Da Nang or Hoi An: where to stay — sea, old town, road and rainy season
Pick Da Nang for a big city, My Khe beach and an airport 4–5 km from the centre. Pick Hoi An for a small old town with pedestrian streets and evening lanterns, 30 km away. Sea, road, transport, rainy season and floods compared.
Short answer: stay in Da Nang if you want a big city, My Khe beach and an airport 4–5 km from the centre. Stay in Hoi An if you want a small old town with pedestrian streets and lanterns in the evening. They are about 30 km apart, 45–60 minutes by car, and since July 2025 both belong to the city of Da Nang, so many people live in one and visit the other.
How do Da Nang and Hoi An differ for living?
| Da Nang | Hoi An | |
|---|---|---|
| Sea and beaches | My Khe: about 9 km of sand along Võ Nguyên Giáp street, 10–20 minutes by taxi from the centre | An Bang and Cua Dai beaches, 3–5 km from the old town |
| Old town and centre | centre in Hải Châu district: Han and Con markets, the cathedral, the Han river embankment | old town on the UNESCO list since 1999, pedestrian 9:00–21:00/21:30, lanterns in the evening |
| Airport and road | airport 4–5 km from the centre, 5–10 minutes by car | no airport or station: Da Nang airport is about 30 km away, 40–60 minutes |
| Transport | Grab usually 3–6 minutes; airport buses 12 and 06 run 5:30–19:00 | no cars in the old town, no motorbikes 9:00–21:00; Grab takes 10–15 minutes |
| Rainy season and floods | rain September–December, about 628 mm in October; in autumn 2025 Liên Chiểu, Cẩm Lệ and Hòa Xuân flooded | rain September–December; in autumn 2025 the old town flooded three times, the Thu Bon river reached 3.37 m |
| Best for | a big city, a beach, an airport nearby | a small old town, walking, evening lanterns |
How long is the drive from Da Nang to Hoi An?
It is about 30 km from Da Nang to Hoi An: 45–60 minutes by car, up to 75 in the evening rush hour. The road runs along the sea past My Khe beach and the Marble Mountains. City bus 02 leaves the Da Nang Central Bus Station from 5:15 to 18:30, every 15–30 minutes. All options are in Da Nang to Hoi An.
Where should I stay if I want the sea every day?
If the beach has to be near your door, pick Da Nang: My Khe runs about 9 km along Võ Nguyên Giáp street, and people look for homes in An Hải and Ngũ Hành Sơn (Da Nang districts). Hoi An's old town is not on the coast: An Bang is 3–4 km away, Cua Dai 4–5 km. The sea is calmest April to August in Da Nang (Da Nang beaches) and May to July at An Bang and Cua Dai.
Where is better to stay in the rainy season?
Da Nang and Hoi An share one rainy season, September to December, peaking in October and November. In autumn 2025 water entered Hoi An's old town three times; on 30 October the Thu Bon river reached 3.37 m, and the water usually goes down within a day or two (Hoi An season and floods). In October 2025 Da Nang's Liên Chiểu, Cẩm Lệ and Hòa Xuân flooded; reports did not mention the coastal Võ Nguyên Giáp street. Wherever you rent, ask the owner whether water came into the house in autumn 2025, and check the floor.
Which is easier if I fly often?
Da Nang: the airport is almost inside the city, 4–5 km and 5–10 minutes by car from the centre, with taxis and Grab around the clock (from Da Nang airport to the city). Hoi An has no airport: Da Nang airport is about 30 km and 40–60 minutes away, and bus 1 takes 60–90 minutes to Hoi An bus station, 2 km from the old town (getting to Hoi An). A hotel inside the old town: the car drops you at the edge of the pedestrian zone, not at the door.
Can I live in Da Nang and visit Hoi An?
Yes. Hoi An is 30 km away, 45–60 minutes by car, and since July 2025 it is the wards of Hội An, Hội An Đông and Hội An Tây of Da Nang city. The last bus 02 from Hoi An leaves at 18:30, so come back from the evening lanterns by Grab or taxi; Grab in Hoi An takes 10–15 minutes, longer in the evening. The old town needs a ticket valid up to three days (combined ticket).
Can I live in Hoi An and go to Da Nang?
Yes, but it is 45–60 minutes each way, up to 75 in rush hour. Bus 02 runs to the Da Nang Central Bus Station (5:15–18:30); at other times use Grab, a taxi or your own bike. On a flight day leave extra time: in heavy rain the coastal road floods, and the drive from Da Nang airport can take an hour and a half or more.
What is restricted in Hoi An's old town?
Cars are not allowed into the old town at any hour, motorbikes are banned 9:00–21:00; residents and people who work there may enter 11:00–15:00. Bicycles are allowed. Pedestrian hours have changed over the years, so follow the signs at the entrance (getting to Hoi An). For a bike outside the old town see bike rental in Hoi An.
What is near home in Da Nang and in Hoi An?
Near My Khe beach in Da Nang: the Dragon Bridge, Vincom Plaza and the Marble Mountains; in Hải Châu, Han market and the cathedral. Around Hoi An everything is 2–5 km from the old town: Thanh Ha pottery village, Kim Bong carpenters' village, the Bay Mau coconut forest and An Bang beach (around Hoi An). On the 14th night of each lunar month the old town holds its lantern festival (lanterns in Hoi An).
Where do I look for a place to rent?
Rental agencies are in the sections housing rental in Da Nang and housing rental in Hoi An. See the flat in person before paying anything, and put the address with the new district name in the contract: old names still appear in listings after the merger. In Hoi An the address is now written "phường Hội An, TP. Đà Nẵng".
Frequently asked questions
Da Nang or Hoi An — which is better to live in? Da Nang suits you if you want a big city, a beach and an airport close. Hoi An suits you if you want a small old town with pedestrian streets and can accept 45–60 minutes to Da Nang.
How long is the drive from Da Nang to Hoi An? About 30 km, 45–60 minutes by car, up to 75 in evening rush hour. Bus 02 runs 5:15–18:30.
Does Hoi An have an airport? No airport and no station. The nearest airport is Da Nang, about 30 km away.
Does Hoi An flood in the rainy season? Yes, almost every autumn. In October–November 2025 the old town flooded three times; water usually goes down in a day or two.
When does the last bus from Hoi An to Da Nang leave? The last bus 02 leaves at 18:30. After that: Grab, a taxi or your own bike.
Can I live by the sea in Hoi An? The old town is not on the coast: An Bang is 3–4 km away, Cua Dai 4–5 km. If you want the beach daily, look at Da Nang districts by My Khe.
Is Hoi An part of Da Nang? Since 1 July 2025, yes: Hoi An is part of Da Nang city as the wards of Hội An, Hội An Đông and Hội An Tây.
Sources and checks
Road, bus 02 and Hai Van bus: notice of the Da Nang Transport Management Centre of 28.08.2026 and the Da Nang airport site; distance and time: Vietnamtourism (07.10.2026) and Vietjet Air; Grab waiting times: Vietnamtourism (21.10.2026). Pedestrian zone and ticket: the official Hoi An old town site; motorbike ban: Tuổi Trẻ (15.10.2024). Weather: QCVN 02:2022/BXD norms, Da Nang station. Hoi An floods: Tuổi Trẻ (30.10.2025, 17.11.2025) and the Hoi An heritage centre; Da Nang floods: Báo Văn hóa (18.10.2025), Tiền Phong (28 and 30.10.2025). The sea: Vietnamtourism on My Khe and on Hoi An, Hoi An beaches: Vietnam Airlines and VnExpress (12.04.2025). Hoi An as part of Da Nang: Thư viện Pháp luật and Resolution 1659/NQ-UBTVQH15. No prices: they change, check them in listings and apps.