Exciting Day Trips from Hoi An

You’ve explored the UNESCO-heritage center of Hoi An, spent some time on An Bang beach, seen plenty of arts and crafts, and the new clothes you ordered at one of the town’s many tailors will be ready any day. While you wait, however, there’s lots to see beyond the Old Town. Here are some great day trips to take from Hoi An.

Explore the Citadel in Hue

Hue (pronounced ‘hway’), located on the Perfume River, was the capital of the Nguyen emperors from 1802 to 1945. Many of its fine buildings were destroyed during the American War; however, the 19th-century Citadel along with many temples and tombs remain to explore. Visit the Imperial Enclosure and Forbidden Purple City within the Citadel, but be aware that some parts are still under reconstruction.

Getting there: Hue is nearly a three-hour drive from Hoi An. Either hire a driver for a full-day tour or join a group tour in Hoi An.

Dive or Snorkel Around the Cham Islands

The Cham Islands are around 15km offshore from Hoi An and make for an ideal day trip. The granite islands are a playground for divers, snorkellers, and beach-goers. It’s best to visit between March and September when the ocean is calm. Enjoy swimming on Bac Beach; the only other sight is a temple dedicated to whales, though sightings are rare.

Getting there: Access the islands via local ferry or a high-speed boat. Alternatively, join a snorkelling or diving group with one of the local dive schools, such as Cham Island Diving.

Visit the Temple Ruins in the Jungle at My Son

My Son (pronounced ‘me sun’) is the site of Vietnam’s most extensive Cham remains, with history tracing back to the late 4th century. The Hindu temples, though mostly in ruins, are set in lush jungle and overlooked by Cat’s Tooth Mountain. The ruins were rediscovered in the 19th century, and although parts were restored, many important monuments were further destroyed during the American War, particularly the ‘Group A’ temples. Since the ruins can become crowded, it’s advisable to visit early to avoid both crowds and heat.

Getting there: My Son is 55km from Hoi An and is well signposted. If you don’t have your own vehicle, consider hiring a driver in Hoi An or requesting your accommodation to book you on a minibus tour.

Take the Cable Car to the Golden Bridge near Danang

The Golden Bridge in Ba Na Hills opened in June 2018 and quickly became an Instagram sensation. Part of the Sun World amusement park (entrance fee: 750,000 VND), it is reached via a 5km-long cable car ride into the mountains. The views over the jungle and down into the city of Danang are breathtaking. Another cable car ride from the bridge takes you up to the French town that serves as the theme park’s center. From there, head down into Danang, which is approximately an hour’s drive where you can sample some local beers, or simply relax on the beach.

Getting there: Sun World is about 60km from Hoi An, and the drive takes around two hours. Guided tours are available but may be pricier than hiring your own driver.

See the Caves and Shrines in the Marble Mountains

The Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son) consist of five marble outcrops, each topped with a pagoda. Each mountain represents a different element: Thuy Son (Water), Moc Son (Wood), Hoa Son (Fire), Kim Son (Metal or Gold), and Tho Son (Earth). The atmospheric network of caves in the mountains is worth exploring. Along with chimney-like formations and stalactites, you can expect to see Hindu and Buddhist altars, shrines, and ancient inscriptions carved into the cave walls. Parts of the cave network were used as a field hospital during the American War. Be sure to stop by the villages at the base of the mountains where artisans sell beautiful marble sculptures.

Getting there: Group tours depart from Hoi An, or if you have your own vehicle, look for the turning off the Danang Beach coastal road. It’s about a half-hour drive from Hoi An.

Visit the Co Tu in Bho Hoong

The Co Tu people are a small, traditional minority group in Vietnam. Their villages consist of stilt houses organized around a central community building, which serves as a venue for meetings, performances, and rituals. The village of Bho Hoong, located in the inland mountains, offers a community tourism project that welcomes visitors, providing overnight accommodation in modern, comfortable thatch bungalows.

Getting there: Various tour operators run trips from Hoi An, often including itineraries that explore the countryside all the way to the Laos border. Visitors can also arrange independent visits, but it’s wise to secure accommodation in advance. Bho Hoong is just over a two-hour drive from Hoi An.

Keep it Local with a Short Trip to Thanh Ha

The village of Thanh Ha is renowned for its pottery industry. For a small entry fee, visitors can interact with artisans, who are always eager to demonstrate their craft (and usually prefer if you purchase some of their work). Although you probably won’t want to spend a full day here, the visit is certainly worthwhile.

Getting there: Thanh Ha is only 5km from Hoi An and can be conveniently reached by bike.