hoi an tourist tax

The Official Hoi An Travel Guide (MUST READ)

By the estuary of Thu Bon river, Hoi An is one of the best places to visit in Vietnam. This Vietnamese town is a package for travelers – a pretty town close to the beach, rice fields, wooded hills and islands. As a trading port for many centuries, Hoi An is a melting pot that is also famous for special culinary culture. Food here is delicious. In 2022, it’s listed in the top 20 world’s best cities, by the Travel + Leisure. And before that, so many winning prizes for it as the most attractive destination in central Vietnam by the international press.

This official Hoi An travel guide helps travelers to plan their trip easier. It provides reliable and updated information, recommendations and expert tips. For tours and transfers, texting us in whatsapp number +84968009827 to chat and reserve.

Travelers also visit Da Nang – the sister city of Hoi An, 30 kilometers away and Hue – former Vietnamese capital city, 130 kilometers north of Hoi An. Da Nang has an international airport that is closest to Hoi An. For that reason, travelers anyway will see something there if they plan to visit Hoi An (or return). We highly recommend reading Da Nang official travel guide also.

Hue City Official Travel Guide
Phong Nha Travel Guide
Hue Imperial City Travel Guide
Ba Na Hills Travel Guide

Table of content

1 An Introduction about Hoi An
2 What is Hoi An Famous for?
3.1 Where is Hoi An in Vietnam?
3.2 Flights to Hoi An
3.3 Car and Taxi
3.4 Bus to Hoi An
3.5 Motorbike
4.1 Walking
4.3 Shuttle Bus
4.4 Bicycle
4.5 Motorcycle
4.6 The Best Way to Get Around Hoi An
5 Brief History of Hoi An
6.1 Monthly Weather in Hoi An
6.2 When Are the Best Times to Visit Hoi An?
7.1 How Many Days Do You Need in Hoi An?
7.2 Areas to Stay in Hoi An
8.1 Hoi An Ancient Town World Heritage
8.2 Beaches in Hoi An
8.3 My Son Sanctuary
8.4 The Marble Mountains
8.5 The Golden Hands Bridge in Ba Na Hills
8.6 Hoi An’s Countryside and Villages
9.1 Custom Tailors in Hoi An
9.2 Basket Boat Ride in Coconut Forest
9.3 Go Diving and Snorkeling the Cham Islands
9.4 Thu Bon River Cruise on Sunset
9.5 Learn How to Cook Vietnamese Foods
9.6 Instagrammable Spots in Hoi An
10.1 Full Moon Lantern Festival in Hoi An
10.2 The Hoi An Night Market
10.3 Hoi An Memories Show and Hoi An Impression Theme Park
10.4 Lantern Boat Ride on Hoai River
11.1 Hoi An Food Specialties
11.2 Street Foods in Hoi An
11.3 Coffee and Coffee Shops in Hoi An
12 Hoi An Shopping: What to Buy in Hoi An?
13.1 Hoi An Old Town Walking Tour
13.2 Golden Hands Bridge Tour from Hoi An
13.3 My Son Sanctuary Tour from Hoi An
13.4 Cycling Tours in Hoi An Countryside
13.5 Hoi An Food Tours
14 Related Posts
15 Non Nuoc Beach: The Famous Beach of Da Nang
16 How to Get from Da Nang to My Son Sanctuary
17 Thieu Tri Tomb: The Peaceful Royal Tomb of Hue
18 Bach Ma National Park: Hiking, Trekking in Da Nang and Hoi An
19 Hoi An Wet Season: What to Do in Hoi An When It Rains?
20 Hue to Da Nang By Train: The Best Train Ride in Vietnam
21 Hue Royal Tombs: A Complete Guide and What is Best?
22 The Hue Abandoned Water Park (Thuy Tien Lake Waterpark)
23 Minh Mang Tomb Complete Visitor Guide
24 Tu Duc Tomb Complete Visitor Guide
25 Thanh Ha Terracotta Park
26 Vinwonders Nam Hoi An Theme Park (formerly Vinpearl Nam Hoi An)
27 Am Phu Cave Complete Travel Guide
28 Hoi An or Hue: Which is Better?
29 Asia Park and Sun Wheel in Da Nang (Sun World Da Nang Wonders)
30 The Official Hoi An Travel Guide (MUST READ)
31 The Hoi An Market (Hoi An Central Market) Complete Guide
32 Hoi An Memories Show: The Best of Hoi An Impression Theme Park
33 How to Get to Golden Bridge from Da Nang
34 Hoi An Bridge: Famous Bridges in Hoi An
35 Da Nang Food Specialties: What to Eat in Da Nang
36 How to Get From Hoi An to My Son Sanctuary
37 Hoi An’s Chinese Assembly Halls and Chinese Temples
38 Hoi An Walking Tours: Heritage, Foods, Photography & Locals
39 Hoi An Self Guided Walking Tour (Hoi An By Yourself)
40 How to Visit Golden Bridge Vietnam
41 Da Nang Shore Excursions: Guided Tours From Tien Sa Port
42 Unique Experiences in Hoi An and Why?
43 Han Market (Cho Han): Where to Shop in Da Nang?
44 An Bang Beach: A Guide to Hoi An’s Best Beach
45 Experiences in Hoi An: Get Insight Into Hoi An’s Local Culture
46 Da Nang Cathedral (Da Nang Pink Church)
47 Things to Do in Ba Na Hills Besides Golden Bridge
48 Hoi An Nightlife: What to Do in Hoi An At Night?
49 Hoi An Countryside: Villages, Rice Fields & Tours
50 How to Get to Golden Bridge From Hoi An
51 Hoi An Entrance Fee: Old Town, Golden Bridge, My Son, More
52 Hoi An Airport: Everything You Need to Know
53 Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride on Hoai River
54 Da Nang Half Day Tours
55 Hoi An Private Car and Driver
56 Da Nang Private Car and Driver
57 What to Do in Hoi An Ancient Town
58 Da Nang and Hoi An Itinerary for Visitors Staying Overnight in Hoi An
59 Hoi An 3 Day Itinerary: A Travel Plan for 3 Days in Hoi An
60 Hoi An Free Things to Do: Budget Travel in Hoi An Vietnam
61 Hoi An One Day Itinerary: A Travel Plan for One Day in Hoi An
62 Da Nang Things to Do: Guide to What to Do in Da Nang Vietnam
63 Da Nang Best Things to Do and Reasons
64 Hoi An Half-Day Tours: Guide to Half Day Trips From Hoi An
65 Hoi An Day Tours: A Guide to Best Day Trips From Hoi An
66 Hoi An Beach: A Guide to All Beaches in Hoi An Vietnam
67 Hoi An Food Specialties
68 How to Get From Hoi An to Da Nang
69 Hoi An Cheap Things to Do: All Solo Travelers Need to Know
70 Hoi An Best Things To Do: Recommendations from Local Experts
71 Hoi An Things to Do: All What Can You Do in Hoi An Vietnam
72 Hoi An Things Not to Miss: A Guide to Must Do in Hoi An
73 Hoi An or Da Nang: Which is Better?
74 Hoi An Pottery Village: A Guide to Thanh Ha Pottery Village
75 Hoi An Ancient Town Tour
76 Hoi An Old Town Ticket: Price, Sellers, Included Sites, More
77 My Son Sanctuary Tour
78 Hoi An Lanterns: Festival, Making Class, Where to Buy, More
79 Hoi An Best Area to Stay: Guide to Where to Stay in Hoi An
80 Hoi An Weather by Month: Guide to Hoi An Monthly Weather
81 Da Nang Best Area to Stay: Guide to Where to Stay in Da Nang
82 Da Nang Cave Tour: Best Underground Activities in Da Nang
83 Da Nang Best Time to Visit: Guide to Best Weather in Da Nang
84 Da Nang Weather by Month: Guide to Monthly Weather in Da Nang
85 What to Do in Da Nang At Night
86 Lang Co Vietnam Travel Guide
87 Hoi An River Cruise: Guide to The Best Boat Tour in Hoi An
88 What to Do in Da Nang for 3 Days
89 Hoi An Old Town Boats: Guide to Boat Rides in Hoi An Town
90 Hoi An 2 Day Itinerary: Traveler Guide to 2 Days in Hoi An
91 Cham Island Hoi An
92 Hoi An Basket Boat Ride
93 Hoi An Coconut Village: A Guide to Cam Thanh Coconut Village
94 My Khe Beach: A Complete Guide to Da Nang’s Best Beach
95 Thien Mu Pagoda: Guide to Hue’s Most Famous Buddhist Temple
96 Perfume River Cruise: Guide to Best Boat Tour in Hue Vietnam
97 Tomb of Khai Dinh: The Most Unique Royal Tomb of Hue
98 Da Nang Day Trips: Guide to Best Day Tours From Da Nang
99 Museums in Da Nang
100 Linh Ung Pagoda: Trio of Da Nang’s Holiest Mountain Temples
101 Da Nang Night Market: A Thing To Do in Da Nang at Night
102 Guide to Son Tra Mountain aka Monkey Mountain Vietnam
103 Ba Na Hills Tour
104 Hoi An Cham Temples: My Son Sanctuary & Quang Nam Temples
105 Da Nang Cable Car
106 How to Get from Da Nang Airport to Hoi An
107 Da Nang to Hoi An: Best Da Nang Airport Transfer and More
108 Hoi An Tour Guide: How to Find a Private Tour Guide in Hoi An
109 Hoi An Ancient Town Attractions
110 Hai Van Pass Da Nang: Map, Route, Weather, History, Tour
111 Hoi An Old Town Map
112 Tra Que Vegetable Village
113 Hoi An Lantern Festival
114 Hue Imperial City and Forbidden City
115.0.1 Golden Bridge and Ba Na Hills Night Tour
115.0.2 Golden Hands Bridge Tour In Sunrise or Sunset (1/2 Day)
115.0.3 Cam Kim Island Bicycle Tour From Hoi An
115.0.4 Cham Island Tour From Hoi An (Group Tour)
115.0.5 Cham Island Tour From Da Nang (Group Tour)
115.0.6 Hoi An Vegetarian Food Tour
115.0.7 Hoi An Evening Walking Food Tour Through Laneways
115.0.8 Private Hoi An Basket Boat Tour (Shuttle Bus, Bicycle, Bike)
115.0.9 Half-day Am Phu Cave Tour (Private)
115.0.10 Hoi An Countryside Tour (Bicycle, Car, Electric Shuttle)
115.0.11 Da Nang Tour Package From Singapore
115.0.12 Hoi An Evening Tour From Da Nang
115.0.13 Hoi An Walking Food Tour Through Laneways
115.0.14 My Son Sanctuary and Hoi An Old Town Tour with Thu Bon River Cruise
115.0.15 My Son Day Trip From Hoi An including Marble Mountains and Basket Boat
115.0.16 Half Day Hoi An City Tour With River Cruise
115.0.17 Son Tra Peninsula Tour with Marble Mountains (Private/Small Group)
115.0.18 Hue Day Trip From Hoi An with Hai Van Pass, River Cruise & Lunch
115.0.19 Hoi An Ancient Town and Countryside Tour (Bests of Hoi An Tour)
115.0.20 Hoi An Tour From Da Nang Airport (Private, Optional Lunch)
115.0.21 Hoi An Day Trip From Da Nang (Marble Mountains, Basket Boat, Old Town)
115.0.22 Da Nang City Tour From Airport (Private, Optional Lunch)
115.0.23 Hoi An City Tour with Lantern Class, Lantern Boat, Night Market & Local Food Sampling
115.0.24 Marble Mountains, Basket Boat Ride & Hoi An Old Town Walking Tour
115.0.25 Marble Mountains & Golden Bridge Day Tour with Buffet Lunch
115.0.26 Marble Mountains & Monkey Mountain Tour (Half-day, Private)
115.0.27 Private Golden Bridge Sunrise Tour (Half-day, Optional Lunch)
115.0.28 Hoi An Ancient Town & Golden Bridge Day Tour (Private/Small Group)
115.0.29 My Son Sanctuary & Golden Bridge Day Tour (Private/Small Group)
115.0.30 Private My Son Sanctuary Sunrise or Sunset Tour
115.0.31 Full Day Hoi An Ancient Town & Countryside Experience With Local
115.0.32 Full Day My Son Sanctuary & Hoi An Countryside Tour With Local
115.0.33 Full Day Hoi An Ancient Town & Coconut Village Experience
115.0.34 Son Tra Peninsula, Marble Mountains and Hoi An City Tour
115.0.35 Half-day Marble Mountains Tour from Da Nang or Hoi An
115.0.36 Da Nang Cave Tour (Half Day Underground Tour in Da Nang)
115.0.37 Hoi An Old Town & Lantern Making Class (Morning Tour, Half-day)
115.0.38 Full Day Bests of Da Nang & Hoi An Old Town Walking Tour
115.0.39 Full Day My Son Tour From Da Nang with Da Nang City Tour
115.0.40 My Son Sanctuary Tour From Hoi An or Da Nang With Local Guide

An Introduction about Hoi An

Hoi An (meaning “peaceful meeting place” in Vietnamese) is a well-known tourist destination in Vietnam. By a white-sandy coast and rivers, its centre is a colorful, charming old town that prospered from trading with foreign countries. This Unesco world heritage site comes to life in the evening while millions of lanterns are lit. Full moon night is most worthy to wait for. It’s spectacular thanks to the local traditional lantern festival and wishing candle lanterns on the river. All photographers love Hoi An.

Surrounding Hoi An’s ancient quarters, it is a peaceful countryside studded with small villages. Rice fields, mangroves, vegetable gardens and palm forests make it much more green. Some communities specialize in making pottery, coconut products or sleeping mat and in carving wood works.

Not far away from paddy fields, Hoi An has a quite long coastline that stretches until Monkey mountain in Da Nang. Here, beaches are fringed with crystal clear seawater and medium waves. Around the horizon, the Cham islands increase the beauty of Hoi An’s beaches.

What is Hoi An Famous for?

Hoi An is famous for many things. The first one is its Old town that Unesco inscribed to be a world heritage site. The town has well-preserved houses, all feature yellow walls, tiled roofs and wooden furniture as a uniform. Blooming flowers, blue sky, green rivers, and colorful lanterns make it so pretty. Hoi An is loved by photographers and instagrammers worldwide.

Secondly, Hoi An becomes famous for its beauty (and atmosphere) at night. After it’s dark, the town is filled by uncountable lantern lights. And, visitors will see them most in the full moon when people celebrate their traditional Lantern festival On the river, boats and floating paper lanterns make seers once again fall in love.

Local food at Hoi An is what travelers love next. The cuisine is unsimilar to anywhere else in the country thanks to long-time exchange of cultures. The best known dishes include banh mi (people believe that local banh mi is the best in Vietnam), chicken rice, white rose dumplings, Mi quang noodle, Cao lau noodle or Pho noodle soup.

Shopping in Hoi An is a good experience too. Tailors in town are able to complete a suit within 24 hours, up to personal features and specifications. Plus, the price is really high, therefore travelers come to Hoi An for custom tailoring.

Location and How to Get to Hoi An

Where is hoi an in vietnam.

Hoi An is a provincial city of Quang Nam province, in the middle of Vietnam. It lies by the estuary of Thu Bon river, to the south of Da Nang city. This historical trading port is also close to Pacific ocean. From Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh city, the flight to Hoi An is 1,5hrs.

Flights to Hoi An

Travelers have to fly to Da Nang city and then have a transfer from Da Nang airport to Hoi An . From two main cities of Vietnam – Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city, there are lots of non-stop flights in the day to choose from. All operating domestic airlines now provide them. From some famous tourist destinations, such as Da Lat, Can Tho or Ha Long, it’s possible to reach by air too. Browse How to Get to Da Nang for further information.

Today, direct flights from another country to Da Nang are available. Traveler lovers can book one from South Korea, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia or India.

Both domestic and international terminals are in the same ground (airport) that is within Da Nang city’s downtown.

Car and Taxi

Car is the most popular vehicle to get from Da Nang to Hoi An due to convenience and affordable cost. The price for a roundtrip ranges from 700,000 to 1,000,000 VND, depending on the length of the trip and size of the group. Travel time by private car or taxi from Da Nang to Hoi An may be up to 1 hour. Chat with us on whatsapp number +84968009827 to book.

Bus to Hoi An

By 2020, there was a public bus connecting Da Nang and Hoi An. It’s the cheapest way to get from a city to another. Now, it is not available anymore. Please follow up your website for updated information.

Many travelers don’t stay overnight in Hoi An, and instead, they choose a hotel in Da Nang. To visit Hoi An, they ride a motorbike. The distance between cities is some 30 kilometers, so the drive is from 45 to 60 minutes. The quickest way is the coastal road, namely Vo Nguyen Giap and Truong Sa in Da Nang, and then Lac Long Quan in Hoi An. Halfway, that is the Marble mountains.

From Hue, motorbike rental providers allow travelers to drop the bike in Hoi An (don’t have to ride back to Hue!) if self driving. The distance is 140 kilometers, including the Hai Van pass – Vietnam’s best coastal road. For those who would like to experience but worry about their own skills and safety, it’s also available to book a local rider.

The nearest railway station to Hoi An is in Da Nang. So, travelers can get a train from other cities to the Da Nang train station, and then take another vehicle to Hoi An. The most popular choice is going from Hue, Ha Noi or Quy Nhon. Read How to get Da Nang from Hue by train for more details. During the daytime, the passengers will enjoy the breath-taking view of the Hai Van pass.

Get Around Hoi An: What is Best?

Once again, we have to mention that Hoi An is a small city. Travelers absolutely can explore it by foot if book a hotel in the Minh An, Cam Pho and Son Phong areas. Within the Old town, pedestrian hours are daily from 9 to 11:30 am, and from 3 to 9:30 pm. The nearest beach – An Bang is only 3 kilometers away from here. Many people choose to walk there (rice fields, rivers, water buffalos, and scenic spots on the way).

Getting around Hoi An by taxi is fairly easy. In the surroundings of Hoi An’s walking street (in Old town), there are many taxi cars and drivers to choose from. The cost is metered, around 15,000 VND for one kilometer. If stay in a hotel tucked away in small roads or laneways, let’s walk to the closest main road to hail. People in the reception can help to call one also. Passengers will pay by cash.

Read also: Hoi An Private Car and Driver

Shuttle Bus

Shuttle buses run by electricity are new to Hoi An. Local authorities aim to reduce traffic congestion in town, especially in the evening and air pollution. The experience on a shuttle bus is more interesting than cars. The cost depends on the length of the drive, and number of passengers. If the group is bigger than 5 and the distance is smaller than 2 kilometers, the price is 10,000 VND per person. Small kids and toddles are free of charge. It’s exactly how much visitors pay when they move within Hoi An’s downtown. For further places, such as beaches or the coconut village, the price is higher, but not more than 40,000 VND per person. There are 2 simple ways to have this vehicle: hailing in main streets or coming to car parks.

Hoi An is small enough to cycle around. Many hotels provide free bicycles for the guests (come first, serve first, no reservation). If not available for free, the rental is really cheap. It’s around 1 USD for one day full. No doubt, the cheapest way to get around. Travelers can ride to the beaches, rice fields, Cam Thanh coconut village or Cam Kim island.

Anytime of the day, it’s possible to tour the Hoi An ancient town by bicycle. This Unesco heritage is in the list of the towns that are most friendly to bicycles worldwide. Late afternoon onwards, tourists coming from Da Nang visit the town and make it full of pedestrians. Therefore, riding a bicycle during that time is a little bit difficult.

Riding a motorcycle is a faster way to get somewhere than a bicycle. Rental price is really cheap, between 100,000 and 200,000 VND for one full day or 24 hours. Helmet (or maps) is provided. Gasoline cost fluctuates around 1 USD/1 littler. So, the motorbike is amongst the cheapest vehicles to get around Hoi An.

Note: Vietnam follows a right-hand traffic system. If you drive to the left in your country, you should consider carefully.

Inside the Hoi An old town heritage, except for walking hours (9 to 11:30 am and 3 to 9:30 pm), it’s possible to tour around it by bike. If just like to get there and then walk, the parking fee is from 5,000 to 10,000 VND. The latest service is up to 10 pm.

To go to the beach or discover the countryside, travelers can save their time (and even money) when riding a scooter. It’s easy and safe, but the riders need to be careful and pay attention to avoid dangerous situations. Further in distance, My Son sanctuary, the Marble mountains and Hai Van pass are popular attractions. The mountain pass requires good driving skills and confidence because it’s winding, featuring hairpin-like turns, twists and dense fog.

The Best Way to Get Around Hoi An

The best way to get around Hoi An depends on different situations. So, this is our thoughts:

– Hoi An old town: walking

– Hoi An’s countryside: bicycle or motorcycle

– Solo travelers: bicycle or motorcycle

– Families or a group of friends: car, taxi, shuttle bus

Brief History of Hoi An

Hoi An was known as a busy international trading town in Vietnam and Southeast Asia from 15 th to 19 th centuries. During that period, merchants and their sailing boats docked here, to exchange different products (spices, ceramics, silk, etc). They came from Japan, China, and Europe. Hoi An got its European name “Faifoo”. Heritage left by these nationalities are around its old town today.

Late 19 th century was the turning point in Hoi An’s history. Geological activities in the river estuary didn’t allow boats to easily access the town. Vietnamese kings also prohibited westerner’s boats to get there directly (have to stop at Da Nang before). They got worried about military power and religious missionaries from the west. For that reason, commerce in Hoi An declined. Since then, Da Nang has been replacing its role as the most important center of commerce in the area (until now).

During the colonial time, 19 th and 20 th centuries, French based in Hoi An and designed it as a provincial capital. Influences from French people are still seen today.

In 1999, Hoi An was added to the Unesco world heritage site list, together with My Son sanctuary. Since then, it has been popular with both local and foreign tourists. At the present, this little town draws millions of visitors although its population is only 120,000 people.

Read also: Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture

Hoi An Weather by Month and Best Time to Visit

Monthly weather in hoi an.

Weather is important when travelers plan to visit somewhere. In Hoi An, there’re two seasons in the year: the dry season, from February to August and the wet season (rainy season), from September to January. It’s dry, hot in the dry season, and it rains frequently in the other season. See details of the weather each month in https://centralvietnamguide.com/hoi-an-weather-by-month/ .

When Are the Best Times to Visit Hoi An?

The best time to visit Hoi An in Vietnam is January, mid-February to mid-April, mid-May to September. During these periods, it’s sunny, perfect for outdoor activities and going to the beach. From May to August, the temperature reaches its peak. Therefore for those who don’t like strong heat, earlier or later times will be more nice and comfortable. From October to December, although it’s cooler, heavy rains and typhoons make people not really enjoyable. However, sunny days are still available and that’s so perfect to explore places outside.

Hoi An Accommodation: Where to Stay in Hoi An?

How many days do you need in hoi an.

Three full days are perfect to visit Hoi An. For more relaxation, a longer stay is needed. Within 3 days, travelers have time enough to see major landmarks of the area, such as the Ancient town, the Marble mountains or My Son sanctuary. Read 3 days in Hoi An itinerary to arrange them properly. The town is not really big, so joining other activities or tours is also convenient (for pick up, drop off). If planning to have a custom-made suit (or more), it’s possible too and don’t have to see any tailor immediately after arriving in town.

Text us in whatsapp number +84968009827 for free assistance to make the best travel itinerary for you.

Areas to Stay in Hoi An

If prefer somewhere that it’s near Hoi An old town, travelers should choose one in Minh An, Cam Pho, Cam Pho and the Tiger market areas. The distance is within 1,5 kilometers. No doubt that it’s great to walk (of course, Hoi An is flat). Restaurants, coffee shops, bars, shopping places, tailors, and convenient stores are all around.

Beaches are the favourite for many travelers. In the Cua Dai beach area, there are a handful of all-inclusive beachside resorts. Shuttle bus is available there to get to the Old town and back every single day. Inside quiet laneways of An Bang beach area, homestays are run by local families, with a pool. For sure, the beach is just a short walk away.

More information in https://centralvietnamguide.com/where-to-stay-in-hoi-an/ .

Hoi An Tourist Attractions: What to See in Hoi An?

Hoi an ancient town world heritage.

Hoi An ancient town is the heart of Hoi An. It’s home to more than 1,100 traditional style houses, a Japanese bridge, Chinese temples, a living market, and a quay where boats dock. From 15 th to 19 th centuries, foreign merchants came here to trade, making it bustling and wealthy. Nowadays, this complex is a Unesco world heritage site, inscribed in 1999. Visitors can buy Hoi An old town ticket to sightsee 4 buildings and watch a show at the Traditional Performance House.

In the evening, locals light lanterns and by that, it’s filled by colorful lights. Especially, in full moon, they also release paper lanterns lit by candle, down the river and make wishes. Many tourists believe that full moon night is a must-know experience. Read everything else in https://centralvietnamguide.com/hoi-an-old-town/

Beaches in Hoi An

Hoi An owns a 6-kilometers-long coastline, with several beautiful white sandy beaches. During sunny months, these places are full of people who go swimming, go surfing, play water sports, meditate, sun bath, or simply cool off. It’s free to visit every beach in Hoi An. For eating and drinking, restaurants and bars line the beachfront, serving delicious seafood dishes. Islands of the Cham archipelago and Da Nang’s hills together just make the scenery more wonderful. Further information in https://centralvietnamguide.com/hoi-an-beach/ .

Two famous beaches in Hoi An are An Bang and Cua Dai. Now, An Bang beach is busier because it’s damaged by erosion. That’s why people say it’s best to go, especially for families with kids.

My Son Sanctuary

Located in the jungle, 40 kilometers away from Hoi An, My Son sanctuary is a popular place to visit for day trippers. It has about well-preserved 20 Hindu temples which survived from harsh climate and bombings in the Vietnam war. These brick buildings were constructed from 4 th to 13rd centuries by request of Cham kings, for worship of Shiva god. At several times of the day, at the Public Stage, traditional performances are available to watch (it’s free!). See full details in My Son sanctuary travel guide .

The Marble Mountains

Only a 30 minutes drive from Hoi An, the Marble mountains is also very popular to travelers. It’s a group of five striking marble hills that rise up suddenly from the surroundings, between a river and the sea. Thuy Son (literally “the Water mountain”) is the only mountain where people can climb to the top. Here, there are many stunning sights to visit, including Buddhist temples, magnificent caves, viewpoints, and peaks with a panoramic view. Hiking shoes is required. See further information in the Marble mountains travel guide .

The Golden Hands Bridge in Ba Na Hills

Built in 2018, the Golden Bridge of Ba Na Hills today is well known all over the world. It’s a 160-meters-long pedestrian bridge, with golden handrails and a pair of massive stone-like hands. From here, 1,414 meters above the sea level, visitors enjoy a panoramic view. Read Golden Bridge travel guide to get more details and How to get to Golden Bridge from Hoi An to find the best transport for you. The best time to visit is early morning when the crowds and the heat don’t come yet. A private Golden Bridge sunrise tour is the choice for smart travelers.

Hoi An’s Countryside and Villages

Surrounding the Old town, Hoi An countryside is lovely and tranquil. In addition to rice fields, vegetable gardens and animal farms, there are 4 villages interesting to visit. Near An Bang beach, Tra Que vegetable village is famous for its herbs. Some local food specialties require them as a must-have ingredient. Also 3 kilometers away, Thanh Ha pottery village produced high-quality products for exportation. Today, the artisans teach visitors how to make pottery. Kim Bong carpentry village is least known by tourists because it’s located on an island. Cam Thanh coconut village is furthest, 10 mins drive from the town’s centre. Locals here use basket boats to show visitors the water coconut forest and countryside entertainments.

Opposite to the Old town by the Thu Bon river, Cam Kim island is the host for cycling tours thanks to its peacefulness. Lifestyle of the islanders is still unchanged, and their traditional handicrafts are still well kept.

Hoi An Activities: Things to Do in Hoi An

Main article: Things to Do in Hoi An

Custom Tailors in Hoi An

History of tailoring and fabric silk trading in Hoi An is long. Today, there are so many tailors and tailor shops in town where people can make clothings at their own measurements. Shoppers have a wide range of material, color and price to choose from. They can have a look at styles on the catalogues but also show favourite ones by phone, to let local tailors know. 24hrs service is available. See more information in our guide to tailoring in Hoi An .

Basket Boat Ride in Coconut Forest

Round basket boats are unique to central Vietnam. It’s made of bamboo, and used by locals to get around the water coconut forest of Hoi An. During the ride, visitors have the chance to be close to nature, and join fun-filled entertainments, such as the “spinning boat ride”. To experience, it’s needed to come to the Cam Thanh village, 10 mins drive from the Old town. See further details in https://centralvietnamguide.com/hoi-an-basket-boat-ride/ .

Go Diving and Snorkeling the Cham Islands

The Cham islands is known for its richness of underwater life and its great natural scenery. It’s under the protection of the Vietnam government as a marine park and Unesco as a world biosphere reserve. Here, visitors have the chance to explore a fantabulous world under the sea while go snorkeling or scuba diving. Daily tours include an experience by snorkel, but to see pristine coral reefs, travelers must book a tour specializing in diving. Staying overnight is required if many spots in the itinerary. Please read our Cham islands travel guide to know everything else.

Thu Bon River Cruise on Sunset

Hoi An ancient town sits on the north bank of the Thu Bon river, the largest river in the province. In the sunset, this river becomes such awe-inspiring. Along the quay – Bach Dang St, visitors can see cruises and then travel (downstream or upstream) to enjoy the beautiful scenery, peacefulness, breeze and photography. When the darkness falls, people light up the lanterns in waterfronts, making the town really lovely. One of the best spots to see it is from the river cruise. See further information in https://centralvietnamguide.com/hoi-an-river-cruise/ .

Learn How to Cook Vietnamese Foods

Participating in a cooking class is fun. Visitors will follow local people to visit the market, shop like a local and then bring ingredients to the school for cooking. The chief shows the learners different Vietnamese dishes. For example, spring rolls or fried spring rolls, banh xeo pancakes, pho noodle soup, and traditional salads. If would like to know deeper local cuisine and also cooking skills, this is an activity that is not to miss. The class time is usually a couple of hours. Read more in our complete guide to Hoi An’s cooking classes .

Instagrammable Spots in Hoi An

Absolutely, Hoi An is a photogenic, instagrammable town. Both daytime and nighttime, visitors will find good spots to take pictures. When it’s still bright, quarters with yellow-wall houses, blooming bougainvillea flowers, reddish temples and vintage café are stunning. It’s really colorful. In the market, the variety of local procedures and lively local life (vendors, shoulder pole ladies, etc) are also great to have a photo with. At night, for sure, lantern lights together make a perfect backdrop. No photography lovers miss Hoi An when they come to Vietnam.

Hoi An Nightlife: What to Do in Hoi An at Night?

Main article: What to Do in Hoi An at Night?

Full Moon Lantern Festival in Hoi An

Full moon lantern festival is unique to Hoi An. It takes place every single month on the 14 th day in the Vietnamese lunar calendar (now people can check online). In the fairly moonlight, so many lanterns are hung up and lit by locals, giving the town a great beauty and a great atmosphere. By the river, they light up paper lanterns by candle, and then release, to make wishes. This night is a thing not to miss. Read full details in Hoi An lantern festival travel guide .

The Hoi An Night Market

This night market includes around 150 stalls selling lanterns, souvenirs and foods, along Nguyen Hoang St, on the opposite side to the Old town. It’s the largest and busiest. See all you need to know about it in https://centralvietnamguide.com/hoi-an-night-market/ .

Hoi An Memories Show and Hoi An Impression Theme Park

The Hoi An memories show is the largest outdoor visual art performance in Vietnam. Debuted in 2018, today it becomes a must see in Hoi An at night. This spectacular show tells spectators the history and culture of the town exceptionally. The production is really stunning, giving a great time (experience). Please browse https://centralvietnamguide.com/hoi-an-memories-show/ for full details. Before and after the Hoi An memories show, travelers can visit around the Hoi An impression theme park.

Lantern Boat Ride on Hoai River

Hoai river runs alongside Hoi An Old town, to the south. At night time, visitors can cruise it by boat and drop paper lanterns down the water, to make wishes. This leisure ride allows the passengers to enjoy the beauty of the town and photograph it. The price is 150,000 VND (1 to 3 people), and 200,000 VND (4 to 5 people), for 20 minutes. See full details in https://centralvietnamguide.com/hoi-an-lantern-boat-ride/ .

Eating and Coffee in Hoi An

Hoi an food specialties.

Hoi An cuisine is unique in the world thanks to cultural exchanges in the past. Travelers should try bánh mì – sandwich filled by pate, raw vegetables, herbs and meats, cao lầu – the most special local noodles, mì quảng – another famous noodle dish, bánh bao bánh vạc – white rose dumplings, more. See all dishes as you can see in Hoi An in https://centralvietnamguide.com/hoi-an-food-specialties/ .

Note: Cao lau is seen as the signature food of Hoi An. Nowhere else outside its old centre, people can try it.

Vietnamese restaurants in the Old town serve at least several local food specialties. At some venues, it’s possible to see almost everything on the menu. Thanks to that, travelers just need to visit one place, and then can taste many dishes. We recommend coming to restaurants where the food is amongst best sellers all over Hoi An. For example, the couple of stores selling banh mi sandwiches: Madam Khanh and Banh Mi Phuong.

Street Foods in Hoi An

Hoi An is also known for street foods that are many and tasty. In Nguyen Hoang night market , visitors will see vendors and they serve a lot of options (even for vegetarians too). Bánh tráng nướng – grilled rice paper with toppings and sauces, bánh ướt thịt nướng – grilled pork skewers, rolled with rice papers and vegetables or banana pancakes are deserving to try. Around sunset, in old streets, rice cakes, clear dumplings, mango cake (no mango!) and other snacks are also sold.

Coffee and Coffee Shops in Hoi An

Vietnam is the 2 nd largest coffee producer globally. Inside the Hoi An ancient town, there are many coffee shops where tourists can try Vietnamese traditional coffees and western styled ones, the new arrivals. Beans are bought from farmers living in the Highlands, and then roasted in the shop (that’s why some places are named “roasteries”). Rooftop cafes also provide an incredible view that is ideal for Instagrammable pictures.

Read also: Hoi An Central Market Travel Guide

Hoi An Shopping: What to Buy in Hoi An?

Main article: Hoi An Shopping Guide

Travelers can stroll around the Ancient town, markets, night markets and other shops in the centre to buy favourite things. The lantern is one of the best reminders about Hoi An. Size, shape, color, and pattern are diverse here. Luckily, local lanterns are foldable, so packing them into the luggages is free of difficulty. In addition, handicraft products are what travelers are interested in Hoi An too. The material is varied (wood, bamboo, ceramic, clay, leather, etc). That’s why shoppers have so many choices to select and bring home then.

Tailor-made clothings is loved by many travelers. They can find good-quality fabric and skillful tailors to make it, with a cheaper price than their home country. Within 24hrs, it’s possible to go for the first fitting to the suit or dress or any other garments. Shipping abroad and card payment are available at most tailors in town.

For those who love cooking, there are plenty of spices, seeds, seasonings and dried fruits to buy. Make sure that your country accepts.

All Guided Tours from Hoi An

Main article: Hoi An Day Tours – Best Day Trips from Hoi An

Hoi An Old Town Walking Tour

The Old town (Unesco world heritage site) is a must-visit attraction in Hoi An. To get insight into its history, explore local culture and photograph, walking is the best way. That’s why many travelers join a walking tour, with a local guide.

We recommend having a morning tour when the sun is not high yet, or an afternoon tour when the temperature goes down. A lantern making class is optional. From Da Nang, an evening tour is helpful because travelers can spend longer in town, experience further and have more memories (and pictures!). Here, local food tasting, lantern boat ride, night market or the Hoi An memories show is selected by yourself.

Golden Hands Bridge Tour from Hoi An

Golden Hands Bridge tour from Hoi An is one of the most popular day trips. We highly recommend starting it early in the morning (around 6, 7 am) to avoid the heat and crowds. Please see details in https://centralvietnamguide.com/tour/golden-bridge-sunrise-tour / . “Sunset tour” is available as well, with the same price. See its itinerary in https://centralvietnamguide.com/tour/golden-hands-bridge-tour/ . However, due to weather at Ba Na Hills where the bridge’s located, we suggest the best option on the day before. By the way, all entrance fee and cable car are included in the tours.

My Son Sanctuary Tour from Hoi An

A visit to My Son sanctuary is a perfect half-day tour from Hoi An. It’s not really far away, and definitely worth sightseeing (not only about its world heritage site title). To avoid the heat and crowds, many travelers like getting there early in the morning, around 5 am. This sunrise tour also includes a local guide as normal. Later in the day, the sunset tour has the same purpose, but not for early birds. Joining a “classic tour” that departs at 8 or 9 am, it’s possible to witness full traditional performances at My Son’s public theatre.

Cycling Tours in Hoi An Countryside

Over such a long history, fortunately, Hoi An still keeps its countryside peaceful. We highly recommend a bicycle tour to discover this wonderful rural land. Following a local guide, travelers will cycle through villages on backroads where the traffic is low (or no traffic) and visit local families to know their life. Some activities and experiences are in the itinerary alike, such as basket boat ride in palm forest, making rice papers, etc. Read more information in https://centralvietnamguide.com/hoi-an-cycling-tours.

Hoi An Food Tours

Roaming around and tasting delicious local foods (especially street foods) is amongst the most interesting cultural experiences in Hoi An. Travelers can choose a food tour run by foodies in town, with a bicycle, motorcycle or by foot. Within some hours, they will show different dishes and tell stories (including Hoi An’s specialties, such as banh mi sandwich). It’s a great time to get insight into local culinary culture and ways of life. Of course, there’re many opportunities to take fun pictures. Late afternoon and evening is the best time. Browse our Hoi An evening walking food tour if you’re interested. For vegans and vegetarians, we have Hoi An vegetarian food tour .

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Featured Tours and Experiences

Golden Bridge and Ba Na Hills Night Tour

Golden Hands Bridge Tour In Sunrise or Sunset (1/2 Day)

Cam Kim Island Bicycle Tour From Hoi An

Cham Island Tour From Hoi An (Group Tour)

Cham Island Tour From Da Nang (Group Tour)

Hoi An Vegetarian Food Tour

Hoi An Evening Walking Food Tour Through Laneways

Private Hoi An Basket Boat Tour (Shuttle Bus, Bicycle, Bike)

Half-day Am Phu Cave Tour (Private)

Hoi An Countryside Tour (Bicycle, Car, Electric Shuttle)

Da Nang Tour Package From Singapore

Hoi An Evening Tour From Da Nang

Hoi An Walking Food Tour Through Laneways

My Son Sanctuary and Hoi An Old Town Tour with Thu Bon River Cruise

My Son Day Trip From Hoi An including Marble Mountains and Basket Boat

Half Day Hoi An City Tour With River Cruise

Son Tra Peninsula Tour with Marble Mountains (Private/Small Group)

Hue Day Trip From Hoi An with Hai Van Pass, River Cruise & Lunch

Hoi An Ancient Town and Countryside Tour (Bests of Hoi An Tour)

Hoi An Tour From Da Nang Airport (Private, Optional Lunch)

Hoi An Day Trip From Da Nang (Marble Mountains, Basket Boat, Old Town)

Da Nang City Tour From Airport (Private, Optional Lunch)

Hoi An City Tour with Lantern Class, Lantern Boat, Night Market & Local Food Sampling

Marble mountains, basket boat ride & hoi an old town walking tour.

Marble Mountains & Golden Bridge Day Tour with Buffet Lunch

Marble Mountains & Monkey Mountain Tour (Half-day, Private)

Private Golden Bridge Sunrise Tour (Half-day, Optional Lunch)

Hoi An Ancient Town & Golden Bridge Day Tour (Private/Small Group)

My Son Sanctuary & Golden Bridge Day Tour (Private/Small Group)

Private My Son Sanctuary Sunrise or Sunset Tour

Full Day Hoi An Ancient Town & Countryside Experience With Local

Full Day My Son Sanctuary & Hoi An Countryside Tour With Local

Full Day Hoi An Ancient Town & Coconut Village Experience

Son Tra Peninsula, Marble Mountains and Hoi An City Tour

Half-day Marble Mountains Tour from Da Nang or Hoi An

Da Nang Cave Tour (Half Day Underground Tour in Da Nang)

Hoi An Old Town & Lantern Making Class (Morning Tour, Half-day)

Full Day Bests of Da Nang & Hoi An Old Town Walking Tour

Full Day My Son Tour From Da Nang with Da Nang City Tour

My Son Sanctuary Tour From Hoi An or Da Nang With Local Guide

Hoi An Old Town Ticket, Entrance Fees & Sites

September 27, 2018
Danielle Biksha

The Old Town of Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking within the Old Town area, it’s expected that all visitors carry a Hoi An Old Town entrance ticket. This ticket allows you to explore Hoi An’s old town and its numerous well-maintained heritage buildings.

However, preserving the ancient past requires modern day tourist money. So with this intent, came the introduction of entrance tickets.. But although a ticket is now compulsory for tourists entering the old town, it is not consistently enforced.

So to save you time scouring the net and getting conflicting advice, Hidden pulled together an overview of the ticketing system. In addition with information on where to buy tickets and how to use them. We’ve outlined the designated Hoi An Old Town district and the ticketed heritage sites that the Ancient Town ticket covers.

Our aim is to make the whole system clearer for you so that you can get back to planning and enjoying your stay in Hoi An.

Old Town Entrance Tickets

The Hoi An Old Town entrance ticket costs only 120,000 VND (5 USD) per person. So it’s a relatively low cost to visit the Old Town and its monuments. The fees go towards the maintenance and preservation of the city. Technically, the ticket is mandatory for entry to the Old Town. However, enforcement is inconsistent, and it is unlikely you will be asked to purchase one unless you are accompanied by a tour guide.

What Does The Hoi An Old Town Ticket Cover?

The ticket allows you walking access to the all the streets within the Hoi An Old Town district, and admission to a number of historic buildings, also referred to as sightseeing places, including heritage buildings, as well as museums and a theatrical performance. Therefore each ticket allows you entrance to five sightseeing places. After that, if you wish to visit more than five, you will need to purchase additional tickets. Most ticketed buildings or monuments will have official ticket collectors manning the entry.

Markers for walking and cycling zone in Hoi An Old Town

When the ticket system was first introduced, tourists were expected to buy one ticket per person per day, for every day they spent in Hoi An’s Old Town. However, this being inconvenient and expensive for tourists, and difficult for the city to monitor, it’s now a common understanding that all visitors buy at least one ticket when they arrive in Hoi An, and this will be sufficient for the duration of their stay (even though the ticket states it is only valid for 24 hours).

Keep Your Hoi An Old Town Ticket With You At All Times

There may be times when you need to show your ticket at certain points around the city, or at different times of day. So it’s best to keep it on you even after you’ve used all your five sightseeing entries. However regular changes to regulations are very much the norm here and a part of everyday life in Vietnam. So, this could all change overnight and the ticket validity or requirements could change. Meaning it’s all a bit of a lottery, but nothing that needs to overwhelm you.

Hidden Hint: If you enter the Old Town with a Vietnamese guide or friend, expect to be stopped by ticket inspectors near the ticket stall entrances. The town Statute for Managing Tourist Activities in Hoi An City states tour guides are responsible for ensuring all visitors have a ticket.

Where to Buy Hoi An Old Town Tickets

Old Town tickets are only available for purchase at specific ticket stalls, and not at individual heritage sightseeing places. There are 11 ticket stalls located around the outskirts of Hoi An’s Old Town designated walking area. However they’re generally small yellow huts so, unfortunately, not so easy to spot. Primarily because they blend in with all the other yellow buildings and don’t have any clear writing or signage making them stand out. (For instance you may not even realise you’ve walked past one).

Locations of ticket stalls:

Nguyen Thi Minh Khai street and Hem 19 Hung Vuong street intersection, near Wellspring Cafe
Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa street, across the intersection from Cabanon restaurant
Duong Cao Hong Lanh street on An Hoi island, near Song Hoai Square Bridge
Duong Cao Hong Lanh street on An Hoi island, near An Hoi bridge
Phan Chu Trinh street and Hai Ba Trung street intersection
Tran Phu street (northwest end of the street), south of Phan Chu Trinh street intersection
Tran Phu street and Bach Dang street intersection, near the Japanese Bridge
Le Loi street and Tran Phu street intersection
Tran Phu street and Nguyen Hue street intersection
Tran Phu street and Hoang Dieu street intersection (Tourist Information Centre)
Bach Dang street and Hoang Van Thu street intersection

When you purchase a ticket, you should also receive a map indicating the location and sights around the Hoi An Old Town district.

Ancient Town Designated Areas

After being granted UNESCO heritage status, the city brought in a ticket system. This helps fund the restoration and upkeep of the designated heritage sights and buildings.

Hoi An was inscribed as a United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site in 1999 due to it being an extremely well-preserved example of a historic city. The Old Town contains numerous well-maintained heritage buildings, artifacts, documents, artworks, and shrines, that have been preserved to their near original condition.

Today, the Old Town area is the central hub of Hoi An and the location most tourists will visit. For instance the streets are picturesque with their historic yellow and wood buildings, whimsical hanging lanterns, and delightful narrow streets, as well as the many shops selling handcrafted wares. There is also an amazing range of restaurants and bars to suit everyone’s tastes.

However the designated Old Town area isn’t so clear when you’re physically walking the streets in Hoi An. So it’s not obvious where the Old Town begins or ends, or which streets are included. Signs mounted in various locations around the town indicate the area. Town maps or brochures from the ticket stalls indicate it also. But one of the biggest signs of being in the designated areas is the lack of motorbikes.

Getting Around Hoi An’s Old Town

Travelling by bike or walking is the best way to explore the Old Town area. Because from 8:30 – 11 am and 3 pm – 9 pm (extended to 9:30 pm in summer) scooters and motorbikes are prohibited through the streets of the Old Town. The streets are cordoned off with large, movable signs preventing vehicles from entering due to heavy foot traffic at these times.

Ticketed Sightseeing Places in Hoi An’s Old Town

The Centre for Culture and Sports of Hoi An City has deemed a number of heritage buildings and structures as sightseeing places that require ticket entry. So each Old Town ticket gives you access to five places. However note that opening hours differ between each place and many will close for lunch.

A number of these heritage buildings are private homes, assembly halls, temples, and museums. Traditional Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese, architectural styles and cultural values, can be seen throughout the historic structures in the Old Town, representing the city’s multi-ethnic history. For instance, oriental design philosophies often combined in one building, such as the triple beam structure, representing heaven, earth, and humans. Also the five blocks honouring the five natural elements—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.

There a number of old houses in Hoi An, which are private family residences that have been well-preserved through the centuries and are now open to share with the public.

Trần Family’s Chapel

Address: 21 Le Loi – Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., daily

This is one of the oldest houses in Hoi An, built at the beginning of the 19 th century by the Tran family. Originally commissioned by a prominent mandarin Tran Tu Nhac for worshipping family ancestors and honouring family traditions. The house, designed and built using traditional rules of Feng Shui, sits amongst a garden of ornamental plants, including fruit trees and flowers. The home contains relics and items of historical interest, such as an original sword and seal, and remaining in similar condition to two centuries ago.

Old House of Đức An

Address: 129 Tran Phu – Hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., daily

The current owner is a direct descendant of the founding family, maintaining the home in superb condition. Keeping the original furnishings and antiques, but resisting the typical tourism approach of using the family home to sell souvenirs. The family has lived on the land for centuries, though the current structure was built in the 1850s. Early on, a prominent bookseller in the region, selling foreign philosophical texts, as well as local Vietnamese and Chinese literature. Later, used as a medicinal dispensary and a central meeting point for various political groups through the decades.

Nguyễn Tường Family’s Chapel

Address: 8 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai – Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily

This place of worship was built in 1806 and is a combination of Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese architectural styles. Commissioned by Nguyễn Tường Van, Headmaster of the Royal Army. Still maintained and managed by a descendant of Nguyễn Tường Van. Containing relics and historical items, a home to a selection of rare books, with souvenirs for sale.

Nguyen Tuong Family Chapel in Hoi An Old Town

Old House of Phùng Hưng

Address: 4 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai – Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily

Built in 1780, the style is typical of a commercial house of the era when Hoi An was flourishing. The ground floor of the building used to be a shop space, trading in popular items such as silk, ceramics, and spices. The second floor of this building is still used as a space to worship ancestors. The building also holds many historical records documenting trade and business in the region throughout the decades.

Old House of Quân Thắng

Address: 77 Tran Phu – Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., daily

This private residence was home to well-to-do Captain Quân Thắng. Built over 150 years ago, this historic house is extremely well preserved. Many of the wooden beams and furniture throughout the building display details of incredibly skilled wood carving. Exhibiting traditional Chinese style architecture and decoration. A fantastic example of how wealthy merchants lived in previous centuries.

Old House of Tấn Ký

Address: 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc – Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., daily

This house is a great example of a typical merchant’s home in the 18 th century and was one of the first three buildings to be certified as a national heritage building. The structure displays historical Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese styles of architecture, and has been well maintained over the centuries to preserve the original materials. There are four small areas in the house, including a traditional courtyard, which display many lovely antique items and furniture.

Managed by the Centre for Cultural Management and Preservation, each of the museums require an Old Town Entrance ticket to visit. Hoi An has four museums displaying a range of artefacts detailing the rich history of the region. For an in-depth review about Hoi An museums, click here .

Hoi An Museum

Address: 10B Tran Hung Dao Street – Business hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily

The Hoi An museum is home to artefacts from the past 2,000 years. Organised into three areas: history and culture, revolutionary history, and Hoi An’s ascent from hardship.

Museum of Trade Ceramics

Address: 80 Tran Phu St. – Business hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; closed on the 15 th of every month

The Museum of Trade Ceramics displays a collection of antique ceramics dating from the 16 th to 19 th centuries which are housed in a restored wooden building dating back to 1858.

Museum of Folklore

Address: 33 Nguyen Thai Hoc St. – Business hours: 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily; closed on the 20 th of every month

This museum is within a large two-storey historic house and displays artefacts about traditional folk arts, handicrafts, fishing, weaving, and silkworm farming practices. The entry ticket also includes a performance of traditional Vietnamese folk dance and music.

The Museum of History and Folklore - Hoi An museums in Hoi An Old Town

Museum of Sa Huỳnh Culture

Address: 149 Tran Phu – Business hours : 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily; closed on the 10 th of every month

This small museum provides a glimpse into the lives of the ancient Sa Huynh and Champa cultures. In addition the museum exhibits a range of artefacts from 1000 B.C.E. to 300 A.C.E, including tools, jewellery, bowls, and weapons.

Temples & Pagodas

Quan công temple & quan am pagoda.

Address: 24 Tran Phu

Originally built in 1653, this temple honours Quan Cong, a high-profile mandarin of the Han Dynasty. Built as a place of worship, where merchants came and paid their respects to their ancestors, and prayed for luck. The temple is home to two 10-foot high statues, one representing Quan Cong and his adopted son, as well as many other detailed statues and ancient artworks. The building, with multiple rooms in traditional Chinese architectural style, has been kept in amazing condition over the centuries. It looks very much it would have originally looked.

Arts Centres

Hoi an traditional art performance theatre.

Address: 39 Nguyen Thai Hoc – Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., daily – Showtimes: 10:15 a.m., 3:15 p.m., 4:15 p.m.

This small theatre holds live performances three times a day, showcasing a range of traditional folk dance and music. Your old town ticket allows you to attend one of the sessions using one of the five entries to sightseeing places. You watch the performances up close and enjoy traditional music while the performers reference various relics and legends of Hoi An.

Traditional Art Performance Theatre in Hoi An Old Town

Entering from 66 Bach Dang, you can admire the handicrafts at the Timing Masks workshop. Here traditional theatre masks are created and painted. So try your hand at painting a mask for an extra fee. In addition, read our in-depth article on craft workshops here .

Xứ Đàng Trong

Address: 9 Nguyen Thai Hoc

Although listed in the information brochure, this venue no longer provides a ticketed performance experience. The building itself is large and traditional Vietnamese-styled with dark wood decor. In addition they sell designer wares and souvenirs, and for a fee, they conduct lantern making and mask painting workshops for those who may be interested. They also offer henna body art.

The Japanese Bridge

This bridge is one of the most popular attractions in Hoi An and is also known as Cau Chua Pagoda . Originally constructed in the 1590s, the bridge is a lovely example of traditional Japanese architecture. Built to connect the Japanese and Chinese quarters of the city. The roof on the bridge was added so the structure could also be used as a shield from both sun and rain. There’s also a shrine inside the bridge dedicated to the god of weather, Tran Bo Bac De, where sailors, merchants, and locals, came to worship against inclement weather and natural disasters.

Communal Houses

In previous centuries, communal houses were used in Hoi An as administrative centres and meeting places, as well as places of worship. Cultural activities held at communal houses, sometimes included people from neighbouring villages. Making them important hubs of communication. The architecture and artefacts within the communal houses tell the story of cultural exchange and commercial business trading in the area. Hoi An has a number of communal houses, two of which have been classified as sightseeing places in the old town district.

Cẩm Phô Communal House / Cẩm Phô Temple

Address: 52 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai

Built in the shape of a Chinese character over 200 years ago and restored in 1817. This communal house has a large courtyard and magnificent Banyan tree. It is humble yet interesting and much quieter than the other attractions.

Minh Hương Communal House / House of Tụy Tiên Đường

Address: 14 Tran Phu – Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

A communal house, built by Chinese settlers in the late 18th century to worship ancestors who founded the Minh Huong village has undergone restoration five times to the present day. Chinese people acquired Vietnamese citizenship in order to worship their heroic ancestors here.

Minh Huong Assembly Hall in Hoi An Old Town

Chinese Assembly Halls

When the Chinese migrated to Hoi An and other regions in Vietnam, they built assembly halls as places to conduct business, socialise, and keep Chinese traditions alive. Similarly they usually followed similar architectural design and layout. For instance including monumental gates, delightful gardens filled with ornamental flora, a large central hall, and an altar room honouring the particular gods and goddesses of that community. Likewise the buildings contain many antique items. Elaborately decorated with murals, statues and ornate artwork. The four assembly halls, all along Tran Phu street, in Hoi An’s Old Town, are all ticketed sightseeing places.

Quang Trieu (Cantonese) Assembly Hall

Address: 176 Tran Phu – Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Built in 1885 by Cantonese merchants, this brightly decorated impressive ornate structure contains a peaceful courtyard, in stark contrast to the busy streets outside, and an impressive traditional dragon statue.

Phúc Kiến / Fukian / Fujian

Address: 46 Tran Phu – Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Constructed in 1757, this is one of Hoi An’s grandest and most famous assembly halls. Initially built for social reasons, then later changed into a temple in honour of the Fujian goddess of the sea, Thien Hau, who protects sailors from danger.

Triều Châu / Chaozhou Assembly Hall

Address: 157 tran phu – hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m..

Constructed in 1887, this decorative assembly hall honours a water god. In contrast to the other halls in the Old Town – it’s suitably understated – but with some gems inside. The skill and craftsmanship of the woodwork is breathtaking. In addition there’s a delightful miniature water garden tucked away that’s worth hunting down.

Hải Nam / Hainan Assembly Hall

Address: 10 Tran Phu – Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Built in 1875, this assembly hall honours Chinese merchants mistaken for pirates and wrongfully killed; and, as a result, granted deity status.

Hidden Hoi An’s thoughts

In conclusion, Hoi An’s Old Town is essentially a walk-through museum. It requires constant maintenance and upkeep. However this is not cheap, and with the number of tourists flocking to Hoi An, the small cost of a ticket goes a long way to preserving this lovely old town for future generations.

Hidden’s Pick of Historical Sites Covered in Hoi An’s Old Town Ticket

The Japanese Bridge is a 16th-century gem, a majestical beauty with an interesting history, don’t miss it.
If you had to choose just one of the old houses go to Duc An’s – it’s the least touristy with the added bonus of a direct family member being on site.
Cam Pho is our pick of the communal houses. Its understated design is intriguing plus it’s also quiet here, providing some respite from the crowds at other sites.
We recommend you make it to the Hoi An Museum. It has the best all-encompassing collection, and the 360-degree view from the top floor over Hoi An is stunning.

Above all, it’s quite remarkable how Hoi An has remained unchanged over the past couple of centuries, and that so many of these old structures and sites are still around for you to enjoy today. So drift back to times past, surrounded by this fascinating mix of cultural architecture, which both tells the history of the town and acts as a perfect backdrop for some unforgettable holiday photographs. After that, submit your photographs to be part of Hidden Hoi An’s Photography Showcase

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Located approximately 30 km south of Da Nang, the serene beauty and ancient history of Hoi An Ancient Town in Quang Nam Province have made it a highly desirable destination for both domestic and international tourists.

In July 2019, the well-known travel magazine Travel and Leisure named Hoi An the best city in the world, surpassing Tokyo, Japan, and Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Are you ready to discover the charms of this ancient town?

Where is Hoi An?

Hoi An, located in the heart of Quang Nam Province in central Vietnam, is approximately 860 km from Hanoi to the north and 865 km from Ho Chi Minh City to the south. Its strategic location along the North-South axis has made it a culturally rich and diverse town, where cultures from the two regions intersect. The architectural and cultural values of the Hoi An Ancient Town gained recognition on the travel map in the 1980s and were officially designated as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. As a result, Hoi An has become a must-visit destination for international travelers visiting Vietnam.

Hoi An tourist map

Having a detailed map can save you from any hassles and allow you to fully enjoy your visit. We have provided one for you that includes information on destinations, restaurants, cafes, bars, and other public services. You can easily download it to your phone for offline use or print it out.

When you should travel to Hoi An?

Hoi An is situated in a tropical climate with only two seasons: the dry season from February to August and the rainy season from September to January of the following year. Despite its location in the central region near the South Central Coast, Hoi An’s weather is still impacted by the cold winter in the North. The best time to visit Hoi An is from February to April, when the weather is agreeable and there is less chance of rain and flooding.

How to get to Hoi An?

Discover transportation deals for Hoi An from our partners >

As a popular tourist destination, Hoi An is very accessible from all parts of the country.

1. Getting to Hoi An from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City

To reach Hoi An from either of the two major cities, you will first have to land in Da Nang, which is located 30 km away from Hoi An, as there is no airport in the ancient town. You can book flights with airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, Vietravel Airlines, and Vietjet Air, which operate routes from both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang.

Another way to get to Da Nang from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City is by train, with ticket prices ranging from $20 to $50 (470,000 to 1,200,000 VND). You have several options for train carriages, including 4-bed rooms and clean and comfortable V.I.P 2-bed rooms. The travel time varies from 14 to 20 hours, depending on the type of train you choose. If you have time and want to explore the country on the move, taking the train is a great option. You can book train tickets on the official website of the Vietnam Railway Corporation.

Buses are also an option for getting to Da Nang from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, with ticket prices ranging from $20 to $30 (470,000 to 700,000 VND). However, keep in mind that this mode of travel can be tiring and take a long time. Some recommended bus companies are Futabus, Phuc Thuan Thao Bus, and Quoc Hung Bus.

2. Getting to Hoi An from Da Nang

As soon as you arrive in Da Nang, there is a wide range of options to get to Hoi An.

Travel by bus

Bus number 1 from Da Nang can take you directly to the Hoi An Bus Station. You can refer to the bus route below to find the nearest bus stop.

Advantages: inexpensive
Disadvantages: long travel time (70-80 minutes), often crowded with limited space for luggage
Cost: 30,000 VND ($1.25)
Timing: buses run every 20 minutes from 5:30 AM to 6 PM
Route: Da Nang Central Bus Station to Ton Duc Thang, Dien Bien Phu, Ha Huy Tap, Ha Khe, Nguyen Tat Thanh, Ong Ich Khiem, Le Duan, Chi Lang, Hung Vuong, Tran Phu, Trung Nu Vuong, Nui Thanh, Duy Tan, Tran Thi Ly Bridge, Ngu Hanh Son (The Marble Mountains), Le Van Hien, Tran Dai Nghia, and finally Hoi An Bus Station.

Travel by taxi

Travelers can book a taxi on arrival in Da Nang City or the airport to go directly to Hoi An.

Advantages: convenient, comfortable, and flexible
Disadvantages: slightly expensive
Cost: 400,000 VND – 500,000 VND ($17 – $21) for a 4-seat car or 500,000 VND – 600,000 VND ($21 – $25) for a 7-seater
Timing: unlimited, with a one-way trip taking about 45-55 minutes (depending on traffic conditions).

Travel by motorbike

Riding a motorcycle can be a great option if you’re comfortable with it. Note that a motorcycle license is required. The route from Da Nang to Hoi An is scenic with good road conditions.

Advantages: flexible and interactive, with a great local experience of riding a motorbike
Disadvantages: a motorcycle license is required
Cost: 100,000 VND – 120,000 VND ($5) to rent a bike for one day
Timing: a one-way trip takes about 45-55 minutes (the time may vary depending on the number of stops along the way, which you may make due to the stunning views along the route).

Generally, there are many cost-effective and comfortable options for traveling from Da Nang to Hoi An. The choice will depend on your budget, time availability, and desired experience. Regardless of your method of transportation, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind experience and when you reach the historic town of Hoi An, you’ll find that it was worth the journey.

Top 5 exciting activities in Hoi An

Aside from exploring Hoi An’s attractions and culinary offerings, there are several recommended activities to fully experience the town.

Watch the Hoi An Memories Show

The “Memories of Hoi An” is a stunning outdoor art performance featuring over 500 professional actors. It takes place on a massive stage measuring up to 25,000 square meters, and presents the history and cultural beauty of Hoi An through its costumes, dances, and props. This show will give you a breathtaking experience of light, sound, and movement.

Release paper flower lanterns

Hoi An takes on a mysterious beauty, particularly at night. One of the most profound experiences for visitors here is releasing lanterns on the tranquil Hoai River. You can purchase a lantern for approximately 20,000 VND and join the local community in this peaceful and sacred tradition.

Take an evening boat ride on the Hoai River

The Hoai River is a branch of the Thu Bon River that runs through Hoi An and is a symbol of the historic ancient town. Young people, particularly couples in love, enjoy rowing on the river at night and releasing flower lanterns as they believe the lanterns are witnesses to their commitment and carry their wishes. The best time to take a boat ride is from 4 PM to 5 PM, just before sunset, allowing you to take in the sunset view before being captivated by the magical lights along the river at night. A boat ride can accommodate 2 to 5 passengers and typically costs 150,000 VND ($7) per person for a 30-minute ride.

A boat ride on the Hoai River is a must-try activity when visiting Hoi An.

Join in traditional games

Every night, Hoi An attracts thousands of tourists for a stroll through the heart of the old town. In addition to sightseeing and trying the town’s specialties, visitors can also participate in the traditional folk games of the Vietnamese people. Games such as bingo and chess are hosted by a passionate team of locals, who use traditional costumes and instruments, making the experience exciting and entertaining.

Savor the coffee

While it may be a familiar refrain that you should try coffee when visiting Vietnam, this is especially true in Hoi An. The coffee here is not just a drink but an experience, with atmospheric coffeehouses featuring iconic yellow color themes. Each coffeehouse exudes a nostalgic and vintage ambiance that is difficult to describe in words. You must visit, sit on one of the small bamboo chairs, and savor a rich coffee or chocolate drink while immersing yourself in the peaceful and ancient atmosphere to truly capture the essence of this charming town.

Here are some recommended coffee shops to try:

Reaching Out Tea House: 131 Tran Phu Street
Hoi An Roastery: 135 Tran Phu Street
Cocobana: 16 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street
Chu Chu: 74 Tran Phu Street
Cocobox: 94 Le Loi Street
Mot Hoi An: 150 Tran Phu Street
The Chef: 166 Tran Phu Street.

A detailed travel guide for Hoi An in 2023 is for those who are planning to explore the historic ancient town. We hope you will have a perfect trip with many exciting experiences in this town!

Top attractions in Hoi An

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History breathes through the lantern-lit streets and golden-hued walls of Hoi An Ancient Town. Once a bustling trade port on the maritime Silk Road, this UNESCO World Heritage Site now captivates visitors with its unique blend of architecture, a testament to its multicultural past. Stroll through cobblestone streets, explore hidden alleyways brimming with artisans, and indulge in the city’s rich culinary heritage.

“A lantern-lit journey through ancient times, bursting with the flavors and charm of Central Vietnam”

Get free trip planning advice from vietnam is awesome, experience hoi an, attractions.

Discover the essence of Hoi An in its historical landmarks. Visit the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, marvel at ancient merchant houses, and immerse yourself in the tranquil ambiance of the Thu Bon River.

Hoi An Museums

Hoi An Silk Village

An Bang Beach

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Assembly Hall Of The Fujian Chinese Congregation

Assembly Hall of the Hainan Chinese Congregation

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Japanese Covered Bridge

Old House of Tan Ky

Hoi An’s tours offer insights into its rich history and contemporary culture. From guided walks in the Ancient Town to boat trips along the river, each experience brings you closer to the heart of this timeless city. Join a tour with Vietnam Is Awesome for a memorable journey.

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Select from our handpicked accommodations that echo Hoi An’s charm. Whether you prefer the historic ambiance of a boutique hotel in the Old Town or the luxury of a beachside resort, our curated list ensures a memorable stay.

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Hoi An’s cuisine is a delectable blend of traditional recipes and international influences. Taste the city’s signature dishes like Cao Lau and Banh Mi, and explore the flavors at local eateries and high-end restaurants.

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Hoi An Handbook: Essential Travel Tips

When is the best time to visit hoi an.

Visit between February and April for mild weather and minimal rainfall. Plan your trip to central Vietnam according to the weather with this helpful guide.

Transportation Tips

A. getting to vietnam.

Vietnam has 4 major international airports. One is in Da Nang, about a 45-minute drive from Hoi An. Vietnam Airlines is the most reliable operator for international flights to Da Nang International Airport.

B. How to get to Hoi An

From the airport in Da Nang, catch a taxi or use a ride-sharing app like Grab or Xanh SM to get to Hoi An. There are also lots of shuttles and buses that run directly from the airport to Hoi An. Either way, the ride takes less than an hour.

C. How to get around in Hoi An

Hoi An is a relatively small and compact city, so exploring on foot or renting a bicycle to pedal around are feasible options. Taxis or ride-sharing apps conveniently get around quickly or cover larger distances.

Before You Go

Visa: Check visa requirements based on your nationality. Find out more about getting a Vietnam Visa before you visit Hoi An .
Timezone: Vietnam is in the Indochina Time Zone (ICT), UTC+7.
Voltage: The standard voltage is 220V, and the outlets usually accept three different plugs: A, C, and F. If you are from Europe, Japan, or the Americas, your plugs will work fine. Otherwise, you’ll need an adapter. Note that many Vietnamese outlets do not have a third hole for grounding, and so can only accept two-pronged plugs.
Internet: Most hotels, cafes, and even restaurants in Hoi An offer free Wi-Fi; Wi-Fi plans are so cheap in Vietnam that almost all businesses have one. But it’s easy, inexpensive, and well worth buying a local SIM card with a data package at the airport upon arrival.
SIM Cards: You can easily purchase SIM cards for data and calls at the airport or local stores. Note that you’ll need to provide your passport to get a SIM. Viettel, Mobifone, and VinaPhone are the best mobile networks for Hoi An and in most parts of Vietnam.
Currency: Vietnam uses the Vietnamese Dong (VND). VND only comes in bills (no coins), and 1 USD equals about 24,000 VND (commonly abbreviated as 24k). Some shops catering to tourists may accept USD, but most only take VND.
Credit Cards: Visa and MasterCard are commonly accepted at large businesses like hotels, indoor restaurants, or upscale shopping venues, but smaller enterprises usually only take cash.
ATMs: Hoi An has many ATMs, most of which accept foreign cards. Make sure to notify your bank before you travel to Vietnam to avoid blocked ATM transactions.
Tipping: Vietnam is not a tipping culture, so a tip is not expected. A tip is a good way to bring a smile to someone’s face, though. Note that cab drivers and tour guides often rely on some tipping, so it’s a good idea to tip them.

Understanding Culture & Customs In Hoi An

Hoi An is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and a blend of influences from China, Japan, and Europe, seen in its architecture, traditions, and customs. When visiting Hoi An, it’s important to respect local customs and traditions, such as covering your shoulders in temples, or removing your shoes before entering certain buildings and bargaining with a smile and respect for the seller.

It’s also important to be mindful of crowds in Hoi An’s main tourist areas, particularly during peak travel seasons. Visitors should be aware of their surroundings and respectful of other travelers while exploring the city’s popular attractions.

Common questions about Hoi An

Hoi An specializes in quaint boutique resorts like The Hoi An Historic Hotel, Little Riverside Hoi An, and Cozy Hoi An Boutique Villas. It also has luxury resorts like Four Seasons Hoi An, Allegro Resort and Spa, and Anantara Hoi An. Please look closer at accommodation options in our guide on Hoi An Hotels .

Hoi An has many excellent Vietnamese cuisine options, from fine dining like Hoi An Golden Kitchen or Spice Viet Restaurant to cheaper eats like Silent Garden Restaurant or Mate Restaurant and Coffee. For Western food, try Le Petit Bistro or Hoi An Steakhouse. Browse our Hoi An restaurant guide for an even greater selection of places to eat.

Hoi An is a famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, known as the most charming village in Southeast Asia thanks in part to the following: Its architecture is a charming mix of wooden Chinese shophouses, temples, colorful French colonial buildings, and ornate Vietnamese tube houses. The vibrant lanterns adorn the streets and light up during monthly lantern festivals, creating a magical atmosphere. Its upscale artisan shopping scene features leather products and tropical wool suits, among other local crafts.

Visitors to Hoi An can walk around the town and admire the architecture, eat street food, visit the local artisans, go to one of Hoi An’s spas , or participate in a regional workshop like a paper lantern-making class or a Vietnamese cooking class. Hoi An is also in a great location close to Da Nang, My Son Sanctuary, and other can’t-miss locations, so you can always try one of the day tours from Hoi An .

The cheapest time to visit Hoi An is January through March, not the Tet Holiday. September through November are inexpensive times to visit Hoi An, too, but they are the rainiest months of the year.

Hoi An is fairly small, so walking or riding a bicycle are the best ways to get around. The town itself is also beautiful, so slower forms of transport will allow you to take in the sights. For longer trips, you can use a taxi or a ride-sharing app.

February through July are considered the best months to visit Hoi An, even though December is the highest-traffic month for tourism. February through April have temperate weather and are not too hot. May and June are sunnier and warmer, so they’re great for enjoying the beaches in the Hoi An area .

Most people find 3 days is enough to fully enjoy Hoi An Ancient town and one or two of the nearby cultural experiences like My Son sanctuary. For a more in-depth experience that includes a complete exploration of the town’s unique culture and maybe even a day trip or two, 4-5 days will probably be needed.

Hoi An has a lively nightlife with great local bars and live music. An Bang Beach (15 minutes from Ancient Town) has some great beach bars with live music, and Da Nang is just 45 minutes away for more serious partying.

Ultimate Guide: What to Do in Hoi An Vietnam

Hoi An has become our favorite destination in Central Vietnam , if not all of Southeast Asia. Its old world charm, recognized with a UNESCO World Heritage designation, variety of restaurant options , and full moon lantern festivals draw visitors from around the world to this unique port town.

While tourism does overwhelm certain parts of Hoi An sometimes, we still find it very worthwhile to visit.

In this post we’ll share:

Map of places to visit – get the interactive version free via e-mail
3 absolute “must do’s” for first time visitors
Recommended best things to do in Hoi An
Local food to try in Hoi An
Where to stay and how to get around

Notes: This post was updated March 2024, originally published 2016. Our article contains affiliate links, which means if you use our links and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. (We only recommend things we love and believe in.)

Jedd and Michelle in Ancient Town | What to See, Do, and Eat in Hoi An, Vietnam on a Budget | Intentional Travelers

After our first stay in Hoi An back in 2016, it became one of our favorite places to visit. We started returning for months at a time. We have stayed in Hoi An five times and counting, about 9 months in total.

Map of Places to Eat and Things to See in Hoi An

We created an interactive map of all the attractions and restaurants in Hoi An that we love – including some we didn’t have space to mention in this post. You can click on each map point to see more details (pictures, prices, and our tips).

Table of Contents

Top 3 Must Do Hoi An Activities

Whenever someone visiting Vietnam asks me what they should do in Hoi An, these are the top three things I think every first time visitor absolutely must do :

1. Explore Hoi An Ancient Town

Ancient Town lights at night | What to See, Do, and Eat in Hoi An, Vietnam on a Budget | Intentional Travelers

By far the biggest attraction in Hoi An Vietnam is the area called Ancient Town, a.k.a Old Town. I’ve highlighted this area on our interactive map.

Hoi An’s Ancient Town has earned a UNESCO World Heritage designation and “most charming city in the world” by Travel + Leisure in 2019.

This well-preserved trading port dates from the 15th to the 19th century with influences from China, Japan, and Europe. Today, the area is full of shops and restaurants with endless opportunities for beautiful photos.

Some highlights of Ancient Town include the Japanese Bridge (under construction in 2024) , traditional temples, local markets, lantern-lined pedestrian streets and riverside. More on these later.

Full disclosure: Your experience of Ancient Town will vary drastically depending on the time of day you visit. Even during the time we’ve been coming here (since 2016), the area has continued to change and get more crowded.

In the evening, tour groups are brought in the by bus load. Groups of 20, 30, or more follow their guide en masse, which quickly fills the streets.

Everyone should witness the beauty (and buzz) of the illuminated Ancient Town in the evening at least once.

However, to truly enjoy Ancient Town without crowds of tourists, visit around 7am . Before the souvenir shops are open, only local people can be found shopping for produce and poultry at the market or picking up breakfast from a street vendor.

How To: Use our interactive Hoi An map to make your own self-guided walking tour.

2. Explore the outskirts of Hoi An

While Ancient Town is the main draw for tourism, the rest of Hoi An provides foreigners an accessible immersion into the beauty and culture of everyday Vietnam.

Natural beauty , like the rice paddies, vegetable gardens, small farms, and the beach are all within easy reach.

Walking or riding through the neighborhoods of Hoi An gives a glimpse of family shrines, backyard chickens, neighborhood coffee shops, and living rooms that open to the street. We encourage visitors to observe local life this way, while of course, always being respectful and conscious of boundaries.

If you’re only in Hoi An for 1 or 2 days, I recommend either riding a bicycle around the rice paddies and outer neighborhoods of Hoi An (see our recommended bike route) or booking a half day motorbike tour .

If you have more time in Hoi An, there are plenty more historic and cultural experiences, from archeological temple ruins to artisan villages, that make great day trips from Hoi An . Read on for details.

How To: Use our interactive Hoi An map to follow our self-guided cycling route or book a guided tour.

We recommend: Mr. Phu Motorbike Tour Adventures Bicycling Tour Around Hoi An Countryside

3. Eat in Hoi An!

Long Com Ga - What to See, Do, and Eat in Hoi An, Vietnam on a Budget | Intentional Travelers

In Hoi An, you can find a huge range of dining options , from cheap street food to high end restaurants and everything in between. There’s hyper-local cuisine , like noodles that are only made in Hoi An, as well as Central Vietnam regional specialties and Vietnamese dishes from the North and South.

Plus, there are plenty of other international cuisines, too – burgers, sushi, pizza, Greek, Indian, Italian, French, Thai, etc. There are quite a few vegetarian and whole foods vegan restaurants as well.

Food in Hoi An is generally safe to eat. Hygiene standards vary when it comes to street food stalls, but we never worry about getting sick when dining out at local restaurants. Yes, we eat fresh, raw vegetables and herbs here, though we only drink bottled water.

Plenty of Hoi An restaurants cater to tourists (or a mix of Vietnamese and foreign clientele). Because TripAdvisor is so revered here, there’s a natural accountability through online reviews.

How To: Use our interactive Hoi An map to find our recommended restaurants and read our guide to eating in Hoi An .

Explore Hoi An Food with a Local

collage of local producers, food, and tour guide in Hoi An vietnam

Looking for a local guide to take you off the beaten path and introduce you to authentic, local foods in Hoi An? You won’t find a better experience than this Hidden Gems Hoi An Food Tour .

Not only will you enjoy your fill of Hoi An’s famous specialties and lesser-known treats, you’ll also meet local producers, learn about their traditional methods that have passed down for generations, and explore back alleys you’d never find on your own.

Book your Hidden Gems tour through Viator >

More of the Best Things to Do in Hoi An Vietnam

Japanese Bridge - What to See, Do, and Eat in Hoi An, Vietnam on a Budget | Intentional Travelers

Walk and Shop in Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An’s UNESCO World Heritage buildings reflect influences from China, Japan, and Europe – such as the Japanese Bridge pictured above.

You could spend at least half a day wandering the golden-walled streets, shops, and historic sites.

It’s a photographer’s dream, though the area gets busy as evening comes . Colorful lanterns illuminate the streets but crowds of tour groups make getting around less fun at night.

As mentioned before, the nicest time to visit Ancient Town without tourist crowds is around 7am.

Riding a motorcycle at Hoi An Tet - What to See, Do, and Eat in Hoi An, Vietnam on a Budget | Intentional Travelers

The Ancient Town area north of the Thu Bon River has booths selling entrance tickets (120,000 VND for foreign visitors) as you enter the UNESCO World Heritage zone.

Enforcement of the entrance fee has varied over the years. Signs around Hoi An encourage purchasing the ticket to support restoration and upkeep of the ancient town. During our 2023 visit, tickets were not required to enter Old Town, at least for individuals visiting without a tour guide.

The ticket apparently doesn’t expire, so if you get one, keep it on you just in case you’re asked for it.

The ticket covers entrance to your choice of 5 out of the 20+ heritage sites:

– Japanese Covered Bridge museum – Hoi An Traditional Art Performance House – Several traditional Vietnamese Old Houses – Chinese Assembly Halls – Museums: Sa Huỳnh culture, Trade ceramics, Folk culture, Traditional medicine and History and culture – Temples and pagodas, family chapels, and communal houses of worship

Explore the local market in Ancient Town

Hoi An market- What to See, Do, and Eat in Hoi An, Vietnam on a Budget | Intentional Travelers

Visiting local markets is always one of our favorite activities when we travel. Hoi An’s produce market is on the east end of the Old Town, bordered to the south by the river.

One of our homestay family members took us the first time as part of a cooking class, and we returned frequently to buy our new favorite fruits: bon bon (a.k.a langsat ) in the Fall; and rambutan in early Spring.

There is bicycle parking next to the market for a small fee.

Heads up! Motorcycles and bicycles drive through the narrow alleys around the market, so stay alert when you’re wandering around.

P.S. We put together an interactive map of all these recommendations, including bicycle parking locations, a cycling route, and all of our best tips in an ultimate Hoi An Travel Guide.

Shop for souvenirs

Souvenir shops are plentiful in the Old Town and surrounding areas. Most shops don’t display prices because you are meant to bargain.

You can buy: – clothing – woodwork – jewelry – handicrafts – collapsible lanterns – leather goods – paintings – many other gift items

Quality and craftsmanship vary, so you can find very cheap souvenirs as well as high-end crafts at near-Western prices.

We recommend: Reaching Out Arts & Crafts – truly beautiful crafts made by local artists with disabilities

Get a custom outfit made at a Hoi An tailor shop

Tailors are another popular draw to Hoi An. Nearly every street corner has at least one tailor shop – if not three or four.

If you’re in the market for made-to-order, custom clothing , then Hoi An is the place to get it quickly and affordably. You can have them tailor something you already own, copy a style from a photo, or create an outfit from scratch.

Not all tailors provide equal quality or choice, and some outsource the work. Full custom suits can be made for $60 to $100, or more for higher quality materials. When we got a quote for a fitted jacket only, one shop was asking $180. Quick resizing of shirts is about $5.

Hoi An tailors are accustomed to visitors needing garments finished quickly. Plan to visit early in your trip and allow 3-4 days for more complex designs that might need multiple adjustments.

We recommend: Two Ladies Tailor on Trần Hưng Đạo Street

View the portraits at Precious Heritage Gallery

There are a number of art galleries in Hoi An. Our favorite gallery has the captivating portraits by French photographer, Rehahn at the Precious Heritage Art Gallery and Museum. Entrance is free.

How to: Stop by 26 Đường Phan Bội Châu from 8am-8pm

Experience Hoi An’s lantern festival

Lantern Festival - What to See, Do, and Eat in Hoi An, Vietnam on a Budget | Intentional Travelers

Lantern festivals take place during the full moon each month. To be honest, I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit during lantern festival anymore.

Colorful lanterns adorn the streets of the Old Town year-round, so you can always get picturesque photos any time you go.

But when the moon is full, building lights are dimmed to highlight the lanterns. Floating lanterns are sold for about 25 cents, the idea being that you make a wish and release it into the river.

It’s actually become quite a commercial event. This used to be the busiest night in Ancient Town each month, but we’ve noticed that the floating lantern tradition has become a daily occurrence for the benefit of tourists.

Boats and canoes illuminated with lanterns have also become a regular nightly activity, taking tourists on the river for about 20 minutes for a flat fee. We’ve heard that you may be pressured for a tip at the end.

Sometimes there’s also live music on the streets. Many visitors find restaurants with patios where they can watch all the activity while enjoying dinner or drinks.

Relax at Hoi An’s beach

Beach - What to See, Do, and Eat in Hoi An, Vietnam on a Budget | Intentional Travelers

The beach is just a bike ride away from Hoi An. There are actually two beaches – An Bang and Cua Dai . Unfortunately, both beaches have eroded and depending on the time of your visit, may be found in different states of restoration.

The bike ride from town to the beach is easy.

Note that you cannot bring bikes onto An Bang beach, but you can park a block away from the entrance for 5,000 VND each (about 20 cents) or for free behind some of the restaurants.

Many locals come to exercise and swim at the beach in the mornings and you can see the basket-like boats that are used for fishing in the ocean.

There are also many beach-side seafood restaurants and cafes at An Bang with beach chairs, palapas, and places to get massages nearby.

Cua Dai beach has a small shop, volleyball net and a few vendors selling coconuts and other refreshments. As of 2023, Cua Dai beach is still much less developed for tourism compared to An Bang.

Explore the outskirts of Hoi An by bicycle

things to do in Hoi An on a budget - biking around

We’ll talk more about getting around by bicycle later on, but we often chose biking over walking because of the heat. On a bike you get a nice breeze and it takes little effort because Hoi An is fairly flat.

Here are some of the places around Hoi An you can visit easily by bicycle:

– The Kim Bong wood carving village is across the river via a narrow, metal bridge. There, you’ll find some local wood shops and handmade souvenirs. – We also took a leisurely ride on Cam Nam island, starting from the market. There aren’t any big attractions but it’s nice to explore and relatively quiet in the middle of the day. – An Bang beach is another good destination to visit by bike. – Tra Que vegetable village and the surrounding rice fields are usually quiet and relaxing – this can be done on the way to the beach as well. – Van Duc pagoda is a Buddhist temple and monastery with nice grounds to explore. Be sure to dress appropriately with covered shoulders and knees.

How To: Follow our self-guided cycling route, included with our Interactive Map + Hoi An Travel Guide

Get a massage

Hoi An has a large number of spas that offer beauty and massage services. One hour body massages can be found for $12 and up. Some spas will coordinate transportation pick up and drop off from your accommodations.

Massages in Vietnam tend to be a little less intense than Thai-style, though you can still find Thai massages or those with strong pressure and stretching here. Relaxing oil massage and foot massages are also common.

How To: Find our spa recommendations on our interactive Hoi An map

Try a cooking class

Many homestays and restaurants in Hoi An offer cooking classes. The most budget friendly is probably cooking with your homestay hosts – ours was $5 per person – and it’s a great way to get to know the family better.

We also enjoyed a cooking class, market visit, and boat ride with a local family restaurant. This half day experience helps you see many aspects of daily life for locals in Hoi An.

After purchasing vegetables from the market with our guide, we returned to her home restaurant via a peaceful basket boat. Then we prepared a set meal together and dined on our creation. Afterward, the teacher emailed us the recipes.

Check out local cooking classes here >

Try Vietnamese coffee and tea

Locals of Hoi An love to hang out in coffee shops, and there are all different kinds in town.

The most basic coffee shops have short chairs and a small menu – you’ll see them full of young Vietnamese men smoking, sipping coffee, scrolling on their phones, or having a chat.

Other cafes have a little more atmosphere and are popular for group gatherings – our personal favorites are Cong Ca Phe and Magnolia (a.k.a. Moc Lan) on the river, where we would sometimes go to work.

We like the local white coffee, also called milk coffee – strong, small, with sweetened condensed milk. For a special treat, try coconut coffee – it’s like a coconut milk snow cone with coffee poured over.

And though Hanoi is really the best place to get sweet, creamy egg coffee , it is now more frequently found in Hanoi as well.

Cocobox - What to See, Do, and Eat in Hoi An, Vietnam on a Budget | Intentional Travelers

For higher-end and Western style coffee shops, there’s Highlands Coffee, Cocobox (pictured above), and several Hoi An Roastery locations.

If you’re looking for a tasting experience with specialty coffee or tea to take home, check out Hoachampa Coffee and Tea or the Reaching Out Teahouse, both in Ancient Town.

Reaching Out is part of a social enterprise that provides meaningful employment for people with hearing impairments, so the cafe is meant to be silent/whisper-only and word blocks are provided to help communicate with the staff.

Make your own souvenir at a Lantern Making Class

best things to do in Hoi An - lantern class

Hoi An’s lanterns are an icon of the town. At local lantern workshops, you can learn the delicate process of making lanterns with bamboo and silk cloth. And thanks to the expert guidance of the local craftsman, you can make a lantern yourself.

Basic lanterns take at least 2 hours to complete. The teacher will guide you through the steps and help make any necessary adjustments. In the end, you come away with a handmade souvenir you can take home (the lanterns fold up into a cylinder for transport).

We really enjoyed our private class with Hoi An Handicraft Tours.

We recommend: Lantern Making Class with Hoi An Handicraft Tours

Hoi An Photo Shoot with a Personal Photographer

photographers in Hoi An doing photo shoot

Ancient Town is one of Vietnam’s most photogenic destinations, so it’s no surprise that photography is one of the most popular activities here.

collage of authors Michelle and Jedd in Hoi An photoshoot

We needed updated photos for our website that included both of us (not just selfies), so we worked with Trung of Hoi An Photographer and can recommend their service.

Schedule a photo shoot with Hoi An Photographer here >

Cowork at Hub Hoi An

Hub Hoi An collage - coworking desks with rice fields views, community lounge

For remote workers and digital nomads, Hoi An is a great place to work online . To connect with a community of international nomads and enjoy one of Vietnam’s most beautiful workspaces, check out the coworking space at Hub Hoi An .

The Hub reopened in a new location (very close to the original spot) in 2023, and the space is even more stunning.

You can purchase a monthly membership as well as weekly, daily, or flex passes. Set up at a desk indoors or in open air, enjoy free coffee and tea, and take advantage of blazing fast wifi (300 MB upload and download).

The Hub is just as much about community as it is about a place to work. They often host community lunches, game nights, or go out to dinner together. They can also set you up with a nearby homestay, motorbike rental, and other local business discounts so it’s easy to hit the ground running.

Day Trips from Hoi An

Hoi An is a great base to do some pretty cool day trips. Two of the most popular day trip destinations are My Son Sanctuary and the Marble Mountains .

Both of these day trips can be visited independently, as part of a motorbike tour, or through a guided day tour by van or bus.

The My Son temple ruins are an archeological site about half an hour away by motorcycle. There is a small museum with English translations and then little shuttles that drive you out a mile or two to the ruins (it’s also a nice walk as long as it’s cool out).

There are a number of different plots with temples, and you can walk through all of them within an hour. Sadly, many of the temples were heavily affected by the Vietnam-American war, and you can even see craters from the places where bombs landed.

Even so, several areas have been preserved. Hiring a guide on site or joining a group tour is a good idea to add more context when you visit My Son.

Hue to Hoi An Motorbike Tour, Central Vietnam | Intentional Travelers

Marble Mountains are both a natural and cultural site, located between Hoi An and Da Nang .

It’s hard to describe. They’re karst formations that pop out of otherwise flat land. You can walk around and through various caves, which are used as sacred temples and hold historical significance even from the Vietnam-American War.

You can also climb to some nice viewpoints. The area also has many marble and stone statue shops around here, which are interesting to check out as well.

You might also like this post: Best Day Trips from Hoi An Vietnam

What to Eat in Hoi An

Central Vietnam , and Hoi An itself, have some unique regional cuisine that can’t be found (at least not widely) in other parts of the country.

Below are some of the local specialties you should definitely seek out.

For a more detailed food guide, see our post on Best Food and Hoi An Restaurants .

Cao Lau - What to See, Do, and Eat in Hoi An, Vietnam on a Budget | Intentional Travelers

Cao Lau noodles
Mi Quang noodles
White Rose dumplings
Bahn Xeo savory pancake
Bun Thit Nuong (noodles)
Com Ga chicken rice
Banh Mi sandwiches
Vietnamese Coffee

Restaurant Recommendations in Hoi An

The small restaurant is clean with actual sit-down tables, English menus, and most staff understand English as well. Conveniently located on the edge of Ancient Town, yet it maintains reasonable prices. The food is tasty, and we’ve never had a dish we didn’t like there.

Madame Kanh Bánh Mì Queen originally gave you just one option: with or without chilis. Since then, the menu choices have expanded, and she’s moved into a nicer storefront.

Our favorite “Mixed” sandwich comes with egg, pate, pork, and pickled veggies. It’s slightly sweet, truly scrumptious, filling and definitely worth the 30,000 VND. You can eat in or take away – and it gets pretty busy during peak meal times, but there’s additional seating on the second floor.

For many more restaurant recommendations, including Vietnamese food as well as other cuisines – like Greek souvlaki, fusion tacos, vegetarian and vegan, desserts and pastries – purchase our curated Hoi An map and 50+ page Hoi An Travel Guide.

Where to Stay in Hoi An

Hoi An has an abundance of choices when it comes to accommodations. From fancy boutique hotels to family-run homestays to backpacker hostels, you’ll find it all. Just maybe not a Marriott or a Hilton.

See our complete guide on where to stay in Hoi An here

Many accommodations can be found around the Old Town area or within walking distance. Others will be in neighborhoods out by the rice paddies or the beach – these may be more peaceful but would require a bike or taxi to get around.

Staying closer to Old Town (the highlighted area on our map) is recommended if you have only one or two days to stay. However, we prefer to stay just outside of this touristy area for a more calm experience.

In our opinion, a family-run homestay is the perfect choice for intentional travelers. There is quite a variety even among homestay options, and reading reviews is critical for finding something that’s right for you.

Leaf Homestay - What to See, Do, and Eat in Hoi An, Vietnam on a Budget | Intentional Travelers

We chose our first homestay based on great reviews on Airbnb and the family’s emphasis on sharing culture with their guests . They retired during the pandemic, but were an excellent example of the amazing experience Hoi An families can provide through homestay.

The owners started the homestay by remodeling their house and enlisting the help of extended family to run day-to-day tasks. The private bedrooms were appointed like nice hotel rooms, each with its own bathroom and mini fridge .

Located a short bike ride into Old Town, there was easy access to the main road leading out to An Bang beach (about 10-15 minutes by bike). Across the street were fields of rice paddies. Bicycles were included and they arranged a motorcycle rental as well.

The wifi was pretty strong and, for the most part, consistent. Another great benefit was that breakfast was included.

Each night we let them know our breakfast and drink choice for the following morning – options included local specialties like pho, cao lau, and mi quang or you could get a baguette with egg, omelette, or cheese and jam. We loved their Vietnamese “white coffee” with sweetened condensed milk.

What to See, Do, and Eat in Hoi An, Vietnam on a Budget | Intentional Travelers

Our host was a big advocate for cross-cultural exchange and offered a number of activities guests could participate in with them throughout the week. Cooking class and family dinner, language lessons, visits to the family’s wood carving workshop in a nearby village.

Although they were all still working to improve their English, they were always super attentive and helpful whenever we needed anything. There were also a number of special things that we enjoyed with the family because we stayed longer than most guests.

We returned to stay with the family on three occasions, for a total of about 4 months over the years. Though they no longer host guests, we still get together with them when we’re in town. We strongly encourage you to seek out personal connections like this of your own in Hoi An!

Other Guest Houses and Hotels in Hoi An

We have also enjoyed staying at Yen Villa Homestay for their generous breakfast and nice neighborhood setting. Also the The View Homestay , for its central location and good value.

We’ve done quite a bit of research into accommodations in Hoi An, partly for tours we’re hosting and also so we’d know what to recommend to our readers.

We literally biked around to the best rated hotels, homestays, and villas in the top areas to see them for ourselves.

Getting Around in Hoi An

Biking and walking are the best methods of transportation for most purposes. We happened to be in Hoi An in October, during the rainy season, so we quickly learned the value of carrying umbrellas and ponchos with us.

When the rain comes, it pours. You can get completely drenched in a matter of seconds, and roads can flood quickly as well. When we returned in February and March, rain was rare and not as heavy.

Motorcycles or moped rentals are another option, if that’s what you prefer. Helmets are required for motorized vehicles in Vietnam and it’s best to have an international license with motorcycle permit.

Taxis, Grab rideshare, and electric Hoi An shuttle buses are also options to get around Hoi An. Since Vietnam is built for motorbikes, cars have a little more difficulty getting through traffic, so always allow yourself extra time when traveling by vehicle.

The main taxi service in Hoi An are the green Mai Linh taxi cars, which you can always find at the corner of Tran Hung Dao and Le Loi.

To skip dealing with the language barrier and negotiating prices in cash, we usually prefer Grab – a rideshare app in Southeast Asia.

Grab drivers are not as common in Hoi An as they are in other cities, so don’t be surprised if you’re waiting a while for a driver to come. The Grab app often designates specific pick up points in Hoi An, so rather than call the driver to your current location, you may need to walk to the nearest pick up location.

New as of 2019 are electric shuttle buses , which usually hang out where Phan Chu Trinh meets Hoang Dieu street. You can hire a private shuttle for up to 8 people for sightseeing. Rather than meters like the taxis use, the shuttle will give you a fixed price in advance based on where you want to go or the duration of time you want to ride.

New in 2024 are turquoise electric vehicle taxis and motorbikes from Xanh SM . They also have a ride-share and rental app.

Rules of the road in Vietnam

Regardless of which vehicle you take, it’s important to observe the rules of the road carefully before jumping in, because they are different in Vietnam. Some say “there are no rules” but they’re actually more unspoken rules .

For example, right of way is usually determined by the size of the vehicle . Trucks beat cars, cars beat motorcycles, motorcycles beat bicycles, etc.

You must be very attentive and alert while driving or biking, but you can trust that others will be doing the same. Only go as fast as your ability to react to obstacles allows.

Everyone is responsible for the space in front of them , which means drivers don’t worry about what’s going on behind them because that’s someone else’s job. Be aware the people will not look when backing up a bike into the road, so you are responsible for slowing down and avoiding them.

People will also drive on the opposite side of the road for short periods and will take left turns before oncoming traffic has passed. So keep an eye out for people coming from every direction – not just the directions you might expect.

If you can handle that and stay calm, you’ll be good to go. Traffic tends to move relatively slowly, so stay calm, stay alert, and enjoy the harmony amidst chaos!

Bike - What to See, Do, and Eat in Hoi An, Vietnam on a Budget | Intentional Travelers

There are a number of places in Hoi An where paid bike parking is required – for example, to enjoy An Bang beach or to enter Old Town during bike-free times.

These spaces are watched over by an attendant, so they will charge a small fee. Otherwise, when you’re on any other street and parking at a restaurant, we found it was best to ask the restaurant staff where to park bikes because certain spaces can be off limits.

Compare and book Vietnam train tickets, bus tickets, and car hires on BookAway >

Our Top Tips for Intentional Travel in Hoi An

Save all this info offline! It’s included with our curated Hoi An Map and Travel Guide .
Try to make a local connection , whether it’s staying in a family homestay or hiring a local guide. We recommend doing the local-led Hidden Gems Hoi An Food Tour . Also check out the experience listings on LikeLocal.
Shop at family owned, independent businesses and support local artisans when purchasing souvenirs
Visit the Ancient Town during off-peak times , like early morning, to avoid crowds
Take this article with you as your guide! Upload the article for free to your phone with the GPSmyCity app . (You can also upgrade to get an offline GPS map that guides you to each location we mention. Or subscribe to access all articles and maps for a full year.)
For more guidance, see: how to have authentic, meaningful travel experiences in touristy areas and our simple rules for intentional travel series

What travel restrictions and rules are in place in Vietnam? Find post-pandemic travel updates for Vietnam here: What you need to know about Vietnam travel right now

For further reading about Hoi An:

– Our Ultimate Hoi An Travel Guide + Curated Map – Best food in Hoi An: Our favorite restaurants – Where to stay in Hoi An – What NOT to do in Hoi An – 5 Best day trips from Hoi An – 3 Day Hoi An Itinerary and Self-Guided Walking Tour Map – Hue to Hoi An Motorbike Tour/Transfer

For other Vietnam destinations:

– Suggested Vietnam Itineraries: 10+ Days in Vietnam – Best Central Vietnam Destinations – Unique Things to Do in Da Nang Vietnam – A budget guide to Ninh Binh – A budget guide to Hue – A budget guide to Hanoi – Dalat Vietnam Itinerary – A budget guide to Mai Chau Vietnam

Best of Hoi An Vietnam on a Budget - What to See, Do, and Eat in Hoi An, Vietnam on a Budget | Intentional Travelers

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Thanks for taking the time to share your travel experience. I have to let you know that you incorrectly spelled the word “Bahn My,” It should by “Banh My.”

Thanks for reading! I’ve always seen it written bahn mi – maybe it’s regional??

Banh mi is the correct one, although some regions use banh my.

Beautiful post! There was this vegetarian restaurant, Minh Hien, that was so good that we had to go back a second time after trying a few other “chay” eateries that did not live up to Minh Hien. I also recommend taking a motorbike trip up to Danang, the Hai Van Pass, and Marble Mountains if one didn’t stop there yet!

Thanks for the recommendations! We did the motorbike tour to get ourselves from Hue to Hoi An and it was pretty awesome.

13+ FUN things to do in Hoi An, Vietnam

Last updated on March 15th, 2024

Ready to experience the magical city of Hoi An, Vietnam? In this guide we’re sharing 13+ FUN things to do in Hoi An, plus where to stay, our favorite places to eat, and more! With bright yellow, historic buildings, streets lined with colorful lanterns, beaches, and unique activities, Hoi An is a MUST visit destination when traveling through Vietnam. During our time in Vietnam we spent three days exploring Hoi An and fell in love. But it’s hard not to! The city is vibrant, bustling, but also laid back, and is oozing with charm and character! Especially at night, when the streets are lit by lanterns–it doesn’t get more picturesque than that!

Hoi An Ancient Town | Things to do in Hoi An, Vietnam

Watch our 3 days in Hoi An where we explore the ancient town, ride in a basket boat, and make lanterns!

In this guide we’re sharing over 13 things to do in Hoi An, including some of our favorite local eats, fun activities, and historic sights. Plus, trip planning logistics, such as how to get to Hoi An, where to stay, and more!

About Hoi An, Vietnam

1. explore hoi an’s ancient town, 2. enjoy some tea, 3. try the local foods, 4. ride a bike, 5. attend a lantern making class, 6. experience the hoi an lantern festival, 7. take a sampan ride on the river, 8. hang out at an bang beach, 9. visit the tra que vegetable village, 10. go on a basket boat tour, 11. take a cooking class, 12. explore the hoi an night market, 13. get clothes tailored, 14. take a day trip, getting to hoi an, when to visit hoi an, how to get around hoi an, how many days do you need in hoi an, where to stay in hoi an, make sure you have a visa (if required), get an esim.

Looking for more things to do in Vietnam?

Ready to explore Hoi An?

Hoi An, or Hội An in Vietnamese, is a port city located just 40 minutes south of Da Nang. From the 15th to 19th centuries, Hoi An was one of the most prosperous trading ports in Southeast Asia. And because of this, it became home to many different groups of people, including Vietnamese, Japanese, and Chinese. You’ll notice this unique blend of cultures all around town! Today, Hoi An is most famous for its Ancient Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. But beyond the city’s historic architecture, it is also known for its proximity to beaches, special local foods (which you truly cannot try elsewhere!), and for its silk and tailors, as it was a main port of the silk route.

There are tons of fun things to do in Hoi An. Like spinning around in a boat, making your own lantern, and enjoying coffee overlooking the ocean. While some argue that Hoi An is touristy (it is filled with tourists), we think it’s for good reason. Unlike some tourist destinations, which are created to look old and have fabricated charm, Hoi An is old and charming. And picturesque spots like this tend to bring in the crowds (who doesn’t want to wander around a cute town?). If you expect to be surrounded by lots of people, you will still have an amazing time (we genuinely LOVED our time here). But there are also ways to escape the crowds, like #4, 8, and 9 on this list below!

Need help planning your trip in Hoi An? We’ve done all the planning for you on our ultimate 3 day Hoi An itinerary , which combines the best things to do in Hoi An!

One of the best things to do in Hoi An is explore its Ancient Town. The Ancient Town is full of yellow buildings, old roofs, tree lined streets, and lanterns. It feels like you’ve stumbled into a Vietnamese fairytale! And what makes Hoi An’s Ancient Town extra special is that many of the structures are original from the 17th and 18th centuries. These buildings haven’t been torn down and replaced for tourism, so it’s in almost the same shape and character as it has been for centuries! You can experience a lot of Hoi An’s Ancient Town by just walking around. And during some hours, the roads are closed to motorbikes, making walking even easier. But one important thing you will need to explore is a Hoi An Old Town Entrance Ticket (more on that below!) to both enter town and visit its many sites. Here are some spots we recommend checking out in the Ancient Town. *= Hoi An Ancient Town ticket required to enter

Japanese Bridge*

One of the most iconic sights to see in the Ancient Town is the Japanese Covered Bridge . You may recognize it because it is featured on the 20,000 Vietnamese Dong banknote! This bridge gets its name because it was built mostly by the Japanese back in the 1500s to connect them with the Chinese area on the other side of the canal.

Old House of Tan Ky*

There are several old houses you can visit in Hoi An’s Ancient Town, but we enjoyed the Old House of Tan Ky . The house was built in the 1700s by a Vietnamese-Chinese merchant for trading goods and has been in the family for seven generations. In fact, the owners still live on the second floor! On the first floor, there is a small museum. When you enter, you will be given a tour guide to show you around. Our guide gave us a lot of helpful information about the building, which we wouldn’t have known ourselves. It is free to have this guide, but they will try to sell you some souvenirs. After your tour is over, you can freely walk around on your own!

Fujian Assembly Hall*

The Fujian Assembly Hall, also known as Hoi Quan Phuoc Kien , is a beautiful bright pink Chinese temple. It makes for a great quick stop to admire its beautiful architecture and colors! Temple etiquette: When visiting temples, you may need to remove your shoes. For the ladies, make sure you cover your shoulders. We also both covered our knees as well.

Museum of Folk Culture*

The Museum of Folk Culture is located inside one of Hoi An’s historic buildings and shares the history and artifacts from Hoi An’s traditional crafts and industries, like tailoring and fishing.

Cantonese Assembly Hall*

For another temple experience, head to the Cantonese Assembly Hall . While it may not be as flashy as Fujian’s pink building, it is still a gorgeous temple to explore.

Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum

The Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum is the permanent home of French photographer Réhahn’s Precious Heritage Collection. This collection of images is the result of the photographer’s almost decade long project documenting and photographing all 54 of Vietnam’s ethnic minorities. He has not only collected photographs, but also traditional costumes, artifacts, and personal stories and shares it all in this FREE art gallery and museum.

Hoi An Central Market

At the Hoi An Central Market you’ll find food stalls, fresh foods, and tons of handicraft. If you are staying in an Airbnb or have access to a kitchen, this would be the perfect spot to purchase some meat and produce.

Explore the beautiful streets

On top of the historical sites, it’s a treat to simply walk the streets of the ancient town admiring the thousands of lanterns, shops, pop into cafes, and enjoy the vibe. We LOVED it here!

Hoi An Old Town Entrance Ticket

All visitors are required to purchase and carry a Hoi An Old Town Entrance Ticket. The proceeds from the ticket go toward maintaining and preserving the Old Town. During our visit, it wasn’t very obvious that we needed to do this. We didn’t figure it out until a few hours into our first day, but thankfully we didn’t get into trouble! While you could be asked to show this ticket on the streets, the main time you’ll need to show your ticket is if you want to go into some of the historical sites and buildings, which we highly recommend! How much does the Hoi An Old Town ticket cost and what does it cover? The Hoi An Old Town Ticket costs 120,000 VND (~$5) and grants you access to all the streets in the old town and 5 of the over 20 historic buildings and sites. If you want to visit more, then you’ll need to purchase another ticket. Where can you buy the Hoi An Old Town ticket? There are a handful of stalls located around the city. They aren’t always very obvious to spot, but many of them are little yellow stalls. We bought ours here , but this website has a list of other locations as well!

Mot Tea | Things to do in Hoi An, Vietnam

Although we are big coffee drinkers, we took a break from coffee and indulged in a lot of tea in Hoi An. And our favorite spot was Mót ! It is easily the best tea we’ve ever had! We loved it so much we had it many, many times, which is easy to do at 16,000 VND each ($0.66 USD). It’s a green tea made with chamomile, monk fruit, cinnamon, licorice, and lemongrass and topped with a pink lotus leaf. It’s a wonderfully refreshing concoction! Besides Mót, another spot we’d love to check out on our next trip is Reaching Out Teahouse . This is a tea house staffed by hearing and visually impaired persons and has a relaxing and peaceful environment. Prefer coffee? Head to Hoi An Coffee Club or Phin Coffee Restaurant instead!

Food is one of the top reasons we travel and is one of our favorite ways to experience the culture. If you’re the same way, Hoi An will not let you down. Not only can you find just about any Vietnamese dish here, but they also have some local specialties!

Cao Lau (pork rice noodles)

If you only try one dish in Hoi An it has to be cao lau! This is Hoi An’s signature dish and you can only truly get it in Hoi An. Cao lau includes fresh thick rice noodles, thinly sliced bbq pork, bean sprouts, lettuce, crispy fried cao lau noodles, and sometimes crispy pork skin. The noodles in this dish are the reason you can only get it in Hoi An. These noodles are traditionally made with water from an ancient well in town, along with lye, which is made from the ashes of trees from the nearby Cham Islands. Then, the noodles are steamed instead of boiled. The mix of thick, chewy noodles, plus smoky pork, crunchy fried noodles, and fresh veggies is the perfect texture and flavor combination. We loved this dish! And while you can get it all around town, we tried it at Nostalife , where the outdoor courtyard seating is just as nice as the food. Plus, the owners have a cute pup that wanders around!

Mi Quang is another traditional food in Hoi An. This dish consists of steamed noodles with shrimp and pork, white rice crackers, and quail eggs. We also tried this at Nostalife and it was really good!

White rose dumplings

White rose dumplings are rice flour dumplings filled with minced shrimp and pork. They are then wrapped up to look almost like a rose and topped with deep fried shallots. Similar to cao lau, we hear that water used to make the skin on the dumpling must also be drawn from Ba Le well. White rose dumplings are only made by the White Rose Restaurant in Hoi An and then distributed to restaurants around town. So if you want to try them straight from the source, head there! We tried them at Nostalife instead and they were delicious!

Com Ga is a simple dish of just chicken and yellow rice with mint, papaya salad, and onion. But it is very comforting! We found it at a stand in the Hoi An Night Market (more on that below!), but Cơm Gà Bà Lắm and Cơm Gà HÒA LÊ Hội An (closer to the beach) are some other options!

Banh Mi Queen | Things to do in Hoi An, Vietnam | Hoi An Itinerary

While the bánh mì may not be a Hoi An staple, we had our favorite bánh mì of the trip here at Madam Khanh – The Banh Mi Queen . We got the mixed bánh mì, with a delicious sauce added that just took it to the next level. Madam Khanh is truly a queen!

Check out the other foods you MUST try in Vietnam !

Bike ride in Hoi | Things to do in Hoi An Vietnam

One of the best ways to experience Hoi An is by bike. In fact, you can get to almost all the activities in this guide by bike! Bikes can be rented all over town, with a couple good spots being Bee Bike and Hoi An Cycling . But your accommodation might also offer them for an affordable price or even FREE! When we stayed at the Paddy Boutique House , the bikes were free to use and came with a lock. However, our bikes did not come with helmets, which is something we experienced multiple times throughout Vietnam. We are big believers in helmets and felt a little uneasy riding without them.

Prefer to bike around with a tour? There are a handful of bike tour options in Hoi An:

Hoi An Free Tours : These free bike tours are led by students who are looking to practice their English. You will have to pay for some local stops made throughout the tour. And while tips are not required, we suggest giving one!
Hoi An Countryside Cycling Tour
Afternoon Countryside Bike Tour from Hoi An

During our time with our rental bikes we rode to An Bang Beach and the Tra Que Vegetable Village. Which is the perfect biking adventure from Hoi An. We’ll be sharing more about those in a bit!

Lantern making class | Things to do in Hoi An, Vietnam | Hoi An Itinerary

One of the most famous symbols of Hoi An are lanterns. You’ll find lanterns hanging everywhere! These lanterns were brought by the Japanese and Chinese back in the 16th century and are believed to bring good luck, happiness, and wealth. You can purchase a lantern at many shops in town, but one of our favorite experiences in Hoi An was attending a lantern making class with Hoi An Handicraft Tours . It was a ton of fun! The instructors are super friendly and knowledgeable and will guide you through the entire process of making a lantern. And the best part? You’ll get to leave with an amazing souvenir. If you’re worried about its durability and if it will make it home safely, it will! One neat thing about the lanterns is that they are collapsible, so you can keep them safely in your luggage. Ours survived about 4 weeks of travel in VERY stuffed backpacks. When we got home, we were able to pop it back into shape!

The Hoi An Lantern Festival is held every month on the 14th day of the lunar month when the moon is at its fullest and brightest. For 2024, these dates are: January 24, February 23, March 23, April 22, May 21, June 19, July 19, August 17, September 16, October 16, November 14, and December 14. During the festival, the town turns off all electric lights and is lit by only candles and lanterns. Festivities are held throughout the town like games, live music, and folk music performances. You’ll see parades and Chinese dragons prancing through the streets. This is a VERY busy time to visit, but also provides a unique experience.

Hoi An Night Market | Things to do in Hoi An

When walking by the river in Hoi An you’ll notice a bunch of wooden boats. These are traditional Southeast Asia wooden boats called sampans. You can take a ride in one of these for a small fee, typically between 150,000 VND ($6 USD) and 200,000 VND ($8 USD) depending on the number of people. These are especially popular to ride at night, with the glow of lanterns around you! There is no need to reserve a boat, you can easily get one just by walking up to the drivers. Trust us, they’ll ask you if you want a ride before you even have a chance to ask. 😉

An Bang Beach | Things to do in Hoi An Vietnam

Another big highlight of our time in Hoi An was An Bang Beach ! This beautiful beach is located about 5 km from Hoi An’s Ancient Town, but feels like a world away. Here you can wander the quiet little beach town, lay out on the beach, or grab food and drinks from an oceanfront cafe. It is the perfect relaxing escape while in the city! Besides visiting the beach (which was really clean and gorgeous during our visit), another must-visit spot is the Sound of Silence Coffee Shop ! This super cute cafe has good food and coffee (the coconut coffee is popular!), but the real star of the show is the vibe! The cafe has a beautiful indoor area, with lots of wood and brick, outdoor gardens, and a huge outdoor seating area overlooking the beach. It is hard to beat the view and tranquility of this place. As we sat overlooking the ocean, with our coffees, fruit, and breakfast, we kept thinking to ourselves “this is the life!”

Sounds of Silence | Things to do in Hoi An, Vietnam | Hoi An Itinerary

How do you get to An Bang Beach? An Bang Beach is a flat, easy 5 km bike ride from Ancient Town. You’ll ride through rice fields, as well as on some roads, which have wide shoulders. We felt safe riding over there! If you’d prefer to drive, it’s a super quick Grab ride away. A Grab ride should only cost a few dollars. If you bike to An Bang from Hoi An, you might be wondering where you can store your bike. Normally if you dine at a restaurant or cafe they will allow you to leave your bike there while you explore the beach. We did this at Sounds of Silence and they were very accommodating.

The Tra Que Vegetable Village is an area with 150 farmers who grow over 41 different types of produce. This area’s soil is very rich and what makes these gardens pretty unique is that they don’t use chemicals or harsh fertilizers, they use algae from a nearby lagoon instead! You can ride and walk around the gardens, but there are also some restaurants, where you can get meals made with items grown here. We ate at Baby Mustard and highly recommend it! Their bánh xèo, lemongrass chicken, and mackerel on lemongrass were all delicious!

Hoi An Basket Boat | Things to do in Hoi An, Vietnam | Hoi An Itinerary

Basket boats are a circular boat, traditionally made from bamboo, which were created during French Colonial times to avoid a tax imposed by the French on boats. Since many Vietnamese couldn’t afford to pay the tax, they created these baskets, which weren’t considered a boat, to avoid paying. And since then, they have gained popularity because of how useful they are! Unlike many boats, which cut through the water, these boats stay above the water, which allows fishermen to fish closer to the shore and banks. But not only are they popular with fishermen, they are also very popular with tourists. And to experience one for ourselves, we went on a tour with Long Phu Eco Tour in the Cam Thanh Coconut Village ! On the tour, our boat driver paddled us through the beautiful canals of the coconut village. Along the way he stopped so we could fish for tiny crabs. It was quite a surprise and a ton of fun!

He then paddled us out to where men dance on the paddle boats. This is the part of the tour where it got a bit touristy and lost some authenticity, but it was very amusing. After the boat drivers dance, they then coax you onto their boat and spin you really fast as you try to hang on! There is an extra fee for this and they do expect tips for their dancing, so come prepared. Even though this is a bit touristy, we had a blast and think it’s a unique activity worth experiencing. Our tour guide and the staff at Long Phu Eco Tour were very friendly and accommodating. And they weren’t pushy about tips (we did tip though, because he was great!), which we hear some other providers are. Note: There is a fee (30,000 VND/$1.25 USD) for entering the village that is separate from the basket boat ride. As you enter the village you’ll notice a small concrete hut where you can pay.

Since returning from Vietnam, one of our favorite things to do is cook dishes that we loved throughout the country (tonight we’re making bun bo nam bo !). And if you want to learn how to make a few for yourself, take a cooking class! You’ll get to learn more about the ingredients, cooking methods, and the history of the dish. There are tons of cooking classes to choose from in Hoi An and many of them include a basket boat ride and a market visit, so this can be a great full day activity! Here are a few options: Eco Cooking Class Tropical Cooking Tour Eco Cooking Tour Discovery

Want to save some money on this tour or experience? Book it on Tripadvisor and use our code APLUSK10 for 10% off!

Hoi An is beautiful during the day, but the town really shows off at night when the glow of the lanterns glitter off the water. And one fun experience to have at night in Hoi An is the Hoi An Night Market , which happens every night across the bridge from Ancient Town. At the market there are tons of stalls selling fun souvenirs, handicraft, lanterns, and of course, food! We tried a handful of dishes here, with our favorite being bo la lot, which is beef wrapped in a la lot leaf. And of course, since every few stands were banana pancakes, we had to try those too! Note: The Night Market was the busiest experience we had in Hoi An. So be prepared to encounter lots of people here. For us, it just added to the vibe. But it can be overwhelming!

As you walk around the town you’ll notice lots of fabric and tailor shops. As we mentioned, Hoi An was an important trading port in the region for centuries and one of the most important trade items was silk. It was so important that at one point it was used as currency. You can still find tons of silk in Hoi An today. Over the last few decades tailoring has become very popular and it’s now one of the top things to do in Hoi An. You can buy cloth or clothes and have them tailored to you. Yaly Coutoure is a highly regarded tailor to go to with multiple locations!

Not only is Hoi An a destination in itself, but there are lots of wonderful spots to visit in its vicinity! Here are some of the more popular day trips from Hoi An, with some tour options listed.

Roughly halfway between Hanoi and Ho Ch i Minh City lies the largest city in central Vietnam, Da Nang . It is surrounded by mountains to the west and the ocean to the east. For a long time it was an important port city and now it’s a bustling, modern city with a lot to offer. There are several fun things to do in Da Nang, but we’ll start with the gorgeous beaches! With clear, blue water, and soft white sand, you’ll have no problem spending a day or two lounging at its many beaches. My Khe Beach is possibly the most popular beach in Da Nang. And if you’re into surfing, Da Nang is one of the best surf spots in Vietnam. You can rent boards and take lessons at My Khe beach. It will be hard to miss, but when in Da Nang make sure to check out the Dragon Bridge . On Saturday and Sunday nights at 9 PM the dragon spouts fire and water from its mouth during a performance. You can view the performance from the bridge or from nearby cafes. Some other fun things to check out in Da Nang are the Lady Buddha (the largest Buddha in Vietnam), Son Tra Mountain , and the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture .

Ba Na Hills

Ba Na Hills sit around 1,487 meters above sea level and is located about a 1.5 hour drive from Hoi An. In Ba Na Hills you’ll find Sun World Ba Na Hills, which is a theme park with resorts, amusement rides, a cable car, a French village, and most famously the Golden Bridge. The Golden Bridge is a gold pedestrian bridge that looks as if it is being held up by two massive stone hands rising from the ground. It’s a pretty spectacular sight! To get there you can book a tour to take you out there. Here are a couple options: Ba Na Hills tour with Venus Travel Golden Bridge & Ba Na Hills 1 Day including buffets lunch The downside is that you’ll be on a schedule and not be able to stay as long as you might like. So if you want more freedom, the best option would be to take a Grab or taxi to Da Nang and then take a shuttle bus the rest of the way. You could also rent a car or take a Grab the whole way, but this would be pretty expensive. Once you get to the area, you’ll then take the massive cable car system up to the theme park! We’ve read that the weather up there can change very quickly. One minute it can be nice and sunny and the next it’s raining. Bring an umbrella or rain jacket with you so you’re prepared for anything!

My Son Sanctuary

The My Son Sanctuary is a beautiful complex of Cham temples, set in the midst of rolling hills and tall mountains. And in 1999 it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site! These ruins are over 1,600 years old and were the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom. The Cham people are a unique culture that developed on the coast of modern day Vietnam and their origins can be traced back to Indian Hinduism. At the site you can explore the various remaining structures and temples, visit a museum, and watch traditional cultural dances. Like many attractions in the area, you can go on a guided tour of the My Son Sanctuary if you don’t have an easy way to get there on your own.

Marble Mountains

The Marble Mountains are a group of 5 limestone peaks topped with pagodas. Located just 15 minutes from downtown Da Nang, each peak represents one of the 5 elements. The Marble Mountains are a mix of natural wonders and spiritual sites with temples, caves, and shrines all accessed by trails and steps…lots of steps. But don’t worry, if you’re not feeling up for all the stairs you can take an elevator to the top for a small fee and walk down. There is a small fee to enter and you can begin exploring the Marble Mountains at 7 AM. This is when we’d recommend getting there to beat crowds and the heat. While there, be sure to check out the Huyen Khong cave . This cave has a collapsed roof so rays of light pour in creating dramatic spotlights!

Planning your trip to Hoi An

Need help planning your time in Hoi An? We’ve done the hard work for you! Check out our 3 day itinerary for Hoi An to see how we’d suggest organizing your time in the city. But below are some additional logistics to know before you go!

Hoi An is located along the central Vietnam coast and is one of the most popular cities to visit in Vietnam. It’s also very easy to get to through a variety of ways! Here are the common ways to get to Hoi An.

Flying to Hoi An

The closest airport to Hoi An is Da Nang International Airport (DAD) . Da Nang is just around a 30-40 minute ride to Hoi An. You can likely prearrange a ride through your accommodation or take a Grab ride, which was less than $20 when we visited.

Train to Hoi An

The nearest railway station is also in Da Nang. From the Da Nang Railway Station you can take a 30-40 minute Grab ride for less than $20. You can take a train from many destinations in Vietnam. For the adventurous, we recommend the overnight sleeper train from Ho Chi Minh City, which is an experience we’ll never forget! We booked our train on 12Go .

Vietnam sleeper train | First class Vietnam train

Taking a bus to Hoi An

Sleeper buses are another option to get to Hoi An. To be honest, we haven’t heard great things about the sleeper buses, but they are an option if you’re on a tight budget. You can see the bus options from all over Vietnam at 12Go .

Driving to Hoi An

Another option to get to Hoi An is by motorbike. If you choose to do this, make sure to check motorbike laws for your country’s driver’s license. You will need an IDP, which is an International Driver’s Permit. However, only IDPs from countries under the 1968 Vienna Convention are legal. Unfortunately for US, Canadian, and Australian citizens, your IDP will not qualify. Without an IDP the only way to legally drive a motorbike without a license is to drive one 50ccs or less. This may work in cities, but it will not be powerful enough in mountainous areas. Also, whether you drive or are a passenger, helmets are required by law in Vietnam for anyone on a motorbike. So make sure to wear one!

Hoi An experiences two seasons: wet and dry season. The dry season is from February to July, while the rainy season is typically August to January. In our opinion the best time to visit Hoi An is between February and April . You’ll have dry and warm weather, perfect for exploring the Ancient Town and all the outdoor activities. But it won’t be too hot yet. We visited Hoi An in early March and it was perfect! We had nice weather everyday. You can still enjoy Hoi An during the rainy season of course, just be sure to pack the right gear, including a rain jacket and umbrella. During the rainy season you’ll likely experience fewer tourists, plus hotels and other accommodations might have discounted rates.

Bike ride in Hoi An | Things to do in Hoi An, Vietnam

Hoi An is very walkable and bikeable. Many of the main tourist attractions are close together and even some further attractions, like An Bang Beach, are reachable by bike. The only time we took a Grab in Hoi An was to get to the basket boats.

We recommend spending 3 days in Hoi An to be able to experience all of its top experiences and sites. You can see our 3 day Hoi An itinerary here ! If you’re looking to venture out of town to Da Nang or other nearby destinations, we would suggest more than 3 days.

Hoi An has no shortage of amazing accommodation options. Here are a few we recommend!

Hotels and Homestays

Paddy Boutique House This is where we stayed and we HIGHLY recommend it! This small boutique hotel has a cafe on the first floor, with delicious food and coffee, especially the salt coffee. And upstairs you’ll find all of the rooms, which are designed beautifully, with a mix of neutrals, concrete, and green. To make things even better, our room also had a great view of the rice fields and the owner and staff were all so nice and friendly! They will help you with anything you need, including arranging a ride to and from Da Nang and even washing your clothes! It is a little further out from Ancient Town (about a 30 minute walk), but the hospitality, combined with the tranquility of the rice fields more than makes up for it. Plus, they have free bikes you can use to get around! THE VIEW Homestay La An Central Boutique Villa – near Ancient Town Square Villa Hoi An – near Ancient Town Hoi An Central Hotel

Curious how we get FREE flights and hotels? Check out our list of our favorite travel cards that have saved us thousands of dollars!

Rosie Villa 4 (1 bedroom, 1 bathroom) Rural Escape Private Villa (1 bedroom, 1 bathroom) Villa Nipa Tree Private Villa (1 bedroom, 1 bathroom)

If you’re traveling on a budget, hostels are a great option! We stayed in multiple hostels in Vietnam (with private rooms) and had positive experiences. Hoi An has a bunch of hostels to choose from, many of which are very highly rated!

Final tips for visiting Hoi An

Before heading to Hoi An we have a few final tips to help your time in both the city and Vietnam go a bit smoother. To see more tips, check out our blog post, where we share 20+ things to know before you visit Vietnam !

Need help packing? Check out our ultimate Vietnam packing list !

Hoi An at night | Things to do in Hoi An

As American citizens, we were required to get a visa. But depending on your nationality and length of visit, you may not need one. While you can get a visa upon arrival, getting an e-visa in advance is much easier! To get an e-visa you will want to go to this website . Yes, it looks a tad outdated and sketchy, but this is the website run by the Vietnamese government. There are other websites that you can get your visa from, but they may charge more. The e-visa costs $25 USD per person, which can be paid by credit card. After filling out the information, you will likely hear your results within 3 business days. We suggest planning for longer, just in case. Once approved, make sure to print it to bring with you!

Want to use your phone while in Vietnam? We highly recommend getting an eSIM from Airalo ! This is a SIM that you can download to your phone. You can get an eSIM for a specific country or for an entire region, making it extra easy to use if you plan to hop between countries. Note: this SIM only works for data, not calling. If you need to make a call, WhatsApp will be your best bet. More on that below!

Buy travel insurance

We never travel internationally without travel insurance. And SafetyWing is our go to! SafetyWing is travel medical insurance that will cover you outside of your home country for however long you need it. We purchase their Nomad Insurance plan, which not only gives us travel medical insurance, but also provides coverage for lost baggage and travel delays!

Always have cash

While some places do take credit cards, we found that many restaurants, street food stalls, public restrooms, and even homestays will only take cash. You can find ATMs all over town and we suggest going to a bank ATM for the best rates.

Carry toilet paper

Make sure to carry some toilet paper (or tissue) while out and about in Vietnam. Otherwise, you may run into a crappy situation…literally! We found bathroom conditions to vary a lot. And sometimes they either did not have toilet paper or you had to pay for it. While many toilets have bum guns (spray gun bidets), you will want something to dry off. Don’t ask how we know…

Use WhatsApp

WhatsApp is the go-to app for communicating while in Vietnam. Many lodging and tour companies use it to book things and communicate with you. Make sure to download it in advance and give any guides your number! One perk of WhatsApp is that you can also make calls on the app. This is very helpful if you have a data-only eSIM!

Learn how to cross the street

Crosswalks really don’t mean much in Vietnam. Locals told us that the best way to cross the street is to just start walking. Look for a small window in traffic and walk at a consistent pace (don’t run or stop). The motorbikes will go around you. It feels unnatural, but it eventually gets easier.

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The best ways to explore the ancient town of Hoi An

The charming ‘yellow town’ is packed with history and full of opportunities to create magical memories. Here are the top suggestions for what to do when visiting…

With its old-world architecture, cobbled streets, and distinctive yellow shop fronts festooned with colorful lanterns, it’s no wonder Hội An’s considered one of the most beautiful places in all of Vietnam. In 2021, Hội An – a UNESCO world cultural heritage site since 1999 − was named Asia's Leading Cultural City Destination at the World Travel Awards. Yet there’s more to it than awards and postcard-perfect beauty. The town boasts a long history of drawing people from across the world.

Archaeological evidence suggests a trade in the region was happening as early as the second century BC. Hội An grew into a bustling trading port. During the Cham Dynasties (7 th -10 th centuries), it was an economic hub, where merchants from Asia, Persia, and Arabia traded. Later, the famed Silk Road maritime route saw ships from Europe start flocking to the port. From the 15 th to 19 th centuries, Hội An was a major Southeast Asian trading post. Here, goods were traded, and ideas and cultures were shared.

Today, tourism is the town’s major trade. But evidence of its fascinating history is everywhere. Wander any of its picturesque, pedestrian-friendly streets and you’ll see influences from a range of eras, places and cultures. And with its many shop-houses, it’s still considered a mecca for purchasing silk and other valued items.

Planning to visit Hội An? Here are some ideas to add to your itinerary…

MARVEL AT THE BEAUTY OF THE LANTERN FESTIVAL

Why is the lantern the most iconic symbol of Hội An? Ever since Chinese and Japanese traders introduced them hundreds of years ago, lanterns have always been hung – and made – here. For the most memorable trip (and most stunning photos), the best time to visit Hội An is during the lantern festival, held on the 14 th day of every lunar month, when the moon is full. At night, the town reduces its electricity usage, so the candle-lit lanterns steal the show. Find a spot by the river, where lanterns are cast adrift to bring good luck. Or hop onto a boat and drop a lantern as you make a wish of your own.

TOP TIP : Go during the first festival of the Lunar New Year for the biggest celebration of them all.

TAKE A BOAT TOUR

Given its estuary location, traditional boats are another distinctive feature of Hội An. The river that’s welcomed generations of trade is still a source of livelihood for many locals. A boat trip is a cooling, soothing way to experience the city from its waterways. The most popular choice is a sunset cruise on one of the sampans that line the riverside. Early birds should try a sunrise tour of the fish market on a traditional wooden boat. Help the fishermen returning offload their catch, ready to sell. For something different, hop into one of the quirky circular bamboo boats unique to Vietnam.

TOP TIP: Brave enough to take a bamboo boat for a spin? Stand up, keep your core steady … and be prepared to (potentially) get wet.

STROLL AROUND THE OLD TOWN

With its historical buildings and mix of European and Asian architectural styles, there’s plenty to admire on an unhurried walk through the ancient town. The original street grid plan remains as it was, and 844 of the 1107 buildings making up the townscape are on the UNESCO World Heritage list. So walking the streets of Hội An is like moving through a living museum. Give yourself enough time to stop for a ‘ cà phê sữa đá ’ (delicious Vietnamese iced coffee), enter a gallery, or shop for souvenirs.

TOP TIP: Buy an Old Town Ticket at the entrance to the old town to get entry into five of Hội An’s heritage buildings.

BUY FABRIC AND CUSTOM-MADE CLOTHES

Fabric, particularly silk, is woven into Hội An’s history. During Silk Road times, it was currency. Over time, many families took to selling fabrics or making garments. Now, Hội An is a hotspot for travelers wanting quality items tailor-made. For a sensory experience like no other, visit the Hội An Cloth Market. Here, at over 50 stalls stacked high with fabrics of all kinds and colours, sellers entice passers-by to buy. The experience can be overwhelming. So keep a cool head, and get ready to hone your bargaining skills. Looking for a gentler, more genteel experience? Visit one of the town’s many tailors. The cost of fabric is included, so you don’t have to source it yourself. And if it’s silk you’re after, head to the Hội An Silk Village.

TOP TIP: Place your order early in your trip, so the tailors have enough time to make up your outfit.

VISIT THE JAPANESE COVERED BRIDGE

Back in the 15 th century, Dutch, Chinese, Japanese, and Portuguese merchants began to settle around the port. As communities grew in different areas, so did their interactions. Around 1593, the Japanese built a bridge to link their neighborhood to the Chinese one. Some say the bridge was also meant to subdue Namazu, the mythical Japanese catfish creature believed to cause earthquakes. All these years later, the Japanese Covered Bridge still stands strong. The landmark even features on the 20,000 VND banknote – that’s how significant it is.

TOP TIP: An Old Town Ticket gives you access to the interior temple. Money from ticket sales goes towards preserving the bridge.

EXPLORE THE MUSEUMS

Unsurprisingly, the old quarter is full of museums that offer detailed insight into the story of this stunning town. Among these are five top attractions: the Museum of History and Culture gives a comprehensive overview, with artifacts spanning about 2,000 years; the Museum of Folklore looks at traditional crafts and includes a performance; the Museum of Sa Huỳnh Culture gives insight into the Sa Huỳnh period; the Museum of Trade Ceramics showcases pottery and ceramics; while Tan Ky Old House is a stunning example of Asian architecture and Oriental philosophy. Built in 1741, it’s been home to seven generations of one Vietnamese family and is a great example of an 18th-century merchant’s home.

TOP TIP: At Tan Ky House, look out for the stunning One Hundred Birds lacquered board. Written in 100 letters, each stroke of writing is actually an image of a bird in flight.

HEAD TO THE BEACH

Need a break from all that art and culture? A beachy break is less than 10km away. Some visitors opt to stay at a beach-side resort, venturing into the old town for day trips. The nearest and most popular beach in An Bang. There are sun loungers and umbrellas for those wanting to relax. Watersports include parasailing, jet skis, and stand-up paddleboarding. There are plenty of bars and restaurants for food and refreshments. Cua Dai Beach is where most of the resorts are. Erosion has made the beach frontage fairly narrow, but it’s still favored among locals. Hidden Beach, which lies between these two, is a quiet option. There’s a spa and restaurant for those seeking some R&R.

TOP TIP: Do as the Vietnamese do: Avoid the harsh sun during the middle of the day. Mornings should be quiet, while late afternoons and early evenings may be busy.

VISIT THE CHAM ISLANDS

For a trip within a trip, go to the Cham islands for the day or overnight. Cu Lao Cham Marine Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, consists of eight islands 15km off Hội An’s coast. Day-trippers go there for snorkeling, diving, or to enjoy one of eight beaches. But to really experience the peace and quiet of island life, book an overnight stay. The extra time will allow you to see the sleepy Bai Huong fishing village or visit one of the island’s monuments.

TOP TIP: Take a speedboat for the quickest ride there. Or go via ferry for a more leisurely and authentic journey.

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Hoi An Travel: Ultimate Guide to Hoi An, Vietnam

Hoi An is considered as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vietnam . The town is located downstream of Thu Bon River in Quang Nam Province of Central Vietnam. Besides, the ancient town of Hoi An is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Hoi An was a major trading port in Southeast Asia that is well preserved. Most of the traditional houses are dating from the 17 th -19 th century and are very attractive architecturally.

Hoi An is full of amazing things to see, great places to visit, and delicious food to eat. Here's our essential guide of everything you need to know when planning to travel to Hoi An, Vietnam.

Hoi An Attractions

Hoi An , nestled along the romantic Hoai River, is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the country. Hoi An has many relics and landscapes captivating people.

Japanese Covered Bridge

Japanese Covered Bridge or Cau Chua Pagoda is one of the most iconic and most famous attractions in Hoi An. The bridge is the most unique piece of architecture that Japanese people left to Hoi An more than 400 years ago. The wooden bridge has a unique pink color roof with decorative structures and patterns showing a harmonious combination between Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and Western architectural styles. At one end of the bridge, there are structures of two dogs and monkeys marking the birth of Japanese Emperors born in the months of the Dog and the Monkey, and the fact that the bridge was started to be built in the year of the dog and completed in the year of the monkey. In the middle of the bridge, there is a small pagoda worshiping Huyen Thien Dai De.

During the Lantern Festival, shimmering from lanterns can be seen throughout the pagoda. Another interesting fact about the bridge is that it appears as an illustration on the back of 20,000 VND note.

You are required to purchase a Hoi An Ancient Town Admission Ticket to enter the bridge and visit other tourist attractions in the ancient town of Hoi An.

Hoi An’s Rivers

Thu Bon River originates from small streams flowing through the forests from Ngoc Linh Mountain that borders between Quang Nam – Kon Tum (Duy Xuyen district). You can take a boat trip along Thu Bon River. Along the two banks of the river, you will experience the views of picturesque fields and mountains.

If you will be travelling to Hoi An, you will definitely notice Hoai River which is a tributary of Thu Bon River running through Hoi An and is considered to be the symbol of the ancient town. This small peaceful river is unique and impressive, especially at night. After the sunset Hoai River becomes sparkling and fanciful as it’s filled with colorful lanterns creating the magical scenery of the river. You can rent a boat and experience the activity of dropping lanterns on the river.

Hoi An's Assembly Halls

Hoi An has been home to large numbers of Chinese who came here from all over China. These immigrants built community centers or assembly halls in Hoi An where they could meet and worship their ancestors. Nowadays, the 5 Assembly Halls are an important part of Hoi An’s heritage and famous attractions of the ancient town.

Fujian Assembly Hall : This is the biggest and most beautiful Assembly Hall in Hoi An Ancient Town. Fujian Assembly Hall is located at 46 Tran Phu Street and known as the place belonging to the largest ethnic group in Hoi An - the Fujian. This hall was built in 1690 and dedicated to worshiping of the sea goddess, Thiên Hau, who provides protection to sailors.

Cantonese Assembly Hall : It is known as Quang Trieu assembly hall. This hall, built in 1885, was the place where Cantonese traders often gathered when coming to do business or trade in Hoi An. It is distinguished by beautiful wood carvings and finely decorated columns formed of a single block of granite. On the full moon of the first lunar month every year, Cantonese Assembly Hall organizes the Nguyen Tieu festival for worshiping the ancestors of Tien Hien with many traditional rituals.

Trung Hoa Assembly Hall : It was constructed in 1741 being the oldest place dedicated to worshiping Thien Hau Holy Mother. The place had stood out from other assembly halls in Vietnam because it hosted the meetings of all Chinese, without distinction of their native region. Today, the hall functions as a school for Chinese nationals studying in Hoi An.

Hainan Assembly Hall : It is located in a large space between Tran Phu Street and Phan Chu Trinh Street. This hall was built as homage to 108 Chinese merchants, who were unjustly killed, because they were mistaken for pirates. It is said that King Tu Duc gave money to build this assembly hall in memory of the merchants.

Chaozhou Assembly Hall (Trieu Chau) : It is also called Ong Bon or Am Ban Pagoda, built in 1845 by Chinese Chaozhou. Chaozhou Assembly Hall was the sacred place honoring the geniuses of the sea, which, according to popular belief, brought luck to sea traders.

Hoi An's Assembly Halls are covered by the majority of Hoi An walking tours that are offering an easy way to immerse yourself in the city’s local lifestyle and historical sights dating back the 17th century. You can join Classic Walking Tour in Hoi An or Hoi An City and Countryside Tour to wander around Hoi An and see cultural attractions like the Chinese Assembly Halls and ancient houses.

Tan Ky Ancient House

Tan Ky Ancient House is one of the three best-known ancient houses in Hoi An, which was built 200 years ago. Tan Ky Ancient House, located at 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street in Hoi An Ancient Town, was recognized by Ministry of Culture as a cultural historical relic and later recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage. The house was built in 1741 with the typical architecture of Hoi An house and divided into many sections, each with its own function. Tan Ky Ancient House is where 7 generations of Le family lived. The name Tan Ky, meaning “Progress Shop”, was given to the house by the second generation for trading agricultural products. Many evidences of the prosperous trading days of the past and the cultural exchanges between Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese in the period after the 17th century are still preserved in the house.

Entrance Fee: Included in Hoi An Old Town Ticket

Opening Hours: 8:00 – 12:00 and 14:00 – 16:30

Quan Thang Ancient House

Quan Thang Ancient House is considered to be one the most attractive houses in Hoi An. The house is more than 150 years old and has the architectural style of Hoa Ha China. Over the years, the house was still preserved in its original state of architectural design and interior decoration reflecting the prosperity of Chinese merchants and Hoi An as a trading port. This house was originally owned by a prosperous captain called Quan Thang.

Opening Hours: 8:00 – 12:00 and 14:00 – 16:30

Phun Hung Ancient House

Phun Hung Ancient House was built in the year 1780 and is one of the most beautiful models of Hoi An ancient architecture. The house is built with 80 columns and is two storied. Each column stands on a lotus base to stay clear from fungal or termite growth. The first floor is designed in Japanese style of four-sided roof while the top floor has Chinese design with a round shaped roof that reflects a turtle shell. Phun Hung Ancient House is home for 8 generations of the Phung Hung family. The first owner of the house was a successful Vietnamese businessman and he named the house Phung Hung which means “prosperity” with a desire that his family would always prosper. In the past, this house was a shop selling forest and handicraft products.

Chua Ong Pagoda

Chua Ong Pagoda , also known as Quan Cong Mieu, is one of the famous Hoi An tourist sites. The pagoda was built in the 17th century by many Chinese merchants who were coming here to trade and have chosen Hoi An as their second home, so they have built this pagoda to serve the spiritual life. The temple is a symbol of their bravery, loyalty, and virtue.

Hoi An Central Market

Hoi An Central Market is located nearby Hoi An Ancient Town. It is known as the largest market in the town, selling all kinds of goods from daily food and products to specialties and souvenirs for tourists. There is a Cooking Class with Market Tour where you can learn how to make a variety of Vietnamese dishes and Hoi An specialties, including shopping for the fresh ingredients at this local market.

Cua Dai Beach

Cua Dai Beach is considered to be the most beautiful landscape in Hoi An Located only about 5 km from center of Hoi An town, Cua Dai Beach can be reached in just 15 minutes. Similar to the beaches in Da Nang, Cua Dai Beach is famous for its poetic, gentle and charming beauty of white sands, blue water and gentle sunshine. This is the most popular beach in Hoi An. Not only locals but also Western visitors come here to swim at the clear blue sea and enjoy seafood. There are many luxurious but affordable resorts around the beach for you to stay.

An Bang Beach

An Bang Beach is located less than 5 km from Hoi An Ancient Town. Being the second most beautiful beach in Hoi An, An Bang Beach attracts many visitors by the fresh, blue water and warm sunshine. An Bang Beach is not as bustling as Cua Dai Beach, so this place is always an ideal place for those who love more peaceful and quiet spaces. There are also many interesting activities at the beach to relax your soul such as swimming in the sea, flying kites on the beach, catching the dawn, greeting the sunset and enjoying seafood right at the restaurant along the beach.

Coconut Forest and Basket Boat

No trip to Hoi An is complete without visiting water coconut forest . Now, this place is becoming an eco-tourism area attracting both domestic and international tourists. Coconut forest is located in Cam Thanh, about 5 km from the ancient town of Hoi An. Here, you will see a seven-hectare forest filled entirely with water coconut trees. The best part of the visit is that you will be floating along the water on a very unique bamboo basket boat and participate in fun activities such as traditional net fishing, basket boat performance and boat racing. You can book Basket Boat Ride Ticket in Hoi An to discover the greener and less-touristy side of Vietnam, hop on a basket boat and admire the beauty of the nearby river.

Vinpearl Land Nam Hoi An

Vinpearl Land Nam Hoi An is gradually becoming the leading attraction in Hoi An. It's known as a 5-star resort and entertainment complex including 5 different zones in the park and over 95 exciting indoor games for all ages, similar to the amusement parks in Nha Trang or Phu Quoc. Not only attracting visitor with impressive games, Vinpearl Nam Hoi An also owns a huge musical stage with a scale of audience up to 2,500. Visitors can see the performances with a combination of music and special effects. For families with young children, or large family groups, this is the most ideal place to visit Hoi An. You can book Vinpearl Land Nam Hoi An Ticket to explore this entertainment paradise that offers world class technologies and thrilling experiences.

Cham Islands (Cu Lao Cham)

Cham Islands is a group of 8 small islands, which has been recognized by UNESCO as the World Biosphere Reserve (Cu Lao Cham Marine Park). The islands are located about 20 km for Hoi An. When visiting Cham Island, you will have a chance to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature, see marvelous corals while snorkeling as well as spending leisure time on beach, enjoying good climate and cool weather, admiring plentiful plants and marine animals. There is a daily Cham Islands Day Tour from Hoi An, which departs to the island in the morning. The tour usually includes guide, transportation and a decent meal on the island. If you want to explore the island on your own, take a boat from Bach Dang Pier. The best time to come to Cham Islands is during March to August.

My Son Sanctuary

For those who are willing to know more about Southeast Asian history and culture, visiting My Son Sanctuary shouldn’t be missed. My Son Sanctuary is located in Duy Phu commune (Quang Nam), about 40 km from Hoi An town. Situated in a valley surrounded by hills and mountains, My Son Sanctuary is considered to be one of the main centers of Hindu temples in Southeast Asia. This place is used to be the most important intellectual and religious center of the kingdom of Cham Pa and may also have served as a burial place for Cham monarchs. The temples still show the unique and mysterious sculptures and architecture of Cham Pa. Additionally, the traditional Cham dance performance at the site is also a special highlight of the place. Now, My Son Sanctuary is recognized as a World Heritage Site and is a major tourist attraction in Central Vietnam.

There are many types of tours that include a visit to this place. When joining My Son Sanctuary Day Tour from Hoi An you get an opportunity to explore this great archaeological site and know the origins of My Son Sanctuary from an experienced local guide.

Entrance Fee : 150,000 VND per person

Opening Hours : Monday-Saturday: 15:00 - 22:00, Sunday: 9:30 - 22:30

Thanh Ha Pottery Village

Thanh Ha Pottery Village is located on the bank of Thu Bon River in Cam Ha ward, about 3 km east from Hoi An. This pottery village in Hoi An has developed for 500 years, being reputable for its sophisticated and delicate pottery. The pottery products include bowls, jars, pots, animal shapes, in multi forms and colors, and they are lighter than the same products in other places. For the ticket price of 30,000 VND per person, visitors are free to visit the village, learn about the process of creating traditional ceramic products, and admire the virtuosity ceramic elaborate display. Do not forget to buy some pottery products to bring back home, which is also a way for you to make a small contribution to the preservation of Thanh Ha Pottery Village.

In addition, on the 10th day of the 7th lunar month every year, at Nam Dieu Temple Thanh Ha villagers celebrate the Ancestral Worship Ceremony in honor of the merit of the ancestors for their offspring, and enhance the value of the procession of pottery preserved over hundreds of years. During that time many impressive traditional games are being played and tourists are allowed to participate in them.

Kim Bong Carpentry Village

Kim Bong Carpentry Village was built in the 16th century. The village has been known for its carpentry and traditional woodworking products, ancient architectural construction and wooden boats. There you can meet many artisans, who with finesse in their hands and creativity in the mind create impressive carpentry products.

Tra Que Vegetable Village

Although local visitors are not very interested, Westerners seem to like going to Tra Que Vegetable Village . Tra Que Vegetable Village is located 3 km northeast from Hoi An Ancient Town. This land was formed 300 years ago and is surrounded by De Vong River and Tra Que Lagoon, creating very good atmosphere with fresh air. When visiting this village, you will have a chance to stroll through vegetable gardens and learn about the local produce and history of the area. The vegetables from Tra Que Village are provided for restaurants, hotels in Hoi An and other provinces. Many kinds of organic and sweet smelling herbs have been planted in this area for ages.

Hoi An Memories Show

Hoi An Memories Show is a large performance art show with modern staging techniques where 500 performers take over the outdoor stage in their traditional Ao Dai costumes. Here you get a chance to explore the traditional themed village and experience what it's like to live in Hoi An 400 year ago.

Don't miss a chance to have unforgettable memories during your trip by watching the Hoi An Memories Show. Hoi An Memories Show Ticket also includes a visit the Hoi An Impression Park right next door for more fun memories in Vietnam.

Cafes in Hoi An

Hoi An Ancient Town with long streets sparkling with lights from colorful lanterns and small boats running along the riverbank is a perfect view that can be enjoyed sitting at one of many unique cafes offering cozy corner for admiring the charm of the ancient town. If you are planning to travel to Hoi An, visit at least some of the 12 Best Cafes in Hoi An to enjoy a light snack, get a quick cup of coffee, or hangout with friends on your holiday.

Nightlife in Hoi An

When the sun goes down, Hoi An gets even more amazing and romantic. The night in Hoi An can be the highlight of your visit. Make sure to check out our Hoi An nightlife guide to find the best places to visit and best things to do in Hoi An at night.

Hoi An Cuisine

Besides the beautiful scenery of the old town, Hoi An also attracts visitors with its delicious dishes that bring unique flavors. Discovering Hoi An cuisine is an experience that shouldn’t be missed when visiting the ancient town. The most famous Hoi An dishes that are really worth trying are listed below.

Chicken Rice (Com Ga Hoi An) : This is one of the signature dishes of Hoi An. It features tender shredded chicken tossed with Vietnamese coriander, onions, and lime juice dressing. The restaurant called Com Ga Ba Buoi is one of the famous chicken rice restaurants here.

Hoi An Noodle (Cao Lau) : Cao Lau is a regional Vietnamese dish made with noodles, slices of barbecue pork, pork crackling, bean sprouts, lettuce and herbs.

Quang Noodle (Mi Quang) : As the name suggests, this noodle originated from Quang Nam. The yellow noodles are the only distinctive addition to this dish. There are many variations of toppings including slices of pork belly, shrimp, roasted peanuts and toasted sesame rice crackers.

White Rose (Banh Bao Banh Vac) : These dumplings are made from translucent white dough which is filled with spiced minced shrimp or pork.

With every kind of taste, you will find numerous dishes of Hoi An cuisine suitable for yourself. You can try and feel Hoi An in your own way by choosing your favorites from the list of Hoi An Food You Must Try .

Otherwise, you can join this Hoi An Street Food Walking Tour to try Hoi An best food and unique flavors including Banh Mi (Vietnamese Baguette Sandwich,) Goi Cuon (Spring Rolls,) and Cao Lau (Hoi An Noodles).

How to get to Hoi An

By airplane.

Hoi An is a small town without its own airport. However, Hoi An is located between 2 airports: Da Nang Airport (DAD) and Chu Lai Airport (VCL) . In fact, the distance from Da Nang Airport to Hoi An is only 30 km so it’s much closer than Chu Lai Airport (70 km). The number of flights landing at Da Nang Airport is significantly higher so not many people choose to fly to Chu Lai.

Several airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar, Vietjetair operate on routes from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to Da Nang. After arriving to Da Nang, you can continue your trip to Hoi An by bus, motorbike or taxi. It’s relatively easy to travel between Da Nang and Hoi An .

There is no railway station in Hoi An. If you want to go there by train , you also have 2 options: Da Nang Station (30 km away) and Tam Ky Station (50 km away).

If you are planning to take a train from Hanoi or other destination in the northern part of the country, you should stop at Da Nang Station . Da Nang Station is a big station with modern facilities and receives domestic trains daily from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Nha Trang.

If you will be traveling from Ho Chi Minh City or other southern destinations, you should stop at Tam Ky Station as it will be less time-consuming than going to Da Nang and going back to Hoi An.

Train from Hanoi

There are 6 daily trains from Hanoi to Da Nang , namely SE1, SE3, SE5, SE7, SE9, SE19. The most suitable trains with reasonable travel time are as follows:

SE1: Hanoi 22:20 - Da Nang 13:25
SE3: Hanoi 19:30 - Da Nang 11:05
SE19: Hanoi 20:10 - Da Nang 12:20

Train from Ho Chi Minh City

There are 5 daily trains from Saigon to Tam Ky , namely SE2, SE4, SE8, SE10 and SE22. The most suitable trains with reasonable travel time are as follows:

SE2: Saigon 21:55 - Tam Ky 12:24
SE4: Saigon 19:45 - Tam Ky 11:08
SE22: Saigon 14:40 - Tam Ky 8:12

There are many buses to Hoi An running from Hanoi, Saigon and other famous tourist destinations. If you do not mind the cramped space, long travel time and want to travel cheaper, you can choose this option.

Bus from Da Nang to Hoi An

If you are planning to travel to Hoi An from Da Nang , there is public bus No.1 covering Da Nang - Hoi An route. The bus is running from 5:30 to 18:00, with scheduled departures every 20 minutes. Travel time from Da Nang to Hoi An is about 70 - 80 minutes. Bus ticket price is 30,000 VND per person.

By Private Transfer

For those who prefer to travel more comfortably or plan their journey with a family or group of friends, private transfer is a good choice. This option is not only convenient but also the cost per person is not that high. Private transfer options in Hoi An:

Hoi An Private Car Charter : convenient transportation to Hoi An and surrounding areas.

Private Transfers between Da Nang Airport (DAD) and Hoi An : hassle-free and affordable service that takes you directly from the airport to Hoi An.

How to get around Hoi An

Hoi An is quite small so you can just walk around the ancient town and eat specialties. It only takes 3-4 hours at most. If you plan to visit surrounding area as well, Hoi An offers a full range of transportation services such as taxi, motorbike taxi, and cyclo.

By Bike or Cyclo

Hotels and resorts often provide free bicycles for guests. We’ve also use this service at the hotel we've stayed in Hoi An. If not, you can easily find a bicycle for rent at about 30,000 VND per day. For elderly or children, it is also possible to rent a Cyclo .

By Motorbike

Motorbikes in Vietnam are a highly popular way for locals and travelers to get around the roads of each city. Having your own set of wheels in Hoi An gives you the freedom to visit many popular landmarks. You can even rent motorbike online here: Hoi An Motorbike .

If you want to go further out from the town, you can take a taxi . The most famous taxi companies in Hoi An are Taxi Mai Linh Hoi An, Taxi Hoi An and Taxi Faifo Hoi An.

Restrictions

Be noted that to ensure the safety of tourists as well as create an open space in the ancient town, Hoi An is banning the motor vehicles from entering the ancient town area in the morning from 9:00 to 11:00 and in the afternoon from 15:00 to 21:30.

On the contrary, there are many parking lots around for only 5,000 VND.

Hotels in Hoi An

Being a famous tourist destination, Hoi An has plenty of accommodations to offer, from boutique hotels and homestays to luxury hotels and high-end resorts by the sea. You should choose the place to stay depending on the purpose of the trip.

If you prefer tranquility, you should choose one of high-class hotels and resorts in Cua Dai Beach area. If you want to visit attractions and local restaurant conveniently, then hotels in Hoi An Ancient Town is your best bet.

Some of the best hotels in Hoi An that are highly rated by the guests:

Laluna Hoi An Riverside Hotel & Spa

Square Villa Hoi An

Hoian Nostalgia Hotel & Spa

To feel the gentle beauty of the ancient town of Hoi An, consider staying at one of 12 Best Value Hotels in Hoi An Ancient Town .

For the best relaxation stay at one of the top 9 Best Luxury Hotels in Hoi An where you can enjoy the best service for a really reasonable price.

Best time to travel to Hoi An

The climate in Hoi An is generally mild so you can explore the beauty of the ancient town at all times of the year. The rainy season normally lasts from August to December and the dry season lasts from January to July.

The best time to visit Hoi An depends on your preferences:

February - April : This is the best time to visit Hoi An because the weather is cool with pleasant little rain expected. Blue skies, white clouds and soft sun let you take full advantage of your stay.
May - July : This is the best time for those who want to go to Hoi An and explore the beaches and Cu Lao Cham because the weather is quite pleasant at this time, the dry season is almost over.
October - December : This is the ideal time for those who want to sail on the Hoai River around Old Quarter because it is the rainy season when you can explore "Venice of Vietnam" in a very unique way.

When planning a trip to Hoi An, try to visit it during Lantern Festival that takes place every 14th day of every month on the lunar calendar. On this occasion, you will have the opportunity to participate in various activities, listen to traditional songs, play folk games and enjoy delicious food. You will see the colorful lanterns spread all over the streets as well. This festival is very popular between foreigner tourists and Vietnamese.

1. Buy cheaper Vietnamese SIM Card online

2. Pick up SIM Card at the airport on arrival

Ho Chi Minh City (SGN Airport)

Hanoi (HAN Airport)

Da Nang (DAD Airport)

Nha Trang (CXR Airport)

25 Best Things To Do In Hoi An (Vietnam)

Hoi An has a reputation for being one of the prettiest cities in all of Vietnam and the Old Town here has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its 800 historic buildings. There is a definite ‘old town’ feeling here which is like stepping back into the Vietnam of ancient times, and the city is also famous as it was never bombed during the Vietnam War.

Hoi An is also located on the Thu Bon River which is flanked by bars, cafes and local markets and you can walk along the banks at night and take in the views across the rippling water. When you walk around the city, you can take in spots such as museums, ancient homes and pretty temples, and Hoi An also has a delicious local food scene. As if that wasn’t enough, the surrounding countryside of Hoi An is equally scenic and you can easily take a day trip out to glorious beaches or ruined cities.

Here are the 25 best things to do in Hoi An …

1. Get a suit made

Hoi An is famous across Vietnam for its textile industry and one of the reasons many people come here is to get clothes tailor made for them.

To that end, you will find amazing tailors all over town and you can choose from a plethora of silks, others textiles and patterns to make your own personalized creations.

Note however that you will probably need to leave around three days to get your clothes made if the design is simple and up to a week for more complicated pieces so plan accordingly to avoid disappointed.

The tailoring industry here is also highly competitive so you will be expected to bargain hard and it pays to shop around so that you get the best deal.

2. Walk around the Old Town

Hoi An is something of a rarity in Vietnam as it managed to escape most of the bombing that razed many other cities to the ground during the Vietnam War.

This means that the beautiful buildings here were spared, and so you will still find some gorgeous architecture here in the Old Town which makes the perfect place to go for a walk and take in all the sights.

The Old Town has now been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is said to date back some 2,000 years.

Suggested tour : Hoi An Old Town: Night Food Tasting Small Group Tour

3. Shop for local handicrafts

If you like local arts and handicrafts then you will be spoilt for choice on a visit to Vietnam.

Hoi An is known across Vietnam for being a hub for beautiful locally made products and you will be able to shop for these in places like the main central market.

There are also a number of handicraft villages dotted on the outskirts of the town and you can usually take a tour to these where you can learn about the historical and cultural background behind the making of these items.

Many of these are made by local minorities and make excellent gifts or souvenirs.

In the handicraft villages you can also take classes such as ancient weaving or calligraphy.

4. Learn to cook Vietnamese food

Hoi An is known for having a number of cooking schools where you can get stuck in and learn all about how to make some local dishes.

One of the more famous schools is the Gioan Restaurant and Cooking School and you can choose between either ordering something to eat here in the restaurant or you can sign up for a class.

These usually include a trip to the local market where you will learn all about the ingredients used in Vietnamese cooking and some of the dishes that you will get to prepare include pho noodles as well as spring rolls and banh xeo which is a kind of Vietnamese pancake.

Recommended tour : Hoi An Floating Cooking Class And Cruise: Half-Day Tour

5. Admire the Japanese Covered Bridge

The Japanese Covered Bridge is located in the centre of the city and is also one of its focal points.

The bridge spans some 12 meters and is famous for its ornate carvings, many of which are in the shape of monkeys and dogs.

This is also a very popular place for amorous Vietnamese couples who come here to take photographs as the bridge is considered a top romantic spot in Hoi An.

6. Visit Hoi An Museum

If you want to know more about the history of Hoi An then you need to come to its main museum.

Here you will find a huge range of pieces that tell the story of the area including antiques that date from the Cham period as well as the colonial period.

There are a number of galleries here that are filled with drawings, ceramics, paintings and photographs and you can also check out signature pieces like large bronze temple bells.

7. Visit Hoi An Silk Village

The Hoi An Silk Village is the place to come if you want to get outside the city and check out the ancient weaving techniques for which this part of Vietnam is known.

The village is located in Quang Nam Province which is around one kilometer from the centre of the city and you will find a quaint village with homes built in the traditional style.

The village is filled with artisans who will teach you how to make beautiful silk pieces and you can even feed the silkworms here and help to unravel their cocoons.

This is also a great place to buy some traditional silk pieces which make great gifts and souvenirs.

Related tour : Half-Day Hoi An Silk Tour with Lunch

8. Tour the Tan Ky Family House

The Tan Ky Family House is one of the most historically significant buildings in Hoi An and is located in the Old Town section of the city.

The family home was built in the 18th century and would have belonged to a family of merchants.

The architecture here is a mix of Japanese, Chinese and traditional Vietnamese design motifs and you can now take a tour of this amazing property.

Some seven generations of merchants lived in the home and you will still find their original furniture and memorabilia here which will give you an idea of how people would have lived in Hoi An in the days of old.

9. Grab a coffee

Vietnam is a country that is famous for its delicious coffee and Hoi An is no slouch when it comes to its own brews.

One of the best places to try the coffee in Hoi An is at Mia Coffee who roast their own beans and serve up some of the most delicious espresso in the city.

The coffee varieties on offer here vary according to the season and all the beans here are handpicked to bring you the freshest and tastiest cups of coffee around.

You can even buy bags of beans here to take home as a souvenir.

10. Shop at the Lantern Market

The pretty Lantern Market is located in An Hoi which is across the river from central Hoi An.

This is one of the most scenic markets in Vietnam and, as the name suggests, you can buy traditional lanterns here which come in all different shapes and sizes.

Many of these are made of gorgeous Hoi An silk and you can walk around at night and take in all the amazing illuminated lanterns which come in a range of different hues.

11. Sunbathe on An Bang Beach

Hoi An has a number of beaches, but locals will tell you that An Bang is one of the best around.

This beach is less crowded than many of the more famous strips of sand in the area and you will find pristine white sands that back on to the water.

If you come here for the day then you will also find a number of charming beachside restaurants here that serve up some delicious seafood.

If you are planning to stay by the beach a little longer then you can also rent a beachside villa here.

12. Sample Cao Lao

Vietnam, as you would expect, has a huge number of different kinds of noodles.

If you want to try the regional Hoi An variety, then you need to try Cao Lao which are brown rice noodles that are mixed with lye water.

This is ash from the lye that comes from the wood on the Cham Islands which are around 12 kilometers from the coast of Hoi An.

The noodles are hand cut and then topped with pork, rice crackers and fresh herbs, all soaked in a delicious meat broth.

One of the best places to try the noodles is at Cam Ga Huong which is located off Le Loi Street.

13. Take a trip to the My Son Ruins

If you want to take a day trip out of Hoi An then head for the My Son Ruins which consist of a collection of Hindu temples that were built from the 4th to the 13th century.

The temples are located to the west of Hoi An and it is possible to come here for the day from the city.

My Son is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it has been preserved and restored after the temples were abandoned for centuries.

The site sprawls over 140 hectares and you can learn all about how Hinduism would have been a key part of Vietnamese culture in the days of old.

Recommended tour : Hoi An: My Son Sanctuary and Boat Tour with Lunch

14. Shop at Hoi An Central Market

Lying along the lush banks of the Thu Bon River is the Hoi An Central Market which is the best place to shop for handicrafts while you are in town.

You will find a huge mixture of products here including silk pieces and other textiles as well as local foodstuffs and aromatic spices.

Another key reason to come here is to try the toothsome street food which is sold out of carts in the market.

15. Visit the Fujian Hall Assembly Hall

One of the most opulent buildings in all of Hoi An is the Fujian Assembly Hall which dates from the 17th century.

This was built by the Fujian Chinese community in Hoi An and is considered a sacred space.

The main hall here is covered in carved figures that feature around a gateway which is etched with carvings of mythical Chinese creatures.

There is also a large courtyard here and legend has it that if you pray in the Assembly Hall then you will be lucky when it comes to conceiving children.

This is down to the presence of the 12 Midwives which are carved fertility statues that stand in the grounds of the hall.

16. Explore the local countryside

Hoi An is famous for being surrounded by lush emerald green countryside.

As such, if you are staying in the city then make sure that you don’t miss a trip here so that you can take in the rice paddies, hills, and dainty villages firsthand.

You can sign up for a number of tours such as a cycling or trekking tour and you will get to discover pretty secluded beaches, mountain passes and much more.

Suggested tour (by bike or minivan) : From Hoi An: Interactive Rice Farming Tour

17. Admire Quan Cong Temple

Quan Cong Temple was founded in 1653 and is dedicated to Quan Cong.

This was the name of a famous Chinese general who was worshipped in Hoi An and revered thanks to his qualities of justice for all, loyalty, integrity and sincerity.

At the temple you will find a wood and papier mache statue of the general which is partially gilded and stands on a central altar.

You can make an offering to the general and a lone caretaker will strike a bronze bowl to commemorate the moment.

18. Try the local barbecue

One of the things Hoi An is famous for is its delicious barbecue.

The best place to try this is along the north bank of the Thu Bon River and if you go there after dark you will find dozens of small charcoal grills set up which sell tasty barbecued skewers.

You can choose from different options including pork, prawns, or chicken, and the skewers are served with herbs and some rice paper wrappers which you can wrap around the meat or seafood.

The barbecue also comes with a delicious spicy peanut sauce mixed with tomatoes and sesame seeds.

19. Visit Phung Hung Old House

If you are visiting the Japanese Covered Bridge then you can also combine this with a trip to the Phung Hung Old House at the same time which is just a few doors down.

The house is known for its ornate and colorful entrance hall which is covered in lanterns and embroidered wall hangings.

There is a pretty balcony here with some spectacular views and a charming suspended altar.

20. Check out the nightlife

If you are looking for some nightlife in Hoi An then the best thing to do is head over the central footbridge that will take you to An Hoi islet.

Here you will find a number of bars and cafes along the river which serve up ice cold beers or other drinks.

If you want to try the local tipple than ask for the locally brewed larger which is called bia hoi and which makes a crisp and refreshing choice after a hard day of sightseeing.

21. Take a boat to Cam Kim Island

Cam Kim Island is located around 30 minutes away from Hoi An and you can catch a local ferry over from D Bach Dang.

The main reason people come here is to check out the artisan woodcarvers who are known for having carved some of the most famous public buildings in Hoi An.

You can find the historic homes of many of the master carvers in the village of Kim Bong on Cam Kim Island and you can also pick up some woodcarvings here that make great souvenirs of your trip.

22. Visit Tra Que Village

Hoi An is known for its delicious fruit and vegetables and with that in mind you can come to Tra Que Village and check out the source in person.

The village is located between Hoi An and An Bang Beach and is made up of a local farming community who grow most of the produce that you will eat during your time in Hoi An.

On a trip to the village you can visit spots such as Water Wheel which has cooking classes so you can learn how the local produce is used, or you can have lunch at places like Baby Mustard which uses the freshest local ingredients.

23. Visit the Museum of Trading Ceramics

Located in a scenic restored wooden home, the Museum of Trading Ceramics is known for housing a collection of artifacts that come from all over the world.

Some of the pieces here originated in Egypt, and you can learn all about the history of trading in Hoi An in the days of old.

There is also an exhibition here which tells you about the restoration of old buildings in Hoi An which is great if you are interested in ancient Vietnamese architecture.

24. Take a trip to Da Nang

Da Nang is located just 40 minutes away from Hoi An, so if you want to get out of the city then this is an excellent choice.

Da Nang is mainly known for its gorgeous beaches, and it is less crowded and more rural than Hoi An.

As such, you can spend the day sunbathing here, or try some water sports like swimming and snorkeling.

You will also find a plethora or seafood restaurants here which are worth the trip alone.

25. Visit Tra Kieu

Tra Kieu is known as the Lion Citadel and used to be the capital of the Kingdom of Champa from the 4th to the 8th century.

Now you can travel here from Hoi An and check out the ramparts and also explore other spots in the area such as the Mountain Church which is located at the top of Buu Chau Hill.

You will also find Tra Kieu Church here which dates from the 19th century and there is a museum which has some Cham artifacts on display.

25 Best Things To Do In Hoi An (Vietnam):

Get a suit made
Walk around the Old Town
Shop for local handicrafts
Learn to cook Vietnamese food
Admire the Japanese Covered Bridge
Visit Hoi An Museum
Visit Hoi An Silk Village
Tour the Tan Ky Family House
Grab a coffee
Shop at the Lantern Market
Sunbathe on An Bang Beach
Sample Cao Lao
Take a trip to the My Son Ruins
Shop at Hoi An Central Market
Visit the Fujian Hall Assembly Hall
Explore the local countryside
Admire Quan Cong Temple
Try the local barbecue
Visit Phung Hung Old House
Check out the nightlife
Take a boat to Cam Kim Island
Visit Tra Que Village
Visit the Museum of Trading Ceramics
Take a trip to Da Nang
Visit Tra Kieu

Customized Tour

Hoi An Tourist Attractions: 12 Best Places to Visit in Hoi An

Hoi An is one of the most popular destinations in Vietnam, and for good reason. This charming city in central Vietnam is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserves the rich heritage of a former trading port. Hoi An is famous for its well-preserved ancient town, where you can admire the architecture, lanterns, and bridges that reflect the influences of Chinese, Japanese, French, and Vietnamese cultures. Hoi An is also a paradise for foodies, as it offers a variety of delicious dishes, such as cao lau, banh mi, and mi quang. But Hoi An is not only about the old town. There are many other attractions that you can explore in and around Hoi An, such as historical sites, temples, pagodas, villages, beaches, islands, and forests. In this article, we will introduce you to 12 of the best Hoi An tourist attractions that you should not miss on your trip to this enchanting city

Table of Contents

1. Hoi An Ancient Town

2. tan ky old house, 3. chua ong pagoda, 4. phuc kien assembly hall, 5. japanese covered bridge, 6. thanh ha pottery village, 7. kim bong carpentry village, 8. an bang beach, 9. bay mau coconut forest, 10. my son sanctuary, 11. tra que vegetables village, 12. cham island.

Typical yellow houses in Hoi An Ancient Town (Source: Lê Rồng Photography)

It is undeniable that Hoi An Ancient Town is a must-visit attraction in Hoi An. It is well-known for a Southeast Asian trading port dating back the 16th and 17th centuries. Nowadays, this old town appeals a large number of domestic and foreign travelers thanks to its peaceful atmosphere, charming beauty of restaurants, café shops and full of historic yellow and wood buildings in a traditional Chinese style. It was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. Hoi An was recently ranked third among the list of the world’s top 25 cities in 2020 by Travel+Leisure Magazine. It is the result of the magazine’s annual survey of readers’ travel experiences in the cities they’ve been to. The vote is based on the following criteria: scenery, vision, culture, cuisine, locals’ friendliness, shopping, and mutual values.

Entrance fee : Included in Hoi An Ancient Town day-time ticket (120,000 VND/ visitor).

Tan Ky Old House was built in 1741 by a Vietnamese family, and has been preserved through 7 generations. The architecture of this house is combination of Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese styles. There are 4 small rooms in the house with different purposes: one for welcoming the Chinese merchants, one for living room, courtyard and bedroom. Especially, all are no windows.

Foreign tourists visiting Tan Ky Old House – a perfect example of the 18th-century merchant’s residence

This old house was designed by the most skillful artisans of the famous Kim Bong village at that time. Wood is the main material for the house but stone (from Thanh Hoa Province) and floor tiles (from Bat Trang ceramic village) are used in many details such as flooring, wall, furnishings… All of them make the house cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Over 200 years old, Tan Ky Old House still remains unique features in the interior decoration and objects from ancient times. It is also recognized as a national historical-cultural relic in Vietnam in 1990.

Address : No. 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Minh An District, Hoi An. Opening time : 8:30am – 5:45pm. Entrance fee : Free.

Chua Ong Pagoda, also called Quan Cong Temple, was built in the middle of the 17th century. It was recognized as a “National Historic and Cultural Site” in 1991. This temple is dedicated to Quan Cong, who was an ancient Chinese general, lived in the time of “Three Warring Kingdoms” (3rd century AD). He was well-known for his talent, a talented, courage, loyalty, integrity, compassion and righteousness in the feudal time of China.

The facade of Chua Ong Pagoda

The pagoda’s structure consists of 3 parts: front hall, open yard and back hall and it followed the Chinese architecture at that time. Despite many restorations, the temple is almost kept the same original structure.

Address : 24 Tran Phu, Cam Chau, Hoi An Opening time : 6am – 5pm, every day Entrance fee : Included in Hoi An Ancient Town day-time ticket (120,000 VND/ visitor).

The three entrance gate to Phuc Kien Assembly Hall

Phuc Kien Assembly Hall or Fujian Assembly Hall was built in 1690 by Chinses people living in Hoi An. It was served as a gathering place for the Chinese residents and traders from Fujian, China, then transformed into a religious site dedicated to Thien Hau Thanh Mau – the Goddess of the sea and the protector of sailors. Phuc Kien Assembly Hall is well-recognized for its gorgeous and sophisticated Chinese-style architecture in a vast space. The Assembly Hall is divided into separate areas including large ornate gate, colorful courtyard, lake, backside, backyard, 2 corridors and ornamental plant. There is full of statues, bronze bells, bronze drums and lacquered works of art engraved with Chinese characters… and a lot of animal pictures and statues such as dragons, unicorns, phoenix and turtles… The whole combination and arrangement of every element in the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall tend to imply the Chinese philosophy of happiness.

Location : No. 46 Tran Phu Street, Cam Chau, Hoi An. Opening time : 7am – 5pm. Entrance fee : Included in Hoi An Ancient Town day-time ticket (120,000 VND/ visitor).

Hoi An’s iconic Japanese Covered Bridge on Thu Bon river

Japanese Covered Bridge, also known as Lai Vien Kieu or Chua Cau, is the unique architectural heritage built by Japanese traders in the 16th century. The bridge is covered with a wooden pagoda roof with decorative details reflecting the harmonious combination between Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese and Western architectural styles. In spite of several restorations over years, the Japanese Covered Bridge is well preserved and becomes an iconic symbol of Hoi An. The image of this famous bridge is printed on one side of 20,000 VND note. You may see many people holding it up while taking a photo with the bridge itself. Inside the bridge, there is a small temple dedicated to Tran Vo Bac De, the Taoist God of weather, who protects believers during earthquakes and floods.

Location : Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Minh An District, Hoi An Ancient Town. Opening time : All day. Entrance fee : Included in Hoi An Ancient Town day-time ticket (120,000 VND/ visitor).

Just 3km from Hoi An Ancient Town to the West, Thanh Ha pottery village can be reached by bicycle, motorbike or by boat along Thu Bon river. This ancient village was established in the 16th century when people from Thanh Hoa province came here to build a new life with their traditional craft pottery. Undergoing over 400 years, Thanh Ha pottery village is still preserved its original intact beauty and values. Today, there are not many villagers following the traditional profession but some artisans still love and conserve the ancient pottery-making techniques and also revive the pottery village to become a tourist attraction.

An old man making pottery product in Thanh Ha Pottery Village

The products in Thanh Ha village are mainly household wares serving the daily life of the local people in domestic market. They are bowls, jars, pots and decorative wares. Tourists coming here will have opportunity to see pottery-making process, admire traditional terracotta products as well as try hands-on experience to make your own product. To avoid the heat and crowd of tour groups, it is suggested to visit the village on weekdays and in the morning.

Location : Block 5, Thanh Ha Ward, Hoi An. Opening time : 8am – 5:30pm, every day. Entrance fee : 35,000 VND/ visitor.

Kim Bong is known as the most reputable carpentry village in Cam Kim commune, Hoi An. Most of the ancient architectures of Hoi An’s heyday was built by the talented carpenters of Kim Bong village. Originated from the North and also acquired some quintessence of Champa Kingdom, Chinese, Japanese sculptural traditions and of course, skillful hands of Vietnamese craftsmen, Kim Bong’s products have become more and more ingenious. For many years, Kim Bong village has developed vigorously and formed 3 groups of artisans: ancient architectural construction, shipbuilding and civil wooden furniture.

Tourists exploring a workshop in Kim Bong Carpentry Village

From the old town, the village is accessible by boat along Thu Bon river or by bicycle. Here visitors will have chance see the artisans working with their skillful hands on the crafts, admire special works such as the clove carved 1,000 dragons made of bamboos, the image of Japanese Covered Bridge and buy some specialties as souvenirs. Besides, riding around the Kim Bong carpentry village is an interesting activity to get closer touch with daily local life, learn the farm work such as weaving mats, bamboo knit, and also enjoy the local dishes.

Address : Trung Ha, Cam Kim commune, Hoi An. Opening time : 7am – 5pm, every day.

Stunning An Bang beach with white smooth sand and clear blue water

An Bang Beach is one of the best beaches in Hoi An with the wild beauty of white smooth sand, green trees along the beach and several bamboo basket boats. It is quite peaceful, still pristine and suitable for both locals and tourists who are looking for a relaxing place. Here is a home to many beachfront resorts, seafood restaurants and hippy bars which you can find easily along the coastline. Tourists visiting An Bang beach can participate in some of the most popular activities, including swimming, paddle-boarding and surfing. The best time to visit An Bang beach is between March and September when the weather is fairly pleasant with calm waters. But it is pretty crowded during this time.

Address : 7km north of Hoi An Ancient Town Transportation : Bicycle, motorbike, taxi or private car

Located in Cam Thanh commune, 5km from Hoi An ancient town, Bay Mau coconut forest is known as a right place to get wonderful coracle rowing experience, thus it attracts a large number of tourists. It is the green tourism area and also the “lung” of Hoi An and nearby areas. Here is the habitat of many marine animals such as shrimp, crab and mollusks.

Tourists experiencing a bamboo basket boat ride in Bay Mau Coconut Forest

Nothing is more interesting than joining with local fishermen on the river and enjoying hands-on experience to explore the wetland ecosystem and understand more about the local daily life. Besides, you can participate in some exciting activities like baskets boating, visiting coconut forest, tasting the fresh sea-foods on the boat… The small boats will bring you float under the coconut leaf canopy to enjoy the green and boundless space of water coconut trees. It seems make all pressure of busy life disappear to prepare energy for a new day.

Address: Van Lang, Cam Thanh commune, 5km east of Hoi An Ancient Town Entrance fee: 150,000 VND/ a basket boat/ 2 people.

My Son Sanctuary is a group of temple-towers of Cham people, an imperial city during the Champa Kingdom. It was officially recognized as the UNESCO’s World Heritage in 1999. Nestling in a narrow valley surrounded by mountains, My Son Sanctuary comprises 70 architectural works including temples and towers which connect to each other with complicated red brick designs. Each group has a main temple worship Linga – a symbol of Shiva, one of senior triple gods in Indian Hinduism. The main tower is for the deities of Champa people, and the smaller tower is for worship of Champa’s king.

My Son Sanctuary – a great sample of the ancient Champa civilization

According to records on the stone stele, the prime foundation of the ancient My Son architectural complex was a wooden temple to worship the Diva Bhadresvera genie. Through stone stele and royal dynasties, they proved My Son to be the most important Holy Land of the Cham people from the late 4th to the 13th centuries. For those who are into history and Cham architecture, My Son Sanctuary is the perfect place to discover. It is a harmonious combination between cultural values and the natural beauty.

Address : My Son, Duy Xuyen District, Quang Nam Province, 40km away from Hoi An Ancient Town Opening time : 6am – 5pm. Entrance fee : 150,000 VND/ visitor.

Tra Que village is named after the sweet scented vegetables that spice up the everyday meals of the Hoi An people. This village was formed 300 years ago, surrounded by De Vong River and Tra Que Lagoon. Thanks to the special condition of rich soil and water, the village is famous for planting many kinds of vegetables and herbs such as lettuce, water spinach, cabbage, basil, coriander, fish lettuce… Thanks to a kind of algae found only in a lagoon in this village, Tra Que herbs and vegetables look so fresh and green. They are widely recognized for their quality, safety and especially outstanding tastes and flavors.

A female tourist joining the local’s farming procedure in Tra Que Vegetales Village

This village is a perfect destination to enjoy the fresh atmosphere, meet lovely local people and get away a bustling city life. Tourists have great chance to watch and experience the farming procedures of local farmers such as hoeing soil, raking soil, planting, watering, picking vegetables… You can also take a hands-on cooking class and then taste some famous dishes with Tra Que vegetables and herbs.

Address : Cam Ha, Hoi An, 3km from Hoi An Ancient Town Entrance fee : 10,000 VND/ visitor

Cham Island, or known as “Cù Lao Chàm” in Vietnamese, occupies beautiful sand beaches, forested hills and breathtaking landscapes. It includes 8 small island and has been recognized by UNESCO as the World Biosphere Reserve (Cu Lao Cham Marine Park). Just 30 minutes traveling by speedboat from Cua Dai port, you will reach a marvelous place with the picturesque and pristine setting.

Pristine and peaceful scenery of Cham Island

Cham Island offers a wide variety of leisure activities, namely, camping, swimming and sunbathing on the long white sandy beaches. For those who love to explore the corals and colorful marine life, there are available facilities for water skiing, paragliding, kayaking, kite flying, snorkeling and scuba diving. Staying overnight on the island will give you chance to witness the best sunrise and sunset. It is recommended to visit Cham Island between April to August when the weather is comfortable with a sunny sky, the clear water and calm sea. You should avoid getting here from September to March due to the bad weather with rough sea and even storms.

Address : 18km offshore from Hoi An Ancient Town.

Overview of Hoi An, Vietnam

Hoi An Weather

How to get to Hoi An from Danang

Things to do in Hoi An

The 9 Best Nightlife in Hoi An

Diving in Hoi An: Tips, Advices & Best time to Dive

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Hoi An Ancient Town Attractions: The Ultimate Guide

Last Updated on: 24th February 2024, 11:52 pm

Hoi An, central Vietnam’s former bustling trade port, remains one of the country’s most-visited locales. Visitors flock to the town to see its colorful buildings and its picturesque riverside views. Unfortunately, the ticketing system of Hoi An Ancient Town, where most of the main attractions are located, is far from straightforward.

To prevent you from wasting either your time or your money, this guide consists of a complete list of all the attractions which the Ancient Town has to offer. You’ll learn a little bit about each one, along with tips on which ones to visit and which ones to skip.

For more information on reaching Hoi An and where to stay, be sure to check the end of the article .

Planning Your Visit to Hoi An Ancient Town

After checking into my hotel, I went out to explore. Just as I’d read about, there was a ticket booth near the entrance to the Ancient Town. For a single ticket, I could visit five of the town’s attractions. And so I went off exploring, popping into different old houses and assembly halls. But not even a few hours had passed before I was down to my last ticket!

While some of the ornate assembly halls were truly extraordinary, other ‘attractions’ required only a few minutes to see and were largely underwhelming.

I asked the nearest staff member how many attractions there were in total. ‘Twenty-two,’ she told me (although I have yet to find an official list). And she further explained that when my 5 ticket stubs were all torn off, I had to pay another 120,000 dong to see more places.

While I knew what some of the more popular highlights were, there are actually many more sites in Hoi An Ancient Town than what often gets written about. Therefore, in order to save future visitors the time and potential hassle, I decided to visit ALL of Hoi An Ancient Town’s ticketed attractions, ranking them in order from most to least essential.

In total, I spent about five days in Hoi An but spent only one full day that was completely dedicated to the Ancient Town. After coming back from day trips on other days, I’d visit some more attractions here and there before I finally managed to see them all. Most people should be able to see the highlights of the Ancient Town in just a day or two, however.

Hoi An's Ticketing System

Close to the entrance of the Ancient Town, you’ll encounter a ticket booth selling the required passes. For 120,000 VND, you’ll get one ticket with five stubs attached. These get torn off at each of the official attractions until nothing’s left. After that, you have no choice but to pay for another set of five.

As mentioned above, this system can be misleading, as it gives visitors a false impression that all locations in the Ancient Town are more or less equal in terms of quality and value. But the reality is very different.

I’m not sure what all 22 attractions are supposed to be, as they aren’t even clearly numbered in the town’s brochure. All in all, I was able to find 16 ticketed attractions plus a number of free ones, and I’m pretty certain I saw all or nearly all of the main sites in town. You may also be able to use a ticket for a boat ride along the river, though this is the one thing I didn’t try.

In the end, I managed to see everything with only two tickets. How? It’s not uncommon to find no staff at some of the attractions. In a couple of other cases, I told them I had no ticket and they suggested I buy a small trinket instead. For this guide, though, let’s assume that each place is actually checking tickets, with the exception of the permanently free attractions listed at the bottom.

Hoi An: A Brief Introduction

Hoi An, located in Vietnam’s Quang Nam Province, was one of Southeast Asia’s main trading hubs from the 15th to 19th centuries. While the area was originally the main port of the Champa Kingdom , the port town was established by local Nguyen lords once they gained control over central Vietnam. Trade with China, Japan and to a lesser extent, Europe, flourished for hundreds of years during Hoi An’s heydey.

Merchants who came for frequent or extended stays started building their own permanent communities in Hoi An. To feel more at home, they built assembly halls to gather with people from their same locale, while establishing shrines and pagodas where they could worship their preferred deities. Over time, Chinese, Japanese and the local Vietnamese styles merged to form a distinctly Hoi An flavor of architecture.

Hoi An, however, would eventually lose its relevance for a number of reasons. One being the isolationist policies of later rulers, while the French would then establish a new trading port in nearby Da Nang .

Miraculously, Hoi An’s ancient buildings received little damage during the Vietnam War. Now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s most-visited destinations. The town’s immense popularity, however, can evoke a wide range of opinions from its visitors (my own thoughts at the very bottom of the article).

Using Your 1st Ticket

Here are the five sites I would recommend you visit if you only plan on buying one single 120,000 VND ticket. Everyone’s interests are going to vary, of course, so you may prefer to swap a couple out with something from the ‘2nd ticket’ list.

Cantonese Assembly Hall

The Cantonese Assembly Hall (also called Quang Dong) was built by merchants from Canton, China in 1786. It was a place for the seafaring merchants to rest, have meetings and worship. One of the main deities worshipped here is Quan Cong, a historical Chinese general of the former Wu Kingdom. Notably, he also happens to be a favorite of the Chinese immigrant community in Saigon .

The Cantonese Assembly Hall is a colorful feast for the eyes. All around the site, you’ll find shrines, lion statues, and intricately carved bas-reliefs. The highlight is arguably the dragon fountain in the central courtyard, where you’ll find an assortment of spiral-necked creatures made out of Chinese ceramics.

It is one of, if not the most impressive building in Hoi An. If you only visit one assembly hall during your time in town, make it this one.

Phung Hung Old House

One of the larger and more impressive of the old houses in Hoi An, the Phung Hung house is located just past the Japanese Bridge. The house dates back to 1780 and has been occupied by the same family ever since. They made their fortune selling glassware, spices and perfumed woods.

Architecturally, the house fuses elements of Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese traditional buildings. Consisting of two stories, the house is held up by 80 wooden columns. Like at many of the old houses, you’ll even see an ancestral shrine.

In addition to the house itself, one of the highlights here is the view from the balcony on the second floor.

Tan Ky Old House

Built by a local Vietnamese merchant family a couple centuries ago, the Tan Ky Old House is one of the finest examples of traditional architecture in Hoi An.

In the daytime, the first floor of the house is illuminated by light shining in on the central courtyard. In addition to looking nice, the courtyard served the functional purpose of collecting water during heavy rains. In fact, the area has been affected by heavy flooding so many times throughout its history that pulleys were put in place to lift furniture and other artifacts to the second floor in an emergency.

In the back of the house, a door even opens up for a nice view of the river.

The Japanese Covered Bridge

The Japanese Covered Bridge, built back in 1593, is considered by many as a symbol of the city itself. Back then, Japanese merchants were thriving in Vietnam, and so were the Chinese. And the bridge was built to link the two communities. The Japanese would remain in Hoi An until 1663, when the Tokugawa Shogunate put an abrupt end to all foreign trade, thus sending Japan into a long period of isolation.

The interior of the bridge features a small shrine to the deity Bac De, an incarnation of the Taoist Jade Emperor. This was probably added by locals later, as Taoism never really caught on in Japan. You’ll also find statues of both dogs and monkeys, symbolizing years of the Chinese Zodiac.

This is a somewhat controversial choice for a place to use your ticket on, as the interior is small and can be seen in a couple of minutes. On the other hand, the bridge is one of Hoi An’s most famous landmarks. If you’re already going to make your way over to see it, you might as well take a look inside. There are ticket-checkers at the bridge’s entrance, but if you really want to save a ticket, there’s an alternate free bridge closer to the river.

Fujian Assembly Hall

First built in the late 17th century, the Fujian Assembly Hall, as one might imagine, was built as a place for merchants from Fujian Province, China. The Fujianese have been one of the most prominent merchant communities in Vietnam, and have also constructed pagodas in Saigon and elsewhere. Many of them sailed south after the fall of China’s Ming Dynasty.

The Fujianese enshrined one of their main deities, Thien Hau, here. As she’s the goddess of the sea, they came here to pray before embarking on long trading journeys.

This assembly hall is one of the most remarkable buildings in all of Hoi An. Overall, however, it’s fairly similar to the Cantonese Assembly Hall but not quite as impressive. That’s why you might want swap it out for something else, such as one of the museums below, if you’re looking for more variety.

Using Your 2nd Ticket

If you’re sticking around for a little while in Hoi An, here are five more attractions worth checking out.

Tran Family Chapel

The Tran Family Chapel contains elements of both an old house and an ancestral shrine. The original members of the Tran family who settled in Hoi An were merchants from China, and supposedly over a dozen generations have passed since then.

Inside, you’ll find a shrine along with various artifacts belonging to prominent family members. And like many old houses in Hoi An, you’ll find both Japanese and Chinese architectural influences, especially in the shape of the roof.

A visit includes a free English tour, but brace yourself for a sales pitch at the end.

Museum of Folk Culture

While the building itself is pretty ancient, the Hoi An Museum of Folk Culture first opened its doors in 2005. As the name suggests, the focus here is local folk culture such as local dress, tools, crafts, ceramics and more.

One of the highlights, though, is the structure itself. And the balconies provide great views of Hoi An’s backstreets from above.

Note: It’s unclear whether this place actually requires a ticket or not. While I was able to walk right in, some reviewers online have mentioned needing to use one. It might just be a case of whether a particular staff member is on duty or not!

Museum of Hoi An

This large museum, a little outside the borders of the Ancient Town itself, details the history of the Hoi An region. You’ll find information on things like the area’s original settlers and Hoi An’s rise to becoming one of the region’s most prominent trading ports.

The building is not especially charming, but the rooftop terrace provides great panoramic views of the city which may be worth the admission on its own.

Quan Cong Temple

This temple was built in 1653 in honor of the historical Chinese general Quan Cong. In battle, he was known for his bravery. In his personal life, he was widely respected for his honesty and valor. Therefore, many Chinese and their descendants have prayed to him in hopes of strengthening these qualities within themselves, and probably for a bit of protection too.

Inside, you’ll find a statue of Qan Cong along with his trustworthy horse. Like many places of worship in Hoi An, this temple was originally established by the Chinese merchant community.

Duc An Old House

The Duc An Old House was built in 1850, though the family has been in Hoi An for even longer. Throughout its history, it’s operated as both a bookshop and as a medicine dispensary. On the plus side, it doesn’t have the souvenir stalls or sales pitches of other Hoi An old houses, but it’s not quite as essential as places like the Pung Hung or Tan Ky houses.

If You Really Want to See it all...

If you want to keep exploring and don’t mind buying a third ticket, here are the rest of the locations that require one.

Museum of Trade Ceramics

The ceramic trade was thriving in Hoi An during the 16th-18th centuries, and this museum is dedicated to the history of that industry. You’ll find maps and detailed information about the old trade routes from China and Japan. If you’re not especially wild about ceramics, however, this museum won’t be of much interest to you.

Cam Pho Communal House

In addition to the typical shrines and wide courtyard, this communal house features a small exhibit on the history of the Japanese trading community that once occupied western Hoi An. It really can’t compare, though, with the other houses listed above.

Sa Huynh Culture Museum

Sa Huynh is an area around 160km from Hoi An, and it’s where remnants of a mysterious ancient culture was discovered in the early 20th century. This is one of the more promoted sites of Hoi An Old Town, but be aware that it’s essentially just a bunch of old pots behind glass cases. Located in the center of town, it also feels out of place given the fact that it has nothing to do with the 15th-18th century time period that nearly all other attractions focus on.

Trieu Chau Assembly Hall

Built in 1845, the Trieu Chau Assembly Hall is impressive on its own, but all around less interesting than its neighboring halls. It may be worth a visit if you especially like the assembly halls, however.

Quan Tang Old House

Yet another Hoi An old house, this one is much smaller than the others and with relatively little to see. Don’t use your ticket here unless you’ve visited all the other old houses first.

Free Things to do in Hoi An

If you only have a day to spend in Hoi An but already went through the five places allotted on your Ancient Town ticket in a few hours, don’t panic. There are also some worthwhile things you can do around town for free.

One of the most popular things to do in Hoi An, of course, is a visit to one of its beaches. The weather was surprisingly cold during my visit, though, so I didn’t get a chance to swim. But if you’re interested, one of the most popular beaches is Cua Dai Beach.

Trung Hoa Assembly Hall

Trung Hoa (also known as Duong Thuong) was a collaborative effort by merchants of several different Chinese counties, including Canton and Fujian. The hall also provided educational services for Chinese diaspora children, including those with no clear ties to one particular clan.

The main deity worshipped here is Thien Hau. Also known, as Mazu, this sea goddess is believed to have been a real woman who once used her powers to rescue her family from a typhoon. It’s no wonder, then, why so many seafaring merchants put special faith in her!

This hall is a lot more minimalistic in style compared to others like the Cantonese and Fujian halls. But that’s what helps it stand out. It’s amazing that this one is free, as it’s simply one of the best attractions in all of Hoi An.

Precious Heritage Museum

One of the best museums in Hoi An also requires no ticket at all. Curated by the French photographer Réhahn, this is part photography exhibit, part folk museum. On display are traditional costumes worn by women from ethnic tribes from all over Vietnam. At no cost, the Precious Heritage Museum is definitely worth a visit.

Hoi An Central Market

While the Central Market isn’t technically ‘free’ if you buy something, it’s worth visiting whether you’re window shopping or looking for a place to eat. While there’s normally a big price difference between the food inside the Ancient Town district and just outside, the market is a good place to get cheap eats without having to travel too far.

The food stalls here are a great place to try Cao Lau, the tasty local noodle dish. Hoi An also happens to a popular place for tailored men’s suits, for some reason.

Exploring the Streets

And don’t forget the number one thing to do in Hoi An Ancient Town – free or paid! Simply roam the streets, explore back alleys and walk along the river at night. Love it or hate it, Hoi An is truly a photographer’s paradise.

Additional Info

If you’re short on time or simply prefer to be accompanied by a knowledgable guide, there are plenty of Ancient Town tours to choose from. This highly-rated tour , for example, focuses on both local attractions and food.

And this sightseeing tour also includes a cruise on the Thu Bon River.

The closer you are to Hoi An Ancient Town, the better. The Ancient Town is the specially designated zone where no cars are allowed and where all except a few locations mentioned in this list are located.

The rest of Hoi An doesn’t have a whole lot to offer other than a few beaches. As mentioned above, I didn’t make it to any beaches due to the cold weather, but some people may prefer to stay closer to the coast.

I stayed at a hotel called Kiman Old Town Hotel , which was right in between the Ancient Town and the bus station. At just around a 10-minute walk from either, it was perfect for exploring Hoi An’s attractions as well as taking day trips to the Marble Mountains and Da Nang.

Other popular options in the center include Hoi An Center Town , Hoi An Paradise Villa and MaiChi Villa Hoi An .

Booking.com

Hoi An is easily accessible by bus from either Da Nang (just about an hour) or from Hue (4 or 5 hours).

To/from Da Nang, you want to hop on the public yellow bus #1. The price was only 20,000 VND at the time of my visit. However, bus staff can sometimes try to cheat foreigners by lying about the price.

I rode the #1 bus a number of times during my stay. There were no issues most of the time, but on one ride, after I put a 20,000 VND note in the money collector’s hand, she continued to hold it out as if I hadn’t given her enough. I just smiled and shook my head. She shrugged it off as if to say ‘Well, I had to try’ before walking away.

Hoi An can also be reached from Da Nang airport. The town has no train station.

The Ancient Town area is easily accessible on foot, though some prefer to rent a bicycle.

You likely won’t have to worry about a taxi or Grabcar during your stay in the area, except to visit the beach or different towns like My Son.

Hoi An is indeed worth a visit. But a nice as some of the individual attractions are, the town as a whole has become too over-commercialized to the point of feeling like an amusement park. While you couldn’t tell from the pictures above, it seemed as if roughly 80% of the town consists of kitschy souvenir shops. While Hoi An may still be a photographer’s paradise, so much of it also feels fake.

I am usually one to defend touristy places like Venice, for example. Given its popularity, that town does a good job of handling loads of tourists while also maintaining a lot of its original charm and architecture. But in Hoi An, they’ve taken the commercialization too far to the point that it loses much of what probably once made it so interesting.

Despite my disappointment with Hoi An overall, I’m still glad I spent several days there instead of Da Nang. The reason being that it was closer to a few of the day trips I’d been planning on taking, while Da Nang would’ve just been a little too far.

Are you traveling around Southeast Asia and looking for something with a similar vibe, but without everything centered around the tourism industry? Visit Malaysia. Towns like Penang, Kuching and others have the same colorful Chinese-style buildings along with numerous pagodas and other cultural sites.

Hoi An Ancient Town Attractions: The Ultimate Guide

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Venice nets $2.2 million in day-tripper tax pilot. Opponents say it failed to deter visitors

Venice on Sunday will wrap up a pilot program charging day-trippers a 5-euro entrance fee. It is more than 2 million euros richer and determined to continue, but opponents called the experiment a failure. (AP video shot by: Paolo Santalucia)

FILE - Stewards check tourists QR code access outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. Venice on Sunday July 14, 2024 wraps up a pilot program charging day-trippers an entrance fee, more than 2 million euros ($2.2 million) richer and determined to extend the levy, but opponents in the fragile lagoon city called the experiment a failure. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)

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FILE - A tourists is checked by a steward for QR code fee access outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. Venice on Sunday July 14, 2024 wraps up a pilot program charging day-trippers an entrance fee, more than 2 million euros ($2.2 million) richer and determined to extend the levy, but opponents in the fragile lagoon city called the experiment a failure. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)

FILE - Citizens and activists confront police during a demonstration against Venice Tax Fee in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. Venice on Sunday July 14, 2024 wraps up a pilot program charging day-trippers an entrance fee, more than 2 million euros ($2.2 million) richer and determined to extend the levy, but opponents in the fragile lagoon city called the experiment a failure. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)

Activists gather outside Venice’s Santa Lucia train station, Saturday, July 13, 2024, to protest a day-tripper fee that they say has failed to dissuade visitors from arriving on peak days, as envisioned. Venice on Sunday wraps up a pilot program charging day-trippers an entrance fee, more than 2 million euros ($2.2 million) richer and determined to extend the levy, but opponents in the fragile lagoon city called the experiment a failure. (AP Photo/Colleen Barry)

VENICE, Italy (AP) — Venice on Sunday wrapped up a pilot program charging day-trippers an entrance fee, more than 2 million euros ($2.2 million) richer and determined to extend the levy, but opponents in the fragile lagoon city called the experiment a failure.

Several dozen activists gathered outside the Santa Lucia train station overlooking a teeming canal on Saturday to protest the 5-euro ($5.45) levy that they say did little to dissuade visitors from arriving on peak days, as envisioned.

“The ticket is a failure, as demonstrated by city data,” said Giovanni Andrea Martini, an opposition city council member.

Over the first 11 days of the trial period, an average of 75,000 visitors were recorded in the city. Martini said that is 10,000 more each day than on three indicative holidays in 2023, citing figures provided by the city based on cell phone data that tracks arrivals in the city.

Venice imposed the long-discussed day-tripper tax on 29 days this year, mostly weekends and holidays, from April 25 through mid-July. The project, delayed by the pandemic, was heralded by UNESCO member states when they decided against a recommendation to place the city on its list of world heritage sites in danger .

Over the last 2 1/2 months, nearly 450,000 tourists have paid the tax, raising revenues of some 2.2 million euros ($2.4 million), according to AP calculations based on data supplied by the city. Officials said the money would be used for essential services, which cost more in a city traversed by canals, including trash removal and maintenance.

The levy was not applied to people staying in hotels in Venice, who are already charged a lodging tax. Exemptions also applied to children under 14, residents of the region, students, workers and people visiting relatives, among others.

The city’s top tourism official, Simone Venturini, has indicated that the levy will be continued and reinforced. A proposal to double the fee to 10 euros is being considered for next year, a city spokesman said.

Officials promised steep fines for scofflaws , but in the end none was given during checks at entry points, which varied from a low of 8,500 to a high 20,800 a day over the period. City officials say that is because they wanted a soft launch. Critics say it resulted in a downward trend in payments as visitors understood there was no risk in avoiding the payment.

Opponents of the plan say it failed to make the city more liveable for residents, as intended, with the narrow walkways and water taxis as crowded as ever. They want policies that encourage repopulation of Venice’s historic center, which has been losing residents to the more convenient mainland for decades, including placing limits on short-term rentals.

There are now more tourist beds in the canaled historic center than official residents, whose numbers stand at an all-time low of 50,000.

“Wanting to raise this to 10 euros, is absolute useless. It makes Venice a museum,” Martini, the city council member, said.

Many of the banners at Saturday’s protest also indicated growing concern about the system of electronic and video surveillance that the city introduced in 2020 to monitor cell phone data of people arriving in the city, which is the backbone of the system to control tourism. Placards included warnings about use of personal data and a lack of data privacy.

“The access ticket is a great distraction for the media, which only speaks about this 5 euros, which will become 10 euros next year,’’ said Giovanni Di Vito, a Venice resident active in the campaign against the tourist tax. “But no one is focusing on the system for surveillance and control of citizens.”

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21 Best Things to Do in Hoi An, Vietnam

Hoi An Attractions & Activities with Travel Guide & Notes

Hoi An, an old Southeast Asian trading port from the 15 th to the 19 th century, is charming in many ways. Visiting Hoi An ancient town, you can see both indigenous and foreign influences that combined to create this unique heritage site. With its alluring beauty, historical and cultural values, hospitable locals, and exciting activities, Hoi An attracts many tourists coming to discover.

More than an ancient town, Hoi An offers various attractions to see and activities to do for you. So, let’s discover 21 best thing to do in Hoi An !

1. Cycle Around to Explore the Ancient Town

With beautiful white sandy beaches, lush rice fields and the gentle Thu Bon River , Hoi An is a perfect place for you to jump on a bicycle and cycle around this ancient town. There are many different places to cycle in Hoi An: the old town for a relaxing morning, Cam Kim Island and Tra Que Vegetable Village. And if you want to experience the traditional Vietnamese way of life, we would recommend you to cycle a short distance into the countryside. While cycling around, you can explore the historical sites, do some shopping, and sample some delicious Vietnamese food .

2. Have a Boat Trip

If you want to discover the town in a different way, instead of cycling around as most other tourists, Hoi An provides you with ample opportunities to discover it on a boat. The boat trip usually takes an hour or two to cruise along the Thu Bon River. You will sit on a coracle to row the boat with the local or a tour guide in small rivers and canals. If you don’t know how to row, don’t worry, they will show you.

This activity gives you a chance not only to enjoy Hoi An poetic landscape but also to understand the cultural features. The boat trip is more fun than you expected as you will join in other activities in Hoi An like catching fish and finding out the normal life of the locals here.

3. Order a Tailor-Made Suit

Not only famous for its colonial buildings, Hoi An is also famous for the tailoring history that dates back to the silk route. So, it would be great if you can buy a high-quality suit in this ancient city as a gift or for yourself.

You can look for a good shop at TripAdvisor and check out all the high rated shops. And, before you get fitted for a suit, remember to agree on a price first. The price will vary depending on the quality of materials. After that, they will get your measurements and you may return the next day for fitting and adjustments. Though it takes one or two days, a tailored-made suit is worth your time.

4. Buy Local Handicrafts

In addition to grandiose architecture, adventurous activities, mouthwatering cuisine, Hoi An also offers a world-class shopping experience.

If you want to buy a souvenir for your friends or family, you should consider buying local handicrafts such as silk lanterns, pottery, leather goods and many tailored clothes. You can search for these gifts in street vendors. Because this small town is well known for its fabulous shopping scene, you have many options to choose from when shopping in Hoi An . So, you can look for the best bargains and goods to buy in Hoi An.

5. Visit Japanese Covered Bridge

Hoi An’s Japanese Covered Bridge , dating back to the 18 th century, is one of the most iconic attractions in Vietnam. It is a beautiful historical piece of Japanese architecture which features the sculptures of two dogs and two monkeys (the Chinese years in which many Japanese Emperors were born). It is about 60 feet in length, colorfully painted in red with a wooden pagoda roof. You can find the bridge at the west end of Tran Phu Street which is easily reached from the town center.

6. Check out Ancient Weaving Techniques in Hoi An Silk Village

Not far from the bustling center of Hoi An ancient town , Hoi An Silk Village boasts for breathing new life into the long history of the Silk Road. Surrounded by horticulture farms, lotus ponds, and mulberry gardens, it has a serene atmosphere which carries you to the old days. There are a dozen artisans working here. They manufacture and weave silk into tapestries and various garments by using ancient looms. Visiting the village, you have a chance to experience silk weaving process, feel the original silk threads, and understand the difference between fake silk and the pure silk fabric.

7. Visit Tan Ky Family House

Located at 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc street and built nearly 200 years ago, Tan Ky family house is one of several oldest houses in Hoi An. It is considered a great example of a merchant’s residence in 18 th century in this major commercial port town. You can see the ingenious combination of 3 architectural styles in this house, including Vietnamese, Japanese, and Chinese style. The house was built from traditional materials such as wood, bricks, and stones which were bought from different provinces in Vietnam. Tan Ky Family house is a special house which used to welcome leaders of Vietnam and other international countries to visit. Visiting the house, you will understand why it is so unique.

8. Take a Coffee Break

The late morning, when Hoi An roads get more crowded, it is a good time to take a coffee break. As the town is home to many cafes, you don’t need to walk far to get a great cup of coffee. In some cafés in Hoi An , they even roast their own Vietnamese single origin beans so its taste becomes more special and memorable. If you are interested, the staff will explain how they source and roast their coffee as well as their different brewing methods. It would be your exciting experience to enjoy a cup brewed in the traditional stainless steel filter called “phin”.

9. Sunbathe and Swim at An Bang Beach

An Bang beach , 3 km to the east of Hoi An, is an ideal beach for sunbathing and swimming. It is voted as one of the most beautiful beaches in Asia by TripAdvisor readers for the fourth consecutive year. The beach is famous for being one of the few white-sand beaches in Vietnam that hasn’t been spoiled by the beach tourism. That’s why many tourists have chosen this place for sunbathing and swimming. The best time for these activities in Hoi An lasts from May to September.

10. Taste Cao Lau

Cao Lau (Cao Lầu – Hoi An vermicelli) is a traditional dish in Hoi An that visitors to Hoi An always remember. “Cao lau! Cao lau!”, noodle vendors call out continuously to invite visitors try the dish. There are many restaurants selling “Cao Lau” in Hoi An. It is a combination of yellow noodles with shrimp, pork and raw vegetables. Its special feature is the yellow noodle which is mixed with cajuput firewood ash taken from Cu Lao Cham . This typical Vietnamese dish contributes to make the culinary soul retaining the old features of Hoi An street. So, you should not miss this dish when visiting Hoi An.

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11. Trip to My Son Sanctuary

A trip to My Son Sanctuary is certainly a highlight in your tour when visiting Hoi An. Located in a rainforest, the amazing complex of the My Son Sanctuary is marketed as the Angkor Wat of Vietnam. Though not as impressive as Angkor Wat in Cambodia, it is one of the most amazing religious sites that are well worth the visit. Used to be the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom, it was constructed from fired brick, sandstone bas-reliefs and stone pillars. From Hoi An, you can go to this sanctuary by motorbike, taxi, or an organized tour.

12. Go Shopping in Hoi An night Market and Central Market

The Hoi An market scene is an outstanding experience that you shouldn’t miss. Hoi An Night Market and Central Market are different in personality and layout, so they will give you different feeling of shopping. The Central Market, the largest market in Hoi An, is always a hive of activities, regardless of the daytime, with crowded streets surrounding the market. Hoi An Night Market is the loudest part of Hoi An with many restaurants and bars. It is highlighted by colorful lights of a few shops selling ubiquitous lanterns. In these markets, you can find the same range of fruits, vegetables, seafood, meat, and other essentials.

13. Contemplate the Fujian Assembly Hall

As a symbolic icon of Hoi An architecture, Fujian Assembly Hall has gained a reputation as a heritage masterpiece of great historical importance. It was created as a place in which those from Fujian in China could meet up and socialize while living or visiting Hoi An. To see the hall in its full glory, you should visit it during a Chinese festival. It is worth your time admiring the artwork, animal pictures and statues, and Thien Hau temple which is dedicated to Thien Hau, the goddess of the sea and also the caretaker of sailors.

14. Tour Quan Cong Temple

Another beautiful example of Chinese craftsmanship in Hoi An is Quan Cong temple , named after an ancient loyal Chinese general. The temple is a striking sight with the reds, golds and greens, attracting a lot of local and foreign visitors. It is surrounded by brick walls, and the main bearings are wooden pillars. Roofs are constructed by horizontal and vertical slat which are arranged in a complex way. Visiting this place, you have an opportunity to admire the sophisticated and beautiful decoration and feel the solemn characteristic which is typical in worship spaces of East Asia.

15. Visit Phung Hung Old House

Just stepping down from the Japanese Covered Bridge, you can see the wide and welcoming entrance hall of Phung Hung Old House. This house has the Yin and Yang style roof traditionally made out of convex designs. The house is a unique mixture of two different architectural styles that can you can see clearly in its 2 floors. The ground floor has the Japanese style in designing four-sided roof and the upper floor shows the Chinese design with a round shaped roof. Until now, there are eight generations that have lived in this house. So, it is a perfect place to get to know more about local culture and daily life of people in the past.

16. Visit Hoi An Lantern Market

You can find the Lantern Market just over on the other side of the river. Here, they also sell pretty much the same souvenirs and trinkets that you may see in other parts of Vietnam. But the most beautiful and impressive scenery is the lanterns at night. It allures a lot of tourists come and take photos. There are around 5 stalls offering a truly gorgeous sight of lanterns. And these lanterns are so outstanding that you might need to fight your way towards them so you can get a photo. You may not forget this wonderful picture when you go back to your country.

17. Eat Banh Mi Hoi An

It will amaze you that when you search for the phrase “the best banh mi in the world”, one of the first results will mention “Banh mi Phuong, Hoi An”. So when visiting this ancient town, you should consider sampling “Banh mi”. Why is this dish so special? It is a good combination of many ingredients together: pork floss, grilled pork, pork liver pate, handmade mayonnaise, long sliced cucumber, pickled papaya,… The “banh mi” Hoi An is crispy on the outside, soft and airy inside, and you cannot find this taste anywhere else but Hoi An.

18. Discover Marble Mountain

Just driving 20 km to the north of Hoi An, you will meet Marble Mountain or a small group of 5 “mountains”. They are translated as Mountains of Five Elements, which means Kim (metal), Moc (wood), Thuy (water), Hoa (fire), and Tho (earth). Marble Mountain is quite alluring with numerous tunnels and cave entrances. It is famous for stone-making, stone sculpture and stone-cutting crafts. It offers some activities to do such as climbing the Mountain of Water (Thuy Son), visiting Tam Thai Pagoda, and abseiling down numerous holes into the cave palaces.

19. Relax at Beaches

Cycling 4 km from the center of the gorgeous Hoi An ancient town, you will find Cua Dai and An Bang beaches. With golden, find sand covered beaches, spectacular palm trees, and clear turquoise water, these beaches are perfect for spending a relaxing day or doing some recreational activities like swimming, sunbathing and other water sports. Especially on summer days, they are cannot-be-missed spots in any Hoi An tours so visitors can enjoy the pretty view of East Sea and cool off.

20. Scuba Diving

With hundreds of different varieties of coral and tropical fish living in the warm tropical waters, scuba diving and snorkeling in Hoi An becomes superb activities off the coast of the town. Some diving sites scattering in Cu Lao Cham island , just 21 km from Hoi An old town, will give you unforgettable experiences with a teeming marine life. With a reasonable price, you can take a day trip to the remote parts of Cham Islands and join in other cultural activities as well.

21. Join a Cooking Class

For food lovers, joining a cooking class where you can learn cooking and tasting traditional Vietnamese dishes in Hoi An is a great idea. Nowadays, there are many cooking classes teaching how to cook Vietnamese and Hoi An-styled dishes, varying from simple to complicated, which are suitable for your interests, expectations and needs. The classes normally start with a morning walk trip to the market for buying necessary ingredients. Then, you will go to a small and intimate kitchen to learn how to cook traditional dishes. After the class, you can taste your own creations while enjoying a spectacular river view.

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Barcelona set to 'substantially' raise tourist tax for stopover cruise passengers

The city's mayor announces the move weeks after protesters sprayed tourists with water pistols and taped up the exits to hotels as part of demonstrations there.

Sunday 21 July 2024 12:01, UK

Demonstrators sprayed tourists with water pistols as part of demonstrations this month. Pic: AP

Barcelona is set to "substantially" raise the tourist tax for cruise passengers visiting the city for less than 12 hours.

It comes as anti-tourism protests have taken place across parts of Spain in recent weeks.

Jaume Collboni, the mayor of Barcelona , has confirmed the charge will be increasing but hasn't said by how much.

The tourist tax for stopover cruise passengers is currently €7 (£6).

Mr Collboni said in an interview with El Pais newspaper: "We are going to propose... substantially increasing the tax for stopover cruise passengers.

"In the case of stopover cruise passengers (less than 12 hours) there is intensive use of public space without any benefit for the city and a feeling of occupation and saturation. We want to have tourism that is respectful of the destination."

Tourists at the cruise terminal at the Port of Barcelona in Spain. Pic: Reuters

Mr Collboni said tourists, not local taxpayers, should pay for local projects like air-conditioning in schools.

The proposal will have to be agreed with the Catalan regional government, the mayor added.

He announced last month that Barcelona will bar apartment rentals to tourists by 2028, an unexpectedly drastic move as it seeks to rein in soaring housing costs and make the city liveable for residents.

Barcelona received more than 12 million tourists in 2023 and expects more in 2024.

Read more: Thinking of going to Barcelona? Better not, tourists told Venice clamps down on tourism with new rules Why 2024 could be worst year for 'overtourism'

Dozens of people during a demonstration against mass tourism in Barcelona earlier this month. Pic: AP

Earlier this month, protesters in the city sprayed tourists with water guns as part of demonstrations over the number of visitors.

Guests were also prevented from leaving their hotels when campaigners taped up exits, as thousands of people were said to have taken part in a rally against mass tourism.

Anti-tourism activists have also staged protests in other popular holiday destinations across Spain in recent weeks - including Palma, Malaga and the Canary Islands, saying visitors drive up housing costs and lead to residents being unable to afford to live in city centres.

Another protest is planned in Palma, the capital of Mallorca in the Balearic Islands, on Sunday evening.

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Should countries reward good tourist behavior.

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Copenhagen's artificial ski slope built on a waste facility—tourists can get free time if they ... [+] travel there by bike or public transport.

Overtourism is increasingly an issue and the question remains–how best to control it? Is it better to limit tourist numbers, introduce two-tier pricing where tourists are charged more, or is there an alternative solution, where tourists are instead encouraged to behave better through rewards?

Bad Tourist Behavior Increases Calls To Cap Tourist Numbers

Florence is a city overcrowded with tourists–1.5 million people visited the city between June and September in 2023. That can be hard on a city of just 382,000 people, and when those tourists behave badly, people inevitably want a cap on tourist arrivals.

Think of social media pictures, say, of a female tourist in Florence performing a lewd act on a statue of Bacchus, the Roman god of wine and excess. There were cries that the city is becoming akin to Disneyland and that she should have been arrested.

In Japan, authorities in charge of Mount Fuji decided to implement a cap on climbers each day as a means of controlling tourist behavior and overcrowding–they report that many visitors arrive ill-prepared and underdressed, sometimes in sandals that cannot handle the mountainous terrain, starting fires, and they leave vast quantities of trash on the hillsides behind them. The prefecture hopes to re-instigate traditional climbing practices tied to the mountain religion and more aligned with local cultural values.

Why Not Charge Tourists (More) To Enter ?

The solution followed by Mount Fuji to limit actual numbers of tourists is a solution favored by Bhutan when it reopened its borders recently. It raised its daily tax (a sustainable developent fee) from $65 to $200 per day but crucially the longer you stay, the fewer number of days you need to pay.

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Some suggest that one solution is to charge tourists more than the locals, a solution favored by Himeji Castle in Japan. It’s one of the few surviving castles after the bombing in World War II and it was made a World Heritage site in 1993, now welcoming millions of visitors each year.

Hideyasu Kiyomoto, the mayor of Himeji, suggests that tourists should be charged four times more than locals to visit (the current fee is about $6). Likewise, many restaurants in Tokyo are exploring charging tourists more for restaurant food.

Back in Italy, after a hard-fought battle by protesters, large cruise ships were banned in 2021 from the Giudecca Canal in Venice, a city that also thinks the solution to overtourism is an entrance fee for day-tripping tourists.

Why Not Reward Tourists for Behaving Better?

In the capital of Denmark, the Copenhagen tourist office is taking an alternative approach and rewarding visitors for sustainable behavior—Copenhagen's artificial ski slope is built on the power plant's roof and since July 15, tourists and visitors who ride a bike or take public transport to get there can earn 20 minutes of extra ski time.

It's part of a wider summer scheme called CopenPay where you might volunteer at Oens Have, the largest urban garden in northern Europe, and be rewarded with a vegetarian meal. Or you could pick up trash in the area of BaneGaarden and earn a free organic meal. GreenKayak, another participant, gives free rentals if you collect trash on the water.

Mikkel Aarø Hansen, CEO of Wonderful Copenhagen, the city's tourism agency told NPR that, "it's about creating meaningful and memorable experiences that are enjoyable and environmentally responsible."

Supporters hope the scheme will expand to throughout the year and throughout the country.

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52 Fun & Unusual Things to Do in Hoi An

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It’s no surprise that Hoi An is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the magical Vietnamese town will transport you to bygone eras and worlds away in an instant.

Once a bustling trading port from the 16th century, the coastal town saw many sailors and tradesmen landing at its harbor. Some of these foreign travelers and merchants stayed in Hoi An, creating an amalgamation of varying cultures, which are still prevalent in Hoi An today.

There are some attractions to see and things to do in Hoi An that celebrate Vietnamese, Japanese, French and Chinese heritage. The famous Ancient Town has remained untouched over the years, with little modernization done to the old town… This is perhaps one of the reasons why this part of Hoi An is so magnificent.

It feels like you’re wandering the streets of a French-cross-Vietnamese cross-Japanese village. The ocean is conveniently around the corner from the center of Hoi An, and not even five minutes from the Ancient Town, come across countryside scenes.

From rice paddies to coconut forests along riverbeds, local craft or fishing villages, there’s much to be discovered. Plus, Hoi An probably has the best shopping experiences in all of the country and Vietnamese cuisine in these parts is next-level yum.

Spend the day cycling around town, take a day trip, and Da Nang and its many famous attractions are 45-minutes away.

Plan to spend at least two days in Hoi An and don’t regret it later. Even though the town appears small, there’s so much to check out and experience.

Want to dive straight in? Browse our catalog now!

Hoi An tours

1 – Spend most of your time exploring Hoi An Ancient Town

Without question, Hoi An Ancient Town is one of the most magical things about Hoi An, and no trip to Vietnam is complete vithout visiting it.

The Hoi An old town is made up of cobbled streets covered in lanterns, terracotta buildings and wooden balconies with overgrown florals… The streets all connect and intersect and are filled with shops and stalls selling unique, handcrafted items, from leather backpacks to tailor-made suits.

There are also local markets set up in this part of town, as well as many of Hoi An’s must-try restaurants and cafes. Apart from all the shopping and eating, there are some must-see attractions to check out.

The historical town dates back to the 15th century and is famous for remaining its originality throughout the years. Explore its wonderful mix of Japanese, French and Chinese influences.

Touring Ancient Town, discover temples, pagodas and even museums. Visit the mythical Japanese Covered Bridge, also known as Chua Cau, or Cau Pagoda. It was built in 1593 by the Japanese community living here at the time, and its wooden rooftop is also a temple top.

Take a guided tour inside Hoi An’s oldest house, the Tan Ky Old House constructed in 1741. Today, it’s considered a ‘living museum’ and shows off a fusion of Japanese, Vietnamese and Chinese design.

Don’t miss the Phung Hung Ancient House either, dating back to 1780. Just look out for the dark wooden exterior reminiscent of Japanese structures.

Hoi An Ancient Town tours

2 – Act like the locals and try a basket boat ride

When venturing through Hoi An, you’ll spot many round woven basket-shaped boats floating on the rivers, sometimes even on beach shorelines.

Used by locals for fishing, and transport, enjoy an authentic basket boat ride in Hoi An. (This mode of transport has been employed for decades, from around the time of the Sino-French War. Constructed as a means to escape imposing boat taxes, these basket boats were created, and according to locals then, were baskets, not boats.)

Many basket boat rides happen along the waters of the Bay Mau Coconut Forest. The wetlands area is home to forestry of coconut trees, fanning the banks of the river as you row by. There are also local villages that live here and some tours stop by for a visit, or even a Vietnamese cooking class.

Have fun rowing your coracle boat (as they’re officially known), and you can even try a trick or two like spinning wars.

Specific tours even pitstop on the river and let you throw in a traditional fishing net from the boat!

boat tours in Hoi An

3 – Cruise around Hoi An by bike

One of the best ways to discover Hoi An is via bicycle. The town itself is not overly large and it’s a great way to get from place to place easily.

The small roads and alleys are perfect for bikes, so spend the day in the sunshine touring around Hoi An and the surrounding areas. Opt to visit the town’s must-see attractions via bike tour, or you can head a little further out and venture into the countryside and rice paddies.

Take a guided tour to a farm, like Tra Que Vegetable Village, or head to the Thu Bon River where you will stop off at traditional Vietnamese villages.

Bicycle through lush landscapes and rice fields, and stop for a chat with the locals. Note, these types of countryside bike tours include transport via vehicle or boat, and then the bicycle adventure begins afterward. If you’re up for a challenge, enjoy a 25-kilometer-peddle and discover the famous My Son Sanctuary by bike.

As everything is within close proximity, it’s a fun way to explore this part of the country and many accommodations offer bike rentals.

bike tours in Hoi An

4 – See the famous ‘Madame Xong’ portrait in person at Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum

Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum, Hoi An

What better way to glimpse into Vietnam’s heritage than through a visual exhibition, just like the set-up of the Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum ?

The museum boasts five rooms to explore, each one filled with photographic images shot by famous French photographer, Réhahn who is based in Hoi An but travels the world photographing his travels.

Housed in a French-colonial building, his moments captured on film explore Vietnam’s varying ethnic groups from all around.

The country has a total of 54 local tribes, and you can learn about 49 of these ethnic groups at the gallery museum. Divided into different rooms, take your time wandering through each one.

The Fine Arts Room is where the majority of the photographic works are on exhibition, and take a journey “Into the Land of Indigo” inside the Indigo Room.

Fun fact, many fabrics in Vietnam are dyed using the indigo plant, found in regions like Sapa.

The Northern Vietnam Room and the Central and Southern Vietnam Room are two of the most impressive art gelleries in the country, highlighting the culture and history of these regions.

5 – Spend the day chilling at An Bang Beach

Hoi An’s most popular beach is the place to be in the peak of summer and has everything you need around it for the ultimate beach day.

Made up of soft white sands and light blue-colored waters, it’s a great spot for families, groups of friends and couples. Down here you’ll find a plethora of seafood restaurants, as well as some local Vietnamese spots and others that are western-inspired.

Soul Kitchen is always a good idea, with a diverse menu, and patrons can use the beach loungers for free. You can also check out traditional music here too.

Grab a cocktail and hang out on beanbags and under private bamboo umbrellas at Shore Club , and Kahuna’s Hoi An Beach Club is always lively and sports a private pool. There are many accommodation options along An Bang beach, from villas to boutique stays.

Work on your tan, catch up on some reading, enjoy lunch with your feet in the sand, or a round of beach badminton among friends.

Try out water activities too, from jet skiing to parasailing, surfing, snorkeling, and more!

6 – Visit 300-year-old Tra Que Vegetable Village

Just a 20-minute walk, or a 10-minute bicycle ride away from An Bang Beach, leave behind the oceanic vibes and enter the countryside to find Tra Que Vegetable Village.

(A popular thing to do in Hoi An is a bike ride from the ancient town to Tra Que Vegetable Village. It’s located three kilometers apart.)

The vegetable village is super scenic offering passer-bys an abundance of greenery to take in.

The gardens are divided into rows of fresh, organic produce and herbs and you can learn about the cultivation of vegetables in this part of the country. Tra Que supplies much of Hoi An with its produce, and they are renowned for growing organic goods only, completely free from chemicals.

Instead, the farm used a special kind of algae that grows in the Tra Que lagoon close by as fertilizer. Try your hand at watering the fields just like the locals do, skillfully balancing a scale of two watering buckets on your shoulders.

It’s said by locals you can taste when a dish uses traditional Hoi An herbs that come from Tra Que Vegetable Village, and if you’re keen to find out more, there’s a cooking school here, as well as an on-site restaurant.

Tra Que Village tours

7 – Cambodia or Vietnam? Transport yourself on a day trip to My Son Sanctuary

Considered the “Angkor Wat” of Vietnam, head one hour from Hoi An to My Son Sanctuary.

Consisting of a group of ancient Hindu temples dating back to the Kingdom of Champa, the sacred grounds have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. Out of all of the religious structures, today 70 temples remain.

Built between the 4th and 13th centuries CE, walk among the ancient complex’s tower temples constructed to honor Hindu divinities including Shiva, Krishna and Vishnu.

Although Mahayana Buddhism was affluent at the time in this part of the world, during the Champa reign, the principal religion was Hinduism.

After years of fighting against the Champa, the Dai Viet people of Northern Vietnam eventually excavated the ruling kingdom. The grounds were left wild and the jungle swallowed up My Son, however, it was later rediscovered by a French adventurer.

Forming a base for the Viet Cong Army during the Vietnam War, the temples were then sadly bombed during wartime. Surrounded by a mountainous backdrop, spend a good few hours wandering from one ancient temple to the next one engulfed by moss and overgrowth. It’s magical.

My Son Sanctuary tours

8 – Divulge into over 800 artifacts inside the Hoi An Museum

During a visit to the Hoi An Museum, learn about the town’s historical and cultural past through the 800-odd artifacts that it holds.

To understand the collection, the museum is divided into four rooms that each hone in on different topics.

Starting with the History and Culture exhibition, learn about Hoi An’s three major time periods; the protohistory period, the Champa period, and the Đại Việt period through to the Đại Nam period.

Changing with the times, the Revolutionary History exhibit hosts 337 artifacts and documents pertaining to resistance wars in Vietnam, mainly during the French colonization period and the US-Vietnam War.

Following on from these times, the Hoi An Ascent from hardship exhibition space explores some of the problems locals have had to face since Vietnam’s liberation in 1975.

Finally, the Art Gallery celebrates the beauty of Hoi An through a collection of paintings by local artists.

9 – Treat your tastebuds during food tours

Home to local fishing villages, as well as the ocean, expect to find a lot of seafood, as well as many Hoi An specialties during a food tour.

Although the cuisine has many influences from the south and north, many dishes originate in Hoi An and have become famous in their own right.

(If traveling to Saigon or Hanoi, you will often find Hoi An restaurants that specifically serve these dishes only.)

During a food tour, travel around the city and get to try the iconic foods yourself.

There are various foodie expeditions and dining experiences to choose from … Enjoy a 2.5-hour evening walking food tour around Ancient Town, or opt for a half-day food tour via motorbike.

Stop by fresh markets, famous street food stalls, a local bakery and favorite neighborhood restaurants. The Madam Khanh (or Banh Mi Queen) is one of the best places for sandwiches on the go.

Some private tours head outside the city streets and into the local countryside and river villages.

food tours in Hoi An

10 – Explore the ancient craft at Thanh Hà Terracotta Park

This entire park is dedicated to ceramics, and Thanh Ha Terracotta Park is right near the 500-year-old Thanh Ha Pottery Village.

The open-air park acts as a museum that explores the history of the Thanh Ha Pottery Village next door, but it draws in the crowds because of the impressive grounds filled with terracotta statues.

There is a building besides the gardens where you can look at ancient tools, techniques and pottery items made throughout the years, including sketches of ceramics.

Check out the traditional potter’s wheel and some porcelain items.

Outside there are mini replicas made from clay of famous sites around Vietnam, showing off intricate details.

Some of these miniature reconstructions include My Son Sanctuary and Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon.

Not just limited to Vietnam, spot replicas of other world-famous attractions like the Taj Mahal, Sydney Opera House, Statue of Liberty and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

11 – Relax away from the crowds at Cua Dai Beach

Just outside of Hoi An town, if you’re scouting a beach to spend the day in peace and quiet, Cua Dai beach is the ideal location.

Unlike An Bang beach, the main tourist beach, there are no restaurants or beach bars down here and the landscape feels wilder.

Enjoy a beach picnic, spend the afternoon journaling, and for surfers, the waves at Cua Dai Beach can reach a few meters high in October creating epic surf conditions.

There are a few luxury resorts located along the shores, or you can find some cute beach villas and homestays down the roads leading to Cua Dai Beach.

Unfortunately, in the last few years, the beach has undergone some erosion, so you will notice sandbags allocated along the banks to help restore the natural landscape.

Arrive in time for sunset and then enjoy a bonfire with your mates afterward — but remember to leave no trace and please clean up afterward. There are no on-site facilities so it’s up to beachgoers to responsibly care for our natural habitats with this one.

12 – Create your own Hoi An souvenir during a lantern-making class

Lanterns are synonymous with Hoi An and once you arrive, you’ll totally understand why.

If you look up, many streets are lined with colorful lanterns in all shapes and sizes, and plentiful shopfronts are dripping in them, or selling the iconic Hoi An lanterns.

Remember your trip to Hoi An forever and take a lantern-making class where you make your own lantern to take home with you.

If you’re traveling to Hoi An with kids, this is an especially great activity to try.

Enjoy a 2.5-hour workshop where you’ll learn to construct your lantern souvenir, and creatives, book a lantern-making and painting class in one.

During the class, learn to make a lantern step by step using a bamboo frame and silk fabric of your choosing.

As this is a traditional art form, make the experience extra authentic and take the class at a nearby local village.

lantern making classes in Hoi An

13 – Understand the importance of pottery at the Museum of Trade Ceramics

The Museum of Trade Ceramics is another one of Hoi An’s museums that displays the town’s history.

Storing and exhibiting a collection of real-life items and artifacts that can be traced as far back as the 9th century, many of the objects are made from pottery.

It’s pretty cool to investigate the progression of ceramics throughout Hoi An’s past, and the museum also showcases works up to the 19th century, including some sketches and drawings.

Throughout the years, these artifacts have been discovered all around Hoi An, including fragments found washed ashore after a shipwreck, as well as during archaeological excavations.

Its collection of 268-odd items and relics are displayed behind glass cabinets, line the walls and hang from the ceiling, and there is also a model of a traditional sailing ship inside.

Founded in 1995, the museum was specifically chosen to be housed inside an ancient two-story dark wooden building — these buildings were typically erected by Japanese communities in the late 1900s.

14 – Get involved in a local cooking class

Near the ocean but surrounded by thriving countryside, you’ll find the best of both worlds when it comes to eating in Hoi An.

Learn how to cook a scrumptious Hoi An dish just like a local professional with a cooking class.

Located in central Vietnam, this part of the country mixes flavors from the northern and southern parts.

A typical cooking class in Hoi An begins with a trip to a local market to shop for ingredients, while other cooking classes take place on local farms where you will pick your fresh produce to be used.

With the guidance of a professional chef or local expert cook, recreate your own dish and take home the recipe to cook up for friends and family.

During the class, master how to make a Vietnamese specialty, the fresh rice paper spring roll, as well as main dishes.

For something extra special, take a cooking class at a local village along the Thu Bon River.

cooking classes in Hoi An

15 – There are so many things to do and see at the Son Tra Peninsula

The Son Tra Peninsula, or Monkey Mountain as it’s also known, is a fantastic day trip from Hoi Anoption and is only one hour away.

Apart from the numerous hiking trails, nature walks and phenomenal panoramic views, there are many private and secluded beaches along the way (but they require some trekking to reach).

One of Monkey Mountain’s most iconic sites is Đỉnh bàn cờ i.e. Chess Board Top.

Climbing to the top of the Son Tra Peninsula, find the statue of the chess player and his unfinished chess game — which is impossible to end! Many day tours travel to the Son Tra Peninsula, stopping off at its most famed sites.

Jeep tours travel here too, and if even just to take in the scenery from the open road, it’s pretty spectacular.

Stop by Man Thai Fishing Village and visit the 1,000-year-old Giant Banyan Tree. Drink in the scenery from the mountain, and the views are unending.

Some of the best can be seen from the regal Lady Buddha, also located in the Son Tra Peninsula.

16 – Delight all your senses during a visit to the Hoi An Central Market

Running along the riverside, the best time of day to hit the Hoi An Central Market is in the early morning.

It’s a sensory overload in the best way possible, from the colorful scenes of unique fruits and vegetables for sale, to the smells of fresh seafood or street snacks cooking up.

Not only is the produce for sale the freshest at this time of day, but it’s a fantastic place to try out a super local breakfast (for ridiculously cheap prices too).

Apart from the usual Banh Mis (Vietnamese baguette sandwich), try other morning dishes such as Banh Xeo (a pancake filled with shrimp, pork and spring onions), Bun Bo (beef breakfast noodle soup), and Cau Lau (a dry noodle dish with pork and local greens).

Don’t miss tasting Vietnamese spring rolls or White Rose dumplings (steamed prawns wrapped in rice dough).

Located inside the Ancient Town, the market is conveniently situated and links the bottom road.

Some of the streets running up from the market sell handicrafts and interesting kitchen utensils and homeware items.

17 – Venture through to Marble Mountains

Gaining its name from the striking white color of these marble and limestone mountains, Marble Mountains consists of temples, caves and sweeping views.

Five limestone peaks make up the mountain range, and each one is named in Vietnamese after the five natural elements; earth, fire, water, wood and metal.

Tackling the Marble Mountains requires some trekking, and as you ascend the hills, pass by its must-see attractions.

Entering the range, visit the Marble Village, Non Nước Village, filled with white-stone carved statues.

Climbing the stone steps from one peak to the next, visit Huyen Khong (the largest of all the caves) and the Am Phu Cave.

Inside this cave find statue depictions of Naraka (what Buddhists refer to as ‘hell’).

Other epic caves to check out are Hoa Nghiem Cave on the Water Mountain (Thuỷ Mountain) and Tang Chon Cave is located inside the Kim Mountain, also known as Metal Mountain.

Head to Tam Thai Pagoda for a tranquil setting, and Xa Loi Tower is home to 200 Buddhas.

Marble mountains tours

18 – Cross the famous Golden Bridge at Sun World Ba Na Hills

Golden Bridge at Sun World Ba Na Hills, Vietnam

You’ll want to spend at least half the day at this one-of-a-kind theme park with countless things to see, activities to do and attractions to choose from at Sun World Ba Na Hills .

Where to begin? … Stroll through a French-inspired village, or wander through Luna Castle. Catch all the thrills inside Fantasy Park where you’ll discover fun rides, games and a 5D cinema.

Check out Vietnam’s first-ever Wax Museum for life-like figurines of famous musicians, actors, sports heroes and political figureheads throughout history. Another first for the country and special feature is a 3-meter high Quartz crystal cave which you can step inside.

One of the most photographed spots in Vietnam in its later years, the Golden Bridge i.e. Cầu Vàng, is also located inside the park.

Seen all over social media feeds, finally get the opportunity to check out the famous Vietnamese walking bridge. The walkway is held up by two giant stone hands on either side, stretching onwards for 150 meters and with the most breathtaking views below!

The bridge was opened in 2018 and is reachable by cable car only. Speaking of, for some of the best views of the park and Danang, take a ride in the Ba Na Hills Cable Car.

The cable car ride runs throughout the park, dropping passengers at different locations around the area.

To travel around the park, take the Dream Spring Station to Ba Na Station cable car ride line, or if you just want to ride the cable car and not visit any park attractions, book a ticket on the Toc Tien Station to L’Indochine Station line.

But there’s more … Not just fun and games, Ba Na Hills is home to pagodas, temples, stupas, and a monastery. You can also find your inner zen at the Rain Sheltering Teahouse during an ancient tea ceremony, or sit back and relax with a glass of vino at the Debay Wine Cellar’s bar.

Golden Bridge tours

19 – Feel like Sherlock Holmes, but in Vietnam, with these epic scavenger games

Uncover the secrets of the ancient town or unravel the sites around all of Hoi An with a fun and immersive scavenger game — one of the exciting things to do in Hoi An for families. This is also a terrific way to introduce your kids to the attractions around town without trawling them through a typical sightseeing tour.

Given a map and a set of clues, you will solve each riddle one by one, moving from one landmark or location to the next. Arriving at each stop, decipher clues using local imagery, signs or even by striking up conversations.

There are short one to two-hour games (favoring locales smack bang in the Hoi An Old Town), or opt for an extensive city treasure hunt lasting four.

The Japanese Covered Bridge, Thu Bon River and the Museum of Sa Huỳnh Culture are examples of places of interest to see during shorter scavenger games, or veer further out the city during longer stints, exploring Tra Que Vegetable Village.

scavenger games in Hoi An

20 – Famous for its leathermakers, shop insanely cheap leather goods!

When it comes to getting anything leather-made, Hoi An is where it’s at, and you’ll be shocked to find how affordable custom-made leather goods are in this part of Vietnam … So take advantage!

If there’s something you can imagine made from leather, chances are you’ll find it in one of the leather shops, or one of the craftsmen can create your dream design for you, whether it’s a pair of shoes or a guitar bag.

The predominant leather used in Vietnam is made from buffalo, and you can choose from an entire range of different colors and textures.

Blue Lotus Leather offers both already-made and custom-ordered leather items sporting quality modern designs. They host leather workshops too.

Frequented by many travelers, find a beautiful selection of leather goods for very affordable prices at Buffalo Leather Shop, from Birkenstock-type sandals to leather jackets, belts, purses, and much more.

Find your perfect leather travel bag at Da Bao Real Leather and their excellency lies in their fine details and craftsmanship of bags, from backpacks to wallets.

21 – Looking for the best snorkeling near Hoi An? Boat trip over to Cham Island!

Did you know that surrounding the central city Da Nang (a 45-minute drive from Hoi An), are many neighboring islands?

Spend a day having fun in the sun and take part in oceanic activities with a trip to Cham Island , also known as Cù Lao Chàm.

Located inside the Cu Lao Cham Marine Park, it forms part of a protected biosphere reserve known for its marine and wildlife.

The Cham Islands are made up of an archipelago of several small islands, the biggest of them is Cham Island (Cù Lao Chàm), which is also called Hon Lao. It’s a famed snorkeling destination known for its crystal blue waters and beaches filled with soft white sands.

Cham Island snorkeling tours are very popular and there are five beaches to explore. The waters at Bai Xep beach are particularly great to snorkel around, and Bai Bim beach and Bai Ong beach are two other favorites for travelers.

Choose a half-day snorkel tour out at sea traveling to Cham Island by speed boat, or you can stay overnight on the island and there are multiple accommodation options. The group of Cham Islands holds particular importance in this part of Vietnam as it’s believed that this is where the Champa people first landed in the country.

Around the multiple islands, scout temples, shrines, pagodas and hidden forests. Apart from Hon Lao, the other islets include Hon Tai, Hon La, Hon Dai, Hon Kho Me, Hon Kho Con, Hon Mo and Hon Ong.

snorkeling tours in Hoi An

22 – Learn how to work with this traditional material at Taboo Bamboo Workshop

The Taboo Bamboo Workshop is an amazing activity for all ages.

Bamboo is one of the most widely used materials in Vietnam, known for its strength and stability, as well as for being easy enough to manipulate for carving and crafting.

A family-run business operating for more than three generations, get involved and join a workshop. Learn about how some of the traditional bamboo handicrafts are created and get the chance to make your own with the help, knowledge and expertise of the family.

If there’s something in particular you’d love to construct, just let them know and you will also learn how to treat the bamboo material afterward so that it keeps.

Light fixtures, sconces, mugs, cups, bowls, instruments, straws, chairs, hanging features and even helmets and bicycles… It seems like Taboo can make anything from bamboo!

Making houses and structures from bamboo is one of Taboo Bamboo’s main sources of income, and you can explore a bamboo house on-site too.

23 – Look into the past at the Assembly Hall Of Fujian Chinese

As one of the oldest historical sites in Hoi An Ancient Town, walk around the Assembly Hall of Fujian Chinese and explore the temple grounds dating back to 1690.

During the 15th to 18th centuries, the port town saw many merchants from different countries enter through its waters, and although now a temple, originally the building served as an assembly hall for Chinese traders arriving in Hoi An from Fujian, China.

Then in 1697, according to the stories, a statue of the Chinese goddess of the sea, Mazu, also known as Thien Hau in Vietnamese, washed up onto the shore on Hoi An’s beach.

It was then decided by the locals to turn the assembly hall into a temple dedicated to the Chinese deity.

Today, travelers can explore three halls that celebrate distinctive architecture. Visit the Main Hall, Front Hall and Back Hall and the courtyard is home to mythical statues, shrines and bonsais.

Inside the Main Hall, spot two golden figures on the altar feature. One is of Avalokiteshvara, a Bodhisattva of compassion, and the other is of the goddess, Mazu.

walking tours in Hoi An

24 – Get your fix at the best coffee shops

Caffeine addicts, you’ve come to the right country! Vietnam’s famous cà phê đá (Vietnamese iced coffee made using a phin that drips coffee into a glass of ice), is now found on many specialty coffee shop menus worldwide.

All around Vietnam, the coffee game is on point, and it’s no different in Hoi An.

Known as one of the best coffee shops in town, Phin Coffee roasts its own coffee beans and the specialty store serves an amazing drip coffee.

For those that like it strong, grab a cup at The Espresso Station supplying creative concoctions. Try their Black Latte, or order Coffee Ice Cubes. Their courtyard setting is extra cute, and they also have a barista training school.

Set in a traditional house, Bill Coffee & Tea has a great selection of specialty coffees and techniques and is a super ambient coffee shop.

It feels like you’re somewhere in Bali at Nourish Eatery and they offer a fantastic French press.

Designed as a farm-to-table experience, Cocobox only used fair-trade certified and organic coffee beans that are locally sourced from around Vietnam. They have a great pour-over coffee.

For super-local vibes, 11 Coffee House serves a mean coconut coffee (cà phê cốt dừa) and a cà phê sữa đá (Vietnamese iced coffee, but instead of having it black, condensed milk is added for a milky consistency — and buzz!).

25 – Update your social media pages during a visit to Bich Hoa Village

Check out the little beachside village, Bich Hoa Village, also known locally as Làng Bích Họa Tam Thanh (add this version to your maps).

Over recent years the sleepy coastal town has become a tourist attraction because the buildings and street walls are covered with gorgeous artworks and murals.

Artists regularly repaint the walls and so you’ll often spot new works of art popping up, and it’s an awesome destination filled with many photo opportunities around every corner.

Nearly every single building is brightened with art, from portraits of locals to scenery typical of Central Vietnam — even the fishermen’s basket boats are decorated.

Heading one hour from Hoi An in the opposite direction from Da Nang, the village is located in the Tam Ky area.

After you’re done snapping all the street art, spend some time at the secluded and picturesque Tam Thanh beach, and grab lunch at a local restaurant before trekking back to Hoi An.

26 – Enjoy a scooter tour through the Hoi An countryside

If you’ve never ridden a motorized bike before, Hoi An and a scooter are excellent starting points. Take advantage and try an epic scooter tour.

The roads around Hoi An are very chilled in comparison to some parts of the country, like Hanoi for example, and are lined with countryside scenes.

Scooters are also very easy to drive … Hop on the bike, lift the kick-stand, engine on and accelerate.

If you don’t feel comfortable enough, no problemo. Choose a scooter tour in Hoi An where you ride as a passenger with a guided driver.

With multiple types of scooter tours, choose an option that bests suits you.

You can tour around Hoi An, the ancient town and must-see attractions around the area, or drive out of town and into the countryside and through rice paddies and hillsides.

Instead of a day tour, choose a night ride instead. Take an evening scooter foodie tour, stopping by numerous restaurants and bars along the way.

scooter tours in Hoi An

27 – Discover 484 artifacts divided into four themes at the Museum of Folklore

Whilst many of the museums explore the city’s historical past, the Museum of Folklore focuses on highlighting Hoi An’s productive cultural side.

Stepping inside the museum, there are four main categories to delve into, divided into different exhibitions inside a 150-year-old two-story building. Apart from the artifacts and photos it hosts, the museum utilizes some of these items to recreate scenes illustrating cultural activities and local traditions.

The four topics that the Museum of Folklore covers include Picture art, Performing arts, Traditional craft villages and Folk activities.

Explore varying art forms used throughout Hoi An’s history like sculptures, bronze relics, wood carvings and paintings inside the Picture art space. The Performing arts exhibit on the other hand explores traditional folk songs and dance through displays and statues.

Learn about the local Tengu Dance, the game Bai Choi, and Ba Trao songs used during fishing ceremonies.

Get acquainted with silk production when wandering around the ‘Traditional craft villages space’, and the ‘Folk activities’ exhibit focuses on topics such as wedding customs and traditional costumes.

Right next to the river, take in the views from the balcony on the second floor. There is a small souvenir shop selling local handicrafts, like embroidered shopping bags and tins of tea leaves.

28 – Cycle through Cam Kim Island’s verdant rice fields

Traveling just 15 minutes by bicycle, reach the rural Cam Kim Island nestled in Hoi An’s countryside and beside the Thu Bon River.

To reach Cam Kim, cross the New Bridge, which also links the island to Thanh Ha Village.

It’s famous for its endless rice paddies which you can weave in between, stopping to take photos in the fields or scenic shots with locals cultivating rice for the day in the background.

Thanks to its makeup, a popular activity to try at Cam Kim Island is learning how to make rice paper which is used across a variety of Vietnamese food dishes.

There are a few local villages to stop by other than Thanh Ha Village, including Triem Tay Village and the Kim Bong Carpentry Village.

You can also reach Cam Kim Island by boat and right by the ferry dock is the Boat Building Yard where traditional round-weaved basket boats are made.

There’s a small market nearby selling handicrafts and souvenirs.

Cam Kim Village tours

29 – Go Kayaking through Hoi An’s riversides

Running through Hoi An is the Thu Bon River and it extends to other areas around the main town.

One popular way to discover the surrounding locations near the river is by kayaking along the waters, passing by coconut groves and tropical wetland scenes … It truly feels like you’re deep in the jungle.

You can book a kayaking expedition where private drivers transport you to the Cam Thanh area and you start your kayak ride. For something extraordinary, a sunset kayak tour is unparalleled.

As you cruise down the river, the sun dances off the water and creates magnificent silhouettes as it drops low between the coconut trees.

If you’re not keen on veering out of the Hoi An Old Town, the Thu Bon is in the center, and kayaking along the river in this part only is totally doable for those who want to enjoy a short, authentic boat ride.

kayaking in Hoi An

30 – Put your skills to the test and go golfing

Surrounded by nature, the ocean, and offering a relatively flat terrain overall, Hoi An is the perfect location for a golf range. Since Hoi An and Da Nang are only 45 minutes away from each other, you have plenty of options for golfing available.

The nearest course is the opulent Hoiana Shores Golf Club providing players and guests with the most gorgeous views, from the beach to Cham Islands. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., it offers golfers “challenging-yet-rewarding” holes.

Heading 30 minutes outside the center of Hoi An, perfect your backswing at the 18-hole Vinpearl Golf Nam Hoi An .

The Montgomerie Links is named after its founder, Colin Montgomerie, and the course is suitable for all-level golfers. Set to international standards, the course is surrounded by forestry and throughout the 18 holes, find well-positioned bunkers and impressive fairways.

At the BRG Da Nang Golf Resort (also known as the Danang Golf Club), choose between not one but two courses. The main course is the Nicklaus Course (of Jack Nicklaus designs) and offers a Par 73 over an 18-hole range.

The Dunes Course , also known as the Norman Course as it was designed by Greg Norman, offers a links-style layout. The furthest from Hoi An, if you’re visiting Sunworld at Ba Na Hills, golfing enthusiasts take advantage and visit Ba Na Hills Golf Club .

Surrounded by gorgeous mountainscapes, its received multiple awards including Vietnam’s Best and Asia’s Best Golf Course five years in a row!

31 – Sip on flavors you’ve never tasted before during a cocktail experience

For when you throw your next dinner party or a fancy birthday bash, impress your friends back home with new flavors and concoctions that have inspired you from your cocktail experience in Hoi An.

Tantalize your (drinking) tastebuds with local0 herbs, spices, florals and spirits, expertly shaken by pro mixologists. These shakers really understand Vietnamese flavors and what works with local spirits too.

During the tour, visit four to five secret spaces where impressive cocktails are fired up, and you’ll also have the chance to mingle with the creators. Rượu gạo (rice wine) is the country’s most popular liquor, and so you can definitely expect a cocktail made from the distilled fermented rice.

Occurring in the evenings, these excursions last around three hours, and to line your stomachs, are accompanied by a traditional snack with each round.

(A sample menu includes the likes of Vietnamese pancakes, bruschetta and fusion spring rolls.)

cocktail experience in Hoi An

32 – Range over Hoi An with a fun countryside jeep tour

Leave behind the shopping and eating in Ancient Town for the day and adventure around the coastal city via jeep tour.

Out of the many things to do in Hoi An, this is a perfect way to discover the natural landscapes other than the oceanic scenes.

In an army jeep, zip through rice fields, cruise alongside the riverbanks, and pitstop at traditional villages for something to eat and activities, like basket boat rides and food-tastings. Cruise past local farms where your guide enlightens you along the way with knowledgeable information.

If My Son Sanctuary is on your Hoi An bucket list, opt for a fun jeep tour here instead. Adding to the jungle feels, whizz around with an open roof and take in the sights en route to the sacred grounds

Some tours even head through Da Nang to Marble Mountains, Monkey Island and even the Hai Van Pass. If you plan on sightseeing in these spots, consider a jeep tour here!

jeep tours in Hoi An

33 – If you’re fascinated by wood-work, head to Kim Bong Carpentry Village

Throughout its time, Kim Bong Chau as it’s locally known has been a part of Hoi An’s evolution, helping to manufacture building structures, furniture and even boats.

Today, the woodworkers at Kim Bong Carpentry Village specialize in crafting sculptures, but you will find an array of other wooden products made here too.

Like many of Hoi An’s traditional villages, the carpentry village has been around for centuries, and it’s situated on the banks of the Thu Bon River. Apart from investigating wooden works of art, learn about the village’s ancient history.

In the 15th century, woodworkers from the northern regions landed in this part of Vietnam and continued doing what they did best as an occupation. Originally, the carpenters worked on building bamboo homes and wooden huts and later began constructing ships and boats when Hoi An’s trading port hit a massive boom.

From here, they moved on to crafting household items and appliances until the modern era hit. When visiting Kim Bong Carpentry Village in the 21st century, wooden sculptures are now the main focus.

34 – Visit a traditional fishing village, Tra Nhieu

Driving 30 minutes from the old town, the peaceful Tra Nhieu fishing village is located inside the Tra Nhieu Nepa Palm Forest.

Thanks to its location, it’s a popular day trip in Hoi An, whether you choose to drive, bicycle ride, scooter tour or catch a boat ride cruise here.

Upon arrival, you’re greeted by rows of tropical palms on either side of the road leading to the village. Explore local life and get the chance to see the fishermen in action, and you can also try your hand at traditional fishing techniques.

Speaking of, learn how a bamboo basket boat is made, and then paddle your own through a lush coconut forest!

Apart from the activities that revolve around aquatic life, spend time with local families and get involved in traditions learning how to weave colorful mats or make rice paper.

Don’t miss the opportunity to sample classic central coastal specialties such as cá hấp (steamed fish), tôm rang muối (crispy, salt-roasted shrimp) and cháo (congee).

Tra Nhieu tours

35 – Swim and sip on cocktails from the highest rooftop, The Deck Hoi An

Insane views over magical Hoi An, impressive cocktails to boot, and a pool … The Deck Hoi An is one of the hottest hangouts.

Not to be confused with The Deckhouse (on An Bang beach), this rooftop destination is situated on the ninth floor of the Hotel Royal Hoi An – MGallery.

Built adjacent to the Thu Bon River, Hoi An’s highest rooftop bar and lounge is the place to be whether you’re here in the late afternoon for a light bite to eat and a round of drinks, or for sundowners as the sun begins to fade.

Distinctly more upmarket, or rather, not as casual as many of the bars in town, this is a wonderful pick for couples too, and the setting reflects this — cue the poolside cabanas, pin-stripe umbrellas and wrought-iron bar stools.

Food is sent from the hotel’s The Attic restaurant, with its delish menu comprising tapas and loads of seafood!

36 – Calling all yogis, take a yoga class

Unlike some of Vietnam’s bustling cities and towns, there’s a real serene feeling in Hoi An and you can’t help but feel instantly relaxed … Perhaps it’s because it’s right near the ocean which makes everything feel calmer? …

Hoi An is a lovely place to practice yoga, especially if you’ve been missing out on your daily/weekly classes whilst traveling.

There are yoga classes to join conveniently located near Hoi An’s ancient town, or for a really special experience, enjoy a yoga session in the middle of unending green rice fields!

As you unwind and re-center, feel invigorated by the natural landscapes around you and there are classes available to suit all levels and styles.

Choose a beginners class, or a Yin, Vinyasa or Hatha yoga class. It’s a beautiful setting to enjoy your sun salutation series.

Aum Yoga is a studio in town, but they also are a yoga teacher training center for any yogis wanting to take their practice to the next level.

yoga classes in Hoi An

37 – Watch a live show at Hoi An Memories Land

Yes, technically Hoi An Memories Land is a resort, however, it’s open for daytime visitors who want to have some fun at Hoi An Memories Land cultural theme park.

Situated on a private islet on the Hoai River, the resort and park have been designed to recreate the feeling of Hoi An’s Ancient Town, but without the overload of tourists walking its streets.

If you stay the night at Hoi An Memories Land, the villa options are replicas of the famed terracotta buildings.

Visiting the park for the day, watch the Hoi An Impression Show. It’s a live art performance where you can get a glimpse of what life was like in the town during the 16th century.

Explore a recreation of a Japanese Village during the 17th century in Hoi An and the Love Bridge is located inside this section. Investigate architectural features in the Spirituality section, such as traditional pagodas and temples that have been erected over the last centuries in central Vietnam.

The main part of the cultural village highlights the fusion of different nationalities that once lived in Hoi An when it was a major trading port, like France and the Nederlands.

The unique setting is a great place for families to stay, and the resort has an outdoor guest pool, restaurant, bar, spa and fitness center.

38 – Don’t miss out on visiting the Imperial City of Hue

Known as the Imperial City, it would be silly to miss a day trip to Hue when you’re in this part of Vietnam.

One of the biggest reasons why many make the journey here is for its amazing plethora of historical and cultural sites, rich in history, stories and of course, it was the land of the royals way back when.

From tombs to temples, palaces and pagodas on the riverside and monasteries in the mountains … there is just so much to explore in the regal ancient city.

One of the biggest attractions is the Imperial City itself, or the Old City, which is located within the Citadel (a wall built around the city in later years to protect the royal families).

Inside there are tons of ancient sites, and you will pay an entry fee at one of the citadel’s entrances for access to the historical attractions.

Traveling from Hoi An to Hue, you will pass through the Hai Van Gate, a national city relic dating back to 1470.

There aren’t just outdoor attractions to see, and Hue is home to a buzzing creative side!

To get to Hue, you can catch a train ride from Da Nang. Join a private tour from Hoi An or motorbike ride here driving via the picturesque Hai Van Pass.

Hue day trips from Hoi An

39 – Feel like a true local navigating Hoi An on an adventurous motorbike tour

For something more adventurous than a scooter tour, opt for a motorbike tour around Hoi An and the surrounding areas.

Take a bike trip to local villages and communities in Hoi An, where you will have the chance to venture a bit off-road and cross through rice paddies and countryside roads.

If a few hours around Hoi An isn’t enough, take a motorbike tour through Danang, traveling 1.5-hours to the famous Hai Van Pass — it’s known as one of the most beautiful roads to drive.

Extend your motorbike trip even further and cross the Hai Van Pass all the way into Hue.

A Street Food Tour by motorbike inside Hoi An’s ancient town ticks off two tours in one. Stop by street stalls, vendors and local dining hotspots and try famous delicacies and Hoi An dishes.

There’s no need to worry about falling into a food coma, as you’re driven from one spot to the next.

motorbike tours in Hoi An

40 – Ride the tallest free-falling tower in Vietnam at Asia Park – Sun World Da Nang Wonders

Kids and adults enjoy a fun day at Asia Park , an amusement and cultural theme park.

The park is built along the Han River which adds all the ambiance, and from certain rides like the ginormous ferris wheel, the views across the river are breathtaking!

The setup of the park represents local and traditional Vietnamese designs, as well as its culture.

There are rides and attractions for all ages … Kiddies enjoy duck-boat rides on the lake or spinning in teacups at the Fairy Tea House.

Adrenaline junkies hit the Singapore Sling, Queen Cobra or the Paradise Fall rollercoaster!

One of the major park features is the Cultural Section which focuses on varying countries in Asia.

Within the different zones, it highlights India, China, Korea, Japan, and of course, Vietnam.

Inside the Vietnam Zone explore a traditional dragon boat and wander past replicas of famous country attractions or landmarks.

Taste flavors from around Asia that are renowned for their cuisine, including Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, India, Nepal, Japan, Korea, China and Vietnam at the on-site restaurant.

41 – Visit one of Vietnam’s oldest pottery villages, Thanh Ha Pottery Village

With its origins dating back to the 16th century, Thanh Ha Pottery Village is one of the first pottery villages to arise in the country, and it’s remained to this day.

The entire village is filled with local homes where the families work to create the ceramics made from red clay found on the banks of the Thu Bon River.

When first forming the pottery village, the locals at the time specifically chose this location as it’s next to a river. This made it very convenient to transport products along the water via boats.

Today, mainly ceramics are manufactured as household items and decorative pieces, and the village also produces bricks and tiles. Whilst visiting Thanh Ha, get the opportunity to see the skilled potters in action, and the village still uses a traditional two-man pottery wheel and a red-brick kiln.

If you want to give potting a go, there are workshops to take part in where you can create your own terracotta ceramic. The Thanh Ha Pottery Village is right beside Thanh Ha Terracotta Park.

Thanh Ha Pottery Village tours

42 – Photography enthusiasts, join a photo tour

Once you’re in Hoi An, you won’t want to leave your camera far away for a second!

Ancient Town alone is made up of endless photo opportunities, phenomenal backdrops and tons of architectural delights to snap away at.

Get the inside scoop from a local professional and discover Hoi An’s hotspots with a photo tour!

As one of the most photogenic cities, there are many types of photo tours to choose from.

Enjoy a half-day tour around Hoi An and discover the most mesmeric spots, alleyways, and cultural sites to photograph.

For serious enthusiasts, book a sunrise photo tour where you’ll capture moments in Hoi An before the daily bustle begins, or record Hoi An’s golden hour with a sunset tour.

If you’re not keen on doing the filming, there’s the option to book a private photoshoot.

Heading to picturesque settings around Hoi An, your private photographer will capture all those holiday moments with you, your family, friends or partner in the pics!

photo tours in Hoi An

43 – Getting married soon? Bring your design and get a tailor-made suit

Did you know many international travelers fly into Hoi An to get suits, tuxedos, and even wedding dresses made here, as the town is famous for its impeccable tailoring … And at ridiculously affordable prices!

With plenty of options available, find a tailor to suit your budget from high-end ones specializing in formalwear to designers making suits for everyday occasions. Visiting a tailor, decide on a design and style, then color and your fabric. Next, your personalized measurements are taken and the process begins.

You will usually be called in for one final fitting, before leaving as a happy customer with a brand new suit! As one of the first tailor shops in Hoi An, you won’t be disappointed with Mr Xe’s work.

Still run by the original tailor himself, he’s known for his incredible quality and designs of men’s suits, especially wedding attire. Find him at 71 Nguyễn Thái Học, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam.

Looking for a modern, high-end tailor? Bebe Tailor is owned by a young couple, one half of the duo is a local and the other a foreigner, and you see the fusion of design in their work.

P.s. The tailor shops around Hoi An aren’t limited to just suits, and you can get pretty much anything tailor-made in Hoi An.

Stop by Two Ladies Tailor Shop, a family-run biz that pumps out fast fashion — literally and figuratively. Choose from their pre-designed patterns, or bring your specific design in and the ladies will whip up a playsuit, dress or pajama set in a jiff.

44 – Visit the country’s tallest Buddha, Lady Buddha

Whilst driving through Da Nang and the Hai Van Pass, you can’t help but notice the regal statue of Lady Buddha that stands proudly overlooking the mountains.

Drive along the ocean roads to reach Lady Buddha found within the Son Tra Peninsula.

The biggest Buddha statue in all of Vietnam is made up of 17 floors and each level is dedicated to a different Buddha.

Reaching the 17th floor, treat your eyes to the most awe-inspiring views of the surrounding areas, including oceans, islands and mountain ranges.

Although many travel to see the 67-meter tall statue, Lady Buddha is located inside the courtyard at Linh Ung Pagoda, which is worth exploring whilst you are here.

Today, Linh Ung Pagoda is Da Nang’s largest pagoda, but interestingly it was only constructed, along with Lady Buddha, in 2004.

You cannot miss the iconic attraction on a day trip via Da Nang or Hue.

45 – Find an explosion of flavors at Hoi An’s best restaurants

Food is a major part of Vietnamese culture, and because the port city has seen a multitude of nationalities cross its waters through the decades, there’s an international blend of restaurants in Hoi An.

For incredible French food, views and all the ambiance, head to The Cargo Club. It’s located right next to the riverfront and there are French and international dishes on the menu, as well as an in-house pâtisserie.

Put on your fancy clothes and visit Aubergine49 Restaurant for a fine-dining experience. Foodies, the head chef here, Thinh, has worked under some mega chefs, including Rick Stein!

For incredible Vietnamese with a modern twist, visit Spice Viet Restaurant which only uses recently harvested, local produce from an organic farm in the area. Treat yourself to an evening of champagne and cheese at Le 20 Hoi An which focuses on serving fresh and simple produce in French techniques.

If you’re in the mood for seafood, have an authentic experience with your feet in the sand at Phuong’s Beach Restaurant down at An Bang Beach.

Whilst this side, stop by The DeckHouse which serves Vietnamese fusion, including seafood, and has fantastic cocktails, a private pool, and is a serious vibe.

Or if you’re craving prawns or oysters in the Ancient Town, visit Madame Lân . The menu is filled with local dishes and many seafood options, including hotpots. With a stunning riverside location, feast on French flavors at bistro-style Le Cabanon, or book a table at MÙA which highlights seasonal local ingredients presented in fun and contemporary ways.

Fill your sushi craving at Hoshigami Sushi Japanese Restaurant, or grab healthy and hearty grub from Nourish Eatery .

46 – Learn all about the delicate fiber at the Hoi An Silk Village

Don’t be fooled, the Hoi An Silk Village is not only a silk village, it’s also a spa and offers accommodation options too.

However, it did in fact form part of the famous Maritime Silk Road in Vietnam some 300 years ago, and locals have been creating beautifully handcrafted silk fabrics ever since.

Back in the day, this was Quang Nam Province’s main silk producer, and the textile was shipped straight from the village to Europe and other parts of the western world.

The original Silk Village closed down, but it was later reopened to aid in reviving the traditional handicraft in Hoi An.

Today there are still artists who skillfully manufacture and weave silk in the village, creating beautiful tapestries, fabrics and garments of clothing. Learn about the silk manufacturing process here, as well as watch the weavers in action.

There is also a gallery, the Tailor Showroom, where you can discover the most beautiful pieces of silk work and garments on display.

Situated just outside of the main town, staying at the Hoi An Silk Village guests can enjoy a peaceful and authentic location. There’s an on-site restaurant, and a wellness center including a spa, gym and sauna.

Silk Village tours

47 – Shop for souvenirs at the Hoi An Night Market

The Old Town is split in two by the Thu Bon River, and connecting both sides is also the An Hoi Bridge.

Walking across the waterway from one side, find the Hoi An Night Market running down Nguyen Hoang Street on the islet considered the Japanese and entertainment district of the old town.

Just look out for the road filled with street vendors and colorful lanterns and you’re in the right spot.

There are over 50 local market stalls offering all the usual night market finds, like bags, jewelry, affordable clothing, and other nicknacks and native handicrafts.

There’s also street food galore to try at the Hoi An Night Market.

When you’re done shopping, take a stroll around this part of the old town.

There’s a handful of restaurants and bars here, and you can find the most delicious Vietnamese rolled ice cream alongside the riverfront.

48 – Book yourself a relaxing spa day

The moment you enter Hoi An you get all the holiday feels, and it’s the perfect vacation destination for unwinding, dining and shopping.

A luxe getaway just isn’t complete without a day at the spa, or at least an afternoon massage.

Try one of La Spa by La Siesta ’s signature treatments like a 90-minute Cloud 9 Package which includes a hot stone massage, and the spa is set inside a gorgeous garden villa.

Relax at the multiple award-winning Aira Hoi An Spa where they offer all types of treatments from facials to massages to body wraps and rituals.

For traditional Vietnamese wellness treatments, White Rose Spa utilizes herbs, plants and minerals used in ancient healing throughout the centuries.

While enjoying a rejuvenating massage in the gardens of La Soie Spa , take a visit afterward to Hoi An’s Silk Village, which is in the same location. (Some spa treatments even include using silk extracts.)

For an incredible Thai massage, stop by Ozone Spa and you can get a mani/pedi or a facial here too.

Something more casual than the rest but with a great central location, book a massage at Blue Gift Spa .

spas in Hoi An

49 – Dance through the nightlife scene and meet like-minded travelers

As one of the most famous places to visit in Vietnam, Hoi An welcomes an overload of tourists every day, no matter the time of year. With its heave of travelers, backpackers and expat community, its nightlife pleases multiple crowds.

In a serious mood to dance? The beats booming out speakers at Velvet Club Hoi An are a mix of Vinahouse and European dance tunes, drawing in both local and international party-goers.

It’s favored for its impressive sound, spacious dance floor, serious lighting and air-conditioned rooms (much appreciated in a place like hot and sticky Hoi An).

Do you prefer an alternative night out? Look no further than rocking Guitar Hawaii Hoi An Live Music Bar . Live artists take to the stage, including Vietnamese and international musicians, and if you play any instruments of your own, feel free to join in for open mic nights.

Or get sweaty on the D-floor at New 92 Club. Professional dancers bust it out in front of the DJ booth, MCs are on the mic and, if you’ve visited Hanoi’s Hero Bar before, this nightclub has a similar vibe.

50 – Lap up 17 kilometers of ocean and mountain views along the Hải Vân Pass

Firstly, one of the best ways to experience the iconic Hải Vân Pass is to rent a scooter or motorbike (or take an organized motorbike/scooter tour) and drive the open mountain road that runs between Da Nang and Hue.

Take in the sights and scenery of one of the most beautiful roads in Vietnam with the ocean on one side and hillsides on the other … the wind blowing in your hair …

As you drive along the pass, there are many stops along the way and attractions to visit.

At the top of the mountain, visit a former military bunker, or stop by Cafe Hòn Đá Cụ Rùa i.e. Turtles Stone for coffee with a view.

Venture into Bạch Mã National Park filled with waterfalls and walking trails or for some insane photos, head to Don Ca Arch Bridge (locally known as Cầu Vòm Đồn Cả), or Minh Mang Tomb.

Dubbed as one of the most beautiful roads to drive in the world by TopGear presenter, Jeremy Clarkson, don’t miss the chance to witness it for yourself.

Hai van Pass tours

51 – Take a romantic sunset dinner cruise

As an old port city, Hoi An is revered today for its naturally romantic riverside location, and so a sunset dinner cruise only seems apt for the occasion.

Leaving Ancient Town, cruise along the Hoai River and enter the Thu Bon River where you’ll sail past local villages and through lush tropical trees.

Embark on the waters around 5 PM before the sun begins to disappear, and by the time you’ve left the Old Town, the sky will start changing shades. This time of day is especially romantic on the Thu Bon River, and the excursion lasts approximately two hours.

Feast on a seafood extravaganza, indulge in a five-course menu or some dinner cruises offer onboard BBQ options.

Sip on cocktails and rice wine, and on the way back to the old town, let off lanterns filled with tealight candles. Make a wish before releasing it along the river.

dinner cruises in Hoi An

52 – Adults and kids will both be enthralled at the Hoi An Lune Center

Conveniently located in the middle of Ancient Town, watch a local live performance that celebrates one of the country’s oldest cultural activities at the Hoi An Lune Center .

While bamboo is one of Vietnam’s most popular building and crafting materials, for hundreds of years bamboo has been utilized by artists and performers.

If you’ve ever visited a local homestay, chances are you’ve tried traditional Bamboo Dancing, a folk game that’s considered a dancing art in the country.

Building from this, watch the Vietnamese Bamboo Circus in action at the Hoi An Lune Center.

During the show, learn about mythical stories and folklore, as well as ancient history through the performance art, accompanied by live musical acts.

The theatre itself is very special, and the 13-meter tall dome is constructed entirely from bamboo.

The walls inside are made from terracotta clay to resemble the traditional houses of Ancient Town.

How to get to Hoi An?

Hoi An doesn’t have an airport, and the closest one is Da Nang International Airport, a 45-minute drive from Hoi An’s Ancient Town.

Forget about organizing a taxi only once you land; pre-book airport transfers in Hoi An for when you touch ground in Da Nang, and be privately transported to your stay in Hoi An, hassle-free.

Book an airport transfer for the journey back when you fly out of Da Nang.

Arriving via boat or planning on visiting nearby islands? Consider pre-booked shore excursions in Hoi An for an easy and efficient trip.

Visiting Hoi An on a budget?

Vietnam is an incredible country to travel on a budget, from its affordable accommodation options to cheap street food, and then there are alternatives like free walking tours in Hoi An .

Led by a local, over the next 2.5 hours, discover the Old Town and get to know it like the back of your hand.

There are a handful of different free Hoi An walking expeditions to choose from.

A classic tour explores the ins and outs of the Ancient Town, meandering its cobbled roads and exploring the tourist attractions and landmarks dotted in between the shops and alleyways, like temples and markets.

You can also pick a tour focusing on Hoi An’s food, showing you secret local favorites. Other walking tours highlight local heritage, stopping with many locals to swap stories and this is great for history enthusiasts.

Where to stay?

Choose to stay in the heart of the Ancient Town, along the riverfront, or slightly out of the main town bustle and down near An Bang Beach.

There are many hotels, boutique stays, and private villas for incredible rates!

Offering the most romantic riverside location, check into Little Riverside Hoi An which is perfect for couples.

With its own private beach, Four Seasons The Nam Hai is the epitome of luxury, and their private villas are super stylish, mixing classic and contemporary design.

The Mulberry Collection Silk Marina celebrates Hoi An’s heritage, evident in its traditional style and decor and it offers all the extras you expect in a large resort.

All room and suite options at Ann Retreat Resort include private balconies with views, and it’s a great family option offering connecting rooms.

Millennials fall in love with the tropical G Boutique Resort Hoi An , or An Nhien Boutique Villa is another trendy and colorful option.

Situated away from the crowds, stay at the five-star The Five Villas & Resort .

It’s slightly out of town, and Ancient Town is a 20-minute drive away and features a private beach.

La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa is suitable for all types of travelers, from families to couples, and all room options are spacious.

Right near Cua Dai Beach and built next to the De Vong River, stay in bungalows perched in between the lagoon set-up, and the little ones will especially love Koi Resort & Spa .

best hotels in Hoi An

Where go next?

Is your time in Central Vietnam kinda limited? Trust us, once you arrive, you’ll wish you had more! An awesome way to travel around its coastal settings is with multi-day trips from Hoi An .

To reach Hoi An, you will travel from Da Nang, and as most travelers land in Da Nang, it makes sense to book at least one night in the major seaside city.

There are tons of oceanfront resorts, beaches and restaurants to choose from, and the journey from Hoi An to Hue takes just two hours. Motorbiking along one of the world’s most beautiful roads, crossing the famous giant hand bridge or learning how to surf are examples of the magical things to do in Da Nang .

Mermaids and beach babes, for another ocean-centric destination, discover all the things to do in Phu Quoc , the country’s most beautiful island!

Hoi An is located in the center of Vietnam, but the northern and southern parts of the country offer totally different feelings, and experiences to try.

Leaving Da Nang International Airport, take a 1.5-hour flight to Hanoi, or you can travel 15 hours by public transport or private car. Capital of Vietnam has so much to offer, and incredible things to do in Hanoi include walking around its lakes (Hoan Kiem, West Lake and Truch Bach), coffee drinking, history and war museum visits, and shopping and eating around the Old Quarter.

From Hanoi, visit iconic Vietnamese destinations like Sapa, or tour the Northern Loop in Ha Giang.

To reach the south, catch a 1.5-hour flight from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City, or opt for the driving route which is an 18-hour journey. Things to do in Ho Chi Minh comprise the likes of visits to the famous Cu Chi tunnels, a cruise along the Mekong Delta, and spending a few days in Vietnam’s thriving urban Saigon.

Final thoughts

From the cultural to historical, there are many things to do in Hoi An other than just shopping and eating. Dedicate at least three days to Hoi An … You will need one whole day just to explore the Ancient Town, and that’s before you discover the surrounding countryside!

If you’ve visited Hoi An before, what are some of your favorite things to do and see? Let us know and share your thoughts in the comments below.

Happy travels and enjoy the magic that is Hoi An.

Venice could increase its tourist tax in 2025

V enice, Italy, trialed a tourist tax earlier this year by charging day-trippers 5 euros ($5.43) to enter the city on 29 days. Now, the City of Bridges is planning to continue the tax next year and possibly increase the fee.

The Venice tourist tax was hotly debated for several years, and after many delays and setbacks, the tax was set into motion earlier this year — a small trial run was held on select days between April 25 and July 14.

Related: Which major destinations charge a tourist tax (or are planning to soon)?

Those who entered the city before 8:30 a.m. or after 4 p.m. (or those staying in hotels who already paid a lodging tax) were exempt from paying the fee. Visitors who didn't pay were subject to on-the-spot fines of anywhere between 50 and 300 euros ($54-$325) if they failed a random spot check.

The tourist tax was initially launched to combat overtourism in Venice, which is arguably one of Europe's most well-known and popular destinations. Despite the fee, however, few travelers were discouraged — an average of 75,000 visitors came to the city each day during the first 11 days of the trial.

But while the tax didn't hugely reduce visitor numbers, it did generate around 2.4 million euros in additional income. According to city officials, the money could be used to fund essential municipal services within Venice, such as garbage removal and canal maintenance.

Mayor Luigi Brugnaro and Deputy Mayor Assessore Simone Venturini have both hinted that the tax will likely continue and increase, and enforcement will be amplified. According to city officials, some are advocating to double the fee, while others argue that the price increase should depend on whether the fee is paid in advance or at the last minute.

Though the details aren't set in stone yet, Brugnaro has hinted that he's willing to explore more ways to modify the tourist tax system to combat overtourism. "We just have to wait for the autumn to have an analysis of the data collected," he said at a press conference. "[It] will allow us to understand which tools to implement for the defense and protection of Venice."

Bottom line

After years of discussion, Venice implemented a tourist tax during a 29-day trial starting in April. Though the program didn't curb overtourism in the ways it was initially intended to, it generated a welcome additional source of income for the city, which officials are hoping will be used for Venice's continued maintenance and preservation.

Analysis will continue over the coming months, but travelers should expect the tourist tax to continue in 2025 — and for the fee to possibly increase.

IMAGES

Hoi An Ancient Town: The ULTIMATE guide for travelers 2023
Marble Mountain and Hoi An Day Tour from Da Nang, Vietnam
Hoi An Tourist Map
13 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Hoi An
Is Hoi An Worth Visiting? 10 Reasons Why You Should Come
Our guide to...tourist tax

VIDEO

Top places to visit in Chikmagalur

COMMENTS

The Official Hoi An Travel Guide (MUST READ)
This official Hoi An travel guide helps travelers to plan their trip easier. It provides reliable and updated information, recommendations and expert tips. For tours and transfers, texting us in whatsapp number +84968009827 to chat and reserve. Travelers also visit Da Nang - the sister city of Hoi An, 30 kilometers away and Hue - former ...
Hoi An Old Town Ticket, Entrance Fees & Sites
The Hoi An Old Town entrance ticket costs only 120,000 VND (5 USD) per person. So it's a relatively low cost to visit the Old Town and its monuments. The fees go towards the maintenance and preservation of the city. Technically, the ticket is mandatory for entry to the Old Town.
Hoi An Travel Guide
As a popular tourist destination, Hoi An is very accessible from all parts of the country. 1. Getting to Hoi An from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. To reach Hoi An from either of the two major cities, you will first have to land in Da Nang, which is located 30 km away from Hoi An, as there is no airport in the ancient town.
10 essential things to do in Hoi An
Get on the water. Boats anchored along the ferry quay in the Ancient Town. 'Water, water everywhere' might just be Hoi An's unofficial slogan. Don't leave without taking a sunset cruise on the Thu Bon River. A few seconds of negotiation at the ferry quay should get you a breezy, half-hour trip for about VND150,000 - VND200,000.
Guide To Hoi An
Located in central Vietnam, the ancient town of Hoi An has long been a world-renowned tourist destination of Vietnam thanks to its serene antique vibes, ... A four-seater GrabCar from central Da Nang to Hoi An costs VND373,000 (~USD16.16) at the time of writing, and the same ride from the Da Nang airport to Hoi An is about VND400,000 (~USD17.33
Visit Hoi An: Travel Guide to Vietnam
DRY SEASON: Hoi An's dry season is from February to August. It's hottest from June till August when temperatures often reach 35°C (95°F). February to April is the driest time of the year and the best months to visit Hoi An. Humidity is low and temperatures are relatively mild.
Hoi An Travel Guide
Hoi An. History breathes through the lantern-lit streets and golden-hued walls of Hoi An Ancient Town. Once a bustling trade port on the maritime Silk Road, this UNESCO World Heritage Site now captivates visitors with its unique blend of architecture, a testament to its multicultural past. Stroll through cobblestone streets, explore hidden ...
Hoi An Travel Guide • Tips For Vietnam's Most Charming Town
Some tourist buses do arrive straight to Hoi An from various other places in Vietnam. Try searching on 12Go Asia for currently available routes. What to eat in Hoi An. Before you open a million internet tabs with 'the best restaurants in Hoi An', it should be said that in Vietnam 90% of the locals eat their meals at visually unassuming ...
Hoi An
Hoi An. Hoi An is a place where the bold march of progress peters into a leisurely amble. In this one-time trading port, the Thu Bon River meanders past crumbling shop houses and weathered pagodas, while sampans come and go from the old ferry quay. Outside the Old Town, two-lane roads slice through waving rice fields and emerge at a frothy ...
20 things to do in Hoi An, Vietnam: the ultimate guide
Old town attractions using the tourist ticket. There are lots of beautiful historical sites in Vietnam, and Hoi An has plenty in it's old town.To enter the old town you'll need to buy a tourist entry ticket from one of the 11 ticket booths (small yellow huts) on the outskirts of the old town walking area.
Ultimate Guide: What to Do in Hoi An Vietnam
1. Explore Hoi An Ancient Town. By far the biggest attraction in Hoi An Vietnam is the area called Ancient Town, a.k.a Old Town. I've highlighted this area on our interactive map. Hoi An's Ancient Town has earned a UNESCO World Heritage designation and "most charming city in the world" by Travel + Leisure in 2019.
13+ FUN things to do in Hoi An, Vietnam
12. Explore the Hoi An Night Market. Hoi An is beautiful during the day, but the town really shows off at night when the glow of the lanterns glitter off the water. And one fun experience to have at night in Hoi An is the Hoi An Night Market, which happens every night across the bridge from Ancient Town.
The best ways to explore the ancient town of Hoi An
For the most memorable trip (and most stunning photos), the best time to visit Hội An is during the lantern festival, held on the 14 th day of every lunar month, when the moon is full. At night, the town reduces its electricity usage, so the candle-lit lanterns steal the show. Find a spot by the river, where lanterns are cast adrift to bring ...
Hoi An Travel: Ultimate Guide to Hoi An, Vietnam
Hoi An is considered as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vietnam. The town is located downstream of Thu Bon River in Quang Nam Province of Central Vietnam. Besides, the ancient town of Hoi An is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Hoi An was a major trading port in Southeast Asia that is well preserved.
25 Best Things To Do In Hoi An (Vietnam)
Here are the 25 best things to do in Hoi An …. 1. Get a suit made. Source: Sam DCruz / shutterstock. Hoi An Tailor Store. Hoi An is famous across Vietnam for its textile industry and one of the reasons many people come here is to get clothes tailor made for them.
Hoi An Tourist Attractions: 12 Best Places to Visit in Hoi An
9. Bay Mau Coconut Forest. Located in Cam Thanh commune, 5km from Hoi An ancient town, Bay Mau coconut forest is known as a right place to get wonderful coracle rowing experience, thus it attracts a large number of tourists. It is the green tourism area and also the "lung" of Hoi An and nearby areas.
2 Day Hoi An Itinerary: What to Do in Vietnam's City of Lights
Hoi An's spot along Vietnam's coast provides long, gorgeous stretches of white sandy beaches. The two most popular beaches, An Bang and Cua Dai, are just a couple of miles from the Old Town, so grab a Grab on over and lounge the day away. Justin and I chose An Bang and quickly plopped down on one of the loungers under a coconut-thatched ...
$6 Ticket to Enter the Old Town
More expensive than the €1/day tourist tax payable by visitors to a city like Rome, Italy. What the heck are they thinking up there in Hoi An. Don't they collect enough taxes from the 600 tailors? I wish tourists would start boycotting places like Hoi An until a bit of transparency shows what that extra tax is used for. Edited: 10 years ago
Where your tourist tax really goes
Tourist taxes aren't only used to counteract the effects of overtourism. In 2023, the Japanese city of Nagasaki began to charge between 100 and 500 yen per night in daily taxes.
Hoi An Ancient Town Attractions: The Ultimate Guide
Hoi An, located in Vietnam's Quang Nam Province, was one of Southeast Asia's main trading hubs from the 15th to 19th centuries. While the area was originally the main port of the Champa Kingdom, the port town was established by local Nguyen lords once they gained control over central Vietnam. Trade with China, Japan and to a lesser extent, Europe, flourished for hundreds of years during ...
Venice nets $2.2 million in day-tripper tax pilot. Opponents say it
FILE - A tourists is checked by a steward for QR code fee access outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. Venice on Sunday July 14, 2024 wraps up a pilot program charging day-trippers an entrance fee, more than 2 million euros ($2.2 million) richer and determined to extend the levy, but opponents in the fragile lagoon city called the experiment a failure.
21 Best Things to Do in Hoi An, Vietnam
So, let's discover 21 best thing to do in Hoi An! 1. Cycle Around to Explore the Ancient Town. source: @hip-editor-thailand. With beautiful white sandy beaches, lush rice fields and the gentle Thu Bon River, Hoi An is a perfect place for you to jump on a bicycle and cycle around this ancient town.
Barcelona set to 'substantially' raise tourist tax for stopover cruise
The tourist tax for stopover cruise passengers is currently €7 (£6). Mr Collboni said in an interview with El Pais newspaper: "We are going to propose... substantially increasing the tax ...
Solid waste circulation in tourism: a close study of accommodation
ABSTRACT. Tourism in Vietnam has become an important sector of the economy. Its environmental impacts include the quantity of waste generated. This study aims to assess the compositions of solid waste generated within diverse accommodation service establishments (ASEs) in Hoi An City to understand the differences across accommodation types and generating areas.
Carrots Or Sticks? Should Countries Reward Good Tourist Behavior?
Bad Tourist Behavior Increases Calls To Cap Tourist Numbers. Florence is a city overcrowded with tourists-1.5 million people visited the city between June and September in 2023.
Hoi An old town ticket
Remove from plan. By Mark Bowyer 07 Dec 2017. Hoi An's tourist sights - old houses, temples and museums - are all accessed via a single entrance ticket. The 120,000VND allows access to 5 of 22 heritage sites or attractions. Technically, the ticket is mandatory for entry to the old town too. Enforcement is inconsistent and occasionally gets messy.
Tennessee Tourism Breaks $30B in Visitor Spending in 2023, Creating a
Nashville, Tenn. (July 23, 2024) - Tennessee tourism generated a record $30.6 billion in direct visitor spending and saw 144 million visitors to the state in 2023, according to newly released data from Tourism Economics and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. Tennessee's direct visitor spending increased 6.2% in 2023. This follows two consecutive years of double-digit growth ...
Venice tourism tax nets millions for the city
Venice officials have hailed a temporary entrance fee to the city a success, as they experiment with measures aimed at controlling the number of people who come to visit. A 29-day €5 reservation ...
52 Fun & Unusual Things to Do in Hoi An
6 - Visit 300-year-old Tra Que Vegetable Village. Just a 20-minute walk, or a 10-minute bicycle ride away from An Bang Beach, leave behind the oceanic vibes and enter the countryside to find Tra Que Vegetable Village. (A popular thing to do in Hoi An is a bike ride from the ancient town to Tra Que Vegetable Village.
Venice could increase its tourist tax in 2025
Venice, Italy, trialed a tourist tax earlier this year by charging day-trippers 5 euros ($5.43) to enter the city on 29 days. Now, the City of Bridges is planning to continue the tax next year and ...

The Official Hoi An Travel Guide (MUST READ)

An Introduction about Hoi An

What is Hoi An Famous for?

Location and How to Get to Hoi An

Flights to Hoi An

Car and Taxi

Bus to Hoi An

Get Around Hoi An: What is Best?

Shuttle Bus

The Best Way to Get Around Hoi An

Brief History of Hoi An

Hoi An Weather by Month and Best Time to Visit

When Are the Best Times to Visit Hoi An?

Hoi An Accommodation: Where to Stay in Hoi An?

Areas to Stay in Hoi An

Hoi An Tourist Attractions: What to See in Hoi An?

Beaches in Hoi An

My Son Sanctuary

The Marble Mountains

The Golden Hands Bridge in Ba Na Hills

Hoi An’s Countryside and Villages

Hoi An Activities: Things to Do in Hoi An

Custom Tailors in Hoi An

Basket Boat Ride in Coconut Forest

Go Diving and Snorkeling the Cham Islands

Thu Bon River Cruise on Sunset

Learn How to Cook Vietnamese Foods

Instagrammable Spots in Hoi An

Hoi An Nightlife: What to Do in Hoi An at Night?

Full Moon Lantern Festival in Hoi An

The Hoi An Night Market

Hoi An Memories Show and Hoi An Impression Theme Park

Lantern Boat Ride on Hoai River

Eating and Coffee in Hoi An

Street Foods in Hoi An

Coffee and Coffee Shops in Hoi An

Hoi An Shopping: What to Buy in Hoi An?

All Guided Tours from Hoi An

Hoi An Old Town Walking Tour

Golden Hands Bridge Tour from Hoi An

My Son Sanctuary Tour from Hoi An

Cycling Tours in Hoi An Countryside

Hoi An Food Tours

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