Da Nang and Hoi An: The Ideal Week in Vietnam 

Land in Ho Chi Minh City and take a quick hopper flight to explore the Central Coast of Vietnam for a perfect blend of beach and adventure!

overview: a week in vietnam

A week to ten days centering around Da Nang and Hoi An would make for an exciting and ideal week in Vietnam. The stunning coastline and sandy beaches pair well with deliciously fresh seafood, and the local culture shines through all of it. 

To get there efficiently, your best option may be to fly into Ho Chi Minh City (SGN airport), which is a major international airport in southern Vietnam, connecting the country to Asia, Australia, Europe and the US. You can either choose to spend some time in HCM or take an easy hopper flight up north, to Da Nang Airport. This will be your entryway to either Da Nang or Hoi An, as it’s the closest airport to both.

suggested itinerary for a week in vietnam

Day 1-2: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh, enjoy Michelin pho, recover from jet lag, hit the markets and soak in the city views

then Day 3-6: Beach time in Da Nang, indulge in seafood, check out Ba Na Hills, the Dragon Bridge show, and Marble Mountains

finally Day 7-10: Explore the ancient town of Hoi An, focusing on the river night market and beautiful lanterns

Practicalities for a week in vietnam

Currency: Vietnamese Duong

Recommended length of stay: this itinerary is for 7-10 days, but you could easily spend much longer

Month of our visit: september (for some reason we keep coming back in september!)

Language: vietnamese

CDC’s recommended vaccinations: click here!

Must do before traveling: check if you need a visa for travel! We applied for ours online here

Consider downloading the Grab app before arrival – it will help you with getting taxis, and ordering food, drinks, and other supplies to your hotel or Airbnb! 

We always skip the currency exchange counters that can have poor rates and exorbitant fees and head straight to the airport ATM to withdraw local currency, often for only a few USD! 

Make sure you bring your credit card without foreign transaction fees. also, be sure to let your bank know that you’re traveling. You’ll be able to use your credit card at lots of restaurants and shops, but in street markets cash is still king!

packing list for a week in vietnam

• Light, loose tee shirts
• Light, loose long pants
• Lightweight dress
• Cotton overshirt or wrap to protect from the sun  
• Bathing suits and cover ups
• Light sweater or jacket for evening depending on the season
• Sunglasses
• Large sun hat
• Hand held fan
• One pair of walking shoes
• Sandals
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Power bank 
• Adaptor
• Passport and cash

ho chi minh city

When you land, grab a grab to your hotel. The price is set before-hand (no negotiations) and you can pre-load your credit card so you don’t have to deal with cash. Definitely make sure to verify the number plate of your car before you get in, for safety.

where to stay

We stayed at Silverland Ben Thanh. It has a central location (close to the markets) and a futuristic, Star Wars-esque vibe. Our rate included a refreshing afternoon tea service as well.

where to eat

Definitely check out Pho Viet Nam near Ben Thanh market. Don’t blame us if this single bowl ruins all other pho for you! Michelin mentioned for a reason.

what to do

• Ben Thanh Market. this is one of our favorite markets in Vietnam. This covered market is always full of activity. here, You’ll be able to find great snacks, souvenirs and generally enjoy the shopping seen in HCM. 
• Sky Deck @ Bitexco Financial Tower. You can pay for entrance on the 49th floor, or you can check out the rooftop bar for similar panoramic views. Drinks here are not cheap.

• Nguyen Hue Square. a major pulse point of the city. Even late at night, you’ll see families, couples, tourists, street performers, vendors and all kinds gather here. It’s a great place to soak in the French colonial architecture.

Da nang

Take an easy hour and a half flight up north to Da Nang Airport. We always fly VietJet, but other options include Vietnam airlines and Bamboo Airways. You can train up as well – but that can take nearly 17 hours. That’s a significant chunk of time on a shorter itinerary.

where to stay

We would highly recommend staying at a beachside resort in Da Nang. There are numerous peppered up and down the coast with different budgets and amenities. My Khe beach is the “main” beach in Da Nang, but can get quite busy!

where to eat

Ngoc Huong Seafood Restaurant is an authentic and ridiculously fresh seafood restaurant right along the beach. You’ll be served gigantic prawns, clams, crab, fish, and all manner of seafood for an affordable price.

Nha Viet Banh Mi & Caffee was one of our favorite stops for an egg banh mi and iced Vietnamese coffee. Just perfect as a refreshing snack after a stroll on the beach!

what to do

• Marble Mountains. This was one of our favorite things (other than beach) in Da Nang. Just south of the city, you’ll find 5 limestone and marble hills with numerous caves. We stumbled upon a Buddhist chant at a monastery, which was beautiful to behold. There are also panoramic views, and interesting delights inside the caves. 
• ba na hills. take the cable car up to this iconic mountain resort and check out the famous hand bridge, french style gardens, and panoramic views

• Lady Buddha Statue. You can appreciate this in person, or see it from the long stretch of coastline. It’s hard to miss! 
• Dragon Bridge Fire & Water Show. On weekend evenings, gather around the Dragon Bridge to watch it blow fire and steam amongst massive crowds!

• Son Tra Night Market. An easy walk to the Dragon Bridge. This is a great place to grab a street food snack on your way back from the show. 

• Han River boat cruise. We saw several evening river cruises while wandering along the Han river. Though we didn’t board one, we’ve earmarked it for our next trip for a relaxing evening!

hoi an

this ancient city is an easy drive away from da nang – about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic! use the grab app for a quick pickup.

where to stay

We’ve always made day trips to Hoi An, since it’s a little under an hour away from Da Nang. There are a handful of boutique hotels in the Old Town that look attractive, such as Anio Boutique Hotel and Moire Hoi An.

where to eat

The Spice Route is a hidden gen in Hoi An’s Old Town. This romantic and intimate restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor patio offers a spectacular view over the river, where you can enjoy a unique cocktail while pondering the intense and aromatic menu.

what to do

• Hoi An Night Market. If you do one thing in Hoi An, go to the river around sunset. You’ll be treated to dramatic views of lanterns on river boats, aromatic smells from street vendors, and live music. It feels right out of a movie. 

• Basket Boat Tours. Not for those who become motion sick! Local guides spin bamboo woven round boats down the river. Definitely bring bug spray for this one. 
• Wander the Old Town. Walk down the paved streets and take in the architecture of this ancient town. It gets busy in the evenings, though motor traffic is often blocked from access.

And there you have it – our ideal one week in Vietnam itinerary including Da Nang and Hoi An, launching from Ho Chi Minh City! check out our vietnam page here. Interested in other destinations in asia? head right over here!