Short answer: cruise ships calling at "Da Nang" dock at one of two ports. Tien Sa Port is on the Son Tra Peninsula, about 10 km from Da Nang city centre and 35 km from Hoi An. Chan May Port is in Hue province, about 64 km from Hue and roughly 85 km from Hoi An. Check your cruise documents first: the port decides what you can see in a day. Below we explain both ports, realistic plans for 6–10 hours ashore, and how a private car with a local driver works.
Private car and driver for cruise passengers
Meet at the port gate · your own route, at your own pace · driver keeps an eye on your all-aboard time · no deposit, pay the driver
Send us your ship name, date, port and arrival and all-aboard times for a fixed price per car.
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Tien Sa or Chan May: which port is your ship using?
Tien Sa Port (Da Nang) | Chan May Port (Hue province) | |
|---|---|---|
Location | Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang | Between Lang Co and the Hai Van Pass, Hue province |
Da Nang city centre | about 10 km, 15–20 min | about 1 h or more through the Hai Van tunnel |
Hoi An | about 35 km, 45–75 min | about 85 km, around 2 h |
Hue | about 100 km, 2h–2h30 | about 64 km, 1h15–1h30 |
Marble Mountains | about 15 km, 20–25 min | 60–75 min |
Ba Na Hills | 1–1.5 h | 2–2.5 h |
Facilities | Terminal about 500 m from the port gate | Very basic; no ATMs or currency exchange |
Distances and drive times are approximate and depend on traffic and weather. Some cruise lines list Chan May as "Da Nang/Hue (Chan May)", so read the port name carefully.
How much time will you really have?
Calls in central Vietnam usually last 8–12 hours, but time ashore is shorter. Tendering or gangway queues, the walk to the gate and a safe buffer for the return can turn an 8-hour call into about 6 hours of sightseeing. As a rule:
Be back at the port gate at least 60 minutes before all-aboard, or 90 minutes when the day includes Hoi An or Hue.
Keep your phone charged and save the driver's WhatsApp number before you leave the ship.
Carry the ship's port agent number from your cruise documents, just in case.
Ideas from Tien Sa Port
Hoi An and Marble Mountains (6–8 hours)
The most popular day. Drive south along the coast to Marble Mountains (about 1 hour there), then continue to Hoi An Ancient Town for lunch and a walk past the Japanese Covered Bridge. Allow at least 3 hours in Hoi An. Leave Hoi An in time to be back at Tien Sa 90 minutes before all-aboard.
Da Nang highlights (4–6 hours)
Good for shorter calls. The Lady Buddha at Linh Ung Pagoda is only minutes from the port, on the Son Tra Peninsula. Then cross into the city for My Khe Beach, the Dragon Bridge and Han Market, or add Marble Mountains.
Ba Na Hills (8 hours or more)
Only with a long call. The cable car and the Golden Bridge need at least 4–5 hours on top, plus up to 1.5 hours each way. Queues on weekends and holidays can be long, so go straight from the port. Read our Ba Na Hills guide first.
Ideas from Chan May Port
Hue Imperial City (7–8 hours)
The classic Chan May day. Drive about 1h15–1h30 to Hue, spend 2–3 hours in the Imperial City, then add Thien Mu Pagoda or one royal tomb such as Khai Dinh. Lunch in Hue, and you are back with time to spare.
Lang Co, Hai Van Pass and Da Nang (6–7 hours)
Chan May is next to Lang Co and the foot of the Hai Van Pass. Drive over the pass to Hai Van Quan, down into Da Nang for the Lady Buddha or Marble Mountains, and return through the tunnel.
Hoi An from Chan May?
It is possible, but it means around 4 hours in the car for 2–3 hours in Hoi An. Only consider it with a long call of 9 hours or more and a clear weather forecast.
Private car or ship excursion?
Ship excursion: the ship will wait if the tour is late. You travel in a large group with a fixed schedule.
Private car with a driver: one price per car, which is often good value for families and groups of 3–5. You choose the stops and the pace, and the driver plans the route back around your all-aboard time.
Either way, check the weather the day before. From about September to December, rain can slow the roads and close the view at the Hai Van Pass.
What we need to quote your day
Ship name and date of the call.
Port (Tien Sa or Chan May) and the arrival and all-aboard times.
Number of guests, and children who need a child seat (free on request).
The places you would like to see. We will tell you honestly what fits in your time.
There is no deposit: you pay the driver at the end of the day, in cash (VND or USD) or by bank transfer. See more routes on our private car day trips page.
Frequently asked questions
Where do cruise ships dock in Da Nang?
Most ships dock at Tien Sa Port, on the Son Tra Peninsula about 10 km from Da Nang city centre. Some larger ships use Chan May Port in Hue province, about 60–65 km from Hue and an hour or more from Da Nang. Your cruise documents show which one.
How far is Hoi An from the Da Nang cruise port?
About 35 km from Tien Sa, or 45–75 minutes by car depending on traffic. From Chan May it is about 85 km, or roughly 2 hours each way, which leaves little time in Hoi An on a short call.
Can I visit Hue from Chan May Port?
Yes. Hue is about 64 km from Chan May, roughly 1h15–1h30 by car. With 7–8 hours ashore you can see the Imperial City and one more stop, such as Thien Mu Pagoda or a royal tomb.
Are there ATMs at the port?
There are none at Chan May, so bring US dollars or Vietnamese dong. In Da Nang and Hoi An you will find ATMs easily once you leave the port.
Where does a private driver meet cruise passengers?
At Tien Sa, usually at the port gate, about 500 m from the cruise terminal. At Chan May, cars wait outside the port gate, about a 10-minute walk from the pier. We confirm the exact spot with you before the day.
How much time should I allow to get back to the ship?
Plan to be back at the port gate at least 60 minutes before all-aboard time, and 90 minutes when coming from Hoi An or Hue. Traffic and rain can slow the return.