Hanoi vs Hoi An: shopping, nightlife, beaches, food, and cost of living.

Hanoi and Hoi An are two popular tourist destinations in Vietnam. Should you visit Hoi An or Hanoi? In this article, I will outline the similarities and differences between Hanoi and Hoi An based on their attractions, shopping, nightlife, beaches, food, weather, and the cost of living.

Hanoi is the capital city located in North Vietnam. It is a traditional part of Vietnam known for its many cultural and historical attractions, and authentic Vietnamese food. The city is also known for its fast-paced, vibrant nightlife and shopping.

Hoi An is a small town located in Central Vietnam. It was a famous port town in South East Asia from the 15th to the 19th century. It is now a popular tourist destination, known for its well-preserved wooden houses, custom-clothes making, and proximity to beautiful beaches.

Is Hanoi better than Hoi An?

In my opinion, Hanoi is ideal for first-timers to Vietnam who want a good combination of history, culture, traditional Vietnamese food, and modern amenities. The capital city will give you a comprehensive introduction to classic Vietnamese culture, life, food, and traditions.

In general, Hanoi is better than Hoi An if you want a big city life with a range of modern shopping malls, nightlife spots, and dining options. As a cultural capital of Vietnam, it also has many more museums, pagodas, temples, and historical attractions to explore.

Hoi An is better than Hanoi if you want a small town vibe with lots of boutique shops, quaint atmosphere, lantern-filled laneways, and regional food.

Hoi An is also better than Hanoi if you want to be close to the beaches. An Bang and Cua Dai Beach are  only 10 minutes drive from Hoi An ancient town.

Another factor to consider when choosing between Hanoi and Hoi An is their location and which region of Vietnamese you want to explore. 

North Vietnam is best known for its stunning natural landscape with dramatic mountains, limestone karst formations, and rice terraces. So if you want epic nature and mountains, Hanoi is the better city to stay. 

From Hanoi, you can easily get to iconic destinations in North Vietnam such as Ha Long Bay ( known for its limestone islands rising from the sea) and Ninh Binh (known for the stunning boat rides with views of limestone cliffs), as well as Sapa and Ha Giang (the mountain region with rice terraces and ethnic villages).

In terms of landscape, Central Vietnam is known for its beaches, and coastal scenery. If you want tropical climate, and beach-focused with some regional historical attractions, Central Vietnam and Hoi An are better choices than Hanoi and North Vietnam.

From Hoi An, you can explore Da Nang (known for its beautiful Dragon Bridge, Han River, My Khe Beach, and Ba Na Hill) or Hue (known for its historic imperial city and royal tombs).  The region is also home to interesting Cham ruins such as My Son Sanctuary.

If you want to be easily accessible both domestically and internationally, Hanoi is a better place to go. the city is  home to one of the country’s two main airports (Noi Bai International Airport) with direct flights from all over the world.

Hoi An is 45 minutes taxi drive from Da Nang international airport, which has less air connection than the capital city. From many cities in Vietnam and around the world, you’ll likely need to travel to either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City first before taking the next flight to Da Nang or Hoi An.

If your time is allowed, you can consider visiting both Hanoi and Hoi An in a single trip. They are just a 1.5 hour flight apart. You can take a flight from Hanoi to Da Nang, then take  a taxi ride to Hoi An.

My top picks for hotels in Hanoi:

• Luxury: Capella Hanoi (5-star hotel in Hanoi’s French Quarter)
• Mid-range: The Rex Hotel (I stayed here, good 4-star hotel in the heart of the city)
• Budget: The West Hotel & Spa (in Old Quarter)

My recommended hotels in Hoi An:

• Luxury: La Siesta (good quality 5-star hotel)
• Mid-range: Hoi An Historic Hotel (I stayed here, good 4-star hotel in central location)
• Budget: Square Villa (I stayed here, good 3-star guest house near the ancient town)

Location and How to get there

Hanoi is located on the banks of the Red River in North Vietnam. Hoi An is located on the banks of Thu Bon River in Central Vietnam. Hoi An is around 780 km south of Hanoi.

As the capital city of Vietnam, Hanoi has more transport infrastructure, but both cities are very easily reachable by air and by road. Grab is widely available in both cities.

Hanoi has an international airport called Noi Bai airport, located 30 km away from the old quarter. Hoi An doesn’t have its own airport, but the nearest airport is in Da Nang, located 30 km from its ancient town. From both airports, you can easily use Grab to get to its city center.

In terms of accessibility by air, Hanoi has more direct international flights compared to Da Nang airport. But, there are many daily flights between these two cities, and they are only 1,5 hours apart by airplane.

You can reach these two cities by train. The train station in Hanoi is located right in the city center, while the closest train station to Hoi An is Da Nang train station, situated 30 kilometers away. Again, Grab is plentiful, you can easily travel between Da Nang and Hoi An.

Historical influence

Hanoi has a much greater national historical influence with more than 1,000 years of history. It’s the capital city and political center of Vietnam during several Vietnamese dynasties and modern Vietnam.

Hanoi became the capital city of Vietnam in 1010, when emperor Lý Thái Tổ  moved the capital from Hoa Lư to Đại La. He renamed the city Thăng Long, meaning “Ascending Dragon”. Hanoi Old Quarter with 36 guild streets and Thang Long Imperial Citadel were built during these periods.

The city was the political center of Vietnam for centuries until the early 19th century when Gia Long (the first King of the Nguyễn Dynasty) moved the capital to Huế. The city was renamed Bắc Thành and later Hà Nội, meaning “city inside the rivers”. It remained an important northern administrative center.

Under French colonial rule in the late 19th century, Hanoi became the capital of French Indochina in 1902. The French built the French Quarter in Hanoi with wide boulevards, European-style architecture villas and buildings, and many colonial buildings still exist today.

Hanoi was heavily bombed by the United States during the Vietnam-American War. Hanoi is now a major political, cultural, and educational hub in Vietnam.

You can explore many attractions from Vietnam’s feudal dynasties such as the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, the Temple of Literature(Vietnam’s first university), Tran Quoc pagoda, and One Pillar Pagoda.  

Hoi An was important for trade and cultural exchange, not national politics. Before the 15th century,  Hoi An was part of the Champa Kingdom. It was a port town where Champa traders used to exchange goods with merchants from China and India.

From the 15th-19th century, Hoi An was developed into an important international trading port in Southeast Asia. Merchants from China, Japan, and the Netherlands came here to trade and then exchange culture.

During this period, Hoi An was a major stop on the international maritime Silk Road. Merchants from all Asia and Europe traded silk, fabrics, and clothing materials there. Because textiles were widely available, local craftsmen developed tailoring skills that were passed down through generations.

During the golden age from the 15-19th century, Hoi An Old Town was developed with many wooden houses, assembly halls, pagodas, with a mix of traditional Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and European  architecture styles.

In the 19th century, the Thu Bon River gradually silted up, making it difficult for large ships to dock. Trade shifted to nearby Da Nang, and Hoi An became quieter and less economically important.  

The city survived the French colonial period and Vietnam-American War. Today, you can explore many well-preserved wooden houses, pagoda, Japanese bridge, ancient buildings, and tailor shops in Hoi An Old Town.

Hanoi or Hoi An for Shopping?

Both Hanoi and Hoi An are one of the best places to go shopping in Vietnam. Hanoi is a better place to go for luxury and modern shopping centers. Hoi An is a small town with almost no big chain shopping malls there.

While you can still find good tailor shops in Hanoi, Hoi An is more famous for tailoring custom clothes, shoes, and bags. The old town is home to hundreds of tailor shops, especially on Tran Hung Dao and Nguyen Thai Hoc street. 

You can have your custom suits and dresses made within a day and at a very reasonable price compared to the western country. Many visitors prepare for the design and what they want before visiting Hoi An and Vietnam.

In terms of souvenirs, you can find handicrafts, and traditional Vietnamese products in both Hanoi Old Quarters and Hoi An Old Town. You can look for silk, conical hats, lacquered art, or basket ware at the local family-run shops and boutiques. 

Both cities have vibrant traditional markets where you can have fun bargain shopping and observe local life. In Hanoi, you can check out Dong Xuan Market and the weekend night market. In Hoi An, you can visit Hoi An Central Market and the night market on An Hoi island.

Hanoi or Hoi An for Nightlife?

In my experience, Hanoi is a much better place to go for nightlife in Vietnam. It has many bars and nightclubs open until late night. Ta Hien Beer Street is a bustling area to go for nightlife in the old quarter. You can sit in a small chair on the side of the street, have a fresh beer, and people watch.

You can find many more westernized and trendy bars and clubs in Tay Ho district, which is a popular area for foreign expats in Hanoi.

Hoi An has a more relaxing nightlife scene compared to Hanoi. Most of the bars, restaurants, and cafes are lined along the banks of Hoai River in the ancient town and An Hoi island. 

The nightlife in Hoi An is more romantic when all the lanterns are lit up creating a photogenic atmosphere. You can take a boat ride on Thu Bon river in the evening, release lanterns and make a wish.

Accommodations

Both Hanoi and Hoi An have accommodations for all budgets. Accommodations in the old quarter of Hanoi are usually cozy mid-range hotels and backpacker hostels.

You can find some 5-star luxury hotels in the French Quarter (just south of Hoan Kiem Lake), and Tay Ho district.

There aren’t any accommodations in the ancient town of Hoi An, but you can stay in the nearby neighborhoods, which is located within walking distance to the old town. They are An Hoi, Cam Pho, Cam Nam, and Cam Chau.

You can find some nice resorts and boutique hotels in the beach area of Hoi An in An Bang and Cua Dai Beach. Hoi An beach town has a more laid back atmosphere compared to the ancient town.

See more:

• Where to stay in Hanoi
• Where to stay in Hoi An

Cost of Living – Is Hoi An cheaper than Hanoi?

As the bigger city, Hanoi is usually more expensive compared to Hoi An in terms of apartment rentals and food. If you dine in a restaurant in the very tourist area of either Hanoi or Hoi An, the price for food and drink might be similar. 

If you want an affordable cost of living away from the hustle and bustle of the big city, Hoi An is a good choice. If you are an expat or long term visitor, you can find good value for money accommodations in the countryside area surrounding Hoi An ancient town.

Hanoi vs Hoi An Weather 

Hanoi has 4 different seasons, including hot, rainy, and humid summers, and cold, dry winters. It is a year round destination, but be mindful it can be very hot from May to August.

Heavy rainfalls and flooding can happen from May to September. The best time to visit Hanoi is in Autumn, particularly October.

Hoi An has warm weather all year round with two main seasons, dry season and rainy season. The dry season from February to August is the best time to visit Hoi An.

Take a note that tropical storms and flooding can happen in the rainy season, especially October, November, and December. You might want to avoid visiting this region during the typhoon season.

Hanoi vs Hoi An Food

In my opinion, each city has its own unique food scene. Hanoi is more about Vietnam traditional food such as pho, bun cha, banh cuon, and banh mi.

Hoi An is more famous for its regional food such as Cao Lau, Com Ga Hoi An, and My Quang. And for sure, you can find all dishes in the cities.

They both have many street food stalls and nice dining restaurants. But in Hanoi, you have more options for fast food chains and Michelin Star Restaurants.

The dishes of Hanoi have milder, balanced flavors, less sweet, less spicy than Central or Southern Vietnam. The dishes in Hoi An have bold, flavorful, sometimes spicy characteristics. It’s influenced by historical trade and local ingredients.

Hanoi or Hoi An for Beaches

Hoi An is better than Hanoi in terms of proximity to the beaches. An Bang Beach and Cua Dai Beach are beautiful beaches located only a few minutes Grab ride from Hoi An ancient town. The beach has fine white sand and clean water, making it ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing.

If you want a livelier beach, you can head to My Khe Beach in Da Nang. It is located only 40 minutes drive away, and is a great beach for swimming and surfing.

If you want a beach holiday from Hanoi, you’ll need to travel at least 2 to 3 hours to nearby beaches in Hai Phong and Quang Ninh. So, in this case, Hoi An is the winner.

Tourist Attractions

In Hanoi, you can wander around the old quarter, visiting some major attractions such as Hoan Kiem lake, Hoa Lo prison, Thang Long Imperial Palace, train street, and Ho Chi Minh mausoleum. 

You can enjoy the nightlife at Ta Hien beer street, try local authentic street food, and go shopping at the markets, shops in the old quarter. 

In Hoi An, you can explore its ancient town with many old shophouses, temples, museums, and bridges. Major sites are the Japanese Covered Bridge, Fujian Assembly Hall, Tan Ky House, Quan Cong Temple, and Phuc Kien Assembly Hall.

Thu Bon River is a must see attraction running on the south side of Hoi An ancient town. It’s lit up at night with a lantern boat ride. You can take a leisure boat ride along the river in the evening, release the lantern, and make wishes.

You can check out Hoi An night market on An Hoi island, the central market, and many boutiques in town. You can search for delicious regional food, and nice cafes and restaurants to check out.

You can explore the countryside such as Tra Que herb village, and Cam Thanh area for beautiful rice fields and coconut boat rides. A trip to the beach of An Bang and Cua Dai is a must when in Hoi An.

Day trips

Both cities have plenty of day trips and overnight trips opportunities. Hanoi is the transport hub and gateway to explore the northern region of Vietnam. Hoi An is a great base to explore central Vietnam. 

From Hanoi, you can take trips to Ninh Binh, Halong Bay, Cat Ba, Sapa, and Ha Giang. While Ninh Binh is doable on a one day trip, it is recommended to take an overnight cruise on Halong Bay, and spend at least a couple of nights in places like Sapa and Ha Giang Loop.

For a more easy day trip from Hanoi, you can visit nearby craft villages such as Bat Trang ceramic village, Van Phuc silk Village, and Dong Ho painting village. There are also places like Duong Lam ancient village, Tam Dao, or Ba Vi National Park.

From Hoi An, you can take day trips to Cham islands, My Son sanctuary, Hue, Marble Mountains, Linh Ung pagoda, and Ba Na Hill.

Museums

If you’re into history and museums, Ha Noi is the place to go. As the cultural hub of North Vietnam, the city has many museums reflecting history, culture, and arts of Vietnam.  

Hoi An ancient town is more about architecture and ancient buildings than museums, but the town also has some small museums to explore. 

In the heart of Hanoi Old Quarter, you can visit Vietnam National Museum of History to see the collection of ancient artifacts from prehistoric to modern times. If you’re interested in the life of Uncle’s Ho, I recommend visiting Ho Chi Minh Museum.

I enjoyed visiting Hoa Loa prison museum in the French Quarter. The prison was originally built during the French colonial period with French colonial architecture. It was used both in the French colonial and Vietnam-American War.

Other well worth visiting museums in Hanoi include Military History Museum, Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, Vietnam Museum of Ethnology to explore the traditional houses and costumes of 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam.

In Hoi An, you can visit the Museum of Trade Ceramics to learn about Hoi An’s history as a trading port. The museum has a collection of porcelain, relics, and merchant artifacts.

Additionally, you can see the Folk Museum, Sa Huynh Culture Museum, and old houses museums like Tan Ky House to see insight into daily life of historic traders.

Architecture

Hanoi has diverse architectural styles from imperial to French colonial to modern skyscrapers. Hoi An is mainly known for its well-preserved multicultural low-rise wooden houses with Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and French architecture. 

The Old Quarter of Hanoi has traditional Vietnamese Tube Houses, also called “Nhà ống” in Vietnamese.  These narrow, deep buildings were developed to avoid high taxes. The tube houses were built very narrow in the front street (2-4 m wide) but extended far back into the block (50-100 m long).

Traditional houses have multiple floors, with internal courtyards for light and ventilation. The ground floor facing the street is often used for commercial space (shops, craft workshops) and the living spaces above and behind.

Under the French Colonial from the late 19th-20th century, some features were added to the tube houses, including balconies, shuttered windows, and European style façades. You can see the late 19th century Ma May Ancient House at 87 Ma May street. 

Around Hanoi’s Old Quarter is the French Quarter, with wider streets with pavements and French style buildings and villas dating back to the French colonial period.

Like Hanoi’s Old Quarter, many houses in Hội An follow the narrow, elongated tube house form, but with distinctive decorative and structural features. The houses were built to adapt to the tropical monsoon climate and flooding.

The town is home to many old houses originally built by merchants during the time when Hoi An was a major international trading port from the 15th-19th centuries. You can check out the 18th century Tan Ky Old House, Phung Hung Old House, or Duc An Old House.

Getting Around

Both cities are popular tourist destinations, so there are plenty of local taxis as well as riding services like Grab Taxi and Grab Bike. You can also rent a scooter or take guided tours if you want to explore the countryside.

You can explore on foot within Hanoi Old Quarter and Hoi An ancient town area. Taking cyclos are popular activities for tourists to explore major sites in each city.

See more:

• Hanoi vs Da Nang
• Da Nang Vs Hoi An
• Hanoi or Hue
• Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City
• Hoi An or Hue
• Ho Chi Minh City or Hoi An

So, Is Hanoi or Hoi An Better?

Both Hanoi and Hoi have their own unique charms, but, in my opinion, Hanoi is a better place for those looking for city life with more facilities for nightlife, shopping, and dining. As the cultural capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is also a better place for trying traditional food, exploring museums and historical attractions.

Hoi An is a better place to go for your holiday if you want a small ancient town with a more laid back and romantic atmosphere. It is also known for its delicious regional cuisines, beautiful beaches and many tailor shops.

Additionally, Hanoi is the place to go if you want to explore north Vietnam like Sapa, Halong Bay, and Ha Giang. Hoi An is the place to go if you want to explore central Vietnam like Da Nang and Hue. If you have time, you can visit both cities. There are plenty of daily flights between these two cities and the ticket prices are very reasonable.