Da Nang 5-Day Comprehensive

Activities

1. 12:00 DAD Airport arrival + Grab to My Khe 1 hour

   Da Nang International (DAD) is 3km from My Khe Beach — 10-15 min by Grab for VND 150,000 ($6). Most flights from Asia arrive late morning or early afternoon.

   Cost: VND 150,000 ($6) Grab TIP: Don't take 'fixed' airport taxi (overcharges 200%). Use Grab app exclusively. Hotel shuttle $5-10 if booked.
2. 13:30 Hotel check-in + lunch — Madame Lan Mì Quảng 1.5 hours

   Drop bags, then walk or Grab to Bach Dang Riverside Madame Lan for the canonical Da Nang Mì Quảng lunch.

   Cost: VND 100,000-200,000 ($4-8) TIP: Most hotels offer early check-in for an extra $20-40 — worth it after a 5h flight.
3. 15:00 My Khe Beach + pool rest 2.5 hours

   Beach swim + hotel pool to acclimate to the tropical heat. UV 9-11 brutal in afternoon — pool umbrella required.

   Cost: Free with hotel TIP: Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+ mandatory. Beach chairs at hotel zones free.
4. 17:30 Marble Mountains sunset + Linh Ung Pagoda summit 2 hours

   Late-afternoon Marble Mountains visit avoids brutal midday heat. Take elevator up for sunset views from Linh Ung Pagoda summit.

   Cost: VND 55,000 ($2.20) entry + elevator TIP: Sunset 17:30-18:30 depending on season. Last elevator 16:30 — confirm + plan stairs back if late.
5. 20:00 Dinner — Bé Mặn Seafood Night Market 2 hours

   An Thuong Street seafood market — pick fresh from tank + grill on spot. The signature Da Nang dinner experience.

   Cost: VND 250,000-500,000 ($10-20) TIP: Bargain 10-20% off written prices. Cash + card. Scallops + clams + squid better value than lobster.
6. 21:30 Dragon Bridge fire show (if Sat/Sun) or An Thuong walk 1 hour

   If arrival is a weekend, catch the Dragon Bridge fire show 21:00. Otherwise An Thuong cafe and bar walk.

   Cost: Free or $5-10 cocktails TIP: Dragon Bridge fire show ONLY Sat + Sun 21:00. Other nights: An Thuong nightlife or Sky 36 rooftop bar at Novotel Han River.

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 08:30 Grab to Hoi An (30 min south) 30-40 min

   Coastal road from Da Nang to Hoi An. Some hotels offer free Hoi An shuttle (Hyatt, Furama, Pullman — check in advance).

   Cost: VND 200,000 ($8) Grab one-way TIP: Stay until after lantern lighting — Grab back 21:00 easy.
2. 09:30 Hoi An Old Town walking — Japanese Bridge + Assembly Halls 3 hours

   Japanese Bridge 1593 + Chinese Assembly Halls + Quan Cong Temple + ancient houses. UNESCO 15th-century trading port.

   Cost: VND 120,000 ($5) combo ticket TIP: Tan Ky House + Phung Hung House best preserved. Mornings before 11:00 cooler.
3. 12:30 Lunch — Bánh Mì Phượng (Bourdain's banh mi) 30-45 min

   Most-famous banh mi in world. Anthony Bourdain 2009. Vietnamese baguette + pâté + 5 meats + pickled veg + cilantro + chili.

   Cost: VND 35,000 ($1.50) TIP: Cash only. Queue 15-30 min. Order 'special' (đặc biệt).
4. 13:30 Custom tailor visit + tropical fruit market 2 hours

   Hoi An is custom tailor capital — 24-hour suits/dresses $50-200. Yaly Couture or A Dong Silk most reputable.

   Cost: Tailor optional $50-200 TIP: Order today morning, pickup tomorrow morning before return to Da Nang.
5. 16:00 Cao lầu at Mr. Son + cafe break 1 hour

   Cao lầu = Hoi An's regional noodle. Only authentic in Hoi An (uses Ba Le well water). Cafe break for AC.

   Cost: VND 35,000-50,000 ($1.50-2) TIP: Cao lầu Mr. Son or Cao lầu Bà Bé. Cash only.
6. 18:00 Lantern lighting + Thu Bon River boat ride 2 hours

   Hoi An lanterns light at sunset. Paper lantern release on Thu Bon River + boat ride. Full moon (lunar 14th) all electric lights off — purely lanterns.

   Cost: VND 100,000-200,000 ($4-8) boat ride TIP: Lanterns on river VND 10,000 each. Boat ride 20-30 min. Check lunar calendar for full moon.
7. 20:30 Dinner + Grab back to Da Nang 2 hours + 30 min transit

   Morning Glory ($8-15) most-recommended Hoi An restaurant. Reservation recommended weekends.

   Cost: VND 200,000-400,000 ($8-16) + Grab TIP: Streets Restaurant Café trains disadvantaged youth — feel-good alternative.

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 07:30 Pickup at hotel (day-tour bus) 1 hour transit

   Most efficient via day-tour ($30-50 includes pickup + cable car + lunch + guide). Pre-book Klook or sunworld.vn for 15-25% off.

   Cost: $30-50 day tour TIP: If you prefer independence: Grab to base station $20, buy cable car ticket VND 900,000 ($36).
2. 09:00 Cable car ascent + Golden Bridge 2 hours

   World's longest single-cable car (5,801m, 25 min). Golden Bridge held by giant stone hands (2018, Instagram-iconic) at 1,400m altitude.

   Cost: Included TIP: Golden Bridge crowded 10:00-15:00 — arrive 09:00 for crowd-free photos. Cold at 1,487m — bring light jacket.
3. 11:30 French Village + Fantasy Park + lunch 3.5 hours

   Indoor mountain theme park — Disney-style French village + Fantasy Park indoor arcade + 4D movies + lunch at French Village ($10-20).

   Cost: Included + lunch $10-20 TIP: Touristy but unique mountain location. Cooler temperature welcomed in summer heat.
4. 15:00 Alpine coaster + Wax Museum + descent 2 hours

   Alpine coaster (Vietnam's longest at 1,400m mountain) + Wax Museum + cable car descent 25 min.

   Cost: Included TIP: Sit on the right side going down for Hai Van Pass + ocean views during descent.
5. 17:30 Hotel rest + spa massage 2 hours

   1-hour Vietnamese spa massage at hotel or An Thuong street spa ($10-25). Recharge after mountain day.

   Cost: $10-25 streetside; $40-80 luxury TIP: Charming Spa + Quan Spa Tre most-popular street-spa options. Tip 10-15%.
6. 19:30 Dinner — Quan Be Man beach seafood 2 hours

   Beach-zone seafood specialist. Grilled prawns + lemongrass crab + Vietnamese hot pot.

   Cost: VND 350,000-700,000 ($14-28) TIP: Vo Nguyen Giap beach road. Set menus $50-80 for group of 4 best value.

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 07:00 Day-tour bus to Hue (Hai Van Pass scenic) 2.5 hours each way

   Day-tour bus $35-50 includes Hai Van Pass scenic stop + transport + lunch + Imperial Citadel + tombs. Train alternative $8 each way (2h45) but skips Hai Van Pass.

   Cost: $35-50 day tour TIP: Hai Van Pass photo stop included — Top Gear Vietnam special filmed here. Best on clear-weather days.
2. 10:30 Hue Imperial Citadel + Forbidden City 3 hours

   UNESCO Nguyen Dynasty capital 1802-1945. Imperial Citadel + Forbidden City + Throne Hall + Royal Theatre. Vietnam's largest historic complex.

   Cost: VND 200,000 ($8) TIP: Bombed Tet Offensive 1968 — partially restored. Closed 11:30-13:30 lunch. English signage limited — audio guide $5.
3. 13:30 Lunch — Hue specialties (Bún Bò Huế, Cơm Hến) 1 hour

   Hue cuisine — Bún Bò Huế (spicy beef noodle, royal court dish), Cơm Hến (clam rice), Bánh Khoái (sizzling crepe Hue-style).

   Cost: VND 100,000-250,000 ($4-10) TIP: Lac Thien (heritage) or Hanh restaurant. Bún Bò Huế is spicy — say 'không cay' (not spicy) if needed.
4. 15:00 Royal Tombs along Perfume River (Tu Duc + Khai Dinh + Minh Mang) 3 hours

   3 main royal tombs along Perfume River south of Hue. Tu Duc (lake + pavilions), Khai Dinh (concrete + glass mosaic), Minh Mang (largest + most-symmetric).

   Cost: VND 150,000 ($6) each tomb or VND 360,000 combo TIP: Combo ticket all 3 tombs. Boat ride Perfume River $5 extra (scenic). Khai Dinh smallest but most ornate.
5. 18:00 Return to Da Nang (Hai Van Pass evening) 2.5 hours

   Day-tour returns via Hai Van Pass — sunset views during return. Arrive Da Nang 20:30-21:00.

   Cost: Included TIP: Sit on the right side going back for ocean views during descent from Hai Van Pass.
6. 21:00 Late dinner — Mì Quảng Ếch Bếp Trang (frog leg version) 1 hour

   Frog leg Mì Quảng variation — Da Nang regional dish. Spicier than chicken/pork. Open late.

   Cost: VND 80,000-150,000 ($3.20-6) TIP: Cash only. Take Grab. Locals' favorite for late dinner.

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 07:30 My Son Sanctuary half-day tour (4th-13th century Cham ruins UNESCO) 4 hours half-day

   Vietnam's Angkor Wat — 4th-13th century Cham (Hindu) temple ruins. 1h from Da Nang. Apsara dance shows 09:00 + 09:45 + 10:30.

   Cost: VND 150,000 ($6) entry + $20-30 half-day tour TIP: Bombed during Vietnam War, partially restored. Apsara dance free with entry — catch 09:00 show. Wear hat — open archaeological site.
2. 12:00 Lunch + return to Da Nang 1 hour

   Local Vietnamese lunch en route. Mì Quảng or banh xeo at roadside stall.

   Cost: VND 100,000 ($4) TIP: Tour usually includes lunch stop at family restaurant.
3. 13:30 Son Tra Peninsula motorbike loop + Lady Buddha (67m) 3 hours

   Son Tra Mountain peninsula motorbike circle + 67m Lady Buddha statue at Linh Ung Pagoda. Monkeys + panoramic views.

   Cost: Motorbike rental $5/day or Grab car $15 TIP: Easy rider driver $25/day if not confident. Bai But viewpoint cafe sunset. Lady Buddha pagoda free.
4. 17:30 Sunset cocktails at beach club 1.5 hours

   Beach club for sunset — Esco Beach + Burger Bros + The Deck options. $5-15 cocktails.

   Cost: VND 125,000-375,000 ($5-15) TIP: Esco Beach most-popular sunset spot. Reserve weekends.
5. 19:30 Farewell at La Maison 1888 (InterContinental Michelin-equivalent) or Sea Phoenix luxury seafood 2.5 hours

   Mid-luxury farewell — La Maison 1888 French at InterContinental ($80-180) or Sea Phoenix Vietnamese ($25-60). Reservation essential.

   Cost: VND 600,000-4,000,000 ($25-180) TIP: La Maison 1888 requires 1-week-ahead booking + smart casual. Sea Phoenix walkable from An Thuong.

Meal Recommendations