Hai Van Pass Motorbike Tour: Hue, Da Nang & Hoi An with Local Lunch

Summary

Ride Vietnam’s wild coast on two wheels with local stories and sea air

You’ll ride pillion on a motorbike from Hue to Hoi An (or reverse) along Vietnam’s legendary Hai Van Pass with an experienced local guide. Expect fresh seafood lunch at Lang Co Beach, a dip in mountain pools at Dream Waterfall, coffee stops overlooking lagoons, and stories shared between winding roads and marble caves. It’s not just scenery — it’s laughter and little surprises you’ll carry home.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the smell — that mix of salt and exhaust as we zipped out of Hue, my backpack strapped behind me and our guide, Minh, grinning in the rearview mirror. The city faded fast; suddenly it was just rice paddies and skinny cows, with the morning haze still clinging low. Minh pointed out a fisherman mending his nets by Tam Giang Lagoon — I waved back, but he was busy untangling something stubborn. We stopped for coffee somewhere quiet (I never caught the name), green tea poured into tiny glasses while scooters buzzed past like dragonflies. The salted coffee tasted weird at first but then sort of made sense with the humidity.

I didn’t expect to swim that day, but at Dream Waterfall Minh just handed me a towel and said “Go on!” The water was cold enough to make me squeal — he laughed so hard I almost slipped on a rock. There were kids splashing around, their moms perched nearby under umbrellas, gossiping in Vietnamese. My hands smelled like river stones all afternoon after that. Lunch was at Lang Co Beach: plastic chairs in the sand, grilled fish straight from the bay, and sunlight bouncing off everything so bright I had to squint. I think I ate more than anyone else at the table.

The Hai Van Pass itself… well, you hear about it but nothing prepares you for how it feels with your knees hugging a motorbike while clouds drift across the road ahead. Minh slowed down for every curve so I could look — sea on one side, mountains pressing in on the other. He told stories about old border gates and pointed out bomb craters hidden by grass (I’d have missed them). At Marble Mountains later, my legs wobbled from climbing stone steps but there were monks chanting inside cool caves and incense curling up toward cracks of sunlight overhead. Somewhere between Da Nang’s Dragon Bridge and Hoi An’s lanterns flickering on dusk, I realized my hair was full of salt and dust — but honestly? That felt right.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Motorbike tour from Hue to Hoi An

• Pick up from location
• Visit Tam Giang Lagoon
• Stop at Suoi Mo (Dream) Waterfall
• Lunch at Lang Co Beach
• Ride through Hai Van Pass
• Visit Hai Van Quan gate
• Pass Dragon Bridge in Da Nang
• Explore Marble Mountains
• Drop off at location

Top questions

How long does the Hai Van Pass motorbike tour take?

The tour lasts about 8 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Is lunch included during this motorbike tour?

Yes, lunch is included at Lang Co Beach with fresh seafood options.

Can I swim during this tour?

Yes, there is time for swimming in natural pools at Dream Waterfall or Nhi Ho Waterfall.

Are entrance fees covered?

All entrance tickets and parking fees are included in your booking.

Will my luggage be transferred?

Your luggage can be carried on the back of the motorbike (up to 100 liters per backpack).

What type of motorbikes are used?

The guides drive manual motorcycles ranging from 125cc to 155cc.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes, hotel pickup or drop-off is provided depending on your route.

Which attractions are visited during the tour?

You’ll stop at Tam Giang Lagoon, Dream Waterfall, Lang Co Beach, Hai Van Pass, Dragon Bridge in Da Nang, and Marble Mountains.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup or drop-off depending on your route choice; an English-speaking local guide driving a 125-155cc motorcycle; fuel; international safety-standard helmet; rain gear if needed; all entrance fees and parking; coffee or green tea stops; bottled water; swimming time at Dream Waterfall or Nhi Ho Waterfall; seafood lunch right by Lang Co Beach; plus luggage transfer strapped safely behind you as you ride south (or north) along Vietnam’s most famous coastal road.