Fly from Perth to Tan Son Nhat International Airport, allowing roughly 8–10 hours in the air plus immigration and baggage collection. After landing, a pre-booked hotel transfer to District 1 is the easiest first-night option; expect around 30–60 minutes depending on traffic, with the airport road particularly slow at peak times. Ask the driver to meet you at the international terminal and avoid unofficial taxi touts. Once checked in, keep the afternoon deliberately light: settle into the hotel, have a swim in the pool, and allow about 1½ hours to recover from the flight and December heat.
In the early evening, walk or take a short Grab ride to Ben Thanh Market for an easy introduction to the city. Browse the food, produce, textiles and souvenir stalls, but keep valuables zipped away and bargain politely—opening hours are generally around 7:00am–7:00pm, with some evening stalls continuing outside. From there, walk about 10 minutes to Hum Vegetarian Café & Restaurant for dinner. Allow approximately 150,000–300,000 VND per person; the calm setting and shareable Vietnamese vegetarian dishes make it a good first meal after travelling. Reservations are sensible during the Christmas period.
After dinner, stroll for around 45 minutes along Nguyen Hue Walking Street, where the illuminated civic centre is lively but easy to explore at your own pace. The broad pedestrian boulevard is free and usually busiest after 7:00pm; pause near the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Hall for photographs, then return to the hotel by foot or Grab. Keep the first night gentle—street crossings, heat and jet lag are more tiring than they initially feel.
Start around 8:30am at Independence Palace on Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa Street, before the heat builds and tour groups arrive. Allow about 1½ hours to see the former presidential residence, including the underground command rooms, reception halls and rooftop landing area. It is generally open from 8:00am–3:30pm, with a short midday closure in some seasons; entry is roughly 65,000–100,000 VND depending on the ticket option. From District 1, it is an easy 10–15-minute walk or a very short Grab ride. The palace grounds are more comfortable in the morning, so bring water and dress respectfully.
Walk or take a 5–10-minute Grab to the War Remnants Museum in District 3, allowing around two hours. It is usually open 7:30am–5:30pm, with last entry before closing, and costs approximately 40,000 VND. The displays are emotionally confronting, so take your time and plan a quiet pause afterward. Continue by Grab to Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa in District 1 for lunch; expect a short queue and a substantial sandwich for around 60,000–100,000 VND. Ask for a vegetarian filling if needed, but note that the standard famous version contains meat and the shop may have limited meat-free options—confirm carefully before ordering.
After lunch, stroll to Saigon Central Post Office, usually open until around 6:00pm, and spend 30 minutes admiring its vaulted yellow interior, old telephone booths and working postal counters. From there, it is a two-minute walk to Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon on Công xã Paris; restoration work may still restrict access, but the exterior and surrounding square remain worth seeing. Finish at Miu Miu Spa in District 1, a 10–15-minute walk or short Grab ride away. Reserve ahead for a late-afternoon foot or body massage, typically around 400,000–900,000 VND depending on treatment and duration. Keep the evening free afterward—District 1’s cafés and riverside streets are close by if you still feel like a gentle wander.
Start at The Workshop Coffee on Ngô Đức Kế Street around 8:00am. This spacious café occupies a converted upper-floor building and is a good place to linger over Vietnamese drip coffee or a lighter breakfast before the day warms up. Allow about an hour, then take a GrabBike or GrabCar to Jade Emperor Pagoda; the short ride usually takes 10–15 minutes, depending on traffic. Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, and keep voices low inside this atmospheric Taoist temple. Entry is generally free, though a small donation is appreciated; allow about an hour, and remember that incense smoke can be quite strong.
Continue by taxi to Hoa Tuc, near Pasteur Street, for lunch around 12:00pm. The restaurant is set in a former opium refinery, with a shady courtyard and a more relaxed pace than the busy streets outside. Tell the staff clearly that you want vegetarian food—Vietnamese dishes can contain fish sauce or shrimp paste even when no meat is visible—and ask what can be prepared without either. Budget approximately 250,000–450,000 VND per person, and allow 1½ hours. Booking ahead is sensible in December, particularly around the holiday period.
After lunch, walk or take a short Grab ride to the Vietnam Cookery Center for your afternoon cooking class, generally beginning around 1:30–2:00pm and lasting roughly 3½ hours. Confirm your vegetarian request when booking and again on arrival so the instructor can replace fish sauce, meat and seafood with suitable alternatives. The class usually combines a market or ingredient introduction with practical preparation, so wear comfortable shoes and avoid loose sleeves. It is worth letting this be the main event of the afternoon rather than rushing afterward; classes commonly finish around 5:00–5:30pm.
End at Bitexco Financial Tower Skydeck, reached by a short Grab ride from the cooking centre. Aim to arrive about 30–45 minutes before sunset so you can see the city transition from hazy daylight to illuminated streets; the visit takes about an hour. Tickets are commonly around 250,000–300,000 VND, but check the official rate and closing time before setting out, as hours can change. From the observation deck, look toward the Saigon River and the dense streets of District 1—this is a good final stop because you can return easily on foot or by Grab to your hotel for a quiet evening.
Leave your District 1 hotel around 6:30am in the pre-arranged limousine or private car, with your Can Tho hotel ready to store luggage on arrival. The expressway journey normally takes about 3½–4 hours, so expect to reach the river around late morning; traffic and rest stops can push this later. Once in Can Tho, go straight to Cai Rang Floating Market rather than checking in fully. Arrange a small boat through your hotel or a reputable riverside operator, and allow roughly two hours to drift among boats selling pineapples, noodles, coffee and seasonal fruit. The market is liveliest very early, but a late-morning visit still gives you a genuine look at the working river—just bring sun protection and keep valuables in a dry bag.
After the boat trip, have a simple vegetarian lunch near Ninh Kieu—ask for vegetable hủ tiếu, tofu with vegetables or rice with stir-fried greens—and then check in or leave your bags at the hotel. Walk or take a short Grab ride to Can Tho Museum, where displays cover Mekong Delta archaeology, Khmer and Vietnamese communities, wartime history and traditional village life. Allow about an hour; admission is usually free or only a small nominal charge, and opening hours can vary, so confirm locally if arriving after lunch. The museum is close enough to Ninh Kieu Wharf that you can wander the surrounding streets afterward without needing another car.
Around 4:30pm, head to L’Escale Sky Lounge at Mekong Riverside Boutique Resort & Spa for a river-facing drink and light meal. Budget approximately 150,000–350,000 VND per person; the elevated view is particularly pleasant as the heat fades, though hotel-lounge prices are higher than at local cafés. Afterward, stroll for about 45 minutes across Ninh Kieu Pedestrian Bridge and along the riverside promenade as the lights come on. This is a relaxed first evening in Can Tho: enjoy the breeze, watch boats move along the Hau River and return to your hotel by foot or a short Grab ride rather than adding another sightseeing stop.
Arrange a hotel pickup for around 5:30am to reach Phong Dien Floating Market while it is still active; it is roughly 17–20 km from central Can Tho and the drive usually takes 35–45 minutes. This is a quieter, more local market than Cai Rang, with smaller boats selling fruit, vegetables and breakfast rather than large tourist groups. A private car or hotel taxi is simplest, costing approximately 500,000–800,000 VND return depending on waiting time. Allow about 2½ hours, and bring cash, mosquito repellent and a light layer for the boat ride. Market activity fades considerably by 9:00am.
Continue to My Khanh Tourist Village, about 15–20 minutes away. Its shaded gardens, fruit trees and traditional Delta-style attractions make for an easy stroll rather than a demanding sightseeing stop; allow around two hours and expect an entrance fee of approximately 100,000–150,000 VND. For lunch, settle into Mekong Rustic Can Tho, where the garden setting is particularly pleasant after the early start. Ask for vegetarian dishes when booking or on arrival—availability is usually good, but the kitchen may need time to prepare them. Budget around 150,000–300,000 VND per person and allow 1½ hours before returning to your hotel for a proper rest during the hottest part of the day.
Head into the Ninh Kieu area by taxi or Grab, usually 25–35 minutes from Phong Dien depending on traffic. Visit Ong Temple, a richly decorated Chinese-Vietnamese temple near the waterfront; it is compact and atmospheric, with incense, carved woodwork and colourful lanterns. Dress modestly and keep your voice low inside; 45 minutes is plenty. Later, take an unhurried walk through Can Tho night market, generally becoming lively from about 5:00pm onward. Browse clothing, souvenirs and simple street snacks, but choose busy stalls with fast turnover and carry small notes. Finish with a riverside drink or an early dinner around Ninh Kieu—this is a deliberately light evening after the pre-dawn start, so return to your hotel by taxi rather than trying to fit in another attraction.
Leave Can Tho around 5:00–6:00am in your pre-arranged car or limousine for Rach Gia Ferry Terminal. Allow 6–8 hours in total, including the road journey, check-in and the ferry to Bai Vong Port on Phu Quoc. Ferry times can change, so confirm the sailing the day before and arrive at least 45 minutes early; keep passports and tickets easily accessible, and pack water, snacks and a light layer for the air-conditioned cabin. On arrival, your pre-booked taxi or hotel transfer should take approximately 45–60 minutes to Duong Dong. With this schedule, expect to reach your hotel in the mid- to late afternoon; leave luggage with reception if the room is not ready.
After settling in, take a short taxi ride or walk, depending on your hotel, to Duong Dong Market for about an hour. The market is liveliest before closing, with island fruit, herbs, dried seafood and everyday local produce rather than a polished tourist atmosphere. Browse first and ask prices before buying; a small purchase of mangosteen, rambutan or fresh coconut makes an easy snack. Allow roughly 20,000–100,000 VND for fruit and drinks, and be cautious with uncooked seafood if you are not planning to eat it immediately.
Walk from the market towards the Dinh Cau Temple waterfront, usually less than 10 minutes, and arrive before sunset to see the fishing boats return and the shrine glow against the sea. The temple area is free to enter, though dress modestly and avoid blocking worshippers while taking photographs. After sunset, continue to The Embassy in Duong Dong for a relaxed dinner; it is a useful first-night choice for vegetarian-friendly international dishes, with mains and drinks generally around 200,000–400,000 VND per person. Tell the staff clearly that you are vegetarian, particularly if ordering sauces or shared dishes, and arrange a Grab or hotel taxi back if you do not want to walk after dark.
After breakfast, head to Long Beach for an easy beach morning rather than trying to cover the island. From central Duong Dong, it is usually a 10–20-minute Grab ride, depending on the resort and traffic; ask the driver to drop you at a public beach access near the southern stretch rather than at a private resort entrance. Spend around 2½ hours swimming, reading and relaxing under the palms. The sea is generally calm in December, but use reef-safe sunscreen and check the water before swimming, as currents and boat activity vary along the coast. Beach chairs and drinks are available at some access points, usually from about 50,000–150,000 VND, though prices are informal.
Around late morning, take a Grab or taxi north to Phu Quoc Gallery of Contemporary Art (GoCA) in Ong Lang, allowing roughly 25–35 minutes from Long Beach. Its garden setting makes this a pleasant, cool-down stop; allow about an hour and check its holiday opening hours before leaving, as Christmas schedules can change. Continue to Oc Sen Bar & Restaurant for lunch, a short ride or walk depending on the gallery entrance. Expect approximately 150,000–300,000 VND per person. Vegetarian diners should confirm dishes with the kitchen—Vietnamese food often contains fish sauce or oyster sauce even when no meat is visible—and good choices may include fresh rolls, vegetable fried rice, tofu, morning glory or vegetable curries.
Return to Duong Dong after lunch for your pre-booked treatment at Phu Quoc Day Spa. Allow about 1½ hours for a gentle aromatherapy or foot massage, and mention any pressure, joint or sunburn concerns before beginning. A treatment commonly costs around 400,000–900,000 VND depending on duration and package; booking ahead is especially sensible on Christmas Day. Finish at Sunset Sanato Beach Club on Long Beach, reached in roughly 15–25 minutes by taxi. Arrive 45–60 minutes before sunset to photograph the distinctive seaside installations and settle into a drink; check the current entrance or minimum-spend policy before going, and arrange your return taxi through the venue rather than relying on a last-minute pickup.
Set off from Duong Dong around 8:00am by Grab or a pre-booked car to An Thoi, allowing roughly 35–45 minutes depending on traffic. Check the operating calendar before leaving: the Hon Thom Cable Car and Sun World Hon Thom Nature Park can have seasonal operating days or weather-related closures. Tickets are commonly around 750,000–1,000,000 VND, sometimes including access to the park and water attractions. Arrive early enough to avoid the midday heat and queues, then spend about two hours crossing the turquoise waters and small southern islands. Keep your ticket and phone protected from sea spray, and bring a hat and sunscreen—the cable-car cabins are shaded, but the views invite plenty of time outdoors.
Continue directly into Sun World Hon Thom Nature Park for around 2½ hours. The island setting is the main attraction, so don’t feel obliged to fit in every water activity; choose a swim or a relaxed walk, and allow extra time if you use the pools or slides. A light lunch is easiest at the park, although vegetarian choices can be limited, so carry fruit, snacks or a sandwich from Duong Dong and confirm ingredients carefully.
Return by cable car to An Thoi, then take a short Grab or taxi ride to Khem Beach, usually 10–15 minutes. Spend about two hours on the pale sand and calm water, keeping valuables with your accommodation or driver rather than leaving them unattended. After swimming, walk through JW Garden, a landscaped area near the beach, for roughly 45 minutes. It is a pleasant change of pace from the cable-car crowds, with shaded paths and decorative planting; comfortable sandals are more useful than beach shoes here.
Arrange a car back to Duong Dong around 5:00pm, allowing 35–45 minutes and more time if returning near sunset. For dinner, book The Pepper Tree Restaurant at La Veranda Phu Quoc in advance, particularly during the holiday period. The polished garden-and-sea setting suits a slower final evening, and the kitchen can usually accommodate vegetarian requests when notified while booking. Allow approximately 500,000–900,000 VND per person for dinner, depending on drinks and courses, and specify whether you prefer vegetarian or vegan dishes rather than relying on a general “no meat” request.
Leave Duong Dong around 7:30am by Grab or a pre-booked car for Ham Ninh Fishing Village on the east coast, allowing roughly 30–40 minutes. Walk along the waterfront and wooden jetties to see the traditional fishing settlement, with the Ham Ninh Mountains rising behind it. Keep this visit to about an hour; the village is best enjoyed early, before the heat and tour groups arrive. There is no meaningful entrance fee, though small cash purchases from local stalls are welcome. Continue by car for around 10 minutes to Suoi Tranh Waterfall, where the forest path takes roughly 20–30 minutes each way. The waterfall is seasonal, so after dry weather it may be little more than a rocky stream; wear shoes with grip and bring insect repellent. The park generally operates during daylight hours, with entry usually around 20,000–30,000 VND.
Return towards Duong Dong for lunch at Phu Quoc Countryside Restaurant, allowing about 25–35 minutes from Suoi Tranh Waterfall. It is a relaxed setting for a generous meal, and vegetarian diners should ask clearly for “món chay”; useful choices may include vegetable dishes, tofu, mushrooms and rice, but confirm that fish sauce and oyster sauce are not used. Budget approximately 150,000–300,000 VND per person, and allow 1½ hours rather than rushing. In the early afternoon, take a pre-booked car south to Phu Quoc Prison near An Thoi, normally around 35–45 minutes. This small historical museum is a confronting but important stop, documenting imprisonment and wartime conditions on the island. Allow about an hour, dress respectfully, and expect limited shade; admission is commonly free or a small nominal charge, with opening usually around 8:00am–5:00pm, though holiday hours can change.
Return to Duong Dong after the museum, allowing roughly 35–45 minutes, and rest before visiting Dinh Ba Thuy Long Thanh Mau around sunset or in the early evening. This local temple beside the river is dedicated to a sea-protecting mother goddess and is a much quieter cultural experience than the island’s resort attractions. Allow about 45 minutes to look around; there is generally no entrance fee, but avoid entering during a ceremony unless invited and dress with shoulders and knees covered. Finish with an unhurried vegetarian dinner near Duong Dong’s night-market area, checking menus carefully for fish sauce, or return to your hotel for a spa treatment—leaving the rest of the evening free after a full island circuit.
After the flight and transfer, keep the afternoon deliberately easy: have your private car drop you at the hotel for luggage storage and a quick refresh, then walk into Hoi An Ancient Town around 4:00pm. The historic centre is at its prettiest as the light softens and the streets begin to fill, so take an unhurried loop through the old merchant houses and narrow lanes rather than trying to see everything. The pedestrian area is generally most pleasant from late afternoon into the evening; carry small notes for drinks and entrance tickets, and wear comfortable shoes because the old paving can be uneven.
Continue on foot to the Japanese Covered Bridge, one of Hoi An’s essential landmarks and an easy five-minute walk from the central lanes. Allow around 30 minutes to admire its timber structure and surrounding riverside streets, but expect crowds and occasional restoration or access restrictions. From here, wander toward Mót Hội An for its famous herbal drink, usually around 20,000–50,000 VND. It is a refreshing, lightly sweetened blend served in a small cup, ideal after travelling; this is more of a quick street-side stop than a place to sit for a long time.
Stay within the heritage quarter for dinner at Morning Glory Original, where the restored shophouse setting gives you a gentle introduction to Hoi An’s food culture without requiring another taxi ride. The vegetarian menu is usually easy to navigate, with dishes such as vegetable rice-paper rolls, tofu, mushrooms, noodles and local-style rice preparations; mention that you are vegetarian when ordering and ask about fish sauce or shrimp paste in sauces. Budget approximately 200,000–400,000 VND per person, and consider reserving ahead, particularly during the late-December holiday period. After dinner, stroll beside the Thu Bon River and return to your hotel by foot or a short Grab ride, leaving the fuller sightseeing for tomorrow.
Begin around 8:00am at Hoi An Central Market, in the riverside market quarter near Trần Phú Street. The market is liveliest before mid-morning, when local cooks are buying herbs, tropical fruit, tofu and fresh noodles. Take your time wandering through the covered food section and textile stalls; a small breakfast of bánh mì chay, steamed sweet potato or fresh fruit should cost around 30,000–70,000 VND. Keep small notes handy and ask before photographing vendors. From the market, walk through the quieter lanes of the Ancient Town toward the next stops—everything is close, though the paving can be uneven.
Late morning, visit Fujian Assembly Hall on Trần Phú Street, usually open from roughly 8:00am to 5:30pm. Its vivid pink gates, dragon details and incense-filled courtyard make it one of the most atmospheric assembly halls in town; entry is generally covered by the Ancient Town heritage ticket, normally around 120,000 VND for international visitors and valid across several listed sites. Continue on foot to Tran Family Chapel, allowing about 45 minutes to see the timberwork, ancestral altar and enclosed garden. It is a peaceful contrast to the busy market, but opening arrangements can occasionally be irregular, so check the door or ask a nearby heritage-ticket attendant if it is temporarily closed.
After lunch nearby, leave the middle of the day deliberately unhurried and make your way to Reaching Out Tea House on Nguyễn Thái Học Street. This beautifully restored shophouse is run with an inclusive deaf service team, so orders are made using the menu and simple signs rather than spoken conversation. Settle in for a pot of Vietnamese tea or a tasting selection—approximately 80,000–180,000 VND per person—and allow an hour to escape the heat. It is usually open from late morning into the evening, but holiday-season hours can change. If you are walking, use the shaded parallel lanes where possible; a short electric buggy or Grab ride is useful if the afternoon is especially hot.
Return toward the river after dinner and take a Thu Bon River lantern boat ride from the waterfront pier after dark. A traditional short ride takes about 45 minutes; negotiate and confirm the total boat price before boarding, as rates vary with demand and group size. Around the lantern-lit stretch, expect roughly 150,000–300,000 VND per boat for a short shared-style ride, with private boats costing more. Finish at Faifo Coffee in the Ancient Town, where the rooftop terrace gives a memorable view over the tiled roofs and glowing streets. Go after the boat ride rather than at sunset, when the queue is often shorter; drinks are generally around 50,000–90,000 VND. The rooftop is compact, so be prepared to wait briefly, and descend carefully on the narrow staircase.
Start around 8:00am with a bicycle ride or short Grab transfer from central Hoi An towards Tra Que Vegetable Village in Cam Ha, roughly 15–25 minutes depending on your hotel. The lanes become wonderfully rural very quickly, passing rice paddies, herb gardens and family-run plots. Spend about 1½ hours walking between the beds and seeing how local growers cultivate mint, basil, coriander and Vietnamese vegetables; if your cooking-school booking includes a gardening activity, this is the ideal time to join in. Wear a hat, bring water and avoid cycling in sandals—the narrow paths can be uneven and muddy after rain.
Continue by pre-arranged transfer or Grab to Red Bridge Cooking School in Cam Thanh, allowing around 15 minutes. The class generally combines a market visit, an introduction to Vietnamese ingredients and several hands-on dishes, so tell the instructor clearly that you are vegetarian and ask them to keep fish sauce, oyster sauce and meat-based stock separate. Allow roughly four hours and expect plenty of tasting as you cook. The school’s riverside setting makes this a pleasant, unhurried activity; book ahead for this busy holiday period and confirm the meeting point, as some sessions begin with hotel pickup rather than at the school itself.
After the class, stay in the Cam Thanh countryside and take a short taxi or Grab ride to Roving ChillHouse. Settle in for a slow late-afternoon meal among the rice fields rather than rushing back into town. Vegetarian options are available, but it is worth confirming ingredients and requesting no fish sauce or meat stock when ordering. Budget approximately 150,000–300,000 VND per person. This is a good point to rest, especially after the heat of the cooking session; sunset light over the paddies is often lovely, although December skies can be changeable.
Arrange a taxi back towards Cam Nam and finish at Hoi An Memories Land, allowing about 15–25 minutes from Cam Thanh. The landscaped cultural park is best enjoyed at an easy pace, with time to browse the themed areas and check whether the traditional performances are running that evening; schedules and admission arrangements can vary, so verify them when booking. Allow around two hours, and bring mosquito repellent for the riverside paths. From Cam Nam, it is roughly 10–15 minutes by taxi back to your hotel in central Hoi An—a comfortable finish after a full but gently paced day.
After breakfast, check out of your Hoi An hotel and take a Grab or local taxi to An Bang Beach—normally 10–20 minutes and around 100,000–180,000 VND. Confirm in advance that your new accommodation can store your luggage if the room is not ready. Settle into a slow morning by the sea for about 2½ hours; the swimming is usually most pleasant before the afternoon wind, and the central beach area has loungers and showers for a modest charge. Keep valuables with your hotel or in a small dry bag, and be aware that waves and currents can strengthen later in the day.
Walk or take a short taxi inland to Sound of Silence Coffee Shop, a peaceful spot among the rice fields where you can have Vietnamese coffee and a light vegetarian lunch. Allow about 1½ hours and budget 100,000–250,000 VND per person. The rural lanes around Cam An are lovely for a gentle wander, though the midday sun is strong, so bring water and use sunscreen. Return towards the shore afterwards for a quieter two-hour break at La Plage, where you can read, nap or enjoy another swim without trying to fit in another attraction.
Book Yakimoku Massage ahead for a restorative body treatment of roughly 1½ hours; arriving a little early gives you time to discuss pressure and any areas to avoid. Afterward, stroll along the beachfront to The DeckHouse for an easy sunset dinner, allowing around 1½ hours and approximately 200,000–400,000 VND per person. Vegetarian choices are available, but mention your preferences when ordering and ask about fish sauce or oyster sauce in otherwise vegetable-based dishes. For the return to your accommodation, arrange a Grab before dinner if you are staying away from the beach, as drivers can be less readily available later in the evening.
After breakfast at An Bang Beach, have your pre-booked private car collect you around 8:30am for the coastal drive to Da Nang. The trip usually takes 45–60 minutes; ask the driver to take the Ngũ Hành Sơn route and confirm that your Da Nang hotel can store your luggage before check-in. Continue straight to Marble Mountains in Ngũ Hành Sơn, where you’ll spend about two hours exploring the limestone caves, shrines and pagodas. The main Thủy Sơn mountain involves steep steps and uneven surfaces, so wear shoes with a good grip and carry water; entry and lift fees together are generally around 40,000–100,000 VND, depending on which facilities you use. Go slowly through the cool, dim caves, then pause at the viewpoints for the coastal panorama.
From Marble Mountains, it is roughly 15–20 minutes by car to Madame Lan Restaurant on the Han River. Settle in for a relaxed lunch of central Vietnamese favourites, clearly requesting vegetarian dishes when ordering; allow around 150,000–350,000 VND per person and about 1½ hours. After lunch, take a short taxi or Grab ride into the city centre to the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture. Open hours are commonly around 7:00am–5:00pm, though confirm the holiday schedule before setting out; admission is usually about 60,000 VND. The museum is compact but exceptional, with sandstone sculptures from the ancient Cham kingdoms, and 1½ hours is enough to see it without turning the day into a museum marathon.
Return to the Han River waterfront around sunset, when the heat eases and Da Nang’s skyline begins to light up. Walk across or alongside Dragon Bridge, allowing about an hour for photographs and the lively river views; its spectacular fire-and-water performance is normally held at 9:00pm on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, but check the schedule for New Year’s Day and arrive early if it is operating. Finish on Bạch Đằng Walking Street, a pleasant 45-minute riverside stroll with cafés, benches and views towards the illuminated bridges. For dinner, keep it informal at one of the riverside venues or return to the hotel by Grab—short city rides generally cost around 50,000–100,000 VND, while traffic near the bridge can make the fare and journey time rise after the show.
Make My Khe Beach your final swim of the trip, arriving around 7:00am while the sand is still relatively quiet and the sun is gentler. The central beach access along Võ Nguyên Giáp Street is convenient from most Da Nang hotels, with Grab typically costing around 50,000–100,000 VND depending on your starting point. Allow about 2½ hours for a leisurely swim, shoreline walk and breakfast drink; use the lifeguarded swimming areas and avoid carrying valuables onto the sand. Afterward, continue north by Grab or pre-booked car to Linh Ung Pagoda on the Son Tra Peninsula, allowing roughly 30–45 minutes. The pagoda and its Lady Buddha statue are free to enter and usually open from early morning; dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, and take time for the sweeping views back across the coastline.
From Linh Ung Pagoda, head back towards Son Tra for lunch at Roots Plant-based Café. Depending on traffic, the journey takes around 20–30 minutes. Expect approximately 120,000–250,000 VND per person for a vegetarian meal and fresh drink; it is worth checking holiday opening hours and reserving if possible, as 1 January can bring altered schedules. Keep the afternoon unhurried: continue to Son Tra Marina, where you can pause for about an hour beside the coast, take photographs and enjoy the sea breeze. Confirm the exact access point with your driver, as the marina area is spread along the peninsula road and some sections are more scenic than others. A private car or waiting Grab is more convenient than relying on a return booking from the peninsula.
Return to central Da Nang for a final treatment at Herbal Spa Da Nang, allowing about 1½ hours for a traditional herbal or foot massage. Book ahead and mention any pressure or mobility preferences; prices vary by treatment, but a foot massage or standard session commonly falls around 300,000–700,000 VND. Finish at Sky36, on the upper floors of the Novotel Da Nang beside the Han River, ideally arriving around 5:00–5:30pm for a sunset drink before the evening crowd builds. Smart-casual clothing is safest, and drinks are considerably more expensive than elsewhere in Da Nang—budget roughly 150,000–300,000 VND or more each. From the spa, the riverside hotel is generally a 10–15-minute Grab ride; check the rooftop venue’s holiday hours and weather policy before setting out.
Have your hotel arrange a car or book a GrabCar for approximately three hours before your international departure. From central Da Nang, the airport is usually only 15–30 minutes away via Nguyễn Văn Linh Street, but allow extra time for traffic, luggage loading and the possibility of a busy holiday travel period. If you have a late checkout or spare time before leaving, keep your passport, valuables and travel documents with you rather than in checked luggage, and ask the hotel to confirm the terminal and airline before departure.
Complete check-in and baggage drop as soon as you arrive, then allow around two hours for immigration and security. The airport is compact and easy to navigate, with cafés and basic refreshments available landside and airside; prices are higher than in the city, so it is worth buying a bottle of water and a light snack after security if needed. Keep some Vietnamese đồng for small purchases, although cards are widely accepted. Check your flight status carefully if the itinerary includes a connection, and confirm that baggage is tagged through to Perth or whether it must be collected and rechecked during the transit.
Board your return flight to Perth, allowing for the connection time shown on your booking if it is not a direct service. Keep your passport, boarding passes, medication and a change of clothes in your cabin bag, particularly after a multi-city trip with several hotel changes. Once you land in Perth, follow the Australian arrival and biosecurity instructions carefully: declare any food, plant products or wooden souvenirs rather than risking a delay.