Comparison · Hanoi vs Hoi An · Vietnam
Hanoi vs Hoi An
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Quangnlnhe182394, CC0
Quick answer
Choose Hanoi for Old Quarter, Hoàn Kiếm Lake, nightlife and free sights; choose Hoi An for Lanterns, Japanese Covered Bridge, beaches and a milder winter. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 630 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 630 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Hanoi
- March–April and October–December
- Best time for Hoi An
- February–May
Side by side
| Hanoi | Hoi An | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Vietnam | Vietnam |
| Known for | Old Quarter, Hoàn Kiếm Lake and Phở | Lanterns, Japanese Covered Bridge and Tailor-made clothes |
| Best time to visit | March–April and October–December | February–May |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $60–$120 | $60–$130 |
| Cost level | Very affordable | Affordable |
| Warmest month | June, 33°C (91°F) | June, 34°C (93°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 19°C (66°F) | January, 25°C (77°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 9 | 4 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | An Bang Beach |
| Airports | HAN | DAD |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Hanoi for…
Old Quarter, Hoàn Kiếm Lake, nightlife and free sights. Hanoi has been Vietnam's capital, on and off, for about a thousand years, and it shows: a dense Old Quarter of guild streets and narrow tube houses, French colonial boulevards around the 1911 Opera House, and the Confucian Temple of Literature founded in…
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Choose Hoi An for…
Lanterns, Japanese Covered Bridge, beaches and a milder winter. Hoi An was a busy trading port from the 15th to the 19th centuries, when Japanese, Chinese and European merchants traded here on the Thu Bon River. Its compact Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, keeps more than a thousand timber-fronted shophouses…
Top sights compared
| # | Hanoi | Hoi An |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hoàn Kiếm Lake and Ngọc Sơn Temple | Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu) |
| 2 | Old Quarter guild streets | Ancient Town streets and lanterns |
| 3 | Temple of Literature | Lantern boat ride on the Thu Bon |
| 4 | Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ba Đình Square | Tan Ky Old House |
| 5 | One Pillar Pagoda | Fujian Assembly Hall (Phúc Kiến) |
Food compared
| Hanoi | Hoi An |
|---|---|
| Beef phở | Cao lầu |
| Bún chả | Hoi An bánh mì |
| Chả cá Lã Vọng | Hoi An chicken rice |
| Bánh cuốn | White rose dumplings |
Which is cheaper?
Hanoi and Hoi An cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $60–$120 in Hanoi and $60–$130 in Hoi An (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Hanoi on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Hanoi and Hoi An are about 630 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Hanoi and 4 in Hoi An.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Hanoi or Hoi An cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $60–$120 in Hanoi and $60–$130 in Hoi An (estimates).
+Is Hanoi or Hoi An better for a first trip?
Pick Hanoi for Old Quarter, Hoàn Kiếm Lake, nightlife and free sights, or Hoi An for Lanterns, Japanese Covered Bridge, beaches and a milder winter.
+How far is Hanoi from Hoi An?
About 630 km in a straight line.