Where To Stay In Hoi An: Old Town, Beach Resorts, Rice Paddies, & More

Every travel guide to Vietnam has already convinced you to visit the magical town of Hoi An in Central Vietnam. Now, you’re browsing the internet for where to stay and perhaps feeling overwhelmed by all the options.

The best place to stay will be different depending on what you are looking for. Fortunately, Hoi An offers it all, a busy tourist centre, beachfront serenity, and rustic rural settings. For instance, there’s a range of accommodation options in each area that will suit all budgets: family, honeymooner, backpacker, luxury, and budget.

Therefore we think the easiest way to decide where to stay is to first break down Hoi An into three key areas: Hoi An’s Old Town, the nearby beaches, and the surrounding countryside. When choosing an area to stay in Hoi An, it’s important to remember that this is quite a small tourist town and very well set up for tourists. So whatever location you choose, nothing here is too isolated. A 10-minute taxi ride will take you from the Old Town to the beach with the countryside lying halfway between the two. So don’t be afraid to venture a little further afield as there are some real gems to be found.

The rural settings allow the real feel of Vietnam, and are within easy reach of other activities.    For something different, providing self contained, luxury accommodation, a modern kitchen with ingredients in your own vegetable garden, a pool, and the tranquility to plan your holiday on your own at your own pace, see Oryza – Rural Hoi An.

 

Below is Hidden’s guide to the three distinct areas of Hoi An, so you can decide what sort of experience you would like when you visit. We’ve highlighted some of the best accommodation options in each area to suit your budget along with some of our team’s favourites—the Hidden Gems.

Old Town

Easy walking/cycling distances  ✓ No taxis required to get in and out of the Old Town ✓ Shops/restaurants/heritage sites on your doorstep ✓ Experience life in the Old Town at many different times of the day  ✓ Pop back to your hotel easily for a siesta/swim 

Accommodation options surround Hoi An’s Old Town. The bulk of it is understandably not within the ancient town itself but on the edges, still an easy walking distance to the Old Town itself. So you won’t need taxis when you’re based here!  You can take your pushbike anywhere or just put one foot in front of the other along the pedestrian-friendly streets.

You’ll be spoilt for choice with places to shop, explore, eat and be pampered while based in the heart of this UNESCO World Heritage Site—the reason why most tourists visit Hoi An. Food choices are endless, you can experience a different cuisine every day, multiple times a day, right at your fingertips.

What Can You Do in the Old Town?

You can shop for art and garments in converted old merchant houses, then take your shopping back to your accommodation to free up your arms for more. Stroll the ancient town at your own pace, visiting the museums and old Chinese assembly halls conveniently every day. Get some clothes tailored, then take a nap, have a massage or take a dip in your hotel pool, and once you’re refreshed, you can start all over again.  

Hidden Hint: Choose one of the many riverfront hotels for the best views of the Old Town, but be cautious of your proximity to the river during the rainy season (Oct to Dec) as large areas of the Old Town are at risk of flooding. Check out our weather article for the best times to visit.

Staying in the Old Town means you can experience life here at all times of the day. So you can visit the Central Market first thing in the morning and watch the city come to life. After that, you can end your day watching the city and its lanterns at night, drinking a locally crafted beer, overlooking the river. Then just wander back to your hotel when you’ve had your fill. Because this location indeed allows you to maximise your holiday time.

But in high season, the number of tourists can get overwhelming in the Old Town. So if you’re looking for a more relaxed vibe, this area may not be for you. As soon as you come out of your hotel, you will be back in the thick of it all.

Luxury Accommodation in Hoi An Old Town

Anantara Hoi An Resort

Address: 1 Pham Hong Thai Street Location: < 1km from Old Town, Thu Bon Riverfront. Rate/Night: 3,500,000 VND (153 USD) – 9,900,000 VND (430 USD) Check availability and book now

94 rooms and suites designed with French, Dutch, Chinese and Japanese influences that mimic Hoi An’s cultural diversity with elegance. The Anantara Resort is located three blocks away from the Central Market and an easy five-minute walk to Hoi An’s Old Town. Similarly, enjoy the lush garden or airy river views from your room’s beautifully designed balcony/porch. Dine-in any of the three in-house restaurants including Art Space a new art and dining concept area and the home of Hoi An’s only delicious wood-fired pizza. Then restore at Anantara Spa, all in a boutique atmosphere with superb staff.

Mid-Range Accommodation in Hoi An Old Town

Allegro Hoi An

Address: 86 Tran Hung Dao Street Location: Minh An. Rate/Night: 2,800,000 VND (124 USD) – 7,800,000 VND (340 USD) Book Now

Mosaic and wooden accents welcome you into this luxurious hotel, ranked highly by guests on TripAdvisor. A recent addition to the accommodation scene here, the Allegro Hoi An has five types of suites all with bathtubs and balconies and is also walking distance to Hoi An’s central attractions. But just off the main street making it blissfully quiet. In addition, you enjoy the sumptuous breakfast, lantern-lit swimming pool, and deluxe treatment of their professional and friendly staff.

Budget-friendly Accommodation in Hoi An Old Town

Green Apple Hotel

Address: 36 Phan Dinh Phung Location: Son Phong. Rate/Night: 700,000 VND (30 USD) 1,190,000 VND (52 USD) Book Now

With city views from the rooms’ balconies, you’ll enjoy being a 10-minute walk away from the Old Town. This hotel is located in an authentic Vietnamese neighbourhood close to the popular Tiger Market. The Green Apple Hotel has a beautiful pool to cool off in, an unlimited breakfast buffet, and welcoming staff.

Hidden Gem

Vinh Hung Emerald

Address: An Hoi Location: An Hoi Island. Rate/Night: 1,500,000 VND (65 USD) 2,500,000 VND (108 USD) Book Now 

The style and location of this mid-range hotel give you the best of both worlds. The Vinh Hung Emerald is located conveniently in An Hoi, on the banks of the Thu Bon river, in a relaxed tropical setting. Above all its main drawcard is that from this peaceful setting, you can walk to the Old Town easily in just over 5 minutes.  

The pool and garden area look across to Cam Kim Island with unspoilt panoramic views of the river. So you can watch local boats traverse the river from the comfort of your sun lounger. This is an older style resort but well maintained, and the rooms are spacious and well appointed—all have balconies. We recommend if your budget allows, that you consider an upgrade to an Emerald Suite on the second floor. This will give you twice as much space and your own private terrace for even more peace and quiet.

In addition, there’s a free daily river cruise from the hotel jetty that will take you into the Old Town and a mini local food market with free and delicious local food by the water every night.  

Beach Accommodation in Hoi An

Only 5kms from the Old Town ✓ Cooler temperatures on the coast  ✓ Experience sunrise and sunset at the beach ✓ Escape the hustle of the Old Town ✓ Luxury resorts are located here

If you want to combine relaxing on golden sand with culture, history, and yummy cuisine, then Hoi An is the perfect place to do so. With only five kilometres separating the Old Town from the beaches, you can spend your mornings by the ocean, the afternoon exploring the town, and head for drinks and dinner back at your neighbouring beach restaurants and bars. Read our overview of Hoi An’s beaches here

Sleeping with the sound of the ocean as a backdrop and seeing the sun’s reflection in the water when you wake up, means you can save the Old Town’s hustle for after breakfast. However, if you visit during the hotter months (June to August), having a sea breeze and the ocean so easily accessible to cool down in, is an ultimate drawcard.

Why Stay at the Beach?

The majority of the large luxury resorts are here at the beach, and there are some fantastic outdoor beachside venues with stunning sea views. Local seafood restaurants dot the coastline where you can eat fresh seafood caught right from the nearby ocean. The larger resorts have free regular shuttles into the Old Town, or you can hire bikes to get there cycling for approximately five kilometres. But check the weather forecast before you head out.

All the key ingredients for ultimate relaxation are here at the beach. Drinking tropical fruit smoothies, reading a book in a sun lounger, having a massage in your hotel spa and then dancing barefoot in the sand to live music from the many outdoor bars and restaurants.

Hidden Hint: You’ll likely have a better experience in the morning when the waters are clearer and the sands are less crowded.

If you are the kind of traveller who is looking for a more authentic vibe we would not suggest staying at the beach, it has all the westerner’s amenities, but a lack of Vietnamese flair and culture.

Heading to the Old Town from the Beach

If you want to head into the Old Town, you’ll need to plan your day well. Sights such as the historic houses and museums are at least five kilometres away, so if you forget something or need to go back to your hotel to rest, it can be a bit tiresome.

To get into the Old Town, you can get a taxi (Grab works in Hoi An) to get back to your accommodation or rent a vehicle: motorbikes cost around 80,000 to 100,000 VND (3.5 to 4.5 USD), while bicycles cost about 50,000 VND (2 USD). Many of the resorts will lend you bicycles, but if you visit Hoi An in the rainy season (October to December) prepare your raincoat and a bath for when you get back to your room. Equally, avoid riding during the hottest hours of the day as the heat can be intense.

An Bang Beach

An Bang is the most popular beach, has the most tourists, and offers the most food options. You can rent a beach chair from any of the local vendors or get one for free with your food and drinks at any of the beachfront restaurants. Check out our in-depth article here.

South An Bang Beach

South of An Bang, there’s a beach with a more chilled atmosphere than its neighbour. Salt Pub and Kahuna’s Beach Club are some of the standout spots here. It is only a short walk down the beach from An Bang’s main entrance, but that makes all the difference to the numbers of beach-goers and atmosphere.

Cua Dai Beach

Cua Dai is the closest beach to Hoi An but much less frequented. Unfortunately, the beach has been affected by erosion and typhoons, losing a massive part of the sand area, and what remains is protected by massive sandbags.

Behind the sandbags, you’ll get to bathe and play in the mild waves, enjoy the shade given by the palm trees, and lay in white sands whilst enjoying coconut water and frequenting a good variety of cuisines. If you’re staying at the Victoria Resort (see below), part of the beach is reserved just for you. For more detailed information, check out our Cua Dai Beach article here.

Hidden Beach

If you really need your own space then make your way to Hidden Beach. You won’t find any sellers asking you to buy souvenirs here. Simply sit back and enjoy in the sunbeds (and get free parking) whilst enjoying fresh seafood from the family-run Hidden Beach Restaurant. It’s a tiny part of the stretch of beaches but definitely worth it if you’re looking for peace and tranquillity.  Check out our Hidden Beach article here for more information.

Luxury Beach Accommodation

Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort and Spa

Address: Au Co, Bien Cua Dai Location: Cua Dai Beach. Rate/Night: 3,000,000 VND (130 USD) – 6,800,000 VND (295 USD) Book Now

Famous in Hoi An for nearly 20 years for its design, ambience, and heavenly beachfront swimming pool, The Victoria Hoi An is laid out as a replica of a traditional fishing village with small streets, water ponds, and village houses. The rooms are modern and elegantly decorated combining Japanese and French elements, with traditional Vietnamese touches, each has its private balcony.

There’s an array of watersports on offer, a private beach, two outdoor tennis courts, a kids club and an extensive list of treatments available from their on-site spa. They even offer sidecar tours from the hotel’s collection. Their restaurant, L’Annam, overlooks the sea, and there are three bars, a library, and a pool/games room. The Sunday buffet here is a beautiful experience and is incredibly good value. A regular free shuttle bus operates between the hotel and the Old Town.

Mid-Range Beach Accommodation

The Beach Little Boutique Hotel & Spa

Address: 19 Lac Long Quan. Location: Cua Dai Beach. Rate/Night: 1,500,000 VND (65 USD) – 7,270,000 VND (316 USD) Book Now

Praised for its superb service and attentive staff, who can speak English, French, and Vietnamese, this boutique hotel is designed with Hoi An’s charm in mind. What you can get from this hotel for your money is what made it our mid-range top pick. Little Beach Hoi An Boutique Hotel has two private sections of the beach reserved for their guests with their beach clubs and also has in-house restaurant, bar, gymnasium, spa, and comfy rooms with balcony and sea views. To compensate for being a bit far away from town, they offer a fixed scheduled shuttle service four times per day.

Budget-Friendly Beach Accommodation

Under the Coconut Tree

Address: #7 Hamlet An Bang. Location: An Bang Beach. Rate/Night: 184,000 VND (8 USD) – 920,000 VND (40 USD) Book Now

Get your tropical feel inside the bamboo walls of Under the Coconut Tree. Stay at the dorm or at any of the 12 bungalows which have the comfort of a hotel but with a chilled atmosphere, connected to nature and beautifully decorated with lanterns among the greenery. Walk for no more than two minutes, and you’ll be at the beach enjoying the ocean, then you can pop back to clean off the sand in the outdoor shower.

Rural Hoi An Accommodation

More authentic Vietnamese experience ✓ Laidback and tranquil ✓ Ride through mazes of rice paddies ✓ Watch a farmer go about their daily work ✓ Meet the local Vietnamese people

Away from the Old Town and the beach, the true essence of Vietnam awaits. The expansive rice fields with roaming water buffalo and local Vietnamese families that have lived here for generations, go about their daily chores here. Immerse yourself, breathe in the fresh air, and relax in the calm atmosphere of where Hoi An’s produce is grown. It is an accommodation away from the bulk of the tourists. Most people save the rural areas of Hoi An for a morning or afternoon bicycle ride, but these countryside lanes hold much more than what you can experience in just a couple of hours.

Why Stay in the Countryside?

If you are a laidback traveller wanting to spend time in tranquil accommodation in which you can watch life go by, this is the area for you. The lifestyle here is quiet, so you can enjoy riding through the maze of rice paddies, watch or even help a farmer with their daily work, and play with the local kids. Above all, you’ll get a much more authentic experience of the Vietnamese lifestyle by staying here.

The range of accommodation here skews towards the mid-range to budget end. If you want high-end resort luxury, this may not be the area for you. Together with this, there are fewer bars and restaurants here. So you might need your transport or hire a taxi to get your choice of food and drink. Luckily, many of the homestays will provide bicycles for their guests. It’s under a 15-minute bike ride into the Old Town from most areas.

Cam Thanh

A district in itself, Cam Thanh offers a mix of rural lifestyle and traditional Vietnamese houses. All in a slightly more developed area than other parts of rural Hoi An. There are many expat families who have relocated here. Wandering its streets you can find local eateries, temples, coffee shops, and of course, expansive rice fields. You can take one of the traditional round coconut boats out to see the water coconut farms. Watch local fishers cast their nets to get fresh shrimp, that can then be prepared for you to eat on site.

Only three kilometres away from each, you’ll be right in between Cua Dai Beach and the centre of Hoi An. You can choose from a decent amount of homestays and mid-range smaller resorts still with in-house restaurants and spas.

An My

Rice fields that seem to go on till the horizon and friendly villagers are the icons of this area. You’ll easily find a peaceful getaway here in An My and a room with green scenery out your window. It might be harder to find other amenities on foot, such as restaurants, pubs and mini markets. But if you stay closer to the Cua Dai Road end, things get a lot busier.

Tra Que Vegetable Village

The little village of Tra Que alongside the Ho River is around one and a half kilometres from An Bang beach and four kilometres from the Old Town. By staying here, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful sunrises and sunsets and uninterrupted views. There is less construction in this area. Wander around the green herb squares and observe how the warm-hearted farmers work. Without any chemicals or pesticides during their growing process. Similarly, you can choose from any of the family-owned homestays and villas and then let them show you their way of living. After that, you can relax on the balcony of your room overlooking the beautiful organic gardens.

Cam Kim Island

Until recently, the only way of getting to Cam Kim was by ferry. But a newly constructed bridge has made it more reachable, and it is now really close to the city—a comfortable bike ride away. Because of the previous lack of access, the area’s development has remained much less than in the Old Town proximities.

If you are the adventurous type of traveller and the term “off the beaten path” is the mantra you live by, then Cam Kim island is the place for you. With only one homestay listed on booking.com, this area might look as if it has nothing to offer. But it’s the essence of Vietnam that lies here. So you might need to use the old-fashioned way of physically going to Cam Kim, to find alternatives of where to stay by roaming around. But we can assure you that in Hoi An, this is as local as it gets. For instance, eat local food at local prices from a hammock overlooking the river. After that you can observe the wood carving workshops Cam Kim is most famous for, and discover little temples between farm sites.

Luxury Accommodation by the Rice Fields

Oryza Villa – Airbnb

Address: Cẩm Châu, Hội An Rate/Night: 3,500,000 VND (151 USD) Book Now

If you want to get away from the vibrancy of the Old Town, and would prefer your own pool and a relaxing drink, to the bustle of the Beach or old town, Oryza Villa should be your choice. Oryza is a fully self-contained one bedroom boutique villa. Your own massive bedroom, indoor garden, and kitchen/living room, with rice fields on all sides. You can unwind with a lazy late breakfast, or a sunset dinner, with purchases from the many markets, or pick vegetables from your private garden. Providing you with ultimate privacy and uninterrupted 180-degree views of the sea of rice that surrounds you, Oryza showcases an authentic rural Vietnam.  Seclusion is a short bike ride from everywhere in Hoi An.

Allamanda Estate

Address: Dong Na Hamlet, Cam Ha Commune. Location: Cam Ha. Rate/Night: 3,480,000 VND (151 USD) – 3,800,0000 VND (166 USD) Book Now

With couple and family villas, each fitted with private open-air bathrooms, The Allamanda Estate provides exceptional luxury in the heart of the rice fields. For instance, take a walk around the gardens and lotus ponds. Then take a bath in the outdoor bathtub, and indulge with massages at their spa. The Allamanda has a unique rustic charm with a focus on taking care of your every need. Their professional staff will bring peace to your stay in Hoi An.

Mid-Range Accommodation in Rural Hoi An

Christina’s Hoi An

Address: Tra Que Vegetable Village. Location: Tra Que. Rate/Night: 966,000 (42 USD) – 5,750,000 VND (250 USD) Book Now

Wake up to the sunrise over the rice fields in the spacious, modern and beautifully designed rooms of Christina’s Hoi An. Guests rave about the “home feel” of the free breakfast, and they cater well for vegans too. You can enjoy lunch on one of the sunbeds by the pool. Then ride one of the complimentary bicycles around the area where local farmers grow herbs and vegetables.

Budget-Friendly Accommodation in Rural Hoi An

Rice Field Homestay

Address: 52A Le Thanh Tong. Location: Cam Chau. Rate/Night: 460,000 (20 USD) Book Now

Stay with a British expat and a local Vietnamese woman in their home in the peaceful Cam Chau district. You’ll have the comfort of spacious double bedrooms with your private balcony, and delicious home-cooked breakfast. Rice Field Homestay guests rave about the attentiveness and welcoming feel of the hosts Mike and Hanh as they will give you tons of local secret spots to explore in Hoi An.

Hidden’s Thoughts

The main drawcard for the majority of tourists visiting Hoi An is the Old Town. We think that staying here should be on the top of your itinerary and that you aim to stay for at least three days, to soak up the atmosphere here. You’ll get to fully immerse yourself in the magic of the town and be able to experience it all—from dawn till dusk. There’s enough accommodation here to allow you respite from the town. So you only have to walk a few minutes to be back in the thick of it. It’s especially useful if you’re travelling in a group or with small children. Because it’s easy enough to split up if someone in your party needs a rest, but others want more of the action.

But if you’re lucky enough to have more time in Hoi An we recommend a mix of both. So for ultimate relaxation add on a couple of nights in the countryside or at the beach. The peace and relaxation out here are good for the soul. The beach offers some of the bigger resorts. So if you want to end your trip this way start with the Old Town then head here. The countryside is picturesque. Sitting and watching the sunrise and set and the workers and families of buffalo go about their daily routines is simply enchanting. Exploring by pushbike out here is enjoyable, too. It’s far from the traffic noise and beeping as you venture closer to town.

Above all, once you’ve decided where to stay, you should consider that with so many sights in this beautiful city, many of the best places to stay in Hoi An are fully booked quite a long time in advance. Please don’t wait too long to book once you have your heart set on a place. We don’t want you to be disappointed!