Visit Hoi An: Complete Guide from Da Nang (2026)

Hoi An, a former port town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, attracts visitors with its preserved architecture, colorful lanterns, and peaceful atmosphere. Living in Da Nang for several years has allowed me to return regularly: some weekends, I prefer the calm of Hoi An to the bustle of the beach. This guide details everything you need to know to organize your visit, whether you spend a day or several nights.

01Understanding the Old Town entrance ticket system

Hoi An's Old Town is a protected area. To access it and visit historical monuments, you must purchase an entrance ticket from official booths located at the main entrances to the Old Town (Tran Phu street, Japanese Bridge, central market). The official rate is 120,000 VND per person (approximately €4.50) as of 25/09/2026, according to information displayed on-site and confirmed by the official website hoianworldheritage.org.vn, managed by the Hoi An heritage management center.

This ticket gives you access to 5 sites of your choice among 22 listed monuments: old houses (Tan Ky, Duc An, Phung Hung), assembly halls (Fujian, Cantonese, Hainan), temples, museums, and the Japanese Covered Bridge. The ticket is valid for one day. In practice, checks are mainly done at monument entrances: you can walk through the streets without a ticket, but you won't be able to enter historical sites.

Children under 1.20 m do not pay. Keep your ticket: it is checked at each monument visited, and a stamp is affixed at each entrance.

02How long to plan for visiting Hoi An

For a first visit, 2 full days are enough to see the essentials: the Old Town, the market, a bike ride in the surrounding countryside, An Bang beach, and an evening with the lanterns. If you like to take your time, browse craft shops, and try several restaurants, 3 days are comfortable.

A day trip from Da Nang is possible but frustrating: you'll see the Old Town in fast-forward mode, without enjoying the evening atmosphere when the lanterns light up (around 6-7 PM). The appeal of Hoi An is precisely this tranquil atmosphere, difficult to grasp in just a few hours.

If you're considering settling in Vietnam, consult the complete guide on Hoi An which details daily life, residential neighborhoods, schools, and administrative procedures.

03Coming from Da Nang: transport and duration

Hoi An is located 30 km south of Da Nang, a 45-minute to 1-hour journey depending on traffic. Several options are available:

Taxi or Grab: expect 250,000 to 350,000 VND one way (€9 to €13) depending on the time and departure point in Da Nang, according to my regular trips in 2026. The return costs the same price. Convenient if you're several people or carrying luggage. Ask the driver to drop you near the Japanese Bridge or central market.

Local bus: line 1 connects Da Nang's central bus station (Bến xe Trung tâm Đà Nẵng) to Hoi An for 30,000 VND per person (approximately €1.10) as of 25/09/2026. Departures every 20 to 30 minutes from 5:30 AM to 6 PM. Journey of approximately 1h15. The bus drops you at Hoi An bus station, a 10-minute walk from the Old Town. It's the cheapest option, but less comfortable and slower.

Motorcycle taxi (xe ôm): approximately 150,000 to 200,000 VND one way in 2026. Fast, but exposed to weather and less safe than a taxi.

Scooter rental: if you have a valid Vietnamese or international driving license and experience, renting a scooter in Da Nang costs 100,000 to 150,000 VND per day. The coastal road (QL1A) is direct but very busy; some prefer to take quieter secondary roads. Paid parking in the Old Town: 10,000 to 20,000 VND.

Private tourist shuttles: several agencies in Da Nang offer shared shuttles for 100,000 to 150,000 VND round trip. Fixed schedules, convenient for a day trip.

From Da Nang, I often take the local bus when I go to Hoi An for the day: it's economical and I read during the journey. For a weekend with luggage, I prefer Grab.

04Sleep in Hoi An or stay in Da Nang

Sleeping in Hoi An allows you to enjoy the nighttime atmosphere, wake up early to see the Old Town without tourists (before 8 AM), and explore the surroundings by bike without time pressure. Hotels and guesthouses are numerous, often charming, with pool and breakfast included. Budget: €15 to €40 per night for a decent hotel in 2026, depending on season and location.

Staying in Da Nang is suitable if you prefer urban life, Da Nang beaches, and Hoi An is just one excursion among others. Da Nang offers more choice of restaurants, cafes for working, and better internet connection. For digital nomads, it's often more practical. You can consult the complete guide on Da Nang to compare the two cities.

My advice: if you're visiting Vietnam for the first time, sleep at least one night in Hoi An. If you already live in Da Nang, a day trip is enough for an occasional stroll.

05Where to stay in Hoi An: recommended neighborhoods

Hoi An is divided into several areas, each with its advantages:

Old Town (Ancient Town): the historic heart, 5 minutes walk from the main monuments. Unique atmosphere, but noisy in the evening (bars, tourists), and scooters cannot circulate in some pedestrian streets. Hotels often small, colonial charm. Budget: €20 to €50 per night in 2026.

An Hoi (Lantern Island): just across the Thu Bon River, 10 minutes walk from the Old Town. Quieter, many recent cafes and restaurants, river view. Good compromise between proximity and tranquility. Budget: €15 to €35 per night.

Cam Chau and Cam Nam: residential neighborhoods 2-3 km from the Old Town, in the countryside. Rice fields, absolute calm, hotels with pool and garden. Ideal for resting, but you need to rent a bike or take a taxi to go to town. Budget: €20 to €40 per night.

An Bang Beach: 4 km from the Old Town, relaxed seaside resort, sandy beach, bars and seafood restaurants. Perfect for combining cultural visit and beach relaxation. Less authentic than the Old Town. Budget: €15 to €40 per night.

Cua Dai: former main beach, now largely eroded. Some resorts remain, but the beach has lost its appeal. Avoid unless you get a good price at a resort.

Personally, I often stay in An Hoi: close enough to walk back in the evening, quiet enough to sleep well. Hotels there are modern and well-maintained.

06When to visit Hoi An: climate and crowds

Hoi An's climate follows that of central Vietnam, with a dry season (February to August) and a rainy season (September to January). The best periods:

February to April: dry weather, pleasant temperatures (22-28°C), fewer tourists than in high season. This is my favorite period. Rice fields are green after winter rains.

May to August: hot and dry (30-35°C), tourist high season (July-August). The Old Town is crowded in the evening, prices increase slightly. Remember to book accommodation in advance.

September to November: rainy season, with heavy downpours and sometimes flooding. Hoi An is regularly flooded in October-November (the Thu Bon River overflows). Shops close, streets are impassable. Avoid if possible, unless you accept the unexpected.

December to January: end of rainy season, variable weather, cool temperatures (18-24°C). Fewer tourists, low hotel rates. Acceptable if you don't mind a few showers.

For more details on central Vietnam's climate, consult the article on Da Nang weather month by month, which also applies to Hoi An. The diplomatie.gouv.fr website also provides information on weather conditions and seasonal risks in Vietnam.

07What to see in the Old Town

With your 5-entry ticket, choose from these must-see sites:

Tan Ky Old House: 18th-century merchant house, Sino-Vietnamese architecture, carved beams, inner courtyard. Quick guided tour (10 minutes) by the owners. A must-see.

Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu): built in 1593, symbol of Hoi An, connects two neighborhoods. Small temple inside. Very crowded during the day, better to go early in the morning.

Fujian Assembly Hall (Phúc Kiến): colorful Chinese temple, dedicated to the goddess Thien Hau. Ornate architecture, impressive statues. Free or included in the ticket depending on periods (check on-site).

Phung Hung House: two-story merchant house, blend of Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese influences. Street view from the balcony.

Sa Huynh Culture Museum: small collection of archaeological objects from the Sa Huynh civilization (2nd century BC). Interesting if you like history.

Outside the 5 entries, stroll through the pedestrian streets (Tran Phu, Nguyen Thai Hoc, Bach Dang along the river), visit the central market (free, local products, street food), and cross the small bridges to An Hoi island to see the lanterns in the evening.

08Activities outside the Old Town

Bike ride in the countryside: rent a bike (30,000 to 50,000 VND per day in 2026) and explore the surrounding villages: Cam Kim (wood crafts), Tra Que (vegetable village, cooking classes), Cam Thanh (water coconut forest, basket boat ride). Flat routes, easy, very pleasant.

An Bang Beach: 4 km from the Old Town, accessible by bike or taxi (50,000 VND). Sandy beach, deckchairs, bars and restaurants with feet in the water. Less developed than Da Nang beaches, relaxed atmosphere.

Cooking classes: several schools offer half-days with market visit, preparation of Vietnamese dishes (cao lau, banh xeo, spring rolls), and tasting. Price: 400,000 to 800,000 VND per person in 2026. Book online or through your hotel.

Custom tailors: Hoi An is renowned for its tailors. You can have suits, dresses, shirts made in 24 to 48 hours. Variable quality: compare several shops, check fabrics, ask for alterations. Budget: €50 to €150 for a suit, €30 to €80 for a dress, according to prices observed in 2026.

My Son Sanctuary: Cham archaeological site (Hindu temples from the 4th to 13th century), 40 km from Hoi An. UNESCO listed. Half-day excursion, often combined with Hoi An. Entrance: 150,000 VND (approximately €5.50) as of 25/09/2026.

09Where to eat in Hoi An: local specialties

Hoi An has its own specialties, different from the rest of Vietnam:

Cao lau: thick noodles, grilled pork, fresh herbs, light broth. The traditional recipe uses water from an ancient well in Hoi An. Emblematic dish, absolutely must try. Price: 30,000 to 50,000 VND in 2026.

Banh mi: Vietnamese sandwich, particularly successful here. Several famous addresses (Banh Mi Phuong, Madam Khanh). Price: 20,000 to 30,000 VND.

White rose (banh bao vap): rose-shaped steamed dumplings, filled with shrimp. Specialty unique to Hoi An. Price: 40,000 to 60,000 VND per portion.

Com ga (chicken rice): local version of chicken rice, with herbs and broth. Simple and tasty. Price: 30,000 to 50,000 VND.

Old Town restaurants are often touristy and expensive (100,000 to 200,000 VND per dish). For fairer prices, move 2-3 streets away: you'll find com (local restaurants) where dishes cost 40,000 to 70,000 VND. The central market also offers cheap street food in the morning and at noon.

10Budget to visit Hoi An

Orders of magnitude per person per day, as of 25/09/2026:

These amounts are indicative and vary according to your choices. A 2-day stay with one night in Hoi An therefore costs between €70 and €220 per person, transport and visits included. To compare with other destinations, consult the article on the cost of living in Vietnam.

Entry rules depend on your nationality; the official portal is evisa.gov.vn. If you prefer someone to handle the application, visa-vietnam.app can do it. visa-vietnam.app is run by the same publisher as this site.

11Practical tips for your visit

Avoid peak hours: the Old Town is crowded between 10 AM and 5 PM, especially in high season. Wake up early (before 8 AM) to enjoy empty streets and soft light. In the evening after 6 PM, the atmosphere is different but just as pleasant.

Bring cash: many small shops and restaurants only accept VND cash. ATMs available in the Old Town and nearby.

Watch out for bikes and scooters: even in pedestrian streets, two-wheelers circulate. Stay vigilant, especially with children.

Negotiate in shops: displayed prices in souvenir shops and at tailors are often inflated. Negotiate politely, you'll get a 20 to 30% discount.

Respect places of worship: in temples and assembly halls, dress appropriately (shoulders and knees covered), speak quietly, ask before photographing altars.

Install a translation app: Google Translate works offline if you download Vietnamese in advance. Useful for reading menus and communicating.

12Conclusion: is Hoi An worth the detour from Da Nang?

Yes, without hesitation. Hoi An offers a different experience from Da Nang: preserved architecture, slower pace, local crafts, unique culinary specialties. Two days on-site are enough to see the essentials, and the nighttime atmosphere with lanterns justifies spending at least one night there. If you live in Da Nang, it's an easy getaway for a quiet weekend.

To organize your visit, remember: entrance ticket at 120,000 VND for 5 sites, 2 to 3 days ideally, best period from February to April, transport from Da Nang from 30,000 VND by bus. Stay in An Hoi or in the Old Town to fully enjoy. If you're considering settling in the region, the complete guide on Hoi An details daily life and administrative procedures.