Hoi An is one of Southeast Asia’s most rewarding side trips, and from Hanoi it is genuinely easy to reach. For dental tourists wrapping up treatment in Hanoi, a few days in Hoi An’s lantern-lit Old Town makes an ideal recovery extension before the flight home.
Getting from Hanoi to Hoi An
Hoi An has no airport of its own. All routes go through Da Nang International Airport (DAD), 30 km to the north, followed by a short taxi transfer.
Fly Hanoi to Da Nang
Flying is the fastest and most practical option for most visitors.
- Flight time: ~1 hour 15 minutes
- Airlines: Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, Vietjet Air
- Fares: $30–$90 one-way depending on how far in advance you book
- Da Nang to Hoi An: Grab or metered taxi, $10–$15, about 30 minutes
Book on the airline websites directly or through Google Flights. Fares below $50 are common with 2–4 weeks’ notice.
Overnight Sleeper Train
The train from Hanoi to Da Nang is a classic Southeast Asia experience and well worth considering if you have an extra day and want something atmospheric.
- Journey time: 14–16 hours (overnight departures work best)
- Fare: From ~$25–$40 for a soft sleeper berth
- The highlight: The train passes through the Hai Van Pass — a coastal mountain crossing with views over the South China Sea that has appeared in countless travel documentaries
- Practical note: Soft sleeper carriages have four-berth compartments with air conditioning. Bedding is provided. It is comfortable enough for a post-treatment patient who is past the acute recovery phase.
Book through the Vietnam Railways website (dsvn.vn) or a ticketing agent in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
What to Do in Hoi An
Hoi An Ancient Town (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
The Ancient Town is Hoi An’s centrepiece — a remarkably intact merchant port from the 15th–19th centuries with Japanese, Chinese, and European architectural influences. Entry is ~$7 and covers admission to several heritage houses, assembly halls, and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge.
The town is best experienced on foot. At night, paper lanterns line every street and reflect off the Thu Bon River — it is genuinely one of the most photogenic urban environments in Southeast Asia.
Custom Tailoring
Hoi An is internationally known for bespoke clothing made fast. Hundreds of tailors operate in and around the Old Town, and turnaround is typically 24–48 hours.
| Item | Typical price range | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Men's suit (2-piece) | $80–$150 | 24–48 hrs |
| Women's dress or ao dai | $30–$80 | 24–48 hrs |
| Casual shirts or trousers | $15–$40 each | 24 hrs |
Allow at least two fittings for anything tailored. Book your first appointment on day one so alterations can be completed before you leave.
Beaches: An Bang and Cua Dai
Both beaches are 5–10 minutes by bicycle or taxi from the Ancient Town. They are clean, relatively uncrowded compared to Da Nang’s main beach strip, and lined with seafood restaurants and sunbed hire.
Important for dental tourists: If you have had implants, bone grafts, or any oral surgery in Hanoi, do not swim in the sea for at least 2 weeks post-procedure. Beach sand and seawater carry bacteria that can infect healing surgical sites and cause implant failure. Walking on the beach and eating at beachside restaurants is fine — just keep the water out of your mouth.
Food: What to Eat in Hoi An
Hoi An has its own distinct cuisine, and much of it is soft enough for patients still in recovery.
- Cao Lau noodles — thick wheat noodles with pork and greens in a light broth. Unique to Hoi An due to the local well water used in preparation.
- White Rose dumplings (Banh Bao Vac) — translucent steamed dumplings with shrimp filling. Soft, delicate, ideal for post-treatment eating.
- Banh Mi Phuong — widely regarded as Vietnam’s best banh mi. The bread is crusty, so wait until your gums are fully settled before tackling one.
The Lantern Festival
On the 14th night of each lunar month, Hoi An Ancient Town closes to motorised traffic. The streets fill with floating lanterns, live traditional music, and candlelit stalls. If your itinerary can be timed to coincide, it is worth planning around. Check the lunar calendar dates before you book.
A Practical Hanoi–Hoi An Combined Itinerary
The most popular structure for dental tourists combining treatment with travel:
- Days 1–7: Hanoi — dental consultations, treatment, and initial recovery. Explore the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, and Hanoi’s best day trips.
- Days 8–10: Fly to Da Nang, transfer to Hoi An. Ancient Town, tailoring, Cao Lau noodles, lantern streets.
- Days 11–12: Beach time (walking and dining only if within 2 weeks of surgery), last fitting pickup, depart from Da Nang Airport.
Total extension cost: $150–$300 per person covering flights, accommodation, food, and activities. Tailoring is budgeted separately.
This structure works especially well for combined holiday and dental treatment trips because the recovery period in Hanoi transitions naturally into a gentler, walkable destination before the long-haul flight home.
For a fuller picture of how to structure your time in Hanoi before the Hoi An leg, see the Hanoi one-week itinerary.
Related Reading
- Combine a Holiday with Dental Treatment in Vietnam
- Hanoi One-Week Itinerary for Dental Tourists
- Hanoi to Halong Bay Day Trip
- How Many Days in Hanoi Do You Need?
- Best Things to Do in Hanoi
Sources
- Vietnam National Administration of Tourism — Hoi An destination profile (tourism.gov.vn)
- Da Nang Department of Tourism — transport and visitor statistics (danang.gov.vn)
- Vietnam Railways booking and route information (dsvn.vn)