With the stunning curves of a mountainous coastline and the heartbreaking scars of war, Vietnam’s central provinces are a microcosm of captivating destinations. The region boasts top-notch cuisine and natural, cultural, and historical attractions, catering to both adventurous backpackers and luxury travelers. The central provinces are home to an imperial citadel, a sun-soaked port town, and an ultra-modern city. Explore Hoi An, a shopper’s paradise, where master tailors can put together a dress, a shirt, or a pair of pants in less than a day. Take to the shores of Danang, the central region’s coolest contemporary city, powered by a fusion of hip cosmopolitan culture and Vietnam’s laid-back local scene. Dive into the fascinating history of Hue, Vietnam’s last imperial capital.
View from the Marble Mountains in Vietnam. Photo © Dana Filek-Gibson.
The central provinces are home to an imperial citadel, a sun-soaked port town, and an ultra-modern city.Beyond its urban hot spots, central Vietnam holds a host of wild landscapes, replete with jungles, rice paddies, and gargantuan limestone formations. Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and its jaw-dropping subterranean chambers, hollowed out by several million years of erosion, are a must-see. The eerie, overgrown ruins of My Son, former Cham holy land, and several crumbling relics of the American War, including the dividing line between north and south Vietnam, add to the awe and mystery of the region.Hue and Hoi An are the main highlights of the region. On a cross-country road trip, allocate one week to cover the region. From each of these cities, shorter, day-long excursions to nearby sights like My Son and the DMZ area are possible for visitors with a more relaxed schedule.
The Central Provinces
If you have more time, take a day to travel from Hue to Hoi An (or vice versa) and stop along the way to enjoy the beach at Lang Co or Danang’s stunning Hai Van Pass. Remote Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, easily the country’s best up-and-coming destination, is worth a visit, but requires more time and money than a visit to most coastal towns. It’s a full day of travel to get there and back, and you should spend at least two days there, so budget 4-5 days.
The main route between Hue and Hoi An is Highway 1, which runs through Danang. This is the most popular route and is easy to navigate.
The central provinces are home to some of the country’s most extreme weather. Its location on the belly of the “S” makes it more prone to storms. This area is rocked by flash floods, monsoon rains, and other storms every year, often sweeping away houses and affecting local crops. Hoi An is notorious for its November deluge in particular, when locals get around by canoe. While plying these temporary canals makes for a memorable shopping experience, the weather in central Vietnam is more of a hindrance than a novelty. Time your visit outside of September-January, when rainfall is highest. August is a brutally hot month in the region. February-May are the best months in central Vietnam, with temperatures on the rise but not yet unbearable.
Excerpted from the First Edition of Moon Vietnam.
