8 best areas to Stay in Hoi An: First timers tips and lux on a budget

We went back to Hoi An because you will never have enough of the gorgeous atmosphere the lit lanterns create at night. During the day, you will walk through ancient history and charming, colourful streets, feeling you are on a picturesque set. Instead, it is real life. We did our travel research before getting there,…

We went back to Hoi An because you will never have enough of the gorgeous atmosphere the lit lanterns create at night. During the day, you will walk through ancient history and charming, colourful streets, feeling you are on a picturesque set. Instead, it is real life.

We did our travel research before getting there, and yes, it’s tricky to understand where to stay in Hoi An, Vietnam.

As we have been more than once, we know which area is the best and what can truly make the difference in planning. As a general rule of thumb, this guide is ideal if you are looking for the best place to stay in Hoi An.

However, we must say that it is very cheap to stay in Hoi An, even in the town centre. Staying in a cosy homestay costs less than $10 if booked in advance. Anyway, let’s give you our personal suggestions.

toti and ale of passport and stamps from a cute balcony on the best accommodation to stay in hoi an with private pool
Our cosy villa in Hoi An with private pool.

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Which are the overall best places to stay in Hoi An?

We love two places in Hoi An more than others:


We consider both as great for first timers in Hoi An, couples, and the first even suitable for families. While many others sends you to fancy hotels, we love to suggest cosy guesthouses and private villas that supports locals. These are definitely the best places to stay in Hoi An.

The reason is that we aren’t in the bustling centre but just on the boundaries. This is great for having your privacy but still being walking distance from the market, cosy cafes, and boutique shops.

Every district in Hoi An has different characters; we spent days going around, trying to understand where it ends the old town and where locals really reside.

FREE Hoi An Ebook

Download your free guide to Hoi An. This e-book works offline on your mobile, ready to use while exploring the cute town.

Areas in Hoi An we suggest to checkout!

So, which area should you pick? If it’s your first time visiting Hoi An Vietnam where to stay depends on what kind of experience you want:

  • Want history and culture? Go for Ancient Town or Cam Pho.
  • Craving beach vibes? Cua Dai or An Bang will be perfect.
  • Are you a backpacker on a budget? Cam Chau or Tra Que Village are solid choices.

Each spot has its perks—you really can’t go wrong! Just remember: wherever you stay in Hoi An will likely be close enough to explore other areas easily.

FAQ | Best Area to stay in Hoi An

The best area to stay in Hoi An MAP

A map of Hoi An best area to stay for sector, from the most expensive to the most accessible
Click on the map to open our selection of best areas to stay in Hoi An, then save it on your mobile to access offline.

Best 8 areas to stay in Hoi An

  • Hoi An Town – Cam Pho
  • Hoi An Ancient town – Minh An
  • Hoi An Beach – Cua Dai
  • An Bang Beach
  • Tan An – Long Stay
  • Tra Que Village
  • Cam Chau – Ricefields
  • Cam Nam – Quiet Area
Enjoying the private pool in Hoi An

Hoi An Town – Cam Pho

Cam Pho is part of the Ancient Town, close to all the action, and ideal if you are spending a short time in Hoi An. However, this area is buzzy, and so busy all day. We stayed here on our second trip because we wanted a bit more peace while still being able to walk into town for dinner or drinks.

Cam Pho has a mix of budget-friendly homestays and boutique hotels. It’s also right by the river, so evening strolls are a must.

Best Places to stay in Hoi An Cam Pho

The famous sign of Hoi An - Ale standing nearby the love hoi an sign - mustard yellow wall and pinky flowers

Minh An: For Culture Lovers and First-Timers

If it’s your first time in Hoi An, staying near the Ancient Town is the easiest solution to your research. Staying in Minh An, you will witness the magic happening when the scene changes from day to night.

It was amazing to see the town completely turning around, with cobblestone streets crossed by lined mustard-yellow traditional shophouses (similar to Koon Seng Road in Singapore), riverside cafes, and those iconic lanterns glowing at night.

We stayed here on our first visit, and let me tell you—it’s like living in a dream. You can walk everywhere: markets, temples, tailor shops (because who doesn’t want custom-made clothes?).

Plus, it’s perfect for snapping some of the most iconic photos from Hoi An. Check our IG account for some inspo.

Best places to stay in Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An by night | Most instagrammable places in Hoi An

Hoi An Beach – Cua Dai

If your idea of paradise involves sandy toes and ocean breezes, Cua Dai Beach is where you’ll want to stay in Hoi An, Vietnam. It’s about 4 kilometres from Ancient Town. Still, it feels like a different world—calm waves, fresh seafood shacks, and resorts that scream “vacation mode.”

We stayed here during our last trip because we wanted easy beach access after days of sightseeing. Morning swims followed by fresh coconut water? Yes, please!

Best places to stay in Cua Dai

Accommodation in Hoi An - Toti drinking a coffee in the kitchen | Where to stay in Hoi An

Tan An – Long Stay

Tan An is a fantastic area for long stays and digital nomads. Many stay here because it is quieter and easy to get into town. Even though it is located slightly outside the bustling Ancient Town, it is perfect for a quiet holiday.

Renting a bike makes it easy to commute and even get around the ricefield. There are so many homestays that it is very hard to choose the best. Overall, we found that all of them are prepared to welcome digital workers with friendly environments and high-speed wifi.

Staying here, we suggest to check out the local market, making a list of the cosy cafes to visit in your free time, and seeking some authentic experiences sipping Vietnamese blends.

Best places to stay in An Bang Beach

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The rooftop terrace lounge at our Guesthouse in Tamraght

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Hoi An Instagram Spots and hidden gems

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Stay in Tra Que Village, for a more authentic experience

Not often appreciated enough, we suggest checking out Tra Que Village. It is not as popular as other areas in Hoi An and is about 30 30-minute bike ride from the old town. However, the small community will make you feel welcome.

Tra Que is often referred to as Vegetable Village, and it’s part of the regular tours and fantastic cooking classes like this one.

Staying here, you will be in a traditional and authentic area; sometimes, it will feel like time has stopped, which adds a layer of charm to your trip, in our opinion.

Best places to stay in Vegetable Village Hoi An

Beautiful streets in Hoi An Old quarter | Where to stay in Hoi An
Hoi An Old town at sunrise, before shops opens and tourists arrive.

Stay in Cam Chau for ricefield and bike rides

If you decide to stay here, rent a bike. It is so cheap! Many do that, and it was nice to see people pedalling on the side of the road (while we were cautiously taking over).

Actually, we have to confess, we were jelous of them going through paths surrounded by ricefields. Overall, Cam Chau has many options, from budget-friendly homestays and boutique hotels.

Plus, it’s right by the river, so evening walks are romantic. However, most of the area lacks good roads, and these aren’t well-lit.

Cam Nam – Quiet Area

Cam Nam is another area of Hoi An that offers tranquillity and proximity to the Ancient town. It’s an island connected to the rest by a picturesque bridge, so it’s just about 10 minutes walking from the centre—less if you rent a bike, which is free in many accommodations.

While it’s relatively central, it’s surprisingly affordable to get a guest house in Cam Nam. We always suggest staying here to families and couples, expecially when travelling with kids.

The best place to stay in Cam Nam

  • Nghê Prana Hotel and Spa Hoi An – Cam Nam // CHECK HERE!

Tips for Backpackers Staying in Hoi An

  • Look for hostels or homestays in Cam Chau or Cam Pho—they’re budget-friendly yet close enough to everything.
  • Rent a bike! It’s cheap (around $1/day) and makes getting around super easy.
  • Don’t book tours through hotels; Reserve your spot on Get Your Guide or Klook.

Eat street food—it’s delicious and wallet-friendly! Start with bánh mì Phượng or white rose dumplings. In Vietnam, you can have full meals for less than $5 per day.