A trek with mountain swims and sea views. This one-day ride-in-trek-out combo links Hue with your Da Nang or Hoi An hotel, while throwing in Bach Ma National Park hikes, a picnic lunch, and two scenic stops. I love the small group feel (limited to 8) and the guided nature time that actually keeps you moving and informed. Just note it is not for everyone: it is not suitable for kids under 10, pregnant women, people with heart problems, wheelchair users, or anyone afraid of heights.

You start with an 08:00 pickup from Hue, check in at the park gate around 09:30, and then spend the afternoon on trails that range from lake walks to a steep, dramatic waterfall area. I also like how the day ends with coastal scenery—Lap An Lagoon and the Hai Van Pass viewpoints—so your effort in the forest pays off with big horizons. The one practical consideration is time and pace: this is a trekking day, not a sit-and-sightsee cruise.

For the money, this tour is a strong value if you want transit plus an active, guided national park experience in one go. At $86 per person for a full 9-hour day that includes pickup/drop, entrance tickets, an English guide, and lunch, you are paying for convenience as much as for the trekking. If you want an easy transfer, choose something gentler instead.

Key highlights you’ll feel on the day

• Hue pickup at 08:00 plus hotel drop-off in Da Nang or Hoi An
• Small group size (max 8) with an English-speaking guide
• Ngu Ho (Five Lakes) trek stage with a lake walk that can include swimming
• Do Quyen Waterfall area, where the trail gets steep and the payoff is the big drop
• Vong Hai Dai panorama stop at 1,448 meters
• Lap An Lagoon and Hai Van Pass viewpoints after the trek

From Hue to Da Nang or Hoi An: One Day, Two Big Views

This is not just transport from Hue to the coast. You’re using the transfer time as a full day outdoors, then finishing with two iconic scenery stops that connect the mountains to the sea.

The structure is simple: you’ll be picked up in Hue, spend the morning and early afternoon hiking in Bach Ma National Park, then head out at about 16:00 for Lap An Lagoon and Hai Van Pass. By the time you reach Da Nang or Hoi An, you’ve had both forest breathing and coastal views—without spending extra days to stitch it together.

The Small Group Trek Setup (Max 8) and How It Changes Your Day

A lot of Hue-to-Da Nang/Hoi An tours get crowded fast. This one keeps it tight: small group limited to 8 participants, plus an English-speaking guide at Bach Ma. In practice, that usually means you get more attention on the trail and fewer long waits to regroup.

A detail I appreciate is how the trekking day is built around clear stages. Stage-based itineraries help you pace yourself, especially when you’re walking forest paths that can get uneven.

One more thing to keep in mind: depending on your exact routing, you might ride in a separate car from the main group. In one case, the group split happened because of the Hue-to-Hoi An trip configuration. It can be nice, especially if your pickup or drop-off timing differs slightly from the rest.

Bach Ma Trek Stage 1: Ngu Ho Five Lakes and a Real Swim Break

Your day starts at the park gate. You’ll check in around 09:30, then begin with Trekking Stage 1: Ngu Ho (Five Lakes). This is the part the tour calls out as the best spot for swimming, and it’s easy to see why—ngu Ho is described as tranquil, and the route leads you through forest paths with multiple lake levels.

The walk itself is short in distance but not boring: you’re looking at about 2 kilometers of trekking and walking through the forest to reach the five lakes at different levels. That means you’re moving steadily, not just hopping from one flat viewpoint to another.

How to approach it: wear shoes you can trust on forest paths, and plan for a bit of humidity. If you want the swim option, you’ll be happier if you’re ready to change plans quickly and use what you’ve brought rather than expecting extra gear.

Stage 2 Hike to Do Quyen Waterfall Plus Picnic Lunch Views

After Ngu Ho, you continue into Trekking Stage 2 to visit Do Quyen Waterfall. This is where the day gets more dramatic: the waterfall flows down a steep cliff of about 300 meters. The trail is described as challenging in a specific way—steep slopes plus brook crossings—so this is not a gentle stroll.

The payoff isn’t just the height. You’re also guided toward the quieter side of the park: cooler air, bird songs, and a secluded feel near the waterfall area. If you like nature that feels tucked away rather than crowded, this stage is built for you.

Then comes one of the best value parts of the schedule: picnic lunch. The tour includes lunch after the waterfall segment, and the idea is that you’ll eat while soaking up a wide view of the mountains. It’s a smart way to break the day: you don’t just hike, you refuel at a moment that turns into a sightseeing pause.

One reality check: Bach Ma can include visible reminders of conflict around the area. If that kind of history makes you uncomfortable, keep that in mind mentally before you go. For many people, it adds weight to an otherwise scenic day.

Stage 3 to Vong Hai Dai: The 1,448m Panorama Stop

Once lunch clears, the trekking shifts to Trekking Stage 3: Vong Hai Dai. This is the highest point mentioned in the park route, at 1,448 meters above sea level. The reason it matters is simple: higher elevation usually means better panoramic views, and the tour’s description focuses on that sweep.

The route here is about getting you to the viewpoint, not rushing through it. When you’re up at Vong Hai Dai, you can expect a broad look over Bach Ma rather than just a tight angle of one specific sight. That makes it a great counterbalance to the waterfall stage: you go from steep drops and wet ground to open skies and wide horizons.

Practical tip: if you feel wind or temperature changes, this is often where you notice them. Bring a layer you can put on without slowing the group too much.

Lap An Lagoon and Hai Van Pass: Coastal Beauty After the Trek

At about 16:00, you leave Bach Ma and move into the sightseeing portion. First up is Lap An Lagoon, described as a large brackish lagoon in Hue province with an area of about 800 hectares. It’s beside Bach Ma forest and Lang Co beach, so you get this neat transition from jungle-green to coastal water.

What makes Lap An Lagoon more than just a pretty stop is its ecological role. The tour notes it’s a habitat for animals and aquatic plants. Even if you don’t spot wildlife immediately, knowing you’re looking at a living area makes the scenery feel more grounded than a random photo stop.

Then you head to Hai Van Pass. The tour explains that transport often goes through the pass via tunnel, but here you can go up the pass and enjoy the views. The promised perspective: mountains, blue skies, and green forests, with Hai Van Pass bending around the Truong Son mountain range between Hue and Da Nang.

If you’re coming off a trekking morning, this portion is a relief in the best way. You’re still experiencing Vietnam’s topography, just with your legs resting and your eyes doing the work.

Price and Value: What $86 Buys You in a Long Day

At $86 per person, this tour can feel like a deal if you compare it to piecing together separate transport, park tickets, and a guided hike. The price covers a lot of the stuff that usually adds up fast for a one-day plan:

• hotel pickup in Hue and drop-off at your Da Nang or Hoi An hotel
• entrance tickets to the park
• an English-speaking guide for the trekking portion
• picnic lunch and a bottle of water
• transportation and travel insurance

The value is strongest if you want to save a day. Instead of arriving and finding your own way to Bach Ma (or booking an additional day tour), you get it stitched in while you’re already moving from Hue to the coast.

Where the math can feel less perfect is if you’re mainly looking for a light, scenic transfer. This day includes hiking stages with steep sections and brook crossings, so make sure your body and expectations match the activity level.

Who Should Book This Trek Transfer (and Who Should Skip It)

This tour fits best if you want a guided nature day with clear targets: five lakes, a 300m waterfall area, and a 1,448m viewpoint. It also suits you if you like structure—starting on time, checking in at the gate, and finishing with two scenery stops that connect the coast to the mountains.

You should skip it (or look for an easier option) if any of these apply based on the tour’s stated limits: children under 10, pregnant women, people with heart problems, wheelchair users, and anyone afraid of heights. The reason is practical: the trekking includes steep slopes, and the day is not designed as low-impact.

If you’re a confident hiker and you’re comfortable being active for a full day, this is a good use of time. You’ll likely enjoy it most if you care more about the experience of walking and learning than collecting a long list of quick stops.

Should You Book This Tour?

Book it if you want an efficient, high-reward day: Hue to Da Nang or Hoi An with Bach Ma trekking, a picnic lunch, and the finishing touches of Lap An Lagoon and a Hai Van Pass viewpoint drive. The small group size and English guide are a real quality boost, not just fine print.

Skip it if you want an easy transfer day. Between the waterfall stage trail conditions and the viewpoint climbing, this is still a trekking experience.

If you’re on the fence, use your comfort level with uneven paths and steep sections as the deciding factor. If you’re good with that, the day is built to feel satisfying from start to finish.

FAQ

What time do you get picked up in Hue?

Pickup is at 08:00 from Hue.

Where do you check in for the trek?

You’ll check in at the Bach Ma National Park Gate at about 09:30.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes a picnic lunch during the trekking day.

Do you get an English-speaking guide?

Yes. You’ll have an English-speaking tour guide for the Bach Ma National Park trekking.

Is the group large?

No. The group is limited to 8 participants.

Where are you dropped off at the end of the tour?

You’ll be dropped off at your Da Nang or Hoi An hotel.

Is a swim possible during the trek?

The tour specifically notes Ngu Ho (Five Lakes) as the best place to go swimming.

Who shouldn’t take this tour?

It is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with heart problems, wheelchair users, or anyone afraid of heights.

What’s included in the price besides the guide?

In addition to the guide, it includes hotel pickup and drop-off, picnic lunch, bottle of water, entrance tickets, transportation, and travel insurance.