Vietnam boasts a great array of beautiful and interesting places, and Hoi An is among the coziest ones. This is an old town with a rich history. It is listed as a World Heritage Site and nestled into a beautiful natural environment. Traditional Vietnamese architecture, dimly lit streets, and a mixture of Chinese and Japanese influences- all are in Hoi An. In this travel guide to Hoi An, you will learn about why this coastal city in central Vietnam is one of the top tourist attractions in the country.
Places to Visit in Hoi An
Here is a list of must-visit places in Hoi An.
1. Ancient Town of Hoi An
At the core of Hoi An, there is the ancient town that offers an atmosphere with numerous buildings dating back to the medieval age, narrow streets, and the lanterns of the old oriental type. The traditional Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese architecture, including buildings and temples, is evident due to the town's past trading history. Tourists can walk about in the old city and have the opportunity to visit cafes, tailor shops, and open-air food and craft markets.
Guide to Hoi An Ancient Town:
- Stroll along streets adorned with plenty of colorful lanterns.
- Major tourist attractions that visitors should consider include the Japanese Covered Bridges and Quan Long Temple.
- Enjoy a whole moon night in the town that hosts the perfect Lantern Festival.
- Travel Tip: One should visit the Old Town in the evening when all the streets are illuminated with lanterns.
- Address: Hoi An Ancient Town, Minh An Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam.
2. Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu)
Centuries ago, the Japanese merchants constructed the much-renowned Japanese Covered Bridge in Hoi An. The distinctive architectural design of this bridge is a combination of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese styles. A wooden bridge, showing signs of age through two heavy wooden arches and resting across a small stream, strikes the eye in the south temperate region. Moreover, to the north of the bridge, there is a small temple related to the Taoist god of weather.
Guide to the Japanese Covered Bridge:
- This was constructed in 1590 and serves as a cultural representation of the trading center that Hoi An had been.
- It’s better to go there in the morning because many tourists go there in the afternoon.
- Lanterns and ornamental sculptures are a major part of the bridge, making it a perfect place to take pictures.
- Address: Chùa Cầu, Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai Street, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam.
3. An Bang Beach
For those who are in search of some sun and sand, An Bang Beach is a little over 2 km away from the town center, but it is a beautiful and quiet beach. This beach, featuring white sand, clear sea, and beach bars, is suitable for swimming, sunbathing, and, of course, tasting fish and seafood.
Guide to An Bang Beach:
- Relax at the sun bed and have a drink while watching the coastal beauty.
- Many of the beach huts sell high-quality seafood to make different dishes.
- Compared to other beaches in the country, the beach is not heavily packed with people and other stalls.
- Travel Tip: Those who wish to avoid the crowds should go in the morning or late in the afternoon.
- Address: An Bang Beach, Cam An Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam.
4. Tra Que Vegetable Village
For a more blessed cultural encounter, visit the Tra Que Village, which is special for growing organic vegetables and herbs. Tourists are allowed to engage in farm-related activities such as planting, learning conventional ways of farming, and even cooking meals using fresh produce from the farm.
Guide to Tra Que Village:
- Take a half-day tour of farming with the natives.
- Discover cooking real Vietnamese foods such as Bánh Xèo (Vietnamese pancakes) and the fresh herbs that can be added.
- Scenic cycling is an excellent activity for people who want to enjoy riding a bicycle along the impressive trail, keeping up with sustainable tourism.
- Address: Tra Que Vegetable Village, Cam Ha Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam.
5. My Son Sanctuary
About 40 kilometers from Hoi An, My Son Sanctuary is the Cham civilization that constructed the Hindu temples during the 4th and the 14th centuries A.D. These are Hindu in origin, located in a valley, encompassed by mountains, and ranked among the most important archeological sites of southeast Asia.
Guide to My Son Sanctuary:
- Tourists, as well as numerous other people, are advised to go for the early morning visits to avoid the scorching heat.
- For a traditional adventure, visit and take a tour of the cultural performance by the Cham Dancers.
- Take a guided tour in order to have a closer look at the history of the place.
- Address: My Son Sanctuary, Duy Phu Commune, Duy Xuyen District, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam.
Things to Do in Hoi An
Here are a few things to do in Hoi An on your vacation.
1. Lantern Making Workshop
Hoi An is well known for hand-crafted silk lanterns, and tourists will find lantern-making classes to make some souvenirs. Throughout the workshops, it is possible to meet and work with local artisans who teach visitors how to create the luminescent structures on their own using native methods.
Guide to Lantern Making:
- There are various centers that offer workshops in many places in Hoi An.
- They normally last up to 2-3 hours and provide all the materials needed. You can also bring home the lantern that you have created throughout the activity.
- Travel Tip: It is recommended to book a workshop much earlier and during the Lantern Festival.
2. Tailor-Made Clothing
Have a tour of Hoi An tailor shops that offer an opportunity to have exclusive clothes made within a few days. Whether you require formal wear such as suits or formal dresses, casual wear, or accessories, the town has dressmakers who can reproduce whatever design you bring them or design one for you.
Guide to Hoi An Tailor Shops:
- For quality tailoring, you can visit Yaly Couture or BeBe Tailor.
- Choose your fabric and design, and then after 24-48 hours, you should come for fitting sessions.
- The cost depends on the material and the complexity of the required design.
- Address: Yaly Couture, 358 Nguyen Duy Hieu Street, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam.
3. Cooking Classes and Dining
If there is one thing that is unmissable for Hoi An’s tourists, it has to be food. What better way it is to understand Vietnamese food than through a cooking class? Entire courses are there with preceding visits to markets to purchase the food, followed by practical demonstrations on cooking typical dishes like Pho, Banh Xeo, or spring rolls.
Guide to Cooking Classes:
- Choose courses that comprise a visit to the local market.
- Different classes are provided for every level of experience.
- Some of the classes that are conducted are done amidst the countryside to enhance the feel of an agriculture experience, including fresh produce prepared and served on-site.
- Top Cooking School: Red Bridge Cooking School, located along the river, offers a serene environment for learning Vietnamese culinary skills.
Guide to Dining:
For those who just want to enjoy hot meals, these dining places offer great dishes of Vietnamese origin -the best of Hoi An. Here are five of the best dining spots in Hoi An:
A. Morning Glory Restaurant
Specializing in Vietnamese comfort food, Morning Glory is a local favorite and has become a must-visit for tourists. The local cuisines served in the restaurant include White Rose Dumplings, Cao Lau, and Hoi An Chicken Rice, which is a delicious meal. Located in a colonial-inspired building, this place is lucky to be the oldest eating establishment in this area.
- Must-Try Dish: Cao Lau (a regional noodle dish unique to Hoi An)
- Address: 106 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam.
B. Banh Mi Phuong
Banh Mi Phuong is regarded by many as one of the best places to get their Banh Mi in Vietnam. It is now famous all over the world and has been endorsed by celebrity chefs. Here, this small and unpretentious establishment offers pork options, or tofu for the vegetarians’ delight, tucked in crispy, super fresh baguettes.
- Must-Try Dish: Banh Mi with mixed meats
- Address: 2B Phan Chau Trinh Street, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam.
C. The Market Restaurant & Cooking School
Visitors will be able to try meals at the Market Restaurant and become participants in cooking classes. The restaurant is separated by numerous units, such as a grill, where you are able to observe the Vietnamese meals being prepared, such as seafood delights.
- Must-Try Dish: Grilled Lemongrass Chicken
- Address: 3 Nguyen Hoang Street, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam.
D. Mango Mango
Nestled on the bank of Thu Bon River, Mango Mango is a nice restaurant that provides fusion food with Vietnamese and international flavors. This trendy, laid-back venue is surprisingly different with dishes such as the Coconut Tiger Prawns and Mango Duck.
- Must-Try Dish: Coconut Tiger Prawns
- Address: 45 Nguyen Phuc Chu Street, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam.
E. Miss Ly Café 22
If you want a homey atmosphere and want to try the real home cooking of Hoi An’s specialty at a fair price, Miss Ly Café 22, located on Ginger Street, is a highly recommended family restaurant. It’s a great place to try the famous Hoi An Wonton Soup or have a dish of Banh Xeo – the local crispy pancakes.
- Must-Try Dish: Hoi An Wonton Soup
- Address: 22 Nguyen Hue Street, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam.
4. Explore Hoi An by Bicycle
Bicycle Cyclos are said to be the most common means of transport in Hoi An and one of the delightful ways of cycling around the countryside nearby. Cycling through paddy fields and transferring through the village and along the riverside to see the Vietnam rural sightseeing.
Travel Tip: Take a bicycle for a biking experience from your hotel or from any of the bicycle rental facilities in town.
5. Shopping at Hoi An Night Market
Located on the An Hoi Islet, the Hoi An Night Market is a place that everyone will find appealing. Many other stalls can also be found selling all manner of handicrafts, souvenirs, the usual small eats, and, of course, the specialty lanterns of the city.
- Travel Tip: As for the food associated with the market menu, it is recommended to taste Banh Mi – a Vietnamese sandwich, and Cao Lau – the local noodles.
- Address: Hoi An Night Market, Nguyen Hoang Street, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam
Other Must-Visit Markets and Shopping Malls in Hoi An:
- Central Market Hoi An: This is a very popular market situated at Tran Phu Street; customers can buy fresh fruits and veggies, spices, and traditional handmade products. In particular, the market is notable for meat, fish, and seafood. Some of the food stalls offer the Vietnamese cuisines of your dreams.
- Address: Tran Phu Street, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam.
- Vincom Plaza Da Nang: A contemporary shopping center which is approximately 30 kilometers from Hoi An. This is a shopping plaza with many International and local products covering fashion accessories, electronics, and food products.
- Address: 910A Ngo Quyen Street, Son Tra District, Da Nang, Vietnam.
- Lotte Mart Da Nang: As another large shopping center in Da Nang, Lotte Mart has a supermarket, clothes shops, and home shops. Street merchants are perfect for tourists when they need to buy affordable souvenirs on their trip or try local produce.
- Address: 06 Nai Nam Street, Hai Chau District, Da Nang, Vietnam.
Best Time to Visit Hoi An
Hoi An has a tropical climate with two distinct seasons- dry, which is from February to August, and rainy, which is from September to January. Ideally, the best time to visit Hoi An is between February and April when the climate is cool with low humidity and less tendency to rain, meaning anyone will be free to tour the town.
How to Get to Hoi An
The easiest way to get to Hoi An is to fly directly to Da Nang International Airport, which is just a 30 km drive from Hoi An. After arriving at Danang Airport, it is possible to take a taxi or shuttle bus to Hoi An, which will take approximately 45 minutes. If you are flying from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, it is advisable to fly to Da Nang City and then take road transport to get to Hoi An.
Bus Stations:
- Da Nang to Hoi An: Travel by Hoi An Express is a good, cheap way to get to the transfer point.
- Pick up from the Da Nang Bus Station, at 201 Ton Duc Thang Street in Da Nang, Vietnam.
What Travel Experts Say
Hoi An is a wonderful place bursting with history, amazing culture, and delicious food that is sure to leave a lasting impression. Whether you are strolling around the lights-decorated Hoi An old streets, cycling around the well-cultivated rice fields, or eating good Vietnamese food, Hoi An will not disappoint. If you follow this guide to Hoi An, you will surely have a wonderful experience of the kind of town you will get to see, the kind of hospitality the people there offer, and then the lovely ambiance of the town.
It’s going to be love at first sight for Hoi An, one of the most beautiful towns in Vietnam, boasting a rich culture and history.
FAQs
How many days do you need for Hoi An?
Most travelers recommend spending 2 to 3 days in Hoi An to fully explore the charming ancient town, historical landmarks like the Japanese Bridge, vibrant markets, and nearby beaches. However, if you prefer a more relaxed pace, 4 days can also be enjoyable.
Can you do Hoi An on your own?
Yes, Hoi An is a very walkable town, and it’s easy to explore on your own. Most of its attractions, such as the Old Town, market areas, and cafes, are accessible by foot or bicycle. English is widely understood, making navigation straightforward for solo travelers.
When to avoid Hoi An?
Hoi An experiences heavy rainfall between September and December, which may limit outdoor activities. The months of June to August can also be quite humid. Therefore, the best time to visit is from February to April during which the weather is dry and perfect for sightseeing.
Is 4 days in Hoi An too much?
No, 4 days in Hoi An is not too much. Visitors can discover the town, enjoy its dainty architecture, visit attractions like My Son, take a cooking class, and relax at the beaches. The extra time ensures a fulfilling experience.
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