Hoi An to Tuy Hoa: Central Vietnam Road Trip Guide

Crossing the Hai Van Pass is a rite of passage, but the highway south from Hoi An follows a coast shaped by centuries of Cham and Viet history. National Route 1 (QL1A) hugs the shoreline for 350 kilometers, passing through the former Cham capital of Tra Kieu and the fishing town of Sa Huynh. Unknown to many, the road itself sits on the Đà Nẵng–Quảng Ngãi tectonic fault, which has produced the dramatic granite cliffs that frame the route near Mỹ Lai.

South of the Marble Mountains, the landscape shifts from limestone karsts to flat rice paddies, then to the long sandy beach at An Bang. Just off QL1A near Tam Kỳ, the prehistoric Sa Huỳnh culture left burial jars and jewelry now displayed in the Sa Huỳnh Museum. The coastal village of Mỹ Khê, 12 kilometers north of Quảng Ngãi, offers pristine surfing beach and a morning fish market where you can buy fresh tuna.

In Tuy Hòa, the white salt fields of Hòn Khói stretch along the coast, still worked by hand using traditional methods. Local commerce thrives on fishing and salt production, but you'll also find hawker stalls selling bánh tráng trộn (rice paper salad) along the beach promenade.

Driving from Hoi An to Tuy Hoa is a 350-kilometer journey on QL1A, typically taking 6–7 hours without major stops. Fuel stations appear every 30–40 kilometers, mostly concentrated around Qui Nhon and Tam Ky. As of 2025, gasoline prices average 24,000 VND per liter, so budget about 600,000 VND for the trip.

• Check your vehicle's coolant before the ascent toward the Pass of Clouds, where temperatures drop sharply.
• Expect tolls at the Ngang Pass and Cổng Trời mountain gate – each costs 50,000 VND for cars.
• Mobile coverage is patchy between Quảng Ngãi and Đức Phổ; download offline maps.

QL1A is mostly two-lane with frequent trucks and motorbikes; exercise caution during holiday peaks when traffic swells. The route is considered safe, but black spots include the Đèo Cả pass (a steep 10 km descent) and the section through Đức Phổ town.

For families, the Cham Museum in Da Nang and the Bà Nà Hills cable car are 20 km north of Hoi An, adding extra day trip options. Rest stops like the Bình Định rest area, 30 km north of Qui Nhơn, have clean restrooms and play areas for children. The route offers ample services; fatigue management is easy with frequent coastal cities (Tam Kỳ, Quảng Ngãi, Qui Nhơn) every 50–100 km.

Pets are welcome at most local guesthouses and many roadside restaurants, especially those with outdoor seating. To discover more tips on finding hidden gems along this drive, check this guide on how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.