sea, creating a jagged, sapphire coastline of bays, capes, and cliffs. We are embarking on a 4-day kinetic injection into this blue world.

From the volcanic hexagons of Phu Yen to the wind-swept dunes of Quy Nhon and the party pulse of Nha Trang, this itinerary is a study in coastal contrasts. We will walk on coral reefs exposed by the tide, stand on cliffs that look like giant honeycombs, and drive roads that hang between the sky and the ocean.

The Stone, The Wind, and The Sand

DAY 1: The Tower and The Tuna | Saigon – Tuy Hoa

Points of Interest: Ninh Chu Beach, Nghinh Phong Tower.

The Experience: We depart Saigon before dawn, racing the sun north. We stop at Ninh Chu, where the wind whips the sand into a frenzy. We arrive in Tuy Hoa, a city waking up to its potential. The Icon: We visit Nghinh Phong Tower. It looks like a scene from a sci-fi movie—giant stone blocks sliced down the middle, representing the legend of the Dragon and the Fairy. At night, the 3D mapping light show turns the stone into a canvas of color. The Flavor: Tuy Hoa is the capital of ocean tuna. We hunt for "Ocean Tuna Eyes" (Mat Ca Ngu), a local delicacy stewed in herbs. It’s rich, fatty, and unforgettable.

Suggestions:

The Shopping: Buy "One-Sun Beef" (Bo Mot Nang) and yellow ant salt (Muoi Kien Vang). It sounds strange, but the ant salt adds a sour, umami kick to the dried beef that is addictive.

DAY 2: The Coral and The Honeycomb | Hon Yen – Ganh Da Dia – Quy Nhon

Points of Interest: Hon Yen, Canary Garden, Mang Lang Church, Ganh Da Dia (Stone Disc Reef).

The Experience: We head to Hon Yen. If the tide is low, the magic happens: the coral reef is exposed to the air. It is a kaleidoscope of color—starfish, sea urchins, and soft corals right at your feet. We take a basket boat to get closer. The Geology: We visit Ganh Da Dia. This is a geological freak of nature—thousands of basalt columns stacked like dinner plates. It looks man-made, but it is purely volcanic. The History: We stop at Mang Lang Church, a gothic structure that holds the first book printed in the modern Vietnamese script. The Drive: We push north to Quy Nhon, driving the coastal road that hugs the cliffs.

Suggestions:

The Tide: Check the lunar calendar. The coral at Hon Yen is best seen during the low tides of the first and middle days of the lunar month.

DAY 3: The Windy Waist | Ky Co – Eo Gio – Nha Trang

Points of Interest: Thi Nai Bridge, Ky Co Beach, Eo Gio (Windy Strait).

The Experience: We cross Thi Nai Bridge, the longest sea-crossing bridge in Vietnam. We take a boat to Ky Co Beach. The water here is Maldives-blue. It is calm, clear, and surrounded by jagged mountains. We swim in natural rock pools carved by the waves. The View: We walk the path at Eo Gio. The wind howls through this strait, crashing waves against the cliffs. It is wild, raw, and beautiful. The Return: We drive south to Nha Trang, the energy shifting from rustic to cosmopolitan.

Suggestions:

The Sun: Ky Co has zero shade. Bring a hat and high-SPF sunscreen. The sun reflects off the white sand and will burn you in minutes.

DAY 4: The White Buddha | Nha Trang – Saigon

Points of Interest: Long Son Pagoda, Nha Trang Stone Cathedral.

The Experience: A morning of peace. We climb the steps to Long Son Pagoda to see the giant White Buddha sitting on the lotus throne. From here, you can see the entire city of Nha Trang laid out below. We visit the Stone Cathedral, a French gothic relic that feels like a castle. The End: We drive back to Saigon, the salt air fading into the familiar humidity of the city.

The Basalt Symphony

It happens on Day 2 at Ganh Da Dia. You step onto the black stones. They are hexagonal, fitting together perfectly like a giant puzzle. The waves crash against the columns, sending white spray into the air. The contrast between the jet-black rock and the deep blue sea is stark and violent. Standing there, you realize you are standing on a lava flow that froze in time millions of years ago. It is nature as an architect.

The First Book

At Mang Lang Church, I looked at the glass case holding the Cathechismus in Octo Dies (Catechism in Eight Days). Printed in 1651 in Rome, it contains the first printed words of the modern Vietnamese script (Quoc Ngu). It’s a small, unassuming book, but it represents the moment the Vietnamese language shifted from Chinese characters to the Latin alphabet. Standing in that quiet, dusty room in a remote village in Phu Yen, I felt the weight of a cultural revolution that started with a single book.

The Blue Road is Open

The New Year is the start of the dry season in the Central Coast. The sky is blue, the water is calm. You need to see the stone plates and taste the tuna eye. Pack your swimsuit. The bus leaves at 05:00 AM.

Notes (Additional Information)

Children’s tour prices:

Children under 5 years old: Free of charge. Parents or accompanying adults are responsible for the child’s meals, accommodation, and entrance fees (if any). Each pair of adults may accompany one child under 5 for free; the second child and beyond must purchase 50% of the tour price.

Children from 5 to under 10 years old: 75% of the tour price. Includes meals, a seat on the bus, and shared accommodation with family. Each pair of adults may accompany one child aged 5 to under 12; for the second child, parents are advised to purchase an extra single bed.

Children 10 years old and above: 100% of the tour price and full adult services.

Payment and Cancellation Policy

After confirmation, guests must pay at least 50% deposit to secure the booking, and the full 100% tour cost must be paid no later than 10 days before departure.

If guests do not complete payment by the required full-payment deadline, they will be considered to have voluntarily canceled the tour and will forfeit all deposit(s).

Airplane / train / high-speed boat tickets are issued immediately after registration, payment, and submission of personal details (full name, date of birth, etc.). These tickets are non-changeable and non-refundable: no name changes, no refunds, no date changes, and no itinerary changes.

Cancellation penalties after registration:

After deposit or payment, or more than 15 days before departure: 30% of tour price

10 days before departure: 50% of tour price

7 days before departure: 70% of tour price

5 days before departure: 100% of tour price

All cancellations must be made directly with the Company or via fax, email, or text message and must be confirmed by the Company. Cancellations by phone are not accepted.

As this is a shared group tour, the company is responsible for gathering enough participants (minimum 20 adults). If fewer than 20 adults register, the company will notify guests at least 3 days before departure to arrange a new departure date or provide a full refund of the deposit.

Deposit dates, payment dates, cancellation dates, and tour change dates do not include Saturday and Sunday.

In force majeure cases (terrorism, riots, natural disasters, floods, etc.), depending on actual circumstances and guest safety, the company may cancel or adjust the itinerary to an alternative program of equivalent value. If the new program incurs additional costs, guests must pay the difference. Both sides must make every effort to minimize losses due to force majeure.

For changes in flight schedules or transportation delays caused by airlines, railways, or ferry operators, the company is not responsible for any additional expenses such as meals, accommodation, transport, or tour guide services.

Important Information for Tour Participants

On the departure date, guests must gather at .......... at ..........

The company is not responsible for late arrivals.

Some activity sequences and details (flight time, train time, boat schedule, etc.) may be adjusted depending on actual travel conditions (weather, traffic, etc.).

Hotel/resort check-in and check-out times: after 2:00 PM for check-in and before 12:00 PM for check-out.

The tour guide will inform guests of specific meeting times and locations on the afternoon before departure.

Please sit in the seat assigned at the time of tour registration.

Please bring light and compact luggage.

Personal documents, money, and valuables must be self-kept. The company will help search for lost items but is not responsible for compensation.

Guests are advised to bring a compact umbrella for sun and rain, and wear sports shoes or sandals with back straps for easier movement.

Please follow the tour guide’s timetable to avoid delays affecting the whole group.

For health and food safety reasons, please do not bring outside food into restaurants or hotels. Bringing beverages may require hotel/restaurant approval and may incur an additional fee.

Before leaving your seat or location (bus, restaurant, sightseeing spot, shop, hotel room, etc.), please check your belongings carefully—wallet, purse, bag, camera, camcorder, phone—to avoid loss or inconvenience during the trip.

Be cautious while walking at sightseeing areas; do not stand or climb in unsafe places. Be careful when moving on boats or ferries. When crossing the street, follow traffic laws. Families with children must supervise them closely at all times.