A modern beach city with a long sandy coast (My Khe), the Dragon Bridge that breathes fire on weekend nights, the Marble Mountains' cave pagodas and the Son Tra peninsula. Ba Na Hills and its Golden Bridge held by giant hands are an hour up the mountain. Its airport is the gateway for Hoi An, and the city is popular with Indian travellers, with several Indian restaurants. Typhoons and heavy rain are likeliest from September to December.
Highlights
- My Khe Beach at sunrise
- Dragon Bridge fire show (weekend nights)
- Marble Mountains cave pagodas
- Lady Buddha on Son Tra
- Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge
- Hai Van Pass ride
- Seafood on the beach road
- Mi Quang noodles
Things to do
- Marble Mountains caves and pagodasMorning · 2h 30m
- Ba Na Hills cable car and Golden BridgeMorning · 6h
- Son Tra peninsula and Linh Ung pagodaAfternoon · 3h
- My Khe Beach afternoonAfternoon · 3h
- Dragon Bridge and the Han River at nightEvening · 2h
- Hai Van Pass by motorbike or jeepMorning · 4h
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: February – August
Worth knowing
Typhoon and Flood Season on the Central Coast
⚠️ From September to December typhoons and heavy rains hit central Vietnam, worst in October and November. Hoi An's old town and parts of Hue flood most years, flights are cancelled when a storm passes, and floods can cut the railway and roads for days (they did in late 2025). Keep a spare day, book refundable trains and rooms, and follow the storm warnings.
Worth knowing
Tet: Closures and a Travel Rush
Tet (Lunar New Year) falls on 6 February in 2027. In the week before, trains, buses and flights sell out and fares rise; for three to five days after, many shops, restaurants and family-run hotels close. Check the date for your year, book transport a month or more ahead, and expect higher prices.
- Tet (Lunar New Year) — Vietnam's biggest holiday. In the week before, trains, buses and flights sell out and prices rise as everyone travels home; for three to five days after New Year's Eve many shops, restaurants and family-run hotels close, while temples and flower markets are at their liveliest. Book transport a month or more ahead, or avoid travelling in the days either side.
- Reunification Day and Labour Day holidays — A long national holiday when much of the country goes to the beach and the hills: hotels in Vung Tau, Nha Trang, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Da Lat and Sapa fill and raise prices, and buses and flights sell out. Book early or avoid these days.
- National Day holiday — Independence Day: parades and flags in Hanoi around Ba Dinh Square, and a holiday of two to four days when domestic tourists fill the beaches and Ha Long Bay.
- Da Nang International Fireworks Festival — Teams from several countries compete over the Han River on weekend nights in June and July. Hotel prices in Da Nang rise on show nights; reserve grandstand seats ahead or watch from the riverbanks.