[2026 Latest Edition] "6 Realities" of Da Nang and Hoi An Travel Taught by an 8-Year Local Resident | Complete Guide to Cash, Ride-Hailing, Accommodation, and AEON Mall
Xin Chào! This is ít ít Việt Nam.
I'm Meg, and I've been living in Vietnam for 8 years. This summer vacation, my family and I traveled to Da Nang and Hoi An in Central Vietnam!
While I often visit this area for business trips, exploring the city again this time made me realize many points that I absolutely want to share with everyone planning a trip to Da Nang and Hoi An! When traveling abroad, it's easy to feel anxious with so much to consider: will you have enough cash, is transportation safe, where should you stay, etc. For packing essentials, especially if you're traveling with children, please refer to my previous article "What's the Right Way to Travel to Vietnam with Kids? Packing List and Local Survival Tips." This time, I'll share 6 real insights specific to Da Nang and Hoi An, which I hope you'll find useful before your trip!
💡 1. Bring plenty of cash to Da Nang and Hoi An!
First, let's talk about the "surcharge (fee)" issue for card payments.
In Da Nang and Hoi An, many shops will add a "few percent surcharge (card fee)" to the actual price when you use a credit card. In Ho Chi Minh City, this only happens at a few specific shops in the heart of tourist areas, but it's very common in the Da Nang and Hoi An area of Central Vietnam.
If you think "I can use my card, so it's fine," you'll end up paying a small surcharge every time you buy food or souvenirs, which can feel subtly wasteful...
Having a few percent shaved off each meal can really add up. So, when staying in Da Nang and Hoi An, it's recommended to bring a little extra cash (Vietnamese Dong)!
🚕 2. How to handle "personal negotiations" from Grab drivers in Da Nang and Hoi An?
Second is about Grab (ride-hailing app), which is your mode of transport. The basic usage of the app is detailed in my previous article "Make Your Vietnam Trip Twice as Comfortable! Essential Apps & Tool Utilization Tips," so please check that out too.
When you take a Grab in Da Nang or Hoi An, it's highly likely that the driver will ask you, "Where are you going next?" or "Where are you going tomorrow?"
And often, they will try to negotiate directly, saying, "I'll take you in my car without using the app! It will be cheaper that way." They ask so many times that I can't help but smile wryly, thinking, "They're all such good business people."
Conclusion: I generally don't recommend this for inexperienced travelers!
In case of any trouble, you won't receive app support, and valuable travel time might be lost dealing with the police. I've compiled general tips for traveling in Vietnam in "Read Before Your Vietnam Trip! 10 Rules to Keep in Mind," so please refer to that as well.
💡 If you do use it, "3 Rules for a Safe Ride"
That said, there are times when you might want to "charter a car to efficiently visit tourist spots" (especially if you're traveling with children or in a group).
If you decide to arrange it privately, absolutely follow these three rules:
- Always take a photo of the car and license plate (for safety and as a deterrent).
- Check the driver's "rating" on the original ride-hailing app.
- Confirm the "destination" and "fixed price" before getting in (to prevent unreasonable charges later!).
If you have a kind and wonderful driver, adding a small tip when you get off can make the trip enjoyable for both of you!
💰 3. Is Da Nang actually more expensive than Hoi An?!
Third is about the "reality of prices," which is surprisingly little known.
While it's often thought that "Hoi An is a tourist destination, so prices must be high," what I realized after thoroughly shopping at supermarkets and stores this time is that, surprisingly, prices in the tourist areas of Da Nang are higher!
For example, even when comparing the price of the same canned beer sold at a supermarket, Da Nang had a higher price setting. (The prices at local supermarkets in Hoi An are as reasonable as the supermarkets in Ho Chi Minh City where I usually live!)
The perceived price order is something like this:
- Most expensive: "Rip-off shops" in Hoi An (beware, they are exceptionally expensive!)
- Next most expensive: Shops in typical tourist areas of Da Nang
- Cheapest: Reasonable local shops and supermarkets in Hoi An
If you avoid the rip-off shops in Hoi An, you can actually enjoy shopping at very reasonable prices.
🏨 4. It's a waste to just do a day trip to Hoi An! Reasons why you absolutely should stay overnight
Many people coming from Japan still choose to "stay in Da Nang and make a day trip to Hoi An," but actually, you absolutely should stay overnight in Hoi An!
The reason lies in the "morning beauty" and "leisurely time" unique to Hoi An.
- The ancient town in the morning is too beautiful & easy to walk around: Unlike the crowded nights with tourists, the ancient town in the morning is very quiet, allowing anyone to stroll leisurely and safely (even with small children). The contrast between Hoi An's famous "yellow walls" and the "deep blue sky" is breathtakingly beautiful, and you can take stunning photos! Prices are also lower, so buying souvenirs in Hoi An might be the right choice.
- Refresh yourself at a peaceful "rice field cafe": A little further from the ancient town, beautiful green rice fields spread out. Spending time relaxing at a cafe while gazing at the idyllic scenery is the ultimate healing. It's a time to truly refresh yourself amidst a busy travel schedule.
While the resort feel of Da Nang is wonderful, I wholeheartedly recommend the luxurious experience of staying at a "hotel with a pool" in Hoi An, taking a morning stroll through the cool ancient town, and relaxing at a rice field cafe!
Of course, when you're exploring Hoi An at a leisurely pace, please stop by the ít ít Việt Nam Hoi An store in the ancient town. We look forward to welcoming you with carefully selected items that you can only find here!
🎢 5. Da Nang/Hoi An amusement facilities: "Advance ticket purchase" & tips for choosing
Da Nang and Hoi An offer many fun activities like "Ba Na Hills," "VinWonders (formerly Vinpearl Land)," and Hoi An's famous "basket boats."
For these tickets, it's absolutely recommended to buy them in advance through travel sites like Klook or the official websites of each facility! Ticket counters on site can be very crowded, and payment can be troublesome, eating into your valuable stay time. If you have to spend time queuing at the counter on the day, you'd rather spend that time on the beach or exploring the ancient town, wouldn't you?
💡 Insider Tip from a Resident: Aim for "Repeated Digit Sales"!
In Vietnam, large sales are held on dates with repeated digits, such as "August 8th." If you check the official websites at this time, you might be able to buy tickets even cheaper than on Klook, so keep an eye out!
🎟️ Klook Coupon Code "MMLTVIETNAM"
Enter the coupon code on the payment page to receive the following discount:
※New users 6% OFF / Maximum discount limit ¥1,000
※Existing users 3% OFF / Maximum discount limit ¥700
※Minimum spend ¥1,000
※Some exclusions apply
※Usable outside of Vietnam
※Expires December 31, 2026
🎡 Ba Na Hills vs. VinWonders, which should you choose?
- For photogenic spots and relaxing in cool mountain air, choose "Ba Na Hills": This highland resort, over 1,500m above sea level, is packed with Instagrammable scenic spots, including the famous "Golden Bridge (Hand of God)." Perfect for those who want to relax in a cool climate.
- For active fun and rides, choose "VinWonders (Hoi An)": Offers a rich variety of attractions including an amusement park, aquarium, and water park. Recommended for those who want to spend a full day playing.
If you're traveling with small children and wondering "which one is better for us?", please check out the separate article "【2026 Latest Preservation Edition】VinWonders Nam Hoi An Complete Guide for Families with Kids｜Ticket Hacks & Heat-Avoiding Schedule," which includes ticket hacks and a heat-avoiding schedule!
🛍️ 6. The Latest "AEON Mall" in Da Nang: Your Pre-Departure Must-Visit!
Finally, the latest shopping information! The newly opened "AEON MALL Da Nang Thanh Khe" right near Da Nang International Airport is the ultimate spot for a pre-departure stop.
- Shop hands-free! Luggage storage service: You can actually store your suitcase at the information counter on the 1st floor! (※Passport presentation is required for security). It's safely kept in a dedicated luggage room, allowing you to shop comfortably hands-free before your flight.
- Perfect for last-minute souvenir shopping: The AEON Supermarket on the 1st floor has a well-stocked "Souvenir Corner." It's the best spot to buy last-minute bulk sweets, coffee, and local food items!
Before heading to the airport, cool off here and wisely conclude your trip.
🌿 Summary
This time, my family trip gave me a chance to revisit the Da Nang and Hoi An area, and I discovered so many new things.
- "More cash" to counter card surcharges
- "Safety first" by following rules for travel outside of ride-hailing apps
- Be aware of "price differences" between Da Nang and Hoi An when shopping
- Don't just day trip to Hoi An, "stay overnight" to enjoy the morning scenery!
- For amusement facilities, "buy tickets in advance with Klook etc." & choose Ba Na Hills or VinWonders based on your purpose!
- Before departure, "buy souvenirs hands-free at AEON Mall" near the airport!
By keeping these six points in mind, you can enjoy a more comfortable and smart trip to Da Nang and Hoi An. May your trip be safe and filled with wonderful memories!
Thank you for reading to the end! When you visit Hoi An, please stop by the ít ít Việt Nam Hoi An store in the ancient town.
Hoi An store: While exploring the ancient town
- 📍567 Đ. Hai Bà Trưng, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam→Google Map⏰10:00 AM – 6:00 PM🚶About 10 minutes walk from Hoi An Japanese Bridge💳Cash and credit cards accepted
- See the latest items on Instagram
Our staff looks forward to seeing you in Vietnam ♡
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