Hoi An quickly became one of my favourite cities in Vietnam – there's something magical about those lantern-lit streets and the way this UNESCO World Heritage site manages to feel both ancient and buzzing with energy at the same time. Located in central Vietnam, about halfway between Hanoi (roughly 800km north) and Ho Chi Minh City (850km south), this charming town of around 120,000 people punches well above its weight when it comes to things to see and do.

After a long and chaotic sleeper bus from Phong Nha, I found myself wandering Hoi An's famous Ancient Town, completely enchanted. But here's the thing – choosing where to stay can make or break your experience here. I actually moved hostels after my first night because I realised I'd made a huge mistake, so I'm here to save you from having the same problem! Whether you're after beachside tranquility or want to be in the heart of the action, I've got you covered with the best hostels in Hoi An.

Contents

• Which Areas to Stay in Hoi An
• Best Hostels in Hoi An
• Frequently Asked Questions About Hostels in Hoi An

Which Areas to Stay in Hoi An

When it comes to choosing where to stay in Hoi An, location really does matter. The city is actually quite spread out, with several distinct neighbourhoods that each offer a completely different vibe. I learned this the hard way when I booked my first hostel without realising that I'd be more than an hours walk away from the action. While Grab rides are super cheap here (usually just ₫20,000-40,000 or 0.75€-1.50€), you don't want to be constantly ordering them just to meet up with friends or grab (haha) dinner.

During my time in Hoi An, I stayed in two different areas and visited friends in several others, so I've got a pretty good feel for what each neighbourhood offers. Trust me, picking the right area can be the difference between an amazing stay and one where you feel a bit isolated from all the action.

By the Beach, Along the Coast

If you're dreaming of falling asleep to the sound of waves and morning walks on the sand, the beach area might seem like the obvious choice. I thought the same thing, which is why I booked my first night at a beachside hostel which had been recommended to me by a fellow traveller. The reality? It's lovely if the weather cooperates and you're genuinely after a quiet, beach-focused stay.

However (and this is a big however), it's more than an hour's walk from the city centre. When I was there, the weather was pretty grim, which meant the beach was completely deserted and felt a bit lonely. I ended up getting several grabs into town to meet friends, which got old fast. (Although, at least they give you helmets here, unlike in Thailand.)

That said, I did meet other travellers who absolutely loved staying by the beach – particularly couples and people who were happy to spend their days reading on the sand rather than exploring the town. I'm not saying "don't stay by the beach", I'm just saying make sure you know what you're in for!

An Hoi

An Hoi quickly established itself as my favourite area in Hoi An. This small island is where most of the backpacker action happens – the famous night markets set up here every evening, and it's home to most of the city's bars and clubs. If you're looking to meet other travellers and want easy access to nightlife, this is definitely the place to be.

The best part about An Hoi is that everything feels walkable. You can stumble out of your hostel, wander through the night market sampling street food, and end up at one of the riverside bars without ever needing to grab a taxi. It's also just a quick walk across the bridge to the Ancient Town, making it perfectly positioned for both daytime sightseeing and evening socialising.

Cam Nam

Cam Nam is another island neighbourhood, sitting just east of An Hoi. This is where I ended up for most of my stay (at iHome hostel), and while I really enjoyed it, the location comes with one slightly annoying quirk. To get to An Hoi's bars, clubs, and night market, there's nothing connecting this island to An Hoi – instead, you have to cross back to the mainland, walk along the waterfront, and then cross back again onto An Hoi island. It's not complicated, but after a few beers, that extra 15-minute walk can feel like a real trek!

That said, Cam Nam has its own charm. It's a bit quieter than An Hoi but still has plenty of restaurants and cafes. The hostels here tend to be a bit bigger with better facilities (like pools), and you're still close enough to walk to everything important.

Old Town

The Ancient Town itself is absolutely stunning, and staying here would put you right in the heart of Hoi An's most atmospheric streets. However, there's a reason you won't find many hostels in this area – it's packed with tourist attractions, temples, and historic buildings rather than accommodation. The few places that do exist tend to be boutique hotels or high-end homestays rather than backpacker-friendly hostels.

If you do manage to find affordable accommodation in the Old Town, you'll love being able to step out your door and immediately be surrounded by those iconic yellow buildings and lantern-strung streets. Just be prepared for the early morning tourist crowds and potentially higher prices for everything.

Best Hostels in Hoi An

After staying in Hoi An for a week and visiting various friends at their hostels, I've got a pretty good handle on which places actually live up to their online reviews. Here's my honest take on the best hostels in Hoi An, based on personal experience and reliable recommendations from fellow travellers.

iHome Hostel, Cam Nam

This ended up being my home for most of my stay in Hoi An, after I abandoned my beach hostel dreams and decided I wanted to be closer to the action. iHome is definitely a party hostel – the kind of place where "just one beer" at the pool bar somehow turns into a 3am stumble back to your dorm. But honestly? That's part of its charm.

The facilities here are spot on. The rooms are genuinely clean (a rarity in party hostels), the air conditioning actually works, and there's a gorgeous pool area with plenty of loungers. They've got different zones for different moods – a quieter area if you need to do some trip planning, and livelier spots near the bar for when you want to socialise. The breakfast buffet is absolutely mental too – I'm talking everything from pho to pancakes to fresh fruit. Seriously, pace yourself or you'll be too full to move by 10am.

The only downside, as I mentioned earlier, is the location in Cam Nam. It's not far from An Hoi's nightlife, but that extra walk can be a bit annoying when you're trying to coordinate with friends staying elsewhere.

Riverside Dolphin Hostel, An Hoi

Several of my friends stayed here and absolutely raved about it. It's a newer hostel, so everything still has that fresh, clean feel, and the location is probably the best you'll find in Hoi An. Perched right on the riverfront in An Hoi, you can literally watch the sunset from the common area while planning your night out.

From what I saw when visiting, the rooms are modern and well-designed, with proper reading lights and power outlets for each bed (why don't all hostels do this?). The location in An Hoi means you're just minutes from the night market and all the best bars, making it perfect if you want to be in the thick of things.

The Imperfect Downtown Hostel

Despite the self-deprecating name, there's actually very little imperfect about this place. Located in a great spot that gives you easy access to both the Old Town and An Hoi, it strikes a nice balance between party hostel and chilled-out traveller hangout. Friends who stayed here loved the rooftop area and said the staff were incredibly helpful with booking tours and onwards travel.

The Seaside Bungalow

I'll be honest – this is the hostel I moved out of after just one night. But before you write it off completely, let me explain. The hostel itself is actually lovely. The bungalows are cute, the grounds are well-maintained, and if you're genuinely after a beach holiday, you'll probably love it.

My issue was purely with the location. After a long day of travel, I'd underestimated how isolated it would feel being so far from the town centre. When the weather turned grey and drizzly, the beach lost its appeal pretty quickly, and I found myself spending ₫100,000 (3.75€) on Grab rides just to meet friends for dinner.

But here's the thing – I met other travellers who absolutely loved staying here. If you're looking for a quieter experience, want to surf or just chill on the beach, and don't mind the distance from town, it could be perfect for you.

A Note About Mad Monkey

Just a quick warning about Mad Monkey Hoi An – we met several frustrated travellers who'd booked here thinking it would be like the other Mad Monkey hostels they'd stayed at. The main complaint? It's in the middle of nowhere, literally. It's not close enough to the beach to be a beach hostel, but also not close enough to town to be convenient for sightseeing or nightlife. Unless they've moved locations since I was there, I'd give this one a miss.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hostels in Hoi An

Where is the best place to stay in Hoi An?

The best place to stay in Hoi An really depends on what kind of trip you're after. If you want to be in the thick of the backpacker scene with easy access to nightlife and the night markets, An Hoi is your best bet. The hostels here put you within walking distance of most bars and restaurants, plus you're close to the Ancient Town for daytime exploring.

Should I stay in Hoi An or Da Nang?

Having spent time in both cities, I'd definitely recommend Hoi An for most travellers. It's got so much more character with its Ancient Town, lantern-lit streets, and incredible food scene. Da Nang is a bigger, more modern city – great if you want shopping malls and city beaches, but it lacks the magic that makes Hoi An special.

How many days should I spend in Hoi An?

I stayed for five nights and honestly could have stayed longer. I'd say three to four days is the minimum to properly experience Hoi An. This gives you time to explore the Ancient Town properly, take a cooking class (absolutely worth it), maybe do a day trip to My Son Sanctuary, and still have time to just wander around getting lost in those beautiful streets.

Is there malaria in Hoi An?

The malaria risk in Hoi An is very low – it's considered a low-risk zone. I didn't take antimalarials during my visit, and neither did anyone else I met. That said, mosquitoes can still be annoying (especially around the river areas), so definitely pack some good repellent. I found the plug-in repellents most hostels provide work pretty well for the rooms.

Do hostels in Hoi An have swimming pools?

Some hostels in Hoi An have swimming pools, but don't take it as a given! iHome has a particularly nice pool area, and several other hostels have smaller plunge pools. Always check the amenities before booking if a pool is important to you – it really does make a difference when it's 35°C and humid.

Are Hoi An hostels good for solo travellers?

Hoi An is brilliant for solo travellers! The party hostels like iHome make it incredibly easy to meet people, but even the quieter hostels have good common areas where travellers naturally congregate. The city itself is very walkable and safe, and there's a real sense of community among backpackers here.

Conclusion

Finding the best hostels in Hoi An really comes down to matching the location and vibe to what you want from your stay. Whether you end up at the social iHome in Cam Nam, the perfectly-located Riverside Dolphin in An Hoi, or even giving the beach life a go at The Seaside Bungalow, you're in for an incredible time in this magical city.