Hoi An travel info

Half past five on Bach Dang Street, facing the Thu Bon River. Silk lanterns flicker on one by one under the eaves of the yellow shophouses, and women on the riverbank hold out baskets of paper lanterns, calling 'boat, boat'. An hour later dozens of little candle lanterns are drifting downstream, and you can barely get near the Japanese Covered Bridge for the cameras.

Hoi An's old town is a trading port that kept its streets from the 15th to 19th centuries more or less intact. Assembly halls built by Chinese merchants, a roofed bridge said to have been put up by Japanese traders, and wooden shophouses more than 200 years old all sit within about ten minutes' walk. Cars and scooters are kept out for much of the day and evening, so this is one of the few places in Vietnam where you can stroll down the middle of the road. At 7am, before the tour coaches arrive, the lanes are just sunlight on yellow walls.

Da Nang airport is 45 minutes away by car. Fifteen minutes by bicycle takes you to the vegetable gardens of Tra Que, and a bit further to An Bang beach. Just know that October and November are when the Thu Bon rises and the old town floods: in late October 2025 the water climbed past three metres and residents and tourists were taken out by boat.

Da Nang International Airport (DAD)

• Grab or Xanh SM: About 40–50 min · Around 250,000–350,000 VND for a 4-seater (2026 sources), more late at night or in rain. The app's upfront quote is final
• Shared shuttle (Hoi An Express and others): About 60–90 min with stops · Around 130,000–150,000 VND per person
• Hotel pickup or private transfer: About 40–50 min, no waiting · From around 400,000 VND for a sedan (2026 source); resorts and bigger vehicles charge more. Some 4-star-plus resorts include a free shuttle, so ask when booking
• Metered taxi (Mai Linh, Vinasun): About 40–50 min · Sources vary widely: roughly 300,000–600,000 VND

• Visa: 45 days visa-free for many passports; e-visa otherwise
• Getting there by air: Fly into Da Nang (DAD), then 45 min drive
• Time zone: UTC+7
• Currency: Dong (₫); '35k' = 35,000
• Paying: Cards for Grab and hotels; cash for stalls
• Power: 220V; round and flat pins
• Language: Vietnamese; English fine in old town
• Internet: Nothing blocked; data from the airport
• Emergencies: Police 113 · Ambulance 115
• Best time: Feb–Apr; Oct–Nov is flood season