At a glance
- Focus your downtown Da Nang day on Han Market, museums, and the riverfront. Visit the beach early and swim only in a lifeguarded area.
- In Hoi An, check the official ticketed sights and pedestrian access hours, and take a break during the day.
- Choose one meal and one cafe in each area, and keep a backup route in case a place is closed or crowded.
- When checking vehicle options, enter your hotel’s exact address and a pickup or drop-off point outside the pedestrian zone of Hoi An Ancient Town. Vietnam Tourism gives the distance between Da Nang Airport and Hoi An Ancient Town as about 29 km, so don’t estimate the trip as if it were a short ride within downtown Da Nang. For a round-trip car, confirm the number of passengers, luggage, one-way or round-trip service, whether waiting time is included, and the final fare.
- On the day you return from Hoi An to Da Nang, set your hotel pickup time and target airport arrival ahead of the airline’s check-in cutoff. A map’s estimated travel time reflects traffic conditions, not extra time for check-in, so shorten your stay in the Old Town if there’s heavy rain or traffic. Add time for a detour to pick up luggage if your accommodation is in Da Nang or Hoi An.
Day by day
Suggested itinerary
See each day's route, highlights, background and stay together in one place.
Visit Han Market and the cathedral in the morning, have lunch by the river, then rest at a cafe during the hottest part of the day.
Walk along the beach before the sun gets strong, then fit in lunch and a fruit stand. Decide whether to swim based on on-site safety signs and the lifeguarded area.
Have breakfast, visit one or two ticketed old houses in the Old Town, and rest at a cafe in the afternoon. After sunset, take another walk along the lantern-lit riverfront.
Places and meals
How to fit it in
Use this when planning three days in Da Nang, with downtown, the beach, and Hoi An Ancient Town on separate days.
Reality check
Travel time between Da Nang and Hoi An depends on your starting point, time of day, and transportation. Check the map’s estimated time for your visit date and the pickup and drop-off points for a booked car. Allow extra time for traffic on the return trip.
The three days in this itinerary are for downtown sightseeing, the beach, and Hoi An. To stay for the lantern-lit evening in Hoi An, you’ll need an additional night afterward and a separate departure day. If you’re arriving and departing by air on a 3-day, 2-night trip, skip the evening walk in Hoi An on day three, move Hoi An to day two, and shorten your beach time.
Instead of relying on a fixed estimate, add the confirmed ride-hailing fare, official sightseeing tickets, and actual menu prices for your visit date.
Plan one indoor stop each day to avoid the midday heat and sudden rain. Follow the beach flags and lifeguards’ instructions. If you’re renting a motorbike, check your international driving permit and insurance coverage first.
If plans change
Replace the beach with the Museum of Cham Sculpture, Han Market, and a cafe. Move Hoi An to a time when the rain is lighter.
Combine downtown Da Nang and My Khe Beach in one day, and give Hoi An a full day.
Small tip
Start with your flight dates. If you’re flying out during the day or evening of day three, don’t schedule a lantern-lit evening in Hoi An that day. Get ready to leave near your Da Nang accommodation instead.
Final check before departure
- Decide whether you’ll stay overnight in Hoi An and confirm the booking and cancellation terms for a round-trip car.
- Check official tourism information for visitor access and pedestrian guidance in Hoi An Ancient Town on your visit date.
- Bring a waterproof bag for swimming and sun protection. Follow the beach flags and lifeguards’ instructions before swimming.
- Save one restaurant option and one backup in each area.
Pedestrian access restrictions and paid sightseeing areas in Hoi An Ancient Town, as well as beach safety guidance in Da Nang, may change over time. Check official Da Nang and Hoi An tourism information and on-site signs for your visit date. If it rains heavily, move beach and riverfront activities indoors.
Information checked: 2026-07-30