Hi so I am of the opposite opinion. Don't go to Hoi An. It is just so busy now, it is almost like a Disneyland. So many people blocking the streets. It is yes a beautiful location but far too many people now for it's streets.
Hue is amazing and there is ample to see in and around Hue.
But if you do want to get to Hoi An, train to Da Nang (sit on the left going south for nice sea views) and then take a local bus. It is all very simple, especially if you do not have luggage.
Thank you for reassuring me about Hue!
My original plan was staying in Hue for 3 days and doing a day trip to Hoi An on one day! I was told there are plenty of buses and some expressway?!.. Need to check that too...
#10, I wasn't impressed with Hoi An back in 2005. Never did see what the hype was about. Just because its a World Heritage site doesn't mean you have to like the place.
Some people love Hoi An and some find it too touristy. I don't mind but I tend to go away from the tourist spots. It is quite attractive and if you go in the more local places the food is cheap. Yes you can catch a bus to Hoi An takes about 3 hours but its at it's best early morning when most people are still in bed. Hue is totally different but the weather is never so good when I have been there.
The most convenient way you can get from Hoi An to Hue is to by an open tour bus ticket in the ancient town. The trip lasts about 3 hours and you can request for a drop-off at your reserved hotel. Note that the route from Hoi An to Hue is one of the most mind-boggling one in Vietnam. However, if you want to explore the beauty of landscape, you can book train to transfer from Hoian to Hue
That's the good thing about the open tour buses. Most times we got dropped off where we wanted to go. No wandering around trying to either find where you'd booked or a random hotel if drivers know of a place. That happened to us in Hue when we had no guide book and nowhere booked.
6 hours (more 7 !) roundtrip to "visit" Hoi An ? NO !!!! Take 2 days Hue et 2 days HA or do not go at all !
I agree with wayoutback (#10).
Hoi An is far less interesting than Hue and overcrowded, but if you want to visit, take the train.
There is no station in Hoi An, but it's about 30 mins by bus from Da Nang. As a tourist, you are likely to be overcharged for any bus ticket (or anything else, for that matter!) you buy in Hoi An.
Last time I got a bus from Hue to Hoi An, they drove around for over an hour picking people up from their hotels, went on a very ugly route, not over the mountain as they'd said, stopped somewhere for lunch and arrived in Hoi An something like 5 hours later. I have usually caught the train and, even though some of the glorious view is now blighted by tourist resorts, it is still a lovely ride. There's no way you would do it as a day trip. I like Hoi An, though not as much as Hue, but it's pretty horrible when it's crowded. The old part is only three narrow streets and it can become almost impossible to walk along, never mind seeing anything. I think you would need the three full days to properly enjoy Hue.
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