Hoi An, Vietnam: Your Complete 1 Day Itinerary
Hoi An is a charming city in Vietnam, renowned for its cobblestone streets and historic bright yellow buildings, each adorned with vibrant lanterns that illuminate the night. The Thu Bon River winds through this UNESCO World Heritage site, enhancing its picturesque and romantic allure while drawing travelers from around the globe. Even with just 1 day, you can capture the essence of Hoi An and experience most of what this small city has to offer. If you are planning a 1-day visit, keep reading to discover the perfect itinerary.
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Hoi An 1 Day Itinerary
Begin your day in Hoi An by exploring the charming yellow streets of Old Town as you head over to the central market.
At the central street market, you can stroll along the bright road lined with fruits and vegetables, and pick up some snacks for the day ahead at lower prices than local shops. You can find food, beverages, jewelry, chopsticks, trinkets, etc. The market runs from 6:00 in the morning until later in the evening. I recommend heading here early in the day for the freshest options and the smallest crowd. The morning is also ideal for some incredible photo moments.
From the central market, you can visit as many or as few of the heritage sites as you like. Head to the old town entrance on either side of the Thu Bon River to get entry into five of Hoi An’s heritage buildings for 120,000 VND. Tickets are valid for 24 hours and you can buy as many as you want. Some of the most popular heritage sites to visit include the Japanese Covered Bridge and the Old Tan Ky House.
Examples of Heritage Sites:
Assembly Halls: The Fujian Assembly Hall, the Cantonese Assembly Hall, the Teochew Assembly Hall, the Hainan Assembly Hall, the Chinese Assembly Hall
Japanese Covered Bridge: One of the symbols of Hoi An. Sadly it was closed off and under construction when I visited January 2024.
Old Houses: Tan Ky House, the Quan Thang House, the Phung Hung House, Duc An Old House, Tran Family Chapel
Museums: Museum of Folk Culture, Museum of Sa Huynh Culture
Quan Cong Temple
If you wish to visit more than 5 and do not want to buy multiple tickets, you can pay a small entrance fee per site after the fifth one.
Lunch Time!
Take a lunch break by heading into one of the many local Vietnamese restaurants to try Cau Lao noodles! This is Hoi An’s signature noodle dish with thick rice noodles, greens, crunchy crouton-like pieces, and usually pork. However, if you are vegan like me then head to V Vegan - Vegan Cafe & Restaurant for the delicious vegan alternative. This dish is a must-try! You can opt to sit outside on a vibrant yellow street, setting the perfect scene for an afternoon lunch. I ate at this spot nearly every day while I was here…
From lunch either continue exploring the heritage sites or instead do some shopping and continue exploring the Old Town streets. Hoi An is well-known for its silk and tailoring as it is a large part of the city’s history. Head into a local shop to purchase some handwoven silks or have an outfit entirely tailored to you.
There are also many delicious coffee shops to stop in for an afternoon pick-me-up. One of my favorites is tucked away down a small alleyway: The Espresso Station. You can enjoy specialty coffee drinks that are unique to anything I have tried elsewhere. I tried the coffee ice cubes, which was a fun and tasty experience! Think of two large frozen cubes of coffee with some steamed plant-based milk poured over them.
As the sun starts to set, walk over to a bar on the Thu Bon River, take a ride on one of the boats, or sit on the edge of the river to watch the sunset. With the sky’s colors, the ancient yellow buildings, and the vibrant wooden boats in the water, the sunset in Hoi An is a truly picture-perfect moment. For me, the sunset marks when Hoi An truly turns into a magical and colorful place to experience.
If you have some more time, before heading to the night market, you can choose to venture to the Lune Center for Performing Arts to see the famous bamboo circus. This circus delivers an incredible story through a passionate cast, impressive acrobatics, bamboo props, live music, and plenty of action. You can buy tickets to the hour-long performance on their site. Prices are between 700,000 VND and 1,600,000 VND (27- 60 USD) depending on your seat— complimentary tea is included!
After the sunset or the bamboo circus, depending on your choice, head over to the lively waterfront Night Market. It’s filled with stalls selling food, souvenirs, jewelry, clothing, and more. The market runs 5 PM - 11 PM, but I recommend going after sundown to see the stalls and its surroundings lit up. Be sure to stop by the river to make a wish with one of the small colorful lanterns being sold by locals (10,000 VND). Watch it sail down amongst the wooden boats and other floating lanterns that make the river glow.
Phew, what an incredible day exploring the wonders of Hoi An! I hope you enjoy this magical place as much as I did. If you have a second day here, you can find some unique day trips to venture to, including My Son Sanctuary, Ba Na Hills, or the Magic Mountains, linked below.
General Information: Hoi An
Where to Stay:
I recommend staying in either Hoi An Ancient Town, Minh An, or Cam Pho to be within walking distance of everything.
Best Accommodation Options For Every Traveler:
Best Backpacker/Hostel Option: Backhome Hostel & Bar or HY Local Budget Hotel by Hoianese
Best Low-Budget: Hoi An Center Town or Lacasa Old Town Villa (I stayed here and truly enjoyed my stay, breakfast was included.)
Best Mid-Budget: La Charm Hoi An Hotel & Spa or Em's House Hoi An Homestay
High-End: Laluna Hoi An Riverside Hotel & Spa or RiverTown Hoi An Resort & Spa
Best “Luxury” Priced: Bel Marina Hoi An Resort (Villa and river view options) or La An Central Boutique Villa (The apartment with a river view)
Best Time to Visit:
February - August during the dry season. However, there are sporadic rain showers year-round due to the humidity. I went during the end of the wet season in January, and it did not rain. If you prefer cooler temperatures I recommend going between the end of January - April.
How to Get There:
Fly: If you are coming from Hanoi, I recommend taking a flight which usually costs anywhere from $26-60 USD, if you purchase a ticket ahead of time. You will fly into Da Nang International Airport (DAD). From there you can book a cheap 35-minute transport through your accommodation or 12GoAsia (around 3 USD).
Bus / Shared Van: This is always a cheap option throughout Vietnam. 12GoAsia has the best options for booking as always! For longer journeys, sleeper buses are available and ideal for extended travel times.
Train/Sleeper Train: Hoi An doesn’t have a train station, so you must travel to Da Nang for train services. From there you can book a cheap 35-minute transport through your accommodation or 12GoAsia (around 3 USD).
How to Get Around:
Hoi An is a walkable city, so renting a motorbike is usually unnecessary unless you are planning day trips or heading to the beach. The ancient town section is closed to motorized vehicles for most of the day. For those wanting to explore farther, bicycles are a great option and may be available for free through your accommodation. Motorbikes tend to be around 150,000 VND - 180,000 VND. I booked mine through my stay.
How Many Days Do I Need?:
You can explore all of Hoi An in 1-2 days. If you plan to take any day trips, consider adding an extra day for each trip. To be honest, while I enjoyed my time here, I found that five days was too long for me. I eventually ran out of things to do and grew tired of the constant crowds, which were often overwhelming both day and night. I think Hoi An is well worth the visit and I intend to go back, but just bear in mind it draws quite a crowd.
Is it Safe?
Yes, most definitely. As always, follow common travel safety practices:
Always check vaccination requirements and travel advisories, and practice food and water cleanliness/safety. Do not drink tap water in Southeast Asia.
Be aware of travel scams and know how much things should cost.
Secure valuables.
Emergency Contact Numbers: Fire: 114 | Police: 113 | Ambulance: 115
Never travel without the right insurance in case of any sickness, injuries, or theft. Safety Wing is by far the best travel insurance. It has saved me numerous times by covering hospital visits when I was sick during my travels in Asia.
Vegan Food Options:
V Vegan - Vegan Cafe & Restaurant (A Fav!)
Chickpea Eatery (Cooking Classes Offered Here)
The Espresso Station (Yummy Speciality Coffee Drinks)
Banh Mi Phuong: (A Bonus for my Non-Vegan Friends)
Digital Nomad Community:
Yes, most of Vietnam and Southeast Asia have a larger digital nomad and expat community compared to others. Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hoi An are two quite popular ones. Da Nang has also become more popular in recent years.
