Imperial citadels, lantern-lit streets and the beaches of Da Nang.
Central Vietnam is a story of emperors and lanterns: two of the country's most beautiful cities, set just a short drive apart along the coast, with a modern beach town between them.
Top attractions
Hoi An is the lantern town: a grid of restored merchant houses, silk shops and workshops along the Thu Bon river, wrapped in paper lanterns from dusk until midnight. Its old town is a UNESCO-recognized heritage site, and its most famous landmarks — the Japanese bridge and the great merchant houses — anchor its heart.
Hue was the imperial capital for more than a century, and its legacy still defines the city: the citadel and the old palace in the centre, Thien Mu Pagoda on a hill above the Perfume river, and the imperial tombs spread across the green hills to the south.
Da Nang, between the two, is the beach city: My Khe Beach, the Dragon Bridge, and Ba Na Hills a short ride west of town.
Must-visit spots
In Hoi An, start with the Japanese bridge and the silk quarter, then walk the old town in the late afternoon when the lanterns come on. The An Bang beach, a short ride to the south, is the closest long-sand beach, and the My Son sanctuary, a short drive inland, is a reminder that this coast reaches back to the ancient Cham kingdom.
In Hue, the citadel, the old palace and Thien Mu Pagoda are the must-sees. The tombs of the emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh are each worth a visit on their terms. For food, Dong Ba market is the place.
Da Nang needs half a day: a morning on My Khe, an evening under the Dragon Bridge.
Signature experiences
Hoi An is a food town. The best meals are the ones you find on the street, and a cooking class with a local family is the most hands-on way to understand the region's cuisine.
Hue is about the imperial court. A visit to the citadel with a guide who can explain the old palace is the single best way to understand the city, and a long lunch of small, seasonal dishes is the best way to eat there.
A night boat on the Perfume river is the classic way to end a day in Hue, and a morning on My Khe, with a cold glass of coconut, is the classic way to end a trip to Da Nang.
Things to do
Learn the lantern craft: most of Hoi An's lanterns are made in small workshops in the old town, and a short visit shows how they come to life. Take a cooking class in the old town and learn to make the local dishes: a plate of cao lau, a basket of banh mi, and a coconut dessert. Rent a bicycle and ride to the An Bang beach, or make a short trip inland to My Son.
If you have a day in Da Nang, take the cable car to Ba Na Hills and let the afternoon drift by on the beach.