Hoi An is one of the most beautiful places in Vietnam with plenty to do in Old Town as well as outside the town. This charming lantern-lit town is surrounded by incredible day trip options, from ancient ruins and scenic mountain passes to beach escapes and buzzing cities. Whether you’re looking for culture, adventure, or just a change of scenery, these are the best day trips from Hoi An that are absolutely worth adding to your Vietnam itinerary.
Where to stay in Hoi An
Luxury: Hoi An Beach Resort
Mid-Range: Emerald Hoi An Riverside Resort
Budget: Spring Breeze Hotel Hoi An
1. Da Nang
Distance: ~45 minutes
If you want a mix of beach and city energy, Da Nang is the perfect day trip. Only a 45 minute Grab ride away where you can visit places like beautiful beaches, trendy cafes, Marble Mountains and Monkey Mountain.
Top things to do:
- Relax on My Khe Beach
- Visit the Marble Mountains
- Explore trendy cafés and restaurants
- Visit the Dragon Bridge (especially at night!) (Experience the dragon fire up close on a cruise like this one: Da Nang: Han River Local Cruise by Night)
Check out this tour to Lady Buddha and Marble Mountains:
Da Nang/Hoi An: Lady Buddha, Marble Mountains & Am Phu Cave
2. Ba Na Hills
Distance: ~1.5 hours
Ba Na Hills is a quirky European themed theme park but is famous for it’s iconic Golden Bridge. It’s a strange theme park in my opinion but was worth it for the instagrammable pictures at Golden Bridge and the beautiful cable car rides in the mountains.
Highlights:
- Walk across the famous “hand bridge”
- Ride the scenic cable car
- Explore the quirky French Village
- Enjoy cooler mountain temperatures
Check out this tour to Ba Na Hills:
From Da Nang/Hoi An: Golden Bridge Ba Na Hills Full-Day Tour
3. My Son Sanctuary
Distance: ~1–1.5 hours
One of the most popular cultural day trips from Hoi An, My Son is a UNESCO-listed site filled with ancient Hindu temple ruins.
Why visit:
- Rich history of the Champa Kingdom
- Beautiful jungle surroundings
- Fewer crowds than other Southeast Asian temple sites
Check out this tour to My Son Sanctuary:
My Son Sanctuary Tour by Van & Boat from Hoi An/Da Nang
4. Coconut Basket Boat Ride in Cam Thanh
One of the most fun (and slightly chaotic) experiences near Hoi An is a coconut basket boat ride through the waterways of Cam Thanh Coconut Village. Just a short drive from Old Town, this area is famous for its lush water coconut palms and round bamboo basket boats with the option to hop on a fast spinning bamboo boat during your cruise.
What to Expect:
- A guided ride through narrow canals lined with coconut palms
- Local boat drivers showing off impressive (and dizzying) spinning skills
- Traditional fishing demonstrations using nets
- Plenty of laughs, splashes, and photo opportunities
Check out this tour which includes a coconut boat ride here:
Da Nang/Hoi An: Market Tour, Basket Boat Ride, Cooking Class
5. Hai Van Pass
Distance: ~1.5–2 hours
For adventurous travelers, the Hai Van Pass is a must. This is a famous motorbike trail which you can do on your own or with an Easy Rider.
Expect:
- Winding mountain roads
- Stunning ocean views
- Incredible photo stops
Check out this tour to Hai Van Pass:
Da Nang: Hue Imperial Day Trip, Hai Van Pass Train, & Lunch
6. Lanterns & River Vibes
As the sun sets, Hoi An transforms and is especially magical on a lantern boat.
- Wander Old Town as lanterns light up the streets
- Take a lantern boat ride on the Thu Bon River
- Release a floating lantern for good luck (touristy, but magical)
Check out this lantern boat ride here:
Hoi An : Hoai River Boat Trip by Night and Floating Lantern
How to Get Around for Day Trips
Hoi An is super well-connected, making day trips easy:
- Grab / Taxi: Best for shorter trips
- Motorbike rental: Great for flexibility and adventure
- Private driver: Ideal for multiple stops
- Boat tours: For Cham Islands
- Organised tours: Easy option for My Son or Ba Na Hills which are further away
How Many Day Trips Should You Do?
If you’re staying in Hoi An:
- 2–3 days: Stick to Hoi An + 1 day trip
- 4–5 days: Add 2–3 day trips
- Longer stays: Mix cultural, beach, and scenic options
Day Trips from Hoi An
Hoi An may be small, but it’s surrounded by some of central Vietnam’s most diverse and beautiful destinations. From ancient temples and mountain passes to tropical islands and modern cities, there’s so much to explore just beyond its lantern-lit streets.
Planning a trip to Vietnam? Check out my 2-Week North & Central Vietnam Itinerary!
Vietnam Helpful Links
Where to stay in Hoi An
Luxury: Hoi An Beach Resort
Mid-Range: Emerald Hoi An Riverside Resort
Budget: Spring Breeze Hotel Hoi An
Top Tours from Hoi An
– From Da Nang/Hoi An: Golden Bridge Ba Na Hills Full-Day Tour
– Da Nang/Hoi An: Lady Buddha, Marble Mountains & Am Phu Cave
– My Son Sanctuary Tour by Van & Boat from Hoi An/Da Nang
– Da Nang/Hoi An: Market Tour, Basket Boat Ride, Cooking Class
– Hoi An : Hoai River Boat Trip by Night and Floating Lantern
How to Get Around Vietnam: Grab & 12Go
Getting around Vietnam is incredibly easy once you download the right apps.
Grab is Vietnam’s version of Uber and is hands-down the best way to get around cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang. You can book motorbikes, cars, and even food delivery, all with upfront pricing (no haggling required).
For longer journeys between cities, 12Go is a lifesaver. It lets you book trains, buses, and ferries across Vietnam in advance – perfect for planning trips between places like Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, and Hoi An. I booked my VIP sleeper bus from Ninh Binh to Sapa and would definitely recommend.
👉 Check out 12Go here
Vietnam SIM Card: Airalo eSIM
Staying connected in Vietnam is a must for maps, transport apps, bookings, and Googling “best pho near me” (trust me). I used Airalo, an eSIM app that lets you download a Vietnam data plan before you even land.
There’s no need to swap physical SIM cards or hunt down a store at the airport. Just activate your eSIM and you’re online the moment you arrive – easy, affordable, and super convenient.
👉 Get your Vietnam eSIM with Airalo here
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links – at no extra cost to you
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