Central Vietnam

The central coast around Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue and Phong Nha–Ke Bang, with Vietnam's greatest concentration of World Heritage sites and its most popular beaches.

Central Vietnam (Miền Trung), for travel purposes, refers mainly to the long, narrow coastal strip from Quang Binh, Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang and Quang Nam down to Binh Dinh. It holds more of Vietnam's World Heritage sites than anywhere else and has become a hugely popular resort area among Chinese and Korean visitors in recent years. Key highlights include the Imperial City of the Nguyen dynasty in Hue, Thien Mu Pagoda, and the tombs of Emperors Minh Mang and Khai Dinh; in Da Nang, My Khe Beach, Linh Ung Pagoda on the Son Tra Peninsula, and the Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills; in Hoi An, the old town's assembly halls, the Japanese Bridge and lantern-lit evenings; the Cham ruins of My Son near Hoi An; and in northern Quang Binh, Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park, with Paradise Cave, Dark Cave and Son Doong, the world's largest cave (expedition places must be booked months ahead). In the south, Quy Nhon's beaches and the volcanic Ly Son Island are fresher and less crowded. The classic itinerary flies in and out of Da Nang: 2 days in Da Nang, 2 in Hoi An, 2 in Hue, plus 2 in Phong Nha, for a total of 6–9 days. Da Nang has many direct international flights; between Hue and Da Nang you can take the Hai Van Pass or the train. During typhoon season (Sep–Dec), Hoi An often floods, so keep an eye on the weather.

Destinations

Itineraries