Located in central Vietnam, the city of Hue, once the capital of the Nguyen dynasty, is now known for its 19th-century citadel with the Imperial City and Forbidden Purple City protected by great stone walls. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hue has several places worth visiting. And when you’re done exploring this city, you can head south along the coast until you reach Hoi An. Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hoi An is as amazing for its ancient city and Japanese bridge as it is for its architecture. who remembers how important his port was. Traveling from Hue to Hoi An can offer some great sights depending on the mode of transportation you choose. Read on to find out more.
Travel options from Hue to Hoi An
Hai Van Pass, a pass about 21 km long near Da Nang
The distance between Hue and Hoi An is only 122 kilometers (76 miles) by road, but don’t let that number fool you. Driving in Vietnam can take a long time because the roads are not in the best condition. However, the route from Hue to Hoi An has improved significantly in recent years and there is now a tunnel that goes through the mountain and greatly shortens the road winding through the Hai Van Pass. This makes traveling faster than before. We will tell you more details about the Hai Van walkthrough later. Travel options from Hue to Hoi An are limited to some means of road as there are no trains that go all the way. There are also no flights between these destinations because even though both cities have an airport, they are too close to create an air route between them.
From Hue to Hoi An by train and bus
Vietnamese Railways in Hue © beibaoke / Shutterstock.com
The truth is that traveling by train and bus from Hue to Hoi An doesn’t make much sense. If you could travel the entire distance to Hoi An by train, this could be a good option, but in Da Nang the train line ends and therefore does not go all the way to Hoi An, so you have no choice but to make at least part of your journey by bus. That being said, if you’re a leisurely traveler and want a different experience, this combination might appeal to you.
When you board the train in Hue, the train runs parallel to the main road for the first part of the journey, so it’s not much different than taking the bus. However, after a while the tracks move away from the road and allow you to enjoy different landscapes. The tracks wind towards the coast, east of Marble Mountain, offering fantastic coastal scenery that cannot be seen from the bus.
The landscape could justify choosing this alternative to go from Hue to Hoi An, but the truth is that it is a rather slow option. It takes 2.5-3 hours to get to Da Nang and from there you have to take a bus which takes 1.5 hours more to reach Hoi An.
By bus from Hue to Hoi An
Maybe you’d rather keep things simple and take the bus all the way from Hue to Hoi An. You certainly won’t need to make any transfers, and taking the bus is the cheapest way to get from Hue to Hoi An, so it’s the best option if you’re traveling on a budget.
A bus with reclining seats in Vietnam
Book tickets through 12Go.asia to compare different companies and different types of buses. Standard buses are a bit cramped for taller westerners. Therefore, if you want more leg room, it is better to buy a ticket on the “half-sleeper” bus, which has reclining seats and offers more space than regular seats for a few dollars more. These seats are available from The Sinh Tourist, a well-known and respected bus company. You can also book Hanh Café seats or take smaller buses operated by Hue Tourist via 12Go.
Please check the bus route when booking your tickets. As we discussed at the beginning of this guide, the main road from Hue to Hoi An used to go through the mountains at Hai Van Pass. Today, this mountain road is still accessible and is a popular hiking trail. Some buses go directly through the tunnel, thus avoiding the crossing and reaching Hoi An in less time. Other buses do a little tour with a few stops along the way so you can get off the bus and take a photo. The bus journey from Hue to Hoi An takes 4 to 5 hours, depending on the company.
From Hue to Hoi An by taxi
Taxi in the countryside © Asia Images / Shutterstock.com
Although this is a much more expensive option, many tourists choose to travel by taxi from Hue to Hoi An. A private taxi service can also be booked through 12Go to avoid headaches and travel with peace of mind. The coolest thing about traveling by taxi is that it can be customized to suit your plans, drop you off wherever you want, take the route of your choice (through a tunnel or over the Hai Van pass) and you can even ask the driver to make stops where you want. Therefore, it is a great option for tourists who travel leisurely and want to enjoy their journey.
As you can imagine, there are several types of vehicles you can book for this tour, from standard-sized cars to four-seat minivans. The latter can be a good option for a family or group of friends. By dividing the cost between several people, individual pricing makes it an economically acceptable option. Without making too many stops, a taxi can complete the trip in 2-3 hours.
The journey from Hue to Hoi An is not too long, but all the transport options will take you a few hours a day. The fastest but also the most expensive is a private taxi. Buses are the cheapest way to travel and can be a good way to enjoy the scenery, while the bus and train combination is slower but offers a different experience.