Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Hoi An?
No, tap water in Hoi An is not safe to drink. The small city’s water supply, managed by Quang Nam Water Supply Company, suffers from limited treatment capacity and an ageing distribution network.
Water Source
Hoi An’s water is drawn from the Thu Bon River and treated at a small-capacity plant on the outskirts of town. During the dry season, salinity intrusion from the nearby coast can affect the river intake.
Contaminants & Concerns
The Thu Bon River carries agricultural runoff and upstream sediment. The treatment plant provides basic chlorination but limited filtration. Old pipes and low pressure allow contamination to enter the system. During the flood season (October–November), the low-lying town is especially vulnerable to water contamination.
Tips
- •Use bottled water for all drinking — it is inexpensive and sold everywhere in the Old Town
- •Hoi An floods regularly in October and November — be extra vigilant about water safety during this period
- •Most restaurants and hotels in the tourist area use purified water for cooking and ice
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & References
The safety rating and guidance on this page draw on the following sources. See our full methodology.
- •WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality
- •CDC Travelers' Health destination pages
- •The municipal water utility's published quality data