Vietnam in 14 days: Da Nang to Saigon
Arrive at Da Nang airport, explore imperial Huế and Hội An, then continue to Quy Nhơn and Saigon. The first two stops make a deliberate detour north before following the coast south. This 14-day route is a suggested itinerary drawn from our own, sometimes longer, stays. Transfers are included; international flights are not.
14 days5 stops
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01
Days 1–2
Da Nang
Start through Da Nang, with a day for the city and sea.
Day 1 · Arrive in Da Nang
Reach your hotel from the airport, then enjoy the waterfront. Keep this first day light and finish with a riverside walk.
Day 2 · City and beach
Choose My Khe and one neighbourhood to explore. Check performance evenings for Dragon Bridge: fire and water are not part of every visit.
We stayed six nights; this shorter version does not reproduce everything. Choose between beach time and a proper outing rather than automatically combining the city, mountains and bridge show. Check the dragon’s programme during your stay and keep another walk in mind if it does not fit.
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Our travel guides
Transport · HuếDa Nang–Huế train or car with driver
Next stop · Huế02
Days 3–4
Huế
Two days including travel for the Imperial City and selected tombs, then head south through Da Nang.
Day 3 · The journey to Huế
Reach Huế by train from Da Nang or booked car. Settle in and explore the centre and river without adding the distant tombs straight away.
Day 4 · The Imperial City and a royal tomb
Give much of the day to the Imperial City, then choose a royal tomb with a driver. Our story also describes an unusual alternative whose access needs checking.
The Imperial City and tombs work better as separate visits than one long rush. The dragon in our story is a different outing in a former park: check access before arranging the journey. Save a meal for Huế’s food as well as its monuments.
Explore on the site
Our travel guides
Our recommendations
Transport · Hội AnHuế–Hội An car, or train to Da Nang then road transfer
Next stop · Hội An
03
Days 5–8
Hội An
Four days for lanterns, rice fields and guide recommendations without another hotel change.
Day 5 · Travel from Huế to Hội An
Reach Hội An by road, or train to Da Nang followed by car. Passing through Da Nang is part of this route. Enjoy the lanterns in the evening.
Day 6 · Old town at an easy pace
Explore the lanes, then enjoy your hotel in the midday heat. Return to the river in the evening and try the boat ride we loved if you wish.
Day 7 · Cycling and countryside
Cycle among the rice fields, then choose a guide activity around Hội An. We also enjoyed simply spending time by the pool rather than filling every hour.
Day 8 · Keep one day open
Return to favourite streets, enjoy the beach or allow fittings for any tailoring order. Do not order the day before departure without time for adjustments.
We enjoyed staying rather than visiting Hội An as a day trip. Lanterns and river boats transform the evening, while cycling takes you beyond the centre. The basket boat among the water palms was very touristy, but we still enjoyed it: choose it with that expectation.
Explore on the site
Our travel guides
Transport · Quy NhơnCar to Da Nang station, train to Diêu Trì, then transfer to Quy Nhơn
Next stop · Quy Nhơn
04
Days 9–11
Quy Nhơn
A stop less focused on monuments. Our story is mainly about encounters and everyday life, with beach time depending on weather.
Day 9 · Head south to Quy Nhơn
Reach Da Nang station, take the train to Diêu Trì, then transfer to Quy Nhơn. Keep the day for travelling, settling in and a waterfront walk.
Day 10 · A city of small encounters
Wander Quy Nhơn, stop for coffee and visit the main square in the evening. We loved the encounters here even when weather spoiled our beach plans.
Day 11 · A flexible day before the train
Enjoy the sea if conditions allow, then reach Diêu Trì for the overnight train to Saigon. Book a berth and confirm departure on your ticket.
Our Quy Nhơn memories are mainly about people and daily life rather than a succession of sights. If beach weather disappoints, keep the stop for cafés, the waterfront and conversations. Avoid arranging every day around an excursion whose appeal depends on the skies.
Transport · Saigon · Ho Chi Minh CityOvernight sleeper train Diêu Trì–Saigon, as in our story
Next stop · Saigon · Ho Chi Minh City
05
Days 12–14
Saigon · Ho Chi Minh City
A final urban stop for monuments, cafés and evenings, departing from Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 12 · Wake up in Saigon
After the train, leave your bags at the hotel and keep plans light. Café Apartment and the riverfront make a first walk, with the evening left to your energy.
Day 13 · Monuments and markets
Choose the Central Post Office, Reunification Palace and Bến Thành Market subject to opening times. Tân Định Church is another story visit; not everything needs doing today.
Day 14 · A final coffee before flying
Stay near your accommodation before heading to the airport with traffic time included. Evenings shaped our Saigon memories; there is no need for one last distant excursion.
The Café Apartment and waterfront work well as an introductory walk, while historical visits deserve their own time. Our evenings took unexpected turns: leave an evening open instead of arranging the whole stay as consecutive appointments.
Where would you go next?
Our stories, guides and recommendations help you extend this route or adapt it to your own pace.