Travel to Central Vietnam – Episode 972

In this episode of Amateur Traveler, Chris talks with travel writer and guidebook author Joshua Zukas about planning an immersive trip through Central Vietnam, a region filled with imperial history, dramatic caves, ancient cultures, beaches, wildlife, and some of the country’s most distinctive cuisine.

Joshua has lived in Vietnam for nearly 20 years, first in Huế and now in Hanoi, and has authored multiple guidebooks.

Why Visit Central Vietnam?

Central Vietnam offers a compact blend of what makes the country special. Within a week, you can explore beaches, royal palaces, ancient ruins, caves, and historic neighborhoods. Spring is the ideal time to visit, while October and November bring storms and flooding.

Suggested 1-Week Itinerary

1. Đà Nẵng (2 Days)

A modern seaside city often described as Vietnam’s most livable. It’s an easy place to adjust to the country, enjoy beach mornings, and explore museums.

What to Do

• Sunrise on the beach alongside locals
• Đà Nẵng Museum
• Museum of Cham Sculpture, home to the world’s best Cham art collection

Nearby Half-Day Trips

• Sơn Trà Peninsula for red-shanked douc langurs
• Marble Mountains with shrines and temples
• Mỹ Sơn, atmospheric Cham ruins in the jungle
• Hội An Ancient Town (best early in the morning; Joshua recommends not staying overnight to avoid adding to overtourism)

What to Eat

• Mì Quảng, the local noodle dish
• Cao Lầu, reflecting Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese influences
• Fresh seafood selected directly from tanks

2. Huế (2 Days)

The former imperial capital is still filled with pagodas, royal tombs, and the Forbidden City. Unlike Vietnam’s bigger cities, Huế has changed little in the past 20 years.

Getting There

Take the scenic train ride from Đà Nẵng through mountains, jungles, and lagoons.

What to Do

Day 1

• Imperial City and Citadel
• Thiên Mụ Pagoda at sunset

Day 2

• Royal tombs, with highlights including:
  • Gia Long Tomb – remote, serene, surrounded by nature
  • Minh Mạng Tomb – formal, symmetrical, lotus ponds
  • Tự Đức Tomb – designed by a poet-emperor, more organic and flowing

What to Eat

• Bún Bò Huế for breakfast
• Bánh Huế (Huế’s “royal cakes”)
• Excellent vegan cuisine due to the city’s Buddhist traditions

3. Phong Nha–Kẻ Bàng National Park (2 Days)

A region of hundreds of caves, including the world’s largest, Sơn Đoòng. Joshua calls it the most extraordinary national park most travelers have never heard of.

Exploring the Caves

• Sơn Đoòng expedition: a 4-day journey with nights spent in enormous cave chambers lit by collapsed ceilings
• Paradise Cave and Phong Nha Cave are perfect for day trips
• Overnight jungle and cave tours with professional operators and surprisingly elaborate meals prepared deep underground

What to Eat

• Cheo, a local herbal dipping sauce served with grilled dishes

Other Topics Discussed

• Joshua’s decision to skip the Golden Bridge because it sits inside a theme-park-like complex that feels artificial
• The resilience of Central Vietnamese people during seasonal floods, continuing daily routines even with water up to their knees

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Show Notes

Joshua Zukas’s Portfolio – Joshua Zukas
Books – Joshua Zukas
Bradt Vietnam Guidebook by Joshua Zukas
Huế
Da Nang
Chams
Champa
Red-shanked douc
The Da Nang Museum
Museum of Cham Sculpture
Marble Mountains
Mỹ Sơn
Hội An
Mì Quảng (Noodle dish)
Nu Đồ Kitchen – Da Nang
Cao lầu (Noodle dish)
Cao Lầu Thanh
Imperial City of Huế
Thiên Mụ Temple
Tomb of Gia Long
Minh Mạng
Khải Định
Tự Đức
Tomb of Khải Định
Minh Mang Tomb
Tomb of Tự Đức
An inside guide to the Hue Tombs
Bún bò Huế
Bún bò Hahn (map pin)
Phong Nha – Kẻ Bàng National Park
Hang Sơn Đoòng (Biggest Cave)
Phong Nha Cave
Thiên Đường Cave (Paradise Cave)
Oxalis Adventure
Jungle Boss Adventure Tours
Bà Nà Hills
An inside guide to the Hue Tombs
Exploring inside the Tu Lan Caves

Community

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