Vietnam
Hoi An recovery after dental treatment at Picasso Da Nang
Staying in Hoi An while having treatment at Picasso Da Nang — logistics, accommodation, soft-diet food, timeline fit, and what to do between appointments for Australian patients.
Hoi An is the most popular recovery base for Australian patients treating at Picasso's Da Nang clinic. The UNESCO old town is 30–40 minutes from the Da Nang clinic by Grab, offers excellent soft-diet Vietnamese food, flat walkable streets, beach resorts at An Bang Beach, and a relaxed pace well suited to the multi-day gaps in a veneer or implant treatment plan.
Why Australians choose Hoi An as a recovery base
Hoi An is Vietnam’s most charming recovery destination — a UNESCO World Heritage site with lantern-lit streets, tailors, riverside cafés, and gentle cycling trails. For Australian patients spending 10–14 days in Vietnam for veneer or implant treatment, Hoi An offers:
- Flat terrain — old town and beach areas are easily walkable with no hills or physical strain
- Soft-diet abundance — Vietnamese cuisine naturally produces excellent recovery food
- Low stimulation — quieter than Ho Chi Minh City; better for rest between appointments
- Cultural experience — patients commonly report that the Hoi An recovery experience made the dental trip feel like a holiday
Getting between Hoi An and Da Nang clinic
| Method | Time | Cost (AUD approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Grab (rideshare) | 30–45 min | AUD 9–15 |
| Private taxi | 35–50 min | AUD 15–25 |
| Picasso-arranged transfer | 40–55 min | Ask coordinator |
| Motorbike (Grab Bike) | Not recommended | Not after treatment |
Book Grab through the app — available throughout central Vietnam. For early morning clinic appointments, book 15 minutes earlier than usual to account for traffic.
Accommodation in Hoi An for dental patients
Old Town area (best for first 72 hours post-surgery)
- Quiet riverside hotels and boutique guesthouses
- Walking distance to soft-diet restaurants and pharmacies
- No transport needed for food and rest
- Fridge in room essential for cold compress post-implant
An Bang Beach (good for later recovery days)
- Beach resorts with pools and gardens
- 10-minute drive to old town
- Better suited to days 4–10 when post-surgical rest requirements ease
- Beach access once cleared by Picasso
Soft-diet food in Hoi An — recovery-appropriate options
| Dish | Notes |
|---|---|
| Pho (beef or chicken noodle soup) | Soft noodles and broth — excellent for days 1–7 |
| Cao lau | Thicker noodles, soft pork — good from day 3 |
| White rose dumplings | Soft, steamed — good from day 3 |
| Congee (chao) | Rice porridge — gentle on surgical sites |
| Smoothies | Available at almost every café |
| Yoghurt and soft fruit | At bakeries and cafés throughout |
Avoid on days 1–7: chewy beef, hard bread crusts, nuts, hard seeds, sticky rice.
What to do between appointments
Dental treatment at Da Nang typically has 2–4 days between key appointments (impression day → lab fabrication → fitting). In Hoi An, this gap suits:
- Cycling the rice paddies and villages around Hoi An (flat, gentle)
- Tailor visits — Hoi An is famous for made-to-measure garments in 48 hours
- Cooking class (day 3+) — most classes use soft, gentle techniques
- River boat trip — low exertion, highly recommended for days 4–7
- Beach days at An Bang or Cua Dai (once clinically cleared)
Avoid in the first 48 hours post-surgery: swimming (infection risk), strenuous activity, alcohol, very hot beverages.
Practical information
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Currency | Vietnamese Dong (VND); AUD accepted at Picasso |
| Nearest pharmacy | Multiple in Hoi An old town |
| Hospital (emergencies) | Da Nang Hospital, 35 min from Hoi An |
| Mobile data | Buy a local SIM at Da Nang Airport on arrival |
| Grab availability | Excellent in Hoi An and on the Hoi An–Da Nang route |