Hoi An is one of Southeast Asia's most rewarding first stops — compact enough to feel immediately familiar, but layered enough that every alley reveals something new. The Ancient Town is a living museum of Vietnamese trading history, the food scene is among the country's best, and the pace is deliberately slow in a way that makes most first-timers extend their stay. But a few practical realities separate a smooth arrival from a chaotic one: the airport is in the wrong city, the currency requires recalibration, the tailor touts are relentless, and the bicycle-or-motorbike decision shapes your entire experience. This guide covers everything you need before you arrive.
Before You Arrive
Visa: Citizens of many countries including the USA, UK, EU nations, Australia, Canada, Japan, and South Korea are eligible for Vietnam's e-visa, which costs $25 USD, is valid for up to 90 days, and allows multiple entries. Apply at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn — the official government portal. Processing takes 3–5 business days. Avoid third-party "visa assistance" sites that charge $60–$100 for the same application. Citizens of some countries (including Singapore, Germany, France, and several others) receive visa-free entry for 15–45 days — check the current list before applying for an e-visa you may not need.
Currency: Vietnam uses the Vietnamese Dong (VND). The exchange rate is approximately 25,000–25,500 VND per 1 USD. The large denominations (500,000 VND is about $20) and the zeros take getting used to. A 500,000 VND note and a 50,000 VND note look similar — count carefully. Do not exchange money at the airport (poor rates). Use Vietcombank or BIDV ATMs for cash withdrawals — they offer the best rates and lowest fees. Many local restaurants and market stalls are cash-only, so always carry 200,000–500,000 VND in small notes.
SIM Card: Buy at Da Nang Airport before exiting arrivals. Viettel and Vietnamobile tourist SIMs start at 150,000–200,000 VND for 7–10 days with 3–5 GB data. Viettel has the strongest coverage across rural areas. Staff at the airport counters speak basic English and will activate the SIM for you. Having mobile data from arrival is important for Grab (the ride-hailing app you'll use to get to Hoi An).
What to pack for the weather: Hoi An has two distinct seasons. From February to July it is mostly dry, warm, and sunny (25–35°C). From August to January, typhoon season brings heavy rainfall, high humidity, and occasional flooding in the Ancient Town — pack waterproof sandals and a rain poncho. The town floods quickly but drains quickly; locals put furniture on tables and keep trading.
Getting from the Airport
Hoi An is served by Da Nang International Airport (DAD), located approximately 30 km north of the Ancient Town. The journey takes 40–55 minutes depending on traffic. There is no direct bus service from the airport to Hoi An, so your realistic options are:
Grab Car (recommended): Open the Grab app, select GrabCar, and set your destination to Hoi An. The fare is 200,000–280,000 VND ($8–$11) depending on the time of day and traffic. Surge pricing applies during peak hours (7–9 AM, 5–7 PM). Walk to the departure-level road or the designated ride-hailing pickup zone to avoid airport taxi touts. This is the best combination of price and reliability.
Fixed-Rate Airport Taxi: The official taxi rank outside arrivals offers metered or fixed-rate rides. The fixed rate to Hoi An is approximately 350,000–420,000 VND ($14–$17). Legitimate operators include Vinasun and Mai Linh — insist on the meter or agree on the price before getting in. Avoid men inside the terminal offering "taxi."
Private Transfer via Accommodation: Most Hoi An guesthouses and hotels offer pre-booked airport transfers for 250,000–350,000 VND. Email ahead and they'll have a driver holding a sign with your name. The most stress-free option for first-time visitors arriving late at night.
Shared Minibus: Online operators and guesthouses coordinate shared minibuses that charge 100,000–150,000 VND per person. The trade-off is waiting for the van to fill and potential stops at other hotels first. Worth it if you've arranged it in advance and aren't carrying awkward luggage.
Getting Around
Hoi An is one of the few places in Vietnam where a car is genuinely unnecessary. The Ancient Town is pedestrian-only during daytime peak hours, and the most enjoyable explorations happen at walking or cycling pace.
On foot: The Ancient Town core is compact — you can walk from the Japanese Covered Bridge to the Fujian Assembly Hall in 8 minutes. Most guesthouses within 1 km of the center are walkable to all major sites. Walking is the best way to discover the side alleys, hidden temple courtyards, and artisan workshops that define the Hoi An experience.
Bicycle: This is the definitive Hoi An transport. Rentals cost 30,000–50,000 VND per day from guesthouses or street shops. A bicycle takes you to An Bang Beach (5 km, through rice paddies), Cua Dai Beach (3.5 km), the Tra Que Organic Village (3 km north), and the Cam Kim commune (a short free ferry crossing away). Cycling through the flat rice paddies surrounding Hoi An at dawn or dusk is one of Southeast Asia's great simple pleasures.
Motorbike: Motorbike rentals (100,000–150,000 VND/day) expand your range to the Marble Mountains (30 km) and the coastal road to Da Nang. You need a valid license in your home country that covers motorbikes — technically an international permit is required, though enforcement is inconsistent. Never underestimate Vietnamese road traffic; it is dense, fast, and follows logic that takes time to read.
Grab: Available for short hops within and around town. GrabBike (motorcycle taxi) costs 15,000–30,000 VND within the center. GrabCar is your return option to Da Nang Airport. Always book via the app rather than negotiating with tuk-tuk drivers who will charge 2–3x the Grab price.
Where to Base Yourself
Hoi An splits into two distinct base options that suit different travel styles: the Ancient Town area, and An Bang Beach. Your choice shapes your entire experience.
Old Town / Ancient Town Area is the obvious first-timer choice. Staying within 5–10 minutes' walk of the heritage zone means stepping out to lantern-lit alleys, morning market runs, and the ability to wander at midnight without transport logistics. The area between Phan Bội Châu Street and the Thu Bon River contains most of the guesthouses, restaurants, and heritage sites. Accommodation here is 20–30% more expensive than out-of-town options, but you pay for access. Best for: first-timers, short stays (2–3 nights), travelers who want the full Hoi An aesthetic.
An Bang Beach is 5 km from the Ancient Town via a bicycle-friendly rice paddy road. The guesthouses and small hotels here are quieter, cheaper, and surrounded by farming villages rather than tourist infrastructure. The beach itself is beautiful — shallow, warm, and far less crowded than Da Nang. A handful of excellent beach restaurants (Cargo Club Beach Bar, Soul Kitchen) provide evening options. Best for: travelers staying 4+ nights, those who prioritize beach time, budget travelers who own a bicycle.
A practical middle option is the Cam Nam Island area, just across the bridge from the Old Town — quiet residential streets, 10-minute walk to heritage sites, and noticeably lower accommodation prices than the tourist core.
Local Culture and Etiquette
Hoi An's residents are accustomed to tourism but retain a genuine community life alongside it. A few cultural fundamentals make the difference between a respectful visit and an oblivious one.
Dress modestly at temples and assembly halls. The Fujian Assembly Hall, the Cantonese Assembly Hall, and the small neighborhood temples within the Ancient Town are active places of worship. Cover your shoulders and knees — you'll be politely turned away or asked to borrow a sarong if you arrive in shorts and a tank top. This is not performative — incense smoke, ritual offerings, and the smell of old wood signal these are living religious spaces.
The tailor negotiation. Hoi An has over 400 tailors and every one will approach you. This is not aggression — it is a livelihood. You are entirely within your rights to say no, and a clear, friendly "no thank you" ends the interaction. If you do want custom clothing (and Hoi An's tailors are genuinely excellent), choose based on reviews and portfolio rather than the most persistent pitch. Allow 24–48 hours for alterations and stand firm on quality over price.
Lantern etiquette. The floating lantern release on the Thu Bon River is a beautiful tradition now heavily commercialized. If you participate (30,000–50,000 VND per lantern), release yours gently at the river's edge, not from a bridge or boat. The lanterns are biodegradable but the plastic wrappings are not — hold onto those.
Bargaining vs. fixed prices. Market stalls, souvenir shops, and bicycle rentals all expect negotiation. Restaurants, guesthouses with printed prices, and café menus are fixed. The line is usually obvious. Don't bargain over street food — the prices are already minimal and the vendors deserve their margin.
Photography. The Ancient Town is extraordinarily photogenic and most vendors and residents are accustomed to cameras. That said, always ask before photographing individuals working at market stalls or in their homes. The fishing communities along the Thu Bon River are not tourist attractions — treat them as the working neighborhoods they are.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Ordering tailoring on the first day. Every first-timer does this and most regret rushing it. Take a full day to walk the town, see different shops, and ask your guesthouse for recommendations before committing. A good tailor needs 24–48 hours for proper fitting; order on day two at the earliest so adjustments can be made before you leave.
2. Paying airport taxi prices. The fixed-rate taxis outside Da Nang arrivals quote 400,000–500,000 VND for the Hoi An run. Grab charges 200,000–280,000 VND for the same ride. Download the app before you board your flight home and save 150,000–200,000 VND the moment you land.
3. Eating only on Bạch Đằng Street. The riverside restaurant strip is beautiful and the ambiance is worth one meal. But the food is mediocre at inflated prices (80,000–150,000 VND for dishes you can get for 30,000–45,000 VND at the Central Market). Use the river for sunset drinks, not dinner.
4. Skipping My Son Sanctuary. Most first-timers stick to the Ancient Town and miss the 4th-century Hindu temple complex 55 km south — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Southeast Asia's most atmospheric archaeological sites. A half-day guided tour costs 350,000–450,000 VND including transport. Go on your third or fourth day.
5. Ignoring the Ancient Town ticket system. Entering the Old Town without the 120,000 VND heritage ticket is technically fine for walking the streets. But you'll be turned away at every house museum, assembly hall, and the Japanese Covered Bridge, which removes 80% of what makes the Ancient Town worth visiting. Buy the ticket first thing.
6. Underestimating flood season. If you're visiting between October and January, check weather forecasts on arrival. Hoi An's Ancient Town floods regularly — sometimes ankle-deep, occasionally knee-deep. It drains within hours. Waterproof sandals (available everywhere for 80,000 VND) are more useful than trainers. The flooding is genuinely not a reason to avoid visiting — it's part of the town's character — but rubber boots from a corner shop beat soggy socks every time.
7. Booking the first cooking class you see. Hoi An has dozens of cooking classes ranging from excellent to tourist-trap busywork. The best value options involve a market visit and actual cooking technique rather than assembling pre-cut ingredients. Red Bridge Cooking School, Morning Glory Cooking Class, and Thuan Tinh Island all have strong, verifiable track records. Read reviews specifically for the guide's teaching quality, not just the food.
