For most first-time visitors, the best answer to where to stay in Hoi An is the edge of the Ancient Town, a 5 to 10 minute walk from the Japanese Covered Bridge but still reachable by taxi, ideal for 1 to 3 nights.
Choose Cam Pho or Tan An for pools and space, Cam Thanh for rice fields, and An Bang beach for sand every day. Every area except Da Nang is within about 15 minutes of the old town. See the Hoi An travel guide for a wider overview.
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Where to stay in Hoi An: which area is best?
This table compares the main options. Times are typical door-to-door times to the Japanese Covered Bridge area.
| Area | Best for | Price band | Walk / ride to the old town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ancient Town (inside and edge) | First-timers, 2 to 3 nights | Budget to luxury | 0 to 10 min walk |
| An Hoi islet | Night owls, budget | Budget to mid-range | 2 to 5 min walk |
| Cam Pho and Tan An | Families, value, longer stays | Mid-range to luxury | 5 to 15 min walk |
| Cam Thanh rice fields | Couples, cyclists | Mid-range to upper mid-range | 10 to 15 min taxi, 20 to 25 min bike |
| An Bang beach | Beach plus town | Budget to luxury | 10 to 15 min taxi |
| Cua Dai beach | Resort stays | Mid-range to luxury | 10 to 15 min taxi or shuttle |
| Da Nang | Day trips, longer Vietnam trips | Budget to luxury | 30 to 50 min by car |
Our rule of thumb: for one to three nights, stay near the old town. For four nights or more, split your stay or pick a quieter base with bikes.
Compare stays in Hoi An
Live prices from Booking and more. Move the map or change dates to compare stays.
Where to stay in Hoi An: areas at a glance
Walk everywhere
Best for first-timers and short stays
Ancient Town (inside and edge)
The UNESCO core and the streets around it, with lanterns, cafes and tailors on your doorstep.
Staying in or right next to the Ancient Town means you can walk out early, before the tour groups, and come back for a rest when the midday heat peaks. The core streets are closed to cars and motorbikes for most of the day and evening, so hotels inside the zone can be awkward to reach with luggage. That is why we prefer the edge. Tran Hung Dao, Phan Boi Chau and Pham Hong Thai are a 5 to 10 minute walk from the Japanese Covered Bridge but still reachable by taxi. Evening crowds and music in the core carry until late. Avoid this area if you want a beach day every day, or if you visit in October and November, when the riverfront streets can flood.
Across the footbridge
Best for night owls on a budget
An Hoi islet
A small island across the river from the old town, home to the night market and riverside homestays.
An Hoi sits across a short footbridge from Bach Dang street, so the lantern-lit riverfront is a 2 to 5 minute walk away. It is where the night market sets up and where lantern boats launch, which makes the north bank of the islet busy and loud until late. The southern and inner lanes are calmer, with small homestays and guesthouses. The trade-off is the river: An Hoi is low-lying and is usually the first area to flood in the rainy season. Choose it for a short, social stay. Skip it if you are a light sleeper or travelling in October and November.
Quiet, west and north of the old town
Best for value, pools and families
Cam Pho and Tan An
Residential wards just outside the heritage zone with larger hotels, pools and local food.
Cam Pho, west of the old town, and Tan An, to the north, have many of Hoi An's mid-range hotels, and several have pools. You are 5 to 15 minutes on foot from the Japanese Covered Bridge, and taxis can drop you at the door. Streets such as Hung Vuong, Ly Thuong Kiet and Dao Duy Tu are ordinary town streets, with noodle shops and local markets rather than souvenir stalls. That makes this a good area for families and for stays of four nights or more. The downside is the walk back late at night along busy roads, and some hotels on main streets get traffic noise. Ask for a room at the back.
Green and slow
Best for couples and cyclists
Cam Thanh rice fields and coconut village
Rice paddies and the water coconut forest between the old town and the sea.
Cam Thanh is the rural strip between the old town and Cua Dai beach, known for rice paddies and the water coconut forest, where basket boat rides run. Hotels here include eco lodges and small resorts with gardens and pools. You are roughly 10 to 15 minutes by taxi from the old town, or 20 to 25 minutes by bicycle on flat roads, and about 4 km from Cua Dai beach. Several hotels lend bicycles. This area suits couples and anyone who wants a quiet base with both the town and the beach in reach. It does not suit people who want to walk out for dinner: after dark you will rely on taxis or a hotel shuttle.
Laid-back beach base
Best for a beach-and-town split
An Bang beach
A low-key beach village 3 to 4 km north of the old town with seafood restaurants and beach bars.
An Bang is the beach most visitors pick when they want sand and the old town in one trip. It is about 3 to 4 km north of the Ancient Town, roughly 10 to 15 minutes by taxi or 15 to 20 minutes by bike. The beach has seafood restaurants and beach bars along its edge. Accommodation is mainly small villas, guesthouses and homestays a short walk back from the sand. The big luxury resort in the area sits further north on Ha My beach. Choose An Bang for a slower stay of four nights or more. It is not ideal for a two-night first visit, because you will spend part of each evening on the road to and from town.
Resort strip, check the sand
Best for pool-centred resort stays
Cua Dai beach
The older resort strip east of town, known for erosion.
Cua Dai was Hoi An's main resort beach, about 4 to 5 km east of the old town and roughly 10 to 15 minutes by taxi. Coastal erosion over the past decade has taken much of the sand along parts of the strip. A 2020 report said many luxury resorts there had been abandoned or temporarily closed after erosion damage. Resorts still operate on the strip, and their pools and gardens do not depend on the beach. Check recent guest photos of the beach in front of your exact resort before you book, especially in the rainy season from September to December.
City and beach, 30 to 50 minutes away
Best for day-trippers and longer Vietnam trips
Da Nang (as a base)
A large beach city 30 km north, with more hotels, nightlife and flights.
Basing in Da Nang makes sense if Hoi An is one stop on a longer trip, if you want a long city beach and big hotels, or if you have an early flight. My Khe beach and the An Thuong area have a large choice of hotels, and the airport is close by. Hoi An is 30 to 50 minutes by car depending on traffic, so a day trip with dinner in the old town works. You will miss the old town at dawn and the quiet late evening, which is when Hoi An is at its best. For two nights or more focused on Hoi An itself, stay in Hoi An.
Ancient Town: is it worth staying inside the old town?
Staying in or right next to the Ancient Town means you can walk out early, before the tour groups, and come back for a rest when the midday heat peaks. The core streets are closed to cars and motorbikes for most of the day and evening, so hotels inside the zone can be awkward to reach with luggage.
That is why we prefer the edge. Tran Hung Dao, Phan Boi Chau and Pham Hong Thai are a 5 to 10 minute walk from the Japanese Covered Bridge but still reachable by taxi. Evening crowds and music in the core carry until late. Small heritage hotels such as Vinh Hung Heritage Hotel on Tran Phu sit inside the zone itself, about 200 m from the bridge.
Avoid this area if you want a beach day every day, or if you visit in October and November, when the riverfront streets can flood. For a longer list of hotels here, see our guide to Hoi An old town hotels, and read about the Ancient Town itself.
Budget: Hoianese Heritage Hotel – Truly Hoi An
A small hotel at 30 Phan Boi Chau, on the old town edge in Son Phong ward, with air-conditioned rooms and 24-hour reception. Some sites still list it as Tribee Bana, its former name. Why this one: it is a simple budget base a short walk from the Chaozhou Assembly Hall, with bicycle rental and airport transfers on offer. Breakfast is extra, and payment is in cash on check-in, according to the hotel’s own listing.
Mid-range: The Hoi An Historic Hotel
A large hotel managed by Melia, at 10 Tran Hung Dao on the north edge of the old town, with about 150 rooms. Why this one: it has an outdoor pool, tennis courts and free bicycles, which suit families, and the walk to the lantern streets is short and flat.
Luxury: Anantara Hoi An Resort
A riverside resort at 1 Pham Hong Thai, on the east edge of the Ancient Town, with split-level rooms that overlook the Thu Bon River. Why this one: it is our top choice because it combines a pool bar and river views with a short walk to the centre, and taxis can drop you at the door.
Is An Hoi islet a good place to stay?
An Hoi sits across a short footbridge from Bach Dang street, so the lantern-lit riverfront is a 2 to 5 minute walk away. It is where the night market sets up and where lantern boats launch, which makes the north bank of the islet busy and loud until late.
The southern and inner lanes are calmer, with small homestays and guesthouses. The trade-off is the river: An Hoi is low-lying and is usually the first area to flood in the rainy season.
Choose it for a short, social stay. Skip it if you are a light sleeper or travelling in October and November. If you want an evening on the water, our guide to the Thu Bon River boat ride starts from right here.
Mid-range: Vinh Hung Riverside Resort & Spa
A riverside resort at 111 Ngo Quyen on An Hoi islet, with 89 rooms, a pool with a swim-up bar, a children’s pool, a spa and a sauna. Why this one: it gives you a resort-style pool and river views a short walk from the night market.
Why stay in Cam Pho or Tan An, just outside the old town?
Cam Pho, west of the old town, and Tan An, to the north, have many of Hoi An’s mid-range hotels, and several have pools. You are 5 to 15 minutes on foot from the Japanese Covered Bridge, and taxis can drop you at the door.
Streets such as Hung Vuong, Ly Thuong Kiet and Dao Duy Tu are ordinary town streets, with noodle shops and local markets rather than souvenir stalls. That makes this a good area for families and for stays of four nights or more.
The downside is the walk back late at night along busy roads. Some hotels on main streets also get traffic noise, so ask for a room at the back. For hostels, see our Hoi An hostels guide.
Mid-range: Almanity Hoi An Resort & Spa
A wellness resort at 326 Ly Thuong Kiet, about 10 minutes on foot from Song Hoai Square and the Japanese Covered Bridge. Why this one: its spa has 40 treatment rooms, a salt sauna and a vitality pool, so it works well if you plan rest days between sightseeing, while still being walkable to dinner in town.
Luxury: Hotel Royal Hoi An – The Legacy By The River
A riverside hotel with about 187 rooms at 39 Dao Duy Tu, roughly 700 m from the Japanese Covered Bridge. Why this one: it faces the river and An Hoi islet, has a spa with a sauna and steam room, and offers Vietnamese and Japanese restaurants. Allegro Hoi An, A Little Luxury Hotel & Spa, at 86 Tran Hung Dao, is a 94-room luxury alternative with a pool, free bicycles and a shuttle to the old town and An Bang for guests.
La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa on Hung Vuong, with 137 rooms in two wings, is a good upper mid-range option nearby.
What is it like to stay in the Cam Thanh rice fields?
Cam Thanh is the rural strip between the old town and Cua Dai beach. It is known for rice paddies and the water coconut forest, where basket boat rides run. Hotels here include eco lodges and small hotels with gardens and pools.
You are roughly 10 to 15 minutes by taxi from the old town, about 4 km from Cua Dai beach, or 20 to 25 minutes by bicycle on flat roads. Several hotels lend bicycles, and a Hoi An bicycle tour through the paddies is an easy first morning.
It suits couples and anyone who wants a quiet base with both the town and the beach in reach. It does not suit people who want to walk out for dinner. After dark you will rely on taxis or a hotel shuttle.
Mid-range: Hoi An Chic Hotel
A small hotel on Nguyen Trai in Cam Chau, about 2 km from the Ancient Town, with rooms that overlook rice paddies and a rooftop pool. Why this one: guests praise the breakfast and the paddy views, and the old town is a short ride away. It is a good middle ground if you are not sure a fully rural stay is for you.
Upper mid-range: Hoi An Eco Lodge & Spa
A 4-star property in Cam Thanh ward, with garden, lake and pool-view rooms, a spa and a fitness centre. Why this one: it is a slower, greener option on this list, with paddy and garden views. Best for couples who will spend afternoons at the pool rather than in town.
Should you stay at An Bang beach?
An Bang is the beach most visitors pick when they want sand and the old town in one trip. It is about 3 to 4 km north of the Ancient Town, roughly 10 to 15 minutes by taxi or 15 to 20 minutes by bike. The beach has seafood restaurants and beach bars along its edge.
Accommodation is mainly small villas, guesthouses and homestays a short walk back from the sand. The big luxury resort in the area sits further north on Ha My beach.
Choose An Bang for a slower stay of four nights or more. It is not ideal for a two-night first visit, because you will spend part of each evening on the road to and from town. Our An Bang beach guide covers the beach itself in more detail.
Budget: Seaside An Bang Homestay
A homestay in Cam An ward, listed about 500 m from An Bang beach. Why this one: guests in early 2026 described the rooms as large and the location as good for a relaxed stay. Some sites list breakfast and parking as included.
Luxury: Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai
A villa resort on Ha My beach, a short drive north of Hoi An, with 100 villas, including pool villas, and several tiers of infinity pools. Why this one: it is a full-service luxury resort with a cooking academy, a spa and villas with their own pools. It is a destination stay; you will not be popping into town on foot.
Is Cua Dai beach still worth it?
Cua Dai was Hoi An’s main resort beach, about 4 to 5 km east of the old town and roughly 10 to 15 minutes by taxi. Coastal erosion over the past decade has taken much of the sand along parts of the strip. One local official said the beach narrowed from about 200 m to 40 m over roughly ten years. A 2020 report said many luxury resorts along the strip had been abandoned or temporarily closed after erosion damage.
In 2023, Hoi An approved a coastal erosion project scheduled for completion in 2026. We found no 2026 update on whether it is finished, or what it has done for the beach.
Resorts still operate on the strip. Choose Cua Dai for a pool-centred resort stay. Check recent guest photos of the beach in front of your exact resort before you book, especially in the rainy season from September to December. For more resort options on this coast, see our Hoi An beach resorts guide.
Mid-range: Palm Garden Beach Resort & Spa
A large garden resort on the Cua Dai beach road, with an outdoor pool, a spa, a fitness centre and several restaurants. Why this one: its grounds and pools give you a full resort stay even when the beach in front is narrow.
Luxury: Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa
A beachfront resort on Cua Dai with a Jacuzzi, tennis courts, 24-hour reception and an airport shuttle. Why this one: it has the pool and room space for a family stay, and guest reviews from early 2026 praise its location and service. Check the current beach condition in recent reviews before you book.
When should you base in Da Nang instead of Hoi An?
Basing in Da Nang makes sense if Hoi An is one stop on a longer trip, if you want a long city beach and big hotels, or if you have an early flight. My Khe beach and the An Thuong area have a large choice of hotels, and the airport is close by. For hotel areas in the city, see our Da Nang guide.
Hoi An is 30 to 50 minutes by car depending on traffic, so a day trip with dinner in the old town works. You will miss the old town at dawn and the quiet late evening, which is when Hoi An is at its best.
For two nights or more focused on Hoi An itself, stay in Hoi An. Our guide to getting from Hoi An to Da Nang compares taxis, buses and private transfers.
Plan your stay in Hoi An
Airport transfer. The nearest airport is Da Nang International (DAD), about 30 km from Hoi An. The drive takes 35 to 45 minutes to the old town. Grab costs about 250,000 to 350,000 VND for a car. A shared airport shuttle costs about 130,000 to 150,000 VND a seat, and the public LK02 bus costs 35,000 VND and takes about 70 minutes.
Fares vary between sources, so check the app or operator before you travel. Many hotels can arrange a car for a fixed fee, which helps if your hotel is inside the car-free core and you need someone to meet you with your bags.
Addresses. On 1 July 2025, Quang Nam province merged into Da Nang city, so Hoi An is now administratively part of Da Nang. Booking sites and maps may show “Da Nang” in Hoi An addresses. Neighbourhood names such as Cam Pho, Cam Thanh and An Bang still appear on listings.
When prices peak. Rates usually rise around April, in the June to August holiday season and around Tet. One 2026 guide names February as the cheapest month to book, so check current rates for your dates. Lantern nights, on the 14th night of the lunar month when the old town switches off electric lights, also draw crowds. October and November bring heavy rain and occasional flooding near the river. See the best time to visit Hoi An for month-by-month detail.
Getting around. The old town is best on foot. Bicycles are the easiest way to reach Cam Thanh and An Bang, and many hotels lend or rent them. For longer hops, Grab works across the area. If you want more freedom, read our Hoi An motorbike hire guide first.
Old town ticket. Entry to the heritage zone needs a ticket, bought before you enter the old town. The official notice from January 2026 lists two types. The 80,000 VND ticket covers the general zone, one monument (the Japanese Covered Bridge or Quan Cong Temple) and two more sites of your choice. The 120,000 VND ticket adds one museum and three more sites.
One ticket covers your whole stay, up to 3 days, and children under 16 are exempt. Our Hoi An old town entrance fee guide covers the details, and our list of things to do in Hoi An helps you plan your days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to stay in Hoi An for the first time?
For a first visit, the best place to stay in Hoi An is the edge of the Ancient Town, on streets like Tran Hung Dao or Pham Hong Thai. You can walk to the main sights in 5 to 10 minutes, and taxis can still reach your hotel.
Is it better to stay in Hoi An old town or at the beach?
Staying in Hoi An old town is better for short trips of one to three nights, because the town is at its best early and late. The beach, especially An Bang, suits four nights or more, when you want slower days and are happy to take a 10 to 15 minute taxi into town.
How many nights should you stay in Hoi An?
Three nights suits most first visits. That gives two full days for the old town, a bike ride through the rice fields and a beach afternoon. Add one or two nights if you want tailoring, a cooking class or a day trip to My Son.
Is Hoi An or Da Nang better to stay in?
Hoi An is better to stay in if you came for the old town, lanterns and a slower pace. Da Nang is better if you want a big city beach, nightlife and quick airport access, and you are happy to visit Hoi An as a day trip of 30 to 50 minutes by car.
Does Hoi An flood, and which areas are affected?
Hoi An floods most often in October and November, when heavy rain raises the Thu Bon River. The riverfront streets of the Ancient Town and low-lying An Hoi islet are affected first. Cam Pho, Tan An and the beach areas are usually safer bases in those months.
More Hoi An guides
- Hoi An Itinerary 3 Days
- Hoi An Lantern Festival
- Best Restaurants in Hoi An
- Hoi An Street Food Guide
- Cao Lau Hoi An
- White Rose Dumpling Hoi An
- Hoi An Best Cafes
- Hoi An Cooking Class
- Hoi An Tailors
Sources
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Hoi An Ancient Town: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/948
- Hoi An Ancient Town ticket notice, Hoi An Heritage Centre (January 2026): https://hoianheritage.danang.gov.vn/en/news/news-events/announcement-of-the-visiting-in-hoi-an-ancient-town-125.html
- Da Nang and Quang Nam merger, Quang Nam to Da Nang (1 July 2025), Da Nang Tourism coverage: https://en.qdnd.vn/travel/news/da-nang-s-tourism-sector-sees-new-prospects-following-mergence-of-administrative-units-581398
- Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai (official): https://www.fourseasons.com/hoian/