Shore Excursions in Hoi An, Hue, Da Nang: Maximize your time in Da Nang with a memorable shore excursion designed specifically for cruise passengers arriving at Chan May or Tien Sa Port. This private full-day tour will take you to the modern marvel of Ba Na Hills and the Golden Hand Bridge, the spiritual heart at Lady Buddha and the unique cultural site of Marble Mountains.
Start your day at Ba Na Hills, where you’ll walk across the world-famous Golden Hand Bridge and explore the French Village. You’ll also see the breathtaking views of the coast below. From there you will visit the Lady Buddha statue, overlooking the coastline, and finally the Marble Mountains, with its unique temples, caves and history.
Enjoy the comfort and convenience of a private shore excursions, with your own expert guide, allowing you a flexible pace and a guaranteed return to your cruise.
What are shore excursions:
Shore excursions are guided tours or activities that cruise ship passengers can take when their ship docks at a port. These excursions are planned to fit within the ship’s schedule and offer a taste of the local culture and attractions. They usually include transportation, entrance fees, and sometimes meals. From Tien Sa Port, which serves Da Nang, popular excursions often include exploring the city itself, visiting the Marble Mountains, seeing the Dragon Bridge, and experiencing local markets. Many also choose to travel to the nearby ancient town of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its tailor shops and historical buildings, or to see the unique Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge. Some excursions might focus on local cooking classes or visiting the My Son Sanctuary. Shore excursions from Chan May Port, which is closer to Hue, focus on the historic city, the former imperial capital. Common tours involve visits to the Imperial Citadel, royal tombs, and the Thien Mu Pagoda. The key is that they allow cruise passengers to make the most of their limited time in port by experiencing local sights and activities in a convenient and organized way.
Ports to pick up:
Chan May Port is a deep-water seaport located in central Vietnam, specifically in the Thua Thien Hue province. It’s a significant port for both cargo and passenger ships, particularly cruise ships, serving as a gateway to the central region of the country, which is rich in history and culture. Unlike some ports that are right in a major city, Chan May Port is a bit more remote, situated on a peninsula, meaning that visitors often need to travel to reach nearby attractions.
Tien Sa Port is a significant seaport located in Da Nang, Vietnam. Unlike Chan May Port, which is a bit more removed, Tien Sa Port is situated much closer to the city center, making it a more convenient starting point for exploring Da Nang and the surrounding region. It’s a busy port that handles both cargo and passenger traffic, including cruise ships.
Benefits of a private shore excursion compared to Cruise line group tours:
Private shore excursion tours offer several advantages over the group tours sold by cruise lines. The biggest benefit is the customization and flexibility; you have complete control over the itinerary, allowing you to focus on your specific interests, set your own pace, and make adjustments as needed. You can spend more time at the places you love and skip things that don’t interest you, often avoiding the crowds. Private tours also provide a more personalized experience with a dedicated guide who focuses solely on your group, offering more interaction and in-depth insights into the local culture. You also have the benefit of private transportation, offering more comfort, direct routes, and the ability to choose your vehicle size. This private transportation also means that you can maximize your time and see more, without waiting for others. Moreover, private tours can often provide a more authentic experience, with opportunities to connect with locals, visit local businesses, and learn about the culture from a local perspective. While the initial cost per person for a private tour can be higher, for families or small groups, it can be more cost-effective and allow for a more customized and memorable experience.
Where is Ba Na hills:
Ba Na Hills is a mountain resort near Da Nang, Vietnam, known for its unique mix of French colonial architecture, stunning mountain views, and fun attractions. It’s located high in the mountains, providing a cooler escape from the heat. The resort features a replica of a French village with cobblestone streets and European-style buildings, creating a surreal and charming atmosphere. Perhaps the most famous feature is the Golden Bridge, a pedestrian bridge held up by giant stone hands, offering incredible panoramic views. There’s also an indoor amusement park called Fantasy Park with various rides and games. Getting to the top is an experience in itself, with one of the world’s longest cable car systems providing scenic rides. You can also find temples, pagodas, and beautiful gardens scattered around the area for a more peaceful experience. Numerous restaurants and shops are also available. Due to its altitude, the weather can change quickly, often going from sunny to misty in a short time. Ba Na Hills is popular because it offers a combination of natural beauty, architectural wonder, and entertainment, attracting all sorts of visitors. The Golden Bridge has become a global icon, making it a must-see attraction in the region. It’s a convenient and memorable place to spend a day and experience something truly unique in Vietnam.
What is Marble Mountain:
Marble Mountains ( In Vietnamese they are called Ngu Hanh Son which means the mountains of the five elements) is a cluster of the 5 mountains which were named after the 5 basic elements in the Vietnamese culture: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth. The ancient Vietnamese believed that everything in this world was created from those elements.
Today, the Marble Mountains become the iconic tourist attraction of Da Nang. Walking up the mountains, you will see a forest growing up on marble, which is rarely seen any where else.
What is Lady Buddha:
The Lady Buddha Statue, also called the Bodhisattva statue or Quanyin, is a tremendous symbol and an indispensable spiritual place in Da Nang, Vietnam. The Temple of Literature located in the Linh Ung Pagoda complex on the Son Tra Peninsula is well-known for its huge size and the intricate architecture of the statue. Book other tours here.
The cable car ride to Ba Na Hills is an attraction in itself. As passengers ascend, they are treated to stunning views of lush tropical forests, mist-covered mountains, and waterfalls. The ride offers a serene and panoramic experience, making the journey as memorable as the destination. It provides a smooth and quiet passage, giving visitors a bird’s-eye view of the region’s natural beauty.
Ba Na is one of the most interesting areas in the region as often one can feel the four distinct seasons within a single day: morning – spring, noon – summer, afternoon – autumn and evening – winter. You will have a chance to visit Golden Bridge which is a 150-meter long pedestrian bridge with two giant stone hands supporting the structure. It is designed to connect the cable car station with the gardens and to provide a scenic overlook and tourist attraction. We can enjoy the view of the beautiful landscape of nature comfortably and smoothly.
 Past the Golden Bridge, and into the center of a charming (and very Epcot-like) French village, complete with French Gothic-style cathedral, French restaurants, cobblestoned streets and impressive French gardens.
There are many more places in Ba Na Hills to explore including Linh Ung Ba Na Pagoda, Le Jardin Garden and a complex of ancient villas. Linh Ung Ba Na Pagoda with an exquisite architectural design was built in 2004 and is symbolized by a 30-meter high Buddha statue that is exposed amidst an immense space of clouds and mountains. We will continue our trip discovering Tinh Tam Garden, Nghinh Phong Peak, Luna Castle, Eclipse Square and Vong Nguyet Hill where we can enjoy the panoramic views the areas have to offer.
We will head north to visit the Son Tra Peninsula. It is 693-meter high above sea level and 10-kilometer from the center of Da Nang City to the North-East. Pay a visit to Son Tra Linh Ung Pagoda, considered one of the biggest pagodas in Da Nang City. The most striking feature of this vast pagoda is its huge Lady Buddha statue, which is one of the tallest in Vietnam and spectacularly dominates the skyline. You can contemplate the whole city, Son Tra peninsula as well as the Marble Mountains along with white sand-bank.
The Marble Mountains are a cluster of five marble and limestone mountains which are named after the five elements. Stone steps carved into the mountain lead to a Buddhist Pagoda. You can also discover stunning caves and enjoy the beautiful view from the mountain top.
Enjoy lunch
The tour is about 8 hours
Yes, lunch is included
It is about 50 km with 1 hour drive
Yes, group discounts are applied for groups of more than 3 people
Yes, the guide speaks good English
From Original price was: 190 $.160 $Current price is: 160 $.
From Original price was: 190 $.160 $Current price is: 160 $.
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Breath Taking
Samuel T –
What an incredible tour with outstanding services!
This has been the best Vietnam trip. Our day in Ba Na Hills and on the Golden Bridge was unforgettable, made even better by our fantastic guide, Sherlock. The views were breathtaking, and we had so much fun hearing the guide’s fascinating stories. The Golden Bridge is just one highlight of the tour—there’s so much more to explore afterward, especially the French Village. It’s definitely a must-do experience! We will be back soon. We return to the cruise ship at 4 pm
As perfect as ever. Bucket list check and check!
Anh Nguyen –
Very responsive and detailed. As beautiful as we had imagined. We had a group of 10 and we were well-cared for. We highly recommend this tour.
Picked and returned from Chan May port
Rachelle –
“I had an amazing trip to Ba Na with Mate Hoi An Tours company. The support staff were incredibly enthusiastic, and our tour guide was super friendly and knowledgeable. The food was delicious, and the views were breathtaking. The best part was that the trip was affordable yet maintained excellent quality and reputation. Next time I come back, I will still book a tour here
Wunderbar
Toller –
Wir (eine Freundin und ich) wollten uns gerne in Da Nang die Golden Bridge angucken. Da die Reederei keinen Ausflug dorthin angeboten hat, sind wir bei unserer Recherche im Internet auf den angebotenen Ausflug aufmerksam geworden.
Kurz nach der Buchung hat Khanh(Touranbieter) mich kontaktiert und einige Infos zukommen lassen.
Die Abholung am Hafen (Chan May) hat problemlos funktioniert und wir wurden von unserem Tourguide Khanh ( „Coco“ in Empfang genommen.
Die Fahrt zu den Ba Na Hills dauert etwa 1 1/2 Stunden und während dieser Zeit haben wir von Coco viele Informationen zum Land, der Leute und der Geschichte erhalten. Er war immer sehr bemüht, uns alle Fragen zu beantworten und es uns zu jederzeit recht zu machen. Beim Freizeitpark angekommen, besuchten wir u.a. die Golden Bridge, den Flower Garden, die Buddah Statue. Wir hatten auch die Möglichkeit, individuell Einfluss auf die Sehenswürdigkeiten zu nehmen, die der Park anbietet. Coco hat uns die Entscheidung überlassen, ob wir uns alles anschauen wollen. Nach etwa 4 Stunden sind wir dann weitergefahren zur Dragon Bridge und waren pünktlich zum Sonnenuntergang dort. Es war wunderschön und wir konnten tolle Bilder machen.
Alles in Allem war es ein rundum gelungener Ausflug, den wir zu 100% weiterempfehlen können! Lieben Dank nochmal an Coco für den tollen Tag.