Da Nang to My Son and Hoi An Car Itinerary (1-day Return Trip)
Vietnamdrive team plans this one-day car itinerary to connect famous destinations in a practical loop: Da Nang → My Son → Hoi An → Da Nang, avoid moving ups and downs.
The journey is suitable for travelers who stay in Da Nang and available for one day but want to visit both My Son and Hoi An Ancient City.
Book a private car and professional driver for your own trip helps you start at your schedule and want flexibility in how long you stay in Hoi An.
Why We Recommend This Da Nang to My Son and Hoi An Car Itinerary Logic
Visiting My Son in the morning allows you to experience the fresh energy of the day as sunlight washes over the rice paddies and scattered cornfields, accompanied by the occasional chugging of a tractor. The journey to the site feels more vibrant in the early morning light. In addition, the valley, surrounded by towering mountains, often offers a more open and pleasant atmosphere for sightseeing in the morning than in the afternoon.
Hoi An is best scheduled for the afternoon because it allows visitors to stay as long as they like or shorten their visit depending on their pace, without feeling rushed. The Ancient Town offers a variety of activities, from shopping and lantern-making workshops to photography, or simply sipping coffee by the Thu Bon River while watching the world go by. Travelers can choose to explore more or simply slow down and relax.
A highlight for many visitors is staying in Hoi An until the town lights up, revealing the brilliant glow of traditional bamboo and silk lanterns in shades of red, yellow, and soft green. Visitors can even release floating lanterns while taking a boat ride on the Thu Bon River.
For this reason, the itinerary follows the sequence Da Nang → My Son → Hoi An → Da Nang. After visiting My Son, travelers continue to Hoi An, where they can stay into the evening before returning to Da Nang. This avoids having to backtrack along the same route simply to spend the evening in Hoi An.
Da Nang to My Son and Hoi An Car Itinerary Flow
This itinerary is designed to let you experience a day trip to My Son and Hoi An from Da Nang without backtracking, while giving you the flexibility to spend as much or as little time as you like in the Ancient Town.
The overall route is: Da Nang City Center → My Son Sanctuary → Lunch & Optional Coffee Stop → Hoi An Ancient Town → Hotel in Da Nang
- Estimated route distance: About 108 km
- Estimated driving time: About 3 hours 30 minutes
- Estimated total duration: About 8 hours, including driving and sightseeing
Note: The total duration is an estimate for planning purposes only. The itinerary is flexible, especially in Hoi An, where you can choose how long you want to explore the Ancient Town.
Suggested starting time: 8:30 AM. This is not too late, helping you avoid the hottest part of the day at My Son, while also giving you enough time to rest and have a good breakfast before a full day of exploration.
Morning Flow
Da Nang → My Son
Approx. 43 km | About 1 hour 30 minutes of driving
While My Son is the destination, the journey there offers vivid glimpses of the Central Vietnamese countryside.
Your driver will pick you up from your hotel in downtown Da Nang right on schedule. After about 20 minutes of driving out of the city center, you will begin to travel through the countryside, passing rice paddies and bamboo groves. In the distance, you may spot clusters of village homes with red-tiled roofs nestled among the fields.
The fields turn a brilliant gold during the peak harvest seasons: the Winter-Spring crop (May to early June) and the Summer-Autumn crop (late August to September). Your driver will be happy to stop at suitable locations whenever you wish, allowing you to photograph the rice fields and farmers at work.
Along the riverbanks and roadsides, you will also catch glimpses of lush green cornfields, their tassels swaying gently in the breeze.
As you approach My Son Sanctuary, within about 5 kilometers of the site, the terrain begins to undulate into rolling hills. The sanctuary itself is nestled in a valley, surrounded by towering mountains.
Arrival at My Son Sanctuary
Your vehicle will drop you off at the parking area near the entrance gate. After purchasing your admission ticket, you will board the site’s dedicated shuttle bus to continue to the main sightseeing area. The shuttle fee is included in the ticket price.
Vehicles are required to park away from the temple complex to help protect the environment and geological integrity, as vehicle vibrations could potentially cause damage, and to preserve the surrounding landscape, which would otherwise require extensive parking facilities.
Please note that although the shuttle journey covers only about 2 kilometers, the route follows winding mountain roads. For your safety, please remain seated, fasten your seatbelt, and hold onto the vehicle’s handrails or frame.
After getting off the shuttle, you will walk approximately 200 meters to reach the main temple complex, which features clusters of towers constructed from fired brick and sandstone between the 7th and 13th centuries.
The site comprises several distinct sections, all connected by clearly marked pathways.
In general, exploring My Son Sanctuary on foot is not difficult, thanks to the signage and accessible walkways provided by the site management. As a result, many visitors choose to explore independently and hire a guide only if they would like to learn more about the site’s history. This service can be arranged at the ticket counter.
The walk is suitable for most visitors in average physical condition. There are only a few sections with slight inclines or declines, particularly along the initial 200-meter stretch from the shuttle drop-off point.
Most visitors spend between 1 and 1.5 hours exploring the area. This is generally enough time to explore and photograph the temple complex while still fitting comfortably into an itinerary that includes Hoi An later the same day.
Note on music performances: Near the main tower cluster, there is a theater that hosts approximately 15-minute performances featuring Cham dance and music. You can check the schedule at the entrance and time your visit to catch a performance if you wish.
Note on restrooms: There are three restroom locations: near the ticket gate, at the shuttle bus stop, and next to the central tower area, opposite the theater, within the sightseeing grounds. We recommend using the restroom near the ticket gate, as it is more spacious and modern.
After exploring the sanctuary, you will return to the shuttle bus and travel back to the car parking area.
The journey then continues to Hoi An Ancient Town.
Lunch and Arrival in Hoi An
My Son → Hoi An
Approx. 38 km | About 1 hour 15 minutes of driving
After leaving My Son, the journey continues along the Thu Bon River to Hoi An Ancient Town.
There are typically two options for lunch:
Option 1: Lunch outside the Ancient Town
If your restaurant is located outside the central Ancient Town area, the driver can take you there and wait while you have lunch. Afterward, the driver will take you to the parking area so you can begin exploring the Ancient Town.
Option 2: Lunch inside the Ancient Town
Cars are not permitted within the Ancient Town. The driver will drop you off at a nearby parking area. From there, you can purchase a ticket and walk into the Ancient Town for lunch and sightseeing. Many visitors prefer this option because it allows them to combine lunch with their exploration of Hoi An.
Whichever option you choose, when you arrive at the Hoi An parking area, it is advisable to mark the location on your phone’s map. Typically, the driver will pick you up at the same spot where you were dropped off for the return trip to Da Nang.
If you are visiting Hoi An for a short time, the driver will wait for you at the parking area. If you wish to stay longer, the driver can leave the waiting area and return to pick you up at a pre-agreed time.
Afternoon Flow
After lunch, you explore Hoi An.
To explore Hoi An, you need to purchase an entrance ticket to the Ancient Town. Once you have your ticket, you can visit five sites of your choice from the available list.
While your choices will depend on your personal preferences, we recommend visiting an assembly hall, such as the Fujian or Cantonese Assembly Hall, the Japanese Covered Bridge, a historic house, such as the Tan Ky Old House, and the Hoi An Market area. You can follow this sequence or go in reverse order to save time.
Your ticket allows you to visit one additional site. Museums are an option, although we recommend them only if you have a particular interest in history, culture, or antiquities.
As you explore, feel free to linger on or return to any street or area that catches your interest.
We also suggest finding a café along Bach Dang Street by the Thu Bon River to enjoy a coffee and relax. The breeze is cooler, and the setting is more open compared with the narrow, crowded streets elsewhere in the Ancient Town.
The Ancient Town offers more than just sightseeing. There are numerous activities, such as lantern-making, boat rides on the Thu Bon River, releasing floating lanterns at night, custom tailoring, and pottery-making experiences. This is why many visitors choose to stay in Hoi An for an extended period.
Returning to Da Nang
Hoi An → Da Nang
Approx. 27 km | About 45 minutes of driving
When you are ready to return to Da Nang, please head to the designated parking area, usually the same spot where you were dropped off, at the agreed-upon time. The driver and vehicle will be ready to take you back to your hotel in Da Nang.
It is advisable to text or call the driver or coordinator about 30 minutes before returning to the parking area so the driver can make the necessary preparations. This is especially important if the parking lot is crowded, as the driver may need to move the vehicle to a more convenient location.
Please note that for large groups, traffic near the Ancient Town center is often heavy and slow-moving from around 5:00 PM onward, particularly on weekends when many visitors travel there from Da Nang. Therefore, if you have a scheduled commitment in Da Nang, you should allow an extra 10 to 15 minutes for the journey.
The route back to Da Nang typically follows the coastal road, which is relatively open and offers a smooth drive. However, speed limits vary by section, so you may notice the vehicle speeding up or slowing down accordingly.
The driver will drop you off at your hotel in Da Nang, concluding your private car journey to My Son and Hoi An.
Additional Suggestions
If you return to Da Nang early, you might enjoy a swim at My Khe or Pham Van Dong Beach. Please exercise caution when crossing the street, as the coastal road can be busy with traffic. Use designated pedestrian crossings and remain alert to your surroundings.
In the evening, if you are looking for a lively atmosphere, consider visiting Son Tra Night Market to experience the local buzz and nightlife. The market can get very crowded and congested, so keep a close eye on your wallet and watch.
There are plenty of other things to do in Da Nang at night if you have time, such as strolling along the Han River or watching the Dragon Bridge breathe fire and spray water.
Don’t forget, we are always happy to suggest activities in Da Nang based on your interests.
Private Car Pricing for Da Nang to My Son and Hoi An
The price covers a full-day trip, with an estimated total duration of up to 8 hours. If you would like to stay in Hoi An longer than the estimated time, we often do not charge extra if you let the driver or our operator know in advance, provided that you leave Hoi An by 8:00 PM.
| 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 | 90 USD |
| 7-Seater Car (Toyota Innova, Toyota Fortuner, Hyundai Santa Fe, VinFast Limo Green, or similar) | 3 or 4 guests | 100 USD |
| 16-Seater Vehicle (Ford Transit, Hyundai Solati, or similar) | 5 to 8 guests | 140 USD |
What’s Included:
- Private car or van with a professional driver for the full itinerary
- Fuel, tolls, and parking fees
- Driver waiting time while you visit My Son
- Driver waiting time in Hoi An during the estimated itinerary duration
- One bottle of water per guest (optional)
Exclusions:
- Entrance fees
- Meals and coffee
- Personal expenses
Note:
- The driver will wait for you to explore My Son and Hoi An. However, when you want to stay in Hoi An longer than the total time of trip, and want to Da Nang later, please tell the driver or our operator. So, the driver can rest and we try to arrange the same driver to come back but not sure for this situation. It’s important to keep in touch for finding your car when finishing Hoi An.
- An English-speaking driver is available upon request but is not included by default.
Notes for This Private Car Trip
Extended Time in Hoi An
If you plan to stay in Hoi An beyond the estimated trip duration, please inform the driver or our operator in advance. The driver may need to leave the area to rest. While we will try to arrange the same driver for your return, this cannot always be guaranteed.
Pickup After Exploring Hoi An
Please stay in contact with the driver or our operator so we can coordinate your pickup and help you locate the vehicle when you are ready to leave Hoi An.
English-Speaking Driver
An English-speaking driver is available upon request but is not included by default.
» Looking for more private car journeys in the region? Explore our Central Vietnam car itineraries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I visit Hoi An before My Son?
Yes, you can travel from Da Nang → Hoi An → My Son → Hoi An → Da Nang. However, this route requires you to travel between Hoi An and My Son twice, once going to My Son and again returning to Hoi An.
By following our recommended route, Da Nang → My Son → Hoi An → Da Nang, you avoid this backtracking and have more flexibility to spend time in Hoi An later in the day.
Can I add the Marble Mountains to this itinerary?
We generally do not recommend adding the Marble Mountains because My Son and Hoi An are already two substantial destinations for a single day. Hoi An, in particular, offers many activities and is best experienced without rushing. The Marble Mountains also involves some walking and climbing and typically takes about 1 to 1.5 hours to visit. Adding another major stop would leave less time to explore Hoi An and make the day feel too rushed.
Can you arrange a bus for a large group to visit My Son and Hoi An from Da Nang?
Yes. While this itinerary is normally arranged by private car or van, we can also arrange a charter bus for larger groups, including companies and schools.
Please note that large buses may need to use designated parking areas farther from Hoi An Ancient Town, as some roads near the Old Town center have vehicle access restrictions. Passengers may need to walk or use a smaller vehicle for the final part of the journey.
Please contact us for availability and pricing, or learn more about our Bus Rental in Vietnam.