After visiting Hue City or Hoi An, many tourists want to travel to another one. Luckily, from Hue to Hoi An (and vice versa) has beautiful scenery and many attractions to visit. So, when traveling between Hoi An and Hue City, you are not bored even though you travel more than two times. It is because many routes from Hoi to Hoi An can make your journeys different and more interesting.
Content menu:
Introduce Hue and Hoi An
The shortest route from Hue to Hoi An
Intersting routes from Hue to Hoi An
1. Travel on the railway route
2. Driving routes by car
2.1. Hue to Hoi An via QL49
2.2. Hue to Hoi An via My Son
2.3. Hue to Hoi An via QL14
General introduce about Hue and Hoi An City
Tourists traveling to Hue City will feel the peaceful atmosphere of the ancient imperial places. It is because of its typical beauty, Hue City is a source of creative inspiration for artists. The Perfume River embraces the city in a nice color, the imperial citadel keeps it classic, lagoons cover the simplicity of this land.
Situated on the banks of the poetic Huong River, Hue Citadel still retains its ancient spirit for hundreds of years. Visitors to this place will be impressed by the forgotten architectural work with over 100 royal tombs and palaces from the Nguyen Dynasty.
Besides the ancient Citadel, find the purple Ao Dai of the girls by the Perfume River, tourists will find a gentle style of Hue. And, see a rustic and simple life of this land in Chuon lagoon, Quang Loi Lagoon, Thuan An beach… Enjoying yourself in the idyllic life of fishermen, catching the sunrise on Thuan An beach, or watching the sunset on Chuon lagoon are experiences you should not miss when visiting Hue.
And, coming to a near city Hoi An (Quang Nam), you will find quiet streets, vast sea, poetic river… Hoi An is an attractive destination, fascinating many domestic and international tourists. Not flashy and magnificent, but the charm of Hoi An comes from the simple beauty.
About 30 km south of Danang City, the ancient town of Hoi An is located on the banks of the romantic Thu Bon River. Coming to Hoi An, you will return to the space of a busy and bustling trading port in the past.
Spread over an area of only about 2 km2, Hoi An Ancient Town is home to thousands of historic sites, preserving unique cultural features, including many ancient houses, ancient tombs, temples, old bridges, and pagodas…
No hustle and bustle, life here continues going peacefully under the moss-covered tiled roofs, on the old gray mold walls and the streets filled with red lanterns. the classic color and the nostalgic atmosphere in Hoi An give many people good feelings of the old land.
Staying in Hoi An, tourists also have a chance to visit many famous attractions, such as An Bang Beach, Cu Lao Cham, My Son Holy Land….
Besides the famous visiting places, both cities also have great local food which attracts foodies. Their culinary promises an amazing experience when tasting incredible flavor and learning the way of eating popular dishes, including Cao Lau, Com Ga, Banh Mi… in Hoi An, and Bun Bo Hue, Banh Khoai, Bun Hen… in Hue City.
The shortest distance from Hue to Hoi An
Hue to Hoi An driving distance on the shortest roads is 125km. It takes an average of 2 hours and 45 minutes by using a car. That drive is mainly on the national highway 1. You have to go through 3 tunnels and 2 road-toll stations. Only road tolls cost 105,000VND per way for a small sedan car. If going up the pass, the time is longer but nicer views. Although you may save road tolls, the car spends more gasoline and you are more stressful to drive.
Hue to Hoi An Map with a shorest route:Interesting routes from Hue to Hoi An and vice versa
1. Travel on the railway route from Hue to Hoi An:
Many guests want to know: “Is there a train from Hue to Hoi An or Hoi An to Hue? How long does Hue to Hoi An train take?”
Actually, no trains run directly from Hue to Hoi An City or from HoiAn to the Imperial Palaces of Hue City. The trains just come from Da Nang City to Hue Train Station and vice versa.
Thus, if you like to travel from Hue to Hoi An by train, you need a transfer from Danang train station to Hoi An.
1.1. How long to go travel by train from Hue to Hoi An?
The total time to travel by train from Hue to Hoi An (or the opposite way) is 4 – 4.5 hours on the average. The time to wait at the train station before going is at least 30 minutes. The real-time on the train from Hue to Da Nang City is 2.5 hours. Nearly one hour spends to go from Da Nang train station to Hoi An City (or vice versa).
1.2. What can you get when using the train from Hue to Hoi An?
Train travel in Vietnam as well as during this distance is one of the interesting experiences that should be on your list. Although the train is slow and takes more time to move, using a train from Hue to Hoi An, you can:
- Enjoy nice scenery of nature because the trains run on the curve rails near the mountains and ocean, making beautiful views.
- Know how to travel on the trains in Vietnam is.
- Get a low price to travel from Hue to Hoi An.
1.3. What should you notice when traveling by train from Hue to Hoi An?
You should buy train tickets in advance. Travel agents in Hue, Hoi An, and other cities in Vietnam can help you to buy the tickets easily.
You should check the departure time of trains carefully; because you need to come to the train station at least 30 minutes before your train departs.
To move from your hotel in Hue city center to the train station is very close. Thus, it is convenient to get a taxi. To avoid scams, the taxi cost for this drive is an average of 3 USD.
When you come to Danang Train Station that is the closest station to Hoi An, you need to hire a car to transfer to Hoi An City. Renting a car is cheaper than using a taxi because this distance is a long drive. Booking a private car is strongly recommended to welcome you and go fast.
For using a train from Hoi An to Hue, you need to go the opposite way. Take a car from Hoi An to Danang train station; then, train to Hue City.
It is because the nearest train station to Hoi An is in Da Nang city. Thus, you can find here is the time of trains from Hue to Da Nang Station and vice versa.
2. Travel from Hue to Hoi An on the windy roads by car
You can choose plenty of routes from Hue to Hoi An and vice versa for your journey. It depends on your time and favorite travel style, you will select a suitable way for you.
If you do not have time and just need a direct transfer, then you will select the shortest distance as we mentioned above.
And, here are the interesting routes for you who want to explore beautiful settings of nature and culture of Central Vietnam.
2.1: Coastal drive Hue to Hoi An via QL49
The coastal drive from Hue to Hoi An is considered as one of the most beautiful drives in Central Vietnam. This route takes you through the unique combination of rural, mountainous, and coastal settings.
This drive is not the shortest way but you have a chance to see the most attractive landscape along the coast and life in the countryside.
The details of the coastal drive from Hue to Hoi An:
You depart from your hotel in Hue City to start scenic drive to Hoi An Ancient City, which used to be the most active trading center and has become a well-known tourist place in Vietnam.
Option1: Quick look on this route: Hue City – QL49 – Thuan An Beach – Tu Hien Bridge – Phuoc Tuong Tunnel – Lang Co Beach – Hai Van Pass – Linh Ung Pagoda – Marble Mountains – Hoi An Ancient City.
Map of the route from Hue to Hoi An via QL49:This drive will take you through the tranquil countryside and huge paddy-fields. You will have a lot of chances to stop for nice photos at the beaches of Thuan An and Lang Co Bay.
Do not forget to take a few minutes at Tu Hien Bridge where the lagoons and ocean meet each other. You will find great views at this estuary.
After that, we drive over the Hai Van Pass, Ocean-Cloud pass (on dry days), where the sea meets clouds. Standing on the top of the pass, you will have a chance to enjoy a large perfect photo of Nature and also visit some bunkers- the war relics left.
Continue following the coasts to Linh Ung pagoda. This pagoda is one of three famous religious sites with a tall lady-Buddha statue. You have a good chance to enjoy the vast sea and the panorama of Da Nang City from this location.
After that, explore the Marble Mountains, a series of large marble outcrops which acquired mythical significance over the centuries. The caves of the Marble Mountains have many sacred Buddhist shrines. Travelers can enjoy the lovely beach and great views from the Marble Mountains across the surrounding countryside.
You come back to the car and drive to your hotel in Hoi An Ancient City.
This driving route takes you more time and money than travel on Highway 1. But, this drive is worth spending your time and finance. I am lucky to have many times to drive with friends and family along this route. If you want to do it, Vietnamdrive will offer you a private car and an English-speaking driver, then you will spend great experience on this route.
2.2: Hue to My Son Sanctuary via Highway 1 (QL1A)
The route from Hue to Hoi An via My Son Estuary gives you the historical images and the beautiful countryside of Central Vietnam with lovely settings of nature on the way.
Option2: Quick look on this route: Hue City – Lang Co Bay – Hai Van Pass – My Son Sanctuary – Hoi An City.
From Hue City, you drive on the National Highway 1A through the countryside with rice fields, mountains, the lagoons, and the passes.
Stop taking pictures of Lang Co Bay, which is one of the best thirty bays in the world. The drive will continue to go over Hai Van pass – Sea Cloud Pass (if it is dry, it is nice). Do not miss getting nice photos at the top of this pass. And, relax to take a cup of coffee in the cloud that is one of the wonderful experiences.
Then, we follow QL1A to drive through Da Nang city, which is the fourth biggest city in Vietnam, to head to My Son Sanctuary.
Take a rest after a long drive will help you re-enrich energy. If you feel hungry, a bowl of My Quang (Quang noodle) is one of good choice.
Start visiting the old temples and towers of My Son Holy Land. The time is recommended to spend there from 1.5 to 2 hours to explore their beauty. After this, you will drive to Hoi An Ancient Town to relax. Total time is estimated on the average 8:30 am – 4:00 pm.
If you want to check the price for the driving route with a private car, the cost includes Selected modern car, professional driver, parking fee, toll, and petrol.
| Type of Car | 4 seats | 7 seats | 16 seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rate ($) & (1,000VND) | 99 = 2,280 | 129 =2,970 | 149 = 3,430 |
| Max of guests | 3 | 4 | 8 |
2.3. The moutainous route from Hue to Hoi An via QL14
The mountainous route to Hoi An from Hue can be considered as the longest way to travel for 2 days.
Option 3: Quick look on this route: Hue – Hien Huong Bridge – Vinh Moc Tunnels – Khe Sanh – Dak Rong Bridge – QL14 – Hoi An.
Map from Hue to Hoi An to travel on QL14:Day 1: Hue City to Vinh Moc Tunnels in Quang Tri
You do not travel directly from Hue City to Hoi An. Start head to the north and visit historical sites left in Quang Tri Province during the first day.
A lot of popular sites that can make you curious include Vinh Moc Tunnels where many local people lived underground to escape from bombs; Hien Luong Bridge and Ben Hai River that are the border separated Vietnam into two parts during the war in Vietnam (1954- 1975); and Khe Sanh Combat base which is on the top of the hill of Truong Son Range, this base was an area the US army used to control a wide range of the 17th Paralleled border.
Spend one night at the village near Khe Sanh. Although you cannot find luxury services at Lao Bao, it is a different way to explore Vietnamese culture.
Day 2: Drive to Hoi An on QL14
This driving route goes through the mountains. On this distance, you can see the minority groups living in the mountains and green trees.
Highway 14 (also called Highway 14A or QL14) starts from Km 0 at Da Krong Bridge (Da Krong District, Quang Tri Province) to Km 980 + 000, which is the intersection with Highway 13 at the junction of Chon Thanh town (Chon Thanh district, Binh Phuoc province). There are many sections of national Highway 14 coinciding with Ho Chi Minh roads. QL14 runs through the territories of Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam, Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, and Binh Phuoc.
As the arterial road linking the provinces along the Truong Son Mountains, and connecting the Central Highlands with the North Central and Southeast of Vietnam, QL 14 is the second-longest highway in Vietnam, after Highway 1A.
But, today you just drive one short part of highway 14 to Quang Nam. Then, turn to Hoi An Ancient Town. Despite driving on the short distance of QL14, the total drive of this day is about 300 km. Thus, most of the time is in the car while you can see and stop to take pictures of the views of the green forests for a while.