Central Vietnam · Updated 2026
Hoi An
Travel Guide
Ancient streets, lantern nights, riverside hotels and some of central Vietnam's easiest days out from Da Nang.
Central Vietnam · Updated 2026
Ancient streets, lantern nights, riverside hotels and some of central Vietnam's easiest days out from Da Nang.
The honest case
Hoi An is much more atmospheric before day-trippers arrive and after they leave. The Ancient Town before 8am is genuinely quiet. Between 11am and 3pm in peak season, the lanes fill up fast.
Staying overnight gives you access to early mornings in the old quarter, lantern evenings on the river, and An Bang Beach without the midday crowd. Two nights is the minimum to feel like you've actually been there.
If you're day-tripping from Da Nang, take the first Grab and eat breakfast there. You'll be glad you did.
Where to sleep
Organised by area. Every pick has a pool or river access, honest pricing, and a reason to book it over the one next door.
Ancient Town & Riverside
The riverside strip runs 5–15 minutes on foot from the old quarter. Boutique pools, greenery, and walkable evenings. Better value than staying directly inside the Ancient Town.
Riverside · Editor's Pick
A riverside property with a genuinely beautiful garden pool and direct water access. Positioned right on the Thu Bon, close enough to walk the old quarter at night, far enough to feel calm. Service is attentive without being overbearing. The best mid-luxury option in this zone.
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A colonial-style property with a well-maintained pool, spa, and generous breakfast. A short walk from the Ancient Town. Reliable quality, popular with couples who want a bit of polish without paying Four Seasons prices.
Pools, spa, and a pool villa category that outperforms its price bracket. The gardens are manicured. Best for guests who want a spa-focused stay near the old quarter without driving out to the beach resorts.
Polished riverside stay within easy walking distance of the Ancient Town, with spacious rooms, a rooftop pool, and quieter evenings than the core. Best for travellers who want Old Town access without staying in the middle of it.
An Bang Beach
4km from the Ancient Town. The better beach near Hoi An — quieter than Cua Dai, better restaurants, decent surf. Most resorts run shuttles into the old quarter.
Bungalow-style rooms set among tropical gardens, a short walk from An Bang Beach. The pool is small but the vibe is genuinely relaxed. Good for guests who want a quieter Hoi An stay without the resort price tag.
Villas set in working rice paddies with a large pool. Genuinely beautiful setting. The drawback is distance — you need transport to reach the Ancient Town or beach. Best for guests who want rural peace over convenience.
The long-standing Cua Dai option. Colonial architecture, a full-sized pool, and direct beach access. The beach itself has eroded significantly in recent years, which matters if sand was a priority. Better as a pool-and-resort stay.
Luxury
One property stands clearly apart at the top end.
Ha My Beach · Luxury
The standout luxury property in the region. Pool villas, three tiered pools descending to a private beachfront, and the most consistently excellent service in central Vietnam. Sits about 8km from the Ancient Town — the resort runs its own shuttle, and most guests use it once or twice then spend the rest of the stay on property.
View hotel →Looking for a full ranked list with more options across every budget?
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Hoi An Ancient Town
"The Ancient Town before 8am is genuinely magical. After 11am in peak season, it's a different place entirely."
UNESCO World Heritage Site
The pedestrianised historic core: tailors, lantern shops, cao lau restaurants, Assembly Halls, the Japanese Covered Bridge. Tourists concentrate here, especially from midday. No motor vehicles during certain hours. An Old Town entrance ticket (120,000 VND, includes 5 attraction visits) covers most of the major sites — walking the lanes themselves is free. Buy at the entrance points near the bridge.
Japanese Covered Bridge
Lantern streets
Riverside market
Merchant houses
First time in the Ancient Town? What to prioritise, what to skip, and how long you actually need.
Old Town hotels guide →What to eat
The food scene here punches well above the town's size. Four things to eat before you leave:
Planning your trip
Both work. Here's when to choose each.
Good for Ancient Town highlights, a bowl of cao lau, and a few hours of sightseeing. Take the first Grab of the day — you'll arrive before the tour buses. Leave by 3pm or stay for the evening lanterns. Costs around 200,000–300,000 VND each way by Grab.
Better for lantern evenings, early morning walks through empty lanes, An Bang Beach, a cooking class, and the actual atmosphere that makes Hoi An special. Two nights is the minimum. Three is more comfortable. You'll spend more on the hotel but save on repeated Grab fares and actually see the place properly.
Full comparison: Da Nang vs Hoi An →
Getting there
Roughly 30–45 minutes by road, depending on traffic and your starting point in Da Nang. The distance is around 25–30km. There is no direct train into Hoi An — the nearest rail station is in Da Nang city. Grab car is the easiest option for most travellers (200,000–300,000 VND). Private transfer from the airport to Hoi An typically costs $15–25 USD. Shuttle buses exist but add 60–90 minutes and involve stops.
Complete coverage
Every guide you need — hotels, areas, transport, costs, and comparisons.
Area Guide
Where to Stay in Hoi An
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Hotel Guide
Best Hotels in Hoi An
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Value Guide
Best Value Hotels
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Old Town
Old Town Hotels
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Beach Hotels
An Bang Beach Hotels
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Transport
Da Nang Airport to Hoi An
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Cost Comparison
Is Hoi An Cheaper?
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First-Timers
First-Time Visitors Guide
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Comparison
Da Nang vs Hoi An
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Common questions