Hoi An is one of my favorite places in all of Vietnam. It's a small, charming UNESCO World Heritage town full of lantern-lit streets, and it's only about 50 minutes from Da Nang, so it's easy to do both in one stay. Plan on 3–5 days.
Getting there
Fly into Da Nang International Airport (DAD). It's a great option if you're starting halfway down the country. From the airport, Hoi An is about 50 minutes by Grab or private car. Avoid metered taxis; I've been overcharged in one here. Remember to sort your e-visa before you fly; see my Vietnam travel guide.
Best things to do in Hoi An
Get clothes custom made. Hoi An is famous for fast, inexpensive, high-quality tailoring: suits, dresses, shoes and leather bags. Order early in your stay so there's time for a fitting.
Wander the Ancient Town at night, when the lanterns light up the river.
Catch the full moon lantern festival. On full moon nights, the town dims its lights and locals float candle lanterns on the river as offerings. It's magical.
Take a cooking class and learn to make Vietnamese classics with fresh market ingredients.
Spend a day at the beach. An Bang and Cua Dai beaches are both a few kilometers from town. Many beach chairs require you to order from the restaurant behind them. I spent way too much time lounging here!
Eat cheap and local. Prices in the Ancient Town are touristy; cross the river to the night food stalls for dishes from a dollar or two.
Best things to do in Da Nang
Marble Mountains: caves, pagodas and viewpoints, including the famous Am Phu ("Hell") Cave.
Basket boat ride through the coconut forest near Hoi An.
Golden Bridge: the giant stone hands outside the city. It wasn't built yet on my trip, so it's on my list!
Hai Van Pass: one of Vietnam's most famous coastal roads starts here.
Where to stay
Stay near the Ancient Town for food, shopping and nightlife within walking distance. You'll find everything from hostels and homestays to beachfront resorts. The town is very walkable, but you can rent a scooter if you want to explore further.
See Hoi An and Da Nang with a group
On my 9-day Vietnam group trip we spend three days here: lantern-lit Hoi An, time for the tailor shops, the Marble Mountains, a basket boat ride, a cooking class and a guided walk through the old town. Join us April 10–18, 2027. See the trip →