Hoi An is about 347 km south of Phong Nha. A private car covers it in around 6 hours without long stops. The driver collects you at your hotel or homestay in Phong Nha and drops you at your hotel in Hoi An, or at the nearest point the car can reach if you are staying inside the Ancient Town’s walking zone. A sedan costs $143 for the whole car.
Many people book this transfer for the afternoon, straight after a cave tour, and arrive in Hoi An in the evening. Others leave early and turn the day into a road trip, with stops at the DMZ, Hue, Lang Co and the Hai Van Pass. Both are possible at the same car price. Our cars are 2023–2026 models with air-conditioning.
| Distance | About 347 km |
| Driving time | About 6 hours direct; 8–10 hours with stops |
| Price | From $143 per car, one way |
| Pick-up | Any hotel or homestay in the Phong Nha area |
| Drop-off | Your hotel in Hoi An (or nearest accessible point) |
| Free waiting | 60 minutes for stops on the way |
| Booking | 50% deposit, rest paid to the driver in Hoi An |
Mui Ne Private Car is run by Minh Khoi Tourism Co., Ltd., with 8+ years of private transfers in central and southern Vietnam. Reviews: GetYourGuide, 12Go, Google Maps.
Per car, one way, Phong Nha to Hoi An
| Vehicle | Passengers | Price (one way) |
|---|---|---|
|
|
1–3 | $143 |
|
|
1–4 | $155 |
|
|
1–5 | $160 |
|
|
1–12 | $182 |
The price covers the car, the driver, fuel, road tolls and parking. It is the same for one passenger or the maximum, and it does not change if you add stops.
Phong Nha – Dong Hoi – Dong Ha – Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An
The car drives to Dong Hoi first, then south on Highway 1 and the North–South Expressway through Quang Tri and Hue. After Hue it passes the Lap An Lagoon at Lang Co, crosses into Da Nang through the Hai Van Tunnel or over the Hai Van Pass, and continues the last 30 km along the coast road to Hoi An.
| Section | Distance (approx.) | Time (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Phong Nha → Dong Hoi | 45 km | 50–60 min |
| Dong Hoi → Hue | 170 km | 2.5–3 h |
| Hue → Da Nang | 100 km | 1.5–2 h |
| Da Nang → Hoi An | 30 km | 40 min |
Route map: Phong Nha to Hoi An
The Hai Van Tunnel is the quick way. The pass road is about 20 km of bends with views over Lang Co and Da Nang Bay and adds 30–45 minutes with a stop at the top. On a clear day it is one of the best views of the trip. In rain or low cloud – common from October to December – take the tunnel. Just tell the driver; the price stays the same.
All on or near the route, listed from north to south
| Stop | Time to allow | Entry (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Hien Luong Bridge & Ben Hai River | 20–30 min | About 50,000 VND |
| Vinh Moc Tunnels | 45–60 min | About 50,000 VND |
| La Vang Holy Land | 20–30 min | Free |
| Hue Imperial City (Dai Noi) | 1.5–2.5 h | About 200,000 VND |
| Lap An Lagoon / Lang Co | 15–30 min | Free |
| Hai Van Pass (top) | 15–30 min | Free |
Ticket prices are approximate and paid at the site. The first hour of waiting is free; after that 100,000 VND per hour.
The river on the 17th parallel split Vietnam into North and South from 1954 to 1975. The rebuilt bridge, a flag tower and a small museum stand on the banks. It is right on the road, so it adds very little time.
About 6.5 km north of the river, in Ho Xa village. Around 90 families moved into tunnels on three levels, almost 2 km long, to escape the bombing, and kept living there for years. Most of the network can be visited; the only change is electric lighting. Passages are low and narrow, so wear proper shoes. This is the most rewarding stop on the route if you choose only one.
A Catholic pilgrimage site linked to a reported appearance of the Virgin Mary in 1798, at a time when Catholics were being persecuted. There is a large modern basilica, the ruined tower of the old church and gardens. Dress modestly.
The walled palace of the Nguyen emperors, who ruled until 1945, and part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. A proper visit takes at least 1.5 hours. If you want to see Hue in more depth – tombs, pagodas, the Perfume River – it is better to stay a night and split the transfer.
A calm lagoon with mountains behind it, next to the highway at Lang Co. Good for photos, and the restaurants along the water serve fresh seafood – a popular lunch stop.
The pass between Hue and Da Nang, with an old fort gate at the top and wide views on both sides. It is windier and cooler up there, so a light jacket helps.
Note: if you want to visit the Imperial City or Vinh Moc, tell us when booking. We will plan the departure time so you still reach Hoi An at a reasonable hour.
| Plan | Leave Phong Nha | Arrive in Hoi An |
|---|---|---|
| After a morning cave tour, direct | 1:00–2:00 PM | around 7:30–8:30 PM |
| Morning, direct | 8:00 AM | around 2:30 PM |
| Morning, with 2–3 stops | 7:00 AM | around 5:00–6:00 PM |
| Morning, with Hue Imperial City | 6:30–7:00 AM | around 6:00–7:00 PM |
This is the most common plan. Cave tours rarely finish exactly on time – Paradise Cave, the Phong Nha boat trip and the longer adventure tours all depend on the group. Tell us which tour you are on. We check the real start time with the tour company the evening before and send the driver to your hotel shortly before you are expected back. If the tour runs late, the driver waits; you are not rushed out of the door.
Leaving around 1–2 PM gets you to Hoi An in the evening, in time for dinner in the old town. On this plan we suggest going direct, with a coffee and dinner stop only.
Choose this if you want sightseeing on the way. Most stops are outdoors and the central Vietnam sun is strong around midday, so starting at 7 AM makes the day more comfortable and gets you through the Hai Van Pass in good light.
The driver takes you right to your hotel door wherever the road allows. The centre of the Ancient Town is a walking zone, and cars cannot enter at certain times. If your hotel is inside it, the driver stops at the nearest point and helps you carry your bags the short distance. Please send us the exact hotel name and address so we can plan this.
Hotels in the An Bang and Cua Dai beach areas and around the rice fields are reachable by car without any problem.
Note: the Hoi An Ancient Town ticket is not included in the transfer price. It is bought separately when you visit the old town.
| Option | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private car | About 6 h | $143–182 per car | Hotel to hotel, leaves when you are ready |
| Public / sleeper bus | 7–8 h | $12–20 per person | Fixed departures that may not match your cave tour |
| Train + transfers | 7–9 h | $14–22 per person | Dong Hoi station is far from Phong Nha and Hoi An has no station – transfers needed at both ends |
For a couple on a budget with a free day, the bus works. If you are coming off a cave tour, travelling as a family or a group, or carrying big bags, the car is far less hassle – and for three or more people the difference in cost per person is small.
"I found Mui Ne Private Car online and felt well taken care of from the very first contact. Vehicles were clean and safe, and all transfers were well organized. Communication was professional throughout the journey."
– Stefan Strobl-Santos, Google Maps
"We have used Mui Ne Private Car many times while traveling in Vietnam and the service has always been excellent. Drivers are safe and friendly, vehicles are comfortable, and the overall experience is consistently reliable."
– Lee Shirley, Google Maps
A 50% deposit confirms the booking (PayPal, bank transfer, credit card, or cash if we meet you). The balance is paid to the driver in Hoi An in cash (VND or USD), PayPal, bank transfer or card. We send you the driver’s name, phone number and license plate before the trip.
| When | Charge |
|---|---|
| 24 hours or more before departure | Free – deposit refunded |
| Less than 24 hours before departure | 50% fee may apply |
| No-show without notice | Full fare, no refund |
If your plans change, message us as early as possible and we will try to move the booking.
About 347 km.
About 6 hours without long stops. With two or three sightseeing stops, plan for 8 to 10 hours door to door.
From $143 for a sedan (1–3 people). A medium SUV is $155, a large SUV $160 and a 16-seat van $182. Prices are per car, one way.
Yes – that is the most common plan. Tell us the tour name; we check the finish time with the tour company and the driver waits at your hotel.
Yes. Stops do not change the car price. The first hour of waiting is free; longer stops are 100,000 VND per hour. Entry tickets are paid on site.
Not into the walking zone. The driver stops at the nearest accessible point and helps you with your bags to the hotel.
No. It is bought separately when you visit the old town.
Yes, baby and booster seats are available on request. Tell us the child’s age when booking.
Yes, Da Nang is on the way. Ask us for the price for that drop-off.
No. The quoted price includes driver, fuel, tolls and parking. The only possible extras are waiting time over 1 hour and higher prices on public holidays, which we confirm in advance.
24–48 hours ahead is ideal, especially if you are leaving after a cave tour. Same-day bookings are sometimes possible – message us on WhatsApp.
No, tips are optional.
Send your date and hotels and we will confirm the car and price. We usually reply within 30 minutes, 7 AM – 8 PM Vietnam time.