Orivia Travel · Private tours of Vietnam

Hue, Hoi An & Da Nang: Central Vietnam in 5 Days

Imperial tombs in Hue, the Hai Van pass by car, lantern-lit evenings in Hoi An and a day up in the hills at the Golden Bridge, with time left for the beach.

  • Duration: 5 days · 4 nights
  • Start: Da Nang · End: Da Nang
  • Route: Da Nang – Hoi An – Ba Na Hills – Hai Van pass – Hue – Da Nang
  • Departure: Daily, private tour
  • Meals: 4 breakfasts · 3 lunches · 1 dinner
  • Accommodation: 3 nights riverside boutique hotel in Hoi An, 1 night heritage hotel in Hue
  • Travel style: Culture & heritage, Food & local life, Beach & islands
  • Price: from US$620 per person, based on two travellers sharing on a private tour
  • Tour code: EN-CEN-001

Tour overview

Central Vietnam packs three very different places into one short drive. Hoi An is a 16th century trading port where Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese merchants left their houses, bridges and assembly halls almost untouched. Hue was the seat of the Nguyen emperors until 1945, and its citadel and royal tombs are set in pine hills along the Perfume River. Da Nang links the two, with a long sandy beach and the Ba Na hills behind it. We base you in Hoi An so you unpack only twice, and cross the Hai Van pass by car rather than the highway tunnel, because the view is the point.

Highlights

  • Walking tour of Hoi An Ancient Town and a lantern boat on the Thu Bon river
  • Golden Bridge held up by two giant stone hands at Ba Na Hills
  • Hai Van pass by private car with stops at the summit and Lang Co lagoon
  • Hue Imperial Citadel, Thien Mu pagoda and the tomb of Khai Dinh
  • Free afternoon on My Khe beach before your flight

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Da Nang – Hoi An lantern evening

Meals: D

Getting around: private car, boat, walking

Pick-up at Da Nang airport and a 40 minute drive to your hotel in Hoi An. At dusk, walk through the old town with your guide as the silk lanterns come on, then float a paper candle from a small boat on the Thu Bon river. Dinner of cao lau and white rose dumplings, two dishes you only find here.

Day 2: Hoi An Ancient Town and countryside

Meals: B, L

Getting around: walking, cycling

Morning walking tour of the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Tan Ky merchant house and the Fujian assembly hall before the crowds arrive. After lunch, cycle out through rice fields to Tra Que vegetable village, where farmers still water their herbs by hand. Late afternoon free for tailors and cafés.

Day 3: Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge

Meals: B, L

Getting around: private car, cable car, walking

Drive to Ba Na Hills and ride one of the world's longest cable cars up to 1,400 m. Walk across the Golden Bridge, held up by two giant stone hands, and explore the French-era hill station and gardens. In the evening, see the Dragon Bridge in Da Nang before returning to Hoi An.

Day 4: Hai Van pass – Hue Imperial City

Meals: B, L

Getting around: private car, walking, boat

Cross the Hai Van pass with stops at the summit gate and Lang Co lagoon, arriving in Hue for lunch. In the afternoon, explore the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City, then take a dragon boat up the Perfume River to Thien Mu pagoda as the sun goes down.

Day 5: Tomb of Khai Dinh – Da Nang – departure

Meals: B

Getting around: private car, flight

Visit the tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh, a striking mix of Vietnamese and European styles covered inside in glass and porcelain mosaics. Drive back to Da Nang, with a stop at My Khe beach if your flight allows, and transfer to the airport.

What's included

  • Private English-speaking guide on every sightseeing day
  • Private air-conditioned car or van with driver for all transfers
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off on arrival and departure days
  • Hotels as listed, twin or double room with daily breakfast
  • Meals as listed in the itinerary (B: breakfast, L: lunch, D: dinner)
  • Entrance fees and boat tickets for every visit in the itinerary
  • Bottled water and cold towels in the car every day
  • 24/7 hotline with the Orivia operations team in Hanoi
  • Ba Na Hills cable car ticket
  • Lantern boat ride on the Thu Bon river

Not included

  • International flights and Vietnam visa fees
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Drinks with meals, personal expenses and laundry
  • Tips for guides and drivers (optional)
  • Single room supplement
  • Flights to Da Nang and from Hue or Da Nang

Enquire about this tour or plan a tailor-made trip

More Central Vietnam tours

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa to visit Vietnam?

Most travellers can apply online for an e-visa, valid for up to 90 days with single or multiple entry. Citizens of several countries, including the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the Nordic countries, can visit visa-free for a set number of days. Rules change from time to time, so check the official portal before you book flights. We are happy to look at your nationality and dates for you.

When is the best time to travel in Vietnam?

Vietnam is long, so the weather depends on the region. The North is cool and dry from October to April and hot from May to September. The centre around Hue and Hoi An is best from February to August, with heavy rain from October to December. The South is warm all year, with a dry season from December to April. A North to South trip works well in spring, from February to April.

Are the tours private or in a group?

Every tour on this site is private: you travel only with your own party, with your own guide and driver. That means you choose the start date, the pace and where to stop. Overnight cruises in Ha Long Bay are shared boats, but you have your own cabin.

What does the price per person include?

Prices are per person, based on two travellers sharing a twin or double room. They cover the guide, private transport, hotels with breakfast, the meals listed, entrance fees and boat tickets. Groups of three or more pay less per person; solo travellers pay a single supplement. Your quote will show the exact price for your party and travel dates.

Can you change an itinerary for us?

Yes, almost all of our travellers change something: an extra night on the beach, a cooking class, a slower day for children, or a different hotel. Tell us what you would like and we will send a revised plan and price, free of charge.

How do I book and pay?

Send an enquiry from any tour page or the tailor-made form. A travel designer replies within one working day with a plan and quote. Nothing is booked and nothing is paid until you confirm. To secure hotels and cruises we then ask for a deposit by bank transfer or card, with the balance due before arrival. The exact terms are written in your quote.