Where to Stay in Hoi An: Best Areas & Hotels by District 2026
Hoi An offers four main areas: the Old Town for heritage and walking access (from 800,000 VND/night), An Hoi for river views (from 600,000 VND/night), Cam Chau rice fields for quiet (from 400,000 VND/night), and An Bang or Cua Dai beaches for sand (from 700,000 VND/night). Prices as of November 2026, at approximately 25,000 VND to 1 US dollar (Vietcombank rate, November 2026).
Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site 30 kilometres south of Da Nang. The town is compact: the Old Town is the historic centre, An Hoi sits across the river, Cam Chau spreads into rice paddies to the west, and the beaches lie four to five kilometres east. Each area attracts different travellers and budgets. This guide describes who each suits, what to expect, and typical accommodation costs, without recommending specific hotels.
Most travellers from the US, Australia, India and Canada need a visa or e-visa for Vietnam; 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.
Old Town: Heritage and Walking Distance to Everything
The Old Town is the heart of Hoi An: yellow colonial buildings, lantern-lit streets, the Japanese Covered Bridge, assembly halls, and the riverside market. Staying here puts you within walking distance of restaurants, tailor shops, cafés, and the river promenade. The area is car-free from around 9 a.m. to late evening, which makes it quiet for motor traffic but busy with pedestrians and cyclists.
Who it suits: First-time visitors who want to be in the centre, travellers without motorbikes, anyone who values atmosphere over space or modern facilities. Families with young children appreciate the car-free streets. The Old Town is not ideal for those seeking a pool, a garden, or silence after dark.
Typical prices: Budget guesthouses start around 400,000 to 600,000 VND per night for a basic fan room; mid-range hotels with air conditioning, breakfast and a small pool cost 800,000 to 1,500,000 VND; boutique heritage hotels in restored shophouses run from 2,000,000 to 4,000,000 VND or more (as of November 2026). Prices rise during Tet (Vietnamese New Year, late January to early February) and the Full Moon Lantern Festival (14th day of each lunar month).
What to know: Noise can be an issue: karaoke, live music from riverside bars, and early-morning street cleaning. Ask for a room away from the main streets (Tran Phu, Nguyen Thai Hoc, Bach Dang). Many Old Town buildings are narrow and several storeys high with steep stairs and no lift. Motorbike parking is limited; some hotels have no parking at all. If you plan to rent a motorbike, confirm parking before booking.
An Hoi: River Views, Night Market and Island Vibe
An Hoi is the island district across the river from the Old Town, connected by the pedestrian bridge near the night market and by road bridges at either end. The area mixes backpacker hostels, mid-range hotels, riverside cafés, and the An Hoi night market. It is quieter than the Old Town but still central: a five-minute walk to the Japanese Covered Bridge.
Who it suits: Budget and mid-range travellers, solo backpackers, couples who want to be close to the action without the Old Town's density. An Hoi suits those who like a mix of local and tourist life. It is less convenient for families with small children because crossing the river at night means using the pedestrian bridge or a longer road route.
Typical prices: Dormitory beds in hostels cost 150,000 to 250,000 VND per night; private rooms in guesthouses range from 400,000 to 800,000 VND; mid-range hotels with pools charge 800,000 to 1,500,000 VND (as of November 2026). Riverside properties command higher prices.
What to know: The night market and bars along the river can be loud until around 11 p.m. Properties on the main road (Hai Ba Trung) face motorbike traffic. An Hoi has fewer dining options than the Old Town, but the night market offers cheap street food and the area has good coffee shops. Motorbike parking is easier here. The island floods occasionally during heavy rains in October and November; check reviews if booking ground-floor rooms in that season.
Cam Chau and the Rice Fields: Quiet, Local and Budget-Friendly
Cam Chau is the residential and agricultural area west and northwest of the Old Town. The landscape is flat, green with rice paddies, vegetable plots and small villages. Accommodation here ranges from family-run homestays to small hotels. The area is local: you will see farmers, schoolchildren, and neighbourhood markets, not tour groups.
Who it suits: Travellers who want quiet, a slower pace, and lower prices. Cam Chau suits those comfortable on a bicycle or motorbike (the Old Town is one to three kilometres away depending on where you stay). It is a good choice for longer stays, digital nomads, and anyone interested in rural Vietnam. Families with children who want space and a garden may prefer this to the Old Town.
Typical prices: Homestays and basic guesthouses start around 300,000 to 500,000 VND per night; small hotels with pools and breakfast cost 600,000 to 1,000,000 VND; a few upscale resorts set among rice fields charge 2,000,000 VND and above (as of November 2026). Prices are 20 to 40 per cent lower than equivalent properties in the Old Town.
What to know: You need a bicycle or motorbike. Walking to the Old Town takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on your location, and the route has little shade. Taxis and Grab bikes are available but less frequent than in the centre. The area is very quiet at night; there are no bars or late-night restaurants nearby. Homestays often include home-cooked meals, which is an advantage if you want to try local food. Roads are narrow and unlit; bring a torch or phone light. Mosquitoes are more common here than in the town centre; bring repellent.
An Bang and Cua Dai Beaches: Sand, Sea and Resort Life
An Bang Beach and Cua Dai Beach lie four to five kilometres east of the Old Town. An Bang is the more developed and popular of the two, with beach clubs, seafood restaurants, hostels and resorts. Cua Dai has suffered erosion in recent years and is quieter, with fewer services. Both offer wide sandy beaches, warm water, and a laid-back atmosphere.
Who it suits: Beach lovers, families who want a pool and sand, travellers splitting time between culture (Old Town) and relaxation (beach). An Bang suits those who want beach bars and social life; Cua Dai suits those seeking emptier sand. The beaches are less convenient for daily Old Town visits unless you have a motorbike or budget for daily taxi rides (around 100,000 to 150,000 VND each way).
Typical prices: Budget beachfront hostels and guesthouses start around 400,000 to 700,000 VND per night; mid-range hotels with pools cost 900,000 to 1,800,000 VND; beachfront resorts range from 2,500,000 to 6,000,000 VND or more (as of November 2026). An Bang is slightly cheaper than Cua Dai for equivalent properties.
What to know: An Bang has better infrastructure: more restaurants, beach clubs (such as Soul Kitchen, La Plage), bike rental, and small shops. Cua Dai is quieter but has limited dining options outside hotel restaurants. Both beaches are exposed; bring sun protection. The sea is warm year-round but can be rough during the northeast monsoon (October to March). Erosion at Cua Dai has narrowed the beach in places; check recent photos before booking. Getting to the Old Town takes 15 to 20 minutes by motorbike, 20 to 30 minutes by taxi. Few hotels offer free shuttles; confirm transport options when booking.
For more on getting between Da Nang and Hoi An, see Da Nang to Hoi An: Transport Options, Prices & Travel Time. For a full guide to visiting Hoi An from Da Nang, see Visit Hoi An: Complete Guide from Da Nang (2026).
Comparing the Four Areas: Which Suits You?
The table below summarises the four areas:
| Area | Distance to Old Town | Typical price range (per night) | Atmosphere | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Town | 0 km (centre) | 800,000–4,000,000 VND | Historic, busy, pedestrian streets | First-time visitors, no motorbike, short stays |
| An Hoi | 0.5 km (5-min walk) | 400,000–1,500,000 VND | Riverside, night market, backpacker-friendly | Budget and mid-range travellers, social vibe |
| Cam Chau (rice fields) | 1–3 km | 300,000–1,000,000 VND | Quiet, rural, local life | Longer stays, motorbike or bicycle, lower budget |
| An Bang / Cua Dai | 4–5 km | 400,000–6,000,000 VND | Beach, resort-style, relaxed | Beach lovers, families, pool and sand |
Prices are as of November 2026, for standard double rooms in mid-range properties, excluding peak season (Tet, Full Moon Lantern Festival).
If you are visiting Hoi An for two to three days and want to see the Old Town without renting a motorbike, stay in the Old Town or An Hoi. If you are staying a week or more, want quiet, and are comfortable on two wheels, Cam Chau offers better value. If you want a beach holiday with a day or two of sightseeing, stay at An Bang.
Practical Tips for Booking Accommodation in Hoi An
When to book: Hoi An is busy from February to April and from August to October. Book at least two weeks ahead during those months, and a month ahead for Tet and major holidays. From May to July and in November, you can often book a few days in advance, but the best properties fill up.
What to check: Air conditioning (essential in summer, less critical in winter); hot water (cheaper guesthouses may have cold showers only); motorbike parking (especially in the Old Town); lift or ground-floor room if you have heavy luggage or mobility issues; noise (read recent reviews for mentions of karaoke, construction, or street noise).
Cancellation policies: Many small hotels and homestays have stricter cancellation policies than international chains. Read the terms before booking. If you book directly, ask whether the rate is refundable.
Longer stays: If you plan to stay a week or more, contact hotels directly by email or WhatsApp and ask for a discount. Many offer 10 to 20 per cent off the nightly rate for stays of seven nights or longer.
For broader context on planning a trip to Vietnam, see Vietnam Travel Guide: Complete 2026 Planning & Preparation and Best Time to Visit Vietnam: Month-by-Month Guide (2026-2027).
Conclusion
Where you stay in Hoi An depends on your priorities: the Old Town for immersion and walking access, An Hoi for a mix of budget and location, Cam Chau for quiet and lower prices, An Bang or Cua Dai for beach and resort life. Typical prices range from 300,000 VND per night in a Cam Chau homestay to over 4,000,000 VND in an Old Town heritage hotel (as of November 2026). Your next step is to decide how many days you will spend in Hoi An, whether you will rent a motorbike, and whether you prefer town or beach, then book accordingly at least two weeks ahead if travelling in high season.
Frequently asked questions
Jérémie
Author, based in Da Nang
A French entrepreneur living in Da Nang, Jérémie writes these guides from first-hand experience and official sources, cited and dated.
About the author