Hoi An, Vietnam in 2026 — the lantern town guide: getting there, tickets, budget
Hoi An is a UNESCO-listed old trading port in central Vietnam: thousands of silk lanterns over the Thu Bồn River, timber merchant houses from the 15th to 19th centuries, and a tailor on nearly every corner. There is no airport, so you fly into Da Nang and drive the last 30 km. Here is how to plan the trip: the Ancient Town ticket, the weather (with an honest word on the floods), a realistic budget, and a 2–3 day itinerary.
Hoi An is a former trading port that froze in time somewhere in the 18th century. Since 1999 the Old Town has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List: over a thousand timber merchant houses, with Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese and European architecture packed into one small quarter. The town is tiny and entirely walkable, and after dark thousands of silk lanterns light it up.
It sits on the banks of the Thu Bồn River in central Vietnam, Quảng Nam province. Da Nang and the nearest airport are 30 km away, and about 120,000 people live here.
Hoi An at a glance
- UNESCO status since 1999
- Old Town from the 15th–19th centuries, fully walkable
- No airport of its own: 30 km from Da Nang (DAD)
- Ancient Town ticket — 120,000 VND (~$5)
- Time zone: GMT+7
- Vietnamese name: Hội An
Who it suits. Anyone after a slow, atmospheric side of Vietnam without big-city chaos: walking and cycling, dinners by the river, clothes made to measure, a beach 15 minutes away. The food includes dishes cooked nowhere else in the country, and every full moon brings a lantern festival. Two more UNESCO sites, Mỹ Sơn and the Cham Islands, sit within an easy day trip.
An honest word on the downsides. Hoi An is very touristy, and in high season it is packed — by day the Old Town turns into a slow river of selfie sticks. Tailoring quality is a lottery, the place gets heavily over-Instagrammed, and in October and November it genuinely floods (more on that below). If you want quiet, come in the shoulder season and stay nearer the beach.
How long to stay. A minimum of 2–3 days: one for the Old Town, one for the beach, one for a day trip. Allow 4–5 to catch the lantern festival and not rush.
Getting to Hoi An
The first thing to know when planning: Hoi An has no airport. You fly into Da Nang International (DAD), 30 km to the north, then transfer the last stretch — about 45 minutes. The simplest option is to pre-book a private car (~350,000–450,000 VND / ~$14–18) or grab one on the app straight from arrivals. Full detail on every route is in the Hoi An transport guide.
From Da Nang to Hoi An — every option
| Transport | Price | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local bus No. 1 | 16,000 VND (~$0.60) | 60–90 min | Every 20 min, 05:30–17:50 |
| Tourist shuttle | 80,000–120,000 VND (~$3–5) | 60 min | Sinh Tourist, Hanh Cafe |
| Taxi / Grab | 350,000–450,000 VND (~$14–18) | 30–40 min | Grab is cheaper than a regular taxi |
| Motorbike rental | from 130,000 VND/day (~$5) | 30 min | The most flexible option |
From other cities
Hue → Hoi An. Bus, 4 hours, 100,000–150,000 VND (~$4–6). The route crosses the Hải Vân Pass — one of the most scenic drives in Vietnam.
Nha Trang → Hoi An. Night bus, 10–12 hours, from 300,000 VND (~$12). Or fly Cam Ranh to Da Nang, about 1 hour.
Ho Chi Minh City → Hoi An. Fly to Da Nang, 1 hour 20 minutes, from 700,000 VND (~$28).
Hanoi → Hoi An. Fly Hanoi–Da Nang, 1 hour 15 minutes, from 600,000 VND (~$24). The train takes 15–17 hours, but the coastal scenery is stunning.
What to see in Hoi An
- Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu (1593)): The symbol of Hoi An, 18 m long — Once printed on the 20,000 VND (~$0.80) note
- Phúc Kiến Assembly Hall (Hội Quán Phúc Kiến): Largest of the 5 halls, built 1690 — Gilded altars and a stone garden
- Tấn Ký House (101 Nguyễn Thái Học): 200-year-old merchant house — The owner shows you around over tea
- Cantonese Assembly Hall (Hội Quán Quảng Đông): Giant coiled incense under the roof — Smoulders for weeks
- An Bàng Beach (An Bàng Beach): Top-10 beach in Asia (TripAdvisor) — 2.5 km from the Old Town
- Cửa Đại Beach (Cửa Đại Beach): Quiet, 4 km from the centre — Minimal facilities
- Morning Glory (106 Nguyễn Thái Học): The best Vietnamese restaurant in town — Every local specialty on one menu
- Bánh Mì Phượng (2B Phan Châu Trinh): The legendary banh mi (Anthony Bourdain) — 20,000–30,000 VND (~$0.80–1.20)
- Central Market (Chợ Hội An): Pho, coffee, fresh fruit — Best early, from 06:00
- Yaly Couture (47 Nguyễn Thái Học): Premium tailoring since 1997 — Made-to-measure clothes and shoes
- A Dong Silk (40 Lê Lợi): The largest tailor in Hoi An — Good value for money
- Mỹ Sơn (Cham temples, UNESCO): 7th–13th-century ruins, 40 km — Half-day tour: $10–25
The Old Town — ticket and route
Technically you need a combined ticket just to enter the historic Old Town: 120,000 VND (~$5). It lets you into five of the town's 22 heritage sites of your choosing — museums, temples, assembly halls and old merchant houses. Checkpoints sit at the entrances to the quarter, though enforcement is patchy and plenty of people simply wander the streets without one. Buying it is the honest call: the money funds restoration, and you will use those five entries anyway.
Top 5 sights on the combined ticket
- Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu). The symbol of Hoi An, built in 1593. It is 18 metres long, with a small temple inside, and it is the image on the 20,000 VND note. A two-year restoration wrapped up in 2024, so it is open to cross again.
- Phúc Kiến Assembly Hall. The largest of the five halls, founded in 1690. Gilded altars, ceramic panels and a stone garden.
- Tấn Ký House. A 200-year-old merchant house. The front opens onto the trading street, the back wall onto the river. The owner shows visitors around and serves tea.
- Cantonese Assembly Hall (Quảng Đông). Huge coiled incense hangs from the ceiling, smouldering for weeks and filling the hall with fragrant smoke.
- Quan Công Temple. One of Hoi An's oldest temples, from 1653, with a striking red-faced statue of the general.
The Lantern Festival (Hội An Full Moon Night)
Once a lunar month, on the eve of the full moon (the 14th lunar day), the Old Town cuts its electric lights and closes to traffic — no cars, no motorbikes. The streets and the Thu Bồn glow with thousands of silk lanterns, and people float little candle boats down the river and make a wish. The date shifts against the Western calendar, so check the table below. It is also what makes Hoi An one of the most romantic spots in Vietnam for a wedding or honeymoon. For the full ritual and how to make the most of the evening, see our Lantern Festival guide.
| Month | Date |
|---|---|
| January | 3 January |
| February | 1 February |
| March | 3 March |
| April | 2 April |
| May | 1 May, 31 May |
| June | 29 June |
| July | 29 July |
| August | 28 August |
| September | 26 September |
| October | 26 October |
| November | 24 November |
| December | 24 December |
Around Hoi An
The Cham Islands (Cù Lao Chàm). A group of 8 islands, a UNESCO biosphere reserve, 18 km offshore. Snorkelling, beaches and a fishing village. Tour: $20–40. Season: March to September.
Mỹ Sơn. Cham temple ruins from the 7th–13th centuries, a UNESCO site 40 km from Hoi An. Half-day tour: $10–25.
Trà Quế village. An organic farm 3 km from the centre. Cooking classes from $15 — see the full list of workshops in Hoi An, from cooking to lantern-making and pottery.
Basket boats. A show of extreme spinning on traditional woven boats. $5–10, 1–2 hours.
Hoi An beaches
Two to five kilometres from the Old Town lie some of the best beaches in central Vietnam. White sand, a gentle shelf, palm trees. One caveat worth knowing: Cửa Đại, once the main beach, has been badly eroded, so An Bàng is now the one to head for. Full detail on each beach is in our guide to Hoi An's beaches.
| Beach | Distance | Facilities | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| An Bàng Beach | 2.5 km | Loungers, bars, restaurants | Everyone |
| Cửa Đại Beach | 4 km | Minimal, fishing boats | A quiet day |
| Hà My Beach | 5 km | Almost none | Peace and quiet |
Best beach season: April to August. The sea is calm, the water clear, 27–29 °C. In winter (October–January) there are waves, murky water and strong wind.
The Old Town by night, lit with lanterns, is one of the most photogenic scenes in all of Vietnam. By day it is an ordinary tourist market with pushy vendors. Come after 17:00, when the lanterns come on and the cars are shut out.
— traveller review on Tripadvisor, 2025
For more first-hand takes on what lands and what disappoints, see our round-up of Hoi An reviews.
Where to stay in Hoi An
Areas to stay
| Area | Pros | Per night |
|---|---|---|
| Old Town | Everything on your doorstep, atmosphere | $20–100 |
| An Bàng Beach | Beach right there, quieter | $15–80 |
| Cẩm Thanh | Coconut groves, budget-friendly | $10–30 |
| Tân An (new town) | Supermarkets, pharmacies | $8–25 |
Budget (under $30): hundreds of cheap guesthouses. A typical $15–25 room means a clean air-conditioned room, breakfast, a pool and free bikes. Hostels: from $7 a bed.
Mid-range ($30–80): boutique hotels are Hoi An's calling card. For $40–60 you get a designer room, a pool, a tropical garden, breakfast and a spa.
Luxury ($80+): La Siesta Hoi An (5★, from $90), Vinpearl Resort & Golf (5★, from $120), Four Seasons The Nam Hai (5★, from $400). Our Hoi An hotels guide picks specific places by budget and area.
Weather in Hoi An — when to go
| Month | Day °C | Sea °C | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25 | 24 | Cool, rainy — sightseeing, not beach |
| February | 26 | 23 | Dry and comfortable |
| March | 29 | 25 | Best month, least rain |
| April | 31 | 26 | Beach season begins |
| May | 34 | 28 | Hot, good sea |
| June | 35 | 29 | Hot, best beach time |
| July | 35 | 30 | Hot, peak season — book ahead |
| August | 34 | 30 | Hot, short showers |
| September | 32 | 29 | Rains begin |
| October | 30 | 28 | Rain and floods |
| November | 28 | 27 | Rainy, flood risk |
| December | 25 | 25 | Cool, rain easing |
Best time: February–April for sightseeing (dry, 25–30 °C). April–August for the beach (sea 27–29 °C). The lantern festival runs year-round, but it is most comfortable from February to August. Month-by-month detail is in our Hoi An weather guide.
Food in Hoi An — what to try
Hoi An is Vietnam's culinary capital. Some dishes here are cooked nowhere else in the country. The secret is the water from ancient wells and century-old family recipes.
6 dishes made only in Hoi An
| Dish | What it is | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Cao Lầu | Thick noodles with pork and crisp croutons, made with well water | 30,000–50,000 VND (~$1.20–2) |
| White Rose | Shrimp dumplings shaped like a white rose; the Trần family recipe | 30,000–50,000 VND (~$1.20–2) |
| Mì Quảng | Wide noodles in turmeric broth with shrimp | 30,000–50,000 VND (~$1.20–2) |
| Cơm Gà Hội An | Chicken rice tinted with turmeric | 30,000–40,000 VND (~$1.20–1.60) |
| Bánh Mì Phượng | The best banh mi in Vietnam, per Anthony Bourdain | 20,000–30,000 VND (~$0.80–1.20) |
| Bánh Xèo | Crispy rice-flour crepe with shrimp | 30,000–50,000 VND (~$1.20–2) |
The best restaurants
Morning Glory — the best Vietnamese restaurant, with every local specialty on one menu. Book ahead.
Bánh Mì Phượng — the legendary banh mi. There is usually a queue, and it is worth the wait.
Cơm Gà Bà Buội — the best chicken rice. A tiny family spot, open until 14:00 (or until the rice runs out).
Day trips from Hoi An
Hoi An is a handy base for day trips. Two UNESCO sites, tropical islands, mountains and the Golden Bridge are all within 60 km.
| Trip | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Cham Islands | Full day | $20–40 |
| Mỹ Sơn | Half day | $10–25 |
| Basket boats | 1–2 hours | $5–10 |
| Cooking class | Half day | $25–45 |
| Ba Na Hills (Golden Bridge) | Full day | $50–80 |
What to pick if time is short
- Nature and sea → the Cham Islands (snorkelling, beach, lunch)
- History → Mỹ Sơn (the Cham temples, UNESCO)
- Food → a cooking class (market plus cooking 4–5 dishes)
- Instagram → Ba Na Hills (the Golden Bridge)
- With kids → VinWonders or the basket boats
I ordered a coat and two dresses — sewn in 2 days, $80 for the lot. My tip: bring a photo and a fabric sample, otherwise the shop picks for you and the result is a gamble. Almost everyone at the tailor speaks enough English, and you can pay by card.
— traveller on r/VietNam, 2025
Shopping — tailoring and souvenirs
The town has hundreds of workshops that will run up a suit, a dress, a bag or a pair of shoes to your measurements in a matter of hours. Most tailors speak enough English to talk through fit and fabric, and take card payment.
| Item | Turnaround | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Dress / skirt | 3–4 hours | $15–30 |
| Men's suit | 1–2 days | $80–150 |
| Leather shoes | 1–2 days | $30–60 |
| Leather bag | 1 day | $20–50 |
Best workshops: A Dong Silk (the largest, good value), Yaly Couture (premium, shoes and clothes since 1997), Bao Khanh (leather goods).
Hoi An is also the place to have a traditional áo dài made — the flowing Vietnamese dress that tailors here will fit to you in a day. See our guide to the Vietnamese áo dài for what to expect and how to choose the fabric.
What else to buy
- Silk lanterns — from 50,000 VND (~$2). They fold flat, easy to pack
- Ceramics from Thanh Hà village — handmade pots, vases and figurines
- Vietnamese coffee — from 80,000 VND (~$3) a pack
- Spices — pepper, turmeric, cinnamon
Getting around Hoi An
| Mode | Notes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| On foot | Best for the Old Town | Free |
| Bicycle | Flat town, many hotels lend them free | 30,000–50,000 VND/day (~$1.20–2) |
| Motorbike | For trips out of town | 100,000–150,000 VND/day (~$4–6) |
| Grab | Easy, fixed price, pay by card | from 15,000 VND (~$0.60) |
A bicycle is the best way to get around Hoi An. The town is completely flat and easy to ride. To An Bàng Beach it is a 10-minute pedal.
Practical information
Connectivity and internet
A SIM card with data costs 100,000–200,000 VND (~$4–8) from Viettel, Mobifone or Vietnamobile — bring your passport to buy one. WiFi is free in most hotels and cafés. An eSIM through Airalo or Holafly is handy to activate before you fly.
Money
The currency is the Vietnamese dong (VND). ATMs — BIDV, Vietcombank, Agribank — are on every corner, and most accept Visa and Mastercard. Cards are widely taken in hotels, tailor shops and mid-range restaurants, though street stalls and markets are cash-only. As of 2026, 1 USD ≈ 26,000 VND.
Visa
Visa rules depend on your passport. Many nationalities (UK, most of the EU and others) get a visa exemption of up to 45 days; US, Australian and Canadian travellers typically apply for the e-visa online before arrival. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months. Always check the current rules for your nationality on the official portal.
Safety
Hoi An is one of the safest towns in Vietnam. The main risks: pickpocketing in crowds, the odd tailor-shop scam (agree the price up front), and flooding in October–November.
Trip budget — what a Hoi An holiday costs
| Item | Budget | Mid | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $10–15 | $30–50 | $80–150 |
| Food (3 meals) | $5–8 | $10–20 | $25–50 |
| Transport | $1–2 | $3–5 | $10–15 |
| Activities | $5–10 | $15–30 | $40–80 |
| Total | $21–35 | $58–105 | $155–295 |
Per week: budget $150–250, mid $400–750, comfort $1,000–2,000. Flights not included.
Hoi An with kids
Hoi An is one of the best towns in Vietnam for a family trip. No manic traffic, clean streets, friendly people.
- An Bàng Beach — a gentle shelf, minimal waves in summer, cafés with kids' menus
- Basket boats — safe, and children love the spinning show. $5–10 for the family
- VinWonders Nam Hoi An — water park, rides, dolphin show. Adult 650,000 VND (~$26), child 450,000 VND (~$18)
- Cooking class — many schools take children from age 6
- Thanh Hà village — the potter's wheel and clay figurines. Entry: 35,000 VND (~$1.40)
Living in Hoi An as an expat
Hoi An is aimed at Western travellers and Korean tourists rather than any one expat community. Most long-term foreigners in central Vietnam are based in Da Nang (30 km), but a slower, greener crowd has settled in and around Hoi An.
Language: English is good in tourist spots — cafés, tailors and tour desks. Away from the centre it thins out fast.
Healthcare: pharmacies cluster in the Tân An area. For anything serious, the big hospitals are in Da Nang (30 min).
Long stays: a studio from $200/month, a one-bedroom $300–500/month, a house with a garden $400–700/month. Look via Facebook groups or Airbnb.
Coworking: a day pass from 100,000 VND (~$4). Many cafés work fine for laptop days — WiFi runs 30–50 Mbps.
Hoi An itineraries
3 days (the sweet spot)
Day 1 — the Old Town. 07:00: breakfast at the market (Cao Lầu). 08:30–12:00: Japanese Bridge → Phúc Kiến Hall → Tấn Ký House → Quan Công Temple → Cantonese Hall. 12:30: lunch at Bánh Mì Phượng. 14:00: the tailor shops. 17:30: the evening waterfront and a candle boat. 19:00: dinner at Morning Glory. 20:30: the night market.
Day 2 — beach and villages. 08:00–12:00: cycle to An Bàng Beach. 13:00: a bike tour of the rice fields and Trà Quế village. 15:00: Thanh Hà village (ceramics). 18:30: dinner at the Tân An market.
Day 3 — a day trip. Option A: the Cham Islands (full day). Option B: Mỹ Sơn (half day) plus basket boats (evening). 17:00: collect your order from the tailor. 18:00: a farewell walk.
5 days (extended)
Days 1–3 as above. Day 4: Da Nang and the Marble Mountains. Day 5: spa or massage, the beach, a final shopping run.
7 days (Hoi An + Hue)
Days 1–4: Hoi An. Day 5: transfer to Hue over the Hải Vân Pass. Days 6–7: Hue — the Imperial Citadel, Thiên Mụ and the royal tombs.
FAQ
How many days do you need in Hoi An?
A minimum of 2–3 days. Ideally 4–5, so you are not rushing and can catch the lantern festival.
Hue or Hoi An — which one?
If you can only pick one: Hoi An. It has beaches, history, food and shopping. Hue is about the citadel and the tombs. Ideally, combine both over 5–7 days (130 km, 4 hours by bus).
Is it worth going in summer?
Yes. June and July are the best time for the beach: the water is 29 °C and the sea is calm. It is hot (33–34 °C), but evenings are comfortable.
Which airport serves Hoi An?
None of its own. The nearest is Da Nang (DAD), 30 km away, a 30–60 minute transfer.
Does Hoi An flood?
Yes, in October and November. Water rises 1–2 metres. Cafés keep working on the upper floor, but the beach is out.
Is Hoi An safe?
One of the safest towns in Vietnam. Watch your things in crowds and take care on a motorbike.
Can you get around on foot?
The Old Town, yes (three streets by three). For the beach, a bicycle (10 min). For day trips, a motorbike or Grab.
What should you buy?
Made-to-measure clothes and shoes, silk lanterns, ceramics, Vietnamese coffee, spices and paintings.
Information current as of July 2026. Prices and conditions can change — verify the details with official sources before you travel.
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