Da Nang is one of central Vietnamβs major cities and, for many travellers, the gateway to Hoi An and the surrounding region. With its international airport, long coastline and easy access to some of the areaβs biggest attractions, it makes sense to spend a little time exploring before continuing south to Hoi An.
Why Combine Da Nang & Hoi An?
Although Da Nang is a destination in its own right, one or two days is enough to see many of the main highlights if your time in Vietnam is limited. From its beaches and the Marble Mountains to the famous Dragon Bridge, you can experience quite a bit before making the relatively short journey to Hoi An. The two destinations offer very different experiences, which is exactly why they work so well together.
Our Da Nang & Hoi An Experience
Our Vietnam tour followed a route that we think will suit many first-time visitors. We flew into Da Nang, spent time exploring the main sights and then continued to Hoi An, rather than using the city simply as somewhere to land and immediately leave.
Hoi An was a completely different experience. Its historic streets, colourful lanterns, markets, food and riverside setting gave us plenty to explore at a slower pace. Combining the two meant we could enjoy the highlights of Da Nang before settling into the very different atmosphere of Hoi An.
Table of Contents
- Why Combine Da Nang & Hoi An?
- Our Da Nang & Hoi An Experience
- How Long to Spend in Da Nang & Hoi An
- Things to Do in Da Nang
- Getting from Da Nang to Hoi An
- Things to Do in Hoi An
- Where to Stay in Da Nang & Hoi An
- Getting Around Da Nang & Hoi An
- What to Eat in Da Nang & Hoi An
- Best Time to Visit Da Nang & Hoi An
- Things to Know Before You Go
- Final Thoughts
How Long to Spend in Da Nang & Hoi An
If you’re travelling through central Vietnam, we would allow at least three to five days for Da Nang and Hoi An combined, with more of that time spent in Hoi An.
For many travellers, one or two days in Da Nang will be enough to see the main attractions before continuing to Hoi An. If you arrive early enough, you can start exploring straight away, stay overnight and use the following day for anything you missed.
Hoi An is somewhere we would give at least two or three days. There is more reason to slow down here, particularly if you want time to explore the Ancient Town, enjoy the food and markets, have clothing made or take part in some of the activities outside town.
Of course, if beaches and a modern city appeal to you, you could easily stay longer in Da Nang. This is simply how we would divide our time if visiting both as part of a wider Vietnam trip.
Tohu Tip: Don’t make the mistake of flying into Da Nang and heading straight for Hoi An. Give Da Nang at least a full day if your itinerary allows. There is enough to see and do to make the stop worthwhile.
Things to Do in Da Nang
If you only have one or two days in Da Nang, you can still fit in several of the city’s best-known attractions. Some are within the city itself, while others are an easy drive away and can be combined into a half or full day of sightseeing.
Marble Mountains
The Marble Mountains are a group of limestone and marble hills just south of central Da Nang and one of the easiest attractions to visit on your way towards Hoi An. Inside and around the mountains you’ll find caves, temples, pagodas and viewpoints, with pathways and steps connecting the different areas.
There is quite a bit of climbing involved if you want to explore properly, although an elevator can take you part of the way up. Comfortable shoes are a good idea, particularly around the caves and uneven steps.
Difficulty: Moderate
Lady Buddha & Son Tra Peninsula
Standing high above the coastline at Linh Ung Pagoda, the enormous Lady Buddha statue is one of Da Nang’s most recognisable landmarks. The elevated position also gives you beautiful views back towards the city, coastline and surrounding mountains.
Allow some time to wander around the pagoda grounds rather than simply stopping for a photograph of the statue.
Difficulty: Easy
Dragon Bridge
Stretching across the Han River, Dragon Bridge is one of Da Nang’s modern landmarks and is especially impressive after dark when the bridge is illuminated.
If your visit falls on a night when the dragon’s fire and water show is operating, it is worth timing your evening around it. Otherwise, the riverfront itself is a pleasant place for an evening wander.
Difficulty: Easy Access
My Khe Beach
If you have some spare time between sightseeing, My Khe Beach gives you a completely different side of Da Nang. The long stretch of sand sits close to the city and is an easy place for a walk, swim or simply a break from sightseeing.
You don’t need to devote an entire day to the beach unless that’s your style. For a short Da Nang stay, an hour or two can be plenty before heading back out to explore.
Difficulty: Easy Access
Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge
The famous Golden Bridge held between two enormous stone hands is part of the Ba Na Hills complex in the mountains outside Da Nang. Reaching it involves a cable car ride, and there is much more at the complex than the bridge itself.
This is more of a full-day outing than a quick sightseeing stop, so if you only have one day in Da Nang, you’ll need to decide whether Ba Na Hills is a priority or whether you’d rather spend that time seeing several attractions closer to the city.
Good to know: If you’re only spending a short time in Da Nang, don’t try to squeeze everything into one day. Choose the places that interest you most and leave some breathing room in your itinerary.
Getting from Da Nang to Hoi An
One of the reasons Da Nang and Hoi An work so well together is how close they are to each other. Hoi An is around 30 kilometres south of Da Nang, with the journey generally taking 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic and where you’re travelling from.
Private Transfer or Taxi
For most travellers, a private transfer or taxi is one of the easiest options, particularly if you’re travelling with luggage. You can arrange a driver through your accommodation, tour company or transport provider and be dropped directly at your Hoi An hotel.
Grab
Grab is also widely used in Da Nang and can be a convenient option for the trip to Hoi An. Having the fare displayed in the app before you travel also makes it easier to know what you’re paying.
Make the Journey Part of Your Day
If you’re travelling privately, you could also arrange to stop at attractions between Da Nang and Hoi An, rather than treating the journey simply as a transfer. The Marble Mountains, for example, sit along this route and can be an easy stop if you haven’t already visited them.
Tohu Tip: If you’re flying into Da Nang and heading directly to Hoi An, check whether your Hoi An accommodation offers an airport transfer. After a flight, having someone waiting to take you straight to your accommodation can be worth the small extra cost.
Things to Do in Hoi An
We spent five days in Hoi An, which gave us plenty of time to explore the town without rushing and still fit in a couple of excellent day trips. Our hotel was within easy reach of town and provided bicycles, which became one of our favourite ways to get around.
Explore Hoi An Ancient Town
Hoi An’s Ancient Town is the heart of the city and somewhere you’ll probably find yourself returning to more than once. Historic buildings, small shops, markets, cafes and restaurants fill the streets, and much of the enjoyment comes from simply wandering.
Don’t miss:
- Japanese Covered Bridge: One of Hoi An’s best-known historic landmarks.
- Shopping streets: Take your time exploring the small shops, markets and laneways.
- Riverside: An easy place to wander, particularly later in the day.
- Cafes and eateries: There are plenty of places to stop when you need a break from the heat.
Difficulty: Easy
See Hoi An at Night
If you only visit the Ancient Town during the day, make sure you come back in the evening. This was when Hoi An really came alive for us.
As darkness falls:
- Lanterns light up the streets and river.
- Small boats move across the water.
- Shops, markets and eateries stay busy into the evening.
- The streets become incredibly colourful once everything is illuminated.
It can be extremely busy, yet somehow we still found it peaceful. Give yourself an evening with no real plan and simply wander.
Difficulty: Easy
Have Clothes Tailor-Made
Hoi An is famous for tailor-made clothing, with shops offering everything from dresses and shirts to suits, jackets and other custom-made pieces.
If you’re planning to have something made:
- Go early in your stay rather than leaving it until your final day.
- Allow time for measurements and fittings.
- Leave enough time for alterations if something isn’t quite right.
- Have an idea of what you want before you start visiting tailors.
Take a Hoi An Food Tour
We took another food tour in Hoi An and highly recommend doing one early in your stay. It introduced us to places we probably wouldn’t have discovered on our own.
We enjoyed some of them so much that we went back night after night during our five-day stay.
Tohu Tip: Book your food tour near the beginning of your visit. You’ll then have plenty of time to return to your favourite discoveries before leaving Hoi An.
Visit My Son Sanctuary
We took a day trip from Hoi An to My Son Sanctuary, an ancient complex of Hindu temple ruins surrounded by mountains and lush countryside.
For your visit:
- Wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Take water and sun protection.
- Allow enough time to wander through the archaeological site.
- Consider a guided tour if you want to understand more about the history behind the ruins.
It is a completely different experience from Hoi An and a beautiful way to explore more of the history and culture of central Vietnam.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Take a Day Trip to the Cham Islands
Another day we headed out to the Cham Islands, a group of eight islands off the Hoi An coastline. It was a great day out and the tour operators were fantastic.
Depending on your tour, the day may include:
- Boat trip to the islands
- Swimming and snorkelling
- Time relaxing on the beach
- Exploring some of the islands
- Visiting a traditional fishing community
The snorkelling itself was okay rather than spectacular when we visited, and there were quite a lot of sea lice in the water, so that part didn’t quite live up to what we had imagined.
Would we still recommend going? Absolutely. We thoroughly enjoyed being out on the water and seeing another side of the Hoi An area.
Good to know: Conditions around the Cham Islands can vary, so don’t book purely for the promise of perfect snorkelling. Go for the islands, boat trip and overall day out, and treat great snorkelling conditions as a bonus.
Difficulty: Easy
Where to Stay in Da Nang & Hoi An
Where you stay will depend on how you’re dividing your time. Da Nang is a large, modern city, while Hoi An is smaller and easier to explore at a slower pace.
Where to Stay in Da Nang
If you’re only spending one or two nights in Da Nang, choose somewhere that makes it easy to get around rather than worrying too much about finding the perfect neighbourhood.
Popular areas include:
- My Khe Beach: Good if you want easy access to the beach while still being close to the city.
- Han River: A convenient central location for restaurants, the riverfront and Dragon Bridge.
- City Centre: Good for travellers who prefer being amongst shops, markets and local eateries.
If Da Nang is simply the beginning of your journey to Hoi An, one well-located night may be all you need.
Where to Stay in Hoi An
We spent five nights in Hoi An, and for us, location made a big difference. Our hotel was close enough to town that getting in and out was easy, without needing to stay right amongst the busiest streets.
Our accommodation also provided bicycles, which were brilliant for getting around and gave us much more freedom to explore at our own pace.
When choosing where to stay, consider:
- Ancient Town: Best if you want to be within easy walking distance of the main sights, restaurants and evening atmosphere.
- Just outside Ancient Town: A good balance if you want somewhere a little quieter while still being close to everything.
- Riverside: Plenty of accommodation options with easy access to town and a more relaxed setting.
- Beach area: Worth considering if you want to combine Hoi An sightseeing with some beach time, although you’ll need transport into the Ancient Town.
Tohu Tip: In Hoi An, we would choose location over luxury. Being able to walk or cycle into town made our stay so much easier, and having bicycles available at our hotel meant we weren’t constantly arranging transport.
Getting Around Da Nang & Hoi An
Getting around these two destinations is quite different. Da Nang is much larger and more spread out, while Hoi An is easier to explore on foot or by bicycle once you’re based near the centre.
Getting Around Da Nang
For a short stay in Da Nang, we found organised tours an easy way to reach attractions outside the city centre.
Other options include:
- Grab: Convenient for getting around the city and useful when you don’t want to negotiate a taxi fare.
- Taxi: Readily available around hotels, shopping areas and major attractions.
- Private driver: A good option if you want to combine several attractions into one day.
- Tours: Particularly useful for places further from the city, including Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge.
If you only have a day or two, grouping attractions together will save a lot of time travelling backwards and forwards across the city.
Getting Around Hoi An
Hoi An was much easier to explore independently. Our hotel provided bicycles, and we loved having the freedom to simply jump on and head into town whenever we wanted.
The main options are:
- Walking: The best way to explore the Ancient Town, particularly in the evening.
- Bicycle: One of our favourite ways to get around and ideal if your accommodation is a little outside the centre.
- Grab or taxi: Handy for longer distances or when you’ve had enough of walking in the heat.
- Tours and transfers: The easiest option for day trips such as My Son Sanctuary and the Cham Islands.
Good to know: Hoi An can become very busy around the Ancient Town in the evening, so don’t expect to cycle everywhere once the crowds build. Park the bike and explore the busiest areas on foot.
Tohu Tip: When choosing accommodation in Hoi An, check whether free bicycles are included. It was such a simple thing, but it made getting around during our five-day stay incredibly easy.
What to Eat in Da Nang & Hoi An
Central Vietnam has its own distinctive food, and Hoi An was one of our favourite places to discover it. Rather than searching out restaurants ourselves, we joined a food tour early in our stay, which turned out to be one of the best things we could have done.
The tour took us to small local places we probably would have walked straight past. We enjoyed them so much that we returned to several of them night after night during our five days in Hoi An.
Foods to Look Out For
There are plenty of local dishes worth trying while you’re in Da Nang and Hoi An, including:
- Cao Lau: One of Hoi An’s signature dishes, made with thick noodles, pork, greens and crunchy toppings.
- Mi Quang: A central Vietnamese noodle dish usually served with meat or seafood, herbs, peanuts and a small amount of rich broth.
- Banh Mi: You’ll find plenty of versions around Hoi An, making it an easy and inexpensive meal while exploring.
- White Rose Dumplings: Delicate steamed dumplings filled with shrimp or pork and another Hoi An speciality.
- Fresh seafood: Particularly easy to find around Da Nang and the coastal areas.
- Vietnamese street food: Don’t overlook the small stalls and simple local eateries. Some of our best meals in Vietnam came from places that didn’t look particularly impressive from the outside.
Take a Food Tour Early
We can’t recommend this enough. A good food tour isn’t simply about eating your way around Hoi An. It also helps you understand what you’re ordering, how dishes are eaten and where locals go.
Doing it early meant we had the rest of our stay to revisit the places we loved rather than discovering them the night before we left.
Tohu Tip: If you’re staying several nights in Hoi An, book your food tour for your first or second day. Take note of the locations you enjoy because you may find yourself doing exactly what we did and going back again and again.
Good to know: Don’t judge an eatery by how polished it looks. Small family-run restaurants, market stalls and simple local eateries can serve some of the most memorable food of your trip. Follow the crowds, particularly where you see plenty of locals eating.
Best Time to Visit Da Nang & Hoi An
Da Nang and Hoi An are close enough that the same general weather patterns apply to both, although conditions can change quickly in central Vietnam.
February to May
This is generally one of the most comfortable times to visit, with warmer temperatures, less rain and plenty of good days for exploring.
It’s a particularly good time for:
- Walking around Hoi An Ancient Town
- Visiting My Son Sanctuary
- Exploring the Marble Mountains
- Spending time at the beach
- Day trips and outdoor activities
June to August
Expect hotter temperatures and higher humidity, particularly during the middle of the day. If you’re visiting at this time, plan outdoor sightseeing for earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon where possible.
The warmer weather can be great for:
- Beach days
- Cham Islands trips
- Swimming and snorkelling
- Exploring Hoi An in the evening once it cools down
September to January
This is the wetter period in central Vietnam, with heavier rain and a greater chance of storms. Hoi An is also prone to flooding, particularly around the river and lower parts of the Ancient Town.
That doesn’t mean you can’t visit, but it does mean you’ll need to be more flexible with your plans.
Good to know: If you’re travelling during the wetter months, keep an eye on the forecast before booking boat trips or outdoor tours. Heavy rain and rough seas can affect Cham Islands trips and other activities on the water.
Tohu Tip: Whatever time of year you visit, don’t underestimate the heat and humidity. Carry water, wear sun protection and give yourself permission to slow down during the hottest part of the day.
Things to Know Before You Go
Da Nang and Hoi An are easy destinations to combine, but there are a few things worth knowing before you arrive.
Don’t Rush Straight Through Da Nang
If you’re flying into Da Nang on your way to Hoi An, consider giving the city at least one full day rather than heading straight from the airport.
With a little planning, you can fit several highlights into a short stay:
- Golden Bridge and Ba Na Hills
- Lady Buddha
- Marble Mountains
- Dragon Bridge and the riverfront
- Some time along the coast
Give Hoi An a Few Days
We spent five days in Hoi An and certainly didn’t struggle to fill them. Between the Ancient Town, food, cycling and day trips, there was plenty to keep us busy without having to rush.
If you have the time, allow enough days to:
- Explore the Ancient Town during the day and evening
- Take a food tour
- Visit My Son Sanctuary
- Spend a day around the Cham Islands
- Leave some time simply to wander, eat and explore
Visit the Ancient Town More Than Once
Hoi An changes considerably once the sun goes down. Don’t tick off the Ancient Town with one daytime visit. Go back in the evening when the lanterns are glowing and the riverfront comes alive.
It will be busy, but for us, that was part of the experience rather than something that spoiled it.
Organise Tailoring Early
If having clothes made is on your list, visit a tailor early in your stay. Custom clothing may require more than one fitting, and you want enough time for any final alterations.
Book Popular Tours Ahead
You don’t necessarily need to organise every minute before arriving, but popular day trips can fill up. If Ba Na Hills, My Son Sanctuary or the Cham Islands are important to you, look at tour availability early rather than leaving everything until the last minute.
Tohu Tip: Don’t fill every day from morning until night. Hoi An is one of those places where having time to wander without a plan is part of the experience. Some of our favourite moments were simply cycling into town, finding somewhere good to eat and seeing where the evening took us.
Final Thoughts
Da Nang and Hoi An may sit close together, but they feel like two very different destinations. Da Nang gave us the modern city, coastline and some incredible sights, while Hoi An invited us to slow down and stay awhile.
What started as another stop on our Vietnam tour became five days we thoroughly enjoyed. Hoi An in particular had that wonderful habit of drawing us back into town each day, often with no greater plan than finding something good to eat and enjoying the atmosphere.
If you’re travelling through central Vietnam, don’t think of Da Nang simply as the airport and Hoi An as a quick sightseeing stop. Together, they deserve a little time.
“Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures, kill nothing but time.”
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