Where to stay in Hoi An, from a lantern-lit base by the Ancient Town to a beach resort on the sand. These are stays we know and trust, each one easy to fold into a private central Vietnam itinerary.
Hoi An is central Vietnam at its most charming, a lantern-lit old town with a beach and quiet countryside close at hand. Where you stay decides the rhythm of your days, from a base by the Ancient Town to a resort on the sand.
The area has a few distinct bases, each with its own character. Below is how we think about choosing between them, how many nights to give Hoi An, and the questions we are asked most before booking. You can pair any stay with our Hoi An tours and the wider centre of Vietnam.
The area's bases suit different travellers. Here is who each one is for.
By the Ancient Town
Walking distance to the old town, the lanterns and the market. Atmospheric and convenient, though lively at night, so it suits sightseers who want everything on foot.
On the sand
A relaxed beach a short cycle or drive from town, with resorts and beach bars. For travellers who want sea and sand with the old town a taxi ride away.
In the countryside
Quiet resorts among the rice fields and coconut groves between town and the coast. For couples after calm, with a bike ride into the old town.
Between the two
The stretch between the Ancient Town and the beach, lined with larger riverside resorts and pools. A middle ground with easy access to both.
The resort beach
The eastern beachfront, home to the larger resorts and pools and quieter than An Bang. It suits travellers who want a full beach-resort stay with the old town a short ride away.
The island
The small island just across the river from the Ancient Town, with quiet homestays and a short walk into the old town. For calm and local life while staying on foot to the lanterns.
Hoi An is easy to love and easy to linger in, and it makes a natural pairing with Da Nang just up the coast.
1 night
Enough to walk the Ancient Town and see it lit at night if you are day-tripping from Da Nang. Charming, but you miss the beach and the slower pleasures.
2 to 3 nights
Our usual suggestion. The old town, a beach afternoon, a cooking class and a tailor fitting, plus a morning at My Son.
4 nights or more
For those who fall for it. Add more beach time, cycling through the paddies and lazy riverside lunches.
Near the Ancient Town is best for sightseeing, walkable to the lanterns, market and restaurants, though it can be lively at night. An Bang beach suits anyone who wants sand and sea, while the Cam Thanh countryside is quiet and scenic, with a bike ride into town. We match the base to whether you want the old town, the beach, or calm.
It depends on the trip. The Ancient Town puts the lanterns and restaurants on your doorstep and is ideal for a short, sightseeing-led stay. An Bang beach is more relaxed and better for a longer stay, with the old town a short cycle or taxi away. Many travellers split the two.
Two to three nights is ideal, enough for the Ancient Town by day and night, a beach afternoon, a cooking class or tailor fitting and a trip to My Son. One night works as a taste from Da Nang, but many people stay longer.
February to May brings warm, dry, comfortable weather and is the best all-round window. Summer is hot but good for the beach, while October and November are the wettest months, when the river can flood the old town.
Hoi An sits about thirty kilometres south of Da Nang, a forty-minute drive by private car or taxi. There is no airport in Hoi An itself, so most travellers fly into Da Nang and transfer by road.
Tell us how you like to travel and we'll match you to the right stay, then build it into a complete private itinerary across Vietnam, planned and run for you.
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