we can't visit both. which one is more interesting/relaxing/worthwhile?
thanks!

If you can visit only one, make it Hoi An - no contest IMO. It's a very interesting old trading port with much evidence of the influences of several cultures, a delightful place to stroll around, with very good cuisine, art galleries, and if you have time no shortage of good and inexpensive tailors.

I completely agree with Neil Oz. Hoi An isfabulous: an old merchant post, with lovely old buildings, pretty beach, amazing food. We learned the day we arrived that Hoi An's drinking water is treated, so you don't need to keep away from salads, etc. It was also fun to have a traditional ao dai (Vietnamese woman's clothing) made to order in about 24 hours! Several recommendations: stay at the Cua Dai Hotel [email protected], take a day trip to the Cham ruins (ask at the hotel). I also took a fun cooking class with Miss Vy, whose family owns the Cua Dai Hotel and several great restaurants in town. We rented mopeds, and set out for the beach just outside Hoi An at 5am each morning, before the day got too hot. Many Vietnamese were at the beach then, enjoying the beautiful, quiet beach. It was lovely! Our most memorable day in a 3 week trip to Vietnam was hiring a car/driver (foreigners who wish to rent a car must also hire a driver, and it's very inexpensive) to bring us to the MyLai memorial and museum, a couple of hours from Hoi An. It was a difficult place to visit, but absolutely worth doing!
I've travelled all over the world, and Vietnam was among my very favorite places.

thank you both for your reply.
we're drawn to Nha trang b/c we'd like to relax on the beach but it seems that we can relax in Hoi An as well (judging from your post Judig). Thank you for the hotel recommendations too.

we'll be there early july. Do you think it will be unbearably hot?

Early July 2003 was 33-37 degrees, very hot and humid, although no rain except at night- the climate did not stop us doing what we wanted to do.

Dec 2003 was wet and rainy (for 7 days straight) and 18-25 degrees! You just can't win, so go and enjoy it and don't let the weather bother you!

Sorry those degrees are C for celcius!

if we're at the beach- no problem! thanks for the reply.