Hoi An is a small, beautifully preserved trading port on Vietnam’s central coast, about 30 km south of Da Nang. Its ancient town of merchant houses, temples and the covered Japanese Bridge has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999, and around it lie rice fields, coconut forests and two beaches. It is walkable, bike-friendly, relaxed and one of the cheapest places to live among Vietnam’s expat destinations. This guide covers where to live, what it costs, how to get around, healthcare, schools, the flood season and daily life.
Since July 2025, Hoi An has been part of Da Nang city, after Da Nang merged with Quang Nam province. The same reform removed the district level of government and merged many wards, but everyone still uses the old place names, such as Cam Chau and An Bang, and so do we.
Why Expats Choose Hoi An
- Atmosphere: lantern-lit streets, a car-free historic center and countryside a few minutes’ ride away
- Cost: lower rents than Da Nang, Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City
- Pace of life: no big-city traffic or noise, and a daily routine you can do by bicycle
- Beaches: An Bang and Cua Dai are a short ride from town
- Community: a small, close-knit mix of retirees, remote workers, entrepreneurs and families
- Da Nang next door: the airport, hospitals, big supermarkets and more schools are 40 to 45 minutes away
The trade-offs are real. Hoi An is a small town, the ancient town is extremely busy with tourists, serious healthcare means a trip to Da Nang, jobs are limited, and October and November bring floods almost every year.
Best Neighborhoods for Expats in Hoi An
Most expats visit the ancient town often but live outside it, in the residential areas between town and the sea.
At a glance
| Area | Feel | Best for | Indicative 1-bed rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cam Chau and Cam Pho | Residential, close to town | Long-term expats, remote workers | $250–$450 |
| An Bang | Beach village, cafés | Beach lovers, younger expats, nomads | $300–$550 |
| Cua Dai | Quiet, villas, resorts | Space and peace | $300–$500 |
| Cam Thanh | Rural, coconut palms, rice fields | Nature lovers, families | Varies |
| Ancient town | Historic, touristy, busy | Short stays | Higher, less space |
Cam Chau and Cam Pho
These are the most popular areas for long-term residents: genuinely residential, with Vietnamese families, local markets and quiet streets, yet only a 5 to 10 minute walk or bike ride from the ancient town. There is a good range of houses, villas and apartments, and Cam Chau, between town and the beach, has plenty of cafés and coworking options.
An Bang
An Bang is a beach village a few kilometers from the ancient town, less developed than Cua Dai, with a growing cluster of cafés, beach bars and restaurants and a popular morning market. Rice fields separate it from the tourist crowds, and it is a favorite with younger expats and remote workers.
Cua Dai
Cua Dai, about 4 km from town, is quieter, with villas, resorts and more space. The beach itself has suffered heavy erosion in recent years, but the residential area inland remains popular.
Cam Thanh
Cam Thanh, home to the Bay Mau coconut forest and its basket boats, is rural, green and peaceful, with easy access to both the beach and the town. It suits people who want nature and space.
The ancient town
Living inside the ancient town is not practical for most people. It is a tourist zone, with crowds, noise, higher prices and old buildings that are the first to flood and can have weaker internet. It is wonderful to visit, early in the morning or late at night, when it is quiet.
Not sure yet? Take a monthly rental in Cam Chau or An Bang first, and live through a few weeks of daily life before you sign a longer lease.
Renting in Hoi An
Hoi An has everything from small apartments and traditional Vietnamese houses to villas with private pools. Most rentals come fully furnished, with air conditioning, Wi-Fi and basic appliances. Listings are shared through local agents and Facebook rental groups.
What rent costs
- Studio or one-bedroom apartment: around $250–$450 a month
- Two-bedroom house or small villa: around $400–$700 a month
- Three-bedroom villa with a pool: around $1,000–$1,500 a month
- Luxury villas: $2,000 a month and more
Landlords usually ask for a deposit of one or two months’ rent, and often rent paid in advance.
Before you sign
- Ask how high the water came in the last flood season, and look for an upper floor or raised ground if you can
- Test the internet, especially in older buildings
- Look for damp and mould, which are common in the rainy season
- Make sure the contract says who pays for utilities, internet and repairs
- Check that the landlord will register your temporary residence with the local police, which is required for every foreigner
Read our Real Estate guide for more on renting and buying property in Vietnam.
Cost of Living in Hoi An
Hoi An is one of the most affordable expat destinations in Vietnam, generally 10–20% cheaper than Da Nang, and much cheaper than Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
Typical monthly budgets
- Single person: around $700–$1,200 a month for a comfortable lifestyle, including rent
- Retired couple: many report living comfortably on around $1,000–$1,500 a month
- Family of four: roughly $2,900–$4,400 a month, depending mostly on school fees and housing
Everyday prices
- Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Cam Chau or Cam Pho: $250–$450 a month
- Food, mixing local and Western meals: $150–$300 a month
- Utilities, including internet: $40–$80 a month
- Transport, by bicycle and the occasional Grab: $20–$60 a month
- Basic motorbike rental: around $40–$60 a month
- GrabBike ride within town: VND 15,000–30,000 (under $1.50)
- Mobile data plan: around VND 100,000–200,000 ($4–$8) a month
Local morning markets are the cheapest places for fresh produce, meat and seafood. For imported goods, most residents shop in Da Nang’s big supermarkets.
See our Cost of Living guide to compare Hoi An with the big cities.
Getting Around Hoi An
Bicycle and walking
Hoi An is flat and compact, and the ancient town is largely car-free, so many residents use a bicycle as their main transport. Cycling out through the rice fields to the beach is one of the pleasures of living here.
Motorbike
A motorbike is useful for reaching An Bang, Cua Dai and Da Nang, and cheap to rent. Vietnam requires a licence for any motorbike of 50cc or more. Residents need a Vietnamese licence, converted from their home licence, and riding without the right licence can invalidate your insurance. Helmets are compulsory and the drink-driving limit is zero.
Driving licence conversion is one of the add-ons on our relocation packages.
Grab and taxis
Grab works in Hoi An, with motorbike and car options, though you may wait longer than in the big cities. Regular taxis are also available.
To Da Nang
Da Nang is about 30 km away, 40 to 45 minutes by car, and a Grab costs roughly VND 150,000–200,000 one way. Many residents make the trip regularly for the airport, hospitals, big supermarkets and schools.
Working in Hoi An
Hoi An’s economy is built on tourism, hospitality, handicrafts and its famous tailoring trade, so local jobs for foreigners are limited, mostly in hotels, restaurants and English teaching. Most expats here are remote workers, retirees or people running their own business, from cafés and guesthouses to studios and galleries.
To work for a Vietnamese employer you need a work permit, which your employer applies for, and opening a business has its own licensing and visa requirements. Remote workers still need a visa that matches how long they stay and what they do.
Remote work
Hoi An has a small but active remote-working community, busiest in the dry season. Fiber internet is available in most modern homes outside the ancient town, and there are coworking spaces and plenty of cafés to work from, especially around Cam Chau and An Bang.
Read our Visa guide, our Digital Nomads page and our Entrepreneurs page.
Retiring in Hoi An
Hoi An is a popular place to retire: affordable, beautiful, slow-paced and friendly, with a welcoming community of fellow retirees. Two things matter more here than almost anywhere else in Vietnam.
- Visas: Vietnam has no dedicated retirement visa, so retirees need to plan a long-term visa strategy that fits their situation.
- Healthcare: serious care means Da Nang, so comprehensive international health insurance with evacuation cover is essential.
Read our Retirees page for visa options and planning.
Healthcare and Safety in Hoi An
Healthcare
Healthcare is Hoi An’s biggest limitation. Hoi An General Hospital, a public hospital, handles basic and emergency care, with limited English, and a few small private clinics are useful for minor illnesses and GP visits. For international-standard care, residents go to Da Nang, where private hospitals such as Vinmec Da Nang and Family Medical Practice are about 40 to 45 minutes away. Complex specialist treatment may mean Ho Chi Minh City or abroad.
That makes good international health insurance, with evacuation cover, more important here than almost anywhere else in Vietnam, especially for older residents, families and anyone with ongoing medical needs.
Emergencies
Dial 115 for an ambulance, 113 for police and 114 for fire. Know in advance how you would get to a hospital in Da Nang, and keep your insurance details and a copy of your passport with you.
Staying safe
Hoi An is very safe. Take normal care with bags and phones in the busy ancient town, ride carefully, swim where lifeguards are on duty, and drink bottled or filtered water, not tap water.
Read our Healthcare guide for insurance options and how the system works.
Schools in Hoi An
Hoi An has fewer schools than the big cities, but families do have options. Hoi An International School (HAIS) follows the Cambridge curriculum through IGCSE and A-Level, with international and bilingual programs, and published fees from about $4,940 to $19,390 a year depending on grade and program. Odyssey International School, an IB candidate school, is between Hoi An and Da Nang, and the rest of Da Nang’s international schools are 40 to 45 minutes away, some with school buses.
Families who want the widest choice of schools often live in Da Nang and treat Hoi An as a weekend escape.
Read our Schools guide and our Da Nang guide.
Banking, Money and Phones
Vietnamese banks have branches and ATMs throughout town. Cash is still widely used for markets, street food and small shops, and QR payments are common. A local bank account makes it easy to pay rent and use payment apps. Our Bank Account service ($325) prepares your documents and books your appointment with a bank that works well with foreigners. You can order it in Navigator.
Buy a local SIM or an eSIM when you arrive. You need your passport to register a local SIM.
Read Opening a Bank Account as a Foreigner.
Food, Culture and Community
Food
Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s great food towns. Try cao lầu noodles, white rose dumplings and the famous Hoi An bánh mì, and take a cooking class with a market tour. There is also a wide range of international restaurants and cafés.
Culture
Explore the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Fujian Assembly Hall and old merchant houses such as Tan Ky with an ancient town ticket, and don’t miss the monthly full-moon lantern festival, when lanterns float on the river. Cycle through the Tra Que vegetable village and the rice fields, and take a basket boat through the Bay Mau coconut forest.
Community
The expat community is smaller than Da Nang’s but tight-knit and welcoming, with active Facebook groups for advice, rentals and events. Many people find the social scene is best in the dry season, when more remote workers are in town.
Climate and the Flood Season
Hoi An has a tropical climate with two seasons:
- Dry season (about February to August): warm to hot, sunny and ideal for the beach
- Rainy season (about September to January): heavy rain, with typhoons and flooding most likely in October and November
Floods are a fact of life
The Thu Bon River, which runs along the ancient town, overflows most years. Streets in the old town can flood to knee depth or higher, and some roads become impassable for days. Ground floors in the ancient town are the most exposed.
- Choose a home on higher ground, or with an upper floor to move your belongings to
- Keep essentials, documents and electronics off the floor during the rainy season
- Follow local weather warnings and allow for travel disruption
- Many long-term residents travel for a few weeks in October and November
Weekend Escapes from Hoi An
My Son Sanctuary
About 40 km inland, My Son is a UNESCO-listed complex of Hindu temples built by the Champa Kingdom between the 4th and 13th centuries.
The Cham Islands
A speedboat ride offshore, the Cham Islands are a UNESCO biosphere reserve with snorkeling, diving and quiet beaches.
Da Nang and beyond
Da Nang’s beaches, the Marble Mountains, the Son Tra Peninsula, Ba Na Hills and the Hai Van Pass are all within easy reach, and Hue is a scenic train ride further north. Da Nang airport connects you to the rest of Vietnam and Asia.
Compare other cities in our Destinations guide, or read our Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi guides.
Final Thoughts on Living in Hoi An
Hoi An offers a quality of life that is hard to match: beauty, calm, great food, a friendly community and very low costs. It suits remote workers, retirees and creative entrepreneurs best.
Go in with open eyes: plan your healthcare and insurance around Da Nang, choose your home with the flood season in mind, check the school options if you have children, and get the right visa for a long stay.
Start with our Visa guide to find the right visa for your move.
Frequently Asked Questions: Living in Hoi An
Where do expats live in Hoi An?
Mostly in Cam Chau and Cam Pho, close to the ancient town, and near the beach in An Bang. Cua Dai and Cam Thanh are quieter options. Very few live inside the ancient town itself.
How much does it cost to live in Hoi An?
A single person can live comfortably on around $700–$1,200 a month including rent, and a one-bedroom apartment typically costs $250–$450 a month.
Is Hoi An cheaper than Da Nang?
Generally yes, by around 10–20%, mainly because rent is lower.
Is healthcare good in Hoi An?
Basic care is available locally, but international-standard hospitals are in Da Nang, about 40 to 45 minutes away. Comprehensive health insurance with evacuation cover is essential.
Are there international schools in Hoi An?
Yes. Hoi An International School teaches the Cambridge curriculum from early years to A-Level, and Odyssey International School is between Hoi An and Da Nang. Da Nang has more options.
Does Hoi An flood?
Yes, most years, usually in October and November. Choose your home carefully and plan for disruption during those months.
Is Hoi An part of Da Nang now?
Yes. Since July 2025, Hoi An has been part of Da Nang city, after Da Nang merged with Quang Nam province. It remains a separate town with its own character, about 30 km from central Da Nang.