Buzz
I'm confident that any novice traveler would think of the itinerary Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An for their first journey. Understandably, with reasonable costs, convenient routes, distinctive landscapes, and diverse cuisine, the 'Central Vietnam Golden Triangle' has attracted many travel enthusiasts. Although I've explored nearly the entire S-shaped land before, this is the first time experiencing this route (previous trips were solo), and there's so much excitement. I'd like to share the details to spread this enthusiasm with familiar readers on Mytour.
'Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An' Journey across 3 Cultural Regions
You can liken Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An to a beautiful journey through three distinct cultural regions in Vietnam. If HUE represents the golden heritage of a bygone era, both contemplative and majestic, DA NANG is the contemporary heritage with an international vibe and a fast-paced lifestyle. Finally, the last stop, HOI AN, is the exquisite heritage of an urban cultural exchange, vibrant and charming.
With a geographically close and conveniently connected location, HUE - DA NANG - HOI AN is always the golden combo for those with limited time but still wish to experience many interesting cultural aspects.
Ticket-Hunting Experience
What's challenging, let Mytour take care of it - that's been my 'mantra' for the past 4 years since I started using this app, booking almost every travel ticket on Mytour. The beautiful and user-friendly interface, easily trackable comparison prices, not to mention always having great deals to save costs. My ticket-hunting experience on Mytour is quite simple, always turn on notifications, especially try to catch the airline's sale hours on the app for even better prices. This time, my round-trip from Hanoi to Hue and Da Nang to Hanoi was only 1.5 million VND, which is incredibly delightful.
Detailed Itinerary for Newbies on 'Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An'
Day 1: Hue
Accommodation
ANHILL HOTEL
Advantages: Incredibly beautiful, Exceptionally serene, Truly reflective of Hue's essence
Drawback: A bit far from the city center, but calling a taxi is convenient, or renting a motorbike for an idyllic and poetic Hue experience.
An incredible space for my extended holiday getaway
Immersing in nature with Anhill
A breakfast full of energy for a long day at the hotel
Address: aNhill Boutique Hotel Huế Khải Định, An Tây Ward, Huế City, Thừa Thiên Huế
Price: From 2,000,000 VND/ per night
Tourist attractions
The tomb system of the Nguyen dynasty emperors
Exploring the tombs and imperial citadel of the Nguyen dynasty is a distinctive feature of the ancient capital, Huế. If it's your first visit to this city, consider adding it to your itinerary. A piece of advice is to visit only 1-2 tombs on a short trip, leaving some for future journeys, for new excitement and emotions.
Minh Mang Tomb
Minh Mang Tomb left a strong impression on me with its ancient traditional architecture.
Minh Mang Tomb left a strong impression on me with its ancient traditional architecture.
Lầu Minh Lâu is designed according to Confucian standards and the philosophy of human life.
Address: Huong Tho Commune, Huong Tra District, Thua Thien Hue Province
Ticket Price: 150,000 VND/adult and 75,000 VND/child and senior citizen
Khai Dinh Tomb:
It's no exaggeration to say that Khai Dinh Tomb is the pinnacle of tomb architecture in Hue, blending traditional culture with European sophistication.
The statues at Ba Dinh courtyard will astonish you with their intricate carvings.
Address: National Highway 49, Thuy Bang Commune, Huong Thuy Town, Thua Thien Hue
Ticket Price: 75,000 VND/adult and 15,000 VND/child from 7-12 years old
Hue Imperial City:
People say that adopting local customs is like this. Every time I visit the Hue Imperial City and then go to Highlands Coffee, it always brings me great joy.
Hue Imperial City exudes the beauty of antiquity, solemnity, bearing the imprint of time and historical values of a golden era gone by.
Address: 23/8 Street, Thuan Hoa Ward, Hue City, Thua Thien Hue Province
Ticket Price: 200,000 VND/adult and 40,000 VND/child
Dong Ba Market:
A place where all the specialties of Hue converge
Culinary Delights Spots
Huong Cau Hue Cakes:
Satisfy your hungry stomach with a variety of Hue cakes - not a bad idea at all!!!
Address: 4 Nguyen Binh Khiem, Phu Cat, Hue City.
Price: from 30,000 - 60,000 VND/depending on the dish.
Salt Coffee:
Enhance the flavor of salt coffee by enjoying it with ice.
Address: 142 Dang Thai Than
Price: from 20,000 VND/ 1 cup
Hoa Dong Clam Rice:
When in Hue, you must not miss the delicious Clam Rice.
Address: 64 Alley 7 Ung Binh, Vy Da, Hue City, Thua Thien Hue
Price: from 15,000 VND/ 1 dish
O Tho Baguette
The late-night bites in Hue must be familiar with O Tho Baguette, also known as Truong Tien Baguette, right? Because the baguette is not only delicious but also affordable, with various toppings for you to mix and match: eggs, meat, sausage, pate, banh loc, nem, lap xuong... with prices ranging from 10k -15k depending on your choice. I especially like the pate here, rich and fragrant. Enjoying a hot milk baguette here in the cold weather is heavenly. The place was crowded when I visited, so you might have to wait a bit. But it will be worth it for an evening in Hue, right?
Looking at the toppings, I'm really tempted, want to try a bit of everything
Address: 8 Hoang Hoa Tham (next to the post office), Vinh Ninh Ward, Hue City
Price: 10,000 - 20,000 VND/ piece
Day 2: Hue - Da Nang
Moving from Hue to Da Nang is very simple; you can book a Limousine with prices starting from only 200,000 VND/ person.
The route from Hue to Da Nang is also very poetic!
Accommodation
À La Carte Da Nang Beach
Located on the beautiful My Khe Beach, renowned as one of the most charming beaches on the planet, you will be delighted with unique and fresh experiences at this beautiful Da Nang beach hotel. Youthful, modern, and friendly, À La Carte Da Nang Beach is a perfect stay for young individuals who appreciate contemporary and luxurious spaces.
With minimalist and modern design coupled with various accompanying activities, A La Carte promises to provide you with an extremely comfortable and rejuvenating vacation.
Address: 200 Vo Nguyen Giap, Son Tra District, Da Nang City
Room Rates: 1,400,000 - 1,500,000 VND/night
Tourist Attractions
Con Market
Con Market is hailed as the 'culinary paradise of Da Nang' with three main areas: indoor dining, outdoor dining, and a section dedicated to dried specialties. The stalls here are neatly arranged and scientifically organized. The dishes are eye-catching, with distinctive and enticing flavors at very affordable prices. If you're in Da Nang, you absolutely cannot miss Con Market!
The bustling daily scene of Con Market.
I particularly revisited the dried food section here to buy some as souvenirs. Even though they are just dried foods, they are marinated with rich traditional flavors, maintaining the distinctive and delicious taste.
Son Tra Night Market
If you're looking for a combination of shopping, entertainment, and dining, Son Tra Night Market is the place I want to introduce to you right now. Just hearing the words 'night market' makes it incredibly enticing and lively to me.
Here, you can enjoy countless delicious specialties of Da Nang with very affordable prices. From popular snacks like ice cream, sweet soup, grilled rice paper, snails, milk tea,... to famous specialties such as Quang noodles, banh beo, central Vietnamese pancake, rice paper rolls with pork,... Exploring around the market, I couldn't help but marvel and find some interesting delights for myself.
All you need is to bring a hungry stomach to Son Tra Night Market for a fully satisfying evening.
I was lucky to visit Son Tra Night Market on a day when they organized performances such as fire-breathing dragons, circus acts, Acoustic Guitar,...
My Khe Beach
With its smooth white sandy shore, warm water year-round, gentle waves, and surrounded by a stretch of coconut trees, My Khe exudes an irresistibly charming beauty that makes my heart flutter endlessly.
It seems that no amount of words can fully describe the beauty that this place offers.
Culinary Delights Exploration
Seafood at Be Bien Restaurant
Be Bien Seafood Restaurant is one of the renowned seafood spots in Da Nang. The dishes here are prepared uniquely while maintaining the freshness of the seafood. Moreover, the staff is attentive and efficient. I ordered food, and within 3 - 5 minutes, it was served even though the restaurant was crowded. I would give a 5-star rating for this. The menu is diverse, and the prices are reasonable, fitting any budget.
Delicious and fresh seafood, marinated to perfection without losing its essence
Location: 202 Vo Nguyen Giap (Next to À La Carte Hotel), Son Tra District, Da Nang City
Price: 40,000 - 150,000 VND
Banh Trang Thit Heo and Ca Nuc by Mrs. Hong
Banh Trang Thit Heo Ca Nuc is a distinctive culinary delight of coastal residents in general and the Quang Nam - Da Nang region in particular. The fresh fish is marinated just right to preserve its unique flavor without becoming too fishy during preparation. The steamed fish releases flavorful juice, which, when mixed with the marinated fish, creates an enticing dipping sauce. The meat and vegetables are guaranteed fresh and clean, ensuring a delightful culinary experience. In Da Nang, there is no shortage of Banh Trang Thit Heo Ca Nuc stalls, and you can find them anywhere. The prices are very affordable, around 70,000 VND per person for a satisfying meal.
Just by looking at the freshness of the raw vegetables, you may find yourself irresistibly drawn to keep eating without getting tired of it.
Address: 118 Hung Thuc Khang, Hai Chau District, Da Nang City
Average Price Range: 35,000 - 100,000 VND/ serving
Day 3: Da Nang - Hoi An
Travel from Da Nang to Hoi An by taxi at a cost of approximately 400,000 VND per trip. If you are traveling in a group, you may consider taking a taxi instead of a bus for privacy and the flexibility to visit attractions along the way if desired!
Accommodation
Villa Vesta
The final check-in location for me was Villa Vesta. Villa Vesta is designed with simplicity, modernity, elegance, carrying its own unique nostalgia of this nearly 500-year-old city. Villa Vesta has successfully evoked in me a sense of gentleness and warmth. With 3 spacious and comfortable bedrooms along with a fully equipped modern kitchen, Villa Vesta is suitable for groups of friends or families to spend warm evenings, gathering, and cooking together. Villa Vesta features a private swimming pool, free beautiful car rental, and other accompanying services that always delight visitors here.
Using the Traditional Interior Design transition style, Villa Vesta has left a strong impression on me
Address: 245 Cửa Đại, Cẩm Châu, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province
Room Price: from 5,500,000 VND/ night
Tourist Attractions
Hoi An Ancient Town
I have strolled through Hoi An Ancient Town countless times, and with each return, I find myself more enchanted by this place. It's not just the vibrancy or the somewhat opulence the city exudes; most of it lies in the simple, rustic beauty that has endured through time.
It seems like this city has never forgotten its inherent liveliness.
Culinary Delights
Hien's Chicken Rice
I got to know about this place through the recommendation of a local friend. Locals often dine here a lot, and experiencing such favoritism is no exaggeration. The chicken rice here is fragrant and flavorful, not dry like some other places I've tried before. The chicken salad is a must-try, absolutely delightful. Despite the crowd, the service staff is very enthusiastic and attentive. I didn't have to wait for too long either. Overall, Hien's Chicken Rice is definitely worth a try.
A hearty dish like this deserves a solid 5-star rating, don't you think!?
Address: 593 Hai Ba Trung, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province
Price: 25,000 - 30,000 VND/dish
Phuong Baguette
Phuong Baguette is also one of the renowned addresses in this ancient town, so I eagerly visited to experience it. The baguette here stands out not only because of its pate or various toppings but also due to its crispy, chewy crust that doesn't crumble. However, due to the crowd, I had to wait in line for a while.
You have to try it to understand why Phuong Baguette is so famous.
Address: 2B Phan Chau Trinh, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province
Price Range: 25,000 - 30,000 VND
Local Market in Cam Chau: Mi Quang - Banh Beo - Banh Loc - Banh Nam
Cam Chau Market is a local market not widely known in Hoi An's tourism circle. Initially, I had no intention of coming here, just happened to pass by while exploring. I was pleasantly surprised. The market has everything, especially incredibly delicious and affordable food. The vendors are also very enthusiastic and cheerful. A lovely experience without the need to follow reviews on social media.
The dishes I tried when passing by here
Summing it up
Connecting the three central regions of Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An is an exciting journey, a must-try for travel enthusiasts who appreciate the beauty of the S-shaped land. To experience at least once the beautiful heritage, enchanting landscapes, and unique cuisine.
Author: Vo Linh Chi
*Article participating in the Mytour Golocal program
Mytour Golocal is a blogging program introducing beautiful destinations across Vietnam, part of the Mytour Go & Share program. This is a great opportunity to promote local tourism. For each qualifying article, you will receive 800,000 VND and the chance to become a contributor with Mytour. For detailed information about the program, see: https://trv.lk/golocal
