Hoi An to Hai Van Pass: Motorbike Day Tour, Waterfall & Marble Mountains

Summary

Windy curves, mountain air and seaside roads from Hoi An

You’ll ride from Hoi An over Hai Van Pass by motorbike with a local guide who knows every curve and coffee stop. Expect cool mountain air, Buddhist caves at Marble Mountains, a swim under Suối Mơ Waterfall, and lunch by Lăng Cô Beach before looping back home with new stories stuck in your head.

What’s the experience like?

“You ready for the best coffee in Vietnam?” That’s what Mr. T grinned as we pulled off the main road just outside Hoi An. I was still shaking off the morning humidity, helmet hair everywhere, but that first sip hit different — smoky, strong, almost chocolatey. The motorbikes were lined up by a roadside shack with plastic chairs, and you could hear distant horns and someone frying something crispy behind us. I kept thinking, this is the real start of our day trip from Hoi An to Hai Van Pass — not some fancy tour bus thing.

The ride itself was wild — in a good way. Our guide (I never did get his real name, everyone just called him Mr. T) pointed out tiny shrines tucked into the green hills and slowed down so we could catch glimpses of fishing boats on the lagoon. The air changed as we climbed higher; it got cooler and tasted like salt and pine needles mixed together. At one point we stopped at Hai Van Quan — there’s old French bunkers up there, all battered concrete and weeds poking through cracks. You can see Da Nang city glimmering far below if the clouds shift right. I didn’t expect to feel so small up there.

We zigzagged down toward Marble Mountains next — “Ngu Hanh Son,” Mr. T said patiently while I tried (and failed) to pronounce it right. The caves inside Water Mountain smelled faintly of incense and damp stone; monks passed us quietly in faded robes while sunlight cut through gaps above Buddha statues. There’s a spot halfway up where you can look out over rice fields and rooftops all the way to the sea — I still think about that view sometimes when things get noisy back home.

Lunch happened by Lăng Cô Beach — fresh fish, rice, something green I couldn’t name but ate anyway because it was salty-sweet and perfect after swimming at Suối Mơ Waterfall earlier (the water cold enough to wake you up for real). Locals waved as they walked past our table; one little kid tried to teach me how to say “thank you” in Vietnamese but mostly just laughed at my accent. We ended the loop back toward Hoi An as dusk crept in, tired but not bored for a second — honestly I wish we’d stopped even more along those village roads.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hai Van Pass and Coastal Exploration

• Visit Hai Van Pass and Hai Van Quan
• Stop for coffee and photos at pass peak
• Explore Marble Mountains and learn Buddhism
• Relax and swim at Suối Mơ Waterfall
• Lunch at Lang Co Beach
• Visit Lập An Lagoon and see oyster farming
• Photo stop at Dragon Bridge in Da Nang
• Drop off at preferred location

Top questions

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

The tour lasts one full day with multiple scenic stops before returning to Hoi An or Da Nang.

Is hotel pickup included for this motorbike tour?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are included anywhere in Hoi An or Da Nang.

Do I need experience riding a motorbike?

No experience needed; you can ride pillion (passenger) or self-ride if comfortable.

What are the main stops on this day trip?

You’ll visit Hai Van Pass, Marble Mountains (Water Mountain), Suối Mơ Waterfall, Lăng Cô Beach, Lap An Lagoon, and Dragon Bridge.

Is lunch provided on this tour?

Yes, lunch is included at Lăng Cô Beach with options for various diets (vegan/vegetarian/pescatarian).

Can I swim during this tour?

Yes, there’s time for swimming at Suối Mơ Waterfall and Lăng Cô Beach if you want.

Are drinks included during the trip?

Coffee, water, and soft drinks are offered throughout the day at stops.

Is this suitable for families or kids?

The tour is suitable for most fitness levels but not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from anywhere in Hoi An or Da Nang, all transportation by motorbike (either as rider or passenger), entry fees to Marble Mountains and other sites along the way, plenty of drinks including local coffee and soft drinks at stops, plus a fresh lunch by Lăng Cô Beach before heading back in the evening.