The Danang day tour from Chan May Port is a private, full-day shore excursion for cruise guests whose ship docks at Chan May Port.
Your driver and English-speaking guide manage the round trip of about 50 kilometers each way and the day closes with a guaranteed on-time return to your cruise ship.
Da Nang sits between the mountains and the sea, so this Da Nang shore excursion pairs coastal scenery with Da Nang city’s main cultural sights.
A scenic photo of a driver escorting guests back to Chan May Port after a memorable Danang day tour from Chan May Port
Chan May Port lies roughly 50 kilometers north of Da Nang along the coastal road. A direct transfer runs 1 to 1.5 hours while a sightseeing transfer with photo stops takes closer to 2 hours.
Because this is a private tour from Chan May Port, the plan below works only as a reference: your group can add, drop or reorder stops and we tailor the plan around your ship’s all-aboard time.
Most ships stay in port for 8 to 10 hours, which is enough for the full route with a comfortable buffer at the end.
Your guide tracks the clock all day and starts the drive back early, so a late boarding call is never a risk.
The private car suits families, older guests, and first-time visitors who want a steady pace rather than a rushed group coach.
Pickup is confirmed in writing before your arrival, with the driver’s name, car plate and phone number, so there is no confusion at a busy port gate.
Danang Day Tour From Chan May Port Itinerary
Morning
07:30. Pickup at Chan May Port. Your driver and guide wait at the Chan May Port entrance, holding a sign with your name.
A short walk of 500 meters, about 5 to 10 minutes, brings you from the ship to the meeting point.
The car is a clean, air-conditioned vehicle sized to your group, from a 4-seat sedan up to a 16-seat van, and the day runs at whatever pace you set.
A tour guide holding a welcome sign at Chan May Port greeting cruise passengers arriving for a Danang day tour
In-port pickup: Pickup at the berth area inside the port is available for an extra 25 USD per person in port customs fees.
Guests who prefer this should tell us 5 days ahead so we can prepare the paperwork.
08:00. Lap An Lagoon
After brief introductions, the car heads south with a first pause here, a shallow inlet at the foot of the pass beside the town of Lang Co.
Local families farm oysters here, so rows of bamboo poles stand in neat lines across the water.
Low tide is the best window for photos, when pale sandbars rise between the poles and the surface turns to a mirror.
A roadside cafe pours strong Vietnamese coffee, and small stalls grill fresh seafood if you want an early bite. About 15 minutes covers a drink and a few shots.
08:40. Hai Van Pass
The route then climbs to the “Ocean Cloud Pass” rather than dropping into the 6-kilometer tunnel below.
This road once marked an old frontier between two kingdoms and tops out near 500 meters.
Travelers and their guide smiling at the Hai Van Pass viewpoint on the way to Da Nang
At the summit stand a restored stone gate and a few wartime bunkers, along with a wide view over the bay, the coastline and the beach at your feet.
The driver holds a slow, steady speed on the bends and stops at the top for roughly 15 minutes so you can walk the ridge and take photos.
09:30. Linh Ung Bai But Pagoda
Your first main Da Nang attraction stands on Monkey Mountain, part of Son Tra Peninsula.
This Buddhist center opened in 2010 and faces the open sea, which keeps the grounds calm and uncrowded.
The centerpiece is a 67-meter Lady Buddha, the highest figure of its kind in Vietnam and visible from ships out in the harbor.
A couple posing for a photo at Linh Ung Pagoda on Son Tra Peninsula
Inside the base, seventeen floors hold rows of smaller gilded images, while quiet gardens and a sea-view terrace sit around the main shrine.
The grounds are free to enter, and light shoulder cover helps in the prayer areas. Around 40 minutes fits the figure, the shrine, and the viewpoint.
10:30. Marble Mountains.
The next destination is a cluster of five limestone and marble hills named after the five elements, one of the best-known stops for tourists in the area.
Thuy Son, the Water Mountain, is the largest and the only hill open for climbing, so this is where your visit centers.
An elevator covers the first rise for a small fee, or the stone steps suit anyone who prefers to walk.
Visitors posing for a photo at Marble Mountains Vietnam with the natural cave entrance
Near the top wait old temples, incense-filled shrines and two notable caves: a bright grotto lit by a shaft of daylight from a gap in the rock and a darker chamber carved with older figures.
The Heaven Gate viewpoint frames the coast and the city skyline, and the 300-year-old Non Nuoc carving village at the base shows local craftsmen shaping stone by hand. Roughly one hour covers the climb, the grottos, and the view.
Afternoon
12:00. Lunch
A midday break at a family-run restaurant brings regional dishes and time to recharge after an active morning.
Central Vietnam is known for noodle bowls such as mi Quang and bun cha ca and your guide points out mild or spicy options and passes any dietary needs to the kitchen.
Lunch is on your own account, which keeps the menu open to whatever you feel like.
13:00. Dragon Bridge
The afternoon opens at the Dragon Bridge, a 666-meter span that opened in 2013 across the Han River.
Its steel frame is shaped like a golden dragon, a design that has become the city’s signature.
Guests posing with the famous Dragon Bridge behind them
A slow walk along the pedestrian path with the guide’s notes on how it was built gives you daytime views of the river and the waterfront.
The bridge breathes fire and water on weekend nights, though a day visit sees it in its quieter daytime form.
13:30. Cham Sculpture Museum
The stop that follows takes you into the art of the ancient kingdom that once ruled this coast.
French scholars founded this museum in 1915 and it now holds the largest collection of its kind in the world, close to 2,000 sandstone carvings.
Visitors admiring a slender bronze sculpture at the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture
Altars, dancing figures, and temple reliefs dating between the 4th and 15th centuries fill the rooms and your guide explains how each piece reflects the beliefs and daily life of the region.
About 40 minutes covers the main galleries.
14:30. Han Market
The last stop of the day is the city’s largest market, a two-floor market hall from the 1940s spread over 28,000 square meters with close to 600 stalls.
The ground floor holds fruit, dried seafood, and local snacks, while the upper floor sells fabric, ready-made clothing and quick alterations.
Travelers shopping at Han Market in Da Nang Vietnam captured from the upper level looking down at the busy ground floor with brightly lit vendor stalls
Cashews, coffee and small souvenirs are the usual buys before you leave.
Cash works best for small purchases, and your guide can help with prices and simple bargaining.
15:30. Return to Chan May Port
The drive back to Chan May cruise port takes about an hour back along the coast, so you arrive at the ship with a comfortable buffer before the all-aboard call. Vietnam Trails Travel wishes you smooth sailing onward.
Travel tips:
Timing and your ship: An independent private tour ends with a written on-time return promise, so the driver plans the day around your all-aboard time rather than a fixed group schedule. A buffer of at least one hour before boarding is standard on our side.
Cash in small notes: The local dong in small notes is handy for the market, drinks, and tips, since many stalls do not take cards. ATMs are easy to find in the city center for a quick top-up.
Dress code: Modest cover for shoulders and knees is expected at Linh Ung Bai But Pagoda, so a light scarf or a thin layer helps in the prayer areas.
Sun and heat: Da Nang stays warm most of the year, so a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle make the outdoor stops easier.
Footwear: Comfortable shoes with grip suit the stone steps at the marble hills and the walk across the Dragon Bridge.
Weather by season: February to May tends to be dry and mild, June to August turns hot, and October to December can bring rain, so a light rain jacket is worth packing late in the year.
Car sickness: Guests prone to motion sickness can ask the driver for the tunnel route in place of the winding pass, which trims about 20 minutes.
Connectivity: A local eSIM or a roaming plan keeps you reachable, though the guide carries a phone for the whole day.
Tipping: Tips for the driver and guide are welcome but never required, and any amount is at your own discretion.
