Located in central Vietnam , Da Nang and Hoi An offer the perfect combination of modern city life, beautiful beaches, and rich cultural heritage.
This destination is ideal for travelers looking for both relaxation and unique experiences.
📍 Why visit Da Nang & Hoi An?
🌊 Beautiful beaches in D a Nang
Da Nang is famous for its long sandy beaches such as My Khe Beach.
Here you can:
- Relax by the ocean
- Enjoy fresh seafood
- Experience a laid-back coastal lifestyle
Iconic landmarks
Da Nang is home to famous attractions like the Dragon Bridge and the stunning Ba Na Hills .
At Ba Na Hills, you can:
- Walk on the famous Golden Bridge
- Enjoy cool mountain weather
- Experience unique architecture
Timeless charm of Hoi An
Hoi An Ancient Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its lantern-lit streets and preserved architecture.
Highlights:
- Walking through the old town
- Visiting traditional houses and temples
- Enjoying local street food
Cultural & local experiences
In Hoi An, you can also:
- Join a lantern-making workshop
- Take a boat ride on the river
- Explore nearby villages
Suggested Itinerary (3–4 Days)
Day 1: Arrival in Da Nang
- Relax at the beach
- Explore the city
Day 2: Ba Na Hills
- Visit Golden Bridge
- Enjoy mountain views
- Explore attractions
Day 3: Hoi An
- Walk through ancient town
- Visit local markets
- Enjoy lantern night
Day 4: Relax & Departure
- Free time for beach or café
- Return or continue your journey
Best time to visit
- February – August: best weather, sunny and dry ☀️
- September – January: rainy season but less crowded
💡 Travel tips
- Visit Hoi An in the evening for lantern views
- Bring light clothing for warm weather
- Book Ba Na Hills tickets in advance
✨ Conclusion
Da Nang and Hoi An offer a perfect balance of relaxation, culture, and scenic beauty.
It’s one of the best destinations in Vietnam for both first-time visitors and returning travelers.
📩 Plan your trip
Looking for a seamless experience?
👉 Contact us to plan your Da Nang & Hoi An journey.
Da Nang or Hoi An: where to base yourself
You can stay in one and visit the other, but each base suits a different trip.
- Stay in Da Nang if the beach is your priority, you want a wide choice of restaurants and modern hotels, or you have an early or late flight. The airport is close to the city, so transfers are short.
- Stay in Hoi An if you want to see the old town in the quiet early morning and again after dark without watching the clock.
- Split your stay if you have four nights or more. Two nights in each lets you enjoy the beaches and Ba Na Hills, then slow down in Hoi An without daily transfers.
If you split your stay, start in Da Nang and finish in Hoi An. When your onward flight leaves from Da Nang, allow about an hour for the drive back to the airport, plus time for check-in.
How to get there and between the two
From Hanoi, direct flights to Da Nang take about 1 hour 20 minutes, and there are frequent direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City too. Hoi An has no airport of its own, so Da Nang is the gateway for both.
The road between Da Nang and Hoi An takes about 45 minutes. A private car with driver is the most comfortable choice with luggage and makes stops easy. Ride-hailing apps and metered taxis are widely available for one-way trips, and some hotels run scheduled shuttles. The central lanes of Hoi An’s old town are closed to cars, so if your hotel is right in the centre, expect to walk the last few minutes.
Make the transfer day count
The coastal road between the two passes several worthwhile stops, so moving bases can become a relaxed half-day outing.
- Marble Mountains: roughly halfway, these limestone hills hold cave shrines and pagodas. An hour or two is enough, and a lift runs up part of the main hill.
- Non Nuoc stone carving village: at the foot of the mountains, workshops carve marble and stone. It is interesting to watch, and there is no obligation to buy.
- A beach stop: the long stretch of sand between the two cities is quieter than My Khe, and a late seafood lunch by the sea breaks up the journey nicely.
Adding a day or two
If you can extend beyond the 3 to 4 days suggested above, these trips fit naturally around a Da Nang and Hoi An stay:
- My Son Sanctuary: the brick temple ruins of the Cham kingdom, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in a green valley around an hour from Hoi An. Go early, before the heat.
- Cham Islands (Cu Lao Cham): reached by speedboat from near Cua Dai beach, popular for snorkelling. Boats generally run in the calmer months and are cancelled when the sea is rough.
- Tra Que vegetable village: a short bike ride from Hoi An, where farmers grow the herbs used in local dishes.
- Hue: about 2.5 to 3 hours from Da Nang by road. Continue there at the end of your stay and fly back to Hanoi from Hue to avoid retracing your route.
If you travel in the rainy months
From around October to November, heavy rain can flood the riverside streets of Hoi An’s old town for a day or two at a time, and boat trips and island excursions may be cancelled. Keep a spare day in your plan, choose a hotel away from the riverbank, and check the forecast before your Ba Na Hills day, as low cloud can hide the views.
Practical tips for combining the two
- Visit Ba Na Hills while based in Da Nang, as it is much closer to the city than to Hoi An, and bring a light jacket for the cooler summit.
- Foreign visitors buy a ticket to enter Hoi An’s old town, which includes entry to a selection of old houses, assembly halls and museums.
- Carry small notes in Vietnamese dong for markets, street food and boat rides.
- If you want clothes made in Hoi An, visit a tailor on your first day there to leave time for a fitting.
FAQ
How many days do I need for Da Nang and Hoi An?
Three to four days covers the main sights of both. With five or six days you can add My Son, the Cham Islands or Hue and still have time on the beach.
Is it better to stay in Da Nang or Hoi An?
Stay in Da Nang for the beach, city dining and easy airport access, or in Hoi An for the old town in the early morning and evening. With four nights or more, split your time.
Can I add Hue to a Da Nang and Hoi An trip?
Yes. Hue is about 2.5 to 3 hours from Da Nang by road, and you can ask your driver to take the Hai Van Pass for coastal views. Plan at least two nights in Hue.
Plan your trip with Divi Travel
Our team in Hanoi can help arrange the transfers, guides and stays for a Da Nang and Hoi An trip at your own pace. Browse our Da Nang tours or plan a tailor-made trip with us.
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