If you’re looking for white sand and easy access to one of Vietnam’s most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Da Nang City is what you need. As a transportation hub and port city, Da Nang is a good place to start exploring the country. This is a great place to explore Hue City, with its grand 19th-century citadel, including the Imperial City and the Purple Forbidden City. Being relatively close to Da Nang, it is possible to reach Hue for a day trip to the city, although we recommend spending more time there to enjoy its World Heritage Sites in peace.
Ways to travel from Da Nang to Hue
It is only 100 kilometers from Da Nang to Hue and it is a journey that takes you through fantastic mountain landscapes. As we mentioned, due to the short distance to Hue, you can do a day trip, but if you have some time, we recommend spending a few days in the city if you want to see the main sights. So you can travel calmly and take your time everywhere.
If you are traveling in Vietnam with a rental car, you probably think that the best option to get from Da Nang to Hue is to continue driving, because that way you will have complete freedom to leave Da Nang and decide for yourself how to travel. But the roads can be a bit scary as they wind their way through the mountains and there are often many trucks which make the journey longer than you might expect. Therefore, we do not think it is worth renting a car to make this trip as there are many bus and train connections for a very low price.
From Da Nang to Hue by train
Vietnamese Railways in Hue © beibaoke / Shutterstock.com
Traveling by train from Da Nang to Hue has several advantages. The tickets are very cheap, the journey is relatively short, the train is quite comfortable and you can see some fantastic scenery along the way. In addition, there are several daily departures to choose from, so it will be easy to find an option that fits your plans.
The train journey from Da Nang to Hue should take 2.5 to 3 hours, not a long journey. You may have heard that traveling by train in Vietnam can be a bit inconvenient, but if you’re only going to be on the train for three hours, convenience isn’t an issue. In addition, you have several different seating options: hard seats, soft seats and storage compartments. The hard seat doesn’t offer much comfort, but if you’re traveling on a budget, choosing this option can save you a few bucks. Soft seats improve comfort and are certainly the best option on this route. You can also pay a little extra and choose a compartment with beds for 4 (soft berth) or 6 (hard berth). This way you will have a little more space, but it is not a more comfortable option than a soft seat.
There are trains that run at night, but since it’s a short journey, you’ll miss the scenery and arrive at Hue in a bit of an odd time, so we don’t advise taking the night train from Da Nang to Hue.
Whichever train travel option you choose, you can always take advantage of onboard services such as bathrooms, refreshments, hostesses, air conditioning and space to move and walk to stretch your legs.
Bus from Da Nang to Hue
The main advantage of taking the bus from Da Nang to Hue is that you can save more money. Buses are slightly cheaper than trains, so they’re an ideal option if you’re traveling in Vietnam on a budget. Aside from being affordable, the bus doesn’t offer many other advantages over the train, although you may find a timetable that suits your plans better.
Buses take around 3 hours and 15 minutes from Da Nang to Hue, so they are a bit slower than most trains. The exact arrival time in Hue will depend on the traffic on the road. Traveling through the mountains is beautiful, but the roads are winding and can be narrow in places, so there are few overtaking opportunities if you are dependent on other drivers ahead.
Of course, for a very low price, you will have a comfortable seat if you choose the companies Hoang Long or TheSinhTourist. Both offer VIP buses with toilets, TVs, hostesses and snacks on board, and flat seats so you can stretch your legs. Buses can be very comfortable and there are many daily departures from Da Nang to Hue.
From Da Nang to Hue by taxi
Da Nang Taxi in the countryside © Asia Images / Shutterstock.com
The last option is to take a taxi to go from Da Nang to Hue. This is the most expensive way to travel between the two cities, but you will pay for a private service and have the whole car or van to yourself. So, if you are traveling with family or friends, you can split the total cost between everyone and it will be a more affordable option.
Taxis are the fastest option to get from Da Nang to Hue, taking only 1.5 hours. It is the best option for tourists who care about flexibility and door-to-door service.