Hanoi and Da Nang on Short Leave
Two cities, one flight and a plan that counts the hours you lose on arrival and departure.
Five days and four nights is not much, but it can hold Hanoi, central Vietnam and one internal flight if you count honestly. This plan treats arrival and departure timing as part of the schedule, so you know how many full days you really have.
Who is this route for?
It suits employees on short leave who want city, heritage and a lantern town in one trip. It also works for first-timers who are not sure whether to choose the north or the centre, and for couples who like a little of both. If you want a slow beach rest, choose one region only and read north versus central Vietnam.
Malaysian ordinary passport holders can enter Vietnam without a visa for 30 days1. Check the official sources before you travel.
First, count your real days
Look at your two Kuala Lumpur flights before anything else. A late arrival means Day 1 is only a hotel night. An early departure means Day 5 is only a transfer. Then your four nights hold three working days, and you should drop Hoi An or one Hanoi activity.
Kuala Lumpur to Hanoi is listed with AirAsia, Batik Air Malaysia, Malaysia Airlines and VietJet Air2. Da Nang is listed with the same four airlines to Kuala Lumpur3. Our guide to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang flights helps you compare.
The five days at a glance
- Day 1: arrive in Hanoi and rest
- Day 2: the Old Quarter and the citadel
- Day 3: fly to Da Nang and go on to Hoi An
- Day 4: Hoi An in the morning, Da Nang in the afternoon
- Day 5: a calm morning and your flight home
Day by day
Day 1: arrive in Hanoi
Noi Bai airport is about 35 km northeast of downtown Hanoi4, so plan the transfer. Check in, eat nearby and sleep. If you land late, this is simply a night.
Day 2: the Old Quarter and the citadel
Walk the Old Quarter early. The central sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long was inscribed in 20105. Rest at midday and return to the lanes at dusk. Our Hanoi guide explains the areas.
Day 3: fly to Da Nang, then Hoi An
Take a morning flight to Da Nang. Treat the day as a travel day. Hoi An lies some 28 km south of Da Nang6, so travel by car and check in at lunchtime. Spend the evening in the old town, early, before the crowds.
Day 4: Hoi An, then Da Nang
Hoi An Ancient Town was inscribed in 19997. Walk the lanes and old houses in the morning. Return toward Da Nang after lunch for a beach walk and an early night.
The Da Nang guide describes the beach side and the river side. Sleeping near the airport side tonight keeps Day 5 simple.
Day 5: a calm departure
Keep the morning free. Pack the night before and travel to the Da Nang airport with margin.
What should you drop if a flight is late?
Drop Hoi An first if your arrival is late, and keep Da Nang as a beach city with a short old-town evening. Drop the second Hanoi activity if your departure is early. Never drop rest, because short trips go wrong when everyone is tired.
Where should you stay?
Choose areas, not hotel names. In Hanoi, the Old Quarter is lively and convenient, though noisy, while the lake area is quieter. For Day 3 and Day 4, choose Hoi An near the old town or Da Nang near the beach. Compare rates yourself.
See the Hoi An guide for zones.
What about the weather?
Da Nang lists September to December as its wet and typhoon season8. If your leave falls in those months, keep Hoi An flexible and plan indoor options. The weather by month guide helps you check.
What should you book ahead?
- Your international flights and the internal flight.
- Airport transfers in Hanoi and Da Nang.
- A car to Hoi An on Day 3.
- Meals, with halal and dietary needs checked in advance.
What will it cost?
Price the trip in lines: international flights, the internal flight, four nights, transfers, meals and extras. Rates change by season, so use the trip budget builder with current quotes.
Send us your flight times and leave dates, and we can tell you which version of the five days fits, what to drop if you land late and where to stay in each city.
Common questions
Is five days and four nights enough for Hanoi and Da Nang?
It is enough for a good taste of both, if you accept that arrival and departure take part of two days. You get about two real days in Hanoi and two in the centre. Add a night or drop Hoi An if you want to feel less rushed.
How does flight timing change the plan?
A late arrival means Day 1 is only a hotel night, and an early departure means Day 5 is only a transfer. If both happen, you have three working days. Check flight times before you pay for hotels, then choose the version of this plan that fits.
Do we need a visa?
Malaysian ordinary passport holders can enter Vietnam without a visa for 30 days, so five days is well inside the limit. Check the official sources before you go, because rules can change, and confirm your passport validity.
Should we skip Hoi An to save time?
If you only want a brief look at central Vietnam, you can stay in Da Nang and skip Hoi An. Hoi An is a short ride from Da Nang, and one evening there gives you the lantern streets. Keep it unless you are exhausted.
Is this suitable for seniors or small children?
It can be, if you use a driver and keep to one outing a day. The flight and the transfers are the tiring parts, so rest after each. Choose a hotel near the old town in Hoi An so you can walk back easily.
Sources
- Malaysian ordinary passport holders can enter Vietnam without a visa for 30 days. Wikipedia. Check before travel on official Vietnam immigration / MOFA channels.
- Kuala Lumpur International to Hanoi Noi Bai is listed as served by AirAsia, Batik Air Malaysia, Malaysia Airlines and VietJet Air. Wikipedia. Wikipedia destination table; check airline sites for current schedules.
- Da Nang to Kuala Lumpur International is listed as served by AirAsia, Batik Air Malaysia, Malaysia Airlines and VietJet Air. Wikipedia
- Noi Bai is about 35 km northeast of downtown Hanoi. Wikipedia
- The Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, Hanoi, was inscribed in 2010 (31 July 2010). Wikipedia
- Hoi An lies some 28 km south of Da Nang. Wikipedia
- Hoi An Ancient Town was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1999. Wikipedia
- Da Nang's wet and typhoon season runs from September to December and the dry season from January to August. Wikipedia
Keep planning
Send us your flight times and leave dates, and we can tell you which version of the five days fits, what to drop if you land late and where to stay in each city.