Da Nang & Hanoi travel guide
Things to do in Da Nang and Hanoi include walking the Old Quarter, a Ha Long Bay cruise, the Temple of Literature, Da Nang's My Khe Beach and Han River, Ba Na Hills, Marble Mountains and Hoi An. This guide groups the ideas by travel style, so you can choose heritage, nature, beaches, viewpoints or food.
Facts checked 3 Nov 2026
Hanoi and Da Nang offer different kinds of holiday in one trip. Hanoi suits travellers who like history, temples and street life, with a lake at its centre. Da Nang suits travellers who want beaches, river walks and a day in the hills. Ha Long Bay and Hoi An add nature and heritage. This guide groups the options by travel style, with a short note on what each takes.
Start with the mood of the trip. If you want history and culture, spend time in Hanoi's Old Quarter and the Temple of Literature. If you want scenery, add a Ha Long Bay cruise and the Marble Mountains. For beaches and relaxed days, choose My Khe Beach and the Han River. Keep one major activity for each half day, and leave a spare hour for travel, because the cities are spread out.
Hanoi's Old Quarter is the core of a heritage visit. Walk its narrow streets, try local food and stop at traditional commercial areas. Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple sit close by, with a lakeside walk and a temple on a small island. Visit the lake early, before the heat and traffic build up. The Temple of Literature, a historic Confucian complex linked to Vietnam's education system, needs a modest dress code and a few hours of unhurried walking.
A Ha Long Bay cruise is the main nature experience in this trip. The bay's limestone islands, caves and coastal scenery are seen most fully from the water over a full day or an overnight stay. Plan a road transfer from Hanoi, and allow a spare half day for the weather, because cruise timings can change. Cruise operators handle the documentation for the bay.
My Khe Beach is Da Nang's main urban beach, convenient for swimming, sunrise walks and coastal dining. Follow lifeguard flags before you enter the sea. The Han River runs through the city centre, with Dragon Bridge, markets and urban restaurants. Dragon Bridge's schedules and viewing conditions can vary, so check locally before an evening visit. This area suits a relaxed day with a walk, a meal and some time at the water.
Ba Na Hills combines a mountain resort, cable-car access and the Golden Bridge viewpoint. Start early, because queues and cloud cover can build later in the day. Marble Mountains, south of central Da Nang, offers caves, Buddhist shrines and elevated viewpoints. Its steep, uneven steps need suitable footwear, and the visit suits a half day. Pair the two hill sights with different days, so each one gets proper time.
Hoi An Ancient Town has preserved historic streets, riverside scenery, markets and traditional architecture. It is near Da Nang, and a half-day or full-day visit works well. A local entry ticket may apply to heritage attractions, so carry small cash. The riverside is pleasant in the evening, and the markets suit a late-afternoon browse.
Son Tra Peninsula offers 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 quiet viewpoints. It works well as a change of pace from the city.
The Old Quarter is known for local food, and Da Nang has urban dining along the river and near My Khe Beach. Vegetarian food is widely available, and both cities have Indian restaurants. Travellers with strict dietary needs should confirm ingredients and preparation before ordering. On Ba Na Hills or Marble Mountains days, pack water and a light lunch.
Families and seniors can enjoy most of this trip with planning. Keep transfers short, choose one hill visit per day, and plan the Old Quarter for early morning or evening. Marble Mountains involves steep steps, and boat and cruise boarding needs extra mobility planning. Tell your planner about any mobility needs before booking, so the daily plan can be lighter.
Couples and friends often enjoy a Ha Long Bay cruise, an evening on the Han River and a riverside walk in Hoi An. A Ba Na Hills day suits travellers who like viewpoints and a mountain resort. The Old Quarter works well for slow evenings with local food and street walks.
A five-day plan could cover the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake on day one, the Temple of Literature and Hanoi sights on day two, a flight to Da Nang with the Han River and My Khe Beach on day three, Hoi An Ancient Town on day four, and Marble Mountains before departure on day five. A seven-day plan adds a Ha Long Bay cruise between the two cities and gives Ba Na Hills or Son Tra a full day.
This guide is compiled from published tourism, weather and transport information and traveller reports. It was last checked on 2 November 2026. Opening hours, cruise schedules, cable-car arrangements and entry rules can change, so confirm them before you travel.
Compare sights in places to visit in Da Nang and Hanoi, check the best time to visit and read trip cost. If you want the activities arranged for you, see the Da Nang Hoi An Ba Na Hills 4N package and the Hanoi and Ha Long Bay 5N package, or go back to the travel guide hub.
Ready-made trips
Da Nang 4N
Hanoi 2N · Ha Long Bay 2N · Hanoi 1N
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Packages cover stays, transfers, sightseeing and meals as listed. Flights are not included. Prices are per person, excl. GST.
FAQs
Short answers to what travellers ask about Da Nang & Hanoi.
Start with a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple in the morning. Spend the afternoon in the Old Quarter for local food and narrow streets. Keep the Temple of Literature for another day, because it needs a few unhurried hours.
For most travellers, the cruise is the main nature experience in northern Vietnam. It needs about two days in your plan, including the transfer. Cruise timings can change with the weather, so keep a spare half day.
Da Nang offers the Han River and Dragon Bridge, city markets, urban dining, Ba Na Hills, Marble Mountains and Son Tra Peninsula. Combine one hill visit with a river walk to keep the days varied.
It can be. The site combines a mountain resort, cable-car access and the Golden Bridge viewpoint. Plan an early start, allow a full day, and check cable-car and walking arrangements before you go.
The Old Quarter is known for local food, and Da Nang has urban dining. Vegetarian food is widely available. If you have dietary needs, ask about ingredients before ordering.
Yes. Hoi An Ancient Town is near Da Nang and suits a half-day or full-day visit. Carry small cash, because a local entry ticket may apply to heritage attractions.
Ha Long Bay cruise days, My Khe Beach and a Ba Na Hills day can suit children with planning. Limit long transfers, and avoid steep climbs such as the upper steps at Marble Mountains if energy is low.
Son Tra offers forested coastal roads, viewpoints and habitat for the red-shanked douc langur. Use a licensed driver or organised transfer, and allow a half or full day for the visit.
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