Hoi An Central Vietnam
5
Day Itinerary •
Vietnam
Five days in Hoi An and central Vietnam gives you the extraordinary depth of Vietnam's finest historic town and the remarkable landscapes surrounding it, from the UNESCO Ancient Town and its extraordinary tailors and cooking culture to the remarkable Phong Nha cave system, the finest cave in Southeast Asia, the Hue Imperial Citadel and the extraordinary Hai Van Pass coastal mountain road. This route extends beyond the standard Hoi An circuit to cover the complete central Vietnam experience. The Ancient Town, My Son, An Bang beach, a drive through the extraordinary Hai Van Pass to Hue with the finest royal tombs in Vietnam, the Imperial Citadel and the remarkable boat trip on the Perfume River.
Best Time To Visit
February to April
Getting There
Fly to Da Nang (DAD), 30 min to Hoi An
Getting Around
Bicycle, taxi and rental car or motorbike
Budget Per Day
Approx 45 to 90 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate
DAY 1
HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN
MORNING
HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN AT DAWN
The Hoi An Ancient Town at dawn before 7am is the most extraordinary version of Vietnam's finest historic town, the yellow-washed merchant houses, the Japanese Covered Bridge and the Thu Bon River waterfront entirely empty and the morning mist still over the water. The extraordinary Chinese Assembly Halls including the Fujian and Cantonese halls with their remarkable dragon pillars and lacquered altars are finest when empty in the early morning. Entry to old town approx 120,000 VND. Transfer: On foot
MIDDAY
THE JAPANESE COVERED BRIDGE AND THU BON RIVER
The Japanese Covered Bridge built in the early 17th century is the most distinctive monument in Hoi An, an extraordinary wooden covered bridge with a small temple inside connecting the Japanese and Chinese merchant quarters. The Thu Bon River boat trip in the traditional round bamboo basket coracles is the finest river experience in central Vietnam, the remarkably skilled boatmen spinning the round boats in extraordinary circles. Basket boat hire approx 150,000 VND. Transfer: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
TAILOR STREET AND THE LANTERN MARKET
Hoi An is the finest tailoring destination in Vietnam, its extraordinary number of skilled tailors able to produce custom clothing in 24 to 48 hours at remarkable prices. The extraordinary Hoi An Lantern Market is the finest craft market in central Vietnam, the colourful silk lanterns that define the town's appearance available at all price points. The Hoi An Full Moon Lantern Festival on the 14th of every lunar month is the finest monthly event in Vietnam.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Cao lau noodles are unique to Hoi An, made with water from a single ancient Cham well in the town and served with pork, herbs and crispy croutons. The dish cannot be replicated elsewhere and is the most extraordinary local speciality in Vietnam. White Rose restaurant on Hai Ba Trung serves the finest version.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe on the Thu Bon River Banh mi and Vietnamese coffee with the extraordinary morning river view. | Lunch: Morning Glory, Hoi An The finest Vietnamese restaurant in Hoi An. White Rose dumplings and cao lau noodles. | Dinner: The Cargo Club, Hoi An Rooftop restaurant with the finest Thu Bon River view. Vietnamese and fusion cuisine.
DAY 2
MY SON AND AN BANG
MORNING
MY SON CHAM RUINS, THE HINDU TEMPLES IN THE JUNGLE
My Son is the most extraordinary Hindu temple complex in Vietnam and the finest Cham civilisation monument in Southeast Asia, a series of extraordinary brick towers built between the 4th and 13th centuries deep in a jungle valley of the Truong Son mountains. The complex was the religious capital of the Cham kingdom for 1,000 years. Although damaged by US bombing in 1969, the remaining temples are extraordinary and the jungle setting is remarkable. Entry approx 150,000 VND. Transfer: 30 min drive to beach
MIDDAY
AN BANG BEACH, CENTRAL VIETNAM'S FINEST WHITE SAND
An Bang beach north of Hoi An is the finest beach in central Vietnam, a long stretch of white sand with a more local and relaxed atmosphere than the busier Cua Dai beach. The beach cafe culture of An Bang, with its extraordinary fresh seafood restaurants, cold Huda beer and the remarkable view across the South China Sea, is the finest beach afternoon in the region. The walk along the shore at sunset is extraordinary. Transfer: 20 min drive back
AFTERNOON
HOI AN COOKING CLASS
A Hoi An cooking class is one of the finest culinary experiences in Vietnam, the remarkable Vietnamese cooking tradition taught in the most extraordinary food culture town in the country. The classes typically begin with a market tour to select ingredients and cover the finest dishes of central Vietnamese cuisine including white rose dumplings, cao lau noodles, fresh spring rolls and the remarkable Hoi An specialities. Classes from approx 30 USD.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The My Son Group B temples are the best preserved in the complex, their extraordinary Cham brick tower construction with remarkable carved decoration still intact after 1,200 years. Arriving at 7am before the tour groups gives the extraordinary experience of the jungle temples in near-silence with the mist still in the valley.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel in Hoi An Vietnamese breakfast before the My Son drive. Leave by 7am to beat the heat. | Lunch: Beach cafe at An Bang Fresh seafood grilled on the beach. Whole fish and cold Huda beer. Extraordinary. | Dinner: Cooking class dinner Eat the dishes you cooked at the class. The finest self-made meal in Vietnam.
DAY 3
HAI VAN PASS AND HUE
MORNING
HAI VAN PASS, THE CLOUD PASS OF CENTRAL VIETNAM
The Hai Van Pass at 496 metres above sea level is the finest coastal mountain road in Vietnam, a 21km road over the Truong Son mountain spur that divides central from northern Vietnam climatically. The extraordinary views from the summit over the South China Sea to the south and Da Nang Bay to the north are the finest coastal panorama in Vietnam. The French and American bunkers at the summit are remarkable relics of the 20th-century wars that defined this extraordinary country. Transfer: 1.5 hour drive to Hue
MIDDAY
HUE IMPERIAL CITADEL AND THE FORBIDDEN PURPLE CITY
The Hue Imperial Citadel is the finest monument in central Vietnam, the extraordinary walled imperial complex built by the Nguyen emperors from 1804 that served as Vietnam's capital until 1945. The Forbidden Purple City at the centre of the citadel was the private residence of the emperor and is the most remarkable UNESCO heritage site in central Vietnam. The Ngo Mon Gate and the Thai Hoa Palace are extraordinary. Entry approx 200,000 VND. Transfer: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
HUE ROYAL TOMBS, THE FINEST IMPERIAL ARCHITECTURE IN VIETNAM
The Hue royal tombs in the forested hills south of the city are the finest imperial funerary monuments in Vietnam. The Minh Mang Tomb with its extraordinary symmetrical garden design, the Tu Duc Tomb with its remarkable lakeside pavilion complex and the Khai Dinh Tomb with its extraordinary early 20th-century mosaic inlay decoration are all remarkable. The Tu Duc Tomb is the finest single monument in the Hue complex. Entry approx 100,000 VND each.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary An Hien Garden House in Hue is one of the finest preserved 19th-century private garden houses in Vietnam, its extraordinary combination of Vietnamese garden design and imperial architecture open to visitors for tea and local Hue cakes. Entry approx 50,000 VND. Almost always quieter than the main citadel.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel in Hoi An Early breakfast before the Hai Van Pass drive. | Lunch: Restaurant in Hue Bun bo Hue spicy beef noodle soup, the finest regional dish in Vietnam. | Dinner: Ancient Hue, Hue Royal Hue cuisine restaurant. Extraordinary Vietnamese imperial cooking tradition.
DAY 4
HUE
MORNING
THIEN MU PAGODA AND THE PERFUME RIVER
The Thien Mu Pagoda on the bank of the Perfume River is the finest pagoda in Hue, its extraordinary seven-storey Phuoc Duyen Tower the most recognisable religious monument in central Vietnam. The pagoda contains the Austin Westminster car that drove monk Thich Quang Duc to his extraordinary 1963 self-immolation in Saigon, which became one of the most significant photographs of the Vietnam War. Entry free. Transfer: Boat
MIDDAY
PERFUME RIVER BOAT TRIP
The dragon boat trip on the Hue Perfume River is the finest river journey in central Vietnam, the extraordinary combination of the river's extraordinary natural beauty, the pagodas and royal tombs visible from the water and the dragon boat culture giving the finest day on the river. The boat passes the Thien Mu Pagoda, the Gia Long Tomb and several extraordinary riverside pagodas. Dragon boat hire approx 200,000 VND per hour. Transfer: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
HUE CITADEL EVENING AND DONG BA MARKET
The Hue Dong Ba Market is the finest traditional market in central Vietnam, its extraordinary range of local products including the remarkable banh khoai crispy pancakes, the finest Hue rice papers and the extraordinary Hue royal cakes unique to the former imperial capital. The Hue Citadel at sunset when the tourist crowds thin gives the finest version of the extraordinary royal complex. The evening Hue walking streets are the finest in central Vietnam.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Hue imperial garden restaurant inside the citadel complex serves the finest royal Hue cuisine in Vietnam, an extraordinary multi-course meal of traditional imperial dishes including the remarkable banh beo steamed rice cakes, nem lui grilled pork and the finest Hue desserts. Book at least one day in advance.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel in Hue Banh mi thit, the finest version in Hue with pork and local herbs. | Lunch: Com Hen, Hue The finest mussel rice dish in Vietnam, unique to the Hen Island in the Perfume River. | Dinner: Nha Hang Ha, Hue Traditional Hue royal cuisine. Extraordinary presentation and flavours.
DAY 5
BA NA HILLS AND DEPARTURE
MORNING
BA NA HILLS AND THE GOLDEN BRIDGE
The Ba Na Hills above Da Nang are the most visited attraction in central Vietnam, a French colonial hill station at 1,487 metres accessible by cable car and famous for the extraordinary Golden Bridge held up by two giant stone hands above the clouds. The bridge, the mock French village and the extraordinary views over the Da Nang coast give the finest unusual experience in central Vietnam. Cable car and bridge entry approx 750,000 VND. Transfer: 30 min drive to city
MIDDAY
DA NANG DRAGON BRIDGE FIRE SHOW
The Da Nang Dragon Bridge breathes fire and water on Saturday and Sunday evenings at 9pm, an extraordinary spectacle visible from the My Khe beach and the bridge approaches. The surrounding Da Nang Han Market is the finest local market in Da Nang, its extraordinary seafood section and local speciality stalls giving the finest food market experience in central Vietnam. Han Market entry free. Transfer: 30 min to airport
AFTERNOON
DA NANG DEPARTURE
The Da Nang International Airport serves direct flights to major Asian hubs and domestic connections across Vietnam. The final banh mi from the famous Banh Mi Phuong shop in Hoi An, where Anthony Bourdain called it the best banh mi in Vietnam, gives the finest farewell to central Vietnam before the flight.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary My Khe beach in Da Nang was voted one of the finest beaches in Asia by Forbes magazine and the extraordinary 30km stretch of white sand is the finest urban beach in Vietnam. The beach at 6am when local Vietnamese exercise on the sand gives the finest version of one of Vietnam's most remarkable natural assets.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel in Hue Final Hue breakfast. Chao rice porridge and fried dough is the extraordinary local morning combination. | Lunch: Ba Na Hills restaurant Lunch at the cloud-level French village. The views justify the price. | Dinner: Airport or Da Nang Mi quang noodles or banh xeo crispy pancake before the flight.
Where To Stay
Hoi An, Nights 1-2 Little Hoi An Boutique or Anantara. Approx 40 to 120 USD. Hue, Nights 3-4 Pilgrimage Village or La Residence. Approx 40 to 150 USD per night. Budget option Guesthouses in both cities from approx 15 USD. Both cities well served.
Top Tips
1. The Hai Van Pass is finest by motorbike. Even if you are not an experienced rider, hire a motorbike with a driver from Da Nang for the most extraordinary coastal mountain experience.
2. Hue bun bo is the finest regional noodle soup in Vietnam, significantly spicier and more complex than Hanoi pho. Eat it at a local street stall early in the morning.
3. The Hue royal tombs each take 45 minutes to explore. Visit Tu Duc and Minh Mang as a minimum. The forest setting and the extraordinary imperial architecture are remarkable.
4. Booking a cooking class in Hoi An is one of the finest travel investments in Vietnam. The market tour and the cooking session give a complete understanding of Vietnamese cuisine.
5. The Hoi An Full Moon Lantern Festival is worth scheduling around if possible. The monthly event fills the river with extraordinary colour and the ancient town is at its most beautiful.
6. Central Vietnamese food is the most complex and refined in the country. Cao lau, white rose, banh xeo, com hen and the extraordinary Hue royal cakes are all extraordinary.
Total Budget
45 to 90 USD/day