🇻🇳Hoi An
A UNESCO-listed trading port frozen in time — lantern-lit streets, a centuries-old Japanese bridge, and a tailoring industry that can turn a sketch into a custom suit in 48 hours.
Mid-range figures, per person · DAD is the nearest major airport
Per person, no flights — those are just below. The mid-range figure is researched; budget and luxury scale it, so treat the two as rough. The trip calculator and hotels below break the day down properly.
Fares are into Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Domestic legs on Vietnam Airlines or Vietjet run $25–70 each way. Ranges are typical fares booked 1–3 months out, checked mid-2026 — school-holiday peaks run higher, and patient shoppers beat the bottom end.
Prices checked · how we work these out
Entry & visa
Many nationalities can apply for a 45-day e-visa online in advance, and some countries get short visa-free stays — check current requirements for your passport before booking.
Visa rules turn on your nationality and change often — always confirm the current requirement for your own passport with an official government source before you book.
Quick facts
Money & what things cost
Mostly a cash town, especially in the Ancient Town's markets and small tailor shops, though larger hotels and restaurants take cards. ATMs are available but less dense than in Da Nang, so it's worth withdrawing enough before arriving if staying a few days. The Ancient Town charges a small entrance ticket fee that grants access to a handful of historic houses, temples, and the Japanese Bridge — buy it at one of the official ticket booths.
What locals earn
| Average monthly salary (Hoi An area) | ≈ $300–350 | gross; heavily tied to tourism, tailoring, and hospitality |
| Minimum wage (Region II, Hoi An/Quang Nam) | ≈ $170/month | government-set regional minimum, slightly lower than Da Nang's |
Food & drink
| Item | Local price | ≈ USD |
|---|---|---|
| Cao lau or banh mi from a local stall | 25,000–40,000₫ | $1–1.60 |
| Casual restaurant meal, per person | 70,000–130,000₫ | $3–5.50 |
| Mid-range riverside dinner, per person | 200,000–400,000₫ | $8–16 |
| Vietnamese iced coffee | 20,000–35,000₫ | $0.80–1.40 |
| Custom tailored shirt (budget shop) | 300,000–600,000₫ | $12–25 |
Transport
| Item | Local price | ≈ USD |
|---|---|---|
| Bicycle rental, per day (many hotels include free) | 30,000–50,000₫ | $1.20–2 |
| Grab motorbike, short trip | 15,000–25,000₫ | $0.60–1 |
| Grab car, across town | 40,000–80,000₫ | $1.60–3.20 |
| Da Nang Airport → Hoi An, Grab/taxi (~45 min) | 300,000–400,000₫ | $12–16 |
Where to sleep & what it costs
| Tier | Per night | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hostel dorm | $5–10 | Mostly a short walk or bike ride from the Ancient Town |
| Budget hotel | $18–35 | Often includes bicycle use and a pool even at this tier |
| Mid-range hotel | $35–70 | Riverside and near-beach (An Bang) options both available |
| Luxury | $130+ | Beachfront resorts near An Bang Beach concentrate the top end |
Trip cost calculator
$80 per person per day · 4 nights of lodging (Mid-range hotel)
A rough estimate from this page’s daily budget and hotel prices — not a quote. Lodging assumes one room for the group; flights use the midpoint of the Getting there ranges above.
Getting around
- From the airport
- Da Nang International Airport is about 45 minutes away — Grab, taxi, or a pre-arranged hotel shuttle are the main options, running 300,000–400,000₫ for a car.
- Walking
- The Ancient Town itself is fully walkable and partially pedestrianized at certain hours — genuinely one of the most walkable historic centers in Southeast Asia.
- Bicycle
- The best way to get around beyond the Ancient Town core — flat terrain, dedicated paths in places, and most hotels rent or lend bikes for free or a small fee.
- Grab (ride-hailing app)
- Useful for reaching An Bang Beach (about 3km from the Ancient Town) or the airport, with fixed upfront pricing.
- Motorbike/scooter rental
- Widely available and popular for day trips to the Marble Mountains or Da Nang, though the same first-timer caution and international permit requirements apply as elsewhere in Vietnam.
Neighborhoods to stay in
- Ancient Town / Old Town
- The most atmospheric base, walking distance to everything historic, though can feel touristy and noisy in the evening lantern rush.
- An Bang Beach
- A relaxed beach base about 15–20 minutes by bike from the Ancient Town, with a younger, more laid-back cafe scene.
- Cam Chau / riverside outskirts
- Quieter, often set among rice paddies, a short bike ride from the center — good for a slower-paced stay.
Things to do
Nightlife
Restaurants
Theater & shows
Tipping & etiquette
- The Ancient Town's paid ticket covers entry to a handful of historic sites (Japanese Bridge, ancient houses, temples) — keep it on hand, as it may be checked at multiple stops.
- Bargaining is expected at the markets but should stay friendly — this is especially true when negotiating a tailoring order, where price often depends on fabric quality and turnaround time.
- Lanterns are released onto the river as part of the monthly Full Moon Lantern Festival — a particularly atmospheric time to visit if the dates align with a trip.
- Dress modestly at the Ancient Town's temples and communal houses — shoulders and knees covered.
Safety & common scams
Hoi An is one of the safest and calmest towns in Vietnam for visitors, with low crime and a relaxed, walkable center. The main practical risks are traffic on the roads leading into town (from bicycles/motorbikes) and, seasonally, flooding in the Ancient Town during the wet season, which can close low-lying streets for a day or two.
Scams to know
- Rushed or lower-quality tailoring from shops offering same-day turnaround at rock-bottom prices — read reviews and allow at least 24–48 hours and one fitting for good results.
- Overcharging on custom orders by adding costs after the fact — get a clear, itemized price in writing before agreeing to any tailoring order.
- Unofficial 'guides' at the Ancient Town gates offering unsolicited tours for a fee — official ticket booths and licensed guides are clearly marked.
- Overpriced boat trips or lantern-release vendors along the river — agree on the price before boarding or accepting a lantern to release.
Emergency numbers: 113 (police), 114 (fire), 115 (ambulance)
Phone & internet
Cheap and reliable — a tourist SIM or eSIM (Viettel, Mobifone, Vinaphone) costs $3–8 for a couple of weeks of data, easiest to buy at Da Nang Airport on arrival since Hoi An itself has fewer official shops. Coverage is strong throughout the town and nearby beaches.
First-timer FAQs
How many days do I need?
Two to three days covers the Ancient Town, a tailoring order (which needs at least one fitting), and a beach day at An Bang; a cooking class or Marble Mountains day trip can extend this to four or five.
Is Hoi An or Da Nang the better base?
Hoi An has more historic charm and is more walkable; Da Nang has the airport, bigger beach, and more nightlife. They're about 45 minutes apart, so many visitors split time between both or day-trip from one to the other.
How does the tailoring actually work?
Pick a shop (ideally researched or recommended in advance), choose fabric and a style — from a photo or an existing garment — get measured, and expect at least one fitting before the final piece; rushing this reduces quality.
Does the Ancient Town really flood?
Yes, seasonally — heavy rain between October and December can raise the Thu Bon River enough to flood the lowest streets for a day or two; it's a known local phenomenon, not a sign of a rare disaster, but worth checking forecasts if traveling in that window.
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