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

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.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Linh Ung Pagoda30m · entry included
2. Lady Buddha20m · entry included
3. Hoi An Ancient Town2h · entry included
4. Japanese Covered Bridge20m · entry included
5. Cantonese Assembly Hall20m · entry included
6. Phung Hung Ancient House20m · entry included

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

The experience

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.

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.

Options for this experience

4 options

Departing from central Danang (meal not included)Guide in English · 13:00Pickup from the Danang city center includes pick up and drop off at your residence in Danang city center, a friendly, enthusiastic English-speaking tour guide, and entry/admission tickets for the Marble Mountains and Hoi An Ancient Town. Pickup is included.

Departing from central DanangGuide in English · 13:00Pickup from the Danang city center includes pick up and drop off at your residence in Danang city center, a friendly, enthusiastic English-speaking tour guide, and entry/admission tickets for the Marble Mountains and Hoi An Ancient Town, plus dinner featuring a Hoi An local specialty. Pickup is included.

Departing from central Hoi An (meal not included)Guide in English · 13:00Pickup from the Hoi An city center includes pick up and drop off at your residence in Hoi An city center, a friendly, enthusiastic English-speaking tour guide, and entry/admission tickets for the Marble Mountains and Hoi An Ancient Town. Pickup is included.

Departing from central Hoi AnGuide in English · 13:00Pickup from the Hoi An city center includes pick up and drop off at your residence in Hoi An city center, a friendly, enthusiastic English-speaking tour guide, and entry/admission tickets for the Marble Mountains and Hoi An Ancient Town, plus dinner in Hoi An featuring a Hoi An local specialty. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 13:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (10 to 80 years) · Youth (5 to 9 years) · Child (under 5): free

GroupUp to 21

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Dacotours Co.,Ltd

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (5 to 9 years); Child (under 5): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

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.

Does this tour run daily?

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