HOI AN OR DA NANG – WHICH IS BEST FOR YOU?
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When you are planning your trip to Vietnam you will probably wonder whether it is better to stay in Hoi An or Da Nang for Central Vietnam. The two towns are fairly close together (about 40 minutes drive) but which one is better?
Like so often this will depend largely on what type of traveler you are and what you are looking for. Though they are close together, they provide a very different experience and choosing the right one is crucial for a good trip!
During my 6 month trip to Asia, I stayed four weeks in Da Nang but did take a short “three day mini-vacation” in Hoi An. For me that worked perfectly, but you may feel different. So below I will give a short description of what to expect at each of these destinations and give my opinion who they would be best for.
Da Nang – Chill Beach City
The long sandy beach is Da Nang’s biggest attraction
What to expect in Da Nang
With around 1.3 million inhabitants, Da Nang is significantly bigger than Hoi An but to be honest the city didn’t feel all that big to me. At its core, Da Nang is a living and breathing modern Vietnamese city with a chill beach vibe.
The Dragon Bridge connects the beach area with the rest of the town
For purposes of a visit, the city is basically split into two parts, the beach spit (with a river and beach side) and the riverside area West of the Han River. Several large bridges connect these two areas. Most tourists stay either near the beach or in the riverside area near the pink cathedral and market.
Are you trying to decide where to stay in Da Nang? Check out my post about the best places to stay for first-time visitors!
The beach promenade offers plenty of restaurants and bars
The beach side reminds me of a Mediterranean beach, not too different from Spain or Greece. You will find plenty of bars and restaurants in that area, both Vietnamese and international cuisine. There is a wide beach promenade, ideal for people-watching, running, or just relaxing.
Lady Buddha in the far North of Da Nang is a must-see attraction
To the north is Son Tra Peninsula with hiking paths, nature (including rare monkeys), and a couple of sights.
Overall, Da Nang does not have a lot of typical sights (aside of the beach). There are a couple of small museums, a mid-sized mall, and the dragon fire show on the weekends. But mostly Da Nang is a place to live and enjoy the beach. However, you can easily visit several nearby attractions, like Marble Mountain or Ba Na Hills.
Da Nang has great pedestrian paths and a huge number of benches to relax on
You can see the main highlights of Da Nang in one day (check out my one-day-itinerary). However, Da Nang is more a place to just be and enjoy the vibe. It is great for long walks along the river or beach. While you will see quite a lot of tourists both in the city center and at the beach, overall the city does not feel crowded.
Who is Da Nang best for?
Choose Da Nang if you don’t like crowds, love the beach, enjoy a relaxed vacation, and want to just soak up the atmosphere.
Da Nang reminds me of places like Santa Monica in California or Nice in France. Plenty of tourists but at heart a regular beach city.
Hoi An – Loads to see and do
With cute buildings and lanterns everywhere Hoi An shines at night
What to expect in Hoi An
With just over 150,000 inhabitants, Hoi An is significantly smaller than Da Nang but it feels much, much more crowded and busy! Old Town Hoi An is basically tourist central. In the morning it is very busy with tourists visiting the sights and at night it turns into an absolute madhouse.
While quite romantic, night time in Hoi An is also rather frenetic
This is not necessarily bad but do be prepared for crazy traffic, huge crowds, and quite some partying along the river at night. On the plus side, Hoi An has a long history as a trading port and has some stunning sights with an eclectic mixture of Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese elements.
Old Town is a must see – especially if you are interested in history
Hoi An is definitely worth a visit but if you dislike crowds, wild traffic and noise it may not be for you. And while there is a lot of history and culture, it will likely feel less “authentically modern Vietnamese” than Da Nang.
Hoi An’s Old Town is beautiful – but definitely geared to tourists
A bonus of so many tourists: You can take part in plenty of fun activities, ranging from food tours to cooking classes and lantern making. And of course you can book the same tours that are offered from Da Nang, like an excursion to My Son Sanctuary.
One thing is sure – you will not be bored in Hoi An. To hit all the main sights and nearby attraction (and maybe buy some custom-tailored clothes) you will need at least three days (check out my recommended itinerary!).
A walk or bike ride through the rice fields offers some much needed quiet
Now all the above applies to the Old Town area of Hoi An (which is the one tourists usually spend most of their time at). Outside of the center, life is much quieter and slower. Hoi An also has a beach – I did not have time to check it out but have heard it is not as nice as Da Nang’s. A definite plus are the rice fields though (I did manage to go there for a short visit). They are a great place for a walk or bike ride. But even here you will see a fair number of tourists.
Who is Hoi An best for?
Hoi An is ideal for you if you want to party/hang out with a younger crowd, want to get some clothes tailored for you, and enjoy sightseeing (even with the crowds).
The town reminds me of other touristy destinations like Bruges in Belgium or downtown Venice. Great fun and entertaining but dominated by tourism.
Da Nang or Hoi An – comparison table
You can find colorful Vietnamese Markets in both places
Here is a quick comparison between the two towns:
| Da Nang | Hoi An | |
| Setting | Large city | Smaller town |
| Crowds? | Sometimes in specific areas | Old Town is extremely crowded |
| Vibe | Lazy beach town | Bustling tourist destination |
| Main activities | Beach, riverside walk | Sightseeing, tourist activities, shopping |
| Closest attractions | Lady Buddha, Marble Mountain, Ba Na Hills | My Son Sanctuary, Ba Na Hills |
| Time needed | 1 day for sights, as long as you want to for beach and relaxation | 3-4 days to see all the sights |
| Best time of day | Early morning or afternoon for the beach | Evenings are magical in Hoi An |
| Best for | Digital nomads/Longer term visitors, Families, Beach lovers | Backpackers, Romantics, People interested in culture and sight-seeing |
So which is better?
Looking at this post it may seem that I liked Da Nang much better than Hoi An but that isn’t really true. I am glad that I spent most of my time in Vietnam in Da Nang. But if I had only two or three days for central Vietnam I would probably visit Hoi An. Old Town really is a must-see and the illuminated lanterns along the river are magical.
My personal recommendation is to visit both if you can. Hoi An is fascinating and beautiful but the crowds were a bit much. Da Nang is great for a couple of relaxing days.
If you have to choose between the two I would consider the following:
- Do you prefer lazy beach days or frenetic sight-seeing?
- How is the rest of your trip? If you are doing a whirlwind tour of Vietnam Da Nang may give you a much needed break.
- How bothered are you by crowds and hordes of tourists?
- Do you prefer authentic city life or a more romantic, touristy vibe?
- If you want to stay in one but visit both I would probably base myself in Hoi An as that town is best seen at night and does have more sights.
- You can easily travel between the two towns via Grab (expect to pay around USD 14 one way).
- Hoi An does not have its own airport so either way you will pass through Da Nang if you arrive or depart by plane.
- While some of the excursions are closer to one or the other of the two, you can basically visit the same ones from either city.
No matter which you end up choosing, you are sure to have a wonderful time. Both Da Nang and Hoi An offer delicious food, mostly sunny weather, interesting sights, and wonderful people!
