One Day Tour in Quang Nam - Explore Hoi An and Cu Lao Cham
Quang Nam, a land in Central Vietnam rich in history and nature, is where you can feel the Vietnamese soul through the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An, or immerse yourself in the clear waters of Cu Lao Cham. One-day trip to Quang Nam may sound short, but if you plan cleverly, you will discover wonderful destinations, enjoy delicious cao lau, and bring back “like-worthy” photos. Let's find out right below!
One-day itinerary for Quang Nam
To make the most of one day, I suggest an itinerary combining the ancient town of Hoi An (morning and evening) with Cu Lao Cham (afternoon and evening). These are two typical destinations of Quang Nam, about 25 km apart, easily accessible in a day. Below is a detailed itinerary based on an actual trip.
6:00 – 8:30: Explore Hoi An ancient town in the morning
Start the new day in Hoi An, about 30 km from the center of Da Nang. In the early morning, Hoi An is peaceful with fresh air, few tourists, ideal for walking and taking photos. From Da Nang, I ride a motorbike (rented for 120,000 VND/day at Hung Motorbike, 0905 123 456) across the Dragon Bridge, taking 40 minutes. The road is easy, with stretches of lush green rice fields making the heart feel light.
Destinations:
Japanese Covered Bridge (free): A symbol of Hoi An, a 400-year-old wooden bridge with mossy tiled roofs. In the early morning, sunlight shines on the bridge, creating an ancient scene.
Tan Ky Ancient House (25,000 VND/ticket): An ancient house with Vietnamese – Chinese – Japanese architecture, preserving the cultural essence of ancient Hoi An. The owner is friendly and shares interesting stories.
Hoai River: Stroll along the riverbank, admire the leisurely wooden boats, and feel the slow pace of life.
Breakfast: Stop by Cao Lau Ba Be (22 Thai Phien, 35,000 VND/portion) to enjoy cao lau – chewy noodles, char siu pork, fresh herbs, and rich broth. Sitting in a small shop, listening to the birds chirping, is the perfect start.
From Hoi An, ride a motorbike for 15 minutes to Cua Dai port (8 km). Buy a canoe ticket (150,000 VND/round trip) to Cu Lao Cham, a group of islands in the UNESCO biosphere reserve, 15 km from the mainland. The canoe departs at 9:30, taking 20 minutes to reach the island. The clear blue water and sea breeze excite me right from the start.
Activities:
Lang Beach: The first destination, with a rustic fishing village and Tan Hiep market. Visit Hai Tang Pagoda (free), a peaceful little temple, or buy souvenirs at the market (straw hat 50,000 VND).
Swim at Chong Beach: The most beautiful beach in Cu Lao Cham, with fine white sand and crystal-clear water. Swimming, snorkeling (100,000 VND/person, including snorkeling gear) is an experience not to be missed. The cool water and vibrant corals make me feel like I'm lost in the ocean.
Photography: The wooden bridge at Chong Beach and the large rocks by the sea are “like-worthy” photo spots. Wear a maxi dress for stunning pictures.
Lunch: Enjoy seafood at Co Ba Restaurant (Chong Beach, 120,000 VND/portion), with grilled squid, steamed shrimp, and sour fish soup. Sitting under the coconut trees, listening to the waves, makes the meal even more delicious.
The canoe returns to the mainland at 13:30, arriving at Cua Dai around 14:00. Take a short break at a coffee shop by the port before heading back to Hoi An.
Cu Lao Cham, a group of islands in the biosphere reserve
>>> See more: Trang Tien Bridge - A Historical Witness of the Ancient Capital
14:30 – 17:30: Experience Hoi An in the afternoon
Returning to Hoi An, you can explore more or relax before the ancient town lights up.
Destinations:
Thanh Ha Pottery Village (5 km from the ancient town, 30,000 VND/ticket): Watch artisans make pottery, try making a small bowl (20,000 VND). The peaceful village space is quite different from the bustling ancient town.
Craft shops: Stroll along Nguyen Thai Hoc street, buy lanterns (50,000-150,000 VND) or handmade embroidery (100,000 VND) as gifts.
Relax: Stop by Faifo Coffee (130 Tran Phu, 40,000 VND/cup) with a rooftop view overlooking the ancient town. Sitting and sipping egg coffee, admiring the mossy tiled roofs, is a moment of tranquility.
18:00 – 21:00: Hoi An at night
Hoi An at night sparkles with brilliant lanterns, turning the ancient town into a magical painting.
Activities:
Walking street: Stroll around Nguyen Phuc Chu street, admire the lanterns hanging everywhere. Release lanterns on Hoai River (10,000 VND/lantern), both romantic and a wish for good luck.
Hoi An Night Market: Buy souvenirs, try banh beo (15,000 VND/bowl) or ice cream (10,000 VND). The atmosphere is lively but still retains its ancient charm.
Dinner: Enjoy Mi Quang at Mi Quang Ong Hai Restaurant (6A Truong Minh Luong, 40,000 VND/portion). The noodles are soft, the broth is sweet, topped with shrimp, chicken, and fragrant peanuts.
Ending the day in Hoi An, I ride my motorbike back to Da Nang, feeling nostalgic with the lantern lights and the sound of waves from Cu Lao Cham.
Hoi An at night sparkles with brilliant lanterns
Transportation for a one-day trip to Quang Nam
A one-day trip to Quang Nam requires flexible transportation to save time. Here are the options:
Motorbike: Renting a motorbike (120,000-150,000 VND/day) is the freest way to travel from Da Nang to Hoi An, Cua Dai, and back. The road from Da Nang to Hoi An (National Highway 1A, DT607) is beautiful, with Cua Dai beach and rice fields. Fuel costs about 30,000 VND. Bring an offline map (Google Maps) as the signal in Cu Lao Cham can be weak.
Taxi/Grab: Mai Linh taxi or Grab from Da Nang to Hoi An (200,000-300,000 VND/trip, 4 seats), convenient for a group of 3-4 people. From Hoi An to Cua Dai, Grab costs about 50,000 VND.
Bus: The Da Nang – Hoi An bus route (20,000 VND/ride, 60 minutes) is economical but time-consuming, not suitable for a tight one-day schedule.
Cano to Cu Lao Cham: Buy canoe tickets at Cua Dai port (150,000 VND/round trip). Book tickets early at the counters at the port to ensure departure time (9:30) and return (13:30).
Riding a motorbike over Cua Dai bridge, the sea breeze feels refreshing, making me excited before boarding the canoe. Don't forget to check your bike and bring a reflective vest if you go early.
Dining while traveling in Quang Nam for 1 day
Quang Nam cuisine is a highlight, featuring rustic dishes with rich flavors. Based on experience, here are some suggestions:
Cao lau: Ba Be restaurant (Hoi An, 35,000 VND/portion). A signature dish with chewy noodles, pork, and fresh herbs.
Mi Quang: Ong Hai restaurant (Hoi An, 40,000 VND/portion). Sweet broth, diverse toppings, served with crispy rice paper.
Seafood: Co Ba restaurant (Cu Lao Cham, 120,000 VND/portion). Grilled squid, steamed shrimp, and delicious sour fish soup.
Snacks: Hoi An night market with banh beo (15,000 VND/bowl), che bap (20,000 VND), and ice cream tube (10,000 VND).
Dining costs around 150,000-250,000 VND/person/day. Bring small change and ask for prices before eating at the night market.
Cao lau is a dish highly rated by many tourists
Travel tips for Quang Nam in 1 day
To ensure a smooth trip, here are some practical tips:
Plan early: Book Cu Lao Cham canoe tickets a day in advance at the counters at Cua Dai port. Buy Hoi An entrance tickets (120,000 VND, covering 5 sites) to save money.
Timing: Go to Hoi An early in the morning (6:00-8:30) to avoid crowds. Cu Lao Cham from 9:30-13:30 to have time for swimming and lunch.
Safety: Check your motorbike, drive at 40-60 km/h, wear a reflective vest when going early. Keep the rescue number (115) and repair shop number (Hung Motorbike, 0905 123 456).
Clothing: Wear a t-shirt, shorts, and sandals for Cu Lao Cham; long-sleeved shirt and long pants for Hoi An. Bring swimwear, a wide-brimmed hat, and SPF50+ sunscreen.
Budget: Plan for 500,000-800,000 VND/person (transport, dining, entrance fees). Travel in groups to share taxi and canoe costs.
Environmental protection: Do not litter in Cu Lao Cham or the Hoai River. Preserve the landscape for Quang Nam to remain beautiful.
Traveling in Quang Nam 1 day is a trip for you to immerse yourself in the ancient charm of Hoi An, blend into the clear waters of Cu Lao Cham, and savor the flavors of Central Vietnam through cao lau and mi Quang. Even in just 24 hours, Quang Nam can still make your heart flutter with its shimmering lanterns and the gentle waves.
If you want to know more about the detailed itinerary, visit nvktravel.com – a place to share authentic and useful travel experiences. Grab your backpack, prepare your camera, and start your journey to Quang Nam today!
