Taxis and rental cars are options for getting around while in Hoi An, but both have certain drawbacks.

            First of all, Hoi An is a relatively small town (see the Map), and most places that tourists go are accessible by walking.  This means that the need for a car or taxi is almost non-present.  However, getting to areas outside of Hoi An does require modes of transportation other than walking.

            Taxis are available, but are few and far between.   The best way to get a taxi is to call one of the companies servicing in the area.  Hotels should provide these numbers.  Taxis are fairly inexpensive when compared to many western locations.  Fares are determined by negotiating.  Make sure to agree on a price before beginning a journey to avoid any problems at the end of the ride. Because most drivers speak little or no English, make sure to carry around a map with the desired destination distinctly circled.   A journey from of 3km will cost only $2.  There are taxis at the bus station all the time waiting.

            Rental cars are an option for getting around Hoi An, but there is a catch.  In order to drive in Vietnam, foreigners must hold a temporary Vietnamese driving license.  For the vast majority of visitors, these licenses are more work than they are worth.  See Driving in Vietnam for more information. 

            The better option for personal transportation is to rent a motorbike.  Foreigners do not require a license to drive these, and most hotels rent them for around $5 USD per day.