Tours out of Ho Chi Minh City and across Vietnam
Central Vietnam
Caves, emperors and the old port, a week
The centre of the country from north to south in a week, two nights in each of three very different places and the drives between them broken with stops worth making.
Overview
Three places, one direction
Central Vietnam packs more variety into a short distance than anywhere else in the country. In a week you can go from caves in the limestone of the Lao border to the tombs of the Nguyen emperors and on to a merchant port on a river mouth, and never drive more than about four hours in a day.
The route runs north to south, so there is no backtracking. You fly into Dong Hoi and out of Da Nang, and a car and driver carry you between. Each place gets two nights, which is the minimum that turns a stop into a stay. The drives are broken on purpose: the old DMZ sits between Phong Nha and Hue, and the Hai Van pass between Hue and Hoi An.
We work with a partner operator for the centre, whose guides and drivers we have used for years; we plan every day with them before you land.
- Length
- 7 days, 6 nights
- Start
- Dong Hoi
- Finish
- Da Nang
- Longest drive
- About 4 hours, with stops
- Family-friendly
- Yes, from about age 8
- Best months
- March to May
Nights
Where you sleep
Day by day
Day by day
Day 1
Dong Hoi to Phong Nha, the river cave
Fly to Dong Hoi from Saigon or Hanoi. Your driver takes you forty-five minutes west to Phong Nha village. In the afternoon, a local boat carries you up the Son river and paddles you into Phong Nha cave, along the underground river.
Day 2
Paradise cave and the Dark cave
The Dark cave mud pool
At 07:30 you leave for Paradise cave, arriving at opening. Around five hundred steps take you to the entrance, and a kilometre of boardwalk into chambers the size of cathedrals. After lunch, the Dark cave: a zipline across the river, a swim in with a head torch, a pool of mud, and kayaks back. Clothes you do not mind ruining.
Day 3
South through the DMZ to Hue
Leave at 08:00. The drive to Hue is about four hours of road, and we break it at Vinh Moc, the tunnel village on the coast where families lived underground through the bombing, and at Hien Luong bridge on the Ben Hai river, the line that divided the country from 1954 to 1975. Lunch on the way. You reach Hue by about 16:00.
Day 4
The citadel and the tombs
A full day with your Hue guide: the citadel in the cool of the morning from 07:30, lunch, then Tu Duc’s tomb among its pines and Thien Mu pagoda above the Perfume River in the afternoon light. Evening free, and Hue’s food is the best reason to walk out.
Day 5
Over the Hai Van pass to Hoi An
The view from the top of the pass
Depart at 08:30 south to Lang Co lagoon, then up over the Hai Van pass with a stop at the gate on the summit, and down to Da Nang for lunch. Hoi An by mid-afternoon, about three hours of driving in total. Walk into the old town when the lanterns go on.
Day 6
Hoi An at your own pace
Your guide walks you through the old town at 06:30 while it is still quiet, then leaves you free from about 10:00. Take bicycles to the rice fields, spend the afternoon at An Bang beach, or go to a tailor.
Day 7
To Da Nang
A free morning and a transfer to Da Nang airport, about forty-five minutes, for your onward flight.
Price
Price
| Travellers | Tier 1 — simple | Tier 2 — comfortable | Tier 3 — the good ones |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 travelling | from 985 | from 1230 | from 1870 |
| 4 travelling | from 810 | from 1010 | from 1535 |
| 6 travelling | from 730 | from 910 | from 1385 |
The price covers a car and driver for the whole week from Dong Hoi to Da Nang, local guides in each place, cave fees and six nights. The two internal flights are extra, because their price depends on where you are coming from. Families of four or more see the largest per-person saving.
Included
What is included
What the price includes
- Six nights at your chosen tier, two in each place, with breakfast
- Private car and driver from Dong Hoi to Da Nang
- Local guides at Phong Nha, in Hue and in Hoi An
- Phong Nha boat, Paradise cave and Dark cave entry and equipment
- Entrance fees at Vinh Moc, the citadel, the tomb and the old town
- Lunches on days 1 to 5
What it does not include
- Flights to Dong Hoi and from Da Nang
- Dinners and drinks
- Visas, insurance and tips
Practical
The season matters here
March to May is the best window for this route: the caves are open, the heat has not peaked, and the pass is usually clear. June to August works but is very hot in Hue. From September to December the central coast is in its storm and flood season, and Phong Nha’s wet caves and roads can close for days; in those months we either swap the caves for more time in Hoi An or move the whole trip.
Pack for water and mud at Phong Nha, covered shoulders for the pagodas in Hue, and something light for the heat everywhere.
Not for everyone
Who this does not suit
The caves ask for steps, a swim and a tolerance for mud, and families with children under about eight should drop the Dark cave. If you want a beach week, this is not it; the only sea time is a free afternoon at the end. Travellers who dislike changing hotels every two nights may prefer to base themselves in Hoi An and take day trips. And do not book it for October or November.
Common questions
Questions travellers ask most
Can we do this route in reverse?
Yes, starting in Da Nang and ending in Dong Hoi. The drives are the same; the only difference is which flights suit you.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, from about eight. The Dark cave is usually their favourite day. The DMZ stop is short and can be cut if they lose interest.
Can we add a beach at the end?
Easily. Two more nights at An Bang or on the Da Nang coast is the most common extension.
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Example journey
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Caves by boat, boardwalk and swimming, from Dong Hoi.
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Day trips, regional routes and full-length itineraries.
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