Da Nang to Hoi An by scooter: the easy coastal ride

How far is it and how long does it take?

Da Nang to Hoi An is roughly 30 km along the coast and takes about 45 minutes at an easy pace. The route is flat the whole way, with no hills or passes, so a small automatic scooter or a fully charged electric covers it comfortably without straining.

There are two common ways to make the trip. The coastal route runs south along the beach road past My Khe and Non Nuoc, hugging the sea most of the way. It is the one to take: wide, scenic, low-traffic compared with the inland highway, and almost entirely flat.

The inland route via Highway 1 is faster on paper but busier, with trucks and buses, so most riders skip it. Stick to the coast unless you are in a hurry, and even then the time difference is small.

Leave a little buffer in your day. Forty-five minutes is the moving time at a relaxed speed; with a coffee stop or two and time to look at the water, plan on an hour and a half each way.

• Distance: about 30 km one way
• Riding time: about 45 minutes at an easy pace
• Terrain: flat coastal road, no hills or passes
• Best route: the beach road south, not Highway 1

Can I do it on a small automatic or an electric?

Yes. The route is flat and short, so a small automatic scooter handles it easily, and a fully charged electric scooter has plenty of range for the round trip. An electric rated 4 kW or under is the simplest choice: it needs no licence and no IDP, legal for every nationality.

Because there are no climbs, you do not need a powerful bike. A 110-125cc automatic is more than enough, and so is an electric scooter charged before you leave. For a 60 km round trip with some riding around Hoi An, charge fully and you will have margin to spare.

If your licence situation is uncertain, the electric is the clean answer. An electric scooter rated 4 kW or under needs no licence and no IDP at all, which means no legal grey area on a route you will likely repeat.

Whatever you ride, helmets are mandatory for rider and passenger, and the drink-drive limit is effectively zero, 0.0 BAC. Any alcohol is finable with large penalties, so save the Hoi An beer until you are off the bike.

What is there to see on the way?

The coastal road delivers the scenery: a long run of open beach, the Marble Mountains rising on your right, and easy detours for coffee or a swim. Stops are flexible because the road is flat and the bike is light, so you can pull over wherever the view earns it.

The first stretch out of Da Nang follows My Khe and the long southern beaches. The water is on your left almost the whole way, and the road is wide enough to ride relaxed.

About a third of the way down, the Marble Mountains appear on the inland side, five limestone-and-marble hills with caves and viewpoints. They make a natural mid-ride stop if you want to stretch your legs and climb for a bit.

Closer to Hoi An the beach road meets An Bang and Cua Dai beaches, both good for a quick swim or a seafood lunch before you head into the old town. None of this needs planning, pull over when something looks worth it.

• My Khe and the southern Da Nang beaches
• The Marble Mountains, an easy inland detour
• An Bang and Cua Dai beaches near Hoi An

Where do I park in Hoi An?

You cannot ride into the Hoi An old town pedestrian core, so park at a guarded lot on the edge and walk in. Paid motorbike parking lots ring the old quarter and cost very little. Take your valuables, note where you left the bike, and keep the parking ticket.

The historic centre of Hoi An is a pedestrian zone during much of the day, and motorbikes are not allowed inside it. This is normal and easy to work around, the old town is small and walkable once you are in.

Look for the guarded parking lots that surround the old quarter. They are clearly marked, cheap, and watched by an attendant who gives you a ticket. Park there, lock the bike, and walk the last few minutes.

Bring your bag with you rather than leaving anything in the seat compartment, and take a photo of the lot or note a nearby landmark so you can find the bike again among a few hundred identical scooters.

The legal note before you ride

If you ride a petrol bike over 50cc, you legally need a motorbike licence plus a valid 1968 Vienna Convention IDP, category A1 for up to 125cc. Vietnam recognises only the 1968 IDP, not the 1949 Geneva one. A licence-free electric rated 4 kW or under sidesteps this entirely.

Vietnam recognises only the 1968 Vienna Convention International Driving Permit. A 1949 Geneva Convention permit is not valid for a petrol motorbike over 50cc. If your home country issues the 1949 version, such as the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, China, Singapore, Spain or Ireland, your IDP does not cover a petrol bike here.

Riding without a Vietnam-recognised licence carries real penalties under Decree 168/2024, in force since 1 January 2025: a fine of VND 2-4 million for a bike up to 125cc, plus a 7-day impound. Riding illegally can also void your own travel-medical policy.

The honest workaround for the Da Nang to Hoi An run is the licence-free electric. Rated 4 kW or under, it needs no licence and no IDP, it is legal for every nationality, and it has more than enough range for the coastal route and a day in the old town.

Frequently asked questions