Lately, headlines have been buzzing about a new “metro line” connecting Da Nang and Hoi An.
Now, if you’re from the West, the word metro instantly makes you picture underground tunnels, deep stations, and sleek platform doors.
👉 But here’s the truth: this is not really a metro in the subway sense – it’s much closer to a fast rail / light rail line. And that’s not a problem at all. In fact, it’s brilliant.
🚄 What’s actually planned?
- Around 30 km of track, from Da Nang city center straight to Hoi An’s Ancient Town.
- Expected travel time: only 20 minutes.
- Developer: Deo Ca Group, one of Vietnam’s biggest infrastructure players.
- Target completion: by 2030 (depending on funding and approvals).
And the best part: you won’t be stuck underground – the line will be elevated or at-grade, meaning you’ll get views of the landscape.
🤔 So why call it a “metro”?
In Vietnam, the word metro is often used for any modern urban rail system – whether it’s underground, elevated, or on the surface.
So while Western readers might expect a subway tunnel, locals are absolutely right to call this a metro in their own context.
👉 The misunderstanding is on us. We tend to think “metro = underground only,” but in reality, the Vietnamese usage is much broader.
🌴 Why is this the perfect choice?
- Tourism: Hoi An attracts millions every year. A quick, direct train from Da Nang is gold for visitors.
- Traffic relief: The coastal road at night can feel like one endless traffic jam. This takes pressure off the roads.
- Scenery: Honestly, who wants to sit in a dark tunnel in Vietnam? Tourists want the view – Marble Mountains, rice fields, the coastline.
🕔 How long does it take today?
- 🚕 Taxi / Grab: usually 45–60 minutes (if we don’t count the time it takes to actually escape the traffic jams 😅).
- 🚌 Public bus: about 70–90 minutes, cheap but slow.
- 🚐 Shuttle bus: 60–80 minutes, more comfortable but not much faster.
- 🛵 Motorbike: roughly 60 minutes, with the bonus of salty sea air and the occasional near-death experience.
👉 Compare that with the planned 20-minute rail trip, and it’s clear why this is such a big deal.
🏁 Final thoughts
No, it’s not an underground subway. But that’s the beauty of it. This will be a fast rail line that:
- cuts travel times in half (or more),
- eases traffic congestion,
- and lets passengers enjoy the journey instead of staring at tunnel walls.
So call it a metro, a fast rail, or the Da Nang – Hoi An Express. The bottom line is the same:
in just 20 minutes, you’ll be traveling from the Han River bridges straight to the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An. 🚄✨🌴
Related Vietnam info
Check out our full Vietnam Travel Guide for tips on costs, visas, local culture, and everything you need before your trip.
