Hoi An vs Hue

Hoi An vs Hue

Central Vietnam's two jewels compared — the lantern-lit merchant town versus the imperial capital, across culture, food, attractions, budget, and more

Hoi An and Hue are central Vietnam's two essential destinations, separated by just 130 kilometres and the legendary Hai Van Pass. Hoi An is the lantern-lit UNESCO merchant town — charming, walkable, and effortlessly photogenic, with world-class tailoring, cooking classes, and An Bang Beach minutes away. Hue is the former imperial capital — seat of the Nguyen dynasty, home to a vast citadel modelled on Beijing's Forbidden City, and guardian of Vietnam's most refined regional cuisine. Here is our honest comparison.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Culture & Vibe

Hoi An

Hoi An is a merchant town with a unique Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese architectural blend that earned it UNESCO World Heritage status. Lantern-lit streets, centuries-old trading houses, colourful assembly halls, and a pedestrian-friendly Ancient Town create an atmosphere that is impossibly charming and tourist-friendly. The vibe is relaxed, creative, and romantic — tailors, artists, and cooking class instructors outnumber motorbikes. Beach access at An Bang adds a resort dimension.

Hue

Hue is the former imperial capital of Vietnam — seat of the Nguyen dynasty from 1802 to 1945. The Imperial Citadel, royal tombs along the Perfume River, and pagodas give the city a gravitas and historical weight that Hoi An cannot match. Hue feels more authentically Vietnamese and less international — fewer tourist shops, more local life. The mood is contemplative, proud, and slightly melancholy. It is a city that takes itself seriously and rewards thoughtful exploration.

Food

Hoi An

Hoi An has signature dishes found nowhere else in Vietnam: cao lau (thick noodles with pork and herbs, made with water from a specific local well), white rose dumplings (banh bao banh vac), and com ga (chicken rice, Hoi An style). Banh Mi Phuong is world-famous thanks to Anthony Bourdain. The Central Market is a sensory feast. Cooking classes are among the best in Vietnam. International dining options are plentiful for a small town.

Hue

Hue is considered the culinary capital of central Vietnam with a cuisine influenced by royal court traditions. Bun bo Hue (spicy beef noodle soup, arguably Vietnam's best noodle dish) originated here. Com hen (baby clam rice), banh beo (steamed rice cakes), banh nam (flat steamed dumpling), and nem lui (lemongrass pork skewers) are local specialities. Hue food is known for being more refined, spicier, and more complex than other Vietnamese regional cuisines.

Attractions

Hoi An

Japanese Covered Bridge, Ancient Town heritage houses and assembly halls (Fujian, Cantonese, Hainan), Central Market, Thu Bon River, An Bang Beach, Tra Que Vegetable Village, Cam Thanh coconut village, lantern-making and tailoring workshops, Cham Islands (snorkelling), and My Son Sanctuary (Cham temple ruins). The Ancient Town itself is the attraction — every street is photogenic, every corner reveals something beautiful.

Hue

Imperial Citadel (a vast walled fortress modelling Beijing's Forbidden City), Thien Mu Pagoda (Hue's iconic seven-storey landmark), Royal Tombs of Minh Mang, Tu Duc, and Khai Dinh (each architecturally unique), Perfume River boat cruises, Dong Ba Market, war-era DMZ tours (day trip), and the Hai Van Pass (scenic road toward Da Nang/Hoi An). The scale of Hue's imperial heritage is genuinely impressive.

Budget

Hoi An

Hoi An is very affordable. Mid-range hotels and homestays cost 400,000-900,000d per night. Street food meals run 20,000-50,000d. Bicycle rental is 30,000-50,000d per day. The Ancient Town entrance ticket (covering heritage sites) costs 120,000d. Custom tailoring ranges from 500,000d for a simple dress to 5,000,000d+ for a quality suit. Cooking classes cost 500,000-800,000d. Daily mid-range budget: 800,000-1,500,000d.

Hue

Hue is slightly cheaper than Hoi An, especially for accommodation. Mid-range hotels cost 300,000-700,000d per night. Street food meals run 15,000-40,000d. The Imperial Citadel entrance is 200,000d (the single most expensive ticket). Motorbike rental for tomb visits costs 150,000-200,000d per day. Perfume River boat tours cost 100,000-200,000d. Daily mid-range budget: 700,000-1,300,000d. Hue is one of Vietnam's best-value cities.

Getting Around

Hoi An

Hoi An is gloriously compact. The Ancient Town is pedestrian-only (no motorbikes or cars), and a bicycle is the perfect way to explore the wider area — pedal to An Bang Beach (4km), Tra Que Village (3km), and Cam Thanh (5km). Grab is available for longer trips. There is no airport; Da Nang (30km) is the nearest. The flat terrain makes cycling effortless. Most hotels provide free or cheap bicycle rental.

Hue

Hue is more spread out than Hoi An. The Citadel and Dong Ba Market are walkable from the city centre, but the royal tombs are scattered 5-12km south along the Perfume River. You will need a motorbike (150,000-200,000d/day), Grab, or a guided tour to visit the tombs. Cycling is possible but distances are longer and traffic is busier than Hoi An. Boat tours on the Perfume River are a scenic way to reach Thien Mu Pagoda.

Day Trips

Hoi An

My Son Sanctuary (Cham temple ruins, Vietnam's Angkor — 40km, half-day trip), Cham Islands (snorkelling and beaches — boat from Cua Dai, full day), Da Nang (Marble Mountains, Dragon Bridge, My Khe Beach — 30km), Tra Que Vegetable Village (cycling distance), and Cam Thanh coconut boat village. Day trips from Hoi An are diverse — temples, islands, beaches, and countryside.

Hue

DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) tours to the former border between North and South Vietnam (full day), Bach Ma National Park (jungle trekking), Thanh Toan Bridge (covered Japanese-style bridge in the countryside), and the Hai Van Pass route toward Da Nang (often done when traveling to Hoi An). Hue's day trips lean more toward war history and nature than Hoi An's beach and island options.

Choose Hoi An If...

  • 1You want a charming, walkable ancient town with lantern-lit streets, tailoring, and a relaxed pace
  • 2Beach access matters — An Bang Beach is just 4km from the Ancient Town for afternoon swims
  • 3Custom tailoring is on your list — Hoi An is world-famous for made-to-measure clothing in 24-48 hours
  • 4Cooking classes, lantern-making workshops, and hands-on cultural activities appeal to you
  • 5You prefer a more tourist-friendly infrastructure with a wider range of international restaurants and cafes
  • 6Photography is a priority — Hoi An's lanterns, colourful buildings, and river scenes are endlessly photogenic
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Choose Hue If...

  • 1Imperial history, royal architecture, and the grandeur of the Nguyen dynasty fascinate you
  • 2You want to experience one of Vietnam's most distinctive and refined regional cuisines
  • 3A more local, less touristy atmosphere appeals to you — Hue has far fewer international visitors than Hoi An
  • 4War history is important to you — the DMZ tour from Hue visits one of the 20th century's most significant sites
  • 5You prefer a city with historical weight and contemplative beauty over beachside charm
  • 6Budget is a priority — Hue is slightly cheaper than Hoi An across accommodation, food, and transport

Our Verdict

Both cities are essential central Vietnam experiences. Hoi An wins on charm, beach access, tailoring, cooking classes, and photogenic beauty. Hue wins on imperial history, authentic local atmosphere, refined cuisine, and a sense of historical gravitas that few cities in Southeast Asia can match.

If you only have time for one, Hoi An offers a more complete experience for most travelers — heritage, food, beach, and tailoring in one compact package. But skipping Hue means missing the Imperial Citadel, one of Vietnam's most impressive historical sites. At just 3-4 hours apart, the answer is clear: visit both.

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How to Combine Both Cities

Hoi An and Hue are only 130km apart, connected by the legendary Hai Van Pass — one of the most scenic roads in Vietnam

Hai Van Pass by Private Car

The most rewarding way to travel between Hoi An and Hue is by private car over the Hai Van Pass — a dramatic mountain road that hugs the coastline with stunning views at every turn. The journey takes 3-4 hours with stops at Lang Co Beach (a beautiful crescent bay perfect for photos), the Hai Van Pass summit (panoramic views), and optionally the Marble Mountains near Da Nang.

Cost: 1,500,000-2,000,000d for a private car (can be shared between travelers to split the cost). Book through your hotel or a local travel agency. This route was famously featured on Top Gear and is one of Vietnam's most iconic drives. The scenery alone makes the journey worthwhile.

Tourist Bus or Train

Tourist buses run between Hoi An and Hue daily for 120,000-250,000d (3-4 hours). Sinh Tourist and Hue Tourist are reliable operators. Most buses take the highway tunnel rather than the scenic Hai Van Pass, so the views are less spectacular. Book through your hotel or at the operator's office.

Alternatively, take a Grab from Hoi An to Da Nang station (30km, 250,000d) and catch the train to Hue (2.5 hours, from 70,000d). The train crosses the Hai Van Pass on a separate railway line with beautiful views — a great budget option that still gives you the scenic experience. Book on baolau.com.

Suggested Combined Itinerary

Days 1-3: Hoi An

  • Day 1: Ancient Town exploration, tailor fittings, evening lantern walk along the river
  • Day 2: Morning cooking class, afternoon at An Bang Beach, pick up tailored clothes
  • Day 3: My Son Sanctuary or Cham Islands day trip, farewell dinner in the Ancient Town

Days 4-5: Hue (via Hai Van Pass)

  • Day 4: Morning departure via Hai Van Pass (stops at Lang Co Beach), arrive Hue, afternoon Thien Mu Pagoda and Perfume River
  • Day 5: Imperial Citadel morning, royal tombs afternoon (Khai Dinh and Tu Duc are the most impressive), evening at Dong Ba Market

Related Guides

Hoi An 3-Day Itinerary

The perfect 3-day plan for Ancient Town, beach, and day trips.

Hue to Hoi An Guide

Complete transport guide via the legendary Hai Van Pass.

Hoi An Food Guide

Cao lau, white rose dumplings, banh mi, and the best places to eat.

Frequently Asked Questions

If traveling from north to south, you will naturally arrive in Hue first (closer to Hanoi). This works well: spend 1-2 days in Hue exploring the Citadel and tombs, then take the scenic Hai Van Pass route to Hoi An for 2-3 days of Ancient Town, beach, and tailoring. If flying into Da Nang, visit Hoi An first (30km south) then day-trip or overnight to Hue (130km north). Either order works, but the Hai Van Pass drive from Hue to Hoi An is a spectacular way to connect the two.
Hoi An deserves 2-3 days minimum: one day for the Ancient Town and tailoring, one day for a cooking class or My Son Sanctuary, and one day for An Bang Beach and Tra Que Village. Hue needs 1-2 days: one full day for the Citadel and tombs, plus an optional day for Thien Mu Pagoda and a Perfume River cruise. If time is limited, prioritize Hoi An for its unique combination of heritage, beach, and food. But even one day in Hue is worthwhile for the Citadel alone.
The distance is 130km, taking 3-4 hours by road. Options: private car over the Hai Van Pass (the most scenic road in Vietnam, 1,500,000-2,000,000d with stops at Lang Co Beach and Marble Mountains), tourist bus (120,000-250,000d, 3-4 hours), or train from Da Nang to Hue (2.5 hours, from 70,000d). The private car via Hai Van Pass is the most rewarding option and can be shared between travelers to split the cost.
Both are outstanding and very different. Hoi An has unique dishes (cao lau, white rose dumplings) and the best cooking class scene in Vietnam. Hue has a more refined, complex cuisine influenced by royal court traditions — bun bo Hue alone is worth the visit. Hue's food is spicier and more adventurous. Hoi An has more international dining options. If you can only choose one for food, Hue edges it for depth and authenticity, but Hoi An wins for the cooking class experience.
Yes, emphatically. They are only 3-4 hours apart and offer completely different experiences. The Hai Van Pass route connecting them is one of Vietnam's most spectacular drives. A combined 4-5 day itinerary (2-3 days Hoi An, 1-2 days Hue) is one of the best travel experiences in Vietnam. The contrast between Hoi An's merchant town charm and Hue's imperial grandeur perfectly illustrates central Vietnam's rich and layered history.

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