Central Vietnam: Your Ultimate Guide for Tours in 2025

Vietnam is divided into three regions: South Vietnam, North Vietnam and Central Vietnam. If you plan to travel to Vietnam, don’t miss central Vietnam - the home to some of the most iconic attractions, such as the ancient town of Hoi An, the historic buildings of Hue, and the beautiful seaside of Da Nang, providing rich and special experiences for every visitor. Therefore, many tourists who travel to Vietnam will choose to visit these areas.

To make the most of your trip to central Vietnam, plan your itinerary in advance, select your favorite destinations, and get ready for a memorable experience.

Location Map: Navigating Central Vietnam

Vietnam has a long and narrow topography, and is divided into three regions: North, Center, and South. Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, and Ho Chi Minh City are located on the north and south sides of Vietnam respectively. The central region of Vietnam has a long coastline and a relatively large area. It includes famous cities such as Hoi An, Da Nang, and Hue. Also, you can plan your Vietnam tour itinerary based on the map. Major cities in Central Vietnam include:

1. Hoi An: Hoi An covers an area of about 62 square kilometers. It is famous for its well-preserved old town, and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
2. Da Nang: With an area of 1,285 square kilometers, it is the only world-standard megacity in central Vietnam. It is located in the north-central region of Vietnam.
3. Hue: The area is 71 square kilometers. It is an ancient city located in the north-central region of Vietnam.
4. Quang Ngai: Approximately 5,134 square kilometers, mainly industrial and agricultural.
5. Tam Ky: About 135.5 square kilometers, famous for its unique local culture and historical sites.

Map of central Vietnam, with some major cities

Top 3 Must-Visit Destinations in Central Vietnam

Every city in central Vietnam has something worth visiting. Here we will recommend the top 3 must-visit destinations in Vietnam - Da Nang, Hoi An and Hue. (To make the most of your next Vietnam tour, check the best tourist cities of Vietnam that should not be missed.)

Da Nang
Da Nang is one of the important cities in central Vietnam. It has beautiful seaside scenery, mountains, and lakes. Da Nang City is like spring all year round and is a good summer resort city in Vietnam.

Da Nang is famous for its beautiful beaches, such as My Khe Beach, which is known as the "Hawaii of Southeast Asia". In addition, there are natural landscapes such as the Bana Mountains, the Marble Mountains, and the Son Tra Peninsula, as well as modern buildings such as the Dragon Bridge.

Hoi An
Hoi An Ancient Town, 30 kilometers south of Da Nang, has quaint buildings and still retains the style of a traditional trading port in Southeast Asia from the 15th to 19th centuries. Inside Hoi An Ancient Town, there are also many Chinese guilds and old buildings, beautiful beaches, and attractions such as Champa Island.

Hoi An is famous for its Lantern Festival, and the ancient town is brightly lit at night, making for a romantic stroll. Hoi An also has a lot of delicious food, and visitors can try local specialties such as rice noodles and spring rolls. It is also a great place to buy handicrafts and souvenirs, with many old shops, temples, and traditional handicraft shops.

The night view of the Hoi an ancient town is very attractive

Hue
The distance between Hue and Da Nang is about 100 kilometers. The city is surrounded by mountains, the terrain is relatively flat, and the climate has four distinct seasons. Read more about how far and how to get from Hue to Da Nang of Vietnam. 

Hue is a historical treasure with amazing architecture, including palaces and temples. Famous attractions include the Hue Imperial City, the Emperor's Mausoleum, and the Thien Mu Pagoda. Visitors can visit the ancient royal palace, attend traditional performances, take a boat trip on the Perfume River, and experience local cuisine.

10 Days Central Vietnam Beach Relaxing & Culinary Tour

Da Nang - Hue - Hoi An - Nha Trang - Mui Ne - Da Lat - Da Nang

How Many Days are Recommended to Stay in Central Vietnam?

The recommended number of days to visit central Vietnam depends on your overall travel plan. We can roughly divide it into three arrangements.

The first one, if you decide to visit the whole of Vietnam, you can generally arrange to spend about three days to experience central Vietnam. The second one is to only go to Da Nang, Hoi An and Hue, and you can arrange 4-5 days to visit. The third one, if you choose to have an in-depth discovery in central Vietnam, the number of days to visit can be arranged in 8-10 days, so that you have enough time to visit the attractions in central Vietnam, and you can also relax your itinerary to make your trip to central Vietnam more fulfilling and not too stressful.

The attractions in central Vietnam are mainly concentrated in Da Nang, Hoi An, and Hue. The distance between the attractions is not far, and transportation is relatively convenient. You can go to different attractions to have a look, such as My Khe Beach in Da Nang and the ancient city of Hoi An are not to be missed.

If you want to have a fulfilling and relaxing trip to central Vietnam, you can consider choosing our professional local travel service in Vietnam. We will plan a tour route that satisfies you and provide the most favorable local prices, with a local private guide and driver.

The tourist train from Hue to Da Nang in central Vietnam passes through the beautiful coast

14 Days Vietnam Relaxing Tour

Saigon - Can Tho - Nha Trang - Hoi An - Hue - Hanoi - Halong Bay Cruise - Hanoi

When is the Best Time to Visit Central Vietnam?

The best time to visit central Vietnam is from February to August. During these months, the weather is warm with minimal rainfall, making it ideal for outdoor activities and beach outings. 

• January: The weather this month is relatively cool and suitable for sightseeing.
• February to April: Mild temperatures are perfect for sightseeing, and you won't be sick from the heat or humidity.
• May through August: Hot weather is perfect for beach lovers, but be prepared for occasional rain as summer progresses.
• September to December: Vietnam's rainy season. If you can accept some inconvenience in transportation and outdoor activities, you can also visit and enjoy different and special scenery. 
  

  8 Days Central Vietnam Ocean Road Bike Tour

  Hue - Ling Co - Hoi An - My Son - Hoi An - Tam Ky - Quang Ngai - Hoi An - Da Nang

  

Dining in Central Vietnam: Unique Flavors Compared to the North and South

When traveling to central Vietnam, you must try the local Vietnamese food. Compared with the north and south of Vietnam, the food in central Vietnam also has its own unique flavor. Here are some of the more distinctive foods in central Vietnam.

• Mi Quang: This is a traditional noodle in Da Nang, made from rice and mung bean flour. The noodles have a delicate taste and can be eaten with various seafood or meat.
• Cao Lau: This is a special type of rice from Hoi An that has a unique aroma and taste. It can be cooked into soups or served with seafood or meat.
• Bun Bo Hue: A spicy beef noodle soup that reflects the royal culinary tradition of Hue.

Mi Quang noodles, a Vietnamese specialty, have local characteristics and are very delicious

Insider Tips for an Unforgettable Central Vietnam Tour

Choose the right means of transportation:
When traveling to central Vietnam, you need to choose the right means of Vietnam transportation. You can choose to take a taxi, bus or local motorcycle. Just pay attention to your own safety when traveling.

Arrange accommodation:
There are many attractions in central Vietnam, so when traveling here, you need to book a hotel in advance according to the attractions you want to visit, and arrange the travel route according to the location between the attractions. Choose a regular local hotel to ensure personal safety.

Conclusion

Central Vietnam has rich historical and cultural traditions, it's hard to find something here that doesn't suit you. To travel to central Vietnam, please make a good travel plan, choose a suitable time to visit, and make your trip to central Vietnam more memorable! Don't wait, start planning your Vietnam trip today!