Hoi An is Vietnam’s most enchanting small town, where a UNESCO-listed Ancient Town of Japanese merchant houses, Chinese temples, and French colonial shutters glows golden under hundreds of silk lanterns every evening. The accommodation scene has expanded dramatically from the Ancient Town core to include beachfront resorts, rice-paddy homestays, and island retreats, all at prices that make Hoi An one of the best-value destinations in Southeast Asia. Bicycles are the preferred transport, and nowhere is more than a 15-minute ride away.
- Ancient Town — Best for first-timers and cultural immersion
- An Bang Beach — Best for beach lovers and relaxation
- Cam Thanh (Coconut Village) — Best for eco-tourism and rural peace
- Cua Dai Area — Best for resort luxury and spa retreats
- Tan An / West Bank — Best for local life and budget stays
- Tra Que Vegetable Village — Best for cooking enthusiasts and slow travel
Ancient Town
Best for: Best for first-timers and cultural immersion | Price range: $8-80/night
Staying inside or immediately adjacent to the UNESCO-listed core puts you steps from the Japanese Covered Bridge, lantern-lit streets, and tailor shops that Hoi An is famous for. Morning tai chi by the Thu Bon River and evening lantern markets create a rhythm unique to this town. Boutique hotels in restored merchant houses run 600,000-1,500,000 VND per night, while homestays start from 200,000 VND. The trade-off is tourist density during the day, but after 9 PM the Ancient Town empties and becomes magical.
An Bang Beach
Best for: Best for beach lovers and relaxation | Price range: $10-150/night
The golden-sand beach 4 kilometres east of the Ancient Town has developed a charming strip of beachfront restaurants, bars, and small hotels without losing its laid-back character. Morning swimming, afternoon lounging at Soul Kitchen or Shore Club, and sunset beers with your feet in the sand make for perfect beach days. Budget beach bungalows start from 300,000 VND while boutique resorts with pools run 1,000,000-3,000,000 VND. A bicycle ride to the Ancient Town takes 15 minutes along rice paddies.
Cam Thanh (Coconut Village)
Best for: Best for eco-tourism and rural peace | Price range: $6-50/night
The village south of the Ancient Town along the waterways of the coconut palm forest offers homestays surrounded by water palms where you can take basket boat rides, join fishing trips, and cycle through rice paddies to reach town. This is Hoi An at its most rural and authentic. Family-run homestays with home-cooked meals go for 150,000-400,000 VND per night. The coconut forest boat tour is best experienced as a resident rather than a day-tripper.
Cua Dai Area
Best for: Best for resort luxury and spa retreats | Price range: $80-600/night
The road from the Ancient Town to Cua Dai Beach is lined with Hoi An’s top resorts — the Four Seasons Nam Hai, Victoria Hoi An, and Boutique Hoi An Resort among them. Infinity pools, world-class spas, and private beach access create a resort experience anchored by the cultural richness of the Ancient Town a short shuttle ride away. Rates range from 2,000,000 to 15,000,000 VND per night but include facilities that justify the premium.
Tan An / West Bank
Best for: Best for local life and budget stays | Price range: $5-60/night
The neighbourhood across the Thu Bon River from the Ancient Town accessed by the An Hoi footbridge has the best ratio of location to price in Hoi An. Rooftop bars and restaurants on the riverside look directly across at the Ancient Town’s lantern-lit facade. Budget hostels and family hotels start from 150,000 VND. The morning market on the west side of the bridge is where locals shop for produce. Two-minute walk to the Ancient Town but notably cheaper and quieter.
Tra Que Vegetable Village
Best for: Best for cooking enthusiasts and slow travel | Price range: $5-40/night
The organic farming village 3 kilometres north of the Ancient Town is famous for its herb gardens supplying Hoi An’s restaurants. Several homestays offer cooking classes, farm-to-table meals, and the chance to work in the gardens alongside local farmers. Accommodation is simple but charming — thatched-roof rooms surrounded by mint, basil, and morning glory fields. A bicycle ride to the Ancient Town takes 10 minutes through some of Vietnam’s prettiest countryside.
Quick Comparison
| Neighbourhood | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient Town | Best for first-timers and cultural immersion | $8-80/night |
| An Bang Beach | Best for beach lovers and relaxation | $10-150/night |
| Cam Thanh (Coconut Village) | Best for eco-tourism and rural peace | $6-50/night |
| Cua Dai Area | Best for resort luxury and spa retreats | $80-600/night |
| Tan An / West Bank | Best for local life and budget stays | $5-60/night |
| Tra Que Vegetable Village | Best for cooking enthusiasts and slow travel | $5-40/night |
Budget Tips for Hoi An
Tailoring is cheaper if you order multiple items at the same shop — negotiate package deals for suits and shirts. Ancient Town entry tickets (120,000 VND) include five site visits and are valid for 24 hours. Rent a bicycle for 30,000 VND per day rather than taking taxis. Banh mi from Madam Khanh or Phi Banh Mi cost 20,000-30,000 VND and are among the best meals in Vietnam.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best area to stay in Hoi An for first-time visitors?
Ancient Town is the best area for first-timers in Hoi An. It offers best for first-timers and cultural immersion with convenient access to major attractions and a wide range of accommodation.
What is the cheapest neighbourhood to stay in Hoi An?
For budget travelers, Tra Que Vegetable Village offers the most affordable accommodation starting from $5.
Is it safe to walk around Hoi An at night?
The main tourist neighbourhoods in Hoi An are generally safe for walking at night, particularly Ancient Town and An Bang Beach. Use normal city precautions, avoid poorly lit side streets, and keep valuables out of sight.