REVIEW · DA NANG
5 days Center Vietnam Package Tour with Danang Hue and Hoian
Book on Viator →Operated by Asia Pearl Travel Day Tours · Bookable on Viator
Five days, three worlds of Central Vietnam. This Danang package mixes guided sightseeing (Son Tra, Marble Mountains, Hoi An, Hue) with one big signature day at Ba Na Hills plus an evening Han River boat cruise, all tied together with hotel pickup in Da Nang and a 4-star home base.
I especially like how much is handled for you: airport-to-hotel arrival, air-conditioned transport, and an English-speaking guide for the day tours. I also like the human touch—guide names that show up in the operator’s orbit include Tina, David, Bob, Alice, Tom, and even a humorous driver-guide named Tung, so you’re not just getting a script.
One thing to plan for: key fees are not included. The Ba Na Hills cable car costs 900,000 VND (and without it, you won’t be able to go to the top hill for the included lunch), and Hue entrance fees for the Imperial City and King’s tomb are extra too. Also, your day 5 ends with a transfer to Hanoi Airport, which matters if you were hoping to linger in Central Vietnam.
In This Review
- Key highlights at a glance
- Is $167 really good value for this 5-day package?
- Day 1 in Da Nang: airport pickup, Son Tra, Marble Mountains, then Hoi An
- Son Tra Peninsula: a quick break from city heat
- Marble Mountains: Buddha sites on limestone peaks
- Hoi An Ancient Town: included ticket, long enough to wander
- Day 2 in Hue: Khai Dinh tomb, Hue Citadel, and Thien Mu Pagoda
- Tomb of Khai Dinh: impressive, but ticket extra
- Hue Imperial City: the big name stop (and also ticket extra)
- Thien Mu Pagoda: included and more relaxed
- Day 3 to Ba Na Hills: cable car timing and the lunch-at-the-top rule
- Ba Na Hills SunWorld: the view comes with a required fee
- After the cable car day: beach time and breathing room
- Day 4 in Da Nang: free time for your style, then the included Han River cruise
- 7:30 PM Han River boat trip: the easiest win of the week
- Day 5: breakfast at your hotel and transfer to Hanoi flights
- The hotel base: Ibiza Boutique hotel and why it matters
- Extra fees and walking comfort: how to avoid day-of surprises
- Handle the big paid items early
- Don’t forget that tips and drinks are separate
- Dress and shoes for temple days and limestone steps
- Who this tour fits best
- Should you book this Danang Hue and Hoi An package?
- FAQ
- What is included in the $167 per person package?
- How many nights do I stay in Da Nang?
- Are hotel pickups included?
- Which tours or stops have admission tickets included?
- Is the Ba Na Hills cable car ticket included?
- What entrance fees do I need to pay in Hue?
- How many people are in the group?
- Is there free time during the itinerary?
- What is the pickup time for my flight on day 5?
- What is the cancellation timeline for a full refund?
Key highlights at a glance

- Small group size (max 15) makes the pace feel human and questions get answered.
- 4 nights at Ibiza Boutique Hotel (4-star) with city-view rooms keeps you comfortable between day trips.
- English-speaking guides are a consistent strength, with guide names like Tina, David, Bob, Alice, and Tom mentioned in service experiences.
- Ba Na Hills day has a real budget check: cable car fee is required to reach the top hill.
- An included Han River night cruise is the kind of easy win that beats another long day on foot.
Is $167 really good value for this 5-day package?

At $167 per person for about 5 days, the value comes from what’s bundled—not just the sightseeing list. You get 4 nights at a 4-star Ibiza Boutique hotel (superior city view room), plus hotel pickup/drop-off within Da Nang city center, air-conditioned vehicles, and an English-speaking guide for the day tours. On top of that, you get 2 lunches and dinner, daily water bottles, and an included 2-hour Han River boat trip.
The catch is you also need to budget for the fees explicitly left out:
- Ba Na Hills cable car: 900,000 VND (you pay this to actually ride up and join the lunch at the top hill).
- Hue Imperial City and King’s tomb: entrance fees are not included (150k each for King’s tomb and 200k each for the Imperial City, as listed).
If you’re the type of traveler who prefers to show up, be picked up, and let the logistics run smoothly, this price can feel fair. If you hate surprise costs and want everything prepaid, you’ll want to double-check those specific exclusions before booking.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Da Nang
Day 1 in Da Nang: airport pickup, Son Tra, Marble Mountains, then Hoi An
The day starts with a practical setup: the driver picks you up from Da Nang airport and takes you to the hotel in the city. After check-in, you get free time for lunch. Then the guided part kicks in around 2 PM.
Son Tra Peninsula: a quick break from city heat
You’ll head to Son Tra Peninsula on a schedule that aims to get you out of the thickest traffic moments. Son Tra is described as a mountain escape that locals and visitors use when they want cooler air and a calmer feel than the downtown streets.
What I like about this stop is the rhythm. It’s not a rushed photo stop—you get about an hour, which is enough time to look around and still feel like you’re on vacation, not on a checklist.
Marble Mountains: Buddha sites on limestone peaks
Next comes Marble Mountains, made of limestone peaks and known as both a tourist destination and a Buddha worship site. You’re given about an hour here.
Important detail: Marble Mountains admission isn’t included. So if you budget a little extra on day 1, your day stays smoother. If you don’t, you’ll spend a little mental energy figuring out payments mid-tour.
Hoi An Ancient Town: included ticket, long enough to wander
In the afternoon you reach Hoi An Ancient Town for about 3 hours, and the admission is marked included. This is the time for slow walking—old streets, old roofs, and a look that feels different from Da Nang.
The pacing helps. You’re not in and out in 30 minutes. You get enough time to wander, pause, and decide what you want to come back to later.
Dinner ties the day together: after dinner at a Hoi An restaurant, you return to Da Nang for the night and prep for the next day.
How this day feels for you: part easy transit, part guided highlights, then a real amount of time in the historic area.
Day 2 in Hue: Khai Dinh tomb, Hue Citadel, and Thien Mu Pagoda

Day 2 is an early run with hotel pickup around 7:15–8:00, and you’re picked up from the city center area (roughly 45 minutes before the start time). You’ll meet your guide at the hotel lobby.
Tomb of Khai Dinh: impressive, but ticket extra
You visit Khai Dinh tomb starting around 10:00. It’s described as the most popular, imposing, and impressive of the royal mausoleums. The tomb is not included in your package fare.
There’s also a helpful contingency note: if the tomb is closed for maintenance, another tomb will replace it. That matters because it protects your day from falling apart.
Hue Imperial City: the big name stop (and also ticket extra)
Next is Hue Imperial City (the Citadel). This is another not included site. The listing also notes the ticket costs clearly: 200k for the Imperial City entrance.
If you hate paying entry fees after the fact, this is the day where you’ll feel that friction. Still, the payoff is the scale and importance of the site as part of the Nguyen Dynasty’s story.
Thien Mu Pagoda: included and more relaxed
You finish with Thien Mu Pagoda, and this stop is marked free in the tour flow. It’s described as one of the best-known pagodas in Hue, with antique architecture and a long set of traditions and stories.
What I like here is balance. You get two heavy-history sites (tomb and citadel) and then a pagoda visit that tends to feel steadier and less rushed.
Day 3 to Ba Na Hills: cable car timing and the lunch-at-the-top rule

This is the day that most people remember. You start with another hotel pickup around 7:15–8:00.
Ba Na Hills SunWorld: the view comes with a required fee
At 8:00 AM, you head to Ba Na Hills SunWorld and ride a modern cable car to the hill. The temperature is described as cooler, which is a nice change from the warmer Da Nang plains.
Here’s the non-negotiable budget detail: Ba Na Hills cable car entry is not included. The instructions are very clear:
- You must pay 900,000 VND for the cable car.
- If you do not pay, you cannot go to the top hill to join the lunch.
- If you skip it, staff can only bring you to the hill foot and set a meet time for you to go back.
This isn’t a minor fine print detail. It changes your day. So if Ba Na Hills is the main reason you booked, make sure the cable car fee is handled.
After the cable car day: beach time and breathing room
You come down around 4:00 PM, drive back to Da Nang, and then you get free time to enjoy the beach.
That free slot is valuable because it’s your chance to reset after a full sightseeing day. You’ll likely be walking and taking stairs earlier in Ba Na Hills, so this is a chance for an easier pace.
Day 4 in Da Nang: free time for your style, then the included Han River cruise

Day 4 is built for flexibility. You have AM and PM free to visit and shop in Da Nang. The listing doesn’t lock in specific attractions here, which is good if you want control.
A practical way to think about it: use this day to do what group tours can’t. Maybe that’s shopping for simple souvenirs, grabbing a meal where you want, or just walking at your own speed.
7:30 PM Han River boat trip: the easiest win of the week
At 7:30 PM, your driver takes you to the harbor for a Han River night boat trip. The trip is listed as about 2 hours, and the admission is included.
This is one of the most “worth-it” parts of the whole package because it’s low effort. You get nighttime views of Da Nang’s river area, you sit back, and the city has a different mood after dark. For a day that otherwise leaves you free, it also gives you a shared end point.
Day 5: breakfast at your hotel and transfer to Hanoi flights

You start with breakfast at the hotel. Then you have a free morning window, but the key event is your transfer to Hanoi Airport for departure.
The pickup timing is spelled out:
- 2h30 before a domestic flight
- 3h before an international flight
This means you should plan your last-day activities carefully. Don’t book anything that depends on being in the Hanoi area later that day, and don’t plan a late checkout expectation unless your flight timing allows it.
Also, since the tour ends with this transfer, you’ll want to already know how you’re moving forward after Hanoi—either continuing travel north or connecting elsewhere.
The hotel base: Ibiza Boutique hotel and why it matters

Staying in one place for 4 nights changes the feel of a multi-day package. You’re not changing hotels every other night, and you’re not dragging luggage through constant transfers.
Your accommodation is 4 nights at a 4-star Ibiza Boutique hotel, superior city view room. The package also notes the hotel is near public transportation, which is handy if you want to step out on your own during your “free day” time.
Logistics support is solid for comfort:
- Air-conditioned vehicles
- Hotel pickup and drop-off within Da Nang city center
- A drinking bottle of water each day
- Mobile ticket
- Maximum group size: 15 travelers
That combination is what helps the days feel manageable instead of chaotic.
Extra fees and walking comfort: how to avoid day-of surprises

The listing calls for a moderate physical fitness level, which usually means you should expect regular walking and uneven spots at some of the attractions. It’s not framed as extreme, but it’s also not a fully seated tour.
Here’s how I’d handle the money and movement part so your schedule stays smooth:
Handle the big paid items early
- For Ba Na Hills, you should plan to pay the 900,000 VND cable car fee so you can go to the top hill and join the lunch.
- For Hue, bring a little cash for entrances: King’s tomb 150k and Imperial City 200k each (as listed). The guide can also receive cash to buy tickets for you.
Don’t forget that tips and drinks are separate
Tips and drinks are not included. You’ll want a small amount of cash or card option ready, depending on how the local setup works day to day.
Dress and shoes for temple days and limestone steps
Marble Mountains and pagodas can mean more walking, steps, and areas that reward closed-toe footwear. Pack something comfortable you’d actually walk in for hours.
Who this tour fits best
This tour is a strong match if you:
- Want a guided itinerary across Da Nang, Hoi An, and Hue without mapping everything yourself
- Like the idea of one big signature day (Ba Na Hills) plus an included night cruise
- Prefer hotel pickup/drop-off and a compact group (max 15)
- Are okay with a few separate entrance/cable car payments on top of the package price
It may not be the best fit if you:
- Hate any extra fees and want everything prepaid in your ticket price
- Want to spend the day 5 morning doing activities instead of preparing for the Hanoi airport transfer
- Want a totally self-guided trip with no set timings
Should you book this Danang Hue and Hoi An package?
I’d book this if you’re the type of traveler who wants Central Vietnam in one smooth bundle: Da Nang highlights, Hoi An Ancient Town time, Hue’s major sites, the famous Ba Na Hills day, and an included Han River night cruise—all with a comfortable 4-star hotel base and small-group pacing.
I wouldn’t book it blindly if you’re not ready for the clearly listed add-ons. The Ba Na Hills cable car fee (900,000 VND) and the Hue entrance fees are the main things that can change how happy you feel about the value. If you’re comfortable handling those, the itinerary is structured well enough that you’re unlikely to feel like you’re wasting time.
If you do book, I’d personally make sure you:
- Confirm you can cover the Ba Na Hills cable car fee
- Bring small cash for Hue ticket gaps
- Double-check your day 5 flight timing so the Hanoi airport transfer doesn’t force stressful last-minute decisions
FAQ
What is included in the $167 per person package?
Dinner, 2 lunches, hotel pickup and drop-off within Da Nang city center, air-conditioned vehicles, 4 nights at the Ibiza Boutique hotel (superior city view room), an English-speaking tour guide for day tours, a drinking water bottle each day, all local taxes (some government entry tickets are excluded), and the Han River boat trip.
How many nights do I stay in Da Nang?
You stay for 4 nights at a 4-star Ibiza Boutique hotel (superior city view room).
Are hotel pickups included?
Yes. The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off within Da Nang city center.
Which tours or stops have admission tickets included?
The Hoi An Ancient Town admission is listed as included, and the Han River night boat trip is listed as included. Some other stops are marked free or not included.
Is the Ba Na Hills cable car ticket included?
No. Ba Na Hills cable car entry is not included. You need to pay 900,000 VND for the cable car to go up and join the lunch at the top hill.
What entrance fees do I need to pay in Hue?
The entry fees for King’s tomb and the Imperial City are not included: 150k each for King’s tomb and 200k each for the Imperial City.
How many people are in the group?
The maximum group size is 15 travelers.
Is there free time during the itinerary?
Yes. Day 4 is free AM and PM for your own visiting and shopping in Da Nang. Day 3 has free time to enjoy the beach after the Ba Na Hills visit, and day 1 also has free time after check-in.
What is the pickup time for my flight on day 5?
For domestic flights, pickup is about 2h30 before departure. For international flights, pickup is about 3h before departure.
What is the cancellation timeline for a full refund?
You can cancel up to 6 days in advance for a full refund. Any cancelations within 2 days don’t receive a refund, and cancelations 2–6 days before the experience get a 50% refund.



























