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Besides its diverse landscapes with mountains bordering the sea, Da Nang and Hoi An also offer countless unique experiences and culinary delights. Therefore, these two destinations are always popular during the summer months.
On every trip, sometimes we prioritize quality over quantity. Having made the effort to travel to a new place, diners often don't just want to eat their fill; they also want to experience the culture and the people of the place they're visiting. After a tiring journey of hundreds of kilometers, being rewarded with beautiful scenery, delicious food, and warm hospitality – what could be more wonderful!
This 2-day itinerary exploring Da Nang and Hoi An is based on the experiences of Travellive reporters, shared with readers to make their upcoming trip even more fulfilling!
Da Nang and Hoi An are two destinations that are always popular during the summer months.
Day 1
Da Nang offers a plethora of breakfast options that you definitely shouldn't miss: Quang noodles, fish cake noodle soup, banh canh (rice noodle soup), Central Vietnamese sandwiches... In particular, while you're here, you absolutely shouldn't miss Quang noodles – a famous specialty originating from Quang Nam province. However, this dish has become popular in Da Nang and can now be found in most restaurants and eateries in the city.
The famous Quang noodles are served with toppings such as fresh vegetables and green chili peppers.
Mì Quảng is a yellow noodle dish cooked in a rich broth made from pork bones, shrimp, and pork. There are three main types of Mì Quảng found on menus throughout Da Nang: chicken Mì Quảng, beef Mì Quảng, and pork Mì Quảng. Notably, Mì Quảng is always served with a variety of fresh vegetables such as shredded banana blossom, bean sprouts, mint, and other herbs, along with green chilies. The dish is also often topped with crispy roasted peanuts and fried onions.
After breakfast, you can head straight to the locations of all three areas: the Love Bridge, the Carp-Turning-into-Dragon Statue, and the Dragon Bridge in Da Nang – all symbols of special significance to tourism in this "livable city". When visiting Da Nang, tourists definitely shouldn't miss these famous check-in spots.
The statue of the carp transforming into a dragon in Da Nang is located on the east bank of the Han River.
Da Nang Love Bridge
At lunchtime, you can visit famous seafood restaurants that are both delicious and very reasonably priced, such as: Ba Ro Seafood, Nam Danh, Be Man... all located in the city center. If you want a truly satisfying meal, you can try famous home-style restaurants like: Grandma's Kitchen, Our Home Restaurant, Smoked Home-Style Rice, and Chan's Kitchen... each dish will have the distinctive and rich flavors of Central Vietnam.
On a cool afternoon, after the scorching sun has faded, visitors can stroll to My Khe Beach or Son Tra Peninsula in the city center. Or they can travel to the Marble Mountains to explore the natural and spiritual beauty of this limestone mountain range.
If you want to enjoy authentic pork spring rolls, come to Da Nang.
In the evening, enjoy pork spring rolls at one of Da Nang's famous eateries. Da Nang's pork spring rolls feature slices of pork with skin on both ends, dipped in a special fish sauce, each restaurant's own unique recipe.
If you visit on a weekend, watching the Dragon Bridge spew fire is an experience not to be missed. The Dragon Bridge is considered a prominent symbol of Da Nang, and its light show every weekend makes the place even more special.
Watching the Dragon Bridge spew fire is one of the experiences that attracts a large number of tourists.
Day 2
It takes about 30 minutes to drive from Da Nang to Hoi An. From the modern, bustling city, you can travel to Hoi An to visit the heritage site of the ancient town. Tourists can choose accommodation in the Cua Dai or An Bang coastal areas for convenient access to the ancient town, as well as to relax in a less crowded and less remote location.
In Hoi An, you can enjoy banh mi and the famous Cao Lau noodles in the morning. Banh mi Phuong and Banh mi Madam Khanh are two well-known brands that attract both domestic and international tourists. But in reality, even the lesser-known banh mi stalls in Hoi An offer an irresistible flavor.
Hoi An town has an ancient charm.
Nuoc mot is a very popular herbal drink in Hoi An.
Visit the Drawer Coffee Roastery.
If you're visiting the bustling ancient town of Hoi An and looking for a unique space or a tranquil garden with lush greenery and birdsong, try Drawer Coffee Roastery – a coffee roastery with artwork that's hard to find in other cafes in Hoi An. Located more than 5 km from the center of the ancient town, Drawer Coffee Roastery is situated at Group 16, Dong Na, Cam Ha, Hoi An. It stands out for its unique combination of coffee and artistic paintings.
At lunchtime, enjoy seafood at beachfront restaurants such as: Sao Bien, Canh Buom Trang, Gio Bien, Nam Gia, Hai San Sen... Or try European restaurants highly rated by Tripadvisor's guests: Shore Club An Bang Beach, Moyo Beach Club, The Deck House, The Hmong Sisters and the vegetarian restaurant The Fisherman Vegan Restaurant...
The Bay Mau coconut forest not only attracts Vietnamese tourists but also sparks curiosity among international visitors with its unique basket boats.
This place is likened to a miniature version of the waterways of the Mekong Delta.
The Bay Mau Coconut Forest (Cam Thanh Coconut Forest) is considered an ideal destination for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and explore the peaceful beauty of the Hoi An countryside. Entrance fee is 30,000 VND per person, and renting a basket boat costs between 150,000 and 200,000 VND per boat. Here, visitors can experience activities such as rowing a basket boat to admire the scenery, watching basket boat dances and races, casting nets to catch fish, and making souvenirs from coconut leaves. This place is likened to a miniature version of the waterways of the Mekong Delta.
As dusk falls, the streets of Hoi An light up. Strolling leisurely through the narrow alleys of the old town, you'll easily come across the signature dishes of Hoi An cuisine. It would be a real shame to visit and not try the chicken rice.
Hoi An chicken rice is different from that in other regions.
Hoi An chicken rice has a very unique flavor, different from other regions. The chicken is carefully selected, usually free-range chicken, with firm, flavorful meat. The rice is cooked in chicken broth, making it very fragrant. In addition, the dipping sauce is also an important highlight, creating a rich Central Vietnamese flavor. Some chicken rice stalls recommended by many tourists in Hoi An include: Ba Buoi, Ba Nga, Com Ga Xi, Com Ga Co Man...
Taking a boat ride and releasing lanterns on the Hoai River.
Hoi An Ancient Town at night becomes more enchanting than ever with its colorful lanterns. You can leisurely stroll, explore the ancient houses and narrow alleys, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the old town. Releasing lanterns on the Hoai River is one of the activities that attracts many tourists. The shimmering lanterns on the river create an incredibly romantic and magical scene. You can rent a boat to release the lanterns or buy lanterns and release them from the shore.
If you want to enjoy a panoramic view of Hoi An from above, visit these cafes: 92 Station Coffee, Faifo Coffee, The Deck Hoi An, The Hill Station Hoi An...
Enjoy the view of Hoi An from above, from this cafe.
It's not difficult to find restaurants inside old houses in Hoi An.
Light vendors on the Hoai River
