What currency is used in Hoi An?

Hoi An uses the Vietnamese dong (VND).

What is the emergency number in Hoi An?

In Hoi An, call 113 for police, 114 for fire, 115 for an ambulance.

How much does a day in Hoi An cost?

Roughly $25-40 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $55-100 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.

Is Waypacker free to use in Hoi An?

Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.

Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?

Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.

Can I meet locals in Hoi An without staying with anyone?

Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.

Will anyone see my exact location?

No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

Hoi An travel guide

Vietnam

A former trading port of ochre shophouses, silk lanterns and riverside cafés. Hoi An's old town is compact and largely car-free, with beaches and rice paddies a short bike ride away.

Essentials

Language: Vietnamese; English is widely spoken in shops, cafés and guesthouses
Currency: Vietnamese dong (VND)
Plugs: Mostly Types A and C, 220 V
Emergency number: 113 for police, 114 for fire, 115 for an ambulance
Tipping: Not traditional, but appreciated in restaurants, spas and by guides.

Rough daily budget

Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:

Backpacker: $25-40, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
Mid-range: $55-100, with a private room and restaurant meals.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Where to stay in Hoi An

Ancient Town: the UNESCO-listed old port, with merchant houses, assembly halls and the Japanese Covered Bridge.
An Bang: a relaxed beach village an easy cycle from the old town.
Cam Thanh: a water coconut forest known for round basket-boat trips.

Getting around Hoi An

Rent a bicycle: the old town, beaches and paddies are all within easy cycling distance. Da Nang airport is under an hour away by car.

Best time to visit Hoi An

February to April, warm and mostly dry; October and November bring heavy rain and occasional flooding.

Top things to do in Hoi An

Use an Ancient Town ticket to step inside the old merchant houses and Chinese assembly halls
Float a paper candle lantern on the Thu Bon River after dark
Have clothes made at one of the town's many tailors, allowing a few days for fittings
Cycle out to Tra Que, a village of herb and vegetable gardens between the town and the sea
Take a cooking class that includes a boat ride and a market visit

What to eat in Hoi An

Cao lau: chewy noodles with sliced pork, greens and crisp croutons, a Hoi An speciality
Mi Quang: turmeric rice noodles with a little rich broth, prawns, pork and peanuts
White rose dumplings: delicate steamed shrimp dumplings shaped like flowers
Com ga: chicken rice cooked in chicken stock, served with shredded chicken and herbs

Day trips from Hoi An

My Son Sanctuary: the ruined brick temples of the Cham kingdom in a jungle valley, about an hour inland
Marble Mountains: limestone hills full of caves and shrines, around 30 minutes north towards Da Nang
Cham Islands: snorkelling and quiet beaches, a speedboat ride of about 20 minutes from Cua Dai

Local etiquette

Dress modestly in the assembly halls and temples. Ask before photographing people, and expect that some vendors posing in conical hats will ask for a fee.

Staying connected

SIMs and eSIMs are easy to buy at Da Nang airport or in town, and nearly every café and guesthouse has free Wi-Fi.

Staying safe

Agree prices clearly with tailors, boat operators and cyclo drivers before you commit. In the rainy season, check flood warnings, as the riverside streets of the Ancient Town can flood.

A local tip

Walk the Ancient Town at dawn, when the lanes are empty and the light is soft on the yellow walls.

Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.

Meet people in Hoi An on Waypacker

Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Hoi An for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Hoi An, you could be one of the first hosts.

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Questions about Hoi An

What currency is used in Hoi An?: Hoi An uses the Vietnamese dong (VND).
What is the emergency number in Hoi An?: In Hoi An, call 113 for police, 114 for fire, 115 for an ambulance.
When is the best time to visit Hoi An?: February to April, warm and mostly dry; October and November bring heavy rain and occasional flooding.
How much does a day in Hoi An cost?: Roughly $25-40 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $55-100 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
Is Waypacker free to use in Hoi An?: Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?: Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
Can I meet locals in Hoi An without staying with anyone?: Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
Will anyone see my exact location?: No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

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