60km with 6 People, Da Nang to Hoi An (Vietnam Heat) #30

In this vlog, I cycle from Da Nang to Hoi An with friends, it's one of Vietnam’s most famous UNESCO World Heritage sites. The ride itself isn’t exactly glamorous — it’s a straightforward four-lane road that connects the two cities — but the fun came from the people I was with. Along the way, I picked up my Slovakian friend Viliam and my Scottish friend Mark, and once we reached Hoi An, we met up with a British and American couple. It turned into a great day of cycling, laughs, and food.

🚴 Cycling the Route – Da Nang to Hoi An

The distance between Da Nang and Hoi An is roughly 30 kilometers (18 miles), and the ride takes about 90 minutes to two hours at a relaxed pace. The route isn’t a scenic coastal path or a countryside trail; it’s a busy four-lane road used by cars, buses, and motorbikes. You’ll pass a mix of local shops, roadside businesses, and stretches of highway.

It’s not a ride you do for the views — it’s a ride you do for the challenge, the fitness, and the fun of arriving in Hoi An on your own steam. The best part was the company. Riding in a group, joking along the way, and pushing through the traffic together made it feel less like a slog and more like an adventure.

If you’re planning to cycle this route yourself, I’d recommend going earlier in the day before traffic builds up, keeping hydrated, and remembering that in Vietnam, the journey is often about the people you share it with, not just the road itself.

🏯 Hoi An – UNESCO World Heritage Town

Arriving in Hoi An Ancient Town always feels rewarding. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hoi An is one of the best-preserved examples of a trading port in Southeast Asia. The old town is full of narrow streets, colorful lanterns, and buildings that show influences from Chinese, Japanese, and European architecture.

There’s so much to do here, including:

Visiting the Japanese Covered Bridge, one of Hoi An’s most famous landmarks.
Strolling through the lantern-lit streets in the evening.
Taking a boat ride on the Thu Bon River.
Trying local specialties like Cao Lau noodles and White Rose dumplings.
Browsing the tailor shops for custom clothing.
Checking out An Bang Beach just outside the town if you want a mix of culture and coast.

Exploring the town with friends made it even more memorable. The atmosphere at night, when the lanterns light up and the streets come alive, is something you can’t really experience anywhere else in Vietnam.

🏙️ Da Nang vs. Hoi An – Expats and Lifestyle

This trip also reminded me of the differences between Da Nang and Hoi An, even though they’re less than an hour apart.

Da Nang is modern, busy, and has a strong expat scene. It’s full of conveniences like malls, international restaurants, coworking spaces, and nightlife. It’s the kind of place where you can settle long-term with easy access to both local and Western comforts. The beaches are huge, and the city feels like it’s always growing.

Hoi An, on the other hand, is quieter and more traditional. The expat community is smaller, and the pace of life is much slower. Instead of skyscrapers and shopping centers, you get historic streets, riverside cafes, and a more intimate vibe. What it lacks in modern convenience, it makes up for with charm and culture.

For many people, Da Nang is where they choose to live, and Hoi An is where they go to escape for the weekend. The contrast between the two is part of what makes central Vietnam such an interesting place to explore.

Cycling from Da Nang to Hoi An wasn’t about the scenery — it was about the experience. Sharing the road with friends, tackling the four-lane stretch together, and arriving in one of the most iconic towns in Vietnam made it worthwhile. Hoi An’s mix of history, food, and atmosphere never gets old, and spending the day there was the perfect reward after the ride.

If you’re visiting central Vietnam, I recommend giving the ride a try at least once. It’s not glamorous, but it’s memorable — and you’ll appreciate Hoi An even more when you arrive by bicycle.

#expat #vietnam #british