A Private Car to Nui Than Tai: Planning the Car and What to Ask

Nui Than Tai hot spring park sits in the Ba Na – Nui Chua nature reserve, about 35 km west of Da Nang city centre. It combines natural hot spring water from underground, a lively water park on the mountain and a green resort area in the primeval forest. For a day trip with three generations of one family, a sensible plan and a two-way private car with a driver let everyone enjoy the day in comfort and safety.

Natural hot-spring bathing for every generation

Unlike many artificial tourist areas, Nui Than Tai has natural hot spring water rising from the ground in the Ba Na area:

• Open-air hot pool and Japanese-style onsen: The public bathing area has natural rock pools tucked under the shade of forest trees, and the spring keeps the water warm all year round. The onsen tower, built in traditional Japanese style, is a quiet place to soak while the mist drifts past.
• Mineral mud and herbal baths: The bathing pools are carved from natural stone blocks scattered on the hillside. Guests can try a smooth natural mineral mud bath, or soak in herbal baths such as lemongrass, green tea, fresh milk or wine.
• Notes for a family with three generations: Before taking older relatives or young children to the hot mineral pools, check the resort’s age rules for each bathing zone and take regular rest breaks between soaks. After leaving the hot pool, dry off and put on a warm layer, because the breeze in the hills can be cool.

Water park on the mountain and dinosaur park for children

Besides the quiet bathing areas for adults, Nui Than Tai is an active entertainment spot for teenagers and children:

• Artificial wave pool on the hillside: Set halfway up the hill, the wave pool gives the feel of the sea in the middle of a green forest. Gentle rolling waves let young people play in the cool water.
• Cool Luoi stream: The Luoi stream winds around the play area under old trees. Families can sit on colourful swimming floats, drift slowly with the calm current and look at the wild scenery around them.
• Thrill water slide: The Thach Long Doat Ngoc slide runs in winding curves through artificial rock caves, which gives an exciting ride for thrill seekers.
• Dinosaur park: A dinosaur forest displays dozens of prehistoric dinosaur models at life size, with heads and tails that move and realistic growls. It is a photo spot and a nature-discovery point that draws many children during the trip.

A relaxed one-day plan at Nui Than Tai

To make the most of the time and avoid tiring out the family, a relaxed schedule from 8:00 to 16:30 suits most groups:

1. Morning (08:00 – 09:00): The private car picks the family up at the hotel lobby or home in Da Nang and sets off for Nui Than Tai along National Highway 14G, which is shaded by trees.
2. Hot springs (09:00 – 11:30): Check in at the gate and change into swimwear in the lockers area. Spend the morning in the natural hot pool, the jacuzzi and the open-air onsen while the outdoor temperature is still cool.
3. Lunch and rest (11:30 – 13:00): Eat a lunch buffet at the Red Dragon restaurant or hot home-style dishes, then rest in the shaded rest huts.
4. Water park (13:00 – 15:30): Children and teenagers can enjoy the wave pool and the water slides, drift on the Luoi stream and take photos at the dinosaur park.
5. Foot soak and boiled eggs (15:30 – 16:30): Gather at the hot-spring egg pool, eat soft-boiled eggs cooked in the mineral water, and soak your feet to ease tiredness.
6. Back to Da Nang (16:30 – 17:30): Change into dry clothes and walk out of the park gate, where the driver is waiting to take the family back to the hotel safely and close the trip.

Highway 14G and the benefits of a chauffeured private car

The route from central Da Nang up to Nui Than Tai is about 35 km. The main road is National Highway 14G, which runs through green hills, but it has several points to note:

• Highway 14G terrain: The road has gentle hill sections, winding bends and narrow stretches in places, including through the Hoa Vang residential areas. It is also a road that trucks and vehicles carrying building materials use regularly.
• Risks of riding a motorbike: Riding a motorbike with young children or older people, in strong sun or under a sudden mountain shower, is hard work. The road can be slippery on the steep bends, and the trip tires out the whole family.
• Benefits of a chauffeured car: A 4-, 7- or 16-seat car gives an air-conditioned, smooth ride, so older people and young children can rest on the way there and back. The boot has room for swimwear, towels, personal floats and a pushchair. The local drivers are friendly and know the hill roads well. The car picks you up at the hotel lobby and waits to take you back at the confirmed time.

For related trips, see the Da Nang to Nui Than Tai round-trip car tour, the Hoi An to Nui Than Tai round-trip car tour and the chauffeured car service in Central Vietnam.