Da Nang & Hoi An, 5-Day Itinerary

Planning a family trip to Central Vietnam? This comprehensive 5-day itinerary covers the best of Da Nang and Hoi An, from dragon bridges and golden hillside temples to ancient lantern-lit streets and tailor-made keepsakes, perfect for families who want to experience the region’s most iconic destinations without feeling rushed.

Trip Overview:

Duration: 5 days, 4 nights
Countries: Vietnam
Best Time to Visit: February–May (we visited in February during Chinese New Year)
Transportation: Mix of Grab, and booked transfers

Day 1: Da Nang Arrival – Dragon Bridges & Night Market Vibes

Afternoon: Landing in Da Nang

After a short flight from Singapore, we finally touched down in Da Nang. This was a special trip, a family holiday, something we hadn’t managed since before COVID. Getting everyone’s schedules to align felt like a small miracle, and the excitement on the plane was something I hadn’t felt in years. Something I don’t like about growing up is having less time together as a family. Trips like this are rare and precious.

Getting from Da Nang Airport to City Center: My first impression of Da Nang Airport was completely different from what I had imagined, it is clean, modern, and practically brand new. Even better, it is incredibly close to the city center. We hopped into a Grab and headed straight to Son Tra Night Market, which was conveniently close to our Airbnb where we would be staying for the first two nights.

💡 Pro Tip: Grab is the easiest, most affordable way to get around Da Nang. Download the app before you land, it works seamlessly and you’ll use it constantly throughout the trip.

Evening: Dinner at Co Ba Pho Bo

After dropping our bags, our first stop was Co Ba Pho Bo for much-needed revival fuel. A casual, no-frills spot packed with locals, exactly what we needed after the flight.

🍴 See our full Co Ba Pho Bo review and menu recommendations (Coming Soon)

Co Ba Pho Bo Vietnamese rice and noodles restaurant exterior at night in Da Nang — Cô Ba Phở Bò at Da Nang

After dinner, we walked along the Han River towards Dragon Bridge to catch the famous fire and water show (every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 9 PM). Instead of standing on the bridge directly under the dragon, we found a spot below at a slight distance, a much better viewing angle. You can feel the heat of the flames from surprisingly far away, and the crowd directly underneath gets completely soaked from the dragon’s water breath. Go early to secure a good spot; it gets packed quickly.

Dragon Bridge Da Nang breathing fire during the weekend night show with crowds watching below — The Fire Dragon

Dragon Bridge Da Nang spraying water during the weekend night show with crowds below — The Water Dragon

Da Nang city skyline at night reflected in the Han River with Vietnamese flag lit up on a building and dragon sculpture — Dragon sculpture at Da Nang’s Han River

After the show, we took a quick stroll through Son Tra Night Market, mostly browsing rather than buying before calling it a night. Tomorrow would be a big day, and we needed to be up early.

Day 2: Ba Na Hills – Temples, Golden Bridges & Alpine Coasters

Morning: Breakfast & the Ride Up

We rose early and had breakfast at My Quang Ba Mua, a simple, comforting bowl of noodle soup that was exactly what we needed to start a big day. Nothing fancy, just warm, local, and satisfying.

My Quang Ba Mua local food restaurant exterior in Da Nang with man sitting outside eating noodles — Mỳ Quảng Bà Mua at Da Nang

Just a few shops down the street, we stopped at Mun Café for coffee while waiting for our transport to Ba Na Hills (booked through Klook). One of the small joys of Vietnam that immediately charmed us: every café has its seats facing the street. Locals simply sit with their coffee, watch life go by, and chat. It is refreshingly unhurried.

🎟️ Get your Ba Na Hills private transfer here!

Li Yang holding iced coffee inside Mun Café Da Nang with green trailing plants on the wall — Mun Café at Da Nang

The ride from the city centre to Ba Na Hills takes around 45 minutes to an hour. We collected our tickets at the counter on arrival. One tip: as you walk toward the cable car boarding area, there is a staff member distributing vouchers to every visitor, hold onto these, as they can be redeemed for two complimentary beers per person at Bana Brew House later. The walk from the ticket counter to the cable car itself is longer than expected, but the views as you ascend into the clouds are absolutely spectacular.

🎟️ Get your Ba Na Hills tickets here!

Ba Na Hills Sun World entrance gate decorated for Chinese New Year with yellow blossom trees and crowds in Da Nang — Entrance at Sun World Ba Na Hills

Ba Na Hills cable car ascending over lush green mountains with French Village buildings visible below in Da Nang — Cable car ride up to Ba Na Hills

Afternoon: Temples, French Village & Golden Bridge

Linh Phong Temple

Our first stop at the summit was Linh Phong Temple, a grand pagoda perched dramatically among the clouds. The scale of the structure is impressive, and on clear days, the surrounding valleys stretch out endlessly below. The atmosphere was serene and the intricate architecture, layered rooflines, giant Buddha statues, and incense-filled courtyards, made it feel worlds away from the touristy areas below.

Linh Phong Temple multi-tiered pagoda tower rising above lush green gardens at Ba Na Hills Da Nang — The Linh Phong Temple pagoda tower gardens at the summit of Ba Na Hills

Three green monk statues with yellow chrysanthemums in front of white multi-tiered pagoda at Linh Phong Temple Ba Na Hills — Three praying monk statues at Linh Phong Temple

Linh Phong Temple main hall with traditional Vietnamese tiled roof and Guanyin statue surrounded by yellow flowers at Ba Na Hills — Main hall of Linh Phong Temple at Ba Na Hills

French Village

Next, we wandered through the French Village, a charming architectural recreation of a French hill town, complete with cobblestoned streets, European-style buildings, fountains, and little boutiques. It sounds gimmicky, but the execution is surprisingly delightful, especially against the misty mountain backdrop. We grabbed bánh mì for lunch here, which was convenient if unremarkable.

Gothic-style stone church with rose window and blue stained glass in the French Village at Ba Na Hills Da Nang — Gothic stone church in Ba Na Hills’ French Village

Tourists walking through the French Village town square at Ba Na Hills with a conical stone tower and outdoor dining umbrellas — Town square of Ba Na Hills’ French Village

Bana Brew House & Alpine Coaster

Aerial view of Bana Brew House interior at Ba Na Hills with large stainless steel brewing tanks and multi-level dining area — Interior of Bana Brew House at Ba Na Hills

Multiple Sun Kraftbeer branded pint glasses lined up on a wooden table at Bana Brew House Ba Na Hills — Complimentary Sun Kraftbeer

We redeemed our vouchers at Bana Brew House for cold beers, a refreshing mid-afternoon reward. Then came the highlight we had been waiting for: the Alpine Coaster. This wheeled sled ride down a dedicated mountain track is pure fun. You control your own speed, and by our second and third runs, we had the course memorised and went much faster. The rest of the family watched from below, probably relieved they hadn’t joined.

Alpine Coaster attraction sign at Ba Na Hills showing ticket prices and ride specifications in Vietnamese and English — Alpine Coaster at Ba Na Hills

Li Yang smiling and giving peace signs while seated in an Alpine Coaster sled at Ba Na Hills Da Nang — Strapped in and ready to go

Golden Bridge

From the French Village, we took another cable car to the famous Golden Bridge, the iconic structure held aloft by two enormous stone hands emerging from the hillside. In person, it is even more striking than photographs suggest. The bridge spans 150 metres and on clear days offers panoramic views across the Annamite mountain range. Even in partial mist, the drama of those giant stone hands makes it one of the most photographed spots in all of Vietnam.

Giant stone hands holding a golden heart sculpture in the flower garden at Ba Na Hills with topiary hedges and tulips — Flower garden at Ba Na Hills

Massive white seated Buddha statue rising above the clouds at Ba Na Hills Da Nang with Buddhist flags at the base — White Buddha statue at Ba Na Hills

Evening: Dinner at An Thoi

When we returned from Ba Na Hills, we went straight to An Thoi for dinner. An Thoi is Michelin-listed, and the food was exceptional, we all agreed it was the best meal of our entire trip in Vietnam.

🍴 See our full An Thoi review and menu recommendations (Coming Soon)

An Thôi Michelin-listed restaurant exterior at night in Da Nang with silk lanterns trailing vines and crowds waiting outside — Ăn Thôi at Da Nang

After dinner, we went back to Son Tra Night Market properly this time, browsing stalls, haggling a little, and picking up the kinds of small souvenirs that only work when discovered on a busy, lantern-lit evening market.

Souvenir stall at Han Market Da Nang packed with woven rattan bags crochet handbags and Vietnam tote bags hanging from ceiling — Bags stall inside Han Market at Da Nang

Souvenir stall at Han Market Da Nang covered in Buddha figurines stone statues woven bags and Vietnam keepsakes — Souvenir stalls inside Han Market at Da Nang

Day 3: Da Nang Beach & Travel to Hoi An – Markets, Michelin & Lantern Boats

Morning: Breakfast & Da Nang Beach

For breakfast, we headed to Banh Mi & Coffee Nhà Việt, we specifically wanted something close to the beach for a gentle morning before our Hoi An transfer. The food was decent and the bánh mì did the job, though nothing particularly memorable. But the proximity to the waterfront made it a pleasant start.

Nhà Việt Bánh Mì and Coffee shop exterior in Da Nang with yellow signage wooden tables and Vietnamese flag bunting — Nhà Việt Bánh Mì and Coffee close to Da Nang Beach

After breakfast, we walked towards Da Nang Beach. The sand is pristine and stretches almost endlessly, it genuinely deserves its reputation as one of Asia’s best urban beaches. The heat in the late morning, however, was intense. We lasted a short while before deciding to preserve our energy and took a Grab to Han Market.

Large Da Nang Beach landmark sign with man standing beside it coconut palm trees and the South China Sea in the background — Da Nang Beach landmark sign

Da Nang Beach wide white sand shoreline with people walking along the water's edge palm trees and calm blue sea on a sunny day — Da Nang Beach

Han Market is a classic Vietnamese wet market spread over two floors: the ground floor is a sensory whirl of fresh produce, meats, dried goods, and local snacks, while the upper floor sells clothes, bags, and shoes. We picked up some dried fruits, genuinely delicious and excellent value which we later wished we had bought more of.

Afternoon: Michelin Lunch & The Road to Hoi An

After wandering the market area, we stumbled into Quán Phú Hồng, quite by accident, and only later discovered it is also Michelin-listed. The owner was wonderfully welcoming, personally showing us how to properly wrap the grilled pork with fresh herbs before eating. That kind of hospitality stays with you.

🍴 See our full Quán Phú Hồng review and menu recommendations (Coming Soon)

Quán Phú Hồng restaurant exterior in Da Nang with Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand 2024 sign and grilled pork menu board — Quán Phú Hồng at Da Nang

After lunch, we returned to our Airbnb to collect our luggage and made the 45-minute to one-hour journey to Hoi An. The transition between the two cities is immediately felt: where Da Nang is modern and bustling, Hoi An’s ancient town greets you with low-rise yellow-walled shophouses, paper lanterns hanging in dense clusters, and streets unhurried by traffic.

We checked into Royal Mansion Boutique, then took a Grab to the Old Town for our first evening stroll. Walking through the preserved merchant streets, many of which date back centuries and blend Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese architectural influences, is genuinely transporting. Even on a regular evening, the warm glow of the lanterns reflecting off the Thu Bon River creates a scene that barely needs a camera to justify.

Hoi An Old Town street at dusk with red lanterns Vietnamese flags bougainvillea trees tailor shop mannequins and tourists walking — Hoi An Old Town at dusk

Hoi An Old Town lantern shop at night covered in colourful silk lanterns of all shapes and sizes with lantern making class sign — Lantern shop at Hoi An Old Town

Evening: Dinner, Custom Shoes & a Lantern Boat

Dinner at Cơm Linh

We had dinner at Cơm Linh, famous for their roasted duck. The duck was exceptional, crispy-skinned and deeply flavoured. Their roasted pork was the second highlight, equally good.

🍴 See our full Cơm Linh review and menu recommendations (Coming Soon)

Cơm Linh restaurant exterior at night in Hoi An with red lanterns yellow walls and outdoor diners on low stools — Cơm Linh at Hoi An Old Town

Buffalo Leather Shop – Custom Shoes

After dinner, we made our way to Buffalo Leather Shop, somewhere my sisters had already earmarked from research before the trip. Hoi An is famous for made-to-order leather shoes, and Buffalo Leather is one of the most well-regarded names. Both sisters got their feet measured, with collection arranged for the following morning.

👟 See our full Buffalo Leather Shop custom shoes review (Coming Soon)

Con Trau Buffalo leather shop in Hoi An Old Town at night displaying handmade leather bags shoes and accessories — The Buffalo Leather Shop at Hoi An Old Town

Lantern Boat on the Thu Bon River

With shoe measurements done, we finally made our way down to the river for the lantern boat ride. Be aware: there are many vendors selling tickets along the waterfront at inflated tourist prices. Buy only from the official ticket counter directly beside the river, significantly cheaper. The 20-minute circular ride takes you gently along the Thu Bon, surrounded by the reflected light of hundreds of floating lanterns. It is quiet, romantic, and entirely worth it.

Official lantern boat ticket counter beside the Thu Bon River in Hoi An with staff in green uniforms and boat-shaped price display — Official ticket counter beside the river

Boat-shaped sign showing lantern boat ticket prices in Vietnamese dong at the official Thu Bon River counter in Hoi An showing 170000 VND for 1-3 passengers — Official lantern boat prices

Lantern boats glowing on the Thu Bon River at night in Hoi An with lit shophouses and crowds sitting along the riverbank — Thu Bon River at night

Li Yang in life jacket sitting in a lantern boat on the Thu Bon River in Hoi An at night with full moon above and colourful city lights reflected on the water — On the Thu Bon River under a full moon

Day 4: Hoi An – Basket Boats, Street Food & Tailor-Made Clothes

Morning: Hotel Breakfast & Coconut Basket Boat Ride

We had breakfast at the hotel, where the staff introduced us to Cao Lầu, one of Hoi An’s most iconic dishes. The noodle texture was quite special, firmer and more substantial than any Vietnamese noodle we’d had before, and the sauce was deeply addictive. We loved it so much we ended up having it again later in the day.

Bowl of Cao Lầu noodles with roasted pork crispy crackling and fresh herbs served at hotel breakfast at Royal Mansion Boutique Hotel Hoi An — Cao Lầu at the hotel breakfast, Royal Mansion Boutique

After breakfast, we headed for the coconut basket boat ride. We booked through Hang Coconut Basket Boat (also available via Klook). The hour-long experience takes you through a water coconut palm forest in a round, woven basket boat. The highlight is the famous spinning basket boat “dance”, where boatmen make the baskets spin and rock dramatically, part skill, part performance, entirely entertaining.

One important warning: do not eat a heavy breakfast beforehand. The spinning is no joke, and several of us were genuinely queasy by the end, albeit laughing the entire time.

🎟️ Book your Coconut Basket Boat Ride here!

View from inside a coconut basket boat along a calm canal lined with coconut palm trees near Hoi An with basket boats moored on the banks — Gliding along the calm canal

Hang Coconut Basket Boat tour boatwoman in conical hat paddling through narrow waterway in water coconut palm forest near Hoi An — Boatman expertly navigating the narrow channels

Multiple colourful coconut basket boats with tourists and boatmen in conical hats on open water near Hoi An coconut palm forest — Coconut basket boat dance

Afternoon: Old Town, Street Food & the Fabric Market

Back in the Old Town, we set out for a slower, more exploratory afternoon. It was the 15th of the lunar calendar, an auspicious day when many Vietnamese choose to eat vegetarian, and the street food scene had shifted accordingly: vendors selling simple vegan dishes, tofu, and temple snacks replaced the usual meat-heavy stalls. It added an unexpectedly local and spiritual flavour to the afternoon.

Vietnamese street food vendor in conical hat beside large pots of vegetarian dishes and tofu on a Hoi An Old Town street on the 15th lunar calendar day — Hoi An’s street food scene

Bowl of Vietnamese vegetarian noodles with tofu fish cake peanuts and fresh herb basket eaten on a Hoi An Old Town street on the 15th lunar day — Vegetarian noodle soup

We found coffee and shade at Uncle Huan Coffee, a quirky spot famous for having an actual tree growing through the middle of the café. Then because one bowl of Cao Lầu was not enough, we had it again at Hoi An Market, along with wontons from one of the market stalls. Chaotic, rustic, and completely delicious.

Uncle Huan Bistro exterior in Hoi An Old Town with yellow walls green and yellow silk lanterns and outdoor seating — Uncle Huan Coffee at Hoi An

Vietnamese latte with intricate tree latte art in matcha and chocolate powder served in a ribbed glass at Uncle Huan Bistro Hoi An — Signature tree latte at Uncle Huan Bistro

Interior of Hoi An Central Market food hall with yellow pillars dark wooden roof and rows of stainless steel dining benches — Inside Hoi An’s Central Market food hall

Three crispy wonton crackers topped with pork filling fresh mint and peanuts on a white plate at Hoi An Market — Crispy wonton at Hoi An Market

Bowl of Cao Lầu Hoi An noodles with roasted pork crispy crackling and fresh greens at Hoi An Market — Cao Lầu at Hoi An Market

TaTa Tailor – Custom Clothes at Hoi An Fabric Market

The afternoon’s main mission: Hoi An Fabric Market for tailor-made clothes. The market is full of fabric stalls and in-house tailors, the most famous being 41 Tailor. After browsing, we settled on TaTa Tailor and had a very, very good experience.

👗 See our full TaTa Tailor custom clothes review (Coming Soon)

TaTa Tailor cloth shop stall at Hoi An Fabric Market with mannequins in suits colourful fabric rolls and TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence — TaTa Tailor at Hoi An Fabric Market

Evening: Rain & a Simple Dinner

With body measurements taken and pick-up arranged for the following morning, the skies opened up. We took shelter at Faifoo Central Restaurant for a simple dinner nearby. In honesty, it was the weakest meal of the trip, not terrible, but decidedly average given its high Google Maps rating. A good reminder that ratings don’t always tell the full story. We returned to the hotel, rested, and looked forward to collecting our clothes in the morning.

Day 5: Hoi An – First Full Moon Festival & Departure

Morning: Custom Clothes, Coffee & a Festival Surprise

After a final hotel breakfast, we went straight to Hoi An Fabric Market to collect our tailor-made clothes. The fit was excellent, and the small alterations needed were handled immediately on the spot, faster than expected and done with a smile. There is something genuinely joyful about leaving a place with something handmade.

While waiting for the alterations to be finalised, we slipped across to Dudu Cafe Hoi An for coffee. The café is charming and relaxed, exactly the right pace for a final morning.

Dudu Cafe Hoi An interior with dark wooden beams vintage tile floors hanging pendant lamps pastry display case and antique furniture — Dudu Cafe at Hoi An

Golden croissants and pastries displayed on plates inside a glass cabinet at Dudu Cafe Hoi An — Freshly baked croissants at Dudu Cafe

Three glasses of iced Vietnamese coffee on a wooden tray at Dudu Cafe Hoi An with green tree canopy and Chinese New Year decorations — Iced avocado coffees at Dudu Cafe

As it turned out, we had stumbled into something special: it was the 16th day of the Chinese New Year, the First Full Moon Festival (Tết Nguyên Tiêu). Hoi An’s streets had come alive with a parade celebration that felt entirely familiar: Chingay-style dragon and lion performances, colour, drums, and community spirit that reminded us powerfully of celebrations back in Johor Bahru and Singapore. Finding this unexpected slice of shared heritage in the middle of Vietnam felt like a beautiful, unplanned gift on the final day.

Red lion dance costume parading through Hoi An Old Town streets during the First Full Moon Festival Tết Nguyên Tiêu — Lion dance parade

Yellow dragon dance parade winding through crowded Hoi An Old Town street during First Full Moon Festival with Vietnamese flags — Yellow dragon

Departure: Goodbye Hoi An

With celebrations echoing behind us, we returned to the hotel, collected our bags, and took a Grab back to Da Nang Airport, officially closing our Vietnam loop.

The 5-day journey through Da Nang and Hoi An exceeded every expectation. From Michelin-starred pho and lantern-lit river rides to golden mountain bridges and clothes made to measure overnight, this itinerary showed us Vietnam at its most generous, vibrant, and full of surprise.

Practical Information & Budget

Accommodation

We mixed Airbnb with boutique hotels:

Da Nang (Nights 1–2): Airbnb near Son Tra Night Market
Hoi An (Nights 3–4): Royal Mansion Boutique Hotel

Budget Breakdown (Per Person, 5 Days)

Category	Budget
Flight	SGD 280
Transportation	SGD 60
Accommodation	SGD 90
Food & Drink	SGD 200
Activities & Entrance Fees	SGD 100
Others (insurance, souvenirs, tailor, etc.)	SGD 200
Total Estimated Budget	SGD 930

Note: Budget figures are estimates based on our experience. Tailor-made clothes and custom shoes can significantly vary depending on what you order — factor these in separately.

Final Verdict

Five days felt both too short and perfectly complete. Da Nang surprised us with its energy, its beaches, and two genuinely Michelin-worthy meals we almost missed. Hoi An cast its spell the moment we arrived and never quite let go, the lanterns, the tailors, the Cao Lầu, the river at night. What made this trip truly special, though, was doing it as a family. It had been years since we’d all travelled together, and somewhere between the basket boats and the First Full Moon Festival parade, it reminded us why we should do it more often.

Who This Itinerary Is For:

First-time visitors to Central Vietnam
Families travelling together
Couples seeking a blend of culture, food, and unforgettable scenery
Shoppers interested in tailor-made clothes and custom leather goods
Travellers who enjoy combining city energy with historic charm

Ready to plan your Da Nang and Hoi An adventure? Use this itinerary as your foundation, adjust for your group’s pace and interests, and prepare for five of the most rewarding days you’ll spend in Southeast Asia.

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