The Ultimate Hanoi - Da Nang Road Trip Experience

Leg 1: Hanoi – Ninh Binh (Approx. 100km) The first leg was quite light to help us get used to the pace. Right after getting off the highway, we reached Ninh Binh, so we decided to make this our first overnight stop.

• Night 1: Lalita Tam Coc Resort This is a peaceful resort nestled by the mountains in the Bich Dong area. I really enjoyed staying here not only because of the great service but also the delicious food and, especially, the feeling of slow living amidst nature. The hotel staff was friendly and professional—a solid 10/10 with no "buts".
• From the resort, you can bike to Bich Dong Pagoda for a visit, which is only about 500m away. If you have more time, drop by Trang An and take a boat ride to admire the lush mountains and blue waters.
• We had dinner at the hotel.

Leg 2: Ninh Binh – Thanh Hoa (Approx. 80km) The next day, after having breakfast at the hotel, I checked out and continued driving to Thanh Hoa.

• Lunch: Thanh Truc Clay Pot Rice (Cơm Niêu Thanh Trúc) - Lot PG1-08, Vincom Shophouse, Nguyen Du St. They serve a variety of delicious, flavorful home-style dishes and the place has air conditioning.
• Night 2: Melia Vinpearl Thanh Hoa A large, beautiful hotel right in the city center, with rooms offering panoramic city views and a spacious indoor pool.
• Dinner: Com Nieu 37 - No. 3 Nguyen Du St. It’s right opposite our lunch spot. It looked bright and new, so we decided to try it. The food was tasty to our liking, and the space was comfortable.

Leg 3: Thanh Hoa – Ha Tinh (160km, around 4.5 hours) After having breakfast at the hotel, we continued our journey into Central Vietnam. Passing through Nghe An, you will go by Cua Lo Beach, where you can stop for a rest. Although I really wanted to stay in Vinh City (Nghe An), the remaining distance to Ha Tinh was only about 50km, so we drove straight to Ha Tinh. We reached Ha Tinh City around 1:00 PM, so we stopped for lunch at: Goc Pho Com Hue (154 Le Duan St.). Delicious, fast service, and generous, flavorful portions.

• Night 3: Melia Vinpearl Ha Tinh A city-center hotel with spacious indoor and outdoor pools, plus a delicious and hearty breakfast.
• In the late afternoon, we went up to the 36th floor to enjoy a high-altitude view of Ha Tinh – a peaceful and beautiful city.
• If you want to explore, you can head to Thien Cam Beach in the afternoon for a swim. It's about 27km from the center, taking around 45 minutes to drive.

Leg 4: Ha Tinh – Quang Binh (150km, about 4 hours driving) After breakfast at the hotel, I checked out and continued along the coastal road to Quang Binh. The section through Ky Anh has many large vehicles, so drive slowly and carefully. Continuing on, you will pass Da Nhay Beach (Bãi Đá Nhảy), a great spot to rest, drink some coconut water, and swim.

• Night 4: Rex Hotel – Dong Hoi City, Quang Binh. Modern rooms, reasonable prices, and a romantic view of the Cau River.
• For lunch and dinner, we had home-cooked style meals at Com Bao Cap (38 Nguyen Son St.), then took a stroll along the park.
• If you have spare time, you can take a day tour to Phong Nha – Paradise Cave, or go sandboarding at Quang Phu Sand Dunes, swim, and eat seafood at Nhat Le Beach. Because I am allergic to seafood, I only chose hotels near good rice restaurants to stop at throughout the trip.

Leg 5: Quang Binh – Hue (170km, about 4 hours driving) Leaving Dong Hoi for Hue, this route has lots of beautiful scenery, so I drove slower. The road is stunning with white sand and giant windmills on both sides. You can check in at the Quang Binh Wind Farm, then stop by Tan My - Quang Ngan beach for a swim.

• Night 5: Alba Spa Hotel – Hue City A centrally located hotel with cute balcony rooms and Japanese-style onsen bathtubs—perfect for the "backache and stiff neck" team after a long drive.
• In the afternoon, I strolled along the Perfume River and had dinner at Chan restaurant (No. 1 Nguyen Thai Hoc St.). For vegetarians, Tinh Lam Nhi restaurant is also delicious and quite close by.
• The hotel has great Alba mineral water, so I bought a few bottles to drink along the way.

Leg 6: Hue – Da Nang (100km, the finish line!) A smooth final leg. After breakfast in Hue, we got in the car and followed National Route 1A, went through the Hai Van Tunnel, and drove along the coastal Nguyen Tat Thanh Street to enter downtown Da Nang City. Finishing the journey of over 800km with so many immeasurable emotions.

SUMMARY & TIPS

• Prepare your documents carefully.
• Costs: I spent 1 million VND on gas for the whole trip. I chose accommodations that included breakfast so we could just go down and eat right after waking up, and with safe parking for peace of mind. Room rates were around 1.3 million VND/night, and lunch/dinner cost about 200k-300k VND per meal for 3 people.
• Research destinations in advance: routes, restaurants, sightseeing spots, etc.
• Book your rooms in advance, at least 1 night prior, to avoid having to look for a place upon arrival, because after a long drive, you'll just want to rest immediately.
• The driver needs enough sleep to stay alert.
• Drive calmly and inspect the car before departure.

Almost a week to cover 800km. A leg that others usually finish in 1-2 days took me 6 days. But for me, every road, every countryside, getting to see the lands of our beloved country... were all moments that made me feel I was living fully.

If you are planning a trip, don't hesitate. As long as you are willing to go, the road will open up for you.

With lots of love,

“A 6-DAY, 5-NIGHT HANOI - DA NANG ROAD TRIP: AN 800KM JOURNEY (For new drivers, female drivers, travel lovers with neck and shoulder pain, and those who love to explore but need plenty of rest) This is a journey I once thought... I would never be able to accomplish, as I always assumed my physical stamina had its limits. Even though I’ve supported room bookings and provided travel information for many clients on their cross-Vietnam trips for years, this was the first time I actually tried driving such a long route myself. Covering a total distance of about 800km over 6 days from Hanoi to Da Nang, I stopped at 5 main locations primarily to re-survey the resorts and restaurants I usually recommend to clients for their North-to-South road trips.”