Da Nang and Hoi An form one of the most satisfying short trips in Vietnam — beaches, mountains, a UNESCO-listed ancient town, and some of the country's best food, all within a compact area you can properly cover in three days. I've structured this guide as a day-by-day itinerary because that's genuinely the easiest way to plan this trip, followed by practical details on transport, accommodation, food, and budget.
Getting There
Da Nang International Airport is the gateway for this trip, with direct flights from Singapore taking around 3 hours. From the airport, it's a short 10–15 minute ride into central Da Nang, or about 45 minutes to Hoi An if you're basing yourself there instead.
Day 1: Da Nang City
My Khe Beach
Start the day with a walk or swim at My Khe Beach, regularly ranked among Asia's best city beaches — wide, clean sand and calm, swimmable water right in the city.
Marble Mountains
A cluster of five marble and limestone hills housing cave shrines, pagodas, and panoramic viewpoints over the city and coastline. Wear comfortable shoes; there's a fair amount of stair climbing, though an elevator option exists for part of the ascent.
Dragon Bridge at Night
Time your evening around the Dragon Bridge, which breathes fire and water on weekend nights (typically 9pm Saturday and Sunday) — a genuinely impressive, free spectacle best viewed from the riverside promenade.
Han Market
For dinner and a bit of local shopping, Han Market offers everything from Vietnamese coffee and street food to textiles and souvenirs at prices well below what you'll find in more touristy Hoi An.
Day 2: Ba Na Hills
Ba Na Hills is a full-day excursion built around the world-famous Golden Bridge — the bridge "held up" by giant stone hands that has become one of Vietnam's most photographed sights. Getting up the mountain involves one of the longest single-track cable car rides in the world, itself a scenic highlight.
Golden Bridge
Arrive as early as possible — this spot gets extremely crowded by mid-morning, and the golden light and thinner crowds in the first hour after opening make for dramatically better photos.
Fantasy Park
An indoor/outdoor amusement park included with most Ba Na Hills tickets, with rides and games that are a good filler if you're travelling with kids or just want a break between viewpoints.
French Village
A recreated French hillside village with a castle, gardens, and European-style architecture, sitting at the top of the mountain — surprisingly convincing and another strong photo stop, plus a range of dining options for lunch.
Day 3: Hoi An Ancient Town
Ancient Town Walking Tour
Hoi An's UNESCO-listed Ancient Town is best explored on foot — yellow-walled shophouses, the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, old merchant houses, and lantern-strung streets that come alive after dark. Buy the Ancient Town entrance ticket, which grants access to several of the historic houses and assembly halls.
Lantern Making Class
A short, inexpensive workshop where you make your own silk lantern to take home — a fun, low-key activity that also supports local artisans.
Cao Lau Noodles
Cao lau is Hoi An's signature dish — thick rice noodles, pork, and crispy croutons in a light broth, said to only taste authentic when made with water from the town's specific local wells. Seek out one of the smaller, long-running family-run stalls rather than the tourist-facing restaurants for the best version.
Tailor Shops
Hoi An is famous for its same-day and next-day custom tailoring — suits, dresses, and shirts made to measure at a fraction of what you'd pay at home. See the tailoring tips section below before committing to a shop.
An Bang Beach
A short ride from the Ancient Town, An Bang is a relaxed, less-developed beach popular with both locals and travellers — a good spot to unwind after a morning of walking and shopping.
Boat Ride on the Thu Bon River
In the evening, a short boat ride on the Thu Bon River — ideally releasing a floating lantern as the sun sets — is one of the most atmospheric things you can do in Vietnam, and a fitting way to close out the trip.
Da Nang vs Hoi An: Where Should You Stay?
| Factor | Da Nang | Hoi An |
|---|---|---|
| Vibe | Modern city, beach resorts | Historic, atmospheric, walkable |
| Beach access | Excellent, right in the city | Good, slightly further (An Bang) |
| Nightlife | Livelier, more bars/clubs | Quieter, lantern-lit evenings |
| Airport proximity | Very close | 45 min transfer |
| Best for | Beach resort stays, families | Culture, photography, couples |
My honest recommendation: base yourself in Hoi An if you only pick one, since it's more atmospheric and you can still day-trip into Da Nang and up to Ba Na Hills easily. If you want proper beach resort facilities, Da Nang is the better base, with Hoi An as a day trip.
Transport Between the Two Cities
Da Nang and Hoi An are about 30–45 minutes apart by road. Grab (ride-hailing) works well for one-off trips, taxis are widely available, and many hotels arrange shuttle transfers. If you're doing the full 3-day itinerary described above, a private car for the day is worth it on your Ba Na Hills day since it involves multiple stops.
Food Guide
- Mi Quang: A turmeric-yellow noodle dish with pork, shrimp, herbs, and a rice cracker on top — Da Nang's signature noodle dish, distinct from pho.
- Banh Xeo: Crispy Vietnamese savoury pancakes filled with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts, wrapped in lettuce and herbs and dipped in fish sauce.
- Com Ga (Hoi An chicken rice): Hoi An's take on chicken rice, using local turmeric-tinted rice and shredded poached chicken — a lighter, herb-forward variation worth comparing to Singapore's version.
- Cao Lau: As above — Hoi An's signature noodle dish, unique to the town.
- Banh Mi: Da Nang and Hoi An both have excellent, cheap banh mi stalls — a good breakfast option most mornings.
Tailoring Tips
- Choose a shop with strong, verifiable reviews rather than the first tout who approaches you on the street.
- Ask for at least one fitting before the final pickup, not just a same-day rush job, if your schedule allows.
- Bring a photo or a well-fitting existing garment as reference — it makes communicating what you want much easier.
- Fabric quality varies a lot between shops at similar price points — ask to see and feel the fabric options before committing.
- Budget an extra day in Hoi An if you want a proper fitting-and-adjustment cycle rather than a same-day rush.
Budget Breakdown (Per Person, Mid-Range)
| Category | 3-Day Estimate (S$) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (2–3 nights, mid-range) | 150–300 |
| Ba Na Hills ticket (cable car + park) | 35–45 |
| Ancient Town entrance ticket | 5–8 |
| Meals (3 days) | 60–90 |
| Local transport (Grab/taxi) | 25–40 |
| Tailoring (optional, 1 outfit) | 50–150 |
| Total (excl. flights) | 325–630 |
Final Thoughts
Three days is enough to genuinely experience the best of Da Nang and Hoi An — a proper beach day, a bucket-list mountain excursion at Ba Na Hills, and a slow, immersive day wandering Hoi An's lantern-lit streets. It's one of the most well-rounded short trips in Vietnam, and easy to extend by a day or two if you fall for the pace of Hoi An the way most travellers do.