Central Vietnam: Between lanterns, the imperial city and coastal landscapes

Contents:

• Da Nang – between the city, the beach and the mountains

• Hoi An – lanterns, the old town and rice fields

• Huế – in the footsteps of the emperors

• Phong Nha – Vietnam’s spectacular cave system

• Best time to visit Central Vietnam

• Practical tips for Central Vietnam

• Conclusion: Central Vietnam – a blend of history, coastline and nature

Da Nang – between the city, the beach and the mountains

Da Nang is an ideal starting point for a trip through Central Vietnam. There are currently no direct flights from Zurich. However, there are several convenient connections with just one stopover to choose from – for example, with Singapore Airlines via Singapore, with Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong, and, from December 2026, with Thai Airways via Bangkok. The international airport is just a few kilometres from the city centre. You can also reach Hoi An from here in around 45 to 50 minutes.

• Beach, city and local life: Da Nang combines long sandy beaches with a modern city centre and green mountains. At My Khe Beach, we particularly like the stretch around Pham Van Dong and the East Sea Park. If you want to experience the local beach culture, you should get up early: between around 5 and 7 am, many locals gather here to swim, go for a walk and do some exercise. Towards evening, the beach comes to life a second time. Later on, it’s well worth taking a stroll along the Han River. The illuminated skyline and the Dragon Bridge create a completely different atmosphere to that of the daytime. In general, we recommend walking around Da Nang as much as possible, rather than taking a taxi or Grab for every short journey – you’ll discover so much more this way, particularly around the river and the beach districts.
• Places of interest in Da Nang: the Marble Mountains combine caves, pagodas and viewpoints. On the Son Tra Peninsula, you’ll find lush greenery, coastal views and the Linh Ung Pagoda with its large Lady Buddha statue. The Dragon Bridge is one of the city’s landmarks, whilst the Cham Museum houses one of the most significant collections of Cham culture. If you have an extra day, you can also visit the Ba Na Hills with their famous Golden Bridge.
• Our café tips: For good coffee, we recommend V7 Tab Coffee, the little Đốm Café (closed on Mondays) and hyggecoffee.
• Our restaurant tips: Da Nang also offers plenty of choice when it comes to food. Our recommendations include Rang for Indian and modern fusion cuisine, Ăn Thôi for Vietnamese cuisine, and Bún Mắm Bà Đông – a traditional Bún Mắm restaurant listed in the Michelin Guide. For seafood right by the beach, Bé Ni 2 is the place to go. 

Hoi An – lanterns, the old town and rice fields

Just around 30 kilometres south of Da Nang lies Hoi An, one of the most atmospheric towns in Central Vietnam. The historic old town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999 and is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a 15th–19th-century Southeast Asian trading port. Chinese, Japanese and European influences continue to shape the architecture and townscape to this day.

During the day, it’s well worth taking a stroll through the yellow alleyways lined with historic trading houses, Chinese assembly halls and the Japanese Bridge. Around Hoi An, flat cycle paths also wind their way through rice fields and small villages to An Bang Beach. In the nearby Cam Thanh Coconut Village, you can take a trip through the water palms in the traditional round bamboo boats. If you have an extra half-day to spare, you can also visit the My Son Sanctuary, which is about an hour away.

In the evening, countless lanterns transform the old town and the riverbank. It’s also well worth taking a stroll through the Hoi An Night Market, with its street food, small stalls and colourful lanterns.

• Our restaurant tips: For pho, we recommend Phở Cồ Thắng. Good places for banh mi are Madam Khanh – The Banh Mi Queen and Bánh Mì Phượng, which gained international fame thanks to Anthony Bourdain. V Vegan serves plant-based cuisine, whilst Mê Hội An Rooftop Coffee & Kitchen is ideal for dining with a view over the rooftops of the old town.
• Our café tips: Our favourites include The Inner Hoian by Àla, Kaymai – a concept store with a small café –, Piatti Cafe Hoi An and Cộng Cà Phê.
• Our accommodation recommendation: If you’d like to stay a little outside the hustle and bustle of the old town, do check out the Namia River Retreat. This wellness resort is peacefully situated by the river, yet only a short drive from Hoi An.
• On to Huế: For the journey to Huế, a private transfer over the Hai Van Pass is well worth it. Without any lengthy stops, the journey takes around 3 hours; allowing for viewpoints and breaks, you should allow 4 to 5 hours.

Huế – in the footsteps of the emperors

Huế was the capital of the Nguyễn dynasty from 1802 to 1945 and remains closely linked to Vietnam’s imperial past to this day. Palaces, pagodas and monumental imperial tombs line the Perfume River, lending the city a unique atmosphere.

The Imperial City is the main highlight and should ideally be visited early in the morning. Also well worth a visit, just nearby, is the Huế Museum of Royal Antiquities, which houses numerous artefacts from the Nguyen Dynasty. Just outside the city centre lie the impressive imperial tombs of Minh Mang, Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. The Thien Mu Pagoda on the Perfume River is also well worth a visit.

• Our culinary tips: Our recommendations include Cô Ri Restaurant and Sip. For seafood, Nhà Hàng Duyên Anh is well worth a visit; it is particularly renowned for specialities from the Tam Giang Lagoon region. Traditional Huế specialities such as bánh bèo, bánh nậm and bánh lọc are available at Quán Bánh O Lé (Kiệt 104, 17/9 Kim Long, Huế). If you’d like to sample a variety of local dishes in one place, you should also visit Dong Ba Market – from Bún Bò Huế to Cơm Hến and a selection of small Bánh dishes, there’s plenty to choose from.
• Our accommodation tips: aNhill Boutique is quietly situated in leafy surroundings and offers a pool, spa and garden. If you prefer smaller, architecturally distinctive accommodation, you should also check out De Hué space – a peaceful homestay amidst the green surroundings of Thuy Xuan.
• For the evening: We recommend a glass of wine or a cocktail at fai. wine bar. This small wine bar combines wine, speciality coffee and snacks, and is closed on Wednesdays.
• Our café recommendations: Our favourites include Hội Cafe, son.studio, MÙA, tan.lab and TUI cafe space. Hue, in particular, has a surprisingly vibrant café scene, which is well worth exploring between sightseeing trips.
• On to Phong Nha: From Huế, you can reach Phong Nha by bus or private transfer in around 4 hours. Alternatively, take the train to Dong Hoi and from there it’s another 45 to 90 minutes by bus or transfer to Phong Nha.

Phong Nha – Vietnam’s spectacular cave system

After the coast, the old town and the imperial city, Central Vietnam reveals a completely different side to itself in Phong Nha. The Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park is characterised by dense jungle, karst mountains, underground rivers and one of the most impressive cave systems in the world.

For a first visit, Phong Nha Cave is a good choice; it can be reached by boat across the Son River. Admission currently costs 150,000 VND per person, plus 700,000 VND per boat for up to twelve people. Small groups can share a boat. Even more impressive is Paradise Cave, with its huge chambers and stalactite formations. The section open to the public runs for around one kilometre through the cave along wooden walkways. Admission costs 250,000 VND, with the electric shuttle ride to the starting point costing an additional 20,000 VND or so. 

Dark Cave, on the other hand, offers more of an adventure than a traditional cave tour: a zipline, kayaking, swimming and a mud bath are all part of the programme. At 450,000 VND for the full package, it’s straightforward to visit, but it also feels much more touristy and is staged more like an adventure park than the other caves. For those primarily interested in seeing spectacular cave formations, we’d recommend Phong Nha Cave and Paradise Cave instead. 

• Nature experience: A lovely alternative to another day spent in caves is Blue Diamond Retreat. This eco-retreat, covering around five hectares, is nestled between woodland, karst mountains and the Blue River. Day visitors can also swim, go kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding, cycle and relax in the natural surroundings. The half-day package currently costs from 420,000 VND per person on weekdays and 480,000 VND at weekends. 
• Our accommodation recommendation: Auko – Eco-Wellness Lodges Phong Nha is situated right on the Son River and combines 30 lodges designed to blend in with nature with wellness, yoga, cycle tours and other nature experiences.
• Our restaurant tips: Our recommendations include The Rice House, PHONG NHA FAMILY RESTAURANT (Thôn 1 Cù Lạc, Phong NHA, Phong Nha), Phong Nha Vegan Restaurant and A Little Leaf, which is situated right by the river and serves Vietnamese cuisine, seafood and barbecue. 
• Our café recommendations: For a coffee break, we recommend Phong Nha Coffee Station and East Hill – Phong Nha. For coffee surrounded by plenty of nature, Phong Nha Ồ Ồ Lake is well worth a visit.

Best time to visit Central Vietnam

March to May are the best months to visit Da Nang, Hoi An, Huế and Phong Nha. During this time, the weather is usually warm and sunny, but not yet as hot as in the height of summer. From June to August, temperatures frequently rise above 30 °C – ideal for days at the beach, but considerably hotter for sightseeing. From September or October onwards, the wetter season begins, bringing heavy rain, tropical storms and possible flooding.

Pack light clothing, sun protection and comfortable shoes. When visiting temples, shoulders and knees should be covered; for the caves in Phong Nha, a light jacket is also recommended.

Our tip: March or April are ideal for the entire route.

Practical tips for Central Vietnam

• Cash: As well as your card, you should always carry some cash in Vietnamese dong (VND) – particularly for markets, smaller restaurants and day trips. You can order Vietnamese dong from the comfort of your own home before your trip via Swiss Bankers’ banknote delivery service.
• Grab instead of a taxi: Download the Grab app before you travel. In Da Nang, Hoi An and Huế, it makes booking journeys straightforward; the price and destination are displayed directly in the app.
• SIM or eSIM: A local SIM card or eSIM makes navigation, restaurant bookings and using Grab much easier. For more remote areas such as Phong Nha, an offline map is also recommended.
• Rain and sun protection: The weather can change quickly in Central Vietnam. Lightweight rainwear, sun protection and comfortable shoes should therefore always be packed.
• Travel insurance: For added peace of mind whilst travelling, travel insurance such as TravelProtect from Swiss Bankers is recommended, particularly in the event of medical emergencies or other unexpected incidents.

• Country information on Vietnam: You’ll find a concise overview of entry requirements, safety, health, payment methods and other practical travel tips on our country information page for Vietnam – ideal for a quick check before you set off.

Conclusion: Central Vietnam – a blend of history, coastline and nature

Central Vietnam brings together, within relatively short distances, much of what travellers would otherwise have to journey across the country to experience: imperial history in Huế, centuries-old trading culture in Hoi An, modern coastal cities such as Da Nang, and the spectacular cave and karst landscape of Phong Nha.

The short distances between the individual destinations make the region ideal for anyone wishing to experience as many different facets of Vietnam as possible within a limited time.