Best Day Trips From Hoi An
There are so many amazing things to do not far from Hoi An, so if you decide to base yourself here for a while I recommend adding a couple of trips a bit further from the city. If you’re also basing yourself in Danang, some of them are better done from there, but still easily accessible from Hoi An.
The Marble Mountains
The Marble Mountains are a group of limestone and marble hills with caves, temples, and panoramic viewpoints. It’s an easy half-day trip from Hoi An and can easily be combined with a beach stop in Da Nang or a visit to the Lady Buddha.
You can climb to the top for some amazing views of the coastline, or explore inside the cool caves and beautiful temples.
If you go on your own, book a Grab to Gate A. That’s where you’ll find the ticket booths and the elevator to take you to the top.
It’s good to know that there are two different ticket booths. The first and less crowded one is for the the first cave and only that, and the next ticket booth is just around the corner and will let you buy a ticket to the bigger area as well as a ticket to the elevator to the top where you can explore a huge area filled with caves, temples and pagodas.
It’s a much bigger area than I imagined, so make sure to set aside enough time to fully explore it.
Combine a visit to the Marble Mountains with a visit to My Son Sanctuary with this guided tour
Combine a visit to the Marble Mountains with a visit to the Lady Buddha with this guided tour
The Lady Buddha (Linh Ứng Pagoda)
Closer to Da Nang, the Lady Buddha (or Linh Ứng Pagoda) on the Son Tra Peninsula is an easy half-day or full-day trip that combines stunning views, peaceful temples, and a scenic coastal drive.
Standing at 67 meters tall, the Lady Buddha is one of the tallest statues in Vietnam, it’s even visible from as far as My Khe Beach in Da Nang.
The site is free to enter and beautifully maintained, with intricate pagodas, bonsai gardens, and panoramic views over the sea and city below.
It takes about an hour to reach from Hoi An by car or motorbike. You can choose to combine this with a trip to the Marble Mountains and/ or stop for a swim at My Khe Beach.
Many people choose to just do a quick stop here to see the tall Lady Buddha statue, but I recommend spending a bit more time to explore the surrounding area. There are so many beautiful temples and cozy gardens, and since most people skip it I had them almost to myself which was so lovely.
Combine a visit to see the Lady Buddha with a visit to the Marble Mountains with this guided tour
Da Nang City & My Khe Beach
Da Nang is just 40 minutes away, but it feels completely different from Hoi An. With wide boulevards, modern cafés, and the famous Dragon Bridge, it’s the perfect place to escape for a day of urban energy and ocean views. Start your day with a stroll along My Khe Beach. After a lazy morning by the water, explore the city’s highlights like the Dragon Bridge, Son Tra Peninsula, Linh Ung Pagoda, or one of Da Nang’s stylish coffee shops overlooking the Han River.
If you stay until the evening during a weekend you can watch the dragon breathe fire on the dragon bridge. This happens every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 9PM.
Ba Na Hills – The famous golden bridge & Amusement Park
If you’re in the mood for something completely different, head to Ba Na Hills, about 1.5 hours from Hoi An. If you’ve ever seen the famous picture of the golden bridge being held up by enormous stone hands, this is where you’ll find it.
I actually decided to skip Ba Na Hills during my time in Central Vietnam, mostly because I wasn’t too excited about the big amusement park vibe. But honestly, it does look like a fun and photogenic spot for a day trip from Da Nang or Hoi An.
If you enjoy theme parks, quirky architecture, or just want to see one of Vietnam’s most Instagrammed landmarks, Ba Na Hills is definitely worth a visit.
My Son Sanctuary – Ancient Temples in the Jungle
About an hour west of Hoi An, My Son is a collection of ancient Hindu temples hidden in the lush jungle. It’s often called “Vietnam’s Angkor Wat in miniature”. It was built by the Cham civilization between the 4th and 13th centuries and is one of the country’s most important archaeological sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The whole area is absolutely stunning and a must visit in my book. We booked a half day tour there and could’ve easily spent even more time wandering around and exploring.
It’s a bit remote so you can either choose to rent a car or choose to do a group tour, which is what I recommend. There are lots of tours that take you there and you can choose between morning, sunset, guided or just a drop-of for a more budget friendly visit. Below are some of the most popular tours to choose from.
Cham Islands – Snorkeling & Island Bliss
If you visit during dry season and have nice weather, a trip to Cham Island might be just the thing! Just of the coast of Hoi An, you will find a cluster of islands, part of a protected marine biosphere called Cham islands. Here you can spend the day snorkeling or diving among the colorful reefs, explore cute fishing villages or just spend time on the beach.
Since we visited during the rainy season, a trip to Cham Island never became a reality even though I really wanted to go there. I’ll save it for mye next visit!
I didn’t find any tours online I would book myself, so I recommend checking with your Hotel when you arrive and book through them or a tour agency in the city.
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Where is the best area to stay in Hoi An?
For a first trip to Hoi An, I'd stay close to the Ancient Town. If you're staying for four nights or more, I'd seriously consider splitting your time between the Old Town and An Bang Beach or the countryside. Below you’ll find my three favourite stays in and around Hoi An you can take a look at.
For a resort feel without giving up your proximity to the Old Town, this is worth considering. The property has gardens, a swimming pool, free bicycles and a riverside setting, while the Ancient Town is still within easy walking distance.
Check prices and availability
This is one of the hotels I'd look at first if you want to stay near An Bang Beach without going full resort. The boutique property has just 25 rooms and suites, an outdoor pool, Vietnamese restaurant and day spa, while the beach is right outside and the Ancient Town is around 4 km away.
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This hotel is designed around a slower, more relaxed experience and has a swimming pool, fitness facilities, gardens and bicycles. It's a good fit if you want a resort atmosphere but still prefer something smaller and more intimate than a big beachfront property.
Check prices and availability
Map of the Best Hotels in Hoi An
Below you'll find a map where I've pinned my favourite hotels in Hoi An to make it easier for you to navigate when you're looking for where you want to base yourself.
Final Thoughts: Best Day Trips from Hoi An
Hoi An may be small, but it sits in the heart of one of Vietnam’s most diverse regions, so mountains, beaches, villages, and ancient ruins are all within reach. Whether you spend your day snorkeling, exploring temples, or simply cycling through the rice fields, every journey out of town offers a new layer of charm to fall in love with.
I hope this guide was helpful and that you have an amazing time visiting Hoi An and Central Vietnam. If you have any questions about Hoi An or travel in Vietnam in general, or just want to follow along as I travel the world full time, don‘t hesitate to reach out to me on social media. I would love to connect and help out!
-Ingrid