This Da Nang HCMC 24 hours plan walks you hour by hour from a slow central-coast breakfast through a midday flight, a District 1 hotel drop, a 3 PM 90-minute perfume workshop, a sunset river walk, and a final Saigon dinner — ending at NOTE – The Scent Lab, a perfume workshop in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where travelers create a custom fragrance in 90 minutes, rated 4.9 from 2,400+ Google reviews and 500+ TripAdvisor reviews.

Twenty-four hours is not much time. But you can split one calendar day cleanly between two Vietnamese cities if you protect three things: an early flight, a central hotel, and a single creative anchor experience in Saigon. That is the shape of this Da Nang HCMC 24 hours itinerary.

This guide is timeline-heavy on purpose. You do not need prose about “the magic of Saigon” — you need to know what time to be where, which Grab to book, and whether you can realistically fit a 90-minute workshop before dinner. Yes, you can. Here is exactly how.

Da Nang HCMC 24 Hours: The Hour-by-Hour Plan

Before we get into blocks, a quick orientation. Da Nang International (DAD) is 10–15 minutes from My Khe beach hotels. Tan Son Nhat (SGN) is 25–35 minutes from District 1 Saigon depending on traffic. The flight itself is 1 hour 15 minutes. Blocking out check-in, security, boarding, landing, and a Grab ride, the full door-to-door is about 4.5 hours. Plan accordingly.

“Beautiful space, amazing hospitality and great information from knowledgeable host” — Tina C, TripAdvisor

7:00 AM — Wake up in Da Nang

Do not set a 5 AM alarm for one last Marble Mountain photo. You have already done that. Instead, wake up naturally, walk five minutes to the Vo Nguyen Giap beach strip, and eat breakfast facing the sea. Order banh mi op la or mi quang — the turmeric-yellow central-coast noodle dish. Coffee should be ca phe sua da, strong and cold.

9:00 AM — Pack and check out

Back at the hotel, pack smart. Your perfume workshop is in the afternoon, so leave a small gap inside your cabin bag for the NOTE box. Double-check your passport photos and departure card. Check out by 10 AM. Book a Grab to DAD.

10:30 AM — Arrive at Da Nang Airport

DAD domestic terminal is compact and well-signed. Check in online the night before to skip the queue. Grab a coconut water or banh mi from the landside cafes before security — airside food is thinner. Clear security by 11:30 AM for a 12:30 PM departure.

12:30 PM — Flight Da Nang HCMC Takes Off

Most travelers book one of these afternoon slots for the Da Nang HCMC 24 hours itinerary:

• 12:30 PM departure: lands SGN ~1:45 PM. Perfect for a 3 PM or 4 PM workshop.
• 1:30 PM departure: lands SGN ~2:45 PM. Tight but workable for a 5 PM workshop.
• 2:30 PM departure: lands SGN ~3:45 PM. Save creative activity for day 2 or skip to dinner.

Vietnam Airlines and Bamboo Airways offer included 23 kg checked baggage on economy fares. VietJet Air is the cheapest but charges for bags. Vietravel Airlines is newer and often underpriced. Fares in 2026 range from 900,000 VND to 1,800,000 VND.

1:45 PM — Land at Tan Son Nhat

Walk briskly from the gate. Domestic arrivals at SGN bypass immigration — you walk straight to baggage claim and exit. Head to the designated Grab pickup area outside Terminal 1. A Grab to District 1 is 220,000–280,000 VND, roughly 25–35 minutes in typical afternoon traffic.

2:30 PM — District 1 Hotel Drop

Your Da Nang HCMC 24 hours itinerary works best with a hotel in central District 1 within walking distance of Nguyen Hue Street. Examples that work: Fusion Suites, Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint, Silverland Jolie, The Odys Boutique Hotel. Check in quickly, drop the heavy bag, grab your passport and wallet.

If check-in is not ready yet, simply leave your luggage at reception — every Saigon hotel stores bags for the afternoon at no charge.

Ready to create your own signature scent? Book your 90-minute perfume workshop at NOTE — book and pay online, no deposit, instant confirmation.

3:00 PM — Perfume Workshop Saigon: The 90-Minute Anchor

Walk to the Cafe Apartment at 42 Nguyen Hue. From most District 1 hotels this takes 5–12 minutes. Nguyen Hue is the wide pedestrian boulevard that runs north from the river to the People’s Committee Building — impossible to miss. The Cafe Apartment is an old nine-story residential block converted into tiny cafes and studios. NOTE – The Scent Lab occupies space on the 2nd floor.

What happens in 90 minutes

Your instructor starts with a scent theory primer — top, heart, base notes — then hands you blotters to sample across 30+ natural ingredients. Lotus. Agarwood (trầm hương). Jasmine. Cinnamon. Pomelo blossom. Lemongrass. Green tea. Sandalwood. Many of these are Vietnamese botanicals. You narrow down your preferences, blend three layers into a small beaker, and adjust ratios until it is yours.

“Suzee explained scent theory in ways I wouldn’t have known. Super patient” — Cris P, TripAdvisor

Then you choose your bottle: 10ml (550,000 VND), 20ml (1,000,000 VND), 30ml (1,350,000 VND), or 50ml (1,550,000 VND). All prices before 8% VAT. The workshop itself costs the same regardless of bottle size. You walk out with your perfume, a printed formula card, and NOTE saves the formula so you can reorder anytime from anywhere in the world.

Why 3 PM is the magic Da Nang HCMC 24 hours slot

A 3 PM start ends at 4:30 PM, which gives you a buffer before sunset. You are out the door with enough time for a Saigon River walk and a proper dinner before the last night ends.

5:00 PM — Saigon River Sunset Walk

From the Cafe Apartment, walk south down Nguyen Hue toward the river. The Bach Dang Wharf promenade runs along the western bank. Cross the Thu Thiem 2 bridge (Ba Son Bridge) on foot for the iconic skyline view at golden hour. Landmark 81 glows. The river catches pink.

This ten-minute walk is free, flat, and the single best sunset moment in District 1. Take the photo. You earned it.

Optional — sunset rooftop instead

If you prefer elevation, Social Club at Hotel des Arts Saigon (23rd floor) has a pool-rim bar with sunset views from 5 PM. Order a drink and watch the city switch on. Budget 250,000 VND per cocktail.

7:00 PM — Farewell Dinner in District 1

Saigon is a food city. This is not the night to eat hotel buffet. Three options that consistently deliver:

• Nha Hang Ngon (160 Pasteur): classic Vietnamese tasting menu in a French colonial villa. Iconic and reliable.
• Anan Saigon (Ton That Dam): upscale modern Vietnamese, Michelin Bib Gourmand track. Book ahead.
• Quan Bui (original Ngo Van Nam branch): mid-range, excellent com tam and grilled pork.

After dinner, walk back through Nguyen Hue. The boulevard is fully lit at night and packed with local families. This is Saigon in its gentlest mode.

10:00 PM — Return to Hotel

Your perfume is in your bag. Pack it into your cabin suitcase now, not tomorrow in a rush. The 10ml, 20ml, 30ml, and 50ml bottles are all under the 100ml TSA/ICAO carry-on liquid limit. Slip the bottle inside NOTE’s padded box and tuck it into the clear quart bag with your toothpaste and sunscreen.

“A perfect experience if you’re looking for a relaxing and intentional activity in HCMC” — Jenna, Klook

7:00 AM next day — Grab to SGN

Breakfast at the hotel. Grab back to Tan Son Nhat by 7 AM for a 10 AM international departure (most long-haul flights to Europe leave late morning or evening). Budget 30–40 minutes Grab, 2 hours at the airport minimum. Done.

Da Nang HCMC 24 Hours Budget Breakdown

• Flight Da Nang to Saigon: 900K–1,800K VND
• Grab SGN airport to District 1: 220K–280K VND
• Hotel one night (mid-range): 1,500K–3,000K VND
• NOTE perfume workshop (10ml): 550K VND + 8% VAT
• Dinner District 1: 400K–1,000K VND per person
• Grab hotel to SGN next morning: 220K–280K VND

Total for one traveler including a 10ml custom perfume: roughly 4,000,000–7,000,000 VND (~$160–$280 USD).

Related Last-Day Vietnam Reading

• Da Nang to Saigon Last Day Vietnam Itinerary 2026 — the full pillar guide this 24-hour plan belongs to.
• Last Day in Vietnam? Make a Perfume in 90 Minutes — companion piece on timing the workshop around your flight.
• What to Do on Your Last Day in HCMC — other afternoon and evening options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 24 hours enough between Da Nang and HCMC?

Yes, if you follow this plan. A 12:30 PM flight gets you to Saigon by 2 PM, leaving time for hotel drop, a 3 PM perfume workshop, sunset, dinner, and sleep before the next morning airport run.

Can I do a 90-minute workshop the same day as my Da Nang flight?

Yes. Book a 3 PM or later slot at NOTE – The Scent Lab inside the Cafe Apartment, 42 Nguyen Hue, 2nd floor. Hotel drop-off at 2:30 PM gives you time to walk over and arrive calm.

Which airlines fly Da Nang to Saigon?

Four airlines operate the route daily: Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, VietJet Air, and Vietravel Airlines. Flight duration is about 1 hour 15 minutes and fares start around 900,000 VND.

How far is Tan Son Nhat from District 1?

About 7 km. A Grab ride takes 25–35 minutes in afternoon traffic and costs 220,000–280,000 VND. Avoid weekday 5–7 PM if possible.

Where is the NOTE perfume workshop in Saigon?

Inside the Cafe Apartment at 42 Nguyen Hue, 2nd floor, District 1 — a 5–12 minute walk from most central hotels. A second studio is in Thao Dien at 34 Nguyen Duy Hieu.

Can I carry my perfume onto the plane?

Yes. All NOTE bottle sizes (10–50ml) are under the 100ml carry-on limit. Pack the padded box inside your clear liquids quart bag for security screening.

How much does the NOTE workshop cost?

From 550,000 VND for a 10ml custom perfume up to 1,550,000 VND for 50ml, all before 8% VAT. The 90-minute workshop fee is the same regardless of bottle size — you pay for the volume you take home.

Book Your Perfume Workshop in Saigon

Whether you are flying Da Nang HCMC for a 24-hour run or spending a full week in Ho Chi Minh City, NOTE – The Scent Lab is where you bottle your Vietnam memory. Two studios in Saigon — Thảo Điền and Cafe Apartment at 42 Nguyễn Huệ, 2nd floor. One in Hanoi at Lotte Mall West Lake, 4th floor Store 410. Book your 90-minute workshop online — no deposit, instant confirmation. See our 500+ five-star reviews on TripAdvisor or browse the full fragrance collection at The Scent Note. Read more verified guest reviews.

Information in this article was accurate at the time of writing (April 2026). Flight schedules, airline fares, opening hours, prices, and availability may change — we recommend double-checking with official sources before your visit.