How do you get from Da Nang to Hoi An?
| Method | Travel time | Approx. fare |
|---|---|---|
| Ride-hailing app | 40-50 min | 250,000-350,000 VND |
| Local tour bus | 40-50 min | Included in tour price |
| Public bus | 50-60 min | A few tens of thousands of VND |
The easiest option is a ride-hailing app. It's under an hour one way, so you can decide to go on a whim and just head straight there.
Is a day trip actually worth it?
Honestly, Da Nang and Hoi An have completely different vibes. If Da Nang is a modern beach resort city, Hoi An is a preserved old town where every street looks photo-ready. After sunset, when the lanterns light up in the old quarter, you get a view you simply won't find in Da Nang.
A recommended itinerary
Leave in the late afternoon and walk through the old town while it's still light
Head back into the old town around sunset (roughly 6 pm) as the lanterns start to light up
Take a lantern boat ride along the river (a few hundred thousand VND per boat, shareable with a group)
Try Hoi An's signature Cao Lầu noodles before heading back
Day trip or overnight — which is better?
A day trip is plenty if that's all your schedule allows, but if your visit lines up with the Lantern Festival (the night of the 14th day of the lunar month), it's worth staying overnight in Hoi An. The whole town turns off its regular lighting for one special night lit only by lanterns.