Planning a trip to Central Vietnam?
From the beaches and mountains of Da Nang to the lantern-filled streets of Hoi An, Central Vietnam has a little bit of everything — scenic attractions, cultural experiences, great food, coffee shops, and plenty of activities that are worth adding to your itinerary.
I spent time exploring Da Nang and Hoi An and put together this list of 10 things you shouldn’t miss if you’re planning your own Central Vietnam trip.
Whether you’re visiting for the first time, traveling solo, or simply looking for things to do in Da Nang and Hoi An, save this guide for your trip.
Quick List: 10 Things to Do in Central Vietnam
- Visit Ba Na Hills
- Walk across the Golden Bridge
- Watch the sunset at My Khe Beach
- Climb and explore the Marble Mountains
- Watch the Dragon Bridge show
- Bike around Hoi An Ancient Town
- Go cafe hopping
- Try Banh Mi and explore the night market
- Take a boat ride and release lanterns
- Ride a traditional Hoi An basket boat
1. Visit Ba Na Hills
One of the most popular attractions near Da Nang, Ba Na Hills is a mountain resort located high above the city. The journey itself is part of the experience. You’ll ride one of the world's well-known cable car systems up into the mountains, where you’ll find attractions, gardens, restaurants, and the French Village. If you're planning a Da Nang itinerary, Ba Na Hills is one of the easiest full-day activities to add. The weather can also be noticeably cooler at the top compared with Da Nang, so bring a light jacket if you're sensitive to cooler temperatures.
How to visit Ba Na Hills
The easiest way to visit is through a pre-booked ticket or organized tour from Da Nang or book a room at the Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills.
Sun World Ba Na Hills Tickets
Sun World Ba Na Hills with Cable Car & Buffet Experience
Wow Pass Ticket for Sun World Ba Na Hills
Mercure Danang French Village Bana HillsExploredd Tip: Try to start early so you have more time to explore the different areas of Ba Na Hills without feeling rushed.
2. Walk Across the Golden Bridge
The Golden Bridge is probably one of the most recognizable attractions in Central Vietnam.
The famous pedestrian bridge appears to be held up by two enormous stone-colored hands and offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. The bridge is located within Ba Na Hills, so you can easily combine these two attractions into one day. If you're visiting Central Vietnam for the first time, this is definitely one of those places worth seeing in person.
Best time to visit the Golden Bridge
Clouds and fog are common around the mountains, so the view can change throughout the day.
Don't be surprised if you arrive to a completely different atmosphere from what you see in photos online. That's part of the experience.
3. Watch the Sunset at My Khe Beach
After spending the day exploring Da Nang, head back toward the coast and slow things down at My Khe Beach. My Khe is one of Da Nang's most famous beaches, with a long stretch of sand facing the East Sea.
Sunset is a particularly nice time to visit because the beach takes on a completely different atmosphere as the day winds down. You don't necessarily need an activity or tour here. Sometimes, simply sitting by the beach and watching the sunset is enough.
Exploredd Tip: If you're staying in Da Nang, consider visiting My Khe around sunset and then heading somewhere nearby for dinner. This makes it an easy addition to a Da Nang itinerary without requiring much extra travel time.
4. Climb and Explore the Marble Mountains
Located just outside central Da Nang, the Marble Mountains are a group of limestone and marble hills featuring caves, temples, viewpoints, and stairways. This is one of the places where you'll want to give yourself enough time to explore rather than simply stopping for a quick photo. Expect stairs and uneven surfaces, especially if you want to explore the caves and higher viewpoints.
Wear comfortable shoes and bring water.
Da Nang Marble Mountains & Linh Ung Pagoda Half-Day Tour
Marble Mountains and Monkey Mountains Sunset Tour from Hoi An
Da Nang Day TripIs Marble Mountains worth visiting?
Yes — especially if you enjoy combining sightseeing with a little bit of walking and exploring.
It's also convenient to combine with other attractions around Da Nang or on the way toward Hoi An.
5. Watch the Dragon Bridge Show
The Dragon Bridge is one of Da Nang's most recognizable landmarks.During the evening, the bridge becomes particularly lively, with the surrounding area filling up with visitors waiting to watch its famous weekend show.
If your itinerary includes Da Nang on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday evening, consider timing your visit around the Dragon Bridge show.
Exploredd Tip: Don't just watch the bridge from far away. Walk around the area before or after the show to experience the atmosphere along the Han River. You can also combine this with an evening food trip around Da Nang.
6. Bike Around Hoi An Ancient Town
From Da Nang, make your way to Hoi An and slow down. One of my favorite ways to experience Hoi An is by bicycle. Instead of rushing from one attraction to another, biking lets you explore the smaller streets, rice fields, riverside areas, and neighborhoods surrounding the Ancient Town. Hoi An is especially enjoyable when you allow yourself time to simply wander.
Hoi An Private Transfer
Scooter, Motorbike and Fullface Helmet Rental in Hoi An
From Da Nang: Hoi An, Coconut Forest, and Lantern Release Private Day TourExploredd Tip: Consider doing your cycling earlier in the day when the weather is more manageable, then return to the Ancient Town in the evening when the lanterns start lighting up.
7. Go Cafe Hopping
You can't visit Hoi An without spending some time exploring its cafe scene. One of the best things about Hoi An is that you don't have to plan every minute of your day. Walk around, find a cafe that catches your attention, order a Vietnamese coffee, and take a break from sightseeing. You'll find everything from traditional Vietnamese coffee to modern cafes tucked inside the historic streets. If you're visiting Vietnam for the first time, try:
- Vietnamese iced coffee
- Coconut coffee
- Egg coffee
- Salt coffee
And if you're a coffee lover, don't be afraid to try different cafes throughout your trip.
8. Try Banh Mi and Explore the Night Market
Vietnamese food is already a reason to visit, and Hoi An is a great place to eat your way around the city.
One of the must-try foods is Banh Mi — a Vietnamese baguette sandwich that can be filled with different combinations of meat, vegetables, herbs, pâté, and sauces. After eating, make your way toward the Hoi An Night Market. The area becomes much more vibrant after dark, with food stalls, souvenirs, local products, and plenty of colorful lights.
Exploredd Tip: Don't limit yourself to one meal. Part of the fun of Hoi An's night market is trying small portions and different street food as you walk around.
9. Take a Boat Ride and Release Lanterns
One of the quintessential Hoi An experiences is taking a traditional boat ride along the Thu Bon River and releasing a lantern. At night, the river becomes filled with boats and colorful lanterns, creating one of the most recognizable scenes in Hoi An. It's a simple experience, but it's also one of the moments that makes an evening in Hoi An fee
Boat Ride Ticket and Release Lantern at Hoai river in Hoi An
Coconut Forest Basket Boat Ride Experience in Hoi An
Hoi An Memories Show with Hoi An Impression Theme Park TicketExploredd Tip: This is a popular activity, particularly around busy evenings, so expect the riverside area to be lively.
10. Ride a Traditional Hoi An Basket Boat
For something completely different, head outside the Ancient Town and experience a traditional Vietnamese basket boat. These round boats, locally known as basket boats, are traditionally made from woven bamboo and are closely associated with the waterways around Central Vietnam. A basket boat ride is more than just a sightseeing activity. Depending on the experience you choose, you may also see local fishing techniques and learn more about life around the
Coconut Village Basket Boat Ride & Hoi An Evening Tour With Dinner and Lantern Boat
Coconut Forest Basket Boat Ride Experience in Hoi An
From Hoi An: Coconut Forest Basket Boat, Dinner & Lantern ReleaseHow Many Days Do You Need in Central Vietnam?
If you're planning to visit both Da Nang and Hoi An, I recommend giving yourself at least 4 to 5 days.
A sample breakdown could look like this:
If you only have 3 days, you can still experience the highlights by combining activities.
For a longer trip, consider adding Hue, which is also accessible from Da Nang.
Steal My 6-Day Solo Travel Itinerary: Da Nang, Hoi An & Ho Chi Minh City
Where to Book Your Vietnam Activities
I usually recommend booking major activities in advance, especially popular attractions and tours. You can browse the activities I recommend through my Klook Kreator Shop: