Easyrider from Hoi An to Hai Van Pass One day loop with Mr Thong

Hai Van Pass is the star here: a high mountain road where the coast and the Annamite range meet, with old wartime lookout turrets along the way. You can ride an automatic motorbike yourself or sit behind a driver, so you can choose between hands-on freedom and keeping your attention on the views.

I like two things in particular: the route combines memorable scenery with real stops, including Marble Mountains and a waterfall where you can swim; and the private format lets you travel with your own group rather than keeping pace with strangers. Mr Thong is named as the guide, and the tour has drawn praise for safe-feeling riding and sensible weather judgment.

The main consideration is the motorbike itself. Hai Van Pass is a winding mountain road, so driving is not a casual choice if you are unsure on a bike. The tour does offer a passenger option, but insurance is not included.

Key points to know

• Hai Van Pass is the main event: Expect coastal and mountain views, plus a stop at old French and American wartime lookout turrets.
• You choose how to ride: Take an automatic motorbike yourself or travel as a passenger with a driver.
• The route has variety: Marble Mountains, My Khe Beach, a fishing village, Lang Co Beach, and Suoi Mo waterfall are included.
• Lunch is part of the day: Choose seafood, BBQ chicken, or vegetarian food.
• It is a private, full-day trip: Plan for about eight hours, with hotel pickup and drop-off in Hoi An or Da Nang.
• Check the trade-offs: Insurance and damage to the motorbike are not covered in the price.

A full day from Hoi An to the coast

This is not simply a ride to a famous viewpoint and back. The route links several very different stops, from the Marble Mountains near Da Nang to a fishing village, the mountain pass, and a waterfall. With about eight hours available, there is room to break up the riding and see more than the road itself.

The trip is private, which matters on a day with several stops and a long stretch in the saddle. You travel with your own group, and pickup and drop-off are offered at hotels in Hoi An or Da Nang. That saves you the trouble of arranging transport to a meeting point before the ride begins.

The listed price is $75 per person. For that, the package includes the motorbike, fuel, helmet, riding jacket, bottled water, lunch, entry fees, and the guide service. It is a solid bundle for a full day out, especially if you value having transport between the stops arranged for you. The cost is less attractive if you already have a motorbike and want only a short ride over the pass.

Marble Mountains: a first stop with a change of pace

The route begins with Marble Mountains, a cluster of limestone hills near Da Nang. It is a useful way to start a day built around riding: instead of spending every hour on the road, you get a chance to stop and explore before continuing toward the coast.

Entry to Marble Mountains is included. The tour information does not set out how long you spend there or which parts you visit, so treat this as a stop rather than a guided, in-depth visit. If Marble Mountains is high on your list, it is worth asking Mr Thong how much time the day allows.

From there, the ride heads toward My Khe Beach. The beach is noted for its role as a rest-and-recreation spot for American soldiers during the war. That history gives the stop a particular context, though the tour description does not promise a long beach break or swimming time there. Think of it as a coastal pause on the way north, not necessarily a beach day.

A fishing village and the road to Hai Van Pass

The route also passes a fishing village along the coast. It adds a working-life note to a trip otherwise known for scenic roads and beaches. The supplied details do not name the village, so you should not expect a specific museum, market, or planned village activity. The value is in seeing a coastal community as part of the journey rather than treating the pass as the only reason to go.

Then comes Hai Van Pass, the highlight for many people. The name means Pass of the Ocean Clouds, and the road rises to about 500 meters through the Annamite Mountain Range. Its reputation comes from the combination of steep mountain slopes and open coastal views, and it became famous internationally after appearing on Top Gear.

The route includes a stop for a drink and time to explore old lookout turrets used by French and American forces during the war. These fortifications give the pass more than a pretty view: they make clear why the road and its high ground mattered. The pass segment is listed at about an hour, but the total outing lasts around eight hours, so the day includes substantial riding and several other stops as well.

The most practical advice is to keep your eyes on the road if you are driving. The views are a draw, but a winding mountain road is not the place to watch the scenery while steering. If you want to look around freely, choose the passenger option and let your driver handle the bends. The tour offers both ways to ride, which makes the experience accessible to people who would rather not drive a motorbike themselves.

Lang Co Beach and the coastal scenery

Lang Co Beach is another included stop on the route. The pass is often remembered for its changing views between mountain and sea, and a beach stop gives you a chance to experience the coast from closer range. Entry is included, though the schedule does not specify how long you will be there or whether the stop is intended for swimming.

That lack of a fixed timetable is worth keeping in mind. This is a multi-stop day, not a promise of long, leisurely visits at every place. If you want to spend a particular amount of time at the beach, ask about the schedule before setting off. A private tour gives your group more flexibility than a large group outing, but it does not mean every stop can stretch indefinitely.

Suoi Mo waterfall: a chance to cool off

The route includes Suoi Mo waterfall, described as a swimming hole. That is a welcome counterpoint to the long ride: you can trade the road for a dip before continuing the day. Bring swimwear if you want to make use of the stop, but the details provided do not specify facilities, changing areas, or how much time is reserved there.

The waterfall also helps explain why this tour appeals beyond motorbike enthusiasts. You get a mix of road, coast, local life, wartime sites, and a nature stop, rather than a day devoted to one viewpoint. Still, the main activity is riding between locations, so it is best suited to people comfortable spending much of the day on a motorbike, either as driver or passenger.

Lunch, gear, and what the price covers

Lunch is included, with a choice of seafood, BBQ chicken, or vegetarian food. That is useful on an eight-hour outing, since it means you do not need to plan a separate meal stop yourself. The details do not name a restaurant or specify a menu, so choose based on the options offered rather than expecting a particular dining experience.

The included practical items are substantial: an Easyrider motorbike, gasoline, helmet, riding jacket, bottled water, and entry fees for the listed stops. The tour also covers Hai Van Pass, Lang Co Beach, Suoi Mo waterfall, Marble Mountains, Hai Van Gate, the countryside, and the fishing village. Having fees and fuel included makes the $75 price easier to assess; you are paying for a day of transport and multiple stops, not just a motorbike rental.

There are two important exclusions. Insurance is not included, and damage to the motorbike is not covered. Tips are also extra. If you plan to drive yourself, consider those exclusions alongside your comfort and experience on a motorbike. If you would rather avoid the responsibility of riding, taking a passenger seat is a straightforward alternative.

Riding with Mr Thong, or riding behind a driver

The tour is led by Mr Thong and his team, and the experience has been praised for safe-feeling driving and good judgment when the weather looked uncertain. That matters on this route: a mountain pass rewards a calm pace, and a guide who takes conditions seriously is more valuable than one who rushes to tick off stops.

You can ride an automatic motorbike yourself or go as a passenger. The self-drive option gives you a more active role, but it also means you need to focus on the road, especially on the pass. The passenger option lets you enjoy the views without managing the bike. The tour information says most people can participate, but it does not set out licensing rules or provide a detailed skill requirement. If you are unsure whether you should drive, ask the operator before booking and choose the passenger option if that feels safer.

A helmet and riding jacket are provided. Wear comfortable clothes suitable for a full day outdoors, and bring swimwear if you want to use the waterfall swimming hole. The tour supplies bottled water, but you may still want to carry any personal items you need for a long outing.

Weather, timing, and booking value

The day runs for about eight hours, with operating hours listed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., every day of the week. The tour requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. One account of the ride describes morning rain easing later, with Mr Thong making a reassuring call about the conditions. Weather can change quickly, though, so do not assume every rainy forecast will clear.

The experience is often booked around 25 days in advance on average. That is a useful planning cue if you have a fixed date, particularly if you want a private ride with a specific guide. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time; cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

For value, consider what you would otherwise have to arrange: a motorbike, fuel, a driver if you do not want to ride, admission fees, lunch, and transport back to your hotel. The bundled price makes sense for someone who wants the full route without organizing each piece. It is not the cheapest way to see only Hai Van Pass, but the added stops are the point.

Who should book this ride

I would shortlist this tour if you want to see Hai Van Pass as part of a varied day rather than make a quick run to the viewpoint. It suits couples, friends, and small groups who like the idea of a private ride, and it works for people who want the scenery without having to drive themselves. The choice of seafood, chicken, or vegetarian lunch is a welcome practical detail for a long day away from your hotel.

It may be a poor fit if you dislike motorbike travel, need a highly structured sightseeing schedule, or want long blocks of time at each stop. The tour covers plenty of ground, and the details do not promise exact visit lengths for most locations. Before booking, decide whether you want to drive or ride as a passenger, ask about the expected time at the stops that matter most to you, and weigh the absence of insurance against your comfort with the ride.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about eight hours.

Can I ride the motorbike myself?

Yes. You can ride an automatic motorbike yourself or travel as a passenger with a driver.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are offered at hotels in Hoi An or Da Nang.

What stops are included?

The route includes Marble Mountains, My Khe Beach, a fishing village, Hai Van Pass, Lang Co Beach, Suoi Mo waterfall, Hai Van Gate, and the countryside.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You can choose seafood, BBQ chicken, or vegetarian food.

Are fuel and entry fees included?

Yes. Gasoline and the listed entry fees are included in the tour price.

Is insurance included?

No. Insurance and motorbike damage are not included.