How To Get from Hue to Hoi An on the Hai Van Pass

Why book a private car transfer from Hue to Hoi An?

While there are plenty of ways to travel between these two incredible Unesco towns, the easiest and most convenient way, especially if you have luggage, is by car.

There is no direct train line between Hue and Hoi An, but you can take a train from Hue to Danang and then a taxi to Hoi An. However, this option misses out on some of the fabulous landmark stops along the route and doesn't offer the easy door-to-door service you get with a private transfer.

If a private transfer is out of your budget a bus/coach service to Hoi An from Hue is a cheaper option and includes sightseeing stops.

And if you prefer the feel of the wind on your face as you ride pillion then an Easyrider motorbike transfer from Hue to Hoi An might be just what you are looking for if you are travelling light. It includes sightseeing stops at Tam Giang Lagoon, Lang Co Beach, Hai Van Pass, Hai Van Quan, Danang, Dragon Bridge and Marble Mountains.

Best Things To See on the Journey Between Hue and Hoi An

Lap An Lagoon

Our first stop after leaving Hue was Lap An Lagoon, which has the most mesmerising blue water set against the backdrop of the Bach Ma mountain range. An eerie mist covered the mountains, giving them an unusual blue tinge.

The traditional oyster fishing boats gently swayed on the water, almost vying for our attention.

There were a few cafes near the parking area, but we were more interested in taking photos of this beguiling spot. Once we had captured our memories, we returned to the car and were on our way.

Lang Co Bay

Our second stop was to view the area of Lang Co Bay, a popular beach resort for Vietnamese locals.

The island-like stretch of palm trees and sand offers a lagoon on one side and 10km of beachfront on the other. We couldn't go to the beach as it was off our route plan; however, it looked nice from a distance.

Hai Van Pass

We finally came to the Hai Van pass halfway between Hue and Hoi An.

The BBC programme Top Gear famously used the exhilarating 20 km of winding mountain road in an episode.

The road sits majestically at 500 metres above sea level, making it the highest pass in Vietnam. The lush jungle can be seen on one side while the ocean's blue waters are on the other.

Our driver made several stops along the way for us to admire the views and take photographs.

The pass is very busy with mopeds, buses, coaches, and cars travelling to and from Hue and Da Nang.

Be aware when getting out of the vehicle on the roadside for photographs that you keep very near the barrier as cars whizz around the bends at high speeds.

Emperor Minh Mang’s Brick Gate

During your drive, you will no doubt stop at a historic gateway built in the 19th century. Emporer Minh Mang had the inscription "the most grandiose gateway in the world" etched into the stone.

Bullet holes and empty war bunkers from the American-Vietnamese war are now the only things left of this once magnificent point. You will be able to get refreshments from the few stalls set up here and take a moment to reflect on the turbulent past that has played out in Vietnam.

Marble Statues

At the bottom of the Hai Van Pass, we continued to Marble Mountain, enjoying more sights. This area specialises in marble sculpting; however, most marble comes from China due to Vietnamese restrictions.

Let your driver know if you aren't interested in visiting one of the many marble stores; otherwise, you will end up in one!

A Vietnamese monastery is in the distance. Can you spot the white Buddha?

The Marble Mountains

The Marble Mountains should be high on everyone's list of must-see locations. You will be utterly delighted at what you will discover!

You can read about them in more detail in this post: How to Visit Marble Mountains in Da Nang.

Non-Nuoc Beach

We had one last stop before arriving in Hoi An to stretch our legs and look at Non-Nuoc beach, a long sandy expanse in the heart of Da Nang.

Da Nang has international resorts, boutique hotels, sandy beaches, restaurants, shopping, nightlife, and Da Nang airport.

Arriving in Hoi An, we reflected on our trip and how it had been such good value for money. We would now spend three nights there, discovering why this ancient town is the number one destination for travellers visiting Vietnam!

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