Vietnam travel guide
Hoi An or Da Nang: Where to Base Yourself
Short answer: stay in Hoi An — the lantern-lit old town is why you came to central Vietnam, and An Bang beach is 10 minutes by bicycle. Da Nang suits travellers who want a modern city hotel strip, the long My Khe beach, or an early flight out. They are 45 minutes apart, so you can genuinely do both from one base.
At a glance
| Character | Hoi An: heritage old town, lanterns, tailors · Da Nang: modern beach city |
|---|---|
| Beach | Hoi An: An Bang (10 min by bike) · Da Nang: My Khe (cityfront) |
| Evenings | Hoi An: riverside lanterns, night market · Da Nang: rooftop bars, Dragon Bridge fire show (weekends) |
| Costs | Broadly equal; Da Nang edges cheaper for big-hotel rooms |
| Airport | Da Nang’s is 45 min from Hoi An (~400,000–500,000 VND by car) |
The case for Hoi An
Hoi An’s old town is one of Asia’s loveliest evenings: car-free lanes, silk lanterns, river boats at dusk. Stay in or near the old town and you get it at 7 am too, before the tour groups — see where to stay in Hoi An. Days fill easily: a tailor fitting (suits from ~US$150–300, shirts ~US$25–40, allow two fittings), a cooking class, the basket boats at Cam Thanh, and An Bang beach when it is hot. Old town entry is a 120,000 VND ticket covering five heritage sites.
The case for Da Nang
Da Nang is the pragmatic choice: a long cityfront beach (My Khe) with proper surf-season waves, international hotel brands at prices below Hoi An’s boutique heritage houses, and the airport ten minutes from the strip. The Marble Mountains (caves and pagodas, ~40,000 VND) sit between the two cities, and the Dragon Bridge breathes fire and water on weekend evenings at 9 pm. Ba Na Hills and its Golden Bridge are an hour away — go at opening to beat the crowds. See Da Nang highlights.
Doing both
Most travellers should base in Hoi An and day-trip Da Nang (or stop en route to the airport): Grab cars run ~250,000–350,000 VND (~A$15–21) each way, 45 minutes. With five nights or more, splitting 3+2 works: old-town evenings, then a beachfront finish. More in the Hoi An itinerary and Da Nang itinerary.
The verdict
Romance, food, tailoring, cycling: Hoi An. Beach-first, modern comforts, early flight: Da Nang. Time-poor and forced to pick one evening: Hoi An, no contest. Our Vietnam 10-day itinerary shows how both fit a longer route.
Keep planning Vietnam
Hoi An vs Da Nang — FAQs
Is it better to stay in Hoi An or Da Nang?
Hoi An for most travellers — the old town is the region's highlight and An Bang beach is 10 minutes by bicycle. Da Nang suits beach-first trips, modern hotel preferences and early departures from its airport.
How far is Hoi An from Da Nang?
About 45 minutes by car (~250,000–350,000 VND by Grab). Da Nang's airport is the gateway for both, roughly 45 minutes from Hoi An old town.
Is Hoi An or Da Nang cheaper?
Broadly equal for food and activities. Da Nang's large beachfront hotels undercut Hoi An's heritage boutique houses, while Hoi An's homestays are the budget sweet spot.
Last reviewed and updated: by the AmazingAsia editorial team. See our editorial policy.