Hoi An or Da Nang: Which is Better?

Da Nang and Hoi An are located in Central Vietnam, with a distance of roughly 30 km. To the north, Da Nang is the capital city of the region, with a contemporary appearance and down south, Hoi An is a well-preserved heritage city. Both are tourist centers, attracting 8,5 million and 5,5 million visitors respectively in a recent year. Just about international visitors, there are 3,5 million and 4,6 million. Because Da Nang and Hoi An are popular and famous the same, travelers often wonder to decide which is better to go or how to visit highlights in all cities.

This article shares common things and differences between Da Nang and Hoi An. It helps travellers easier to find out the favourite city or plan better the itinerary to discover both. We highly recommend reading travel guide to Hue, a destination where many travellers love to explore next. It owns Unesco-inscribed places and intangible heritages.

Tourist Attractions in Hoi An

The best known and most loved attraction in Hoi An is the Old Town. It used to be an international trade port from 15^th to 19^th century. Merchants and people from the rest of the world came here to seek goods and develop their own business. Due to its intactness, this lantern-filled area won the Unesco world heritage title in 1999. Amongst thousands, the best preserved buildings allow visitors to sightsee such as Japanese Covered Bridge, Old house of Tan Ky, Chinese Fujian Assembly Hall and more. The diversity of merchandise is easiest seen in the Central Market, from fresh, cooked ingredients, fishes to handicraft objects. At night, except the lantern festival, Night Market is another best place to see.

Sandy and unspoiled beaches in Hoi An are from 3 to 5 kimoters from the historic quarters. The nearest, most famous one is An Bang Beach. It has expanses of warm, clear water with gentle waves and sun beds in the shade of palms. Between this and the town, Tra Que Vegetable Village owns lush organically-grown gardens where visitors can be farmers and learn what they do daily. Near the estuary of Thu Bon River, the experience on a basket boat through Cam Thanh Water Coconut Forest can’t be missed. On the opposite bank of the Old town, bicycle riders love paddling across rice fields and villages in Cam Kim Island. Learning how to make a clay pot in Thanh Ha Pottery Village gives so much fun too. Although a little far, Vinpearl Land Hoi An Water Park is a good choice for families. Cham Island harbours a great marine biodiversity that is ideal for underwater activities.

Tourist Attractions in Da Nang

Da Nang boasts of poetic Han River running through its core and bridges spanning it. The star is the Dragon Bridge, one of the most unique bridges globally. Near the waterfronts, visitors have a short walk to see featured museums and night markets at night. Asia Park is the only amusement park in this central part, widely known for the ferris wheel and miniatures of wonders. 2 kilometers to the east, this city has a lengthy, white sandy coastline that comprises many safe swimming spots. The best known is My Khe Beach, one of the world’s sexiest beaches by Forbes.

Near the city downtown, there are majestic mountains and the one with the richest history is the Marble Mountains. It’s a group of jagged hills suddenly appearing on the plains. People build Buddhist temples and shrines on its slopes and caves. Ba Na Hills is another famous mountain. This hill station was established by the French in the early 20^th century, at an elevation of nearly 1,500 meters. A world record cable car network and the mythical Golden Bridge are the bests of it. Nearby, Than Tai Hot Spring Park has been emerging to be a top place to go. Hai Van Pass in the north is the favourite of motorcyclists and cyclists nationally, thanks to the cool ride along the scenic route with many turns. To the northeast, Son Tra Mountain has the tallest Lady Buddha in Vietnam – 67 meters, the biggest Buddhist site in the city – Linh Ung Pagoda and populous communities of red shanked douc monkeys. A ride here is equally fun as the Hai Van Pass.

Our Thoughts

Both Da Nang and Hoi An are worth visiting and each one becomes famous thanks to appealing attractions. However, there are some slight differences between these cities that travelers may consider when planning the holiday. Firstly, the distance between top or best attractions in Da Nang are further than Hoi An. It’s needed to hire a car, book a tour or ride a motorcycle if you like to get around. In Hoi An, travelers can explore different places with only a bicycle.

Da Nang is famous for mountains where hiking, a trek or long walk is required to sightsee here and there. Little ones, elders and wheelchair persons may feel tired quickly and not really fully enjoy the place. On a delta, Hoi An’s old town and surrounding countryside are easier to access and discover. The town is pedestrian-friendly. Island and rural lands here are one of the biggest differences that Hoi An has but Da Nang doesn’t. If you are looking for trips there, choose Hoi An.

Hoi An or Da Nang – Which is Better for Activities?

Activities in Hoi An

– Old Town: sightseeing historical sites, museums and markets, making custom-made clothings, watching cultural shows, touring by cyclo, food tour or trying local foods, cooking class, handicraft workshops, shopping, lantern festival, lantern boat ride at night, sunset cruise, photo tour

– Countryside: cycling in Cam Kim Island, basket boat ride and fishing tour in Cam Thanh Village, farmer tour in Tra Que Village

– Beaches and Island: swimming, sunbathing, yoga/meditation/tai chi, water sports, Cham Island (snorkeling, diving, undersea trekking)

Activities in Da Nang

– City centre: Han River cruise, fireworks festival, food tour, sightseeing museums, church, day and night markets

– Beaches and Island: swimming, sunbathing, surfing, SUP-ing, snorkeling, diving, jet skiing, parachuting, banana boat

– Mountains: the Marble Mountains (soft hiking, sightseeing, exploring caves), Son Tra Mountain (hiking, riding motorcycle, sightseeing, paragliding), Ba Na Hills (cable car, sightseeing, amusement park), Hai Van Pass (riding motorcycle/bicycle/jeep, sightseeing), hot springs, waterfalls, trekking in nature reserves

Our Thoughts

No matter which city, travelers have many choices of indoor and outdoor activities to do. Around both Da Nang and Hoi An, it’s possible to find entertainment on the beach, amazing attractions to sightsee, amusement parks to have fun, interesting food tours to join, a good spa to rejuvenate, fishing trips and more. However, each has its own strengths that define itself in the tourist maps or differences to the sister city. For example, tailoring in Hoi An or the Golden Bridge in Da Nang. These are better things by category:

– Biking: countryside (Hoi An), rugged mountains (Da Nang)

– Festivals: Hoi An (lantern, monthly), Da Nang (fireworks, yearly)

– Trekking or hiking: Da Nang

– Yoga and mediation: Hoi An

– Classes and workshops: Hoi An

– Underwater activities: Hoi An

– Extreme sports: Da Nang

– Boat tours: Hoi An

– Shows or concerts: Hoi An

– Golf: Da Nang

Hoi An or Da Nang – Which is Better to Stay?

Areas to Stay and Accommodation in Hoi An

Travelers can book their loved accommodations in the beach, countryside or old town of Hoi An. Within the core of the Unesco world heritage, there are a few options, but each one allows the guests to feel most the local life. In the surroundings, hotels, boutique hotels, resorts, homestays, villas, hostels and guesthouses are so many. All are near main attractions (walkable distance) and run by English-speaking people. 5 minutes drive away, places by rice fields are exactly what travelers find to escape from hustle and bustle. By the coast, all-inclusive resorts are lined Cua Dai Beach – the last stretch of Vietnam’s finest sandy coastline. In other parts, homestays and backpacker hostels are occupied. In Cham Island, homestays there are cozy, providing the chance to be a member of a fisherman family. It’s ideal to lodge by the beaches and “go missing” for a while.

Areas to Stay and Accommodation in Da Nang

Main tourist areas to stay in Da Nang are beachfront, riverfront, peninsula and mountains. Along the eastern coast, travelers can find a perfect hideaway in Son Tra peninsula (especially the InterContinental resort), sea-facing hotels by My Khe – the city’s best beach, and luxury resorts in palm-edged Non Nuoc Beach. The finest weather is in the Ba Na Hills station, at an elevation of nearly 1,500 meters. It’s never wrong to stay overnight there. In the city core, the greatest view is provided from high-rise hotels by the Han River. In the summer, the guests can watch amazing fireworks performances from the window with ease. Some venues have the infinity pool to allow swimmers to see the pretty view from its edge, don’t miss the sunset!. Hotels, hostels, homestays, villas, and guesthouses are plenty around the city.

Our Thoughts

Both cities are worth it to stay and have so many options of accommodation to choose from, with a wide range of prices. So, travelers feel easy to find their own favourite location before flying to, to fit personal style, itinerary and budget. However, the distance between Hoi An and Da Nang is not long, and all provide similar things in many types. These are the bests of its kind:

– Isolated holiday: Son Tra Peninsula, Ba Na Hills (Da Nang), Cham Island (Hoi An)

– Beach resorts (luxury, all-inclusive): Non Nuoc (Da Nang), Cua Dai (Hoi An)

– Hostels: Hoi An

– Riverside hotels: Da Nang

– Rice field hotels: Hoi An

Hoi An or Da Nang – Which is Better for Shopping?

For many travellers, shopping is a part of their trip anywhere. Da Nang and Hoi An draw millions of tourists yearly, therefore things to buy in both cities are diverse enough to bring home some satisfied ones. Most-seen (popular) souvenirs are traditional handicraft products, paintings, shirts, leather items, cooking utensils, spices, coffee, more. Domestic travelers also love products prepared from seafood due to the wealth of fresh seafood in the area. While markets are most convenient, shoppaholics These are what each destination supply the bests:

– Da Nang: stone sculptures and accessories in the Marble Mountains

– Hoi An: lanterns, personalized suits or dresses, potteries in Thanh Ha village, wood products in Kim Bong village, local coffee beans. See details in Hoi An Old Town Souvenirs.

Da Nang Beach or Hoi An Beach?

One of things that both Da Nang and Hoi An have is the beach. Vietnam’s finest sandy coastline stretches from Da Nang to Hoi An. Four most famous beaches are on this shore, including My Khe and Non Nuoc in Da Nang and An Bang and Cua Dai in Hoi An. If looking for a beach holiday, pick any because all of them provide sandy expanses, clear water and many accommodations to book. However, for those who have some requirements, they need to spend time researching. We quickly outline what to expect of each one of top-rated beaches to make it easier, as following below:

– My Khe Beach: a lengthy and spacious sand strip, water sports, surfboard rentals and schools, bars (rooftop bars), restaurants (seafood restaurants)

– Non Nuoc Beach: quite, free from crowds, sun chairs, eating and drinking offers are all from resorts

– An Bang Beach: sand expanses with sun beds, restaurants and bars offering tasty seafood dishes, divine cocktails, live music.

– Cua Dai Beach: eroded recently, not many sand expanses left but it still provides pretty scenery and safe swimming.

Hoi An or Da Nang Nightlife?

There are many things to do at night in Hoi An or Da Nang, of course, including nightlife. In any city, travelers can find fun-filled spots with a long list of drinks from bartenders, social atmosphere and great music from DJs. In Da Nang, the bulk of top venues is on a high floor and by the Han River. In Hoi An, the largest concentration of bars is along Nguyen Phuc Chu St (near Old Town). However, due to some reasons, locals and Asians are the majority in Da Nang, and it’s Europeans and Americans in Hoi An. Therefore, there are slight differences between cities.

About the beach bars, My Khe and An Bang are two meccas for both locals and tourists. Live performances, fancy beverage and food menu, and trendy music are what to expect there. It’s easier to seek an ideal place to spend a night out on the An Bang seafront.

Read also: Da Nang Nightlife, Hoi An Nightlife

Hoi An or Da Nang – Which is Better to Visit My Son Sanctuary?

My Son Sanctuary is a world heritage site where 70 Hindu temples and ruins are located in a valley encircled by mountains. A visit around it allows visitors to learn about a new civilization or kingdom that disappeared from 19^th century. It’s 70 km southwest of Da Nang and 55 km west of Hoi An. Therefore, visitors spend less time to get there if departing from Hoi An, over 1 hour by car. However, when having no other options than Da Nang or would like to start from the airport, the drive to My Son sanctuary is still convenient. The travel time is just 20 minutes more. Guided tours are many, easy to book from any cities.