Da Nang to Hoi An by Motorbike: Rental & Route Guide

The ride at a glance

Da Nang to Hoi An is one of the easiest and most rewarding motorbike rides in Vietnam. It's only 30 km — about 45 minutes of riding — but there's enough to see and do along the way to fill an entire day. Add the legendary Hai Van Pass as a detour and you've got one of the best two-day motorbike experiences in the country.

This is a ride that works for everyone: first-time riders on scooters, experienced riders on manuals, solo travellers, couples, and families. The roads are flat, well-paved, and the traffic between the two cities is manageable.

Route options

Route 1: Coastal road via My Khe Beach (30 km, 45 min)

The most popular and scenic route follows the coastline south from Da Nang.

The ride: Take Vo Nguyen Giap street south along My Khe Beach, one of the most beautiful urban beaches in Vietnam. The road hugs the coast with the ocean on your left and the Marble Mountains rising ahead. Continue on the coastal road past Non Nuoc Beach and the Marble Mountains, then follow signs to Hoi An through Dien Ban.

Highlights:

• My Khe Beach — stop for a swim or coffee at one of the beachfront cafes
• Marble Mountains — a cluster of five limestone hills with caves, pagodas, and panoramic views. Worth a 1–2 hour stop
• An Bang Beach — a quieter beach just north of Hoi An, perfect for lunch

Route 2: Inland via rice paddies (35 km, 1 hr)

A quieter alternative through the Vietnamese countryside.

The ride: Head south from Da Nang on the QL1A highway, then turn off toward Hoi An through the villages and rice paddies. The roads are narrower and wind through farming communities.

Highlights:

• Rice paddies stretching to the horizon (best when green, May–August)
• Local village life — water buffalo, farmers in conical hats, kids waving
• Less traffic than the coastal route
• Tra Que Vegetable Village — a 400-year-old farming village just outside Hoi An where you can join a cooking class

Route 3: The Hai Van Pass detour (100+ km total)

If you're going to have a motorbike in Da Nang, riding the Hai Van Pass is non-negotiable. It was famously called "one of the best coast roads in the world" by Top Gear, and it lives up to the hype.

The ride: Head north from Da Nang on the QL1A, climbing through 21 km of switchbacks to the 500-meter summit. The views of Da Nang Bay, Lang Co Beach, and the Truong Son mountains are extraordinary. Ride to Lang Co for seafood lunch, then return to Da Nang and continue south to Hoi An.

Tip: Ride the Hai Van Pass in the morning (before 10 AM) for the best visibility. Afternoon clouds and fog often obscure the views.

Renting a motorbike

In Da Nang

Da Nang has a growing number of rental shops, especially around the My Khe Beach area and the backpacker zone near the Dragon Bridge. Expect to pay:

In Hoi An

Hoi An also has rental options, mostly scooters. Prices are similar to Da Nang. Many hotels and homestays can arrange a rental for you.

From Ho Chi Minh City

At 247 Motorbikes, we offer rentals with pickup and dropoff in Da Nang. Rent from us in HCMC, ride north through coastal Vietnam, and drop the bike in Da Nang — or the reverse. Contact us for one-way rental details.

Exploring Hoi An by motorbike

Hoi An's Ancient Town is a pedestrian zone (no motorbikes allowed from 8 AM to 11 AM and 3 PM to 9 PM). But a motorbike is perfect for exploring everything outside the old town:

An Bang Beach (4 km from old town)

The best beach near Hoi An. Lay on the sand, eat seafood, watch the sunset. Much more relaxed than My Khe.

Tra Que Vegetable Village (3 km)

A centuries-old farming village where you can take a cooking class, learn to grow herbs, and eat some of the freshest food in Vietnam.

Cam Thanh Coconut Village (5 km)

Take a basket boat ride through the coconut palms on the Thu Bon River. Touristy but fun — the boat operators are entertainers.

My Son Sanctuary (40 km)

A UNESCO World Heritage Site — the remains of ancient Cham temples dating back to the 4th century. The ride through the countryside is beautiful. Allow half a day.

Cham Islands (boat from Cua Dai)

Not a motorbike destination, but worth mentioning — you can take a speedboat from Cua Dai port (8 km from Hoi An) to the Cham Islands for snorkeling and beaches. Park your bike at the port.

Road conditions

Da Nang to Hoi An

The coastal road is excellent — wide, well-paved, and clearly marked. This is one of the easiest rides in Vietnam. Traffic is moderate but well-behaved compared to HCMC or Hanoi.

Hai Van Pass

The pass road is good but demanding. It's a well-maintained mountain road with proper guardrails, but the switchbacks are tight and the gradients are significant. Not suitable for complete beginners, but any rider with a few days of experience will handle it fine.

Watch for:

• Tour buses on blind corners — they take wide turns
• Gravel on the road surface, especially after rain
• Fog above 400 meters, particularly in the afternoon
• Speed: go at your own pace, not the pace of the rider in front of you

Best time to visit

February–May

Dry season in Central Vietnam. Warm, sunny, perfect riding weather. March and April are ideal.

September–November

The rainy season hits Central Vietnam hard. Typhoons are possible, and flooding is common around Hoi An (the old town floods almost every October/November). Avoid if possible.

June–August

Hot and dry. Temperatures hit 35–40°C. Ride early morning or late afternoon to avoid the worst heat. Still a good time to visit — just bring water and sunscreen.

Day trip itinerary: the perfect Da Nang–Hoi An day

What to eat

Central Vietnamese cuisine is distinctive and delicious. Don't miss:

• Cao lau (Hoi An) — thick noodles with pork, herbs, and crackling, in a light broth
• Banh mi (Hoi An) — arguably the best banh mi in Vietnam (try Banh Mi Phuong or Madam Khanh)
• Mi Quang (Da Nang) — turmeric noodles with pork, shrimp, and peanuts
• Bun cha ca (Da Nang) — fish cake noodle soup, a Da Nang specialty
• White rose dumplings (Hoi An) — delicate shrimp dumplings unique to Hoi An

Safety notes

• Parking in Hoi An: Use designated parking areas (5,000–10,000 VND). Don't park in the pedestrian zone during restricted hours — you'll get a fine.
• Helmet: Required by law and essential. Full-face recommended for the Hai Van Pass.
• Insurance: Make sure your travel insurance covers motorbike riding. See our license guide for details.
• Flooding: In rainy season (October–November), check road conditions before riding. Low-lying areas between Da Nang and Hoi An can flood quickly.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to ride from Da Nang to Hoi An? About 45 minutes direct. Allow 2–3 hours if you stop at the Marble Mountains and beaches along the way.

Can I ride a scooter on the Hai Van Pass? Yes — it's paved road, not off-road. A scooter handles it fine, though a semi-auto or manual gives you more control on the steep sections. Just don't rush.

Is there a bus between Da Nang and Hoi An? Yes, local buses run frequently (~30,000 VND, 1 hour). But on a motorbike you can stop wherever you want — which is the whole point.

Can I take my rental bike from Da Nang to Hue? Most rental shops allow it, but check first. The Hai Van Pass sits between Da Nang and Hue, making it a natural add-on. Some shops charge a one-way fee.

Where should I base myself — Da Nang or Hoi An? Hoi An for charm and food, Da Nang for beaches and nightlife. With a motorbike, it doesn't matter — you can ride between them in 45 minutes.

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