15-Day Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang Road Trip Itinerary for Families
If you’ve ever dreamed of cruising Vietnam’s scenic coastlines, exploring charming beach towns, and venturing into the misty mountains of Da Lat, all while bonding with your family, this Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang road trip itinerary is the perfect guide.
Over 15 unforgettable days, we journeyed through hidden fishing villages, golden beaches, and buzzing cities, from my wife’s hometown of Van Gia to the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An, the vibrant coastal vibe of Nha Trang, and the pine-covered highlands of Da Lat.
Whether you’re planning your own Vietnam road trip with kids or looking for an off-the-beaten-path route packed with local insights, stunning stops, and family-friendly tips, this guide will show you everything you need to know.
Why Choose a Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang Road Trip?
There’s no better way to experience Vietnam’s diverse beauty than by hitting the road. A Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang road trip takes you through sun-kissed beaches, quiet fishing towns, ancient cities, and misty mountain retreats, all within a few hundred kilometers.
For families, it’s the ideal combination of flexibility, adventure, and comfort. You set the pace, choose your stops, and create unforgettable memories along the way. No tight bus schedules. No waiting for airport transfers. Just your family, your car, and Vietnam’s spectacular coast and countryside stretching out before you.
Google Map Overview of the Route
Below is a quick view of the road trip route, or you can access Google Maps to easily follow us.
15-Day Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang Road Trip Itinerary (Via North-South Expressway)
Follow us to explore the beautiful Vietnam:
Day 1–3: Ho Chi Minh City to Van Gia, Khanh Hoa
We started from Ho Chi Minh City on June 14, leaving our home early at 4 a.m. to avoid the traffic when the sun rises. We drove on the North-South Expressway to make the trip faster and more comfortable. It took about 8–9 hours, including a short rest stop for breakfast at 9:40 a.m. in Cam Lam – Vinh Hao.
We exited the expressway at Van Phong Bay, the just-opened part which led us directly to my wife’s hometown, Van Gia Town. It has never been better to come back to the place. Van Gia offered peace, local seafood, and family warmth. Especially, everything in the town was cheap, equal to a third of Ho Chi Minh City. Thus, we could experience many things without worrying about our budget for the trip.
The kids enjoyed the beach and every moment with their cousins. And we had a great time partying and drinking beer with the family.
Note: I link my “On-the-road” videos here so you can have a clear, real view of what we truly experienced on the road trip.
Day 4–5: Van Gia to Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh
On June 17, we headed north toward Binh Dinh province. The drive took about 3.5 hours with a combination of the expressway, coastal path, and the international highway, as the North-South Expressway wasn’t finished yet.
Actually, we went to An Nhon Town first for the anniversary of my brother-in-law’s family. We then traveled to Quy Nhon the next day after my body recovered from a whole day full of alcohol.
As always, Quy Nhon is a serene, enjoyable city with a beautiful beach and not too many tourists. We could easily find a good stay, just a few steps to the beach, so my kids could walk to the beach comfortably.
We only stayed in Quy Nhon for one day as a mid-point for a quick rest in a long road trip to Hoi An.
Day 6–8: Quy Nhon to Hoiana Resort & Hoi An
On June 19, we left for Hoiana Resort near Hoi An using the expressway again. This drive was around 6 hours, passing through Quang Ngai and Tam Ky.
We stayed at New World Hoiana Hotel, a luxury resort with spacious rooms, a big pool, and good food from the restaurants. We planned to have a deep relaxation here for the summer vacation and for the long drive. My kids enjoyed this place so much, especially the mini pool with different slides and soap bubbles activities on Thursday.
From the hotel, we could drive to Hoi An Ancient Town. It was just about 20 minutes away by car. The place was nostalgic, reminding me of times I’ve been here with my family and friends. While I was looking around at places I came to with my dad, my younger children’s screams of hot weather took me back to the moment. We decided to come back to Hoiana and spent our night at Cong Caphe there.
Day 9–11: Da Nang Stay – Coastal City Fun
On June 21, we drove 1 hour from Hoiana to the Da Nang city center. My friend introduced me to a Bun Mam Nem restaurant, which was on the Michelin Selected list, for lunch.
We booked a serviced apartment near the Tran Thi Ly bridge, where we spent the night watching the Danang International Fireworks Festival 2025. Honestly, it was the first time I watched a fireworks festival. The show was even eye-catching without music as we stood so far. However, that 1 hour was a memorable moment that we had on the trip.
Because we visited Da Nang a few times, we decided to do a food tour with soft activities to be more suitable for the kids. Our family went to a small farm on Hai Van Pass. There was a great view of Da Nang City and the ocean. The weather there was also better to chill with coffee and drinks.
We left Da Nang on June 23 in the morning, heading back south to Van Gia via the expressway.
Day 12–13: Back in Van Gia for Family Rest
We returned to Van Gia in the afternoon, driving roughly 9 hours with a short stop at Quy Nhon for lunch. These two days were all about relaxing with family. We walked along the beach, rode a motorbike around the town, visited a local cafe, and rested well. Especially, we watched a happy shrimping activity of the family.
On June 25, we packed up and drove to Nha Trang in the afternoon for the final leg of our trip.
Day 14–15: Van Gia to Nha Trang, Then Da Lat, and Come Back Home
We drove 1 hour to Nha Trang along Highway 1A, had dinner at Pizza 4P’s, and slept at the family’s house near Marina Beach Club.
We spent the next two days in Vinpearl Nha Trang and the water park in I-Resort Nha Trang. The weather wasn’t good those days. It was very hot in the morning and heavy rain at night, which prevented our family from having fun. Nevertheless, every moment together is warm and happy, regardless of the place. Therefore, we drove 3 hours to Da Lat City via Khanh Le Pass, seeking a cool, pleasant atmosphere and delicious grilled chicken in the highlands.
We stayed at Sammy Dalat Hotel, a nostalgic one in the highland, the day before coming back home. There was a good BBQ restaurant next to the hotel, and there was a great avocado ice cream to end the trip.
Our hotel stay included a buffet for breakfast to fill the stomach before driving home via Gia Bao Pass. On June 29, we completed the final stretch back to Ho Chi Minh City, ending our summer vacation on a rainy afternoon.
Pro Tips for Driving Across Vietnam
- Leave early each day to beat traffic and enjoy cooler temps. Especially when you leave Ho Chi Minh City, the traffic jam at the entrance of the Long Thanh – Dau Giay Expressway may cost you an hour for just a few kilometers.
- Fill up when you’re half-tank, especially in rural stretches. I usually fill up the tank at the Long Thanh rest stop on the Expressway. It’s just before we enter the Phan Thiet – Dau Giay Expressway.
- Avoid night driving, especially in mountainous or coastal areas. Many parts aren’t equipped with road lights, then you have to deal with the high-beam headlight from other vehicles. It’s better to arrive at your destination before 6 p.m.
- Don’t drive if you drank beer or alcohol, even just a little. The penalty is extreme.
- If you want to pee, there are rest stops and temporary ones. Or, you can stop at the emergency lane. Make sure you turn on the hazard lights and have a warning sign.
- Download Google Maps offline, and use Zalo for local communication.
- Deposit about 2 million VND for VETC or ePass (Electronic Toll Collection) for the road trip. Vietnam now uses the electronic toll mainly. Besides that, bring small cash (VND), snacks, and visit local markets.
- If you don’t want to self-drive, consider hiring a driver for multi-day legs. However, this will cost you to hire a driver for half a month. So, it’s better to drive yourself, or take the airplane, train, or sleeper bus to destinations.
What to Pack for a Vietnam Road Trip with Kids
Vietnam’s climate varies across this route, from coastal heat to the cool highlands of Da Lat. Here’s what you’ll want to bring:
- Lightweight clothing + layers for the mountains. Check the weather before you go; it’s not cold compared to many places in the world. But if it’s hot, it’s a lot hotter.
- Swimsuits, sunblock, hats, and mosquito repellent for seaside places.
- First aid kit with popular medicines, motion sickness remedies if needed.
- Snacks and refillable water bottles.
- Wet wipes, toilet seat covers, hand sanitizer, and paper masks. I’m sure you will come back here and thank me for telling you to prepare those after you experience the toilets at rest stops on expressways or highways, especially those temporary ones. I don’t describe it here, so you can experience it as part of your Vietnam discovery.
- Power bank, car charger, and offline maps (better to download Google offline maps in advance).
- Car phone holder and Google Translate app.
Optional: A dash cam for capturing the journey and protecting yourself on the road. Indeed, I used the dash cam for footage to make videos that I uploaded to YouTube.
Final Thoughts: Why This Ho Chi Minh to Da Nang Road Trip Was Our Best Family Adventure Yet
This 15-day journey wasn’t just a road trip; it was a memory-making adventure that brought our family closer while letting us explore Vietnam’s most beautiful regions at our own pace.
From the quiet mornings in Van Gia to the thrill of driving Gia Bắc Pass in Da Lat’s cool hills, every stop offered something unique. The flexibility of having our car meant more spontaneous stops, local eats, and hidden gems off the main tourist trail.
If you’re planning your next family getaway, consider taking the road less traveled, because Vietnam is best discovered slowly, by road, with the people you love beside you.
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Khoi Nguyen
Khoi Nguyen builds The Broad Life with a desire to inspire people go exploring the world and live a more interesting, experience, and adventurous life. This blog shares the stories, pictures, and experiences at destinations where he has traveled to.
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