Hoi An vs Da Nang: The Ultimate Decision-Making Guide 2025

When visiting Central Vietnam, you have two awesome destinations to choose from – Hoi An and Da Nang. The two cities, while only a short bus ride from each other, are a world apart in personality and infrastructure.

Hoi An is an ancient UNESCO World Heritage Site, famed for its Japanese Bridge, lanterns, and an endless array of tailoring shops. In contrast, Da Nang is a modern city with gorgeous beaches, the famous fire-breathing Dragon Bridge, and a cool vibe.

In the debate of Hoi An vs Da Nang… which one is right for you?

Hoi An vs Da Nang: Which One Should You Choose?

Both Da Nang and Hoi An are worth visiting! As with any city comparison, choosing the best home base comes down to your personal preference.

Take the story of two friends… When I was working in Vietnam, I chose Da Nang as my home base. I was living on a modest budget and working a lot. The city offered a vibrant scene and easy living.

Concurrently, my friend relocated to Vietnam. They are retired and were looking for a permanent community of expats and comfortable, easy surroundings. They chose Hoi An and loved it!

Our situations (and choices) perfectly display the dichotomy of these two fabulous cities. Both Da Nang and Hoi An offer easy access to popular tourist attractions, but they definitely attract different types of travelers.

Hoi An vs Da Nang: The Atmosphere

Overview of Hoi An

Hoi An is by far the more popular choice with international travelers, thanks to its historic core and Instagrammability. There are distinct two sides to Hoi An: The Old Town and the beach.

Old Town is small, but bustling with tourists, and for good reason. As a 15th-century trading port, Old Town features Vietnamese tube houses, Japanese pagodas, French Colonial architecture, and Chinese shophouses. It's incredibly pretty!!

These historic buildings have been well cared for. Walking around Hoi An feels like stepping back in time (aside from all the tourists on cell phones). The ancient town definitely feels authentic Vietnamese but also a showpiece at the same time.

Hoi An's beaches are more peaceful and have nice accommodations. An Bang and Cua Dai Beach are lined with beach bars serving excellent international food and drinks, and you escape most of the day trip tourists.

Overview of Da Nang

Da Nang is just entering the frame for most Western tourists, though it's popular with Asian visitors. It's a big city, so you get to know your neighborhood. Everyone has their favorite coffee spot, beach resort, and Bánh Mì shop.

Like Hoi An, Da Nang also has two faces. Astride the Han River, it's a rare city where you get miles of sandy beaches and a vibrant riverwalk!

The river is lined with high rises, hip restaurants and bars, and boutique hotels. It's home to the Dragon Bridge and most of the nightlife. Many tourists, especially budget travelers, choose to stay along the river.

The other side of the city is for beach lovers. My Khe Beach is a massive swath of sand stretching all the way to the monuments of Son Tra peninsula. It's populated with street vendors selling cheap Vietnamese food and local ladies gathered for seaside Zumba sessions.

Many of the hotels here sit across the main road from the beach, so you can walk unimpeded for miles in the soft sand. This area is also popular with tourists, but these hotels have slightly higher prices.

⭐ Winner: It's a tie.

Both cities have an inviting atmosphere and typically friendly locals!

Hoi An vs Da Nang: Things to See & Do

Things to Do in Hoi An

Here are a few of the absolute highlights you cannot miss:

• Ancient Town: Old Town Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its mix of Vietnamese, Chinese, and French Colonial architecture.

• The Japanese Covered Bridge: This 16th-century wooden bridge is the symbol of the town and a great spot for photos.

• Night Market: After sunset, the riverside night market comes alive with local street food, handmade lanterns, and quaint bars spilling out into the street. My fav!

• Lantern-Making: Hoi An is famous for its colorful lanterns, and workshops offer a hands-on experience crafting a unique keepsake.

• An Bang Beach: Located a short ride from the town center, An Bang Beach offers white sand and calm waves. It's a popular beach holiday for locals and foreigners.

• Cycling the Countryside: Rural Hoi An features rice paddies, small villages, and scenic rivers to explore. I absolutely loved doing this!

• Boat Along the Thu Bon River: Traditional basket boats offer scenic views of the town, especially during sunset. It's popular to go after dark as well to see the lanterns of Hoi An.

• Central Market: The bustling market is filled with fresh produce, local spices, and authentic Vietnamese snacks.

• My Son Sanctuary: About an hour from Hoi An, this ancient temple complex, dating back to the Champa civilization, is a must-visit for history lovers.

• Cooking Class: Many tourists enjoy the traditional Vietnamese cooking class in Hoi An Market.

• Cham Island: A quick day trip from Hoi An, Cham Island tours offer snorkeling spots, quiet beaches, and stunning temples.

Things to Do in Da Nang

Most tourists spend about 3 days in the city of Da Nang, but you can certainly keep yourself entertained for much longer! Here are some of the highlights of the city:

• My Khe Beach: This is a beautiful beach for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports.

• Marble Mountains: This cluster of five limestone hills is a spiritual site with caves, temples, and panoramic views.

• Dragon Bridge: A modern architectural highlight, the Dragon Bridge lights up in colorful displays at night. On weekends, it “breathes fire” and spouts water.

• Sun World Ba Na Hills: Ba Na Hills is a mountaintop amusement park with stunning views and the famous Golden Bridge, a pedestrian walkway held by giant stone hands. It's modeled after a fairy tale French Village and offers a cable car as well as theme park rides.

• Son Tra Peninsula: Son Tra Peninsula is home to the Linh Ung Pagoda, with its massive Lady Buddha statue overlooking My Khe Beach.

• Da Nang Cathedral: This pastel pink church, built during the French Colonial period, is an architectural gem and a peaceful place to visit.

• Cham Museum of Sculpture: Housing the world’s largest collection of Cham sculpture, the museum highlights the ancient Champa civilization and its remarkable art.

• Hai Van Pass: Known for its winding roads and breathtaking views, the Hai Van Pass is a popular motorbike tour with the most picturesque sections between Da Nang and Hue.

• Con Market: One of the largest markets in Da Nang, Con Market offers a chance to try street food and shop for local crafts.

• Han River Cruise: A boat cruise along the Han River at night provides a relaxing way to see Da Nang’s illuminated skyline, with bridges and city lights reflecting off the water.

⭐ Winner: Da Nang.

Hoi An has more typical “tourist” things to do like museums and cooking classes, but overall Da Nang offers more activities.

Hoi An vs Da Nang: Shopping

Shopping in Hoi An

The tailor shops in Hoi An are famous for custom clothing at reasonable prices (but have been escalating in recent years!). If you need a silk dress, wool suit, or custom pair of boots, you can get them all in Hoi An!

Note: There are over 200 tailor shops in town, ranging from high-end chains to market stalls. Quality varies and many outsource the work to factories, so do your research and ask questions before choosing your tailor.

Shopping in Da Nang

From large malls with international stores to tiny street boutiques, you can get almost anything you want in Da Nang. Since it doesn't have Instagram fame, shopping in Da Nang is also cheaper than in Hoi An.

⭐ Winner: Hoi An.

If you love well-made clothing, choose Hoi An. With a tailor in every other storefront, you can fill your travel case with one-of-a-kind pieces.

Hoi An Vs Da Nang: Nightlife

While growing, Vietnam's nightlife doesn't compare to some of its neighbors. There are plenty of places to party, but especially since the pandemic, things often start shutting down around midnight.

Nightlife in Hoi An

Hoi An has a pretty chill scene. Along the river, small cafes transform into bars serving cocktails and craft brews.

Large nightclubs are not allowed in the historic city, but there are a few small clubs like Cowboy Bar, Tiger Tiger Bar, and the Shamrock Irish Pub on An Hoi island in the river.

Nightlife in Da Nang

Da Nang has a much larger and more lively nightlife scene. Along both the riverfront and the sea, you can find rooftop cocktail bars and beer gardens.

It is also littered with little dive bars, dance clubs like New Oriental and Koto Club, and pool halls along Bach Dang Pedestrian Street.

⭐ Winner: Da Nang.

But it depends on what you're into – dancing until the early morning or low-key cocktails

Best For Digital Nomads: Da Nang

Da Nang is the hand's down favorite for digital nomads and remote workers. The city lends itself beautifully to working during the day and letting loose at night.

It offers a low cost of living and everything you need to live and work comfortably:

• Numerous working cafes and co-working spaces

• Cheap fitness centers

• Affordable long-term rentals

• Easy public transport – Da Nang has a major train station and airport. Plus, you can take day trips to Hue or Hoi An using the bus system or a scooter.

• Fast and reliable Wi-Fi

• Easy walkability

Best for History Buffs: Hoi An

While Da Nang's history is interesting, Hoi An certainly offers more historical sites. Make sure to see:

• 16th-century Japanese Bridge

• Kim Bong Carpentry Village

• Cantonese Assembly Hall

• Old House of Tan Ky

• 1653 Quan Cong Temple

• Tra Que Vegetable Village

Best for Medical Travelers: Da Nang

If you need a little work done, Da Nang offers fantastic spas and a few good plastic surgeons.

I had a wonderful facial and microneedling at Hiệu Đẹp – Đà Nẵng and Botox and fillers with Dr. Harvard. Both were knowledgeable, professional, and easy to work with.

Best for Older Travelers: Hoi An

Hoi An is more comfortable for those accustomed to the West. Everything is a bit more curated, all the Old Town attractions are within walking distance, and the traffic is less intense. It also has a growing expat community.

Best for Backpackers and Budget Travelers: Da Nang

Da Nang is better for backpackers and younger travelers. There is more nightlife, more activities, and larger crowds.

The bigger size provides more options for cheap meals and hotels. You can eat street food for US$3. A fresh seafood dinner costs US$12, and luxury beachside rooms can go for less than US$20/night.

Best for a First Trip: Hoi An

Hoi An is better for a short trip or your first visit. If you only have a couple of days in Central Vietnam, then choose Hoi An. For much longer than that, I got bored.

Hoi An vs Da Nang: Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is it better to stay in Hoi An or Da Nang?

Hoi An is a touristy town and works better for short trips, history lovers, older travelers, and fashionistas. Da Nang is a working city that favors long-term travelers, backpackers, and those looking for nightlife options.

💰 Is Hoi An more expensive than Da Nang?

Due to its rise in popularity on the SEA backpacker trail, prices have risen in Hoi An. Da Nang is much larger, and there are more options for budget-friendly meals, activities, and accommodation.

🚗 Can you do a day trip to Hoi An from Da Nang?

Day trips to Hoi An and Hue are very easy from Da Nang. Transit options include local buses, the YellowBus, taxis, or Grab motorbikes. The journey to Hoi An takes about 40 minutes by car.

Hoi An vs Da Nang – Final Words

The argument of Hoi An vs Da Nang is a tough one. Both Da Nang and Hoi An are fabulous cities! They each offer a taste of traditional Vietnamese culture, just in very different ways.

Now that you have the details, which one will you choose? Hoi An or Da Nang?