Da Nang & Hoi An: Marble Mountains, Lady Buddha & Ancient Town Day Trip

Summary

Marble caves, Lady Buddha’s gaze and Hoi An’s golden glow

You’ll wander incense-scented pagodas above Da Nang, meet stone carvers at Marble Mountains, and drift through Hoi An’s lantern-lit streets by evening. With local stories guiding you from Lady Buddha’s calm gaze to riverside markets and dinner included, this day trip brings Central Vietnam’s spirit alive in small moments you’ll remember long after.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the first thing I’d notice at Linh Ung Pagoda to be the smell — incense hanging in the air, mixed with a salty breeze from the sea below. Our guide, Thao, waved us over to this spot where you could see all of Da Nang laid out like a painting. She told us locals come here every full moon to pray for peace. The Lady Buddha statue looked impossibly tall up close (I had to squint just to see her face), and I caught myself whispering just because it felt right. There were old women in conical hats lighting sticks of incense and laughing softly together — that sound sticks with me.

We drove out past green rice fields and then stopped at a stone carving village by the Marble Mountains. It was loud — hammers on stone, bits of marble dust floating in the sun. One of the craftsmen grinned when I tried to say “đẹp” (beautiful) about his work; he corrected my pronunciation and then gave me a tiny carved turtle as a joke. Climbing up Marble Mountain itself was sweaty work but worth it for those cool caves where everything echoed. Thao pointed out carvings hidden in the shadows — gods, dragons, things I wouldn’t have noticed if she hadn’t slowed us down.

By late afternoon we reached Hoi An Ancient Town just as the light started turning gold. Lanterns everywhere, even before sunset — it almost felt staged but somehow wasn’t. We wandered through narrow alleys past yellow walls and wooden doors so old they creaked when touched. At the Japanese Covered Bridge, Thao explained its story while a group of kids ran across yelling something about ice cream (I think). Dinner was simple: noodles with herbs I still can’t name and something sweet wrapped in banana leaf. I’m not sure if it was the food or just being tired-happy, but everything tasted better than usual.

I still think about walking along the river after dark — lanterns floating on water, people talking quietly or singing somewhere nearby. The whole day felt like slipping into someone else’s life for a while. If you’re looking for a day trip from Da Nang that actually feels lived-in (not just posed for photos), this one surprised me more than I expected.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Da Nang and Hoi An cultural tour

• Pick up from Da Nang hotels
• Visit Linh Ung Pagoda
• See Lady Buddha statue
• Explore local Stone Carving Village
• Discover Marble Mountains caves and pagodas
• Tour Hoi An Ancient Town
• Visit Japanese Covered Bridge
• Explore Cantonese Assembly Hall
• Visit Phung Hung Ancient House
• Free time at Hoi An Night Market

Top questions

How long does this Da Nang & Hoi An day trip take?

The tour starts around 1:30pm with hotel pickup in Da Nang and lasts until after dinner in Hoi An, returning later in the evening.

Is hotel pickup included for this Marble Mountains tour?

Yes, two-way hotel transfers are included for guests staying in Da Nang city center.

What is included for dinner on this Hoi An Ancient Town tour?

Dinner features Vietnamese local cuisine; vegetarian options are available if requested when booking.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options are wheelchair accessible and suitable for most physical fitness levels.

Do we visit inside Marble Mountain caves?

Yes, you’ll explore ancient caves within Marble Mountains as part of the experience.

Are there guides who speak English on this tour?

An experienced English-speaking local guide leads the entire trip.

Can children join this day trip from Da Nang?

Children are welcome but must be accompanied by at least one adult during the tour.

Does this tour run daily?

Yes, it operates every day unless canceled due to poor weather conditions.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and drop-off at your Da Nang hotel by air-conditioned coach with a safe driver; guided visits through Linh Ung Pagoda, Lady Buddha statue, Marble Mountains’ caves and stone village; free time exploring Hoi An Ancient Town; bottled water throughout; travel insurance; plus dinner featuring Vietnamese local dishes (with vegetarian choices if needed) before heading back in the evening.