How to Get Around on Day Trips from Da Nang (Transport Options)

Booking Guided Tours

Booking a guided tour has to be the easiest way to do day trips from Da Nang. It’s easy because you don’t need to plan the itinerary or navigate, transport and transfers are included, allowing you to focus entirely on enjoying the experience. You’re also guaranteed to get all the local knowledge and historical context that can be hard to find when you’re exploring independently. 

There’s also no surprises when it comes to cost. You know the price of the tour upfront, and it typically includes transport and entrance fees, you don’t have to worry about unexpected expenses or having to negotiate prices. 

While you do lose some flexibility following a tour schedule, it certainly saves the hassle of planning and is usually worth it, especially for longer day trips like Hue.

Private Drivers & Transfers

If you prefer to plan your own itinerary but want the reliability of a dedicated vehicle, booking a private driver is the way to go for day trips from Da Nang. 

You can choose your exact pick up time and the type of vehicle that best suits your needs. This is a great option for families or groups travelling together, as you can hire anything from a standard sedan to a van seating up to 12 passengers. 

Hiring a private driver is a comfortable and surprisingly affordable option. If you’re not booking a guided tour, I’d recommend booking a private driver for day trips to Ba Na Hills, Hoi An or Hue.

Grab

Grab is the most popular ride sharing app in Vietnam (similar to Uber). It’s an easy “on-demand” option if you haven’t pre-booked your transport, as you can book a ride exactly when you need it.

The app allows you to choose between a motorbike or car. If I’m travelling solo, I often prefer to use GrabBike, as it’s cheaper and typically faster in traffic than taking a car. 

However, keep in mind that at short notice, there can be limited availability for Grab or surge pricing. Grab is best used for destinations closest to Da Nang, including Marble Mountain, Hoi An and Ba Na Hills.

Renting a Scooter or Motorbike

I’ve personally never rented a scooter or motorbike in Vietnam, but it can be a solid budget option for independent exploring, if you have the correct license and confidence to ride in Da Nang’s busy traffic. 

Renting a bike offers the most flexibility, as it’s typically quicker in traffic and easier to find parking. Just keep in mind that if you park near local shops, the owner will usually expect you to pay a small parking fee.

Safety is the most important consideration: always wear a helmet and ensure your travel insurance adequately covers you. 

Tip: If you’re planning to explore Son Tra Peninsula, automatic scooters are prohibited from driving the steep upper roads of the mountain. You will need to have a semi-automatic or manual bike, this rule is enforced by checkpoints for safety reasons.

Best Day Trips from Da Nang (Comparison Guide)

Here’s a quick comparison of the best day trips from Da Nang to help you decide which ones to include in your itinerary.

Easy Half-Day Trips from Da Nang

Hoi An

Travel time from Da Nang: 45 minutes 
Time needed: 6 hours (best enjoyed late afternoon through to evening) 
Best for: Vietnamese culture, history and photography 
How to get there: Grab, private car or guided tour

Hoi An is easily the most popular day trip from Da Nang. This isn’t just because it’s just 45 minutes away, but because its Ancient Town is a beautifully preserved UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s well known for its narrow lantern-lit streets and colourful buildings, offering the quintessential image of what many imagine Vietnam to look like.

What to see:

How to Visit Hoi An from Da Nang

When it comes to visiting Hoi An, its close proximity to Da Nang means you have plenty of options when it comes to visiting independently or as part of an organised tour. 

Book a Guided Tour 
Booking a guided tour to Hoi An is perfect if you’re short on time or prefer to have your itinerary and logistics handled.

While there are plenty of options, I’ve narrowed it down to just two top rated tours: a private tour and a small group version. Both begin around 3:00pm, which is the perfect time to arrive as the town comes alive and the lanterns begin to glow. 

Both of these tours include a traditional basket boat ride at the Coconut Forest and a lantern release on the Hoai River. It can be intimidating to negotiate the prices for these activities on your own, so having them included in the tour saves a lot of hassle.

Hoi An and Coconut Forest Private Day Tour
You’ll have the morning to yourself, with a 3:00pm pick up from your hotel. This tour also includes a taste of Vietnamese Coffee and a local dinner. The main benefit of a private tour is the flexibility to set your own pace and focus on the specific parts of Hoi An you most want to see.

Coconut Village Basket Boat Ride & Hoi An Evening Tour With Dinner and Lantern Boat
After being picked up from your hotel, you’ll first visit the Cam Thanh Coconut Village. You’ll then have free time to explore the ancient town before meeting back up with your guide for dinner and a lantern release on the river.

Explore Independently
It’s incredibly easy to explore Hoi An independently. Since it’s only a 45 minute drive from Da Nang, you can order a Grab or pre-schedule a private transfer. 

If you choose to explore on your own, I’ve put together a dedicated guide on Things to Do in Hoi An to help you plan your perfect itinerary.

Tip: While I’ve listed this as a half-day trip, it is very easy to spend the entire day (or a week!) in Hoi An.

Marble Mountains

Travel time from Da Nang: 15 minutes 
Time needed: 2 – 3 hours 
Best for: Spiritual sites, caves and panoramic views
How to get there: Grab or guided tour

I debated including the Marble Mountains as one of the day trips from Da Nang, given it’s technically in the city and only a 15 minute drive from the centre. However, I’ve chosen to include it because it deserves spending half a day to fully appreciate it. 

The Marble Mountains are a group of five marble and limestone peaks, the main mountain open to visitors is named Thuy Son (Water Mountain). The mountains are a spiritual site with special significance for the people of Central Vietnam. They’re home to pagodas, caves and scenic viewpoints looking out over the city and coastline.

What to see:

How to Visit Marble Mountains from Da Nang

Visiting Marble Mountains is easy, you can go via Grab to explore at your own pace or by joining a guided tour. 

Book a Guided Tour 
Booking a guided tour to the Marble Mountains is a great option if you’re wanting to learn more about the history and cultural significance of the mountains. Most tours are combined with other nearby attractions such as Son Tra Mountain or Hoi An.

Da Nang Marble Mountains & Linh Ung Pagoda Half-Day Tour
This 4 hour tour combines the Marble Mountains with a trip to the nearby Son Tra Peninsula, with the option for a morning or afternoon visit. You’ll see highlights including the Linh Ung Pagoda and Huyen Khong Caves. In addition to English, tours are also available in Chinese, Korean and Japanese. Round-trip transfers and all entrance fees are included in the tour price.

Explore Independently
You can easily visit the Marble Mountains by taking a Grab, it’s just a short 15 minute drive from the Da Nang city centre. 

If you’re visiting independently, you can read my guide on How to Visit the Marble Mountains, covering everything from how to visit, entrance fees and the best time to go.

Son Tra Peninsula (Monkey Mountain)

Travel time from Da Nang: 20 – 25 minutes 
Time needed: 3 hours 
Best for: Nature, scenic views, wildlife spotting
How to get there: Grab, private car or guided tour

Similar to the Marble Mountains, Son Tra Peninsula is also technically located in Da Nang. While it’s not quite a day trip, it’s still worth spending half a day visiting. 

Son Tra Peninsula, often referred to as “Monkey Mountain” is a large nature reserve located just 10km from the city centre. It offers scenic views over the coastline and the city, as well as pagodas, beaches and the chance to spot rare monkeys. 

What to see:

How to Visit Son Tra Peninsula from Da Nang

The Son Tra Peninsula is only a 20 to 25 minute drive from Da Nang city centre. It’s possible to take a Grab there, but depending on the time of day, you may have difficulty finding a driver for the return journey. I’d recommend booking a tour for a more convenient experience.

Book a Guided Tour 
Booking a guided tour is a great way to see all the highlights of Son Tra Peninsula. I’d especially recommend this if you’re hoping to spot the rare and endangered red shanked-douc langur, as Monkey Mountain is one of the few places in the world where they can be seen in the wild. 

If you want to learn more about seeing these rare monkeys in Da Nang, you can read my full guide: How to See the Rare Red-Shanked Douc Langur.

Da Nang Morning Half-Day Tour: Lady Buddha, Son Tra Peninsula & Marble Mountains with Lunch
This morning tour combines Son Tra Peninsula with a visit to the nearby Marble Mountains. You’ll see all the highlights and learn about their history and Buddhist culture. Hotel pick-up and drop-off is included, along with lunch at a local restaurant.

Endangered Monkey Safari Tour
This is the best tour I’ve done in Da Nang. Seeing these colourful monkeys in the wild was an incredible experience, and I’m very glad I booked a tour as I likely wouldn’t have spotted them otherwise. The local guides are very knowledgeable, know where to look and can expertly track them. 

While wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed, this tour currently boasts a 100% success rate and is backed by hundreds of five-star reviews.

Explore Independently
To visit Son Tra Peninsula without a tour, you can take a Grab, hire a private car, or rent a scooter or motorbike. If you’re using Grab, be aware that while it might be easy to get a ride there, it can be more difficult to find a driver for the return journey, depending on the time of day. 

Hiring a private driver is a convenient option, as you can arrange for them to wait while you explore. 

If you’re visiting by scooter or motorcycle, note that automatic bikes are not permitted on the upper roads of the mountain. These routes are restricted to semi-automatic and manual bikes for safety reasons, with checkpoints in place to enforce this rule.

My Son Sanctuary

Travel time from Da Nang: 1 hour 15 minutes 
Time needed: 5 – 7 hours 
Best for: History, culture, ancient ruins 
How to get there: Guided Tour or Private Car

My Son Sanctuary is another UNESCO World Heritage site in central Vietnam. It’s a cluster of Hindu temple ruins built between the 4th and 13th centuries, and is an important cultural landmark with deep spiritual significance. 

What to see:

How to Visit My Son Sanctuary from Da Nang

My Son Sanctuary is an easy half-day trip from Da Nang, located around 45 kilometres from the city. The journey takes a bit over an hour by car. The best ways to visit are by hiring a private car or joining a guided tour. 

Visiting with a local guide can really enhance the experience, as it helps you to understand the history and significance of the site.

Book a Guided Tour
Vietnam Unesco Site Tour: Amazing My Son Sanctuary Day Tour
This tour includes hotel pick-up and drop off, transport to My Son Sanctuary and a knowledgeable local guide who will lead you through the site. In addition to exploring the ruins, you’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy an Apsara performance, a traditional dance linked to the region’s cultural heritage.

Explore Independently
If you’d rather explore at your own pace without a guide, you can hire a private driver for a return trip to My Son Sanctuary.

Best Full-Day Trips from Da Nang

Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge

Travel time from Da Nang: 45 minutes 
Time needed: 8 hours
Best for: scenic views, unique attractions, theme park experience 
How to get there: Grab, private car, shuttle bus or guided tour

If you’re looking for something different, Ba Na Hills is a large theme park located in the Truong Son Mountains and a popular day trip from Da Nang. A visit starts with a cable car ride up into the mountains, it’s one of the longest cable car routes in the world, taking around 20 minutes to complete the 5 kilometre journey.

One of the main highlights is seeing the famous Golden Bridge, which can only be visited as part of Ba Na Hills. There’s also an amusement park, a French-themed village and plenty of restaurants and cafes to explore throughout the day. 

What to see:

How to Visit Ba Na Hills from Da Nang

Ba Na Hills is approximately 25km from Da Nang, with a journey time of around 45 minutes by car, depending on traffic. There are several transport options available, including Grab, private car, shuttle bus or joining a guided tour. 

Book a Guided Tour 
It might seem unusual to recommend a guided tour for a theme park, but Ba Na Hills is huge. When I visited, I felt like I missed out on a lot by navigating it on my own. If you want to see as much as possible and make the most of your time, a tour would be very helpful to experience the highlights efficiently. Joining a Ba Na Hills tour also removes the need to organise transport separately, making the day much easier overall.

Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge Day Tour from Da Nang
This tour is available as a group, small group or private tour option and covers the highlights of Ba Na Hills, including the Golden Bridge and Fantasy Park. Round trip transfers from your hotel in Da Nang are included, along with park admission. There’s also the option to add on a buffet lunch.

Explore Independently
For a Ba Na Hills day trip from Da Nang, you can take a Grab, pre-book a private transfer or take the shuttle bus. If you’re taking a Grab, keep in mind that sometimes availability is limited in the afternoon and prices may surge. Booking a private car is a more reliable option, as your driver will be waiting for you and the price is usually not much higher than Grab, especially for a return journey. 

You can also pre-book your admission tickets to save time when you arrive.

Hue

Travel time from Da Nang: 2.5 hours – 3 hours 
Time needed: 11 hours – 12 hours 
Best for: History, culture, imperial architecture 
How to get there: Guided tour or private car

This is the longest Da Nang day trip on the list, but it’s well worth the journey. Hue is known for its rich history and cultural heritage. One of the main highlights is the Imperial City, a 19th-century palace complex that is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

What to see:

How to Visit Hue from Da Nang

As Hue is a few hours away from Da Nang, the easiest ways to visit are by joining a group tour or hiring a private driver for the day. 

It’s also possible to travel between Hue and Da Nang via the Heritage Train, which is known for its scenic coastal views. However, train schedules don’t usually align well with a same-day return trip and it’s a longer journey, making it less practical for a day trip. 

Book a Guided Tour 
Given the distance and number of sights, I’d recommend booking a guided tour to make the most of your time in Hue. You’ll be able to move efficiently between attractions while learning about the city’s history and cultural significance from a local guide.

From Da Nang: Hue Imperial Discovery Full Day Tour
This day trip to Hue from Da Nang includes visits to the Hue Citadel, Khai Dinh Tomb and Lap An Lagoon. Lunch is provided at a local restaurant, featuring traditional Hue-style dishes. Round-trip hotel transfers and entrance fees are included.

Explore Independently
If you’d prefer not to join a tour, the best option is to hire a private car for the day. This gives you flexibility to explore at your own pace, although you’ll need to plan your route and stops in advance.