Da Nang to Marble Mountains, Cam Thanh & Hoi An Car Itinerary (Round Trip)
This private car itinerary combines three distinct experiences into a single day: exploring the Marble Mountains, enjoying the lively atmosphere of the Cam Thanh Coconut Forest, and discovering the unique charm of Hoi An Ancient Town. With a well-planned sequence of stops, you can enjoy a variety of activities without feeling rushed.
Who is this car itinerary for? This itinerary is ideal for travelers who want to make the most of a day in Da Nang by combining a variety of experiences, from climbing the Marble Mountains and enjoying basket boat rides to strolling through Hoi An Ancient Town.
How does Vietnamdrive support your journey? Vietnamdrive arranges your trip with a private vehicle and an experienced driver, handling everything from pickup at your hotel in Da Nang to transportation between attractions. While you explore each destination, your driver waits nearby, ready to take you to the next stop. If necessary, the pickup point in Hoi An can be adjusted to account for traffic conditions and accessibility during peak hours, helping ensure a smoother return journey to Da Nang.
Why This Logic
The Marble Mountains (Ngũ Hà nh Sơn) are located along the route from Da Nang to Hoi An, making them a convenient stop in the morning. We schedule this visit early in the day because you typically have more energy in the morning, making it an ideal time to climb the mountain and explore the caves. The weather is also generally more pleasant before the midday heat sets in, allowing you to explore more comfortably.
Next, the journey continues to the Cam Thanh Coconut Forest. The basket boat experience is well suited to late morning. As the sun gets stronger, the shade and cooler atmosphere among the coconut palms offer a refreshing break from the heat.
We also recommend visiting the coconut forest relatively early. In our experience, the Cam Thanh area tends to get crowded from around 1:30 to 2:00 PM onward, particularly with large groups of South Korean tourists, making the atmosphere much busier. Visiting in the morning allows you to enjoy a more relaxed experience before the crowds build up.
Finally, we allow more time for Hoi An because it offers the widest range of attractions and activities on this day trip. This gives you the flexibility to explore the Ancient Town at your own pace, whether you prefer to take your time or move through the sights more quickly. We apply the same planning logic to the Hoi An portion of our full-day car itinerary from Da Nang to My Son and Hoi An, which also includes a return to Da Nang.
Da Nang to Marble Mountains, Cam Thanh Coconut Forest, and Hoi An: Car Itinerary Flow
For this car itinerary, by following this logical route, Da Nang → Marble Mountains → Cam Thanh Coconut Forest → Lunch → Hoi An → Return to Da Nang, you can enjoy a full day with many activities in well-organized order.
- Estimated route distance: About 52 km
- Estimated driving time: About 1 hour 50 minutes
- Estimated total duration: Up to 8 hours, including driving and time spent exploring each stop
Suggested starting time: 8:30 AM. This is a comfortable starting time that allows you to explore Marble Mountains and enjoy a basket boat ride at Cam Thanh Coconut Forest in the morning.
Note: Distances and driving times in this itinerary are estimated from the area around Dragon Bridge on Nguyen Van Linh Street in Da Nang. Actual travel times may vary depending on your hotel location and traffic conditions.
Morning Flow
Da Nang → the Marble Mountains
Approx. 10 km | About 20 minutes of driving
A private car with a driver will pick you up at your hotel at the scheduled time to begin the journey.
You will travel along Nguyen Van Linh Street, west of the Han River, and cross Dragon Bridge on the way to Non Nuoc. Although the distance is relatively short, the drive takes you from the busy city center into a more open area, with straighter roads and views of the surrounding landscape near Marble Mountains.
The car will stop at the parking area at the foot of Thuy Son (Water Mountain), the peak we recommend exploring. Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son) consists of five marble and limestone hills, with Thuy Son being the largest and most visited for its pagodas, caves, and viewpoints.
Please note that climbing Thuy Son involves numerous steep stone steps, which may be challenging for older visitors and young children. Take extra care in wet weather, as the steps can become slippery.
If you prefer to avoid most of the climb, an elevator near the sea-facing entrance (often referred to as Gate No. 2) can take you partway up the mountain, offering access to some viewpoints and attractions.
We recommend spending around 1 to 1.5 hours exploring Marble Mountains. This allows enough time to enjoy the main sights at a comfortable pace while leaving time for the next stops on your itinerary.
Non Nuoc to Cam Thanh
Distance: 18 km | Driving time: 35 minutes
The drive from Non Nuoc Mountain to Cam Thanh is relatively easy, following a wide, open coastal road. However, there is a traffic light near the Sheraton Hotel, about 1.5 km from Non Nuoc, where traffic often backs up and may slow your journey.
Although much of the route follows the coast, a section near Hoi An passes through open fields along a new, spacious road. During the rice harvest season, the fields turn a brilliant golden yellow. There are several spots along the way where you can stop to take photos of the countryside. Simply ask your driver to find a suitable place to pull over.
Upon arrival in Cam Thanh, your driver will stop at the main parking area. You will need to purchase an entrance ticket, and the ticket staff will direct you to the basket boat area.
Note: If you have pre-booked a basket boat ride, give your driver the operator’s name and contact information so they can take you to the correct location. Otherwise, you can purchase tickets and arrange a ride on-site.
When getting on or off a basket boat, be careful because the boat can wobble, making it difficult to keep your balance if you are not used to it. When taking photos, keep your camera or phone strap securely fastened around your wrist to prevent your device from falling into the water.
A typical basket boat ride lasts about 45 minutes. Including travel between the parking area and the activity location, rest stops, and restroom breaks, plan to spend around 1.5 hours in Cam Thanh.
Lunchtime | Heading to Hoi An
Cam Thanh to Song Hoai Square for Parking
Distance: 5 km | Driving time: 15 minutes
After finishing your activities and sightseeing in Cam Thanh Coconut Forest, your driver will take you to the center of Hoi An Ancient Town.
Hoi An offers a variety of excellent restaurants, including Ms. Ly Cafeteria, Morning Glory Restaurant, and Hai Cafe. These restaurants generally provide friendly service, and their staff can often communicate in English, making it easier to order lunch.
Please note that you may need to purchase an entrance ticket to Hoi An Ancient Town at one of the ticket checkpoints near the street entrances. The ticket allows you to visit designated attractions after lunch, such as ancient houses, the Japanese Covered Bridge, assembly halls, and museums. The ticket information lists the sites included in your visit.
Afternoon Flow
Exploring Hoi An Ancient Town
There are many ways to explore Hoi An, depending on your preferences. You can stroll through the streets admiring the moss-covered tiled roofs, shop for souvenirs, or pose for photos against the iconic yellow walls.
With so much to see and do, the length of your stay depends on your interests and how you prefer to spend your time.
Based on our experience, we suggest allowing 1 to 2 hours to explore the town’s culture and architecture, 1 hour for shopping, and another hour for coffee, snacks, and photos along the streets. This is only a suggestion. If you enjoy shopping, you may want to stay longer or visit a tailor shop to have a custom garment made.
Your visit may also depend on other factors, such as the weather, which can sometimes be too hot for extended walks, or whether members of your group prefer to finish earlier. For these reasons, we estimate that 3 to 4 hours in Hoi An is suitable for most international visitors.
Keep your driver’s and coordinator’s contact details handy. If you decide to stay longer or leave earlier than planned, let your driver know so they can arrange your pickup accordingly.
Driving back to Da Nang
Song Hoai Square to Vanda Hotel
Distance: 29 km | Driving time: 60 minutes
Your driver will be waiting at the parking area to take you back to Da Nang.
If you leave Hoi An during the late-afternoon rush hour, even the short 2 km drive from the Song Hoai Square parking lot to the main road can be slow. Traffic is particularly heavy on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays), when many people travel from Da Nang to Hoi An for dinner and to enjoy the lantern-lit streets.
A quick tip for your evening in Da Nang: Dragon Bridge hosts fire and water displays on its eastern side, facing the sea, at around 9:00 PM every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, as well as on major holidays. The show lasts approximately 10 to 15 minutes and offers a lively evening experience. You can also enjoy a pleasant stroll along the Han River to round out your day in Da Nang.
Private Car Pricing for Da Nang to Marble Mountains, Cam Thanh and Hoi An
The price covers a private car with a professional driver for transportation between the Marble Mountains, Cam Thanh Coconut Forest, and Hoi An, including waiting time at each stop. The estimated price is based on a trip of up to 8 hours.| Vehicle type | Recommended for | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| 4-Seater Car (Toyota Vios, Toyota Corolla Altis, Mazda 3, Hyundai Accent, Hyundai Avante, or similar) | 1 or 2 guests | 80 USD |
| 7-Seater Car (Toyota Innova, Toyota Fortuner, Hyundai Santa Fe, VinFast Limo Green, or similar) | 3 or 4 guests | 95 USD |
| 16-Seater Vehicle (Ford Transit, Hyundai Solati, or similar) | 5 to 8 guests | 140 USD |
What’s Included:
- Private car or van
- Professional driver
- Fuel, tolls, and parking fees
- One bottle of water per guest (optional)
What’s Not Included:
- Entrance fees for Marble Mountains and Hoi An Ancient Town
- Entrance fees and basket boat ride fees at Cam Thanh Coconut Forest
- Meals and coffee
- Personal expenses
Why Travel This Route by Private Car?
Traveling from Da Nang on this itinerary with a private car and a professional driver can make your day more comfortable and convenient.
Save time between stops: You won’t need to wait for a taxi after visiting Marble Mountains or Cam Thanh, making it easier to manage your morning schedule.
Enjoy convenient waiting and storage: Your driver can wait while you explore each destination, and you can leave small bags in the car. This is especially helpful for families traveling with babies who need to bring extra supplies.
Know your transportation costs in advance: A private car service with a fixed price makes it easy to arrange multiple stops before continuing to Hoi An and returning to Da Nang. You won’t have to worry about calculating fares for each leg of the journey.