Da Nang: Marble Mountains, Coconut Forest & Hoi An Day Trip

Three stops in one day: limestone caves, spinning boats, and lantern streets in Da Nang

You climb through Marble Mountains caves and pagodas in the early morning, then basket boat through a coconut forest with local fishermen, eat a traditional Vietnamese lunch, and spend the afternoon wandering Hoi An's lantern-lit streets and visiting the Japanese Covered Bridge. Hotel pickup and air-conditioned transport are included, so you don't arrange any of it yourself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Marble Mountains1h · entry included
2. Hoi An Ancient Town2h · entry included

Explore Marble Mountains and Hoi An

• Visit Marble Mountains caves and pagodas
• See handcrafted stone sculptures
• Ride basket boat in Coconut Forest
• Watch boat spinning and net casting
• Walk lantern-lit streets in Hoi An
• Visit Japanese Covered Bridge
• Enjoy Vietnamese dinner in Hoi An

The experience

Our guide Minh picked us up at the hotel at seven in the morning: no fuss, just a knock on the door and a smile. He'd worked the Marble Mountains route for eight years and knew exactly where the crowds would be thinnest. The drive from Da Nang takes about twenty minutes, and by the time we arrived, the five limestone hills were already glowing in the early light. We climbed past the stone carving village at the base, where artisans were already at their chisels, then up the narrow steps into the caves. The pagodas inside felt older than the stone itself, with incense smoke curling through the shafts of sunlight that cut down from above. Minh let us wander, didn't rush the moment. Just pointed out the viewpoint at the top where you can see all the way to Da Nang city and the coast beyond.

After two hours on the Marble Mountains, we headed to the Bay Mau Coconut Forest. This is the part that catches people off guard. You get into a traditional basket boat (it's round, woven, and genuinely bobbing on the water), and a local fisherman poles you through the narrow waterways between the palms. He showed us how the net casting works, the way the rope spirals out and lands flat, and then he actually let us try. I was terrible at it. He laughed, didn't make a big deal of it, and then spun the boat in a full circle just to show off. The forest is dense and quiet except for the water and the occasional call from other boats. It's not a performance. It's just how people move through here, and you're in it for maybe forty-five minutes.

Lunch came next, a Vietnamese meal at a local restaurant with Cao Lau and fried wonton, the kind of food that tastes different when you're eating it in the place it comes from. Vegetarian options were there if you needed them. Then the drive to Hoi An Ancient Town, another thirty minutes or so. By mid-afternoon, you're walking the lantern-lit streets, past the Japanese Covered Bridge and the merchant houses with their shuttered windows and faded paint. The night market was already setting up (silk lanterns, wooden crafts, the usual souvenirs), but Minh steered us toward the quieter lanes where the actual residents live. We had time to sit at a café and watch the town shift from day mode to evening mode, when the lanterns come on and the whole place turns amber. The return to Da Nang takes the same route back, arriving around seven or eight depending on traffic.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Da Nang.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the full day.
• entry to Marble Mountains with cave and pagoda access.
• basket boat ride through Bay Mau Coconut Forest with local fisherman.
• Vietnamese lunch including Cao Lau and fried wonton (vegetarian available).
• entry and walking time in Hoi An Ancient Town with access to the Japanese Covered Bridge.
• local guide for the entire itinerary.

Options for this experience

2 options

Without Marble MountainsGuide in English · 14:30This option skips Marble Mountains. Pickup is included.

With Marble MountainsGuide in English · 13:30This option covers a visit to Water Mountain at Marble Mountains. 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 dayDepartures at 13:30 and 14:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (9 and older) · Child (5 to 8 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by MyVietTrip

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want the three main sights around Da Nang in a single day without renting a car or timing the stops yourself. The fixed route means you see Marble Mountains, the coconut forest, and Hoi An without gaps or logistics to figure out.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 8 years); Infant (under 5).

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 is the full day tour?

The tour runs from early morning pickup until evening return, typically seven to eight hours of activity including driving time.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup, air-conditioned vehicle, basket boat ride, Vietnamese lunch, entry to Marble Mountains and Hoi An Ancient Town, and a local guide for the full day.

Do I need to be fit to climb the Marble Mountains?

The caves and pagodas involve climbing narrow steps and some uneven terrain. The pace is self-guided once you're there, so you can take breaks as needed.

Is the basket boat ride safe?

Yes. The boats are traditional and stable, used daily by local fishermen. Life jackets are typically available if requested.

Can I eat vegetarian on this tour?

Vegetarian meals are available for lunch. Let the operator know when you book.

What's the best time of day to visit Hoi An?

This tour arrives in mid-to-late afternoon, which is ideal: the crowds thin out and the lanterns light up as evening approaches.

Is there an extra charge on holidays?

Yes. An additional 100,000 VND per person applies on Dec 31–Jan 1, Apr 29–30, May 1–2, Dec 24–25, and Lunar New Year dates.