Choose from 45 Fun Things to Do in Central Vietnam
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Bach Ma National Park
Encompassing more than 154 square miles (400 square kilometers) of an old French hill station, Bach Ma National Park protects one of the most visually stunning natural areas of Central Vietnam. More than 1,400 species of plants grow in the park — a fifth of the total flora in the country — alongside 132 species of mammals and 358 species of birds. Among the rarer residents, many of them nocturnal, are the douc langur, leopard, stump-tailed macaques and Asiatic black bear.
The ruins of French resorts and villas lie scattered throughout the park, evidence of the era when French residents of Hue retreated to the cooler climes of the park during the hottest parts of the year. Well-marked trails wind through the park, and there are a few guesthouses at the summit.
Practical Info
March and April, when the rhododendrons begin to bloom, are two of the best months to visit Bach Ma National Park.
Address: Hue, Thua Thien Hue province, Vietnam
Admission: 40,000 VND
From $ 33
Cua Dai Beach
Cua Dai beach is a wide bay of palm-fringed coast 4km north-east of Hoi An. All glittering warm waters and white sand stretching for three kilometers, Cua Dai is a popular spot with both locals and travelers in the Quang Nam province.
From Hoi An’s old town, Cua Dai Beach is a relaxing bike ride past rice paddies and Thu Bon riverbank. When you get to the water, you’ll see plenty of people enjoying jet-skiing, paragliding and kitesurfing.
Vietnamese for "big sea mouth," Cua Dai beach looks out to the Cham archipelago, and is home to some of Hoi An’s ritzier hotels like Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort. A popular late-night spot, Zero SeaMile beach club is particularly lively, especially at the weekend when it hosts its own beach parties.
As Cua Dai Beach is part of the South China Sea, the waves don’t get too big, making it a good swimming spot that’s popular with local families, especially on weekends and local holidays.
For refreshments, there are plenty of pineapple and drinks sellers dotted along the beach, and seafood restaurants line the shore. There are always plenty of sunbeds and umbrellas for hire for around 30,000VND for the day.
Practical Info
Ten minutes from Hoi An’s old town by taxi, many Hoi An hotels also offer shuttle buses out to Cua Dai beach. If you’d like to bike, just follow the Cua Dai Road to get here.
Address: Hoi An, Vietnam
From $ 45
Forbidden Purple City
This royal structure, which sits at the center of Hue’s Imperial Enclosure, was once reserved for exclusive use by the emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty. Only eunuchs passed through its halls, since even his most trusted servants weren’t allowed beyond the gates. Today, this historic citadel sits mostly in ruins, destroyed during several wars throughout the nation’s history. Despite some recent rebuilding efforts, travelers can easily spend a long afternoon wandering paths that crisscross the grounds, exploring portions of the foundation, now overgrown with foliage, and examining the painting, woodwork and architecture that still remains. A 10 kilometer moat surrounds what was created to resemble the Forbidden City of Beijing, and 10 gates protect these once royal grounds.
Practical Info:
Be sure to catch one of the eight performances of traditional nha nhac dance at the nearby Hue Monuments Conservation Center from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily.
Address: Vietnam
From $ 25
Marble Mountains
The five limestone hills that make up Vietnam’s famed Marble Mountains are each named after one of the five elements: fire (Hoa), wood (Moc), metal (Kim), water (Thuy) and earth (Tho). And while their shadowy caves and hidden tunnels draw thousands of travelers to wander this destination each year, its proximity to beautiful and ancient Buddhist and Hindu grottoes and access to a stunning summit are other reasons to make the voyage.
Travelers can climb the more than 150 steps that lead to the summit of Thuy Son, where incredible views of natural landscapes as well as access to these grottoes. Visitors can explore Huyen Khong and Tang Chon, as well as the Tam Thai pagoda, which was built in 1825. These ancient religious monuments showcase the region’s age-old tradition of stone carving, thanks to relief work chipped away from the mountain’s marble façade.
Practical Info
Marble Mountains are located in the Ngu Hanh Son ward just south of Da Nang.
Address: Da Nang, Vietnam
From $ 32
Hoi An Silk Village
The Hoi An Silk Village is an attraction that opened in 2012 based on the ancient silk weaving traditions of the Quang Nam province, which used Hoi An as a commercial port for more than 300 years. Located just a kilometer from Hoi An Old Town, the village is surrounded by farmland, mulberry gardens, and lotus ponds.
Paths wind through the village’s gardens and ancient houses, built in the typical Quang Nam style. The village employs a dozen artisans who manufacture and weave silk into various garments using ancient looms, and guests can learn about the entire production process, from the silkworm through to the finished garment. The silkworm-breeding house is of particular interest; here visitors will learn how to feed the silkworms and even unravel the cocoons using traditional methods.
The Hoi An Silk Village also has a restaurant serving local food, plus a silk showroom where visitors can have custom clothing designed and made.
Practical Info
Located around a kilometer from the heart of Hoi An Old Town, the most popular way to visit the Hoi An Silk Village is as part of an organized tour. There is also a bus stop nearby.
Address: 28 Nguyen Tat Thanh, Hoi An, Central Vietnam 560000, Vietnam
Admission: 100,000 dong
From $ 19
Museum of Cham Sculpture
An open-air colonial building in Da Nang is home to the largest collection of Cham carvings in the world. The Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture opened its first gallery in 1919, and in the decades since, the collection has grown to include more than 300 pieces. Many of these terra cotta, sandstone and bronze sculptures and artifacts depict Hindu deities, as well as linga and yoni.
Among the museum’s most important items are the sandstone pieces — statues of gods and animals, pedestals and other decorative items taken from Cham temples. The museum also has an exhibit on modern Cham culture, which includes photographs, clothing and film clips.
Practical Info
Audio guides in English can be rented at the entrance.
Address: 02, 2 Thang 9 Street, Da Nang, Vietnam
Hours: 7am to 5:30pm
Admission: 40,000 VND
From $ 29
Cham Island (Cu Lao Cham)
Clustered around 13 miles (21 kilometers) from Hoi An’s Cua Dai harbor, Vietnam's eight Cham Islands are known as Cham Island or Cu Lao Cham. They offer white-sand beaches, granite cliffs, and coral reefs ideal for diving and snorkeling. The islands’ rich marine life and ecosystems have earned them UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status.
The Basics
The main—and the only inhabited—Cham Island is Hon Lao, where public boats arrive, as do most day tours. While it’s possible to stay overnight on the islands, most travelers visit as a day trip from either Hoi An or Da Nang. Many Cham Island tours focus on the underwater attractions, whether diving, snorkeling, or underwater walking. Speedboat tours typically include stops at two or more beaches, which are hard to reach overland independently.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Shops and facilities are limited on the Cham Islands: Don’t forget your sunscreen.
- Both public boats and tour boats can be dangerously crowded: Use common sense before boarding.
- While bikinis are fine on the beach, put clothes on when leaving the beach or exploring villages.
How to Get There
Public boats, tour boats, and private speedboats depart near Cua Dai beach, outside Hoi An city. As riding the public boat means an overnight stay, most travelers opt for an organized speedboat tour. Boat trips typically include pickup and drop-off from hotels in either Hoi An or Da Nang.
When to Get There
On weekends, Cham Island is overflowing with mass tours. Visit midweek instead and avoid Vietnamese national holidays. Seas are dangerous during the wet season (October to February). June, July, and August are best for diving and snorkeling the beautiful coral. Cham Island tours run during the dry season (roughly March to September).
Cham Island Beaches
White sands are Cham Island’s main draw. The most popular tourist beaches are Chong Beach (Bai Chong) and Ong Beach. Both have restaurants and sun loungers. Bac Beach is laid-back, with hammocks, while Xep Beach (Bai Xep) is a pretty bay with a traditional fishing village. Small islands are more commonly visited on dive tours.
Address: Vietnam
From $ 44
Flag Tower
The main focal point of the Imperial City, Hue’s Flag Tower greets visitors upon arrival at the Citadel, sitting opposite its main entrance and facing out across the river. The tower was built at the beginning of the 19th century during Emperor Gia Long's reign, although the flag staff has been destroyed and rebuilt a number of times since.
This is Vietnam's tallest flagpole. The yellow flag of royalty was the first to fly here, before being replaced by many others throughout Vietnam's colorful history. During the Viet Cong occupation in the 1960s, the flag of the National Liberation Front flew from the Flag Tower for more than three weeks. The tower itself is made up of three platforms, with the third featuring eight canons and a sentry box at either end.
Practical Info
The Flag Tower in Hue sits right opposite the main entrance to the Citadel, overlooking the river. Although visitors are free to take photographs, they are no longer permitted to climb up on the structure.
Address: Imperial City, Hue, Vietnam
From $ 25
Japanese Covered Bridge (Chua Cau)
Tourists flock both day and night to this small bridge at the center of Hoi An, known as the Japanese Covered Bridge (Chua Cau), because of its picturesque beauty. As a result, attempting to cross the 12-meter structure will likely be faced with a labyrinth of kissing couples posing for photographs and backpackers loitering in its cool shade. Still detailed Japanese carvings, as well as monkey and dog statues—a nod to the years its construction began and finished—are worth the congestion and guaranteed headache of a trip to this Hoi An landmark.
Practical Info:
The bridge is located in Hoi An’s main tourism district. As a result, it
is frequently busy. Visitors unwilling to walk the often-congested
bridge can still snap some scenic photos before grabbing dinner at one
of the many nearby restaurants.
Address: At the West end of Tran Phu St, Hoi An, Vietnam
From $ 21
Dong Ba Market
On the north bank of the Huong River is Hue’s lively Dong Ba Market, stretching out for 16,000 square meters. Still retaining its old bell tower from when it was first opened by King Dong Khanh in 1887, the atmospheric market is divided into separate sections, with the whole upstairs floor dedicated to clothes.
Though Hue has plenty of supermarkets, Dong Ba is an important market for locals and a great place to experience Vietnamese life, with 5,000 to 7,000 people coming here to barter daily.
While you’re at Dong Ba Market, look out for popular local handicrafts like non la bai tho (conical hats with poems woven in the design), xung sesame candies, and Tuan black tea. Dong Ba is also a great spot for trying traditional regional food like beef vermicelli. You’ll find the street vendors serving specialty dishes on the ground floor of the market, on the street parallel to the river.
Practical Info
The food stalls at Dong Ba Market begin setting up at 3 a.m., and it’s in the early hours when the freshest food is sold at the lowest price. The market is open until 8.30 p.m., and there’s a convenient bus station inside the market.
Address: Chương Dương, Phú Hòa, tp. Huế, Thừa Thiên Huế, Vietnam
Hours: Daily 3am-8:30pm
From $ 20
Hoi An Museum
The Hoi An Museum was once housed in the Quan Am Pagoda, which dates back to the 17th century. The museum has now been moved to a larger building within Hoi An Old Town, and inside visitors will find various artefacts chronicling the region’s pre-Cham, Cham, and colonial eras, with collections spanning thousands of years.
Also known as the Museum of History and Culture, the museum offers an insight into the heritage of Hoi An and the changes it has seen take place throughout the centuries. Collections includes such artefacts as historical photographs and drawings depicting the merchant period, including ceramic and pottery items that were part of the traders’ wares.
Elsewhere in the museum, there are some incredibly old jar-burial coffins originating from the Sa Huynh culture, plus family records that trace back the ancestry of the region’s inhabitants. Also among the exhibits are bronze drums dating back to the Dong Son civilization, while other items of interest include ancient scales and bronze temple bells and gongs.
Practical Info
Most of the displays are in Vietnamese, with only a few English translations, so it’s a good idea to bring along a guide book for more insight into the museum's displays. Admission is gained by purchasing a Hoi An Old Town ticket; for 120,000 dong (around $5 USD) this ticket can be used to enter five historical attractions. Tickets are sold at various entry points to the Old Town.
Address: 10B Tran Hung Dao Street (New address), Hoi An, Central Vietnam, Vietnam
Hours: 8am-5pm
Admission: 120,000 dong for Old Town ticket
From $ 28
Dragon Bridge
One of Da Nang’s more unusual and unexpected attractions is a bridge in the likeness of a dragon spanning the River Han. If the golden dragon slithering across the water isn’t impressive enough, on weekend evenings its body is illuminated by 2,500 LED lights and its head spouts fire and water over the river’s eastern bank.
Opened in 2013, the Dragon Bridge carries a six-lane roadway and two sidewalks over the river. The bridge measures 2,000 feet (610 meters) long and 123 feet (37.5 meters) wide. As the shortest road link between the Da Nang International Airport and the bulk of Da Nang city, visitors arriving or departing by air often pass over this bridge.
Practical Info
For the best views of the nightly show, stake out a spot on the eastern bank of the Han River north of the bridge or take an evening boat trip the western bank of the river.
Address: Da Nang, Vietnam
From $ 35
Cantonese Assembly Hall (Quang Dong)
For centuries, assembly halls have been a place where migrant Chinese communities socialize and pass on the regional traditions of their home to future generations. With a population that’s over a quarter ethnic Chinese, Hoi An’s Cantonese Assembly Hall is one of five such hubs in town.
Founded in 1786, at the Cantonese Assembly Hall (Hoi Quen Quang Trieu), the colorful building materials you see today were first put together in China then shipped to Hoi An before being reassembled into the assembly hall, which has typical grand entrance gates that lead onto an ornamental garden, followed by a main hall and elaborate altar room.
Look out for the Cantonese Assembly Hall’s special flourishes, like the main altar dedicated to a red-faced Quan Cong, who symbolizes loyalty and righteousness. Also keep an eye out for the mosaic dragon statue by the entrance hall, and the even bigger dragon statue in the garden. In Cantonese lore, the fiery creatures are said to signify power, stability, and prosperity.
Practical Info
Hoi An’s Cantonese Assembly Hall (Quang Dong) is on 176 Tran Phu Street. Admission is by old town ticket (120,000 VND, valid for 10 days), and the hall is open from 8am - 5pm. Guided tours are available.
Address: 176 Tran Phu, Hoi An, Vietnam
Hours: Daily 8am-5pm
Admission: Old Town Ticket 120,000 VND
From $ 28
Bao Quoc Pagoda
On Hàm Long hill by the Perfume River in Hue, Bao Quoc Pagoda is a Buddhist temple that dates back to the Nguyen Dynasty, when it was commissioned in 1670 by Chinese Zen Master Thích Giác Phong.
Though Bao Quoc was renovated in the mid-20th century, it still retains its traditional charm. A spring flows from the top of the hill down into the grounds of the temple, where the peaceful courtyard is surrounded by balconied buildings and stupas built in honor of Buddhist patriarchs, the oldest of which was built in 1714 and dedicated to Thich Giác Phong. At the temple, look closer at its four pillars carved with dragon figures.
Bao Quoc Pagoda is also famous for its monk training center, which has been running since 1940 when Vietnam initiated a revival in Buddhist education.
Practical Info
Open from sunrise to sunset on Ham Long Hill, Bao Quoc is free to enter. About a kilometer west of Hue city center on the south side of the Perfume River, the pagoda is on Báo Quoc Street in the Phuong Ðúc ward.
Address: Lịch Đợi, tp. Huế, Thừa Thiên Huế, Vietnam
Hours: Daily sunrise to sunset
From $ 88
Hoi An Handicraft Workshop
This 200-year-old Chinese trading house is a historic structure where contemporary travelers can bear witness ancient Vietnamese crafts. On-site artisans construct silk lanterns, practice traditional embroidery, throw terra cotta pottery and weave fabric. Guides explain techniques and offer insight into these traditional crafts. Visitors will find the prices fair and variety vast. Traditional shows are performed daily and these 45-minute events, which include music, dance and song, are worth sticking around for.
Practical Info:
The workshop is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10:15 a.m. until 3:15 p.m.
Address: 9 D Nguyen Thai Hoc, Hoi An, Vietnam
Hours: 10:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Admission: Admission by Old Town ticket
From $ 30
Kim Bong Carpentry Village
Kim Bong carpentry village is located within the Cam Kim commune in Hoi An. Since the 16th century, the village has been known for its carpentry and traditional woodworking products, the results of which can be found within prominent buildings across the region and beyond.
The style of Kim Bong carpentry is said to be influenced by the Cham Kingdom, China, Japan, and of course local Vietnamese artisans. The craftspeople here all begin as apprentices, earning the rank of masters only by years of hard work and dedication. The work being produced in the village can largely be divided into three main categories: ancient architectural construction, civil wooden furniture, and shipbuilding. In addition, many of the artisans have more recently shifted their focus to the recovery of historical monuments and relics, especially traditional ancient houses around Hoi An.
Today, bicycle tours of the village are common, allowing visitors to pass through streets lined with open-fronted workshops and witness the artisans at work. Visitors are also able to purchase items produced in the village at its various souvenirs shops, which sell everything from small, low-cost items, such as coasters, to huge expensive pieces, such as religious statues and intricately crafted wooden doors.
Practical Info
Kim Bong Village is around a 10-minute boat ride from Hoi An Old Town. There is no entrance fee to enter.
Address: Cam Kim commune, Hoi An, Central Vietnam, Vietnam
Admission: Dependent on tour
From $ 22
Linh Ung Pagoda
Famous for its giant statue of Guanyin, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, Linh Ung Pagoda occupies 30 acres (12 hectares) on a hill on the Son Tra Peninsula. Opened in 2010, the relatively new pagoda complex features a mix of modern and traditional Vietnamese temple architecture, including a typical three-entrance gate.
According to local legend, a smaller pagoda was built on the same site during the nineteenth century, when a local villager living on the peninsula found a statue of the Buddha drifting near the beach.
As visitors pass through the main gate of the pagoda, they are met by 18 stone statues of the 18 Arhats, believed to be the original followers of the Buddha, whose expressions run the gamut from joy and love to anger and sadness. Towering above the grounds is the 220-foot (67-meter) Guanyin statue. Within the giant monument, visitors can ascend 17 floors, each displaying Buddha statues depicting his various aspects.
Practical Info
The Linh Ung Pagoda can be reached by bicycle from Da Nang or by taxi from Hoi An, located 25 miles (40 kilometers) away.
Address: 574D Ong Ich Khiem, Da Nang, Vietnam
Hours: 40 kilometers from Hoi An
From $ 38
Hoi An Ancient Town
History lovers flock to this 2,000-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site, where Hindu, Arab and Chinese influences are reflected in breathtaking architecture, eclectic food and rich culture.
Naturalists will appreciate the quiet beaches just a short bike ride from the city center, while wanderers will love the pedestrian-only streets of Ancient Town lined with quaint shops and bustling vendors.
Urban skyscrapers and big-city development have yet to touch this former shipping port, which means travelers can enjoy a taste of what Hoi An once was and what Vietnam used to be.
Naturalists will appreciate the quiet beaches just a short bike ride from the city center, while wanderers will love the pedestrian-only streets of Ancient Town lined with quaint shops and bustling vendors.
Urban skyscrapers and big-city development have yet to touch this former shipping port, which means travelers can enjoy a taste of what Hoi An once was and what Vietnam used to be.
Practical Info
Hoi An Old Town is a US$22 taxi ride from the airport. There is no rail station in the ancient city, but travelers from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue and Nha Trag can stop at nearby Da Nang and transfer to motor taxis. City streets close for the evening on the 14th and 15th of each lunar month for traditional games and local festivities.
Address: Vietnam
From $ 28
Lady Buddha
Impossible to miss, Lady Buddha dominates the landscape of Da Nang. The marble statue, perched on the side of Monkey Mountain and visible from nearly anywhere in the city, stands 220 feet (67 meters) tall and measures 56 feet (17 meters) in diameter. Inside the statue, a flight of stairs leads up to 17 floors, each representing a different aspect of the Buddha.
The name Lady Buddha is a bit deceiving. The statue in fact depicts Guanyin, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy can be found in coastal areas throughout Asia, as she is believed to bring calm to the sea. The giant statue stands in front of the beautiful Linh Ung Pagoda, with its gardens and small souvenir shop operated by monks.
Practical Info
You can reach Lady Buddha by bicycle from Da Nang by following the main road along the beach in the direction of Son Tra peninsula.
Address: 574D Ong Ich Khiem, Da Nang, Vietnam
From $ 29
Hoi An Central Market
On the banks of the Thu Bon river in Hoi An’s old town, Central Market is a popular spot for travelers looking to experience Vietnamese culture at its liveliest. Occupying two narrow streets, the bazaar sells just about everything you can think of, from local handicrafts to spices to silk garments.
The food stalls are especially popular: each cook specializes in just one or two dishes like pho or banh khoai crepes, and the market is also well-known to those looking to get suited up by a tailor. You can find the tailors in the market’s east end. Prices are competitive and you can usually have your custom-designed suit or Vietnamese silk dress ready within 24 hours.
Look out for the fresh fish coming onto the dock for sale too. For the freshest catch, arrive for sunrise when it’s not yet too hot and the pace of Central Market isn't yet too frantic.
Practical Info
Open daily from 6:30am to 8pm, Hoi An Central Market is between Nguyen Hue and Tran Phu streets. For the best buys, head deep into the market, as the most expensive prices are at the stalls by the entrance. Prices for meals are fixed and very reasonable, so there’s no need to worry about getting a bad deal. For items besides food, especially tailoring, it’s acceptable, and totally expected, that you’ll haggle for the best deal.
Address: Hội An, Quảng Nam, VIetnam, Vietnam
Hours: Daily 6:30am-8pm
From $ 33