Yes, in October and November. Heavy rain raises the Thu Bồn River and the Old Town floods, with water rising 1–2 metres. It is not a good time for the beach.

Hoi An is one of the safest towns in Vietnam, with almost no serious crime. Watch your belongings in crowds and take care crossing the roads.

Can you get around Hoi An on foot?

Yes. The Old Town is compact — three streets by three. For the beach (2.5 km) a bicycle is easier, and for trips out of town a motorbike or Grab.

What should you buy in Hoi An?

Made-to-measure clothes and shoes, silk lanterns, ceramics from Thanh Hà village, Vietnamese coffee, spices, paintings by local artists and leather goods.

Guide✓ Fresh

Hoi An, Vietnam in 2026 — a complete guide to the town of lanterns

Q: How many days do you need in Hoi An?

At least 2–3 days: one for the Old Town, one for the beach, one for a day trip. Ideally 4–5 days, so you are not rushing and can catch the lantern festival.

Q: Hue or Hoi An — which one?

If you can only pick one, choose Hoi An. It has beaches, history, food and shopping. Hue is about the imperial citadel and royal tombs, but with no sea and less atmosphere. Best of all, combine both over 5–7 days.

Streets the colour of burnt caramel, thousands of silk lanterns over the Thu Bồn River, the smell of fresh Cao Lau noodles around every corner. No rush anywhere. This is Hoi An — the town that alone makes Vietnam worth the trip.

14 July 2026 18 min read Guide

Colourful handmade silk lanterns in the Old Town of Hoi An — Hoi An's Old Town — handmade lanterns on every metre of street

Since 1999 the Old Town has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It has kept 1,107 timber-framed buildings from the 15th–19th centuries: Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese and European architecture in a single quarter. It is the one trading port in Southeast Asia that has survived almost untouched.

Hoi An sits on the banks of the Thu Bồn River in central Vietnam, Quảng Nam province. It is 30 km from Da Nang, and home to around 120,000 people.

Quick facts

Hoi An at a glance

UNESCO status since 1999
1,107 historic buildings from the 15th–19th centuries
30 km from Da Nang (airport code DAD)
Time zone: GMT+7
Vietnamese name: Hội An

Why come. The Old Town works like an open-air museum. Every full moon there is a lantern festival. The cuisine has dishes you will not find anywhere else in Vietnam. Custom-made clothes and shoes cost a fraction of what you pay at home. An Bàng beach ranks in TripAdvisor's top-10 in Asia. Add day trips to the Cham Islands, Mỹ Sơn and Ba Na Hills.

How long to stay. A minimum of 2–3 days: one for the Old Town, one for the beach, one for a day trip. Better to allow 4–5 so you can catch the lantern festival and take your time.

Getting to Hoi An

Wooden boats on the Thu Bon River by the Old Town waterfront, with yellow colonial houses — The Thu Bồn riverfront — the first thing travellers see arriving in the Old Town

Hoi An has no airport of its own. The nearest is Da Nang International (DAD), 30 km to the north.

From Da Nang to Hoi An — every option

Transport options from Da Nang to Hoi An
Transport	Price	Time	Notes
Local bus No. 1	16,000 VND (~$0.60)	60–90 min	Every 20 min, 05:30–17:50
Tourist shuttle	80,000–120,000 VND (~$3–5)	60 min	Sinh Tourist, Hanh Cafe
Taxi / Grab	350,000–450,000 VND (~$14–18)	30–40 min	Grab is cheaper than a regular taxi
Motorbike rental	from 130,000 VND/day (~$5)	30 min	The most flexible option

💡Grab from the airport is the easiest. The price is fixed, no haggling, and you pay in-app by card or cash. A GrabCar runs 350,000–450,000 VND (~$14–18).

From other cities

Hue → Hoi An. Bus, 4 hours, 100,000–150,000 VND (~$4–6). The route crosses the Hải Vân Pass — one of the most scenic drives in Vietnam.

Nha Trang → Hoi An. Night bus, 10–12 hours, from 300,000 VND (~$12). Or fly Cam Ranh to Da Nang, about 1 hour.

Ho Chi Minh City → Hoi An. Fly to Da Nang, 1 hour 20 minutes, from 700,000 VND (~$28).

Hanoi → Hoi An. Fly Hanoi–Da Nang, 1 hour 15 minutes, from 600,000 VND (~$24). The train takes 15–17 hours, but the coastal scenery is stunning.

What to see in Hoi An

Evening street in Hoi An Old Town with lantern shops and colourful silk lanterns — The Old Town streets — lanterns, Vietnamese flags and centuries of history

The Old Town — ticket and route

Wandering the Old Town streets is free. But to enter the museums, temples and historic houses you need a combined ticket: 120,000 VND (~$5). It is valid for 3 days and lets you into 5 of 25 sights of your choosing.

⚠️

Pedestrian zone. From 08:00 to 23:00 cars are banned in the Old Town. Only bicycles and cyclos in designated areas.

Top 5 sights on the combined ticket

Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu). The symbol of Hoi An, built in 1593. It is 18 metres long, with a small temple inside. The bridge once featured on the 20,000 VND note.
Phúc Kiến Assembly Hall. The largest of the five halls, founded in 1690. Gilded altars, ceramic panels and a stone garden.
Tấn Ký House. A 200-year-old merchant house. The front opens onto the trading street, the back wall onto the river. The owner shows visitors around and serves tea.
Cantonese Assembly Hall (Quảng Đông). Huge coiled incense hangs from the ceiling, smouldering for weeks and filling the hall with fragrant smoke.
Quan Công Temple. One of Hoi An's oldest temples, from 1653, with a striking red-faced statue of the general.

The Lantern Festival (Hội An Full Moon Night)

Every full moon (the 14th day of the lunar month) the Old Town switches off its electric lights. The streets and river glow with thousands of silk lanterns. People float little candle boats down the river and make a wish. That same setting makes Hoi An one of the most romantic spots in Vietnam for a wedding or honeymoon.

Lantern festival dates in Hoi An in 2026
Month	Date
January	3 January
February	1 February
March	3 March
April	2 April
May	1 May, 31 May
June	29 June
July	29 July
August	28 August
September	26 September
October	26 October
November	24 November
December	24 December

🎯Arrive by 17:00 to grab a spot on the waterfront. A candle boat costs 10,000–20,000 VND (~$0.40–0.80).

Around Hoi An

The Cham Islands (Cù Lao Chàm). A group of 8 islands, a UNESCO biosphere reserve, 18 km offshore. Snorkelling, beaches and a fishing village. Tour: $20–40. Season: March to August.

Mỹ Sơn. Cham temple ruins from the 7th–13th centuries, a UNESCO site 40 km from Hoi An. Half-day tour: $10–25.

Trà Quế village. An organic farm 3 km from the centre. Cooking classes from $15.

Basket boats. A show of extreme spinning on traditional woven boats. $5–10, 1–2 hours.

⏱ High season

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Hoi An beaches

Tropical beach with palm trees, thatched umbrellas and sun loungers by the sea — The coast near Hoi An — white sand, palms and a gentle shelf into the sea

Two to five kilometres from the Old Town lie some of the best beaches in central Vietnam. White sand, a gentle shelf, palm trees — and none of the crowds.

Hoi An beaches compared
Beach	Distance	Facilities	Best for
An Bàng Beach	2.5 km	Loungers, bars, restaurants	Everyone
Cửa Đại Beach	4 km	Minimal, fishing boats	A quiet day
Hà My Beach	5 km	Almost none	Peace and quiet

Best beach season: April to August. The sea is calm, the water clear, 27–29 °C. In winter (October–January) there are waves, murky water and strong wind.

💡For families: An Bàng Beach has a gentle shelf, minimal waves in summer, plus restaurants and toilets. Come in the morning (before 10:00), before it gets too hot.

The Old Town by night, lit with lanterns, is one of the most photogenic scenes in all of Vietnam. By day it is an ordinary tourist market with pushy vendors. Come after 17:00, when the lanterns come on and the cars are shut out.
— traveller review on Tripadvisor, 2025

Where to stay in Hoi An

Vietnamese resort with a pool, palm trees and a sea view — A boutique hotel with a pool for $30 — in Hoi An that is the norm, not the exception

Areas to stay

Where to stay in Hoi An
Area	Pros	Per night
Old Town	Everything on your doorstep, atmosphere	$20–100
An Bàng Beach	Beach right there, quieter	$15–80
Cẩm Thanh	Coconut groves, budget-friendly	$10–30
Tân An (new town)	Supermarkets, pharmacies	$8–25

Budget (under $30): hundreds of cheap guesthouses. A typical $15–25 room means a clean air-conditioned room, breakfast, a pool and free bikes. Hostels: from $7 a bed.

Mid-range ($30–80): boutique hotels are Hoi An's calling card. For $40–60 you get a designer room, a pool, a tropical garden, breakfast and a spa.

Luxury ($80+): La Siesta Hoi An (5★, from $90), Vinpearl Resort & Golf (5★, from $120), Four Seasons The Nam Hai (5★, from $400).

💰Book 2–3 months ahead in high season (February–April). In the low season (September–November) prices drop 30–50%.

Weather in Hoi An — when to go

Hoi An weather by month
Month	Day °C	Sea °C	Verdict
January	25	24	Cool, rainy — sightseeing, not beach
February	26	23	Dry and comfortable
March	29	25	Best month, least rain
April	31	26	Beach season begins
May	34	28	Hot, good sea
June	35	29	Hot, best beach time
July	35	30	Hot, peak season — book ahead
August	34	30	Hot, short showers
September	32	29	Rains begin
October	30	28	Rain and floods
November	28	27	Rainy, flood risk
December	25	25	Cool, rain easing

⚠️

October–November is not the time. Up to 500 mm of rain. The Old Town floods regularly — water rises 1–2 metres. The beach is off the table because of storms.

Best time: February–April for sightseeing (dry, 25–30 °C). April–August for the beach (sea 27–29 °C). The lantern festival runs year-round, but it is most comfortable from February to August.

Food in Hoi An — what to try

Vietnamese rice-noodle soup with herbs and meat — typical street food — Vietnamese noodles are the heart of Hoi An's cuisine — a bowl from 30,000 VND (~$1.20)

Hoi An is Vietnam's culinary capital. Some dishes here are cooked nowhere else in the country. The secret is the water from ancient wells and century-old family recipes.

6 dishes made only in Hoi An

Hoi An signature dishes with prices
Dish	What it is	Price
Cao Lầu	Thick noodles with pork and crisp croutons, made with well water	30,000–50,000 VND (~$1.20–2)
White Rose	Shrimp dumplings shaped like a white rose; the Trần family recipe	30,000–50,000 VND (~$1.20–2)
Mì Quảng	Wide noodles in turmeric broth with shrimp	30,000–50,000 VND (~$1.20–2)
Cơm Gà Hội An	Chicken rice tinted with turmeric	30,000–40,000 VND (~$1.20–1.60)
Bánh Mì Phượng	The best banh mi in Vietnam, per Anthony Bourdain	20,000–30,000 VND (~$0.80–1.20)
Bánh Xèo	Crispy rice-flour crepe with shrimp	30,000–50,000 VND (~$1.20–2)

The best restaurants

Morning Glory — the best Vietnamese restaurant, with every local specialty on one menu. Book ahead.

Bánh Mì Phượng — the legendary banh mi. There is usually a queue, and it is worth the wait.

Cơm Gà Bà Buội — the best chicken rice. A tiny family spot, open until 14:00 (or until the rice runs out).

🎯Morning — the market for pho and coffee. Midday — Cơm Gà or Bánh Mì. Evening — the waterfront with Cao Lầu and a glass of bia hơi (from 5,000 VND / ~$0.20 a glass).

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Day trips from Hoi An

Colourful round basket boats on a canal in Cam Thanh village near Hoi An — Basket boats in Cẩm Thanh — a stop for almost everyone who comes to Hoi An

Hoi An is a handy base for day trips. Two UNESCO sites, tropical islands, mountains and the Golden Bridge are all within 60 km.

Day trips from Hoi An with prices
Trip	Duration	Price
Cham Islands	Full day	$20–40
Mỹ Sơn	Half day	$10–25
Basket boats	1–2 hours	$5–10
Cooking class	Half day	$25–45
Ba Na Hills (Golden Bridge)	Full day	$50–80

What to pick if time is short

Nature and sea → the Cham Islands (snorkelling, beach, lunch)
History → Mỹ Sơn (the Cham temples, UNESCO)
Food → a cooking class (market plus cooking 4–5 dishes)
Instagram → Ba Na Hills (the Golden Bridge)
With kids → VinWonders or the basket boats

I ordered a coat and two dresses — sewn in 2 days, $80 for the lot. My tip: bring a photo and a fabric sample, otherwise the shop picks for you and the result is a gamble. Almost everyone at the tailor speaks enough English, and you can pay by card.
— traveller on r/VietNam, 2025

Shopping — tailoring and souvenirs

Tailor shop with rolls of fabric and paper patterns — Hoi An is Vietnam's unofficial capital of made-to-measure clothing

The town has hundreds of workshops that will run up a suit, a dress, a bag or a pair of shoes to your measurements in a matter of hours. Most tailors speak enough English to talk through fit and fabric, and take card payment.

Cost of made-to-measure clothing in Hoi An
Item	Turnaround	Price
Dress / skirt	3–4 hours	$15–30
Men's suit	1–2 days	$80–150
Leather shoes	1–2 days	$30–60
Leather bag	1 day	$20–50

Best workshops: A Dong Silk (the largest, good value), Yaly Couture (premium, shoes and clothes since 1997), Bao Khanh (leather goods).

💡Order several pieces at one shop and you will get a discount. Always come back for a fitting. And do not buy lanterns at the first store — prices vary by two or three times.

Hoi An is also the place to have a traditional áo dài made — the flowing Vietnamese dress that tailors here will fit to you in a day. See our guide to the Vietnamese áo dài for what to expect and how to choose the fabric.

What else to buy

Silk lanterns — from 50,000 VND (~$2). They fold flat, easy to pack
Ceramics from Thanh Hà village — handmade pots, vases and figurines
Vietnamese coffee — from 80,000 VND (~$3) a pack
Spices — pepper, turmeric, cinnamon

Getting around Hoi An

Getting around Hoi An
Mode	Notes	Price
On foot	Best for the Old Town	Free
Bicycle	Flat town, many hotels lend them free	30,000–50,000 VND/day (~$1.20–2)
Motorbike	For trips out of town	100,000–150,000 VND/day (~$4–6)
Grab	Easy, fixed price, pay by card	from 15,000 VND (~$0.60)

A bicycle is the best way to get around Hoi An. The town is completely flat and easy to ride. To An Bàng Beach it is a 10-minute pedal.

Practical information

Connectivity and internet

A SIM card with data costs 100,000–200,000 VND (~$4–8) from Viettel, Mobifone or Vietnamobile — bring your passport to buy one. WiFi is free in most hotels and cafés. An eSIM through Airalo or Holafly is handy to activate before you fly.

📌

More on this — SIM cards and connectivity in Vietnam

Money

The currency is the Vietnamese dong (VND). ATMs — BIDV, Vietcombank, Agribank — are on every corner, and most accept Visa and Mastercard. Cards are widely taken in hotels, tailor shops and mid-range restaurants, though street stalls and markets are cash-only. As of 2026, 1 USD ≈ 25,500 VND.

Visa

Visa rules depend on your passport. Many nationalities (UK, most of the EU and others) get a visa exemption of up to 45 days; US, Australian and Canadian travellers typically apply for the e-visa online before arrival. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months. Always check the current rules for your nationality on the official portal.

Safety

Hoi An is one of the safest towns in Vietnam. The main risks: pickpocketing in crowds, the odd tailor-shop scam (agree the price up front), and flooding in October–November.

Trip budget — what a Hoi An holiday costs

Hoi An trip budget per person per day
Item	Budget	Mid	Comfort
Accommodation	$10–15	$30–50	$80–150
Food (3 meals)	$5–8	$10–20	$25–50
Transport	$1–2	$3–5	$10–15
Activities	$5–10	$15–30	$40–80
Total	$21–35	$58–105	$155–295

Per week: budget $150–250, mid $400–750, comfort $1,000–2,000. Flights not included.

Hoi An with kids

Hoi An is one of the best towns in Vietnam for a family trip. No manic traffic, clean streets, friendly people.

An Bàng Beach — a gentle shelf, minimal waves in summer, cafés with kids' menus
Basket boats — safe, and children love the spinning show. $5–10 for the family
VinWonders Nam Hoi An — water park, rides, dolphin show. Adult 650,000 VND (~$26), child 450,000 VND (~$18)
Cooking class — many schools take children from age 6
Thanh Hà village — the potter's wheel and clay figurines. Entry: 35,000 VND (~$1.40)

Living in Hoi An as an expat

Hoi An is aimed at Western travellers and Korean tourists rather than any one expat community. Most long-term foreigners in central Vietnam are based in Da Nang (30 km), but a slower, greener crowd has settled in and around Hoi An.

Language: English is good in tourist spots — cafés, tailors and tour desks. Away from the centre it thins out fast.

Healthcare: pharmacies cluster in the Tân An area. For anything serious, the big hospitals are in Da Nang (30 min).

Long stays: a studio from $200/month, a one-bedroom $300–500/month, a house with a garden $400–700/month. Look via Facebook groups or Airbnb.

Coworking: a day pass from 100,000 VND (~$4). Many cafés work fine for laptop days — WiFi runs 30–50 Mbps.

Hoi An itineraries

3 days (the sweet spot)

Day 1 — the Old Town. 07:00: breakfast at the market (Cao Lầu). 08:30–12:00: Japanese Bridge → Phúc Kiến Hall → Tấn Ký House → Quan Công Temple → Cantonese Hall. 12:30: lunch at Bánh Mì Phượng. 14:00: the tailor shops. 17:30: the evening waterfront and a candle boat. 19:00: dinner at Morning Glory. 20:30: the night market.

Day 2 — beach and villages. 08:00–12:00: cycle to An Bàng Beach. 13:00: a bike tour of the rice fields and Trà Quế village. 15:00: Thanh Hà village (ceramics). 18:30: dinner at the Tân An market.

Day 3 — a day trip. Option A: the Cham Islands (full day). Option B: Mỹ Sơn (half day) plus basket boats (evening). 17:00: collect your order from the tailor. 18:00: a farewell walk.

5 days (extended)

Days 1–3 as above. Day 4: Da Nang and the Marble Mountains. Day 5: spa or massage, the beach, a final shopping run.

7 days (Hoi An + Hue)

Days 1–4: Hoi An. Day 5: transfer to Hue over the Hải Vân Pass. Days 6–7: Hue — the Imperial Citadel, Thiên Mụ and the royal tombs.

FAQ

How many days do you need in Hoi An?

A minimum of 2–3 days. Ideally 4–5, so you are not rushing and can catch the lantern festival.

Hue or Hoi An — which one?

If you can only pick one: Hoi An. It has beaches, history, food and shopping. Hue is about the citadel and the tombs. Ideally, combine both over 5–7 days (130 km, 4 hours by bus).

Is it worth going in summer?

Yes. June and July are the best time for the beach: the water is 29 °C and the sea is calm. It is hot (33–34 °C), but evenings are comfortable.

Which airport serves Hoi An?

None of its own. The nearest is Da Nang (DAD), 30 km away, a 30–60 minute transfer.

Does Hoi An flood?

Yes, in October and November. Water rises 1–2 metres. Cafés keep working on the upper floor, but the beach is out.

Is Hoi An safe?

One of the safest towns in Vietnam. Watch your things in crowds and take care on a motorbike.

Can you get around on foot?

The Old Town, yes (three streets by three). For the beach, a bicycle (10 min). For day trips, a motorbike or Grab.

What should you buy?

Made-to-measure clothes and shoes, silk lanterns, ceramics, Vietnamese coffee, spices and paintings.

Information current as of July 2026. Prices and conditions can change — verify the details with official sources before you travel.

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