Da Nang, Hoi An, and Hue are all attractive tourist destinations in Central Vietnam that have everything from beautiful beaches and majestic scenery of the mountains to the ancient architecture and unique cultural traditions. To plan your trip easier, discover our Central Vietnam itinerary for 7 days in Da Nang, Hoi An, and Hue.
Central Vietnam Itinerary Highlights
Da Nang: Da Nang is the third largest city in Vietnam and the main entry point of the central region. Da Nang is a unique destination that combines various attractions, such as exclusive bridges, the Ba Na Hills, and the beautiful beaches of the city.
Hue: Hue, located on the bank of the Perfume River, had been recognized as one of the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Hue, the capital city of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty, is famous for its natural landscape and historical attractions.
Hoi An: Hoi An was once (from the 17th to 19th century) a bustling port city and had become one of the most popular attractions in Vietnam. Hoi An has a distinctly Chinese atmosphere with colonial houses, narrow streets, and colorful lanterns.
Central Vietnam Itinerary for 7 Days
Traveling in Central Vietnam was the next part of our Vietnam trip itinerary, which was started by spending 10 days in Northern Vietnam. During the first part of our trip, we’ve visited several popular destinations in Northern Vietnam, such as Hanoi, Cat Ba, Halong Bay, and Sapa.
This is an exact trip itinerary of our 7 days in Central Vietnam that might help you to plan your trip and choose the best places to visit in this region.
Day 1: Hello Da Nang - Start of Central Vietnam itinerary
Da Nang is the main travel hub of the region, so it's the best starting point for any Central Vietnam itinerary if you've decided to arrive by air.
Afternoon
We took a Vietjet flight from Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi to Da Nang and landed at Da Nang International Airport (DAD) at about 14:00.
Da Nang Airport is a new and modern airport, situated just about 5 km from My Khe Beach. We've decided to take a private transfer from Da Nang Airport to our hotel, as our taxi experience in Vietnam wasn’t the smoothest because of taxi drivers doing their best to scam us before. Our private transfer in Da Nang was hassle-free, and in reality, it was as affordable as taking a taxi. However, you can try taking a taxi from Da Nang Airport to your hotel.
If you are coming from abroad, don't forget to pre-book a Vietnam SIM card that you can pick up upon your arrival in Da Nang Airport to stay connected with your friends and family. Getting a local SIM card this way is much cheaper!
After transferring to our hotel for check-in, we’ve spent the rest of the day relaxing on My Khe Beach.
Evening
In the evening, we've started exploring Da Nang City, which was decorated in colorful lights of the city’s famous and unique bridges and buildings by the Han River.
If you are lucky enough to be at the iconic Dragon Bridge on Saturday and Sunday night, you will see a giant steel dragon spitting fire and water from its mouth.
If you are interested, you can join the My Xuan Cruise to soak up the nightlife of Da Nang City in a 45-minute journey along the Han River. You will see Da Nang from another side, admiring these sparkling bridges and enjoying performance on board.
Overnight
If you want to combine sightseeing with beach time, staying at one of My Khe Beach hotels is usually the best choice.
One of the best-rated affordable hotels in the area is Essenza Hotel Da Nang, so we've decided to stay there.
For more comfort and a better location, it's worth considering staying at one of the nearby beachfront hotels, such as TMS Hotel Da Nang Beach or HAIAN Beach Hotel & Spa.
A cheaper option in an equally great location is the Balcona Hotel Da Nang, boasting a super nice rooftop pool with fantastic views.
Day 2: Exploring Ba Na Hills in Da Nang
Ba Na Hills is the most popular tourist attraction in Da Nang. Therefore, including it in one of the 7 days of the Central Vietnam itinerary is simply a must.
Morning
After the breakfast served at our hotel, we’ve prepared to enjoy a full day of mixed experiences at Ba Na Hills. Ba Na Hills is located 30 km from the center of Da Nang, and there are many ways to get there from Da Nang.
We took a shuttle bus to Ba Na Hills from our hotel, and it took more than an hour to get there. We booked online the shuttle bus and Ba Na Hills tickets, and it was our very best decision during this part of the trip to Vietnam because we didn't need to waste time lining up to buy tickets at the foot of the hill for getting a ride up the hill on the cable car.
We arrived at the cable car station about 10:00 but would suggest coming earlier to avoid the crowds, as the situation at the time of our visit was quite tense there.
The Ba Na Hills complex, at an altitude of 1,500 meters above sea level, is best known for the amazing Golden Bridge, but there are plenty of other amazing things to experience.
We started our visit from Linh Ung Pagoda with its 27-meter tall Buddha statue, French wine cellar, and lovely flower garden.
Afternoon
After buffet lunch, we continued exploring the spectacular French Village and joined games in Fantasy Park, one of the most modern indoor game centers in Vietnam with a series of interesting games such as 4–5D Film, Skiver, the Death Race, and Dinosaur Park.
We returned to the cable car station and went back to Da Nang at about 15:00.
If you want to immerse yourself in the atmosphere, you can spend the night on Ba Na Hills at Mercure Ba Na Hills French Village for the full package of experiences at Ba Na Hills.
While you can visit this popular tourist attraction independently by getting your Ba Na Hills tickets and private or shared transfer, the most convenient way for visiting Ba Na Hills is by joining a Golden Bridge Ba Na Hills Tour.
Evening
We've visited the Han Market, which is considered a shopping paradise in Da Nang. This market is the place where you can buy any souvenir at a reasonable price. After doing some shopping at the market, we came back to our hotel.
Overnight
As we were only spending 2 nights in Da Nang and our pre-booked hotel was decent enough, we've spent our second night at the Essenza Hotel Da Nang in the My Khe Beach area.
Day 3: Traveling from Da Nang to Hue
If you want to make your Central Vietnam itinerary shorter or spend more time elsewhere, it is actually possible to visit Hue on a day trip from Da Nang. However, we wanted to better know the city, so we decided to spend 2 nights in Hue City.
Morning
We woke up early in the morning to take a walk along My Khe Beach and enjoy fresh air.
Just before lunch, we said goodbye to the beautiful city of Da Nang and continued our trip northward to Hue, which is the former capital of Vietnam.
We took a train from Da Nang Railway Station and traveled by the coast and through Hai Van Pass to arrive at Hue Railway Station. The journey took us only 2 hours 30 minutes with an experience that is briefly described here: Da Nang to Hue by Train.
The current train schedule can be found, and train tickets can be booked online here: Da Nang - Hue Train Tickets.
Besides the train, there are several other options for getting to Hue from Da Nang, and you can easily choose the most suitable way for yourself with our guide to traveling from Da Nang to Hue.
Afternoon
We arrived in Hue after 15:00. Hue was the feudal capital of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945. This compact and quiet city is widely known for magnificent architecture, pagodas, and royal tombs laid in small villages and surrounding hills.
After checking in at the hotel, we just spent the rest of the day walking along the Perfume River.
Evening
When the sun went down, Hue City was still lively, and we went out to enjoy Hue street food at the local restaurant.
Hue is known not only as an ancient capital but also as the city with unique and diverse cuisine consisting of many delicious specialties. We ended the night with happiness by continuing to fill our stomachs with Vietnamese BBQ along with local beer.
If you have no idea about delicious local dishes that must be tasted while visiting Hue, check out our list of Hue Food Specialties.
You can also experience the authentic taste of the city by joining one of the Hue Street Food Walking Tours.
Overnight
The most popular area for tourists to stay in Hue is the city center, on the southern bank of the Perfume River between Nguyen Cong Tru and Huong Vuong streets. There are plenty of hotels, hostels, and homestays available. We've decided to stay in this area and were choosing between two very well-rated hotels: Jade Scene Hotel and Hue Serene Palace Hotel. The later was having a better offer for our dates, so we ended there.
In case you are traveling on a tight budget, you can check an affordable but still well-located Kha Hostel.
Day 4: Exploring main Hue attractions
The ancient city of Hue was home to the emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty in the 19th century. Hue is famous for its spectacular royal tombs of the emperors and for the Citadel, which is the Royal Palace of the Imperial City. Visiting them should be a part of every Central Vietnam itinerary, and we dedicated one day to getting familiar with the remains of the imperial capital city.
Morning
We started our day and planned to find a place to exchange money, so we headed to the area around Dong Ba Market. This market is the most famous market in Hue, where you can see locals shopping for food. This is the place, where you can enjoy Hue specialties as well as explore the simple local life. The best money changer in Hue is also located nearby.
After that, we visited the most famous landmarks in Hue, starting with 2 royal tombs: Minh Mang Tomb and Khai Dinh Tomb.
Minh Mang Tomb is considered to be the most majestic of all royal tombs in Hue. Minh Mang Tomb is an architectural complex consisting of 40 constructions, including temples, pavilions, and palaces.
Khai Dinh Tomb is the final resting place of Khai Dinh, Emperor of Vietnam, who was ruling the country from 1916 to 1925. The tomb is beautifully constructed, and it was built over 11 years on a steep hill outside of the city. Khai Dinh Tomb is a blend of Western and traditional Vietnamese style architecture.
Tomb of Tu Duc is another important royal tomb that was built for Emperor Tu Duc, who was the longest-reigning monarch of the Nguyen Dynasty.
All 3 best royal tombs can be visited on this Royal Tombs Tour, which is an easier and more informative way for visiting the main tombs in limited time.
Afternoon
After lunch, we continued our trip around the city and visited the Imperial City (the Citadel), which was the place where the Nguyen Dynasty’s emperors and royal family worked and lived for almost 145 years (1802 to 1945).
Not far from the Imperial City, Thien Mu Pagoda, which now became the symbol of Hue, can be found. This pagoda is 21 meters high and was built under the reign of Emperor Thieu Tri in 1844 on a hill overlooking the Perfume River. Thien Mu Pagoda is one of the oldest and prettiest religious buildings in Hue and all of Vietnam.
From Thien Mu Pagoda, you can go on a dragon boat ride along the river to enjoy the nice scenery on the way back to Hue City. However, don't forget to negotiate the price, as a one-way boat ride should cost around 200,000 VND per boat.
The above-listed main tourist attractions of the imperial city can be visited independently, but it's easier and more convenient to take a private city tour or join one of Hue City group tours.
Evening
After having a dinner at the local restaurant, we started exploring nightlife in Hue and went strolling around Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street or Hue Walking Street, which is located right next to the Perfume River. This is the place where we went for shopping and eating local snacks.
Overnight
As we were only spending 2 nights in Hue and our pre-booked hotel was really great, we've spent our second night at Hue Serene Palace Hotel.
Day 5: Traveling from Hue to Hoi An
The ancient town of Hoi An is the most popular tourist destination in the region. Not surprisingly, it is also part of our 7-day Central Vietnam itinerary. Just like Hue, Hoi An can also be visited on a day trip from Da Nang, but we would recommend spending at least one night there, as the town is even more special after sunset.
Morning
After an early breakfast at the hotel, we headed out from Hue to Hoi An by sightseeing bus.
On the way from Hue to Hoi An, the bus made short stops so we could visit several beautiful attractions in the area, such as:
Thanh Toan Bridge and village: The place to be for travelers who want to escape the bustling city of Hue in the countryside and enjoy the real Vietnamese rural surroundings.
Lang Co Beach: More than 10 km long white sand beach with clear blue sea water. We only stopped here for some photos, but if you have more time, relax swimming at the beach as well.
Hai Van Pass: This is one of the most scenic mountain roads in Vietnam. Hai Van Pass is an approximately 21 km long mountain pass on National Route 1A in Vietnam. It is the natural border of Thua Thien-Hue Province and Da Nang City. The bus stopped at the ancient gate on the top of Hai Van Pass so we could admire the beautiful panorama and landscapes of both provinces from above.
Afternoon
The journey on the bus continued without a lunch break, but we paid a visit to Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son), the popular sightseeing spot in Da Nang. We discovered some of the stunning caves and temples there, but we didn’t get a chance to see the beautiful view from the top of the mountain due to the time limit. At the foot of the mountain, there are food stalls where you can grab some food for your lunch and a stone village where local skilled sculptors create various marble products.
A full review of our trip on the tourist bus from Hue to Hoi An that took us to visit various tourist attractions on the way can be found here: Sightseeing Bus from Hue to Hoi An [Review].
Instead of taking a sightseeing bus, you can also cover this route by private car with sightseeing stops or by Hai Van Pass Motorbike Tour.
After that, we departed for Hoi An, and the bus dropped us off at the hotel nearby Hoi An Ancient Town around 14:00.
Evening
We started exploring the charming Hoi An. Within walking distance from our hotel, we discovered ancient buildings designed in special architectural styles, such as the Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese Assembly Halls, and Tan Ky Ancient House.
Hoi An at night is really lively and magical, with colorful lanterns hung all around. We just enjoyed a leisurely walk around the ancient town to see the beauty of the streets at night and try some local delicacies.
We had dinner at the local restaurant and ate Cao Lau noodles, Hoi An chicken rice, and White Rose dumplings. Hoi An is widely known for its delicious food, and the best examples of local cuisine are listed here: Hoi An Food You Must Try.
Otherwise, you can join this Hoi An Street Food Walking Tour to try the best local food and unique flavors, including Banh Mi (a Vietnamese baguette sandwich), Goi Cuon (spring rolls), and Cao Lau (local noodles).
Overnight
To feel the gentle beauty of the ancient town, staying at one of the hotels in Hoi An Ancient Town is the best option. We've chosen to stay at a very reasonably priced hotel close to the ancient town, Hoa Vang Riverside Villa.
Day 6: Exploring Hoi An & countryside
Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Hoi An Ancient Town and its historical buildings are the main reason why tourists flock to the area and why it's included in our Central Vietnam itinerary. Be noted that to enter the Japanese Bridge and visit other tourist attractions in the ancient town, you are required to purchase a Hoi An Ancient Town Admission Ticket.
Morning
After breakfast, we started our morning by cycling around Hoi An to visit attractions during the day. The ancient architecture of Hoi An is a fascinating combination of Vietnamese traditional characters with Chinese and Japanese influence. We passed the Japanese Covered Bridge, which is considered the symbol of Hoi An.
After that, we’ve visited Hoi An Central Market and the ancient port to see the local daily life.
We continued our ride through the countryside surrounding Hoi An and got an opportunity to see rice fields and meet local farmers and their water buffalos. The local farmer even invited us to take a ride on his buffalo. Finally, we arrived at our destination, An Bang Beach, which is good to spend some time relaxing on the beach and swimming.
Afternoon
We enjoyed a leisurely cycle back to the center of Hoi An. We had our late lunch at the local restaurant and got a cup of coffee and a sweet treat at a small café in the old town. If you'll be looking for the best place to get a cup of coffee in the area, make sure to check our list of the best cafes in Hoi An.
If you want to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of peaceful nature, you can go to Cam Thanh eco-village, where you can ride on the traditional bamboo basket boat, admire the beauty of the nearby river, and enjoy a fun shaking basket boat performance. You can book the Basket Boat Ride Admission Ticket in advance.
Evening
For dinner, we tasted some of Hoi An street food along the town’s riverside. There you will see many vendors making Hoi An dishes and offering them to try for locals and visitors on small plastic tables and chairs scattered by the river. The most popular foods here are Quang noodles, BBQ wrapped in rice paper, ice cream rolls, and Vietnamese pizza.
Along the river, you will see many locals selling small paper lanterns and candles to put down for floating on the river. You can also take a Hoai River Boat Trip by Night for the most pretty romantic experience.
After that, we went to the night market on Nguyen Hoang Street. There were more than 50 stalls selling everything from street food to clothes. You can easily get some of the local souvenirs, such as silk lanterns, back home just like we did.
Overnight
We've spent the last night of our Central Vietnam trip in Hoi An at Hoa Vang Riverside Villa.
Day 7: Hoi An - Da Nang - End of Central Vietnam Itinerary
To fully complete our Central Vietnam itinerary with the most important attractions in the region, we've decided to visit My Son Sanctuary before heading to the airport.
Morning
After breakfast at the hotel, our guide and driver picked us up from the hotel to visit My Son Sanctuary, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This was the capital and religious center of the former Champa Kingdom from the 4th to 8th centuries, now remaining just a complex of red brick towers and sanctuaries.
People who are interested in the ancient history, culture, and lifestyle of Vietnam shouldn’t miss a chance and join My Son Sanctuary Day Tour from Hoi An.
Afternoon
After lunch, we checked out of the hotel and departed for Da Nang International Airport (DAD) to continue our trip to the next destination.
There are several ways to travel from Hoi An to the airport, and we’ve chosen to take a private DAD Airport transfer to make sure that our journey is smooth and convenient.
From Da Nang, we continued our trip to the southern part of the country, where, for the start, we've completed this Ho Chi Minh 4 Days Itinerary.
