Central Coast
A thin coast between mountains and sea: Hue’s citadel, Hoi An’s old town, Da Nang’s beach and airport, and the caves at Phong Nha.
This corridor is the easiest part of the classic north-to-south trip to underestimate. Hue, Da Nang, and Hoi An sit close together, but the best months are the opposite of the south. October can be lovely in Ho Chi Minh City and flooded in Hoi An.
Da Nang airport is the practical gateway. Hoi An is under an hour by road. Hue is a few hours north. Phong Nha is a separate overnight, usually from Dong Hoi or Hue.
Top destinations in Central Coast
Cities
Towns
Landscapes and islands
Attractions in Central Coast
- Hue Citadel
The moated imperial city.
- Paradise Cave
A long dry cave with a boardwalk.
- Japanese Covered Bridge
The short covered bridge at the west end of the old town, with a small temple attached.
- Linh Ung Pagoda, Son Tra
Ride out to the peninsula for the view, then walk up to Linh Ung.
- Marble Mountains
Five marble hills with caves and pagodas, sitting on the road you are already taking to Hoi An.
- Museum of Cham Sculpture
Give this an hour on the river before you commit the day to the beach.
- My Khe Beach
The long city beach.
- Phong Nha Cave
A boat into a large river cave.
- Tan Ky House
An old merchant house that shows how these shophouses were built and lived in.
- Tu Duc Tomb
A quiet complex of lakes and pavilions, often the tomb to keep if you only see one.
- An Bang Beach
The nearest proper beach.
- Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge
A full day in the hills west of the city, built around the Golden Bridge and the stone hands that hold it.
- Dragon Bridge
The yellow dragon across the Han River is the picture of the city.
- Hai Van Pass
The coast road climbs over the pass between Da Nang and Hue, sea on one side, mountain on the other.
- Main tower groups
Several clusters of brick kalan towers linked by paths.
- Thien Mu Pagoda
The riverside pagoda west of the citadel, recognizable by its octagonal tower.