Tiếng Việt
Just before the April 30th, 2023 holiday, I took a 4-day, 3-night tour covering Da Nang, Hue, Hoi An, and Phong Nha Cave. I’ve visited all these places before, but those were self-planned trips. This time, I snagged a cheap tour last-minute due to an expiring flight deal, so I decided to revisit Central Vietnam. Join me as I share where I went and what fun I had on this tour!
>> Experience a Fairytale Space at Cuc Phuong National Park, Ninh Binh
Day 1: Son Tra Peninsula, Linh Ung Pagoda, Marble Mountains, and Hoi An
Central Vietnam is a sun-drenched, windy, yet incredibly beautiful and captivating region for countless tourists, including myself. The only minor issue was feeling a bit tired as I wasn’t used to the hot, dry weather and climate here. Otherwise, everything from the scenery to the people and the way tourism is developed in these areas was absolutely fantastic!
On the first day, I flew directly from Saigon to Da Nang, arriving around 9 AM. The group was guided to visit Son Tra Peninsula and Linh Ung Pagoda. Son Tra Peninsula is blessed with wild, picturesque beauty and crystal-clear beaches. Linh Ung Pagoda is famous and attracts tourists because it houses the tallest Lady Buddha statue in Vietnam. This place is perfect for those who enjoy spiritual experiences and seeking peace.
>>> Ngũ Hành Sơn Đà Nẵng – Địa điểm tham quan hùng vĩ không thể bỏ lỡ
The next place the group visited after lunch was the Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village, where stone statues are intricately carved by the talented artisans of the area. This stone village is located at the foot of Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son), a traditional craft village with a history stretching back 300 years.
>>> Du lịch Đà Nẵng và những điều cần biết
Leaving Da Nang, we arrived in the tranquil and peaceful town of Hoi An. This place truly stands out on the tour as it still preserves an ancient beauty that’s rare to find in today’s fast-paced world. The old, moss-covered tiled roofs, streets bathed in the red glow of lanterns, and intricately carved horizontal lacquered boards (hoành phi) all transport you back to a world from several hundred years ago.
In the late afternoon and evening, you’re free to explore Hoi An. Visitors can experience beautiful, famous spots in the Ancient Town like the Japanese Covered Bridge, centuries-old Ancient Houses, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, and handicraft workshops. Hoi An is also renowned for its local specialties such as Cao Lau and Quang Noodles, so make sure to try them whenever you visit Da Nang, Hue, and Hoi An!
Day 2: Exploring Ba Na Hills Tourist Area and Dreamy Hue Imperial City
After finishing the first day, our group continued to discover other famous locations in Da Nang. A standout among them is undoubtedly Ba Na Hills, an extremely popular destination whenever Da Nang, Hue, and Hoi An tours are mentioned.
Sun World, the investor of Ba Na Hills, has fully developed this tourist area, creating a beautiful dream city with a plethora of stunning landscapes and incredibly appealing entertainment options. You definitely won’t regret spending money to visit and enjoy all the games within this resort. Seriously!
Ba Na Hills is famous for its magnificent cable car system and remarkable architectural spaces, including the Golden Bridge, Le Jardin D’Amour Flower Garden, French Village, and wine cellars. Additionally, it offers spiritual and cultural spaces (like Linh Ung Pagoda), as well as appealing dining, relaxation, and entertainment areas. I could also freely experience all the games in Fantasy Park, providing novel and exciting sensations.
In my opinion, the experience at Ba Na Hills is truly ideal for tourists whenever they visit Da Nang, Hue, and Hoi An.
>>> Kinh nghiệm du lịch Bà Nà Hill không phải ai cũng biết
Leaving Da Nang, our group continued our journey to dreamy Hue. A place that almost everyone knows and wishes to visit is the Hue Imperial City – a recognized World Cultural Heritage site. From Da Nang to Hue, we traveled through the Hai Van Pass road tunnel and stopped to take photos at the stunning Lang Co Bay.
True to its name, the “city of sadness,” Hue is gentle and serene, making people feel as if they can slow down and blend with the quiet and contemplative atmosphere here. In the evening when we arrived in Hue, there were a few rain showers, making the city even more melancholic. Try strolling along the streets of Hue; everything moves slowly, from the pace of life to people’s daily activities, a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of typical daily life.
Day 3: La Vang Holy Land and Exploring Phong Nha Cave
On the third day of the Da Nang – Hue – Hoi An – Phong Nha Cave tour, the group visited Quang Tri to explore La Vang Holy Land. This is a famous pilgrimage site not only for Catholic devotees; millions of people come here each year to pay homage to the Blessed Mother in this sacred place.
The next destination was Quang Binh. I really enjoyed the experience of taking a boat upstream on the Son River to reach the magnificent Phong Nha Cave, a natural wonder gifted by creation to the people of this region.
Although often referred to as Phong Nha-Ke Bang Cave, Phong Nha Cave is actually just one of many caves within the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. This place is also known as “Thiên Nam đệ nhất động” (The First Grotto of the Southern Sky) as it was the first cave opened for tourism in Phong Nha-Ke Bang, Quang Binh.
Returning here for the third time, each experience feels different. I’m always thrilled by the majestic beauty of nature, the picturesque landscapes of this place. Inside Phong Nha Cave, the scenery is like a fairyland, with a system of stunning, grand stalactites and stalagmites in many unusual shapes.
A small note for those new to exploring Phong Nha Cave: you should strictly follow your tour guide’s instructions. Avoid speaking too loudly inside the cave to prevent disturbing others and to ensure the safety of your entire group while inside!
>>> Ngỡ ngàng trước vẻ đẹp của 10 hang động nổi tiếng ở Việt Nam
Returning to Hue on the Last Day of the 4-Day, 3-Night Da Nang – Hue – Hoi An Tour
Our group returned to Hue to visit the Imperial City (Dai Noi) and Thien Mu Pagoda on the final day of our 4-day, 3-night Da Nang – Hue – Hoi An tour.
The Hue Imperial City (Dai Noi) is part of the Complex of Hue Monuments, recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site in 1993. This place bears strong historical imprints of our nation, and the entire complex of Hue Imperial City still preserves many unique hallmarks of the Nguyen Dynasty’s feudal court from hundreds of years ago.
A trip to Da Nang, Hue, and Hoi An would be truly incomplete without visiting Thien Mu Pagoda, a picturesque spiritual destination in Hue. This ancient pagoda is located on Ha Khe Hill, on the left bank of the Perfume River. Not only is it featured in Hue’s romantic poems, but also in folk songs, Thien Mu is considered a sacred pagoda worth admiring.
This concludes our 4-day, 3-night Da Nang – Hue – Hoi An – Phong Nha Cave tour. It was a trip booked quickly within a day and departed the very next, at a great price because I coincidentally found last-minute unsold tickets.
For me, investing around 4-5 million VND for a 4-day trip to Central Vietnam, including airfare, is excellent value. Although the tour price didn’t cover some expenses like Ba Na Hills entrance tickets or a few self-funded dinners, it’s still a worthwhile option. Everyone should consider trying similar tours to Central Vietnam!
If you’re interested, you can visit my Tiktok and YouTube channels to discover more exciting trips across Vietnam and even abroad with Tieu Dao Tu!
