Easily accessible from nearby Da Nang, many come to Hoi An to experience shopping, sightseeing, and cultural immersion. Here, you can spend your days trying local delicacies like cao lau (braised pork noodle bowl), shopping for handicrafts at Nguyen Hoang Night Market, and experiencing the famous Hoi An Lanterns, one of the most famous cultural traditions in Vietnam.
But there’s much more to Hoi An than just the Old Town district. Due to its coastal location in central Vietnam, there are actually plenty of unique activities and natural sceneries in the area such as diving among the coral reefs, visiting ancient temples, exploring a coconut forest, and more.
Need some help planning your itinerary? We’ve got you covered. Read on below for our recommended day tours from Hoi An, featuring some handy Klook-exclusive tips.
1. My Son Sanctuary
Marvel at the red brick ruins of several Hindu and Buddhist temples at My Son Sanctuary.
Experience Vietnam's ancient culture with a trip to My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the capital of the former Champa Kingdom from 192 CE. Here you’ll learn more about its fascinating history as you explore the red brick ruins of several Hindu and Buddhist temples.
And while many of the temples have been destroyed due to the Vietnam War, you can still freely explore the area to admire their carved facade and even walk inside some of them to browse the displays of My Son relics and artifacts. You’ll also get to witness a traditional Cham dance, or Apsara dance, during your visit, which features performers wearing colorful traditional costumes dancing to the rhythm of panpipes and drums.
Klook tip: We recommend visiting in the afternoon for the My Son Tour from Hoi An, as the crowds are thinner and you’ll get to see a fantastic view of the sunset. However, if your schedule only allows for a morning tour, then you’ll get a chance to experience other cultural activities such as learning how to make rice paper.
2. Hue
Explore the Hue Historic Citadel palace complex, located in the former imperial capital of Vietnam
The former imperial capital of Vietnam, Hue is home to several incredible historic and cultural sites such as:
- Khai Dinh Tomb: a beautiful mausoleum built for Emperor Khai Din, featuring a blend of Vietnamese architecture with Western styles.
- Thien Mu Pagoda: a sacred temple located on the banks of the Perfume River, known for its romantic boat rides and the 7-story waterfall symbol
- The Citadel: the last capital of Vietnam and a UNESCO World Heritage site, where you’ll get to see a palace complex surrounded by thick stone walls and a moat.
Due to the limited amount of public transportation options between Hoi An and Hue, it is generally recommended to join tour groups for your Hue day trip from Hoi An. This ensures that you’ll no longer need to worry about planning, and also has the added benefit of getting to visit other destinations off the beaten path, such as Lang Co Bay.
3. Cham Islands
A trip to Hoi An wouldn’t be complete without going to the Cham Islands for a day of snorkeling or diving. Here, you’ll get a chance to see rare marine life swimming in between coral reefs and other animal sightings in the lush tropical jungles. In between dives, you can spend your hours lounging by the beach, visiting local fishing villages for souvenirs, and trying local cuisine.
Klook tip: You’ll need to make several trips if you want to visit all eight islands, as most tours from Hoi An to the Cham Islands typically take you to only one or two islands.
4. Cam Thanh Coconut Village
Watch as local residents perform a captivating performance in the bamboo basket boats.
Looking for unique day tours from Hoi An? Then Cam Thanh Coconut Village is the perfect destination for you. At Cam Thanh, you’ll get to hop on a bamboo basket boat to make your way through the village’s narrow waterways and verdant coconut trees, where you’ll get to witness the day-to-day life of the locals and even shop for unique grass-knit souvenirs.
Other activities in the Cam Thanh include a one-of-a-kind boat show performed by the residents, souvenir-making workshops, and even cycling.
5. Sun World Ba Na Hills
Walk through the stone hands of the Golden Bridge, the most famous attraction in Ba Na Hills.
If you’re traveling with kids, then a trip to Sun World Ba Na Hills is a must! A theme park situated on top of a mountain, Sun World Ba Na Hills offers something for everyone:
- Ba Na Hills Cable Car: One of the longest cable car rides in the world at almost 6 kilometers, you’ll travel for thirty minutes over the lush national forest.
- Golden Bridge: Walk across this famous bridge held up by a pair of giant stone hands and try to get that perfect shot.
- Le Jardin D’Amour Gardens: Wander through nine different themed gardens filled with various flowers like roses, tulips, lilies, and orchids
- Luna Castle: Step into a magical castle to explore the four floors for the Dragon Den, Powerful Wolf, Erud Owl, and Moon Square, a performance center with 2,000 seats.
- French Village: Explore a romantic, European-style village with classic French architecture with castles, cobblestone streets, and fountains.
- Fantasy Park: Try out thrilling rides and games inside Vietnam’s largest indoor theme park, such as the Alpine Coaster 3, Bumper cars, and more.
Klook tip: The best time to visit the Golden Bridge is during sunset, when you and the stone hands will be basked in an array of colors. This is a popular option for travelers staying near Ba Na Hills overnight, or those with private vehicles.
6. Tra Que Village Bicycle Tour
Take a break from the busy streets of Hoi An and discover the quieter side of Vietnam with the Tra Que bicycle tour, where you can enjoy a leisurely bike ride through the countryside that takes you to a farming village that grows produce sold in Hoi An. Here you’ll get to meet locals, learn how to make rice paper, and even get to try out farming in the rice paddies and the vegetable fields. You can also visit the local shops to try out salt coffee, noodles, and other specialties.
7. Marble Mountains in Da Nang
Join the sunset tour of Marble Mountains and watch as the sun paints everything in a golden light
If you’ve got some free time in your itinerary, why not take this opportunity to visit the Marble Mountains in Da Nang to get in touch with ancient Buddhist and Hindu civilizations? Take in the awe-inspiring view of the countryside as you make your way to the top, where you’ll get a fantastic view of the five marble and limestone mountains. From there, you can explore the mysterious Am Phu Cave, before exploring the rest of the area to learn more about its rich religious history from your guide.
Klook Tip: We recommend joining a tour of the Marble Mountains, which includes other popular attractions in the area such as Lady Buddha in the Monkey Mountains and Son Tra Peninsula.
Now that you have all you need to know to plan your day trips from Hoi An, all that’s left to do is book your chosen tours and tickets, along with your Vietnam eSIM and accommodations in Hoi An. You should also remember to take your camera with you as you’ll get to see tons of social media-worthy attractions in Vietnam. Happy and safe travels!
FAQs
1. What are the most popular day tours from Hoi An?
Popular day tours from Hoi An include:
- My Son Sanctuary: For ruins of Hindu and Buddhist temples from the Champa Kingdom.
- Hue: For the Imperial City, home to Khai Dinh Tomb, Thien Mu Pagoda, and Hue Historic Citadel.
- Cham Islands: For swimming and snorkeling to witness unique marine life and colorful coral reefs.
- Cam Thanh Coconut Village: For a unique experience riding a bamboo basket road through the narrow waterways.
- Ba Na Hills: For cable car rides, photos on the Golden Bridge, and thrill rides inside Fantasy Park, Vietnam’s largest indoor theme park
- Tra Que Village Bicycle Tour: For exploring the countryside to experience farming in a local village.
- Marble Mountains in Da Nang: For nature lovers who want to see Vietnam’s famous five limestone mountains.
2. How far are the destinations in day tours from Hoi An? How much time should you allow?
It typically takes about half an hour to 2.5 hours to reach your destination on day tours from Hoi An, though the exact time varies depending on your actual destination and the mode of transportation.
We recommend spending at least half a day at your chosen destination, though a full day is best if you really want to make the most out of your day trips from Hoi An.
3. What is the best time of day to start a day tour from Hoi An to make the most of it?
The best time to start a day tour from Hoi An is typically in the morning, as this gives you more than enough time to reach your destination and freely explore, before traveling back to Hoi An at night. This also ensures that you can avoid the hottest parts of the day for any outdoorsy activities like snorkeling or cycling, especially during summer when temperatures are higher.
For half-day tours from Hoi An, sunset tours are the more popular option, especially if you’re planning to ride the basket boat at Cam Thanh Coconut Village.
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