About the Ride from Hoi An to Hue
If there’s one thing you don’t want to forget on your trip from Hoi An to Hue, it’s your camera.
After strolling along the water at Hoi An’s Ancient Town and relaxing by An Bang Beach, prepare to go on a sightseeing adventure, capturing images of Hue’s imperial palaces and temples. You will have plenty of new snapshots to fill up your Instagram page, including what you will see along the way.
Taking a bus or minivan from Hoi An to Hue is the most convenient way to travel and will provide you with a magnificent scenic journey if you travel during sunlight. If you prefer comfort and affordability, check out the sleeper bus and sleeper train options.
It is 120 km (75 mi) from Hoi An to Hue, and it takes anywhere from 90 minutes to 4 hours to make the connection, depending on traffic and which type of travel method you choose.
What is the ride from Hoi An to Hue like?
It goes without saying that you’ll see more on your ride from Hoi An to Hue if you leave in the morning compared to at night when it’s dark.
If you like a scenic journey, grab a morning coffee, watch the sunrise over the Thu Bon River, and hop on the early bus or minivan. Alternatively, you can arrange a private vehicle pickup and have more power over your trip, allowing you to leave whenever you want.
After leaving Hoi An, you’ll come across plenty of roadside villages and rural towns on your way to Hue.
These rural parts of Vietnam are renowned for their rice production and are essential to the area’s income. You’ll appreciate Vietnam even more when you see firsthand how the countryside contrasts with the populated cities.
Incredible things to do in Hue
There is plenty of history to unpack when sightseeing around Hue:
Thien Mu Pagoda: This seven-story building is Hue’s most famous temple, built by Emperor Nguyen. It towers over the banks of the Song Huong River and can’t be missed no matter where you are in Hue. It has become an essential spiritual sanctuary for the locals and a symbol of Buddhism in the country.
Hue Citadel: This walled fortress is a must for history enthusiasts.
Khai Dinh Tomb: This tomb, which took 11 years to complete, commemorates Vietnam’s 12th emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty. It’s located on Chau Chu Mountain and is surrounded by beautiful architecture.
Noon Gate: Going through the main entrance to the Imperial City is the perfect way to kick off your vacation, especially if you enter after sunset when it’s all lit up.
Dong Ba Market: Dating back over 100 years, it is the perfect place to go to eat a traditional meal. Bring your appetite, Hue is famous for its bun bo Hue beef soup.
Taking a day trip out of Hue
Are you interested in learning more about the Vietnam War?
Check out the Vinh Moc Tunnels, an underground shelter stretching almost 2,000 meters. As the war raged outside, these tunnels served as a home for over 60 families during the 1960s. The beautiful city of Vinh Moc overlooks the South China Sea and is worth exploring. It takes about 2 hours to get to the tunnels from Hue.
There are no words to describe Bach Ma National Park; its breathtaking beauty speaks for itself. The park is just 48 km (30 mi) southeast of Hue. The elevation reaches 4,757 feet (1,450 meters), providing plenty of activities for locals and tourists, including hiking trails through the mountains, swimming in the waterfalls, and touring opportunities to see the crumbling villas.
There’s a wealth of wildlife here, including langur monkeys, muntjac deer, and pheasants.
Transportation from Hoi An to Hue
Ready to book your trip? There are four primary ways to make the connection:
Taking a bus to Hue
Buses are an affordable way to travel from Hoi An to Hue and take 3.5 to 4.5 hours.
They’re also convenient with many daily departures, so you don’t have to worry about missing a connection.
Please note that amenities vary by provider.
Different bus options:
Standard: Prices start at $15, A/C included, WiFi and reclining seats on some providers, one 20 kg passenger per bag.
Sleeper bus: Prices start at $8, A/C included, luggage requirements vary by provider, cancellations not allowed after purchase of tickets
Luxury sleeper: Prices start at $12, A/C included, blankets, charger, reclining seats, toilet stops, one bag up to 20 kg per passenger, and free cancellation up to 48 hours before departure.
VIP sleeper bus: Prices start at $9, A/C included, WiFi, TV, blanket, food and drinks available, cancellations not allowed after purchase of tickets.
Taking a train
All trains from Hoi An to Hue are direct and take approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Not only are they quick, but they are also extremely affordable. Additionally, all departures leave Da Nang Train Station and arrive at Hue Train Station. So, if you take a train, you’ll need to find transportation from Hoi An to Da Nang.
You can take a morning or afternoon train or even a sleeper train if you prefer to maximize your time and catch some sleep.
All trains are split into first and second class and include a sleeper option. The following amenities are usually included:
Hoi An to Hue by minivan
Minivans are another affordable way to travel. All minivans take approximately three hours to travel from Hoi An to Hue.
Amenities vary by provider, but all the minivans have A/C. Some provide WiFi, chargers and free cancellation. Prices start at $12, and there are multiple departures per day.
The luggage allowance is one bag per passenger with a limit of 20 kg.
There are different departure locations, so be sure to check your ticket.
The VIP Minivan by Viet Nam Travel Bus takes a bit of a scenic approach by driving through the Hải Vân Pass. They also incorporate a 15-minute sightseeing stop at Lăng Cô Bay.
Traveling from Hoi An to Hue by car
Arranging a private car pickup is extremely convenient and can get you to Hue within 2.5-3.5 hours, depending on traffic.
All cars have air conditioning and can pick you up from your hotel.
Prices start from $31
Departures begin at 06:00 and end at 21:00
Dropoff is at any hotel in the Hue city center
Maximum passengers range from 2-6, depending on the type of vehicle requested
Luggage varies by provider
Stops are by request
When is the best time to travel to Hue?
For the most pleasant weather, visit Hue between January and May, especially for walking or hiking. Temperatures in the afternoons during this time of year vary from the mid-70s to upper-80s°F (25 to 31°C), with the winter months providing a little more chill during the night.
If you’re looking to avoid crowds, book in April or May.
From June through August, the heat can be an issue; temperatures can rise above 90°F (32°C) with warm, humid nights.
The rainy season doesn’t really pick up until September.