Central cities like Hue, Hoi An, and Da Nang are essential stops for anyone looking to put together a Vietnam itinerary, as each of these cities highlights the different elements of what makes Vietnam so special, with travel website Road Affair suggesting a dizzying number of ways to enjoy the trip.
Hai Van Pass is a famous mountainous pass on Vietnam’s Central Coast, with the area being renowned for its winding roads and exceptional scenery. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Travel by train is the first choice for the trip, with trains travel from Da Nang to Hue along the rail route that stretches from Ho Chi Minh City in the south all the way up to Hanoi in the north.
However, there is no train station at Hoi An, meaning visitors will first need to reach Da Nang. According to the schedule, trains take from 2.5 to three hours depending on the service, the website wrote.
As in many places in Southeast Asia, the cheapest way to get between Hoi An or Da Nang and Hue is by bus. The bus trip takes four to five hours leaving from Hoi An and three to 3.5 hours out of Da Nang, meaning an overnight bus isn’t necessary.
Taking a taxi or a private car is by far the quickest option for those traveling the 126km distance from Hoi An to Hue.
This is also the most comfortable way to experience the Hai Van Pass. A famous mountainous pass on Vietnam’s Central Coast, with the area being renowned for its winding roads and exceptional scenery, Road Affair recommended.
Travelling by motorbike is the fourth option for the trip. The best way to experience the Hai Van Pass is by motorbike. On the back of a bike, travelers are able to feel every twist and turn in the road, all the while staring out at the legendary 21km-long mountain pass. They can also stop and go as they want, meaning they can spend as long there as they like.
In certain cases, flying can also be a really affordable and useful way of getting around Vietnam, although not so in this case.
According to Road Affair, there are no direct flights for this route, meaning it’s really not practical to fly such a short distance. Travelers need to connect through either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, meaning flights would take at least four hours on a good connection.
Booking a tour is the easiest way to get from either Hoi An or Da Nang to Hue.
Each way has its own unique benefits and drawbacks, so it’s really up to travelers to decide which best suits them and their trip, the travel website concluded.