What is the best way of getting from Hue to Hoi An?
Hoi An, the famous picturesque, lantern-filled old town is high up most traveller’s places to visit in Vietnam. Hue, a much less frequented city further North should also be on there! Linking the two is one of the most famous coastal roads in the World – the Hai Van pass, made popular by Top Gear several years ago. I would highly recommend that you hire a privte driver for the day to take your between the two cities, stopping at some of the famous sites en route. Budget a day for the journey including plenty of time for sightseeing stops, although the actual driving time is much shorter than this.
Although both cities are relatively close to an airport there are no direct flights between the two meaning flying is a very impractical way to travel as you must go via HCMC or Hanoi! There are buses that serve the route between Hoi An and Hue so you can experience the views however there will not be any stops during the trip.
What sites can you see from Hue to Hoi An?
Marble Mountain – The most famous visitor attraction in Da Nang, Marble Mountain is the highlight of the journey and one you should save the most time for. A collection of five marble and limestone hills with Buddhist and Hindu grottoes dotted amongst caves and tunnels await making some great photographs.
As the name might suggest there are many stairs to climb up to and around Marble Mountain. You can skip some of the workout and take the lift majority of the way up from the entrance for a small fee (it’s worth it!), and the views are incredible.
Hai Van Pass – Named one of the best coastal roads in the World, you can expect amazing views as you traverse this twisting road. There will be times you hold your breath watching larger vehicles trying to navigate the sharp turns as the scenic route climbs up and down the mountainside.
At the highest point of the Hai Van pass there is a refreshment area where you can enjoy the view from, and perhaps succumb to some shopping, I purchased a gorgeous pair of black pearl earrings!
Lang Co and My Khe Beaches – During your drive from Hue to Hoi An there are two beaches on the itinerary – Lang Co (on the outskirts of Hue) and My Khe (in Da Nang). During our trip both beaches were fairly empty although our driver mentioned that they get very busy with locals holidaying during the Summer months. As Vietnam’s coastline borders the South China Sea the water is very cold – nice to dip your toes in but I wouldn’t venture much further!
Museum of Cham Sculpture – This small museum in Da Nang is an archaeologists dream, housing a range of sculptures from the Champa era. Majority of the works show Hindu influence, although the odd sculpture has drawn inspiration from Buddhism.
Local Culture – Driving through the countryside of Vietnam allows you to get more of an insight into daily life of the people that live here. We saw farmers working in rice paddies and stopped to see traditional fishing methods being carried out.
Are there any good beaches between Hue and Hoi An?
During our tour we stopped at both Lang Co and My Khe beach, the latter being one of the main beaches in Da Nang. Both are very popular with locals although the sea temperature stays pretty chilly all year round. If you’re looking for tropical beaches why not head to Phu Quoc for a few days relaxation on one of Vietnam’s best islands, it’s only a short hop flight from Da Nang!
How much does a private driver cost from Hue to Hoi An?
There are many companies offering private drivers to take you on this route, with the average cost being around $60 or £45. This excludes entrance fees to the attractions, however includes chilled bottled water, petrol and tolls. For larger groups you can hire a small minibus at an additional charge.
Find out more…
Hue Private Cars – http://hueprivatecars.com/
