Where to stay in Hoi An: the 4 neighborhoods to know in 2026
An old town of lanterns, a river, and the sea four kilometres away: Hoi An comes down to that distance. Our members describe a town that transforms at nightfall, when the lanterns light up, and pleasant beaches you can reach by bike from almost anywhere.
Picking your base depends on what you want to step out into first thing in the morning, whether that is the historic quarter, a rice field, or the shoreline. Central Vietnam remains very affordable, with pleasant guesthouses going for $28 to $68* and beachfront resorts costing more.
In Hoi An, at night, the river is adorned with a thousand lanterns. The sight is magical.
Compare hotel prices in Hoi An
In a hurry? Find the best accommodation deals in 3 clicks.
Compare live deals from Booking, Expedia, Agoda and other partners.
At a glance: our picks by traveller type
Pick the profile that suits you to head straight to the recommended neighborhood.
The neighborhood map in Hoi An
Get your bearings on the neighborhoods and must-see sights before choosing where to drop your bags. Click a name to jump to its description.
The Old Town Around the Japanese Bridge
for the lanterns and walking everywhere
The protected historic core fits into a few yellow-walled streets along the river, anchored by the Japanese Bridge, Chinese assembly halls, and the central market. By day, it functions as an open-air museum and a hub for custom tailoring. By night, the lanterns and night market transform the entire atmosphere. The downside: the area is pedestrian-only at certain hours, packed with visitors, and hotels here run smaller than elsewhere.
At night, the glow of the lanterns, which are everywhere in the streets, and the night market make the city magnificent and very lively.
Where to stay in this neighborhood
Vinh Hung Riverside Resort & Spa Luxury
Right on the riverbank at the edge of the pedestrian zone, complete with a pool and views of the wooden boats. The best-located spot for evening lantern walks.
Vinh Hung Old Town Hotel Mid-range
A small historic house in the very heart of the protected zone featuring dark wood rooms. Step outside and you are immediately in the narrow streets.
Hoi An Heart Lodge Budget
Unpretentious family-run spot just a few minutes from the market, with bikes free to use. The lowest rate in our guide for this location.
Pros
- The historic alleyways and the night market on foot
- The tailors and restaurants right outside your door
Cons
- Very crowded during the day
- Few pools, small hotels
The south bank and Cam Nam Across the bridge
for peace and quiet and pools, five minutes from the centre
Cross the river and you leave the bustle behind without feeling isolated. The island of Cam Nam and the south bank feature guesthouses and resorts with pools set among gardens and vegetable patches. You can walk to the old town in five minutes across the bridge, which makes this the best balance in the guide. The neighbourhood stays mostly residential, so you sleep well, but you do not go out there.
We stayed between the town of Hoi An and the coast, right in the middle of herb gardens and next to a cooking school where we had a blast. We got to the beaches by bike.
Where to stay in this neighborhood
Anantara Resort Luxury
Historic colonial hotel right on the river, a few minutes from the Japanese Bridge. The top-tier stay closest to the historic centre.
Ha An Hotel Mid-range
Courtyard house with a garden, praised for its warm hospitality and located a five-minute walk from the protected zone. Frequently booked solid.
Windbell Homestay Villa Budget
Quiet guesthouse set among gardens, complete with bikes and breakfast. This is the most common setup around here, at an easy price.
Pros
- Quiet nights, gardens, and swimming pools
- The old town a five-minute walk away
Cons
- Nowhere to eat dinner nearby
- Poorly lit streets at night
Cua Dai and the east coast Towards the beach, four kilometres away
for the sea, resorts and families
The road heading east takes about ten minutes to reach Cua Dai Beach, lined with resorts featuring pools and gardens. This is the main hub for beach getaways where you swim in the morning and bike or take a shuttle into the old town for the evening. The beach has suffered heavily from erosion in recent years, leaving parts protected by rock defences, so check on the sand conditions right in front of the hotel before booking.
Where to stay in this neighborhood
Palm Garden Resort Luxury
Large beachfront resort with an expansive garden and pool. The classic choice for a beach stay here.
Ancient House Village Resort Mid-range
Wooden bungalows gathered around a pool, located right between the town and the beach. Free shuttles running both ways.
Hoi An Lazy Bear Hostel Budget
Hostel with a pool right on the beach road, popular with cyclists. The lowest rate in the area.
Pros
- The beach and resort pools
- Shuttles into the old town
Cons
- Severe erosion in certain spots
- Bikes or shuttles needed every night
An Bang and the northern beaches The liveliest stretch, just to the north-east
for beachfront bars and local guesthouses
A bit further north, An Bang keeps a genuine coastal village feel with bars right on the sand, small guesthouses, and expat-run cafés. The shoreline is wider than at Cua Dai, and the vibe is noticeably more relaxed. People tend to settle in here for a few days at a time, especially since the old town is only a fifteen-minute bike ride away through the rice paddies, which our members describe as one of the best moments of their stay.
Where to stay in this neighborhood
Santa Villa Hoi An Mid-range
Pool villa just minutes from the beach in a quiet pocket, hitting a solid balance of comfort and value.
An Bang Beach Homestay Budget
Straightforward family-run guesthouse steps from the sand, capturing the neighbourhood spirit on a modest budget.
The Happy Bird B&B Budget
Friendly small-scale spot providing bikes, tucked between the paddies and the shore for an easy multi-night stay.
Pros
- The most pleasant beach and its beach bars
- Bike ride through the rice paddies
Cons
- Few large hotels, mostly guesthouses
- At night, you need a bike or a taxi to get into town
Our tips for booking the right place
- Biking solves almost everything: Almost every place to stay lends them out, and the terrain is completely flat. Between the Old Town, the rice paddies, and the beaches, it is less than four kilometres, and it is how our members describe getting around. That makes picking an area much less of a commitment than elsewhere.
- My Son is best visited early in the morning: The Cham sanctuary, about forty kilometres to the west, takes a half day from any area in the guide. One of our members points out that a good guide is essential here, since the ruins are partially reconstructed and the site is still being cleared of landmines in places. Heading out at dawn helps beat both the heat and the tour groups.
- The Old Town ticket: Access to the historic district requires a bundled ticket that covers a limited number of visits to old houses, temples, and museums. You pick it up at the ticket booths right at the entrance to the neighbourhood. Staying in the old town does not exempt you from buying one to tour the monuments.
- Booking in Cua Dai without checking the condition of the beach in front of the hotel: erosion has heavily chewed away the sand in spots, and some properties rely on rock defences for protection. An Bang is a safer bet in that regard.
- Grabbing a room right in the pedestrian zone if you need quiet evenings: the streets stay lively late and the buildings are older, meaning soundproofing is minimal. The south bank puts you within walking distance while keeping things quiet.
- Picking an isolated spot out in the rice paddies without a bicycle or scooter: lovely during the day, much less fun when you are heading back after dinner along unlit paths.
FAQ: where to stay in Hoi An
Which neighbourhood should you pick for a first visit to Hoi An?
Is it better to stay in town or at the beach?
Where can you stay cheaply in Hoi An?
Should you rent a scooter?
How long should you stay?
How much does a hotel night cost in Hoi An?
Keep exploring
Things to do in Hoi An
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first!