Wondering where to stay in Hoi An first time? During our three-month trip through Vietnam, we spent five weeks in Da Nang and visited Hoi An twice, for a total of six days.
That’s not surprising: the two cities are only about a 40-minute drive apart. Yet, in terms of atmosphere, they couldn’t be further apart.
Unlike Da Nang, Hoi An is truly authentic. It’s no wonder its historic center (Old Town) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Yes, it’s busy (sometimes even very busy), but it’s also incredibly charming. The narrow streets are full of charming shops, you can have clothes and accessories custom-made (including bags), and in the evenings, it’s teeming with cozy bars and restaurants. The food here is truly fantastic.
Da Nang tries to create authenticity with recreated neighborhoods, but that simply doesn’t work.
Moreover, the city is struggling with many vacant buildings due to the rapid rise of new high-rise buildings.
Hoi An, on the other hand, is vibrant. It’s busy, energetic, and undoubtedly one of the highlights of Vietnam. So expect plenty of tourists.
But where to stay in Hoi An is the best choice? That depends entirely on what you’re looking for: right in the heart of the action, surrounded by rice paddies, or close to the beach. Below, we highlight three neighborhoods we recommend.
The best areas to stay in Hoi An first time are Hoi An Old Town, Cam Thanh, and An Bang Beach.
For the vast majority of tourists, Hoi An Old Town is by far the best area to stay. The closer you are to the old town, the easier it is to explore what makes the city so popular.
It is, however, incredibly busy and touristy, so those who want to avoid that have, in my opinion, two alternative areas to choose from.
Cam Thanh is located north of the old town and is known for its rice paddies. Here you can find beautiful hotels with views of these paddies.
An Bang Beach is one option if you want to stay close to the beach.
The downside, of course, is that these two alternative areas are not within walking distance of Hoi An’s historic center.
| Name of the area | Ideal for |
|---|---|
| Hoi An Old Town | Known for its historic center, UNESCO heritage, charming streets, lanterns, temples, restaurants, bars, and shops, it’s ideal for travelers who want to be in the heart of the action, first-time visitors to Hoi An, short stays, and anyone who enjoys having everything within walking distance in the evening. |
| Cam Thanh | Known for its rice paddies, tranquility, coconut palms, and a more rural atmosphere just outside the city, it’s ideal for travelers who want to avoid the crowds but still stay close to Hoi An, couples, slow travelers, and those looking for affordable, quieter accommodations. |
| An Bang Beach | Known for its beaches, beach cafes, relaxed atmosphere, and laid-back vibe, it’s ideal for beach lovers, digital nomads, couples, and travelers seeking relaxation who don’t mind getting to Hoi An by taxi or scooter. |
Stay in the heart of the historic center
If you want to be as close to everything as possible, staying in Hoi An Old Town is undoubtedly the best choice.
This is the historic center, and it’s where almost everything happens: restaurants, bars, shops, temples, and the iconic lanterns that illuminate the city at night.
You can practically explore Hoi An’s Old Town in one day.
There are five temples you can visit (buy a combined ticket for about 100,000 VND), but most travelers stay longer.
Simply because the atmosphere is so pleasant and there’s still plenty to do.
You can take a cooking class, rent a bike and explore the surrounding rice paddies, or take a coconut boat tour in the area.
The biggest drawback of staying in Old Town is the crowds.
It’s incredibly lively here, both day and night. People are taking photos, eating out, listening to live music, and taking boat trips on the river.
That also means noise pollution.
Especially if your hotel or guesthouse is right on a busy street.
Our advice: if you still want to stay in or near the Old Town, choose accommodation just off the main streets.
You can walk to the city center in just a few minutes, but you’ll sleep much more peacefully.
This area is a bit more expensive, but you’re paying for location… and it’s simply superb here.
Hoi An is one of my favorite cities because its old town is beautifully preserved. Ancient temples, unique architecture, plenty of shops, and tons of food.
Peace between rice fields and nature
Tired of the hustle and bustle of the city and looking for some peace and quiet, but not too far from Hoi An?
Then Cam Thanh is a great option for an overnight stay. This neighborhood is just outside the city center and is known for its rice paddies, coconut palms, and a much more relaxed atmosphere.
Up until this point, our trip had mainly consisted of visiting cities, and at some point, you just long for a bit more space and greenery.
Cam Thanh is perfect if you want to escape the chaos without being completely isolated.
Here, you wake up with a view of rice paddies instead of traffic and honking scooters.
Many accommodations in Cam Thanh are small-scale resorts, eco-lodges, or homestays with a swimming pool.
Ideal for relaxing during the day and then heading to Hoi An in the evening. The historic center is just 10 to 15 minutes away by bike or taxi.
Keep in mind that this neighborhood also has its own distinct hustle and bustle: local traffic and organized tours (such as coconut boat tours).
It’s quieter than Old Town, but not completely silent. That said, the balance between tranquility and accessibility is excellent.
For travelers wondering where to stay in Hoi An if they’re looking for something affordable and quieter, Cam Thanh is a very strong choice.
That said, the vast majority still choose to stay near the historic center (purely for convenience).
The old town is bustling both day and night. Many tourists choose to take a boat trip when the sun has given way to the moon. The lanterns that light up in the evening create a unique atmosphere.
Beach, relaxing and a laid-back vibe
Are you ready for a beach getaway and are you consciously choosing Hoi An over Da Nang?
Then An Bang Beach is the best place to stay.
This area is located by the sea and has a relaxed, almost bohemian atmosphere with beach cafes, yoga studios, and small boutique hotels.
An Bang Beach is perfect if you want to combine Hoi An with beach days.
During the day, you can relax by the sea, and in the evenings, if you’re so inclined, you can head to Hoi An’s town center for dinner or drinks.
There is one significant drawback: it’s quite a distance from Hoi An Old Town.
So, you can’t just walk back to your hotel in the evening.
You’ll have to rely on a taxi or Grab, which works well enough, but it’s something to keep in mind. The ride takes about 15–20 minutes.
In terms of atmosphere, An Bang is much quieter than Old Town.
It’s popular with digital nomads, couples, and travelers who want to slow down their pace. If you’re looking for a pleasant stay without the crowds of tourists, you’ve come to the right place.
In short: where to stay in Hoi An if the beach is important to you?
Then An Bang Beach is definitely the best choice…as long as you don’t mind being a bit further from the city center.
Our top tip: stay as close to the historic center as possible if Hoi An is your main destination.
That’s where everything happens, and where you’ll experience the city’s true atmosphere.
If you find Old Town too crowded or expensive, choose one of the surrounding neighborhoods like Cam Thanh.
If you’re looking for peace and quiet or a beach, Cam Thanh and An Bang Beach are excellent alternatives.
Whichever neighborhood you choose, Hoi An remains one of the most unique places in Vietnam…busy, chaotic, and yet incredibly charming.