If your day trip starts with mountains, you know it’s going to be good. This Da Nang/Hoi An to Hue journey adds real hiking in Bach Ma National Park, plus famous views at Hai Van Pass and Lap An Lagoon. You get a transfer, a guided trail in a small group, and a picnic lunch without having to plan any of it yourself.

I like two things right away: the small group size (limited to 12), and the way the day mixes big scenery with actual nature stops. The included picnic lunch also matters here, because it breaks up a long 10–11 hour day with food in the middle of the adventure.

One consideration: this is a trekking day with steep sections and brook crossings, and it’s not suitable for pregnant women or anyone with heart problems. If you’re unsure about your stamina, it’s worth matching the trek to your comfort level before you book.

Key points to know before you go

• Hai Van Pass viewpoint instead of only the tunnel: you’ll travel the pass for the scenery.
• Lap An Lagoon breather stop: brackish lagoon views beside forest and beach.
• Ngu Ho (Five Lakes) trek: about 2 kilometers through the forest route.
• Do Quyen Waterfall trail: a steep hike up to a cliff waterfall around 300m high.
• Vong Hai Dai viewpoint (1,448m): highest point in Bach Ma National Park for panorama views.
• All-in-one transfer to Hue: you end in Hue with pickup and drop-off included.

Why this Bach Ma trek-transfer is a smart way to go Da Nang/Hoi An → Hue

Most people think of Hue as the next stop on the map: arrive, tour a few tombs, repeat. This version turns the drive from Da Nang or Hoi An into a full day with nature on purpose. You’re not just passing through central Vietnam. You’re using travel time for hiking and viewpoints.

The format also helps you enjoy the day without over-planning. You start with hotel pickup, then sightseeing along the coast, then check in at the Bach Ma National Park gate and hike with an English-speaking guide. By late afternoon, you’re back on your way and dropped at your Hue hotel.

The big value here is balance: you get both the signature scenic spots (Hai Van Pass, Lap An Lagoon) and the actual walking (Ngu Ho, Do Quyen, and the Vong Hai Dai high point). If you like days that move but still feel purposeful, this fits.

Price and what you actually get for $86 per person

At $86 per person, this is priced like a combined experience rather than just a transfer. You’re paying for a lot of “moving parts” that would be annoying to stitch together on your own: hotel pickup in Da Nang or Hoi An, transportation across Hai Van Pass toward Hue, and then guided time at Bach Ma National Park.

Included items matter for budget too:

• Pickup from Da Nang/Hoi An and drop-off at Hue hotel
• Picnic lunch
• English-speaking guide at Bach Ma National Park
• Bottle of water
• Entrance tickets
• Travel insurance
• Transportation

When you compare that to paying separately for transport + entrance + a guided hike, the $86 starts to look reasonable. The day also comes in at 10–11 hours, which is a full workday—so you’re basically buying one long, structured outing that handles the logistics.

Morning pickups at 6:30/7:00 and the scenic Hai Van Pass drive

The day starts early, on purpose. Pickup times are:

• 06.30am from Hoi An
• 07.00am from Da Nang

That early start is the trade: you get daylight for the coastal views and time to trek before late afternoon. It’s also why the schedule is so tight—there’s little room for slowing down once you’re on the move.

Then you head toward Hai Van Pass. There’s a nice detail in how this tour works: transportation usually crosses the pass through a tunnel, but here you go up the pass so you can enjoy the view. You’ll see great mountains, blue sky, and green forest stretching around the Truong Son mountain range between Hue and Da Nang.

Practical tip: this is one of those moments where you’ll be glad you’re not stuck behind a window with glare. If your vehicle has a better side for views, take a seat accordingly when you can.

Lap An Lagoon: the calm break between the pass and the park

After Hai Van Pass, you stop at Lap An Lagoon. This isn’t just a scenic photo stop. The lagoon is a large brackish area (about 800 hectares) in Hue province, beside the Bach Ma forest and Lang Co beach.

Why it’s worth your time: brackish water often supports different wildlife and aquatic plants than fresh or salt water alone. You’re getting a change of pace from pass viewpoints and heading toward the forest world of Bach Ma National Park.

It also acts like a rhythm reset. You’re moving from coastal driving to hiking, and Lap An Lagoon gives you a moment to slow your breathing and look around before the trail starts.

At the Bach Ma gate: check in for a small-group hike

Around 09.30am, you check in at the Bach Ma National Park gate and join the small group trekking tour with an English-speaking guide. The group limit is 12 participants, which usually keeps the hike more manageable—especially on narrower trails and at points where you want everyone to hear the guide.

This is the point where the day becomes about walking rather than sightseeing. You’re stepping into forest trails and heading toward the park’s highlights in a sequence designed to keep you moving up, then out to viewpoints.

Trek Stage 1: Ngu Ho (Five Lakes) and the easy win for swimmers

The first trekking segment is Ngu Ho (Five Lakes). The key detail is distance: it’s about 2 kilometers through the forest route to reach the series of five lakes.

This stage tends to be the most approachable part of the day because it’s designed as a steady walk, not a steep climb right away. It’s also the best place to go swimming. If the water is your thing, this is the moment to consider it—because later parts of the hike focus more on elevation and views than lingering at the shoreline.

Even if you don’t swim, it’s a great mental break. Lakes in a mountain forest feel quieter and more “earned” than a random scenic pond. This is the kind of stop where you naturally slow down and notice sounds—birds, wind through leaves, the small shifts in temperature as you move deeper into shade.

Trek Stage 2: Do Quyen Waterfall—steep trail, 300m payoff, and lunch with a view

After Ngu Ho, you continue to Do Quyen Waterfall. The waterfall drops from a steep cliff about 300m high, and the trail reflects that. Expect a rugged route with steep slopes and brook crossings.

That’s the part of the day where you need to be honest about your legs. If you’re thinking this is a casual stroll, it’s not. If you’re comfortable on uneven ground and can handle some climbing, you’ll probably find it exciting rather than stressful.

Then the day adds a great contrast. You get picnic lunch, and you can enjoy the view of the mountains while you eat. This is one of those practical touches that improves the whole experience: you’re not hustled straight through. You rest, fuel up, and take in the scenery from a more settled spot before the final stage.

Trek Stage 3: Vong Hai Dai (1,448m) for the highest-point panorama

The last trekking leg heads to Vong Hai Dai, described as an ideal panoramic viewpoint and the highest point in Bach Ma National Park at 1,448 meters.

This is where the day’s effort pays off visually. By the time you reach Vong Hai Dai, you’re no longer just walking between sights—you’re earning that wide view. You can look out over the park and surrounding mountain areas in a way that’s hard to get from the ground-level lakes.

If you like viewpoints more than waterfalls, Vong Hai Dai may feel like the main event. If you like waterfalls more, Do Quyen is your moment. Either way, the sequence is smart: you start closer to the forest lakes, build toward steeper terrain, then finish high.

Timing and pacing: what a full 10–11 hour day really feels like

The schedule runs long—ending around 4.00pm when you leave Bach Ma and drop back at Hue hotels. In practical terms, you’ll be on the move most of the day:

• Morning pickup and Hai Van Pass
• Lap An Lagoon stop
• Park check-in and guided trekking stages
• Picnic lunch
• Final viewpoint and return

The hike is structured, but the day still has a “don’t wander off” feel. You’re guided, you’re on a timetable, and you’re expected to keep up with the group. That’s not a bad thing—it’s part of why the experience works so well as a transfer day.

If you prefer slow, unstructured walking, you might feel rushed at times. If you like an itinerary that keeps you busy and gives you clear goals, this will feel satisfying.

What to bring (and what the included water helps with)

The tour includes a bottle of water and you get a picnic lunch, so you’re not walking into the park empty-handed. Still, I’d plan like a real hike day:

• Comfortable shoes with good grip (forest trails can be uneven)
• A light layer you can use during the trek
• Basic rain protection if you’re traveling in a wetter season
• Your swim decision for Ngu Ho—if you bring swim stuff, use the stage that’s meant for it

Also, since you’re starting early and finishing late, think about personal comfort more than sightseeing gear. This day is about moving through nature.

Who should book this Bach Ma trek-transfer (and who should skip it)

This is a good fit if you:

• Want a Da Nang/Hoi An to Hue day that’s more than sitting in a car
• Like guided walks in nature, with clear highlights
• Enjoy viewpoint time at high elevation spots like Vong Hai Dai
• Appreciate small-group touring (up to 12 participants)

It’s not a fit if you fall into the listed limits:

• Pregnant women
• People with heart problems
• Wheelchair users
• Over 150 kg / 331 lbs
• People over 70 years

If you’re somewhere in the middle—fit enough for hiking but unsure—be realistic about the terrain at Do Quyen Waterfall with steep slopes and brook crossings. That stage is the main test.

Should you book this Bach Ma National Park trekking experience?

I’d book it if you’re traveling from Da Nang or Hoi An to Hue and you want to turn that transfer day into a real nature outing. The combination of Hai Van Pass scenery, Lap An Lagoon, and a guided trek through Ngu Ho, Do Quyen Waterfall, and up to Vong Hai Dai makes the price feel earned.

Skip it if you dislike steep, rugged trails or you want a low-effort day. Also skip it if you’re in any of the “not suitable” groups listed—this itinerary is designed around active hiking.

If you match the hike to your comfort level, this is the kind of day trip that gives you stories you’ll still be telling after you’ve settled into Hue.

FAQ

What time is pickup from Hoi An?

Pickup from Hoi An is at 06.30am.

What time is pickup from Da Nang?

Pickup from Da Nang is at 07.00am.

When do you end the tour and get dropped off?

The tour ends around 4.00pm, and you’re dropped off at your Hue hotel.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You’ll have a picnic lunch during the trekking portion.

What sights are included besides the trek?

You’ll see Hai Van Pass and Lap An Lagoon, and then hike in Bach Ma National Park.

Do you get an English guide?

Yes. The tour includes an English-speaking tour guide at Bach Ma National Park.

How long is the tour?

The duration is 10–11 hours.

What’s included in the price?

Hotel pickup from Da Nang or Hoi An and drop-off at Hue, picnic lunch, English-speaking guide at Bach Ma National Park, bottle of water, travel insurance, entrance tickets, and transportation.

Who is this tour not suitable for?

It’s not suitable for pregnant women, people with heart problems, wheelchair users, people over 150 kg (331 lbs), or people over 70 years.

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