7 Best Hoi An Day Trips – Vietnam

Hoi An Vietnam is one of our all-time favorite destinations and places to stay. Not only does the city itself have a lot to offer, Hoi An also makes a great base for day trips.

This post will explore the best Hoi An day trips to help you plan nearby things to see and do.

Best Day Trips from Hoi An Vietnam

I always recommend that visitors explore beyond just the Ancient Town in Hoi An.

On the outskirts of Hoi An, magnificent rice paddies beckon, as do the nearby island neighborhoods of Cam Nam, Cam Kim and Cam Thanh. Here artisans, farmers and fishermen go about their business as they have done for centuries. 

Further afield, however, there are famous destinations that are also worthy of your attention.

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1. Marble Mountain, Da Nang

Marble Mountain’s religious significance and amazing views make it one of Hoi An’s most famous and popular destinations. I have always enjoyed visiting (when it’s not too crowded).

Inside these mysterious karst hills, a complicated system of caves and tunnels, interlaced with pagodas, shrines and gigantic statues, makes this a unique, unforgettable experience.

Go early to avoid unbearable heat during the summer months, as well as the crowds of tourists all year round. 

Be prepared to climb some stairs. There is an option to take an elevator up and down for a small additional fee, but that only gets you so far.

Cost: 40,000 VND (about $1.60 US)

How to get there: Motorbike, taxi, private car, Grab ride-share, or as part of a package tour. About 30 minutes North of Da Nang.

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Visit with a local guide: Try this highly rated day trip to visit both Monkey Mountain and Marble Mountains > 

Need transportation from Hoi An? Compare and book Vietnam transit tickets on BookAway here >

2. Monkey Mountain, Da Nang

Off the coast of Da Nang is Son Tra Peninsula, also known as Monkey Mountain. While there are a couple resorts, much of the land remains undeveloped.

Our first visit to Monkey Mountain yielded zero monkey sightings. However, on a more recent trip, the monkeys were everywhere! Beware though—these moneys can be aggressive and are known to scavenge. 

All along the main Son Tra road (Hoàng Sa) are views of Da Nang city and the peninsula coastline. There are a few hidden, sandy beaches you can hike down to. However, reviews say the beaches are quite polluted with trash.

There are a couple makeshift shops to buy coconut water or coffee along the way, as well as cliffside viewpoints to marvel at the sea and (sometimes) encounter some monkeys.

Standard scooters aren’t allowed past a certain point, as the mountain path gets very steep. To reach the top, you’ll need a manual-drive motorcycle or hike on foot.

At the base of the mountain, on the South side of the peninsula, the iconic Lady Buddha marble statue – viewed as a spiritual protector from natural disasters like typhoons – is almost twice the size of Rio’s Christ the Redeemer (67 meters).

Tour groups visit this Buddhist temple complex, which is free to enter. It’s an active monastery and pilgrimage site for domestic tourists.

The Lady Buddha, pagodas, temples, and arboretum of bonsai-style trees are worth the trip. 

Cost: Free entry

How to get there: Motorbike, taxi, private car, Grab ride-share, or as part of a package tour. About 1 hour North of Hoi An.

Visit with a local guide: Try this highly rated day trip to visit both Monkey Mountain and Marble Mountains. 

3. My Son Sanctuary Temple Ruins

The ruins at My Son hark back to the early centuries AD when the Hindu Champa civilization ruled much of Central Vietnam. But in the case of the My Son ruins, it hasn’t just been the ravages of time wearing it down.

In 1969, during the American War in Vietnam, the Nixon administration targeted the area from the air (because it was a Viet Cong haven) and blew most of it up. Later, canon fire on the ground further destroyed the 70 or so well-preserved Hindu towers and attendant structures.

Nowadays, the site is pockmarked with craters as big as houses. All considered, some of the buildings are still remarkably intact. 

You can visit My Son Sanctuary independently, with the option to hire a local guide upon arrival, or go with a tour group. There are open-air shuttles to bring you closer to the temples. There is also a small museum and a stage where traditional dance is performed.

Cost: 150,000 VND (about $6.10 US), optional additional fee for guide

How to get there: Motorbike, private car, or as part of a package tour. About 1 hour West from Hoi An.

4. Countryside Motorbike Adventures & Hai Van Pass

Exploring the countryside of Vietnam is best done by motorbike. However, unless you’re an experienced driver (and licensed also – your insurance won’t work otherwise), consider taking a tour.

There are many options for day trips that include My Son, Marble Mountain and Monkey Mountain (see above).

Others include the spectacular Hai Van Pass. Via the roads less traveled, this is an opportunity to come face to face with the real Vietnam.

You can explore the river delta and the nearby mountains via quiet countryside laneways, where only motorbikes can travel, avoiding the traffic on Vietnamese highways.

It’s your chance to meet the locals away from the tourist circuit, eat in backwoods diners and take in sites of cultural and historical significance along the way.

Learn more about our recommended motorbike tours from Hoi An in this review.

Cost: Depends on the tour. Estimate around $60 US for an all-inclusive day trip.

How to get there: Your motorbike guide will pick you up and drop you off at your accommodations in Hoi An. 

5. Da Nang City and Beaches

There’s a good chance you’ll fly into Da Nang if you’re visiting Hoi An. While Da Nang doesn’t have as much historic architecture, it’s a uniquely modern, coastal city. 

Enjoy the beach vibe and seafood, interesting bridges, local markets, vibrant food scene, malls and movie theaters, and even theme parks in Da Nang. 

You’ll find many similar Central Vietnam dishes as Hoi An, as well as international options. Our favorite recent restaurant discovery in Da Nang is Vietnom Eatery, a collaborative kitchen concept featuring a creative Vietnamese fusion menu.

How to get there: Motorbike, taxi, private car, Grab ride-share, or as part of a package tour. 45 minutes North of Hoi An.

Read next: Our guide to unique things to do in Da Nang

6. Tam Thanh Mural Village

If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure, take a ride down the coast from Hoi An to a village with an outsized street art scene.

In 2016, the small fishing of Tam Thanh set out to make itself the first painted village of its kind.

With street art throughout, you can wander around to enjoy a sort of outdoor gallery.

Note that the drive via highway is not particularly scenic and most tourists to the village come from a neighboring resort, so amenities like restaurants may sometimes be limited.

The village can be reached by organized tour, bus, taxi, or your own transportation.

Cost: Free entry

How to get there: Motorbike, private car, or as part of a package tour. About 50 minutes South of Hoi An.

7. Cham Island

If you’re into diving or snorkeling, visit the marine-protected Cham Island, one of the least-developed islands in Vietnam.

Day-trippers already come on public holidays and weekends but pick a weekday – especially out of peak season – and you may find yourself relatively alone, with just a handful of other Westerners scattered amongst the locals.

We’ve heard mixed reviews of the experience at Cham Island, especially since the boat ride can be very rough. I wouldn’t make it a priority unless you are a diver.

Cham Island’s coral reefs attract divers and snorkelers and some operators offer scuba diving, snorkeling and trekking packages at quite reasonable rates.

Cost: 220,000 VND (about $9 US) for ferry and entrance. Additional fees for guides and activities.

How to get there: Boat from Cua Dai harbor, packaged tours. Ferry from Hoi An takes about 90 minutes, speedboat takes 30 minutes.

Co-Author Bio: Hi, I’m Mike, and I’m currently living life as a “Digital Nomad”. When I’m not carrying around my backpack, I’m helping out the guys at Hoi An Now. The kind people at Intentional Travelers have let me share my tips on Hoi An with you today. I hope you like them!