Central Vietnam Itinerary: Top Destinations to Visit
Many tourists are drawn to traveling Vietnam from North to South, but we often recommend prioritizing destinations in Central Vietnam. If you’re visiting this area, our Central Vietnam itinerary will help you plan the perfect trip.
Is Central Vietnam worth visiting? In my personal opinion, yes 100%.
Having spent several months in Vietnam over many visits, Central Vietnam is where we choose to spend most of our time.
Central Vietnam attractions include fantastic scenery, inspiring mountains, sandy beaches, ancient UNESCO World Heritage sites, amazing food, and unique cultural traditions. These are just a few highlights that Central Vietnam is known for.
Updated: April 2026. Originally published: 2021.
Table of Contents
What to know about Central Vietnam Travel
When is the best time to visit Central Vietnam?
Central Vietnam weather follows a different pattern than the North or South.
Personally, our favorite time to visit is in January and February. This is when the temperatures are more moderate and typically the crowds aren’t too bad.
The closer you get to summer, the heat and humidity becomes more intense in Central Vietnam.
Also, in late Spring, farmers burn off their rice fields, which can affect air quality significantly. Despite the heat, summer is high season for tourism as Vietnamese and neighboring countries have school breaks.
We have also visited Central Vietnam in Fall. There are fewer crowds at this time and the temperatures are more moderate. Just be prepared for heavy rains to start at any moment.
Tropical storms are possible and flooding occasionally affects Hoi An. If your sightseeing is flexible, you can go out and about when it’s not pouring and still enjoy a “rainy season” trip in October or November.
One exception to this weather pattern in Central Vietnam is the Phong Nha area, which is more inland. Phong Nha tends to see more rain early in the year, with a dry season limited to April through August.
Finally, it’s important to note that Vietnamese New Year (Têt) also takes place in January or February. It’s fun to see the celebrations, but it can be a real challenge for travel planning.
Many businesses close for 7 to 10 days during this Lunar New Year to celebrate and visit relatives in the villages.
Typically, more places remain open in the tourist area of Hoi An than in other parts of Vietnam. However, it’s still difficult to know what accommodations, restaurants, attractions, and transit options will be operating.
* Access our free Vietnam Destinations guide here *
Top Central Vietnam Cities
Central Vietnam highlights include a few cities, but be sure to read on for other non-city attractions nearby.
Da Nang, Vietnam
The primary Central Vietnam airport is located in the coastal city of Da Nang.
This is an international airport with flights from places like South Korea and Bangkok, in addition to connecting flights to Hanoi and Saigon.
Da Nang train station is also along the North to South train route.
If you enjoy cities and beaches, Da Nang is for you. Personally, Da Nang has grown on us and we have enjoyed its restaurants and modern amenities, though we tend to prefer the next destination (Hoi An)…
We recommend:
– Ride to the Son Tra Peninsula (“Monkey Mountain”) and see the Lady Buddha temple grounds
– Visit Hai Van Pass via motorbike tour with Phu
– Check out these tours and activities led by locals
Where to stay in Da Nang:
Bao Tran Homestay – $ – a central budget-friendly homestay
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Voco Ma Belle Hotel (IHG) – $$$ – Mid-range luxury just across from the beach (we’ve stayed here ourselves)
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Hoi An, Vietnam
Hoi An is our favorite Central Vietnam destination, and it’s where we’ve spent the most time.
We often meet travelers who wished they had planned a few extra days in Hoi An, rather than moving on to the next place so quickly.
A UNESCO World Heritage destination, Hoi An’s colorful buildings and lanterns in Ancient Town are a dazzling sight. Places to eat, both sit-down restaurants and street food, are plentiful and diverse.
But make sure you go beyond the crowds of Ancient Town to truly experience Hoi An.
Hoi An offers attractions for any interest, from crafts and shopping to biking and beaches to temples and historical sites. There are many excellent day trips from Hoi An, which makes it a fantastic base for travelers.
I often say: if you can only go to one place in Vietnam, make it Hoi An.
We recommend:
– Visit the markets in the morning
– Visit Old Town and the river in the evening
– Go on a bike ride through the rice paddies
– Have a fusion meal at Vietnom or Nu Eatery
– Try these other Best Places to Eat in Hoi An
– Visit the Marble Mountains and these other Day trips from Hoi An
– Experience local food culture with our favorite Hidden Gems Hoi An Food Tour
For more important things to know read: What NOT to do in Hoi An
We even occasionally host “un-tours” based in Hoi An! Watch the video below to get a feel for what it’s like:
Where to stay in Hoi An:
Hue, Vietnam
Hue has been an important city throughout Vietnam’s history. Once the capitol, it was also on the border of Vietnam’s demilitarized zone during the American-Vietnam War.
Often considered a secondary destination if you happen to have time, Hue’s main attractions can be seen in a day or two.
Instead of taking the train or private car between Hue and Hoi An or Da Nang, we highly recommend an adventure via Vietnam’s top mode of transit: motorbike.
Transit between cities on a memorable motorbike tour with our good friend, Phu.
We recommend:
– Do a city walking tour with Thu
– Cycle to Thien Mu Pagoda and around the Citadel if weather permits and you feel comfortable in some traffic
– Transit from Hue to Da Nang/Hoi An via motorbike tour with Phu
– Check out these tours and activities led by locals
Where to stay in Hue:
Seven Homestay – $ – A lovely, well-located guesthouse with private bathroom, wifi, and small breakfast included (we’ve stayed here ourselves).
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Hue Riverside Villas – $$/$$$ – Riverside property with contemporary villas, breakfast included.
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Phong Nha, Vietnam
Phong Nha is an inland, up-and-coming destination about 2 hours drive North of Hue, made famous for the epic UNESCO-recognized caves in neighboring Ke Bong National Park.
The closest train station and airport are in Dong Hoi, about one hour taxi ride away from Phong Nha town. Visitors can also arrive by bus or motorbike.
Small accommodations and restaurants line the riverside in Phong Nha, the launching point for cave tours and multi-day treks into the National Park. We stayed two nights, getting around with our own motorbike rental.
We recommend:
– Catch a boat tour to Phong Nha Cave from the tourism center in town (the flat fee per boat can be split with others at the ticket booth)
– Ride out to Paradise Cave first thing in the morning and walk inside before the crowds
Where to stay in Phong Nha:
Palafita Bungalows – $/$$ – We loved this family-owned scenic location in the rice fields, though you need your own transportation to get around. Pool, individual bungalows, and breakfast included.
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Tam’s Homestay – $/$$ – Another good value, highly-rated homestay closer to the river and restaurants. Breakfast included.
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Other Central Vietnam Places to Visit
As we hinted before, some of the best Central Vietnam attractions are found outside the cities. Any of these can be visited on a motorbike tour, package bus tour, or by hiring a private driver.
Marble Mountains, Da Nang
It’s hard to describe just what the Marble Mountains are. It’s a scenic hike, a series of shrines, a historic landmark, a wonder of nature.
Hai Van Pass
My Son Temple Ruins
Often compared with Angkor Wat’s temples, the ancient shrines at My Son were unfortunately bombed in the war. However, some of the temples still stand and you can walk around what remains at this UNESCO World Heritage site. Local guides are available on site.
Tam Tanh Mural Village
This small fishing called Tam Thanh set out to make itself the first painted village of its kind in 2016. Now graced with street art throughout, tourists have started visiting Tam Tanh to enjoy the outdoor gallery.
The village can be reached by organized tour, bus, taxi, or your own transportation. Nearby park and monument to Heroic Mother Thu is also worth a quick stop, if you’re in the area.
Suggested One Week Central Vietnam Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Da Nang. Stay in Da Nang hotel.
Day 2: Take train, bus, or private car to Hue. Visit citadel and pagodas. Stay in Hue homestay.
Day 3: Motorbike tour/transfer from Hue to Hoi An, Hai Van Pass, Marble Mountains. Stay in Hoi An homestay.
Day 4: Walking tour and cooking class in Hoi An. Visit Old Town at night.
Day 5: Morning trip to My Son temple ruins. Visit Hoi An beach and enjoy another evening in Hoi An.
Day 6: Optional day trip to mural village, or motorbike villages tour, or return to Da Nang.
Day 7: Depart from Da Nang.
Short on time for your Central Vietnam itinerary? I’d suggest making Hoi An your home base and doing a few day trips as time allows.
Planning a trip to Central Vietnam?
READ NEXT:
–3 Day Hoi An Itinerary and Self-Guided Walking Tour Map
–Best food in Hoi An: Our favorite restaurants
–Where to stay in Hoi An
–5 Best day trips from Hoi An
–What to do in Hoi An on a Budget
–Motorbike Tour from Hue to Hoi An, Central Vietnam
–A budget guide to Hue
Central Vietnam Travel Resources
- 🚎 Compare and book Vietnam transit tickets on BookAway here >
- ⭐️ Browse tours and experiences in Vietnam here >
- ✈️ Protect your Vietnam trip with Travel Insurance – We’ve started using Nomad Insurance by Safety Wing for affordable evacuation, international medical, and trip coverage.
For Other Destinations in Vietnam:
–Suggested Vietnam Itineraries: 10+ Days in Vietnam
–A budget guide to Ninh Binh
–A budget guide to Hanoi
–A budget guide to Mai Chau Vietnam
We hope this guide helps you plan the perfect Central Vietnam holiday, whether you have 7 days or even less. Let us know in the comments below if you have questions or suggestions of your own!
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