7-Day Central Vietnam Travel & Tour Essential

Upon arrival at Da Nang International Airport, Sonasia’s guide & driver will pick you up and transfer directly to the hotel center of Da Nang.

Nowhere in Vietnam is changing as fast as Danang. For decades it had a reputation as a provincial backwater, but big changes are ongoing. Stroll along the Han riverfront and you will find gleaming new modernist hotels, and apartments and restaurants are emerging.

Spectacular bridges now span the river, and in the north of the city, the landmark new D-City is rising from the flatlands. Venture south and the entire Danang Beach strip is booming with hotel and resort developments.

Free for the rest of the day.

Overnight in Da Nang

After breakfast, visit Marble Mountains – a cluster of 5 mountains: Metal (Venus), Wood (Jupiter), Earth (Saturn), Water (Mercury) and Fire (Mars). However, we will only visit Water Mountain – the largest and most beautiful historical site.

After that, we will depart for Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Its mesmerizing tombs and mausoleums of the last emperors of Vietnam reveal fascinating insights into the lives of the imperial families and their subjects. 

The ancient Citadel reflects the pomp and ceremony of the dynastic rulers as well as the scars of many years of turmoil, both ancient and modern. The Royal Citadel was severely damaged in the latter stages of the war but retains a sense of grace and majesty even today. 

Along the day, visit Hai Van pass – An amazing pass located between Da Nang and Hue. Hai Van means Ocean and Cloud, so foreigners usually call Hai Van pass by the name “Ocean Clouds pass”. On Hai Van pass, you can also see an incredibly beautiful beach with clean and blue water – Lang Co beach.

Overnight in Hue.

At 08:30 this morning, depart from the hotel in Hue for a city tour of the ancient town. Start at the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. From here take a cyclo through dai noi ‘Old City. Stop for a visit to Tran Dinh Son private museum with a collection of everyday items that past Kings have used. Learn how royal descendants are keeping the family’s traditions alive today.

Continue to visit Thien Mu (Celestial Lady) Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River; constructed in 1601, the 21-meter tall tower is the centerpiece of the pagoda and represents seven reincarnations of Buddha. In the grounds of the pagoda is the Austin car made famous when in 1963, a resident monk drove the vehicle to what was then Saigon to protest against the southern regime, the photo of his self-immortalization was captured and was one of the most well-known images of the war.

Lunch at a local restaurant for an authentic Hue style cuisine.

Continue to former emperor Minh Mang’s tomb located in a tranquil setting of gardens and ponds, inspired by the Chinese Confucianism, a harmonious design of balance and symmetry for the emperor’s resting place.

Journey on to Khai Dinh’s Tomb designed in traditional Vietnamese style with a European touch making it unique from the other tombs in Hue.

You have ample time in the morning to relax before boarding the transfer back to Da Nang and continue further to My Son Sanctuary, one of the most important sites of the ancient Champa Kingdom. Situated in a valley surrounded by high mountains, the World Heritage Site is one of the most stunning sights in central Vietnam.

During the excavation of the site, letters were found revealing that the complex had been a site of Hindu worship since the 4th century. In the 7th century, the temples that had been destroyed by fire were restored with locally made bricks.

Hear about 70 similar temples built in the period up to the 13th century, establishing My Son as a sanctuary of Hinduism. Enjoy a walking tour around the sanctuary to see the many temples and towers. 

The lunch will be served at local restaurant.

After that, we continue the transfer onward to Hoi An, which is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site.

Upon arrival, check in your hotel to relax.

Overnight in Hoi An

In the morning, go on a walking tour in Hoi An, a charming destination with two faces – the old-world trading port of narrow streets and traditional houses, and the beach with its new resorts and long stretches of clean white sand. 

In keeping with Hoi An’s heritage as a trading port, the town’s tiny shop houses now host a range of craft shops and artisans including some of Asia’s best tailors. 
Despite the passing of 200 years and the ravages of weather and war, the center of Hoi An remains much the same as it was in its heyday. 

The walk will lead you around the center of the ancient town to visit former merchants’ houses, the 400-year-old Japanese Bridge, a Chinese communal hall and the colorful market.

In the afternoon, take a 15 minutes’ drive from Hoi An Ancient Town to Cua Dai Estuary. 

Upon arrival at Duy Hai Fishing Village, enjoy the bustling morning fish market and then visit a family-run fish sauce workshop under the guidance of the owner to learn about this essential ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine. 

Get on a boat and go upstream the ‘Mother River’ from Thu Bon to Duy Vinh Village. These villages are well-known for traditional weaving sedge mat. This land was created by three Alluvium Rivers such as Thu Bon, Truong Giang and Ly Ly which provides the perfect land to plant the materials for the sedge mat. 

Pass by a shrimp and duck farm to get a glimpse about agriculture river life.

Depending on the season (from Feb to Apr and from Jul to Sep), see golden paddy fields during harvest season or green groves of jute along the banks of the Thu Bon River. 

Upon arrival at Ban Thach Mat Village, where abundant sources of raw rush used to weave mats have allowed the villagers to develop their own handicraft and improve their lives for 400 years and start cycling to explore the beauty of a typical village in the Central of Vietnam. 

Learn the full process of sedge mat weaving from cutting sedge on the field to a finished mat following traditional method. See the way locals manage to keep their traditional occupation in a modern and constantly evolving time. Display personal creativity with unique patterns! 

End the trip sharing a simple yet friendly home-hosted brunch and return to Hoi An by bike across Cam Kim Bridge. 

Early evening, you will join Vietnam's own version of Cirque du Soleil, the AO Show - a spectacular production that pays tribute to Vietnamese roots and showcases developing contemporary cities in one amazing show! Travel to the dome-shaped Lune Performing Center in Hoi An and enjoy a night of theatrical visual arts backdropped against the beauty of the theater's interesting architecture and decor.

See a mix of contemporary dance, acrobatics, bamboo work, and more as live music echoes Southern Vietnamese work songs. You'll find yourself totally enraptured at the fascinating performance that highlights the best of both old and new Vietnam.

Transfer back to your hotel after the show. 

Overnight in Hoi An.

After pick-up, begin the short drive to Cua Dai Wharf, where you will board a traditional Vietnamese boat. Relax on deck and take in your surroundings on the 1-hour ride to Cham Island.

Upon arrival at Cham Island, enjoy various activities, such as swimming, snorkeling and the underwater walking. Explore the underwater world and discover the animals inhabiting it. Admire the colorful and plentiful marine life while taking a stroll through its natural environment.

Continue to Bai Chong Beach to enjoy a delicious seafood lunch. Take the opportunity for another swim or just relax in the hammocks. Then, start the journey back to your hotel in Hoi An at about 3:30PM.

Free for the rest of the day to relax.

Overnight in Hoi An

You are free to stroll around the town before transferring back to Da Nang international airport to take the departure flight