The riverside town of Hue is one of Vietnam’s most charming and enchanting destinations. With countless temples, the Imperial City, royal tombs, an abandoned waterpark and a chilled-out vibe, it’s a great place to spend a few days. Because Hue is close to Da Nang, lots of tourists travel from Da Nang to Hue every single day.
For the short 93km (58 mile) jaunt to Hue from Da Nang, you have four easy options:
All journeys are comfortable, simple and easy to undertake.
As you depart coastal Da Nang, your ride will hug the coast for a little while, giving you some great views of Vietnam’s shimmering shorelines to your east.
As you make your way towards Hue from Da Nang, your journey will move inland, as you approach the quaint riverside setting of Hue.
But the big attraction here is the iconic Hai Van Pass. One of Vietnam’s most famous stretches of road, the Hai Van Pass is a 20-kilometer mountain pass which sits between Da Nang and Hue at an elevation of 500 meters.
For many tourists, this pass is one of Vietnam’s highlights. If you want to see the pass, you should travel by train, private minivan or private car. By train, you don’t travel on the pass itself (since the pass is on a road!), but you get pretty much the same views.
If you ride in a private vehicle, you can request to travel via the route which traverses the pass, and you can request stops whenever and wherever you like, to take endless selfies at one of Vietnam’s most iconic sights.
If you travel by road in a non-private vehicle, your vehicle may take the more convenient tunnel route, instead of driving over the pass itself.
Taking a bus
Buses are an excellent and affordable way to get from Da Nang to Hue. Some buses have sleeper-style seats, while others offer standard seats.
Some buses have AC, blankets, power sockets, and English-speaking staff, but you should check with each individual provider for the perks offered on each specific journey.
None of the buses have toilets on board. Instead, they stop for toilet breaks along the way.
Taking a car
If you take a car from Da Nang to Hue, you must hire the entire car instead of buying a single seat. Though this can be pricey, it comes with great perks - you can choose your own route (and therefore travel on the Hai Van Pass!) and you can stop for photo opportunities whenever you like.
Some cars from Da Nang to Hue offer English-speaking drivers.
Taking a minivan
If you take a minivan from Da Nang to Hue, you can either purchase a single seat or hire the entire vehicle. If you hire the full vehicle, you can choose your own route and stop whenever you like.
Some minivans from Da Nang to Hue offer WiFi, power sockets, blankets and English-speaking staff.
Taking a train
Taking a train to Hue from Da Nang is a great adventure. Though it doesn’t take you over the actual Hai Van Pass road, it brings you very close, and the views are equally spectacular. If you want an affordable guarantee of seeing the Hai Van Pass views, a train is the best pick.
Different train tickets offer different levels of comfort, but all trains have onboard toilets.
The Hai Van Pass is a combination of hairpin bends, spectacular views of coast and clouds, unique adventure and a lot of history.
Read moreLooking to visit Hue, Vietnam? We explore the history of Hue, outlining the heritage and key places to visit in the former capital.
Read moreA lesser-known town in Vietnam, Hue offers a wide range of experiences that draw inspiration from its history, culture and bountiful nature.
Read moreBookaway's customers prefer VIP Minivan by Huong Giang Limousine
VIP Minivan 9 PAX by Angel Touristwhich usually takes 30m
BUS: Hue Tourist | The Sinh Tourist | Queen Cafe Bus | Hanh Cafe | An Phu Travel
MINIVAN: HAV Travel | Angel Tourist | Huong Giang Limousine | Hoang Duc Limousine
TRAIN: Violette Trains | Vietnam Railways
CAR: Hoi An Express | Hue Happy Travel | Huracars
78 Km (Air)
Second Class Train by Vietnam Railways starting at US$6
Approximately, there are 39 departures each day. You can also book a private ride and leave whenever you want.