Where is Chan May Port?
Chan May (Chân Mây) is a deep-water port on the coast of Hue province, between the city of Hue to the north and Da Nang to the south. Many large cruise ships call here because it can take vessels that are too big for Da Nang's harbour. Cruise lines often list it as "Hue / Da Nang" or "Chan May (for Hue and Hoi An)", which can be confusing: the port is not in Hue, Da Nang or Hoi An. It sits in a quiet bay surrounded by mountains, and there is very little to do within walking distance.
That means almost every passenger leaves the port. The two classic choices are Hue (the old imperial capital, about 1.5 hours north) and Hoi An (the UNESCO-listed trading town, about 1.5–2 hours south). This guide covers the Hoi An option.
How far is Chan May from Hoi An?
The drive from Chan May Port to Hoi An is roughly 90 km. With normal traffic it takes about 1.5–2 hours each way. The route goes south along Highway 1, through the Hai Van Tunnel under the mountain pass, around the edge of Da Nang city and then down the coast road to Hoi An.
| Route | Distance | Typical drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Chan May → Da Nang city | ~60 km | ~1 hour |
| Chan May → Bay Mau coconut forest (Hoi An) | ~90 km | 1.5–2 hours |
| Bay Mau coconut forest → Hoi An Ancient Town | ~7 km | 15–20 minutes |
| Hoi An → Chan May (return) | ~90 km | 1.5–2 hours |
About 3–4 hours of your day will be spent in the car. That is the real trade-off of a Hoi An trip from Chan May, and it is why planning the timing matters more than anything else.
A realistic Chan May to Hoi An timeline
Most ships calling at Chan May stay for 8–10 hours. Here is a sample day for a ship that docks at 7:00 AM with all aboard at 5:30 PM. We adjust the plan to your actual ship times when you book.
- 7:45 AM Leave the ship and meet your driver at the port. Your driver holds a sign with your name.
- 8:00 – 9:45 AM Drive south through the Hai Van Tunnel and past Da Nang. Many people nap, others watch the coast go by.
- 9:45 – 10:45 AM Coconut basket boat ride in the Bay Mau coconut forest: paddling through the water palms, the spinning show, crab catching and a fishing net demo.
- 11:00 AM – 1:15 PM Hoi An Ancient Town: the Japanese Covered Bridge, old merchant houses, tailor shops and lunch. Try cao lầu or a bánh mì.
- 1:30 – 3:30 PM Drive back to Chan May.
- 3:30 PM Back at the port with around 2 hours to spare before all aboard.
If your ship stays only 6–7 hours, Hoi An is still possible but tight. In that case we usually suggest the basket boat plus a shorter walk in the Ancient Town, and skipping a sit-down lunch.
Ways to get from Chan May to Hoi An
1. The cruise line's own excursion
This is the safest choice on paper because the ship will wait if the tour is late. The downsides are price (often US$100–200 per person), big coaches of 30–40 people, and fixed stops with little free time.
2. A private car with driver
A private car is the most popular independent option. You choose the stops, there is no waiting for a coach group, and the price is shared across your party. The key is to book with someone who understands cruise timing and plans the day backwards from your all-aboard time.
3. Taxi or Grab from the port
Taxis and ride-hailing cars do wait at Chan May on ship days, but supply is limited and prices for a round trip with waiting time are negotiated on the spot. The real risk is the return trip: if your driver leaves, finding another car in Hoi An who will drive 90 km to a remote port at short notice is not guaranteed.
4. Port shuttle buses
Some ships arrange a shuttle to Da Nang or Hoi An. Check your daily programme. Shuttles run on fixed times and usually drop you in one spot, so you will need your own transport to reach places like the coconut forest.
Our Chan May shore excursion
We run a Chan May package that combines a private round-trip car with the coconut basket boat tour and free time in Hoi An Ancient Town. Toll fees, fuel and the forest entrance fee are included, and the price is fixed before you arrive.
Basket Boat Tour + Private Transport from Chan May Port
Private car from the port, ~60-minute basket boat ride in Bay Mau forest, Hoi An Ancient Town, back to the ship on time.
From 1,000,000đ/person (group of 4+) · 1,500,000đ/person for 2–3 peopleChildren under 1 m tall pay 70% of the adult price. Please send us your ship name and all-aboard time when you book so we can plan the day around it. The package includes free time in Hoi An Ancient Town to explore on your own, and no ticket is needed.
Should you choose Hoi An or Hue from Chan May?
Hue is slightly closer to the port and is the place for history: the Imperial Citadel, royal tombs and the Perfume River. Hoi An is better if you want a walkable old town, shopping, food and a fun, hands-on activity like the basket boats. If you have been to Hue on a previous cruise, Hoi An is the natural next choice. Families with children often find Hoi An more relaxed.
Practical tips for a Chan May port day
- Bring cash in Vietnamese dong. Small shops, street food and tips are cash. US dollars are accepted in some tourist shops, but you will get a better deal in dong. There are ATMs in Hoi An.
- Carry your ship card and a copy of your passport. You will need the ship card to re-board.
- Save the ship agent's phone number from your daily programme, and add our WhatsApp before you go ashore.
- Dress for heat. From April to August midday temperatures in Hoi An regularly pass 35°C. Hats, sunscreen and water are essential. We provide a conical hat and umbrella on the basket boat.
- Rainy season (October–December) brings heavy rain and occasional flooding. Bring a light rain jacket. On rare flood days we will contact you to adjust the plan.
- Covered shoulders and knees are appreciated if you visit temples or assembly halls in the Ancient Town.
