This seven-day tour threads together the greatest highlights of Central Vietnam in a single, well-paced journey from Da Nang to Hue. Day two takes you through the spiritual Son Tra Peninsula, the cave temples of the Marble Mountains, and the lantern-lit lanes of Hoi An Ancient Town. Day three ascends to Ba Na Hills for the iconic Golden Bridge, the French Village, and the rides of Fantasy Park. The tour then crosses the Hai Van Pass into Hue — the former imperial capital — for two days of royal heritage: the Imperial Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda, and the ornate Khai Dinh Tomb.
The highlight of the second half is a venture north to Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage site containing some of the world’s largest cave systems. A boat trip along the Son River carries you into Phong Nha Cave, its vaulted chambers glowing with stalactites and reflected water. The next day, a 1-kilometre wooden boardwalk leads deep into Paradise Cave (Thiên Đường), a chamber 150 metres wide and 72 metres high that stretches for 31 kilometres into the mountain — consistently ranked among the most spectacular caves on earth. The tour ends with a transfer to Phú Bài International Airport in Hue.
With 3- and 4-star accommodation throughout, an English-speaking guide, and all entrance fees and ground transport included, this is the definitive introduction to Central Vietnam for small groups of up to 25 travellers.
Your guide meets you at Da Nang International Airport and transfers you to the Pandora Hotel Da Nang (3-star) or similar in the city centre. The rest of the day is free to settle in at your own pace. Optional evening activities include a visit to the traditional Nam O fish sauce village, shopping at the vibrant Han Market, or watching the Charming Show — a spectacular 13-performance stage show of dance and music unique to Central Vietnam.
Overnight: Pandora Hotel Da Nang or similar (3-star).
Begin the morning on Son Tra Peninsula with a visit to Linh Ung Pagoda and the towering 67-metre Lady Buddha statue, with sweeping views across Da Nang Bay. Continue to the Marble Mountains (Ngũ Hành Sơn) — five limestone hills honeycombed with cave pagodas, ancient temples, and a peak viewpoint over the coastline. Stop at the Non Nuoc stone-carving village at the foot of the mountains, where artisans have crafted marble sculpture for centuries. In the afternoon, cross into Hoi An Ancient Town for a guided walking tour of the Japanese Covered Bridge, the merchant houses of Tran Phu Street, and the colourful riverside promenade. Stroll the famous lantern-lit streets as dusk falls and sample local street food — cao lau, bánh mì, and white rose dumplings.
Meal: Dinner.
Overnight: Pandora Hotel Da Nang or similar (3-star).
A full day at the Ba Na Hills Mountain Resort. Board the world's longest non-stop single-track cable car for a breathtaking ascent through mountain cloud forest to an elevation of 1,487 metres. At the summit, cross the world-famous Golden Bridge (Cầu Vàng) — its span resting in two enormous stone hands — for panoramic views across the Trường Sơn ranges. Explore the romantic Le Jardin D'Amour terraced flower gardens and the Loc Uyen Garden, wander the cobblestone lanes of the French Village, and visit the Debay Wine Cellar carved into the hillside. Take the mountain train to Ba Na Peak for 360° panoramic views over Da Nang and the coast. Spend time at Fantasy Park — Vietnam's largest indoor amusement park — with rides, 3D/4D/5D cinemas, and games for all ages. A buffet lunch is served at the hilltop restaurant.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast and Buffet Lunch at Ba Na Hills.
Overnight: Pandora Hotel Da Nang or similar (3-star).
Drive north along the coast, cresting the dramatic Hai Van Pass (Cloud Pass) — a 21-kilometre mountain road with sheer drops to the turquoise sea below and views that stretch the full length of Da Nang Bay. Descend into Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. After a restaurant lunch in the city, begin your heritage tour of the Imperial Citadel: pass through the Noon Gate (Ngọ Môn), the grand ceremonial entrance, to explore Thai Hoa Palace, the Forbidden Purple City, the Temple of the Dynasties, and Hien Lam Pavilion — where the histories of all 13 Nguyen emperors are inscribed on bronze urns. Continue to the seven-tiered Thien Mu Pagoda on the banks of the Perfume River, before visiting the elaborate hillside Khai Dinh Tomb, a fusion of Vietnamese and European baroque architecture completed in 1931. The evening is free to explore Hue's walking street or riverside dining scene.
Meals: Breakfast at hotel; Lunch at local restaurant.
Overnight: Moonlight Hotel Hue or similar (4-star).
Drive north through Quang Binh province, stopping at significant historical sites along the way. Visit La Vang Holy Land — one of Vietnam's most sacred Catholic pilgrimage sites, with a historic basilica and garden of stone statues. Continue to the Ben Hai River and Hien Luong Bridge, the former demarcation line that divided North and South Vietnam during the war. Explore the haunting ruins of Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, heavily bombarded during the 1972 Easter Offensive and preserved as a war memorial. Arrive at Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park (UNESCO World Heritage) in the afternoon. Board a boat along the Son River for a cruise into Phong Nha Cave — the largest river cave in the world — drifting through chambers of illuminated stalactites and stalagmites rising from the still dark water. Stay overnight in Phong Nha town.
Meals: Breakfast at hotel; Lunch at local restaurant.
Overnight: CKC Thien Duong Hotel or similar (3-star), Phong Nha.
This morning's centrepiece is Paradise Cave (Thiên Đường Cave) — discovered in 2005 and consistently rated one of the most spectacular caves on earth. A 1-kilometre illuminated wooden boardwalk leads deep into a chamber 150 metres wide, 72 metres high, and extending 31 kilometres into the Kẻ Bàng limestone massif. Ancient stalactites and stalagmites have grown into cathedral-like formations over hundreds of thousands of years, with an otherworldly silence broken only by dripping water. After the cave, drive south back to Hue for a final night in the imperial city. The evening is free for optional exploring — the Dong Ba Market, the illuminated Truong Tien Bridge, or dinner along the Perfume River.
Meals: Breakfast at hotel; Lunch at local restaurant.
Overnight: Moonlight Hotel Hue or similar (4-star).
After breakfast, the morning is free for any last-minute sightseeing — a browse through Dong Ba Market for conical hats, ao dai fabric, and local specialities such as sesame candy and shrimp crackers, or a stroll through March 2nd Park and Thuong Bac Park along the Perfume River. Your guide then transfers you to Phú Bài International Airport for your onward flight.
Meal: Breakfast at hotel.
