Choosing where to stay in Hoi An shapes your whole trip more than most people expect. Hoi An is small, but each area gives you a very different holiday: lantern-lit streets, the beach, a quiet river, a busy local town or green rice fields. I’m Vincent from Hoi An Fairy Tour, and below are the 5 areas I suggest to friends, with honest pros and cons for each so you can pick the one that fits your style.
| Old Town | First-timers who want to walk everywhere |
|---|---|
| Beach (An Bang, Cua Dai) | Sea lovers, stylish stays, slower days |
| Thu Bon River | Everyone: a balanced base between town and beach |
| Town center | Value for money, local life, easy transport |
| Countryside & rice fields | Relaxing, cycling, pools and gardens |
I. Hoi An Old Town: Where to Stay in Hoi An for Walking Everywhere
The Old Town, the UNESCO-listed ancient town of Hoi An, is the heart of tourism here. Places to stay here range from homestays tucked in small alleys and boutique hotels on the old streets to tall 5-star hotels with river views. The catch: the beach is not that close.
Pros
- Everything is on your doorstep. You can walk to the lantern streets, the night market and the river in minutes.
- Endless services. Restaurants, cafes, tailors, massage and tour desks are all around you.
Cons
- The Old Town is not all of Hoi An. Hoi An is also famous for beautiful beaches, craft villages with a long history and its very own countryside of rice fields and small villages. If you stay in the core of the Old Town without a motorbike, you will only see about 30% of Hoi An.
- Higher prices, smaller rooms. Rooms in the center cost more and are usually more compact than elsewhere.
Planning to explore the Old Town? Read my guide on the Hoi An Old Town ticket first.
II. The Beach Area: An Bang and Cua Dai
Cua Dai and An Bang beaches have been named among the most beautiful beaches in Asia several times. Around them you’ll find a whole ecosystem of beach bars, seafood restaurants and fishing villages, with plenty of services for visitors.
Pros
- Well-built, stylish stays. Many places near the beach are properly designed and beautifully decorated, with real taste.
- Sea and countryside in one. You are steps from the sand, and the rice fields of Tra Que or An My are only 15 to 20 minutes away.
Cons
- Far from the Old Town. The beach sits outside the town, up to around 8 km from the Old Town.
- Cua Dai is under renovation in 2026. The works are planned to finish in 2027 or 2028 if they stay on schedule. It will be lovely when it is done, but for now parts of the beach are still a construction site, so An Bang is the better choice for swimming.
- Not cheap, and few sea views. Beach stays are not budget-friendly, and real front-row sea views are rare except at the big resorts far from the center.
Not sure which beach suits you? Compare them in my guide to the nicest beaches in Hoi An.
III. Along the Thu Bon River
The banks of the Thu Bon River near the ancient town, especially along Huyen Tran Cong Chua street, are lined with riverside hotels that feel truly poetic: boats gliding past, palm trees and soft sunsets over the water.
This area sits at a nearly equal distance from the Old Town, the beach and the main service streets. For me it’s one of the best answers to where to stay in Hoi An, and it suits almost every type of traveler: couples, families, friends and solo travelers.
IV. The Town Center: Local Life and Good Value
Along the main streets such as Cua Dai, Ly Thuong Kiet and Ly Thai To, locals live, trade and go about their busy day. This is also where a large number of hotels, resorts and homestays operate.
Pros
- Right in the middle. The Old Town and the beach are at about the same distance.
- Easy to get around. Lots of services and busy local shops nearby, and it’s very easy to book a ride to anywhere in Hoi An.
- Better value. Compared with the Old Town, rooms here are good for the price and usually more spacious.
Cons
- Some streets are noisy. Main roads can be loud, so ask for a room at the back.
- Less charm. You’ll see fewer places with a beautiful set-up, a garden or a lawn.
V. The Countryside and Rice Fields
Villas in the countryside or among the rice fields are one of Hoi An’s specialties that you shouldn’t miss. They are a little further from the center, but most of them sit somewhere between the Old Town, the town center and the beach.
This is the ideal place to stay for travelers who love to relax and enjoy slow bike rides under the warm sun into town or out to the sea. These stays usually come with a cool swimming pool and a lovely lawn, and the rooms are more spacious and airy, often all with a balcony.
If you like this kind of stay, in the Cam Nam area you can have a look at Hoi An Fairy Garden Villa.
Cons
- Fewer services at the door. If you want restaurants, massage and convenience stores right outside, this area will not fully meet that. But Hoi An is small, and you can reach the service areas in 10 to 15 minutes by bicycle.
Want to see the countryside around you? Try one of our Hoi An bicycle tours or visit the Tra Que vegetable village.
Staying outside the Old Town? Getting around is easy: rent a scooter or bicycle delivered to your hotel, or book a private taxi at a fixed price.
The Best Area to Stay in Hoi An for You
- First visit, short stay, no motorbike: the Old Town.
- Sun, sea and beautiful design: the beach area.
- A balanced base for everything: along the Thu Bon River.
- Best value and local life: the town center.
- Peace, a pool and cycling days: the countryside and rice fields.
Still planning? My 3-day itinerary in Hoi An and 11 tips I tell my friends in Hoi An will help you make the most of whichever area you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best area to stay in Hoi An?
It depends on your style. The Old Town is best for walking everywhere, the beach for sea lovers, the Thu Bon River for a balanced base, the town center for value and the countryside for relaxing.
Is it better to stay in the Old Town or at the beach in Hoi An?
Stay in the Old Town if you want to walk to the lantern streets and restaurants. Choose the beach if you prefer the sea and a slower pace, but remember it is up to around 8 km from the Old Town and Cua Dai beach is under renovation until about 2027 or 2028.
Do I need a motorbike if I stay outside the Old Town?
Not necessarily. Hoi An is small, so a bicycle works well for most trips, and taxis and ride-hailing apps are easy to book. A scooter just gives you more freedom.
Where can I stay among the rice fields in Hoi An?
The countryside villas between the Old Town and the beach, for example in the Cam Nam area, offer pools, gardens and spacious rooms with balconies.
From Vincent – the Author
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