Da Nang or Hoi An: which to choose for central Vietnam
How Da Nang and Hoi An differ, how to get from the airport, when to go and what to see in central Vietnam.
Da Nang and Hoi An are in the center of Vietnam, 30 km apart. They are two different formats: a modern seaside city and an old trading port full of lanterns. Many travelers combine them in one trip.
Da Nang
According to Wikivoyage, Da Nang is the fifth largest city in Vietnam, on the South China Sea coast halfway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. It lacks the rush of Ho Chi Minh City and the atmosphere of Hanoi, but it has modern beaches, a seafront promenade and comfortable hotels. Nearby are Hoi An, the My Son ruins and the former imperial capital Hue.
- Da Nang airport (DAD) is only 3 km from the center, a ride of about 10 minutes.
- From DAD there are flights to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Singapore and other cities in the region.
- The city's most popular beach is My Khe.
- Summer is hot and humid, and tropical storms are possible in October and November.
Hoi An
Hoi An is about 30 km south of Da Nang. Its Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It used to be the main port of the Champa kingdom and a major international port in the 16th and 17th centuries, so Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese features are woven together here.
- The dry season lasts roughly from February to August, and the most comfortable weather is usually from February to April. July is the hottest month, up to 34°C during the day.
- Shuttles and taxis run from Da Nang airport to Hoi An. A taxi costs about 300,000-500,000 dong, but it is better to agree the price in advance, according to Wikivoyage in November 2023. The drive takes about 45 minutes.
What to choose
- You need a beach and modern hotels: Da Nang.
- You want old streets, lanterns and walks: Hoi An.
- First visit and a week on the spot: stay in one of them and make a day trip to the other.
Flights
Pick your dates in the HotTrip flight search, which shows prices for nearby dates. For another Vietnamese beach town, see Nha Trang: when to go and what to see.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need for Da Nang and Hoi An?
About 5-7 days is enough to combine both cities without rushing.
Is the airport far from Hoi An?
About 45 minutes by taxi or shuttle.
When is the best time to go?
From February to April, when it is dry and not too hot.
Which beach should I choose in Da Nang?
My Khe is the best known, and it is convenient and close to the hotels.
Do I need to book in advance?
In high season, yes. Good hotels in Hoi An are taken early.
Cover: photo by Sachith Ravishka Kodikara on Pexels
Read next
Yerevan: areas, where to stay and what to see in 2-3 days
Yerevan areas and where to stay, the main sights (Republic Square, the Cascade, Matenadaran, Erebuni), trips to Garni and Geghard and how to get from the airport.
Where to stay in Bangkok: which areas to choose for a first visit
A guide to Bangkok areas: Sukhumvit, Siam, Silom, the Old City and the river. Where to stay the first time, how to get from the airport and how to move around.