Medical help in Hoi An: clinics and the route to Da Nang hospitals

💡 For a medical emergency in Hoi An, call 115 for an ambulance: operators answer only in Vietnamese, so ask hotel staff to call on your behalf. For anything serious, the nearest international hospitals are in Da Nang, about 30 km north. Vinmec Da Nang (0236 3711 111) is the closest 24-hour option, roughly 45 minutes by car.

Does Hoi An have its own hospital?

Hoi An has a public general hospital and a handful of small private clinics, mostly serving the local population. These can handle straightforward cases: a wound requiring stitches, a prescription refill, or a mild fever. However, there is no international-standard hospital, no 24-hour foreigner-oriented clinic, and no intensive care comparable to what Da Nang offers. The practical rule for foreign visitors: for minor stable issues, you may find adequate local care; for anything serious, go to Da Nang.

The medical emergency in Hoi An keyword is deceptive. Tourists who look for "hospital Hoi An" expecting a full-service international facility will not find one. Knowing this before you need it could be the most useful thing you read today.

What should you do in the first minutes of a medical emergency in Hoi An?

Your first call is 115 for any life-threatening situation: chest pain, stroke symptoms, serious trauma, unconsciousness, or severe breathing difficulty. The line is free and operates 24 hours a day nationwide. Because operators speak Vietnamese only, the most practical move is to hand your phone to the hotel front desk, a tour guide, or any Vietnamese speaker nearby and ask them to call. Say the word "cấp cứu" (emergency) and the name of your location.

If the patient is mobile and the situation is urgent but not immediately life-threatening, a GrabCar to Da Nang can sometimes be faster than waiting for a 115 vehicle during peak hours. Open the Grab app, select GrabCar (not GrabBike for anything medical), and enter the hospital address. Confirm the displayed fare before booking.

Do not transport the patient in a regular car if you suspect a spinal injury, major fracture, or the patient cannot sit safely. In those cases, call 115 and wait for the ambulance regardless of wait time.

Which Da Nang hospital is the right choice from Hoi An?

Three hospitals in Da Nang cover the cases most foreign visitors face when coming from Hoi An:

• Vinmec Da Nang International Hospital, 30 Thang 4 St, Hoa Cuong Ward, Da Nang. Tel: 0236 3711 111; international patient line: +84 378 809 779. Open 24 hours. The most foreigner-oriented private hospital in Central Vietnam, with a dedicated international patient department. Best for urgent but non-critical cases where language access and direct insurance billing matter.
• Family Medical Practice Da Nang, 96-98 Nguyen Van Linh, Hai Chau, Da Nang. 24/7 emergency line: +84 913 917 303 (or dial *1616). Walk-in hours: Monday to Saturday 08:00-17:00, Sunday 08:00-12:00. The emergency line is available around the clock for urgent advice and ambulance coordination. Known for direct billing with many international insurers.
• Da Nang General Hospital, 124 Hai Phong, Hai Chau, Da Nang. Tel: 0236 3821 118. The main public trauma center for the entire Central Vietnam region, with 24/7 emergency care, surgery, and ICU. The cheapest option by far, but with a significant language barrier: expect to pay cash upfront and claim reimbursement later.

If 115 dispatches an ambulance to Hoi An, it will most likely take the patient to Da Nang General Hospital as the regional public emergency center. For less critical cases where you can choose, Vinmec is the first recommendation for foreign patients.

How long does it take to reach Da Nang from Hoi An?

The road distance between Hoi An Old Town and Da Nang's central hospital area is approximately 30 km. Under normal conditions, a GrabCar takes 40 to 50 minutes. During peak holiday traffic, Tet, or heavy rain, add 15 to 20 minutes to that estimate. If you call the hospital ahead from the car, staff can prepare for your arrival and meet you at the entrance.

For language help during and after the hospital visit, the Da Nang Help hospital interpreter service covers the full journey from Hoi An to any hospital in the Central Vietnam region. The Da Nang Help center also has a consolidated emergency contacts list for the region. For a deeper guide on what to expect once you arrive in Da Nang, the companion post on medical emergencies in Da Nang covers triage, insurance billing, and language access at each hospital.

FAQ

Is there a 24-hour clinic in Hoi An?

There is no verified 24-hour international clinic in Hoi An. Small local pharmacies and private clinics operate in the Old Town area, but hours vary by season and overnight availability is not reliable. For a true after-hours medical emergency, the reliable options are calling 115, calling the Vinmec Da Nang 24-hour line (0236 3711 111), or taking a GrabCar to Da Nang. Your hotel reception can also assist at any hour and often has local contacts.

Will travel insurance cover Da Nang hospitals if I am based in Hoi An?

Yes. Most international travel insurance policies cover emergency hospital care at any licensed facility in Vietnam, regardless of which city you are treated in. Call your insurer's 24/7 emergency line as soon as the patient is stable. Both Vinmec and Family Medical Practice have direct-billing arrangements with selected international insurers: call their international patient desks before admission to confirm. At Da Nang General Hospital, expect cash payment first and reimbursement later.

Can I communicate with hospital staff in English in Da Nang?

At Vinmec and Family Medical Practice, the international patient departments have English-capable staff, though you may encounter Vietnamese-only nurses at triage or during night shifts. At Da Nang General Hospital, the public ER, the language barrier is significant. Practical tools: use Google Translate voice mode for short exchanges; carry a written note with your name, symptoms, allergies, and medications; and call the Da Nang Visitor Center at (0236) 3 550 111, which can translate by phone at no charge.

Can I take a motorbike taxi to Da Nang for a medical emergency?

For a conscious adult with a minor injury, a GrabBike is faster and cheaper than a car. For any serious condition, including suspected fractures, cardiac events, severe allergic reactions, or significant head injury: choose GrabCar or call 115. An enclosed car is safer for an unwell patient, and the driver can help navigate the hospital entrance. Never transport an unconscious or spinal-injury patient on a motorbike.

What number do I call for a medical emergency in Hoi An at night?

Call 115 for a life-threatening emergency: it operates 24/7 nationwide. Ask hotel staff to call on your behalf if you cannot communicate in Vietnamese. For urgent medical advice after hours, the Family Medical Practice Da Nang emergency line (+84 913 917 303 or *1616) and Vinmec Da Nang (0236 3711 111) are both available 24 hours by phone. Save all three numbers before you need them.

Official sources

• UK Government, Vietnam travel advice: getting help - confirms 115 as the national ambulance number, 113 police, 114 fire, 112 search and rescue. Verified September 2026.
• Vinmec Da Nang International Hospital (official page) - address (30 Thang 4 St, Hoa Cuong Ward), main telephone (0236 3711 111), international patient line (+84 378 809 779). Verified September 2026.
• Family Medical Practice Da Nang (official page) - address (96-98 Nguyen Van Linh, Hai Chau), 24/7 emergency line (*1616 / +84 913 917 303), walk-in clinic hours. Verified September 2026.
• Da Nang Hospital (city health portal) - public ER address (124 Hai Phong) and main telephone (0236 3821 118). Verified September 2026.