Travel guides › Da Nang & Hoi An

Where should you base yourself for a trip to Da Nang and Hoi An?

If you want to enjoy beaches and cafés, consider My Khe Beach and An Thuong. If markets and city sights come first, stay around the Han River and Hai Chau. Hoi An Ancient Town is ideal for evening walks and historic sites, while An Bang Beach suits travelers looking for a relaxing stay. Most visitors arrive at Da Nang International Airport (DAD). The airport is about 10–20 minutes from central Da Nang, and Hoi An is about a 30–45-minute drive south of Da Nang.

Da Nang is a good fit for a trip that combines beaches, city sights, cafés, and restaurants. Hoi An is perfect for a leisurely visit to its Old Town, with wooden shops and assembly halls, an evening night market, and lantern boats. Explore Da Nang first, then spend at least a day in Hoi An to enjoy the distinct atmosphere of both cities.

Where should you stay?

Da Nang and Hoi An are far enough apart to require a drive, so choose whether to stay in one place and make day trips or split your stay between the two, depending on your itinerary.

Han River · Hai Chau · Da Nang city center

A good fit for travelers who prioritize markets, city sights, and riverside walks and don’t mind taking a vehicle to the beach. Nearby sights include Han Market and Da Nang Cathedral. Get around the city center on foot or by Grab. There is no station-based transit, so proximity to a station is not a useful factor when choosing accommodation.

My Khe Beach · An Thuong · Da Nang beach area

Stay here if beach access, cafés, and restaurants matter to you. An Thuong has clusters of restaurants and bars, so it stays lively in the evening, though some accommodations may get nighttime noise. There is no station, so you’ll mainly get around by Grab and on foot.

Hoi An Ancient Town

If you prioritize the evening atmosphere of the lantern-lit Old Town and easy access to historic sites, staying within the Ancient Town is convenient. You can visit the main sights on foot, and pedestrian and bicycle-only hours are in effect. This is not a station-centered area.

An Bang Beach · Hoi An

Consider An Bang Beach if you prefer a relaxed stay by the sea over staying in Hoi An Ancient Town. You’ll need a vehicle to visit the Old Town. There is no station, so get around by vehicle or bicycle.

How do you get from the airport to Da Nang or Hoi An?

Da Nang International Airport is close to the city, making Da Nang a convenient place to start your first day. You can also go straight to Hoi An, or stay in Da Nang first and visit Hoi An farther south on a separate day.

RouteHow to get thereTime · fare
Da Nang International Airport → My Khe BeachGrab carAbout 5–20 minutes, about 60,000–130,000 VND
Da Nang International Airport → city centerAirport taxiBoard just outside the arrivals hall; operates 24 hours. Depending on the company, an airport entry fee of 10,000–30,000 VND may be added.
Da Nang International Airport → Hoi AnGrab carAbout 40–60 minutes, about 250,000–500,000 VND
Da Nang → Hoi AnPrivate carAbout 40–60 minutes, 400,000–600,000 VND one way per car
Da Nang → Hoi AnShared shuttle130,000 VND per person, one way
Da Nang Central Bus Station → Hoi An · Cua DaiPublic Bus 2Daily, 04:45–18:00; every 15–30 minutes

How do you get around Da Nang and Hoi An?

Neither city has a subway. Use Grab or a taxi to get between places in Da Nang, and explore nearby areas on foot. Travel from Da Nang to Hoi An by Grab car or a pre-booked vehicle; Public Bus 2 also runs between the cities. In Hoi An Ancient Town, pedestrian and bicycle-only hours are in effect, and you can visit the main sights on foot.

TransportHow to get around
GrabUseful for getting around Da Nang, traveling to the airport, and going to Hoi An. Fares in the app vary with demand and the time of booking.
TaxiAvailable just outside the arrivals hall at Da Nang Airport and operating 24 hours. Confirm your destination before setting off.
BusPublic Bus 2 connects Da Nang Central Bus Station with Hoi An and Cua Dai. It runs daily from 04:45 to 18:00, every 15–30 minutes.
Walking · bicycleYou can visit the main sights in Hoi An Ancient Town on foot. Bicycles are also used for getting around locally.

Plan one day at a time around the sights you want to visit

Grouping nearby sights helps reduce time spent traveling and gives you more time to explore each area at a relaxed pace.

Day 1 | Da Nang city center and the Han River

Browse local food and souvenirs at Han Market · Chợ Hàn, then walk to Da Nang Cathedral (Pink Church) · Nhà thờ Chính tòa Đà Nẵng. In the evening, stroll along Dragon Bridge · Cầu Rồng and the Han River. A fire and water show takes place at 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday nights. Watch from the riverfront or a nearby café to avoid getting splashed.

Day 2 | Marble Mountains and My Khe Beach

Marble Mountains · Ngũ Hành Sơn is about 15–20 minutes from central Da Nang by Grab. Explore the caves, temples, and viewpoints by stairway, then enjoy a beach walk or swim at My Khe Beach · Biển Mỹ Khê. Dress modestly at temples and follow instructions in areas staffed by lifeguards at the beach.

Day 3 | Son Tra Peninsula and Linh Ung Pagoda

At Linh Ung Pagoda (Son Tra Peninsula) · Chùa Linh Ứng Sơn Trà, see the statue of the Goddess of Mercy facing the sea and the views over Da Nang Bay. It’s about 20–25 minutes from central Da Nang by Grab. Return rides can be hard to find, so consider arranging a round-trip car or tour. You can then continue with a visit to city-center cafés and the riverfront.

Day 4 | Hoi An Ancient Town and lantern-lit evening

Explore Hoi An Ancient Town and the Japanese Covered Bridge · Phố cổ Hội An · Chùa Cầu on foot, taking in the wooden shops, assembly halls, and bridge. An admission ticket for foreign adults costs 120,000 VND and includes entry to designated historic sites. In the evening, walk to Hoi An Night Market and the Thu Bon River lantern boats · Chợ đêm Hội An · Thuyền hoa đăng sông Thu Bồn to enjoy the lanterns and riverside views.

Day 5 | An Bang Beach and Tra Que Vegetable Village

An Bang Beach · Bãi biển An Bàng is about 4–5 km from Hoi An Ancient Town, or around 10–15 minutes by car. Relax on the beach or visit a restaurant or café, then explore the farm paths and herb-growing culture at Tra Que Vegetable Village · Làng rau Trà Quế. Tra Que is about 3 km from the Old Town and is open daily from 08:00 to 18:00.

For a longer trip | Ba Na Hills or My Son Sanctuary

Set aside a day for Sun World Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge · Sun World Bà Nà Hills · Cầu Vàng if you want to visit a mountain theme park and see the bridge. It’s about 45–60 minutes from central Da Nang by car, and the indicative Grab fare is about 300,000–450,000 VND. If you want to explore the ruins of the Champa Kingdom, consider an early-morning visit to My Son Sanctuary · Thánh địa Mỹ Sơn. It’s about 60–75 minutes from Da Nang by car, and you can get there from Hoi An by car or on a tour.

When should you go?

Da Nang generally gets a lot of rain from September to December. Low-lying parts of Hoi An Ancient Town can flood during heavy rainy-season downpours and when river levels rise. If you’re traveling then, check the forecast and local conditions before departure and adjust your plans as needed. Check the forecast for rainfall on your travel dates.

What to prepare before entering the country

Holders of ordinary South Korean passports may be eligible for a visa exemption of up to 45 days in Vietnam, subject to entry requirements. If you plan to stay longer or need multiple entries, consider an e-visa, which is available to passport holders of all countries. An e-visa is valid for up to 90 days, with single- or multiple-entry options.

Pick an itinerary by trip length

FAQ

Can I visit Da Nang and Hoi An on the same trip?

Yes. Hoi An is about a 30–45-minute drive south of Da Nang; the indicative Grab travel time is about 40–60 minutes. You can stay in Da Nang and make a day trip, or split your stay between the two places.

How long does it take to get from Da Nang International Airport to My Khe Beach?

About 5–20 minutes, depending on traffic. The indicative Grab fare is about 60,000–130,000 VND and may vary with the time of booking.

Is there a bus from Da Nang to Hoi An?

Public Bus 2 runs from Da Nang Central Bus Station to Hoi An and Cua Dai. It operates daily from 04:45 to 18:00, every 15–30 minutes.

How much is the Hoi An Ancient Town admission ticket?

Tickets for foreign adults cost 120,000 VND and include entry to five designated historic sites. An 80,000 VND ticket is also listed, so check with the ticket office to confirm what it includes.

How long can I stay in Vietnam without a visa on a South Korean passport?

Holders of ordinary South Korean passports may be eligible for a visa exemption of up to 45 days, subject to entry requirements. An e-visa is valid for up to 90 days.

Official sources & check dates

Site updated: 2026-10-28