Da Nang and Hoi An in 4 Days: A Simple Itinerary
Four days in Da Nang and Hoi An gives you a beach city, a lantern-lit old town and a walk across the Golden Bridge, with time left to do nothing at all. You stay in one 4-star hotel in Da Nang, join two guided outings with a small shared group, and keep your mornings for the sea.
Your four days at a glance
| Day | The feel of the day | What you do | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive and slow down | Private airport transfer, hotel check-in after 14:00, evening by the sea or the river | None |
| 2 | Beach morning, lantern night | Free morning, then Marble Mountains and Hoi An Ancient Town from 16:00 | Breakfast, dinner |
| 3 | Above the clouds | Full day at Ba Na Hills, with the cable car and the Golden Bridge | Breakfast, lunch |
| 4 | One last swim | Free time, check-out by noon, private airport transfer | Breakfast |
Day 1: land, check in, walk to the water
Your driver meets you at Da Nang airport and takes you to your hotel, a short drive through a city built between a river and the sea. Rooms are ready after 14:00, so an afternoon or evening flight suits this day well.
Nothing is planned tonight, and that is deliberate. Walk along My Khe Beach as the heat fades, or head to the Han River to see the Dragon Bridge lit up after dark. Dinner is yours to choose, which makes it a good night to try mi quang, the turmeric noodles Da Nang people eat at any hour.
Day 2: a beach morning, then Hoi An by lantern light
The tour does not leave until 16:00, so the whole morning belongs to you and the sea. My Khe is a long, wide beach right on the city's edge, and early morning is when local families come down for a swim before work.
At 16:00 your guide collects you for the Marble Mountains. You climb to a pagoda among the limestone peaks and watch the sun go down over the plain. At the foot of the mountains, carvers work in a stone village with hundreds of pieces on display, and you can see how they do it.
Around 18:00 you sit down to dinner in Hoi An with the dishes of central Vietnam. Then the best part of the day begins. From about 19:00 you walk the Ancient Town with your guide as the lanterns come on:
- The Japanese Covered Bridge, the town's best-known landmark
- Tan Ky and Quan Thang, two old merchant houses
- The Cantonese Assembly Hall, built by the town's Chinese traders
- Small shops selling crafts, ceramics and tailoring
You are back in Da Nang after 21:00, with the smell of incense still on your clothes and probably a lantern in your bag.
Day 3: above the clouds at Ba Na Hills
This is the day people photograph most. A cable car lifts you out of the jungle and up the mountain, with the forest falling away below your feet. At the top, at 1,487 m, the air is cooler and the clouds often drift through the buildings.
The Golden Bridge is the moment you came for: a curved golden walkway held up by two giant stone hands, as if the mountain itself were offering it to you. Walk across it slowly, and go early in your visit if you want clearer photos.
The rest of the day has plenty of variety. You pass old French villas and gardens, visit Linh Ung Pagoda and the Buddha statue, look into the wine cellar at Vong Nguyet, and sit down to a buffet lunch. In the afternoon, Fantasy Park keeps children busy. When the mist lifts, you can see all of Da Nang and its bay below you before you ride back down.
Day 4: one last swim
Have a slow breakfast, swim once more, and pack at your own pace. Check-out is by noon, and your driver takes you to the airport for your flight. With a late flight, ask for your bags to be stored at the hotel so you can spend the afternoon at a beach cafe or at Han Market buying coffee to take home.
Four tastes to look for
- Mi quang: wide turmeric noodles with a little rich broth, peanuts and herbs
- Cao lau: Hoi An's own chewy noodles with pork and crisp croutons
- White rose dumplings: delicate shrimp dumplings from Hoi An
- Banh trang cuon thit heo: pork and herbs you roll yourself in rice paper
The best months to go
February to August is the best period for the centre. In October and November, rain and storms are common and Hoi An often floods. Our Vietnam travel guide compares the regions month by month.
What to bring
- A light jacket for the top of Ba Na Hills, even in summer
- Comfortable shoes for the Marble Mountains steps and the Ancient Town
- Clothes that cover your shoulders and knees for pagodas
- Swimwear, a hat and sunscreen
What your trip includes
- Three nights at a 4-star hotel in Da Nang on shared rooms, with daily breakfast
- Private airport transfers with a driver
- The Marble Mountains and Hoi An outing with dinner, and the Ba Na Hills day with lunch
- Travel insurance
Flights, visa fees, tips, drinks and personal expenses are extra. A tip of about USD 5 per person per day is a good guide.
Questions before you go
Should I stay in Da Nang or Hoi An?
Da Nang is close to the airport, the beach and Ba Na Hills, so it makes this short trip easy. If you would rather wake up in the old town, ask for it when you request your quote.
Is Hoi An better in the evening?
Yes. The lanterns are at their best after sunset, which is why your outing reaches the town in the early evening.
Is this trip good for families?
Yes, for most families. Days are not long, and Ba Na Hills has plenty for children. Tell the person planning your trip the children's ages, so rooms and costs can be set correctly.
When should I avoid Da Nang and Hoi An?
October and November bring rain and storms, and Hoi An often floods. February to August is the better period.
Do I need a visa?
It depends on your passport. Read our Vietnam visa and entry guide before you book flights.
Want this trip?
Reply to the person who sent you this guide with your travel dates, number of travelers and hotel class. They will send you a quote and handle any changes before and during your trip.
This guide is from Dong Thi Co., Ltd, a licensed international tour operator since 2008.
