Choosing an area
The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed in 1999, and its historic core covers only about 74 acres (30 ha). Places to stay are spread along the river, on the northern side of town and out at the beach. The decision is mostly about how you want to get to the old town in the evening and how you reach the airport.
Below is how the main areas compare, using distances and times published by operators and tourism portals. Hotel names appear only as location examples, not recommendations, and prices are left out because they change daily. This site does not sell rooms and has no booking links.
The areas at a glance
Times and distances are operator estimates and depend on traffic and how you travel.
| Area | Suits | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| River and old town edge | Walking to the sights, evenings on the riverfront | Anantara Hoi An at 1 Pham Hong Thai on the Thu Bon River has a promenade to the old town and quotes about 50 minutes from the airport. |
| Northern edge of the center | Short rides to both the old town and the beach | Almanity at 326 Ly Thuong Kiet in Hoi An Tay quotes 5 minutes to the old town, 10 to the beach and 35 to the airport. It does not state how you travel. |
| An Bang beach | Beach days, restaurants on the sand | About 3 miles (5 km) from the old town and 18.5 miles (30 km) from central Da Nang. Check the coastal works first. |
| Cua Dai | Boat trips toward the Cham Islands | About 3 miles (5 km) east of the old town, at the mouth of the Thu Bon. The beach and the boat harbor are not exactly the same place. |
| Countryside around town | Cycling and village life | Farther from the old town. Ask how you get in and out in the evening. |
Tours from Hoi An
Old town walks, My Son, boat trips and food tours, with live prices and availability.
The old town and the river
Staying at the edge of the old town lets you walk to the Japanese Bridge, the old houses and the lantern streets. Check the traffic rules before you book. In March 2026 the old town core was limited to pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles from 09:00 to 21:30 in summer and 09:00 to 21:00 in winter, and Phan Chau Trinh from 17:30. Older guides list other windows, so ask your hotel where taxis can drop you.
The river is also where flooding starts. If you stay close to the Thu Bon in autumn, ask the hotel what its plan is when the water rises. See the ancient town guide for the sights and tickets, and the night market across the An Hoi bridge for the evening.
The beach: An Bang and Cua Dai
The Da Nang tourism portal describes An Bang as having shaded loungers, huts, hammocks, restaurants and beach bars, and lists places to stay and eat along the sand. It describes Cua Dai as the starting area for boat trips toward the Cham Islands.
The coast is changing. A Da Nang news portal reported an erosion emergency in November 2025, and coastal protection works began on 20 May 2026. As of 18 September 2026, about 75% of the concrete lining next to An Bang was reported finished, with a target before 30 November 2026. Plan dates are not completion dates. Do not assume that every beach is closed, or that all of them are intact. Our An Bang Beach guide has the current picture.
A beach stay means a ride every time you visit the old town. A bike, an e-buggy or a car or transfer are the usual ways, per the tourism portal. Beach hotels are not a flood guarantee either.
The countryside
Stays in the villages and fields around Hoi An put you farther from the old town. Before you book, ask the owner how you get in and out in the evening, whether bikes are provided, and what happens during heavy rain. For day activities in that landscape, the Tra Que vegetable village and the bike tours have their own guides.
Things that decide the choice
Four questions that settle it faster than a ranking.
When do you travel?
October and November are the wettest months, with 25.9 in (658 mm) and 19.1 in (486 mm) of rain on average. See the weather page before you pick a low-lying spot.
How do you arrive?
Grab or a hotel transfer from Da Nang airport is the simple route. See Da Nang to Hoi An for fares.
Do you want lantern nights?
They fall on the 14th night of each lunar month. Local calendars list 23 October, 22 November and 22 December 2026. See the lantern festival page.
How much walking do you want?
The closer to the old town, the less you depend on rides. The farther out, the more you plan each trip in and out.
Where to stay in Hoi An: frequently asked questions
What is the best area to stay in Hoi An?
It depends on your plans. The river and old town edge suit walking trips, the northern edge is a middle option, and An Bang suits beach days. See the table above for distances.
Should I stay in the old town or at the beach?
The old town edge saves rides to the sights and the night market. The beach is about 3 miles (5 km) away, so every visit needs a bike, e-buggy or car. Check the coastal works at An Bang first.
Is any part of Hoi An safe from flooding?
No area can be called flood-proof. The Thu Bon River causes the worst problems in October and November, and flooding in October 2025 led to evacuations of tourists. Ask your hotel about its plan.
How far is Hoi An from Da Nang airport?
Two hotels quote about 35 and about 50 minutes from the airport. Allow 35–60 minutes by road.
Can I book hotels through this site?
No. This is an independent guide with no booking links. Names in the table are location examples only.