A practical day-by-day itinerary combining Hoi An and Da Nang, written for Singapore travellers on 4D3N and 5D4N trips. Covers Ba Na Hills, Ancient Town, beaches, and where to base yourself.
Da Nang and Hoi An are 30 minutes apart by road, which means you do not have to choose between them. Most Singapore travellers visiting central Vietnam combine both into a single trip. The question is how to sequence the days and what to skip if you are short on time.
This itinerary works for 4D3N and 5D4N trips. Singapore is well connected to Da Nang with direct flights, typically 3.5 to 4 hours. Scoot, Vietnam Airlines, and VietJet all serve the route.
Where to Base Yourself
The most common decision travellers get stuck on is whether to stay in Da Nang or Hoi An. Here is the short answer.
Stay in Da Nang if you want a beach resort base, easy access to Ba Na Hills, and more dining and nightlife options. My Khe Beach has a long stretch of resorts at different price points, and the city is well connected to everywhere in the itinerary.
Stay in Hoi An if the Ancient Town atmosphere is the main draw and you prefer a slower, more walkable base. Hoi An has no direct airport, so you will need a transfer from Da Nang Airport either way. The 30-minute drive is straightforward by private car or Grab.
For families with young children, Da Nang is usually the more practical base. For couples prioritising the Hoi An experience, staying in or near the Ancient Town adds to the trip.
4D3N Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Da Nang, Settle In
Most Singapore flights arrive in Da Nang in the afternoon or evening. Keep Day 1 light. Check into your hotel near My Khe Beach, walk the beachfront, and have dinner at one of the seafood restaurants along the strip. My Khe is a wide, clean beach and an easy introduction to the city after the flight.
If you arrive early morning, you can add a short orientation drive around Da Nang (Han River bridges, Dragon Bridge), but save the main sightseeing for the days ahead.
Day 2: Ba Na Hills Full Day
Dedicate a full day to Ba Na Hills. The resort is about 45 minutes from central Da Nang by road. Allow an hour or more for the cable car up, time at the Golden Bridge and French Village, lunch on the mountain, and the cable car back down.
Most travellers spend 5 to 7 hours at Ba Na Hills. Start early: be at the cable car station by 8am if possible. Queues build up significantly by mid-morning, especially on weekends and during Singapore and Vietnam school holidays. Read our Golden Bridge and Ba Na Hills guide for full logistics.
Day 3: Hoi An Ancient Town and Evening Lanterns
This is the centrepiece day. Transfer to Hoi An in the morning, a 30-minute drive by car. Spend the morning exploring the Ancient Town before the crowds build. Key stops: Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky Old House, Fujian Assembly Hall, the covered market.
Have lunch near the river, then use the early afternoon for shopping: tailors, lanterns, silk. If you ordered anything made-to-measure and arrived in Hoi An the day before, collect it now.
Stay for the evening. The riverfront and lantern-lit streets from around 5:30pm onwards are what most travellers remember most about Hoi An. Have dinner along the Thu Bon River before returning to Da Nang, or stay the night in Hoi An if your itinerary allows.
Day 4: Flexible Options (Son Tra, Marble Mountains, or Beach)
Your last full day before a late departure or an early next-day flight. Three good options depending on your interests.
Son Tra Peninsula is a forested headland 10 minutes from central Da Nang. The Linh Ung Pagoda and its enormous Lady Buddha statue have wide views over the bay. It is a half-day outing at most, and not strenuous.
Marble Mountains is a cluster of limestone hills between Da Nang and Hoi An. Caves with Buddhist shrines, viewpoints, and easy hiking. Allow 2 to 3 hours. It pairs well with a Hoi An stop if you want one final visit.
My Khe Beach is the low-effort choice. Spend a relaxed morning in the water or by the pool before heading to the airport. Da Nang International Airport is close to the beach, so no long transfer is required.
5D4N Itinerary
The extra day opens two good options.
Option A: Hue Day Trip
Hue is about 2.5 hours north of Da Nang by road, or 1 hour through the Hai Van Pass (a scenic mountain road). A day trip covers the Imperial Citadel, a royal tomb, and a boat ride on the Perfume River. It is a long day but very doable from Da Nang, especially with a private driver who handles the logistics.
Hue suits travellers with an interest in Vietnamese history and imperial architecture. If you are more focused on beaches and Hoi An shopping, the second option is usually more satisfying.
Option B: Second Hoi An Day for Tailoring and Food
If you ordered clothes on Day 3, Day 5 of a 5D4N trip gives you a morning to collect, check fit, and request any adjustments. Use the extra time for a cooking class, a morning market visit, or a bicycle ride through the rice paddies outside town.
This option suits couples who want more time in the Hoi An atmosphere without packing in another major destination.
What to Skip If You Are Short on Time
If you have only 4 days, skip Hue. It is worth the trip on its own, but squeezed into a Da Nang itinerary as a rushed day trip it loses its appeal.
If you are travelling with young children who are not interested in heritage sites, one Hoi An day is enough. Replace the second Hoi An visit with beach time or a cooking demonstration.
Son Tra Peninsula is pleasant but not essential. Skip it if time is tight and you have already seen the views from Ba Na Hills.
Key Logistics
Da Nang Airport is compact and efficient. Immigration queues are manageable for most Singapore arrivals. Allow 45 minutes to 1 hour for arrival formalities.
The currency is Vietnamese Dong. SGD and USD exchange easily at the airport and hotels. Carry cash for markets, small restaurants, and ticket booths. Grab works well in Da Nang and between Da Nang and Hoi An.
For the full weather picture, including when to avoid October and November floods in Hoi An, read Best Time to Visit Vietnam from Singapore.
Plan Your Trip
Browse our private Vietnam tour packages from Singapore, priced in SGD with no hidden fees. Private guide, 3 to 4 star hotels, and meals included from SGD 448 per person. View Da Nang Tour Packages
Related Reads
- 4 Days in Da Nang: Full Itinerary for Singapore Families
- Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills: Complete Guide
- Hoi An Ancient Town: The Complete Guide for Singaporeans
- Best Time to Visit Vietnam from Singapore
