You have visited Hoi An and its Old Town, relaxed on the beach, experienced a cooking class and tasted delicious Vietnamese food, enjoyed a basket boat ride. What next? Discover the best day trips from Hoi An to the most famous surrounding areas. Spend the day exploring the nearby attractions and make the most of your trip to Hoi An.

My Son Sanctuary

My Son Sanctuary is a series of abandoned Hindu temples situated in Quang Nam. The Hindu ruins are believed to have been built anywhere from the 4th to 14th centuries. An Indianized kingdom of Cham people once ruled the land and the temples were for worshipping the god Shiva.

The ancient ruins are near the village of Duy Phu. It is also near the historic Champa city of Tra Kieu as the temples serve a fitting foreground for two mountain ranges situated behind them. The archaeological site is considered among the oldest in Indochina even though portions of it were lost during the devasting Vietnam War.

Cham Island

Cham Island is another important UNESCO World Heritage Site near Hoi An. The designation for protecting the nature reserve yet an increase in tourism has threatened the original intent. During your Hoi An day trip to Cham Island make sure you are mindful of the delicate terrain.

Cham Island consists of eight separate islands and the surrounding waters. The largest and only inhabited island of the bunch is Hon Lao. The other islands are Hon Kho, Hon Cu, Hon La, Hon Dai, Hon Tai, and Hon Lo. Bai Lang is the biggest village on the island network yet still tiny with just about 2,400 residents, while Bai Huong is another small village on the islands.

A Hoi An day trip from the islands greets you with traditional features of an island setting though the terrain may surprise you. Cham Island is largely mountainous with several intriguing rock formations that people with a passion for geology will thoroughly enjoy.

Cham Island is popular for snorkeling and diving. The calm summer months of June, July, and August are ripe for snorkeling. Diving is another common water activity.

Marble Mountains

The Marble Mountains are a cluster of five limestone and marble hills located in the Ngu Hanh Son District. Locals named the five mountains after different elements: Kim (metal), Moc (wood), Thuy (water), Hoa (fire), and Tho (earth).

The peculiar mountain range contains a series of cave entrance and tunnels with the option of summiting Mount Thuy. Buddhist sanctuaries are also evident around the Marble Mountains.

Tourists come to the Marble Mountains for sightseeing and outstanding photo opportunities. Hiking and other outdoor recreation are readily available in the mountainous region. It helps to hire the services of a local guide to make sure you don’t get lost, especially within its intricate underground tunnel system.

Keep in mind that Thuy Son is the only mountain open to visitors. A stairway leads to Buddhist and Hindu grottoes on the mountain and worth exploring as it leads to a panoramic view of the wilderness area. Other Hindu and Buddhist grottoes are in the region.

Tra Que Village

Tra Que Village is a quaint little community near the city limits of Hoi An. It makes for a short day trip and refuge from busier city life near the city center. Tra Que Village is like many rural communities in that it has a rich tradition with harvesting fruits and vegetables.

In fact, Tra Que receives its name after the sweet-scented vegetables used in many Vietnamese dishes. The hard-working people of Tra Que are evident on a day trip and make you appreciate the luxuries of Western Life.

The land of Tra Que is extraordinarily fertile and thriving with growth. Locals use seaweed to fertilize the land. Villagers plant a wide range of veggies such as lettuce and cabbage along with important herbs like coriander and basil. When you return to Hoi An in the evening and have a meal, you’ll likely have something in your dish that originates from Tra Que Village.

Cua Dai River

The Cua Dai River is an integral part of central Vietnam. See what it’s like living as a fisherman for the day on your Hoi An day trip. A guided tour of the Cua Dai River introduces you to scenic beauty and a peaceful float along the relaxing river.

Like many tours around Hoi An, you get to learn more about the special culture and traditions of the Vietnamese people. Whether you try your luck with fishing or not the relaxing experience will allow you to feel like you’ve escaped to another part of the world.

Take the opportunity to ask your guide more about local traditions and fishing rituals of the people. You’ll be surprised to learn how much information you can digest and how different other parts of the world are from your existence!

Tra Nhieu

Another opportunity to escape Hoi An for a day trip is Tra Nhieu. The rural village is also a fishing hub where you can learn more about the everyday lives of the people that call the area their home.

Bike tours offer you an exciting opportunity to tour the countryside on two wheels to get truly lost in the culture of the Vietnamese. The surrounding landscape is beautiful and well worth the visit if time allows.