Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
After landing at Da Nang International Airport, allow roughly 45–75 minutes for immigration if arriving internationally, baggage collection, and the ride into central Da Nang. The airport is close to town—usually 10–20 minutes by GrabCar, depending on traffic—with a typical fare of about 70,000–150,000 VND. Ask your hotel to confirm its check-in and luggage-storage policy; if your room is not ready, leave your bags there before heading out.
Begin at Han Market, a compact, lively introduction to Da Nang’s everyday rhythm. Give yourself about an hour to browse dried seafood, local coffee, fruit, bánh khô mè sesame sweets, and inexpensive souvenirs. The market generally operates from around 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM, though individual stalls may close earlier; prices are often negotiable, but keep small notes handy and agree on the price before buying. From here, it is a short walk or a quick Grab ride to Bạch Đằng Walking Street along the Han River, where you can take an easy 45-minute stroll and enjoy the first good views toward Dragon Bridge. The waterfront is especially pleasant as the heat eases, and the illuminated bridge begins to stand out after sunset.
Have dinner at Madame Lan Restaurant, a reliable riverside choice for central Vietnamese specialties such as mì Quảng, bánh xèo, fresh seafood, and grilled meats. Budget approximately 150,000–300,000 VND per person, and allow about 1½ hours; arriving a little before the main dinner rush makes seating easier. Finish at Dragon Bridge, just a short walk or Grab ride away, to see Da Nang’s signature landmark lit up at night. If your visit falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or major holiday, the fire-and-water show is usually at 9:00 PM, but check the current schedule locally rather than planning around it as a certainty. Otherwise, the illuminated bridge and riverfront atmosphere are still worth the stop.
Start at the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture, one of the city’s most rewarding stops and an easy walk from the riverfront. Allow about 1½ hours for the sandstone sculptures, especially the galleries from Mỹ Sơn and the central Vietnamese coast; the collection is much better appreciated before the day becomes hot. It is generally open from around 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with entry usually about 60,000–100,000 VND. From there, walk or take a very short Grab ride to Da Nang Cathedral, the distinctive pink church on Trần Phú Street. Keep this to an exterior visit unless a service is taking place—dress respectfully and avoid photographing worshippers.
Continue by Grab or on foot toward Con Market, allowing roughly 10 minutes by car depending on traffic. Its covered food lanes are lively and informal, so wander first and then choose a stall with a good turnover; try small portions of local dishes rather than committing to one large meal. Keep valuables close in the crowded aisles, and bring small notes for payment. After exploring, have your main lunch at Bun Cha Ca 109, a straightforward local favorite for fish-cake noodle soup. Expect around 50,000–100,000 VND per person, and allow about an hour. The walkable central route is compact, but a GrabBike or GrabCar is more comfortable in the midday heat.
In the late afternoon, take a Grab to the Sun Wheel at Asia Park in Hai Chau—usually 10–15 minutes from central Da Nang, though allow longer during rush hour. Aim to arrive before sunset so you can see the city change from daylight to its evening lights; the ride itself takes only a few minutes, but allow about 1½ hours for the wheel and the surrounding park atmosphere. Operating hours and ticket prices can vary by season, so check the official listing on the day; a typical combined visit costs roughly 150,000–250,000 VND. Afterward, you are well placed to return to your hotel by Grab rather than trying to walk back along the larger roads.
Start early at My Khe Beach, ideally around 7:00 AM, before the sand becomes busy and the sun is too strong. The stretch near Võ Nguyên Giáp Street is convenient for a swim, though the water is generally calmer and cleaner earlier in the day. Spend about 1½ hours walking the shore or swimming; bring minimal valuables, as beach lockers and changing facilities vary by section. A GrabBike or GrabCar from central Da Nang usually takes 10–20 minutes and costs roughly 40,000–100,000 VND, depending on traffic and your hotel’s location.
Continue north into the Son Tra Peninsula by GrabCar or scooter, allowing 25–40 minutes for the winding coastal road. At Linh Ung Pagoda, the enormous Lady Buddha statue overlooks the sea, while the temple courtyards offer welcome shade and breezes. Dress modestly—shoulders and knees covered—and remove hats when entering prayer areas. There is no standard admission charge, but modest donations are appropriate; the site is generally open from early morning until evening. From there, continue uphill to Ban Co Peak, another 20–30 minutes by road. The final section is narrow and curvy, so a confident rider or car with a local driver is preferable. Allow about an hour for the viewpoint and photographs, and check visibility before setting out because clouds can obscure the city panorama.
Return toward Phước Mỹ for seafood along Ho Nghinh Seafood Street, reaching the area around 1:00–1:30 PM. Choose a busy, clearly priced restaurant rather than the first place that approaches you; point to the seafood you want and confirm the price per kilogram, cooking fee, and whether drinks are included before ordering. A relaxed meal costs approximately 200,000–400,000 VND per person. Afterward, take a break at your hotel during the hottest part of the afternoon, since the peninsula’s climbs and exposed viewpoints are tiring in the midday heat.
In the evening, head to An Thuong Night Market, usually from around 5:00 PM onward, for an easy-paced finish with grilled seafood, Vietnamese snacks, fruit drinks, and small souvenir stalls. It is compact rather than a major market, so an hour is enough; prices are usually reasonable, but confirm them for seafood and specialty items before ordering. From Phước Mỹ, it is typically a 5–15 minute Grab ride, while from central Da Nang it may take 15–25 minutes. Keep cash in small notes, and expect the liveliest atmosphere after 7:00 PM.
Leave Da Nang around 9:00 AM by private car or GrabCar; although the coastal drive to Hoi An is usually 45–75 minutes, allow 1½–2 hours door to door for hotel departure, traffic, and luggage drop-off. Ask your driver to leave you at your Hoi An hotel or a permitted drop-off point near the Ancient Town, since some central streets restrict vehicles. After checking in or leaving bags, walk into the old quarter rather than arranging another car.
Begin at the Japanese Covered Bridge, where 30 minutes is enough to appreciate the tiled roof, wooden structure, and small shrine. From there, continue through the lanes to Tan Ky Ancient House, a compact but atmospheric merchant home with carved timber, courtyards, and flood-adapted architecture; allow about 45 minutes. Entrance to the principal sights is generally handled through Hoi An Ancient Town sightseeing tickets, with prices and included sites subject to local changes, so buy a ticket at an official booth if requested rather than assuming every interior is free.
Walk onward to the Assembly Hall of the Fujian Chinese, one of the town’s most ornate historic buildings, and spend around 45 minutes examining its incense-filled courtyard and elaborate altar details. Have lunch at Morning Glory Original, a reliable choice for central Vietnamese dishes such as cao lầu, white rose dumplings, and crispy bánh xèo; budget approximately 200,000–400,000 VND per person. It is popular, so arriving slightly before noon or accepting a short wait makes the meal easier. Keep the afternoon unstructured after lunch—Hoi An is best enjoyed slowly, with time for shaded lanes, riverside shops, and a return to the hotel before the heat builds.
After sunset, return to the Thu Bon River waterfront for an easy lantern walk of about an hour. The most atmospheric stretch is around the riverside lanes and the pedestrianized Ancient Town, when silk lanterns reflect on the water and vendors begin offering short boat rides. Avoid buying from the first riverside tout if you want a boat trip; agree on the price and duration beforehand. Traffic restrictions and ticket arrangements can vary by day, while many old-town businesses close at different times, so treat the lantern walk as a flexible evening rather than a timed attraction.
Start early with a bicycle or short Grab ride to Tra Que Vegetable Village, northeast of Hoi An. Give yourself about two hours to follow the narrow farming lanes, where beds of mint, basil, coriander, and other herbs are tended by local growers. The village is at its most pleasant before 9:00 AM, when the light is soft and the fields are still cool; wear shoes that can handle damp paths and avoid entering planted beds unless invited. A bicycle rental usually costs around 80,000–150,000 VND for the day, while a Grab to the village is roughly 100,000–150,000 VND each way.
Continue toward Cẩm Nam Island for an hour of quieter riverside wandering. This is a good contrast to Hoi An’s busier lanes: take the bridge across the Thu Bon River, then explore the small roads and waterfront paths at an unhurried pace. From Cẩm Nam, return toward the Ancient Town by bicycle or Grab—allow 15–25 minutes depending on where you stop—and have lunch at Bánh Mì Phượng. Expect a queue at popular times; late morning or around 2:00 PM is generally easier, and a filled baguette costs approximately 30,000–80,000 VND. Eat nearby rather than trying to cycle while carrying the sandwich, and keep the Ancient Town access ticket available if local checkpoint staff request it.
Spend the afternoon in the Ancient Town, beginning at the Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum. Allow about an hour for Réhahn’s striking portrait collection and the accompanying displays on Vietnam’s ethnic communities; admission is generally free, though opening hours can vary, so check locally before setting out. Then browse Hoi An Central Market, where the riverside stalls are best for fruit, spices, woven goods, and small snacks. Go with modest expectations about bargaining—ask the price first, compare a couple of stalls, and carry small Vietnamese notes. Finish at Reaching Out Tea House, a calm, socially supported café where service is intentionally quiet; allow an hour and budget approximately 100,000–250,000 VND per person. It is a welcome place to slow down after the market, and reservations are not usually necessary, though seats can fill during the late afternoon.
Begin at Hoi An Impression Theme Park on Cẩm Nam, ideally around 8:30–9:00 AM while the riverside paths are still quiet. Allow about 1½ hours to explore the cultural displays and landscaped grounds; the park is more atmospheric before the heat builds. Check the performance and admission schedule locally, as operating hours and show times can vary by season. From central Hoi An, it is a short walk across the bridge or an inexpensive GrabBike ride; bring water, as shade is limited in places.
Continue west to Thanh Ha Pottery Village, roughly 10–15 minutes by taxi, Grab, or bicycle from the Old Town. Set aside about two hours to wander through the workshops, watch artisans shape clay, and try making a small piece yourself. Expect a modest village admission and activity fee, commonly around 35,000–100,000 VND depending on what you choose. The lanes are easiest by bicycle, but a car or scooter is more comfortable in the midday heat; confirm that your hotel can arrange a licensed scooter if you ride.
Return toward the Ancient Town and stop at Mót Hội An for its fragrant herbal drink, usually about 20,000–50,000 VND. It is a quick, pleasant pause rather than a full meal, so use the half-hour to cool down and watch the Old Town traffic drift past. Then spend around 45 minutes at Reaching Out Arts & Crafts, a thoughtful shop showcasing carefully made Vietnamese handicrafts. Browse slowly and look for lacquerware, textiles, ceramics, and small gifts; purchases support artisans with disabilities, and the shop’s quiet atmosphere makes it a welcome break from the busier lanes.
Finish at Cargo Club along the riverside in the Ancient Town for coffee or a late lunch overlooking the Thu Bon River. Allow about 1½ hours and budget approximately 150,000–350,000 VND per person. Choose an upstairs table if available for better views, and arrive before the evening lantern crowds become dense. From there, your hotel is usually reachable on foot if you are staying near the Old Town; otherwise use a short Grab ride, since some central streets become pedestrian-only from late afternoon.
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