Hai Van Pass Motorbike Tour: Marble Mountains, Lang Co & Local Lunch

Summary

Ride Vietnam’s wild coast past waterfalls, bridges & secret beaches

You’ll ride Vietnam’s legendary Hai Van Pass by motorbike with a local guide, stopping at Thanh Toan Bridge, Lập An Lagoon, Lang Co Beach for lunch, and Marble Mountains for cave exploring. Expect roadside coffee breaks, stories from your driver, and time to swim or just watch fishermen work — all with hotel pickup included.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — I nearly chickened out at the last minute. The sky over Da Nang looked moody and I hadn’t been on a motorbike since college. But Mister T just grinned, handed me a helmet, and said “No rain, no story!” So off we went, weaving through the early morning traffic with that nervous-excited feeling in my stomach. The first stop was Thanh Toan Bridge near Hue — there were old women selling sticky rice and one of them winked at me when I tried (badly) to say hello in Vietnamese. The bridge itself is this wooden arch with dragon carvings and a kind of sleepy hush around it. Our guide explained how families still use it for worship; I liked that detail.

The real thrill kicked in as we started up the Hai Van Pass. It’s famous for its hairpin turns and those wild views — you’ve probably seen it on Top Gear. Mist clung to the jungle hills, then suddenly everything opened up: mountains on one side, ocean on the other. We stopped so many times for photos I lost count (sorry Mister T). There was this tiny roadside café at the top where we drank coffee so strong my hands shook. He told us about old French bunkers nearby and pointed out where American soldiers had camped — history layered right into the rocks.

Somewhere between the pass and Lang Co Beach my nerves faded into pure joy. At Lập An Lagoon, fishermen in little boats tossed nets while water buffalo grazed along the shore. Lunch was fresh seafood by the sand — grilled clams with chili and salt that left my lips tingling. If you’re vegetarian or vegan they’ll sort you out too; someone else in our group was pescatarian and got her own plate of greens and tofu. We swam a bit at Lang Co (the water’s colder than it looks), then dried off under palm trees while Mister T told us about his childhood fishing here.

Last stop: Marble Mountains near Da Nang. Only Water Mountain is open for climbing but it’s enough — pagodas tucked into caves, incense smoke curling around Buddha statues, sunlight slanting through cracks in the rock. My legs were jelly by then but I didn’t care; there was something peaceful about wandering those stone steps with sandalwood scent everywhere. We ended back in Hoi An with helmet hair and sand stuck to our ankles — not glamorous but honestly perfect.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Da Nang and Hai Van Pass

• Visit Marble Mountains for trekking
• Stop at Dragon Bridge for photos
• Ride through Hai Van Pass
• Visit Hai Van Quan historical gate
• Enjoy coffee at Hai Van Pass peak
• Stop at Lập An Lagoon for views
• Relax and have lunch at Lang Co Beach
• Visit Suối Mơ Waterfall for a break
• Learn fishing at Tam Giang Lagoon
• Explore Thanh Toan Bridge and local culture
• Drop off at preferred location

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Hai Van Pass motorbike tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included from Hue, Da Nang or Hoi An.

Can vegetarians or vegans join this day trip?

Yes, vegetarian and vegan meal options are available if you let them know when booking.

How long does the day trip from Hue to Hoi An via Hai Van Pass take?

The full tour usually takes most of the day with plenty of stops along the route.

Do I need motorbike experience for this tour?

No experience needed — you can ride as a passenger (pillion) or drive yourself if you prefer.

What are some highlights along the Hai Van Pass route?

You’ll visit Thanh Toan Bridge, Tam Giang Lagoon, Dragon Bridge, Marble Mountains, Lập An Lagoon, Lang Co Beach & Suối Mơ Waterfall.

Is lunch included during the tour?

Yes, lunch is provided at Lang Co Beach with options based on your dietary needs.

Are helmets provided on this motorbike tour?

Yes, helmets are included for all riders and passengers.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Hue, Da Nang or Hoi An plus drop-off wherever you like after; all transport by private vehicle or motorbike; an experienced local driver-guide (Mister T himself); use of helmet; stops at Marble Mountains, Thanh Toan Bridge, Tam Giang Lagoon and more; plus a fresh local lunch tailored to your dietary needs before heading home sandy but happy.