The duration of your stay in Central Vietnam depends on your interests and the places you want to visit. If you want to explore the top destinations in Central Vietnam, a minimum of 5 days and 4 nights is recommended. This will give you enough time to visit the cities of Danang, Hoi An, and Hue, and explore their unique attractions.
Itinerary 5 days in Da Nang – Hoi An – Hue
Here is a suggested itinerary for visiting Da Nang, Hoi An, and Hue in central Vietnam:
Day 1: Da Nang
Explore the Son Tra Peninsula and visit the Linh Ung Buddhist Temple, which features a large 67-meter tall statue of Guan Yin facing the sea, a pagoda, and several vantage points from where one can view the ever-changing skyline of Da Nang.
Rent a motorbike and ride up to the mountaintop view point of Ban Co for panoramic views of the city.
Day 2: Ba Na Hills
Take a day trip to Ba Na Hills, a hill station and resort located in the Truong Son Mountains. The area features a French village, a Golden Bridge, and an amusement park.
Day 3: Hue
Visit Hue, Vietnam’s former imperial capital. Explore the Imperial City, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to several palaces, temples, and tombs.
Take a boat ride along the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest and most beautiful pagodas in Vietnam.
Day 4: Hoi An Old Town
Visit Hoi An Old Town, another UNESCO World Heritage site. The town is known for its well-preserved architecture, colorful lanterns, and vibrant markets.
Take a cooking class to learn how to make traditional Vietnamese dishes.
Day 5: Day Trips From Hoi An
Take a day trip to My Son Sanctuary, an archaeological site that was once the religious center of the Champa Kingdom.
Visit one of the nearby beaches such as Cua Dai Beach or An Bang Beach.
The best time to travel to Central Vietnam
The best time to visit Central Vietnam is from February to June when the weather is dry and mild 1. During this time, the temperatures are perfect for visiting the coastal areas such as Hoi An and Hue. Central Vietnam has a tropical climate with two seasons: a dry season from January to August and a rainy season from September to December. Although the rest of the country is still worth a visit, if you don’t mind having occasional rain, Central Vietnam is the best place to visit at this time of the year
Where you start really depends on your personal preference and where you are coming from. During my trip to Central Vietnam, I arrived via Da Nang International Airport and headed to Hue right away as it was the farthest of the three cities. From Da Nang, Hue is around a 2-hour drive. If you are visiting Da Nang, Hoi An, and Hue and thinking how to organize your itinerary and long you need to spend in the area, I would suggest you go for 5 days / 4 nights minimally. The three cities are accessible from each other to be day trip destinations but I would suggest spending at least a night per city to really appreciate the distinct vibe in each place.
