Visiting Hoi An for the First Time: Wards, Tickets and Routes

Visiting Hoi An for the first time becomes significantly easier when separating the “ancient town” from “Hoi An” as a whole: on one side lies the compact heritage core requiring admission tickets and drawing high visitor footfall; on the other are the surrounding wards and communes where travelers often lodge, dine, and explore. Administrative boundaries and ticketing methods have evolved in recent years, so each figure cited below notes its source and date, cross-referenced as of October 4, 2026.

Four Administrative Subdivisions of Hoi An Following the Merger

According to Bao Van Hoa (December 8, 2025), citing data from the Hoi An Center for World Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation, these four administrative areas encompass a total of 1,439 historical and cultural monuments.

Administrative area	Number of monuments	Documented role according to sources
Hoi An Ward	1,194	The ancient town quarter, the “heritage nucleus”; the protected zone of the ancient town lies entirely within this ward
Hoi An Tay Ward	77	The article associates Tra Que vegetable village with this ward
Hoi An Dong Ward	40	The article associates Cam Thanh village with this ward
Tan Hiep Island Commune	27	Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An World Biosphere Reserve

The same source notes that Cua Dai port, the traditional craft village network, and the vast majority of accommodation properties and tourist services are located outside Hoi An Ward. This changes how travelers choose accommodations: rather than asking whether lodging is “inside or outside Hoi An,” consider how far your hotel sits from the ancient pedestrian streets and your planned mode of transport. Vietnam.travel’s guide to Hoi An records An Bang Beach as approximately a 10-minute drive from the ancient quarter.

A practical note regarding place names: official documents, printed maps, and publications produced before July 1, 2025 frequently reflect pre-merger administrative terminology. An April 2025 article on craft villages listed Tra Que under “Cam Ha Commune,” whereas the December 2025 report cited “Hoi An Tay Ward.” When coordinating with private car drivers or lodging receptionists, provide the exact destination name rather than relying solely on ward labels.

The Ancient Town: What to Know Before Entering

• World Heritage status. Hoi An Ancient Town was inscribed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site on December 4, 1999. Vietnamese reference documentation records the core protected heritage zone as covering approximately 30 hectares, surrounded by a buffer zone of roughly 280 hectares.
• Urban history. Vietnam.travel details how Chinese, Japanese, and later European merchants settled here between the 15th and 19th centuries, creating an architectural fusion; key landmarks include the Japanese Covered Bridge (Chua Cau), Tan Ky Old House, and the Fujian Assembly Hall (Phuc Kien).
• Visitor volume. The December 2025 heritage report indicates that the ancient quarter welcomes an average of nearly 5 million visitors annually. Because the heritage core is compact relative to this tourist volume, selecting appropriate visiting hours during the day is an important consideration.
• Sightseeing tickets. According to municipal statements reported on May 11, 2023 (Bao Van Hoa), entrance tickets for the ancient quarter have been issued since 1995; independent travelers are invited to purchase tickets rather than compelled, while organized tour groups are systematically checked. Because administrative structures have shifted, verify current fee schedules directly with the Hoi An Center for Cultural Heritage Preservation prior to travel.
• Vehicular access surrounding the old town. Because public notices differ regarding specific motorized vehicle restriction hours, this guide does not assert definitive cutoff times. If scheduling evening vehicle pickups, review our advice on where to catch your private car in Hoi An at night.

Travel Seasons and Weather Considerations

Vietnam.travel notes that March to May offers favorable conditions for visiting Hoi An, June to August brings high temperatures, and October to January introduces frequent rainy days and tropical storms. Bao Van Hoa observed that the 2025 storm season featured prolonged flooding across both the ancient streets and low-lying suburban heritage areas. When traveling late in the calendar year, monitor meteorological forecasts and review our practical recommendations on Central Vietnam storm season and schedule management.

Getting from Da Nang to Hoi An

Sun Travel’s rate schedule records the private car from Da Nang to Hoi An at approximately 30 km and 40 minutes of driving, and from Da Nang International Airport to Hoi An at about 30 km and 45 minutes. These represent standard reference markers; our dispatch team confirms exact timings based on travel dates and precise drop-off addresses. Vietnam.travel estimates around 50 minutes of driving from the airport to the ancient town, so maintain an extra buffer if catching tight flights or check-in windows. For transport choices, consult our comparison of private transfers, taxis, and public buses between Da Nang Airport and Hoi An.

Recommended Pacing for Your Itinerary

The suggestions here represent editorial guidance rather than a rigid itinerary. If you only have a single half-day, focus on one primary anchor (the ancient town core, a designated craft village, or the beach) rather than attempting to link three distant suburban areas; each locale has distinct transit parameters. When staying overnight, consider reserving the evening hours for the atmospheric pedestrian streets while scheduling suburban visits for the morning. For specific interests, explore our guide on things to do in Hoi An by interest; to discover local artisan roots, read our overview of traditional crafts and villages in Hoi An.

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Hoi An for the First Time

Which administrative city or province does Hoi An currently belong to? +

Effective July 1, 2025, upon the provincial merger of Quang Nam into Da Nang, Hoi An is organized into three administrative wards (Hoi An, Hoi An Dong, Hoi An Tay) and Tan Hiep Island Commune under Da Nang City. Source: Bao Van Hoa, December 8, 2025.

Which administrative ward contains Hoi An Ancient Town? +

The ancient quarter is situated within Hoi An Ward; according to the Hoi An Center for World Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation, the protected historical core lies entirely within this ward's jurisdiction. Traditional craft villages and most modern resorts are located in neighboring wards.

Do travelers need to buy an admission ticket to enter Hoi An Ancient Town? +

Sightseeing tickets have been issued since 1995. In May 2023, municipal officials clarified that independent visitors are invited to purchase tickets rather than forced, while organized groups are monitored. Because administrative regulations evolve, verify current ticketing notices before arrival.

Should first-time visitors stay inside the ancient quarter or outside? +

There is no single correct choice. As documented by heritage authorities, the majority of lodging properties sit outside Hoi An Ward. Key factors include road accessibility and distance: Vietnam.travel notes An Bang Beach is about a 10-minute drive away. Verify vehicle pickup access directly with your accommodation.

Which months are most favorable for a first-time trip to Hoi An? +

Vietnam.travel cites March through May as warm and favorable, June through August as hot, and October through January as prone to rain and seasonal storms. Given that heritage streets experienced extended flooding during late 2025, check weather forecasts closely if traveling in autumn or winter.