Central Vietnam, a narrow strip of land stretching along the East Sea, always holds a peculiar attraction for travelers. This region is not only captivating with its endless stretches of smooth white sand beaches and jade-green waters but also with its rich history, unique culture, and diverse, flavorful cuisine. This 10-day journey through Central Vietnam will take you along stunning routes, from the vibrant coastal city of Nha Trang to the serene ancient capital of Hue, exploring UNESCO-recognized World Heritage sites, and savoring countless local delicacies unique to each area.
Day 1: Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City – Nha Trang – Beginning of the Beach Journey
In the morning, a car and tour guide will pick you up at the meeting point in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to begin your journey to explore the sunny and windy Central Vietnam. The first destination in this 10-day Central Vietnam itinerary is Nha Trang, the emerald of the East Sea.
Along the way, you will witness the changing scenery from bustling urban areas to peaceful countryside, lush green rice paddies, and majestic mountain ranges. The group will stop for breakfast in the Long Khanh area, enjoying rustic local dishes.
Continuing the journey, the car will follow National Highway 1, the arterial road connecting North and South Vietnam, with the vast blue sea on one side and majestic mountains on the other. Upon reaching the Ca Na area, the group will stop for lunch and rest, enjoying the fresh sea air.
In the afternoon, the car will take you to Nha Trang, check into the hotel, and rest. After settling in, you are free to explore Nha Trang city at night. Nha Trang is not only famous for its blue sea, white sand, and golden sunshine but also a culinary paradise with countless fresh seafood and attractive local specialties. You can stroll along Tran Phu beach, enjoy fresh seafood at Nha Trang night market, or explore the vibrant bars and clubs along the coast.
Day 2: Nha Trang – Exploring Cultural and Spiritual Beauty
Ponagar Tower
In the morning, after breakfast at the hotel, the car will take you to begin your exploration of Nha Trang, not only its beaches but also its unique cultural and historical sites. The first destination is Ponagar Tower, an ancient and sacred Cham architectural complex, built from the 8th to the 13th centuries. Ponagar Tower is not only a historical relic but also an important cultural symbol of the Cham people, reflecting the cultural exchange between civilizations. Here, you will admire the unique architecture of the towers, learn about Cham history and culture, and enjoy panoramic views of Nha Trang from above.
Next, the group will visit Long Son Pagoda, one of the most famous pagodas in Khanh Hoa, not only for its unique architectural beauty but also for its long history and important position in the Buddhist beliefs of local people. Long Son Pagoda is famous for its giant white statue of Shakyamuni Buddha on the hilltop, from where you can overlook the entire city of Nha Trang.
At noon, the group will have lunch at a restaurant and depart for Quy Nhon, another beautiful coastal city of Central Vietnam. On the way, you will admire the unspoiled beauty of the Central Coast, with peaceful fishing villages and long stretches of white sand dunes.
In the afternoon, upon arriving in Quy Nhon, the group will visit Twin Towers, another unique Cham architectural complex, with two ancient towers built from the 12th century. Twin Towers is not only a historical relic but also a famous attraction in Quy Nhon, attracting visitors with its unique architectural beauty and historical and cultural value.
After that, the group will continue to Ghenh Rang Tien Sa Tourist Area, a famous scenic spot in Quy Nhon, associated with the name of poet Han Mac Tu. Here, you will go up Mong Cam hill, Poet hill, visit Han Mac Tu’s tomb, visit Queen Beach, where egg-shaped stones are stacked on top of each other, creating a beautiful and romantic scene. You can also enjoy the unique skill of Dzũ Kha’s pyrography and hear about the life and talented career of poet Han Mac Tu.
In the late afternoon, the group will check into a hotel in Quy Nhon and have free time for dinner, exploring the cuisine of Phu Yen with local specialties such as Banh xeo tom nhay (jumping shrimp pancake), Bun cha ca (fish cake noodle soup), Nem nuong (grilled sausage)…
Day 3: Quy Nhon – Quang Ngai – Hoi An – Journey to Heritage and Culture
Ấn Mountain – Trà River
In the morning, after breakfast and hotel check-out, the group will depart for Da Nang. On the way, the group will stop in Quang Ngai, visiting the famous scenic spot of Ấn Mountain – Trà River, the symbol of Quang Ngai province. Ấn Mountain and Tra Khuc River are two famous landmarks, always going together, forming a unique “pair,” bringing a picturesque landscape, known as the “Most beautiful scenery” among the twelve scenic spots in Quang province.
At noon, the group will have lunch at a restaurant with Quang Ngai specialties such as Mi Quang (Quang noodles), Cao Lau (Hoi An noodles), Ram bap (corn spring rolls)… and continue to Hoi An.
In the afternoon, the group will arrive in Hoi An, an ancient and charming town, recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site. The group will stop at Song Hoai Square and begin a walking tour of Hoi An ancient town. You will admire the Japanese Covered Bridge, an architectural work considered the heart of Hoi An, and hear explanations about the legend of building Lai Vien Kieu. Continue to visit Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall, Quang Dong Assembly Hall, Trieu Chau Assembly Hall, architectural works bearing bold imprints of Chinese culture. The group will also visit Tan Ky Old House, Phung Hung Old House, the Museum of History and Culture, handicraft workshops…
As night gradually falls, Hoi An ancient town puts on a shimmering and magical beauty with rows of centuries-old houses under colorful lantern lights. You will have dinner on your own and enjoy the romantic atmosphere of the ancient town at night.
In the evening, the car will take the group back to Da Nang, check into the hotel, and rest.
Day 4: Da Nang – Hue – Exploring the Ancient Imperial City
Hue Imperial Citadel
In the morning, you can wake up early to swim at My Khe beach and welcome the sunrise on the beach, one of the most beautiful beaches on the planet. After breakfast at the hotel, the car will take you to the scenic Ngu Hanh Son (Marble Mountains), a masterpiece of nature bestowed upon Da Nang, consisting of 5 mountains named Kim – Moc – Thuy – Hoa – Tho, representing the five elements in Eastern philosophy. Here, you will explore mysterious caves, ancient pagodas, and admire the panoramic view of Da Nang from above.
Leaving Marble Mountains, you will visit Hoa Hai Traditional Stone Carving Village, famous for its exquisite stone art products, formed more than 3 centuries ago. You can buy unique souvenirs for your trip.
After that, the group will depart for Hue Imperial City, another World Cultural Heritage site in Central Vietnam, passing through the Hai Van tunnel, the longest road tunnel in Southeast Asia. On the way, you will see famous landmarks such as Lang Co Bay, Tam Giang lagoon…
In the afternoon, upon arriving in Hue, the group will visit the Imperial City (Hue Citadel), the political, administrative, and cultural center of the Nguyen Dynasty, the last feudal dynasty of Vietnam. You will take a walk to admire the overview of the ancient palace from the outside, taking souvenir photos in front of the main gate. (Note: Thai Hoa Palace is under renovation and does not welcome visitors to this work, visitors can buy tickets themselves if they want to visit other works inside the Imperial City).
Next, the group will visit Thien Mu Pagoda, an ancient and sacred pagoda, a symbol of Hue, located by the romantic Perfume River. You will hear legendary stories associated with the pagoda’s history and admire ancient works such as Phuoc Duyen Tower, Dai Hung Palace, and the relic of the car of the late venerable monk Thich Quang Duc.
In the evening, you will have dinner on your own and explore Hue city at night, or enjoy Hue royal court music on the romantic Perfume River, releasing lanterns to pray for blessings for loved ones.
Day 5: Hue – Quang Binh – Returning to the Land of Talented People
Hien Luong Bridge – Ben Hai River
In the morning, you can stroll around Hue city, along the romantic Perfume River bank. After breakfast and hotel check-out, the group will continue the journey to explore Central Vietnam to Quang Binh, the land of talented people.
The group will visit Khai Dinh Tomb (Ung Lang), a unique architectural work, harmoniously combining Asian and European architectural styles. Khai Dinh Tomb is famous for its luxury, splendor, and exquisite decorative motifs, showing the creativity and talent of ancient artisans.
At noon, the group will have lunch at a restaurant, enjoying Hue specialties and continuing to Quang Binh.
On the way, the group will stop at Hien Luong Bridge – Ben Hai River, the 17th parallel, a historical landmark bearing special historical significance, recording a time of heroic fighting and great sacrifices of previous generations for today’s independent country. Hien Luong Bridge – Ben Hai River is a symbol of division and the desire for national reunification during the war.
In the afternoon, upon arriving in Quang Binh, the group will check into Doan Gia Resort and rest.
In the evening, you will have dinner and rest, preparing for the cave exploration tour the next day.
Day 6: Quang Binh – Exploring the Phong Nha – Ke Bang Cave Kingdom
Hoan My Cave
In the morning, after buffet breakfast at Doan Gia Resort, you will listen to announcements about regulations, safety instructions, introduction to the cave exploration tour itinerary, and receive personal equipment necessary for the trip. Begin the exciting journey “Exploring Hoan My Cave”.
The car will take you to KM 37 of the Ho Chi Minh Road West branch, preparing equipment. From the starting point, you will move 300m along a cool stream, then continue walking 1000m under the primeval forest canopy with diverse vegetation, precious trees hundreds of years old.
Stepping to the small cave entrance, you will be surprised by a flat ground, a stop to prepare to enter the cave. In front of you opens up a vast space with countless stalactites and stalagmites of all shapes and sizes bestowed by nature, like spotlights, no different from the Dragon Palace underground, making you marvel. The temperature inside the cave is always 9-10 degrees Celsius lower than outside, bringing a cool and pleasant feeling.
Hoan My Cave is considered one of the most magical wonders in the world, with an extremely diverse stalactite system, with special representative images such as Fairy, Buddha, Rong house, waterfall… Visitors will be amazed by the talented hands of creation that have painted such a massive and magnificent architectural block. Hoan My Cave is likened by visitors to “heavenly garden in the mundane world” or “heavenly palace in Mother Earth’s heart”.
At noon, the group will have lunch at the cave entrance, rest and return to km37, the car will pick you up back to Doan Gia Resort.
In the afternoon, the car will take you to visit and explore Phong Nha Cave, 8 km from Doan Gia, known as “The First Cave of the South”, the first point put into operation in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park.
Visitors will take a boat along the Son River into Phong Nha Cave. The Son River is about 35-40m wide, the water is blue and clear to the bottom in the dry season, brick red in the rainy season. On both sides of the Son River are green mountains, peaceful rural scenery. Arriving at Phong Nha, sailing more than 600m of waterway in the cave, visitors will enjoy the majestic natural beauty of the first cave, a ghostly, mysterious world that appears magically to the point that our perception may not be the same.
You will explore Fairy Cave & Royal Palace in turn, admire colorful stalactites and stalagmites of various shapes, hear the music in the mountain god’s wine party faintly in the wind, admire the majesty of the chambers and corridors of limestone covered with shimmering stalactites, and feel the suspense as if lying in the mouth of a giant monster.
In the evening, you will have dinner and overnight stay at Doan Gia Resort.
Day 7: Quang Binh – Da Nang – Returning to the City by the Han River
La Vang Holy Land
In the morning, the group will have breakfast and say goodbye to Quang Binh, departing for Da Nang.
On the way, the group will visit Quang Tri Citadel, a special national relic, marking the 81-day and night battle to defend the citadel during the general offensive and uprising in 1972. Quang Tri Citadel is a historical witness, reminding of the losses and sacrifices in the war.
Next, the group will visit La Vang Holy Land, a large pilgrimage center of Vietnamese Catholicism, where the Virgin Mary appeared in 1798. La Vang Holy Land is an important spiritual site, attracting millions of pilgrims each year.
At noon, the group will have lunch and continue to Da Nang. On the way back, the group will stop to take photos with Lang Co Bay, one of the famous beautiful bays of Vietnam, with smooth white sand and jade-green water.
In the afternoon, upon arriving in Da Nang, the group will check into the hotel and rest.
In the evening, the group will have dinner on their own and explore Da Nang city at night with famous landmarks such as the Han River Bridge, Dragon Bridge, symbols of the young and dynamic city.
Day 8: Da Nang – Tuy Hoa – Arriving in the Land of Yellow Flowers on Green Grass
Ganh Da Dia
In the morning, saying goodbye to Da Nang, the group will take the Da Nang – Quang Ngai expressway and National Highway 1 to Phu Yen, the land of “yellow flowers on green grass”.
At noon, the group will have lunch in the Song Cau area, Phu Yen.
In the afternoon, the group will visit Mang Lang Church, an ancient Gothic-style church, which preserves the first Bible written in Vietnamese Quoc Ngu script. Mang Lang Church is not only a religious work but also an important historical and cultural relic of Phu Yen.
Next, the group will come to Ganh Da Dia (Cliff of Stone Plates), a mysterious and rare natural wonder in the world, ranked as a national historical and scenic relic in 1998. Ganh Da Dia with its mysterious black basalt columns arranged together, neatly reaching out to the sea, formed by lava from volcanoes erupting millions of years ago.
After that, you will experience a poetic and majestic natural landscape of Bai Xep – Ghenh Ong, with green grass hills and cactus bushes in front of the emerald blue beach, a familiar scene in the movie “Yellow Flowers on Green Grass”.
In the afternoon, the group will check into a hotel in Tuy Hoa and have free time to stroll around Tuy Hoa beach city, a city that is rising to become a bright spot for tourism in the Central region. You will have dinner on your own, exploring the famous cuisine of Phu Yen.
Day 9: Tuy Hoa – Da Lat – Journey to the City of Thousand Flowers
Nghinh Phong Tower
In the morning, you will have breakfast at the hotel and check out. Before saying goodbye to Tuy Hoa city, the group will stop to take photos with the new symbol of the city: Nghinh Phong Tower, a unique and impressive architectural work, inspired by Ganh Da Dia and the legend of “Hundred Eggs Hundred Children” of Lac Long Quan and Au Co.
Continuing the Central Vietnam exploration itinerary, the group will take National Highway 1, through the Ca Pass tunnel to reach Khanh Hoa. Stop to rest at Dai Lanh, a famous beach in the Central region.
At noon, the group will have lunch in Khanh Vinh – Khanh Hoa and depart for Da Lat.
From Nha Trang, the car will pass through Khanh Vinh district along National Highway 27C, the road connecting Nha Trang and Da Lat, called by tourists “the road connecting the sea and flowers”. With a length of 33km, this is the longest pass in Vietnam, winding roads and green forests will be the most wonderful scenery for visitors.
In the afternoon, upon arriving in Da Lat, the city of a thousand flowers, the group will check into the hotel and have dinner and rest.
Day 10: Da Lat – Exploring the Dreamy City
Bao Dai Summer Palace I
In the morning, the group will have breakfast at the hotel and continue the program to visit famous attractions of Da Lat.
The group will visit Bao Dai Summer Palace I, an ancient French architectural work, built in 1929, once the workplace and resort of King Bao Dai and President Ngo Dinh Diem. Bao Dai Summer Palace I has a strong European architectural style, luxurious and elegant, with large gardens and beautiful views.
Next, the group will come to Tuyen Lam Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in Da Lat, likened to the “green lung” of the city. Here, you can participate in kayaking, canoeing, or walking to admire the lake and pine forest scenery.
At noon, the group will have lunch.
In the afternoon, the group will visit Cau Dat Tea Hill Farm Da Lat, a famous eco-tourism destination, with green tea hills stretching out, bringing a peaceful and relaxing space. You can stroll among the green tea rows, take souvenir photos, and enjoy hot artichoke tea.
In the evening, the car will take the group back to the city center of Da Lat, you will have dinner on your own and freely explore Da Lat at night, enjoying the cool air and local specialties such as Banh Can (mini savory pancakes), Lau Bo (beef hotpot), Nem Nuong (grilled sausage)…
Day 11: Da Lat – Ho Chi Minh City/Hanoi – End of Central Vietnam Exploration Journey
Lam Vien Square
In the morning, the group will have breakfast and check out of the hotel. The car will take you to Xuan Huong Lake, Lam Vien Square, an impressive area with a large, airy space facing Xuan Huong Lake and artistic works of a giant wild sunflower and a giant artichoke bud designed with very beautiful stained glass. Then, the group will depart for Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi (depending on the original departure point).
On the way back, the group will stop in Bao Loc City, have lunch and enjoy local specialties such as tea, famous fruits of Bao Loc.
End of the 10-day Central Vietnam exploration journey full of fun and unforgettable memories. Vietourist tour guide says goodbye and looks forward to seeing you again on the next journeys.
(Tour price and other details as in the original article)