da nang in 4 days, 3 nights

The beach and a seafood dinner on arrival, Son Tra and the Han River on day two, the Marble Mountains and an evening in lantern-lit Hoi An, and a last swim before the short flight home.

1. Day 1

   Arrive and My Khe

   Morning

   Fly direct from KL, about 2.5 hours; Vietnam is an hour behind Malaysia. The airport is right in the city, about 15 minutes from the beach.

   Lunch

   Mì Quảng, turmeric rice noodles with a little rich broth, peanuts and herbs.

   Afternoon

   Check in near My Khe Beach and swim late in the afternoon, when the sun is softer.

   Evening

   Seafood on the beach road. Pick from the tanks and have it cooked the way you like.

2. Day 2

   Son Tra and the river

   Morning

   Grab up the Son Tra Peninsula, about 20 minutes north of the beach, to Linh Ung Pagoda and its tall white Lady Buddha, with views back over the city.

   Lunch

   Bún chả cá, noodle soup with fish cakes, a Da Nang favourite.

   Afternoon

   Han Market, by the river in the city centre, for dried seafood, coffee and souvenirs.

   Evening

   Walk along the Han River to the Dragon Bridge. On weekend nights it breathes fire and water.

3. Day 3

   Marble Mountains and Hoi An

   Morning

   A slow morning on the beach.

   Lunch

   Lunch near the hotel.

   Afternoon

   Grab south to the Marble Mountains, about 20 minutes, and climb up to the caves and pagodas. Then carry on to Hoi An, about half an hour further.

   Evening

   Walk the old town as the lanterns come on, with bánh xèo for dinner: crispy rice-flour pancakes with prawns, rolled up with herbs. Grab back to Da Nang, about 45 minutes.

4. Day 4

   Last swim and home

   Morning

   An early swim at My Khe and a last bowl of mì Quảng.

   Lunch

   An early lunch near the hotel.

   Afternoon

   Grab to the airport, about 15 minutes, and fly home.