Known for its lantern-lit streets, colourful Ancient Town and beautiful sandy beaches, Hoi An is one of the most popular destinations in Vietnam, and it’s easy to see why. The whole of the Ancient Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with temples and old buildings on every corner. It’s a charming town that you can’t help but fall in love with.
Hoi An was the final stop on our two-week Vietnam itinerary, and the perfect place to unwind after a busy fortnight of travel. It’s quite a contrast to bustling cities like Hanoi and Danang. However, there are still plenty of things to do in Hoi An, from exploring the UNESCO-listed Old Town, watching lanterns glow on the river, to relaxing on the beach with a cold drink.
Although it wasn’t my first time visiting, this travel guide brings together the best Hoi An attractions and experiences for first-timers. We hope this helps you plan your own trip – you’re bound to love it too!
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Useful information about Hoi An and how to get there
Before we start our list of things to do in Hoi An, here’s some useful information on how to get there. Hoi An is located in Central Vietnam, near the coast, on the north bank of the Thu Bon River.
The nearest airport is Da Nang International Airport, which has regular flights from across Vietnam as well as other Asian cities, including Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. We travelled from Sapa to Hanoi Airport by minibus, then flew to Da Nang, where we stayed overnight, before continuing to Hoi An the following afternoon.
From Da Nang, the easiest way to reach Hoi An is by taxi or Grab , which takes around 35 minutes, depending on traffic.
Alternatively, you could travel by overnight sleeper train from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang. The journey takes approximately 16 hours, after which you can get a taxi to Hoi An.
Best things to do in Hoi An
Explore Hoi An Ancient Town
A good way to start your visit to Hoi An is by wandering through the gorgeous old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also known as Hoi An Ancient Town, this well-preserved historic quarter is a mix of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese influences, with yellow-washed buildings, wooden shopfronts, and narrow streets.
The Old Town is very compact, making it easy to explore on foot. There are plenty of historic buildings and some are free to enter, but we’d recommend purchasing a Hoi An Tourist Ticket, which is a cost-effective way to see more. The ticket allows entry to five of the 21 heritage sites in the town, including the beautiful Japanese Bridge, ancient merchant houses, and temples.
You can buy the tickets at the tourist offices in town. They will provide a map, so you can plan which sites to visit, but the tourist office usually recommends a few favourites.
Take a boat on the Thu Bon river
Taking a traditional sampan boat on the river is one of the best things to do in Hoi An at night.
The Thu Bon River runs through the heart of the Old Town and is a central hub for visitors. To really experience Hoi An, it’s worth visiting both during the day and evening.
At night, the river completely transforms, as the lanterns light up the water. One of the most popular things to do is take a sampan boat ride on the river and release a floating candle lantern onto the water. You can by these from the many hawkers along the waterfront.
Watch the lanterns from Cau An Bridge
Watching the floating lanterns on the river is one of the best things to do in Hoi An at night.
Even if you don’t take a boat ride on the river, it’s still a spectacular sight to see. For some of the best views of the floating lanterns, head to Cau An Bridge. Just be aware that it’s a popular viewpoint, especially after sunset, so it can get busy.
Visit Hoi An Central Market
Hoi An’s central market is a great place to pick up cheap souvenirs and get a feel for local life. We bought some lovely shell coasters and souvenirs.
Opposite is the fresh market is the fresh food section, where farmers sell fruit, vegetables, and seafood. Even if you don’t want to buy anything, it’s interesting to have a look round. Inside Central Market, you’ll also find a food hall serving freshly cooked Vietnamese dishes at budget prices.
Make your own Hoi An lantern
Known as the Lantern City, you’ll see colourful lanterns everywhere in Hoi An. You can buy them as souvenirs in the shops and market, or even better, make your own.
Signing up for a Hoi An lantern making workshop is a fun, hands-on way to learn about the history of the town’s traditional bamboo silk lanterns. During the class, you’ll be guided through the techniques to create your own lantern, which you can fold up to take home.
Book your lantern making lesson here.
Enjoy a drink in one of the Hoi An Coffee Shops
Hoi An has an excellent coffee culture, and you’ll find charming coffee shops on almost every corner. There’s no shortage of stunning places to choose from and they provide a moment to cool down, try some traditional egg coffee or just watch the world go by. If like me, you’re not a coffee drinker, you can still enjoy the ambiance with a beer!
Many cafés are also popular breakfast spots, providing a relaxed start to the day.
Get clothes made by Hoi An Tailors
Hoi An is famous for its tailors and having clothes made is one of the most popular things to do in Hoi An. From linen dresses to tailored suits, you’ll find hundreds of tailor shops throughout the town.
On my first visit to Hoi An, I came away with three new dresses, a skirt and shoes! The process is quick and affordable, but you do need to allow time for fittings and collection. They will take your measurements on the first visit, but you will need to go back for fittings and to collect your clothes. This could take up to three days.
Explore the Hoi An rice fields by bike
Hiring a bike is a good way to see more of Hoi An. The ancient town is pedestrianised, so you can ride bikes here, but it does get rather busy so you might prefer to head out to the countryside and ride through the paddy fields. We had a marvellous time doing this in Ninh Binh.
You can hire bikes from some of the homestays or can join a guided cycle tour.
Visit Cam Thanh Coconut Forest
One of our most memorable experiences was visiting Cam Thanh Coconut Village (Coconut Forest), located just outside the Old Town. This traditional fishing village is best known for its round basket boats and has become one of the most popular Hoi An attractions and a social media favourite.
You can visit Coconut Forest as part of an organised tour, or travel independently by Grab taxi, which is what we did.
Once there, you’ll take a relaxed basket boat ride through the narrow, palm-lined waterways. When you reach the end of the coconut groves, the pace suddenly shifts and it all gets a bit crazy. Out on the open water, there are spinning boat demonstrations (optional!), karaoke, and traditional fishing displays. We went in knowing it would be touristy, and it definitely was, but still great fun!
Note that you will pay extra (100 VND) for the spinning experience and the rower will also expect a tip at the end.
Afterwards, there are several cafés you can visit for a drink before returning. It was really easy to catch a Grab back to town.
Here are some tour options you could book, if you prefer to go as part of a group:
Take a cooking class
Vietnamese food is incredible and Hoi An is home to some fantastic restaurants and places to eat. If you fancy mastering Vietnamese cuisine for yourself, sign up for a cooking class. Many of the classes include a market visit, hands-on cooking with a local chef, and sometimes a basket boat ride.
Book your Hoi An cooking class here.
Join a Hoi an food tour
If you’d rather eat than cook, a Hoi An food tour is the way to go. These guided tours take you to local restaurants and street food stalls that you might not find on your own. Some are located out of the city and include eating at a Vietnamese home.
It’s one of the best ways to try regional specialities, learn about local food culture, and discover what makes Hoi An cuisine unique.
Here are some Hoi An food tours you might like:
Relax on Hoi An beaches
The beaches in Hoi An are beautiful, with golden sands and warm water. An Bang Beach is the most popular, known for its relaxed vibe, beach bars and soft sand, while Cua Dai Beach is quieter and closer to luxury resorts.
We spent most our time at the far end of An Bang Beach. It had one beach bar with loungers, umbrellas, and a shower, which was everything we needed.
Day trips from Hoi An
If you have extra time, there are several excellent day trips from Hoi An, which allow you to explore more of Central Vietnam:
Ba Na Hills
Sun World Ba Na Hills is one of the most popular Hoi An day trips. It’s an Instagram favourite, thanks to its panoramic views and unique photo opportunities, most famously the Golden Bridge held up by giant hands.
Located near Da Nang, this large entertainment complex features a French-style village, temples, pagodas, and Buddha statues, all accessed via a cable car ride. It’s owned by the same company who own Fansipan in Sapa.
Click here to book a Ba Na Hills tour
Hue
Hue is one of Vietnam’s most historically significant cities and makes a fascinating day trip from Hoi An. Set along the Perfume River, Hue was the former capital of Vietnam and home to the Nguyen dynasty until 1945. The main highlight is the Imperial City, a vast UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Click here to book a Hue tour
My Son Sanctuary
My Son Sanctuary is an ancient Hindu temple complex and another UNESCO World Heritage Site, located about an hour’s drive from Hoi An. Once the spiritual centre of the Champa Kingdom, the ruins are surrounded by jungle. It’s been described as a mini Anchor Wat. My Son is one of the most popular places to visit near Hoi An, if you’re interested in history or archaeology.
Click here to book a tour to My Son Sanctuary
Useful information for your trip to Hoi An
Where to stay in Hoi An
When deciding on your accommodation in Hoi An, you need to choose whether to stay in the Old Town or near the beach, about 4km out of the centre.
We opted for An Bang Sea Adventure Homestay, a lovely homestay just a short walk from the An Bang Beach. It’s a small, basic property, but had private balconies, a small pool, and the most amazing host. Plus, it was extremely cheap and only a few minutes’ walk from a host of restaurants, and beach bars. If you want something more luxurious by the beach, look at the Royal Beachfront Villas, which offers a shuttle service into town.
Alternatively, if you prefer to stay in the Old Town, try the charming Hoi An Hidden Boat homestay or luxurious Laluna Riverside Hotel & Spa.
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