Hoi An on a Budget: Where to Stay, Getting In, and Free Things to Do
Hoi An is a small trading town on central Vietnam's coast, famous for its lantern-lit Ancient Town, tailors and nearby beaches. It is also one of the most touristy places in Vietnam, so a few choices make a big difference to what you spend.
Getting to Hoi An
- Fly into Da Nang: Hoi An has no airport. Da Nang International Airport is the gateway, and the drive to Hoi An takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour.
- From Da Nang airport: ride-hailing apps such as Grab work at the airport and are usually the simplest choice. Pre-booked private transfers are worth it if you arrive late at night or with a lot of luggage. Shuttle buses also run between Da Nang and Hoi An.
- By train: the nearest station on the north–south railway is Da Nang. Continue by car.
- By bus from Hue or Nha Trang: tourist buses and limousine vans drop off in Hoi An.
Where to stay
| Area | Good for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Near the Ancient Town | Walking everywhere, evenings by the river | Busiest and generally the priciest |
| Cam Thanh / rice-field areas | Quiet homestays and villas, cycling | You need a bike or Grab to get into town |
| An Bang and Cua Dai beach | Beach days, seafood | About 10–20 minutes from the old town by bike or car |
| Cam Chau / Tan An streets | Good-value guesthouses within cycling distance | Less atmospheric |
Many guesthouses lend bicycles for free. That alone can save a lot on short taxi rides.
Free and cheap things to do
- Walk the Ancient Town early. Before 8 a.m. the streets are quiet and the light is beautiful. Foreign visitors are asked to buy an Ancient Town ticket, which also covers entry to a number of heritage sites. Check the current price at an official ticket booth.
- Cycle through the rice fields towards Tra Que vegetable village or An Bang beach.
- Night market and the riverside. Looking is free. Lantern boats are optional.
- Full-moon evenings. On the 14th day of each lunar month, the town traditionally dims electric lights and fills with lanterns.
- Eat local: cao lầu and bánh mì from street stalls are among the best-value meals in Vietnam.
Tailors without regret
Hoi An's tailors can make a suit or dress in a day or two. Go early in your stay so there is time for fittings, bring a photo of what you want, agree the price and the fabric in writing, and expect at least one adjustment.
When to go
February to April is usually pleasant. May to August is hot and good for beach time. The rainy season runs roughly from September or October to December, and the Ancient Town can flood, sometimes for days. If you travel then, keep your plans flexible and book refundable rooms.