Places to Visit in Da Nang & Hanoi

Hanoi and Da Nang are separate cities, and their sights are spread across both. The most common mistake is trying to see Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Da Nang in a few days, with long transfers in between. Group places by city instead, give each area a clear half or full day, and use the sections below to decide what is worth your time.

How should you group these places?

Think of the trip in three zones. Hanoi's core sights sit close together in and around the Old Quarter, and Ha Long Bay is reached by road transfer for an overnight cruise. Da Nang's sights run from the city centre out to My Khe Beach, with Ba Na Hills, Marble Mountains and Son Tra Peninsula on the outskirts. Hoi An Ancient Town is near Da Nang and works as a half-day or full-day visit. Domestic flights link Hanoi and Da Nang, so finish one city before you fly to the other.

Hanoi Old Quarter

The Old Quarter is the easiest place to start in Hanoi. Its narrow streets lead to local food, traditional commercial areas and Hoan Kiem Lake. Visit early in the morning, before traffic and heat build up. The streets are busy later in the day, so plan lighter walks for those hours and keep a map or offline route with you. Set aside a full morning, and leave the afternoon for a rest or a visit to a temple.

Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple

This central Hanoi landmark combines a lakeside walk with a historic temple on a small island. Ngoc Son Temple is the highlight, and the lake is an easy first stop for a relaxed walk. Check temple opening hours before you visit, because they can change. Pair the lake with a walk through the Old Quarter, which is close by, so the two make a complete half day.

Temple of Literature

The Temple of Literature is a historic Confucian complex associated with Vietnam's traditional education system. It is a religious and heritage site, so dress modestly and follow the signs inside. Allow a few hours to walk the courtyards and see the complex properly. Combine it with Hoan Kiem Lake on the same day, and plan the visit in the morning when heat is lower.

Ha Long Bay

A cruise through Ha Long Bay offers access to limestone islands, caves and coastal scenery from northern Vietnam. It needs about two days in your plan, including the road transfer from Hanoi and an overnight cruise. Cruise schedules can change with the weather, so build a spare half day into your plan. Cruise operators handle the documentation needed for the bay. Our Hanoi and Ha Long Bay 5N package builds an overnight cruise into its itinerary.

Da Nang city and the Han River

Da Nang's central area runs along the Han River, with markets and urban dining close by. Dragon Bridge is one of the city's well-known landmarks, but its schedules and viewing conditions can vary, so check locally before you plan an evening around it. The river area is a good place for a first afternoon, and it is close to My Khe Beach. Allow a half day for the city centre and a short walk along the river.

My Khe Beach

My Khe is Da Nang's main urban beach. It is convenient for swimming, sunrise walks and coastal dining. Observe local flags and lifeguard instructions before you enter the sea. A sunrise walk is a good way to start a beach day, before the sun is at its strongest. Keep a flexible afternoon in case the weather changes, and pair the beach with a visit to the river area.

Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge

Ba Na Hills combines a mountain resort, cable-car access and the Golden Bridge viewpoint near Da Nang. Start early, because queues and cloud cover can increase later in the day. Plan a full day, including the trip from the city, and carry layers because hill weather can change. Check ticket and cable-car arrangements before you travel, and keep the rest of the day light.

Marble Mountains

The Marble Mountains contain caves, Buddhist shrines and elevated viewpoints south of central Da Nang. The site involves steep and uneven steps, so wear footwear suited to climbing and allow extra time for the walk. It works as a half-day visit, and it pairs well with a trip to Hoi An or a stop at My Khe Beach. Travellers with limited mobility should plan a slower visit or skip the upper steps.

Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An offers preserved historic streets, riverside scenery, markets and traditional architecture near Da Nang. A local entry ticket may apply to heritage attractions, so carry small cash. The riverside is a pleasant place for an evening walk, and the old streets suit a slow morning. Plan Hoi An as a half-day or full-day visit, and allow time for the road journey back to Da Nang.

Son Tra Peninsula

Son Tra provides forested coastal roads, viewpoints and habitat for the red-shanked douc langur. Use a licensed driver or an organised transfer for the peninsula's roads. Allow a half or full day, and keep the visit suited to wildlife spotting and viewpoints.

At a glance by city

• Hanoi: Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, Temple of Literature, and the Ha Long Bay cruise.
• Da Nang: Han River and city centre, My Khe Beach, Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge, Marble Mountains and Son Tra Peninsula.
• Nearby: Hoi An Ancient Town.
• Time needed: about one day for each main sight, and about two days for Ha Long Bay.

Which places suit which trip length?

Five days covers Hanoi's Old Quarter and Temple of Literature, Da Nang's city and My Khe Beach, Hoi An and Marble Mountains. Seven days is ideal if you want Ha Long Bay and Ba Na Hills or Son Tra as well. Ten days allows an overnight Ha Long Bay cruise plus Ba Na Hills, Marble Mountains and Son Tra at a slower pace. Three days is tight, so choose only Hoan Kiem Lake, My Khe Beach and one day trip.

How was this guide compiled?

This guide is compiled from published tourism, weather and transport information and traveller reports. It was last checked on 2 November 2026. Opening hours, entry rules, cruise schedules and cable-car arrangements can change, so confirm them before you travel.

Where to go next

Continue with best time to visit Da Nang and Hanoi, things to do, trip cost and how to reach Da Nang and Hanoi. Read the Da Nang and Hanoi visa guide, browse the Da Nang and Hanoi tour packages, or return to the travel guide hub.