Cost Of Living In Hoi An: Complete Budget Guide From A To Z

Whether you are planning a long-term stay or looking to settle down in the Ancient Town, understanding the cost of living in Hoi An is an essential first step. This destination attracts people not only with its peaceful lifestyle but also with its highly affordable living costs. To help your plans go smoothly, this Joytime Travel article provides practical, updated information to make budget planning much easier.

1. Accommodation Costs And Essential Utility Bills

Accommodation costs in Hoi An - Source: Nguyen Viet Minh Lam

The biggest expense when staying in Hoi An long-term is accommodation and the cost of maintaining your living space. However, prices here are quite flexible, making it easy to balance your budget based on your personal needs.

1.1. Real Rental Price Ranges By Area

Your choice of location will directly affect both your budget and your daily living experience:

• Cam Chau and Cam Thanh areas: These are considered “golden locations” among the expat community thanks to their quiet atmosphere, open rice field views, and convenient position between the Ancient Town and the beach. A one-bedroom studio apartment usually costs around $250 to $350 per month, approximately VND 6 million to VND 8.5 million. If you choose a two-bedroom house with access to a shared swimming pool, the rent is usually around $400 to $600 per month.

• Beachside areas such as An Bang and Tan Thanh: These areas are known for their lively atmosphere, with plenty of Western-style restaurants and bars. Their beachfront advantage makes rental prices about 15% to 20% higher, averaging around $450 to $800 per month, approximately VND 11 million to VND 20 million.

• Hoi An Ancient Town center: Living costs here are higher, and the area is often crowded and noisy. For this reason, very few people choose it as a long-term place to settle.

>> Read more: Hotels in Hoi An, Vietnam: 7+ Best Places to Stay in 2026

1.2. Essential Utility Bills

Utilities and telecom costs in Hoi An are generally very affordable, although they can vary significantly by season:

• Internet: High-speed fiber optic internet packages, which are reliable enough for digital nomads to work comfortably, are very stable and cost only around $11 to $15 per month, approximately VND 280,000 to VND 350,000.

• Electricity and water: Household water bills are almost negligible, usually under $5 per month. Electricity, on the other hand, depends entirely on your usage habits. During the hot season, from May to August, frequent air conditioner use can increase your monthly electricity bill to around $50 to $80, approximately VND 1.2 million to VND 2 million.

1.3. Hidden Costs From Weather And Environmental Factors

This is one of the most practical factors that often surprises newcomers, as it directly affects the budget needed to maintain your home:

• Rainstorms and flooding: During the peak rainy season, from October to November, some low-lying riverside areas are prone to flooding. You should set aside a budget for things like buying sandbags, hiring cleaners after a flood, or paying for a hotel if you need to temporarily relocate for a few days.

• Humidity and insect control: Living near rivers and rice fields also means dealing with insects and mold. It is wise to keep a small monthly budget of around $15 to $30 for moisture absorbers, mosquito coils, insect spray, or regular pest control services to protect your health and belongings.

>> Read more: Best Places to Stay in Hoi An Vietnam Ultimate Travel Guide!

2. Daily Living Expenses: Food And Transportation

Transportation costs in Hoi An - Source: Alina Degli

Besides accommodation, food and transportation are the two expenses that shape your daily lifestyle in Hoi An. One of the biggest advantages of this destination is that basic living costs are very affordable, making it easy to balance saving money with enjoying life.

2.1. Food Budget: Local Markets Or Eating Out?

Vietnamese cuisine in general, and Hoi An cuisine in particular, is well known for being delicious, nutritious, and affordable. Your choice of dining style will largely determine this part of your monthly budget:

Eating out

Unlike in many Western countries, eating out every day in Hoi An can sometimes be cheaper than cooking at home. Local specialties such as Cao Lau, Mi Quang, pho, and banh mi usually cost only around $1.5 to $2.5 per meal, approximately VND 40,000 to VND 60,000. 

If you want a change of taste at Western-style restaurants or higher-end vegetarian eateries, the cost is usually around $5 to $10 per meal. On average, a person who eats out regularly may spend about $200 to $250 per month.

Cooking with groceries

If you prefer a home-cooked lifestyle or need to follow a specific diet, shopping at traditional markets such as Ba Le Market or Hoi An Market will give you access to fresh seafood and vegetables at very affordable prices. Monthly grocery costs for one person usually range from $100 to $150.

Working from cafes

This is an essential expense for digital nomads. Hoi An has countless beautiful and quiet cafes with strong Wi-Fi. A traditional Vietnamese coffee or coconut coffee usually costs only $1 to $2, approximately VND 25,000 to VND 50,000. If you work from a cafe every day, you should budget around $30 to $50 per month for this expense.

2.2. Transportation Costs: Renting A Motorbike Or Riding A Bicycle?

Hoi An is relatively small and flat, so getting around does not take up too much of your budget:

Long-term motorbike rental

This is the most popular way to get around flexibly between the Ancient Town, An Bang Beach, and day trips to Da Nang. Monthly rental rates for automatic scooters, such as a Honda Air Blade or Yamaha Nouvo, are very reasonable, starting from only $40 to $50 per month, approximately VND 1 million to VND 1.2 million. Fuel for basic daily travel usually adds only around $10 to $15 per month.

Bicycle

Leisurely cycling through narrow alleys and rice fields is one of Hoi An’s signature experiences. Most landlords or homestays provide free bicycles for long-term tenants. If you need to buy a second-hand bike, it usually costs only around $20 to $30, and you will rarely have to pay for parking anywhere.

Taxi and ride-hailing apps

Ride-hailing apps such as Grab and Xanh SM are now widely available in Hoi An. However, expats usually use them only on heavy rainy days or when traveling to the airport or Da Nang city center. A 4-seat car ride from Hoi An to Da Nang International Airport, which takes around 45 minutes, usually costs about $12 to $15 one way, approximately VND 300,000 to VND 350,000.

>> Read more: Tour in Hoi An

3. Budget For Entertainment, Healthcare And Visa Runs

Lifestyle costs in Hoi An - Source: Anh Tuan Le

Besides basic living expenses, you should also budget for work, healthcare, and administrative procedures if you want to maintain a comfortable lifestyle and stay legally in Hoi An long-term. These are essential costs that help protect your overall quality of life.

3.1. Sports And Workspaces

Maintaining focus at work and staying physically active are top priorities for many expats and freelancers in Hoi An.

• Coworking spaces: If cafes do not provide the professional environment you need, renting a seat at a coworking space, especially in the Cam Chau area, is an ideal option. A monthly membership with full facilities such as high-speed internet, a quiet workspace, air conditioning, and small meeting rooms usually costs around $150 to $185 per month, approximately VND 3.8 million to VND 4.6 million.

• Gym and yoga: Gyms in Hoi An are now well-equipped and foreigner-friendly. A standard gym membership usually costs only around $20 to $30 per month, approximately VND 500,000 to VND 750,000. If you prefer specialized yoga classes near An Bang Beach or in the town center, the cost is slightly higher, ranging from $30 to $50 per month.

3.2. Basic Healthcare

The healthcare system in Central Vietnam is generally very affordable while still offering reliable quality, especially for basic medical services.

• Local clinics and dental care: For common health issues, a visit to a private clinic in Hoi An or buying medicine from a major pharmacy usually costs around $10 to $20 per visit. Dental services, such as teeth cleaning and fillings, are also known for their good quality and very low prices compared to Western countries.

• Specialized treatment: For more complex health concerns, expats often travel to an international hospital in Da Nang, about 45 minutes away by car. The initial consultation fee there is usually around $30 to $50. A practical tip is to always have an international health insurance plan that can cover hospital fees in case of emergencies.

3.3. Visa Extension Costs And Visa Runs

This is a “fixed expense” that many newcomers often forget to include in their long-term living budget.

• Visa run procedure: Vietnam currently offers e-visas with a maximum validity of 90 days. After three months, foreigners are required to leave the country and re-enter, commonly known as a visa run. From Hoi An, the most common overland route is through Lao Bao International Border Gate, which connects Vietnam with Laos.

• Estimated budget: The total cost of a full visa run, including the new e-visa fee of around $25, round-trip shared van or private car transportation, and meals along the way, usually ranges from $100 to $150 per trip. Since this process needs to be repeated every quarter, you should spread the cost out and add around $30 to $50 per month to your overall living budget to avoid unexpected financial pressure.

>> Read more: Da Nang 5 Days Itinerary: Ultimate Travel Guide 2026

Overall, the cost of living in Hoi An is highly reasonable, at only around $900 to $1,100 per month for a fully comfortable lifestyle. Thanks to this ideal living cost, you will have more room in your budget to fully enjoy the local culture. To make your long-term stay even more memorable without the hassle of planning everything yourself, contact Joytime Travel Agency today. Our all-inclusive local tours will help you make the most of your time and budget.