Explore Vietnam: Hoi An 2 Day Itinerary
Hoi An, a captivating city in Vietnam, is known for its historic yellow buildings and cobblestone streets, each lined with colorful lanterns that glow as the sun sets. The Thu Bon River flows through this UNESCO World Heritage site, adding to its charm and drawing visitors worldwide. In just two days, you can discover the beauty and culture of this enchanting city. If you are planning a visit, keep reading to discover the perfect itinerary for making the most of your time in Hoi An.
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Hoi An 2 Day Itinerary
Begin your first 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 vibrant stalls filled with fruits, vegetables, and a variety of snacks or breakfast items at lower prices than in local shops. The market offers food, beverages, jewelry, chopsticks, and other trinkets to explore. The market runs from 6:00 in the morning until later in the evening. I recommend visiting in the early morning to enjoy the freshest options and avoid the crowds. The morning is also ideal for some incredible photo moments!
I found some delicious dried coconut and mango alongside some of the freshest fruit items I had in a while.
Once you have finished shopping at the central market, you can enjoy some of your treats along the main river while you decide which heritage sites you want to explore. Head into 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: This is one of the symbols of Hoi An. Sadly, it was closed off and under construction when I visited.
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 five heritage sites and do not want to buy multiple tickets, you can pay a small entrance fee per site after the fifth one. Some of my favorites were the Fujian Assembly Hall, Tan Ky House, and the museums.
Lunch Time!
Take a lunch break from your day’s itinerary 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 yummy rice noodles, greens, crunchy crouton-like pieces, and usually pork. This dish is a must-try! However, if you are vegan like me, head to V Vegan - Vegan Cafe & Restaurant for their delicious vegan alternative. You can request 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 and it never disappointed!
After lunch, you can either continue exploring the heritage sites or shift gears and enjoy some shopping while wandering through 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.
Did someone say coffee?
There are plenty of delicious coffee shops perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up. One of my favorites is hidden down a quaint 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 more time before heading to the night market, you can venture to the Lune Center for Performing Arts to see the famous bamboo circus show. 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 website. 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 is filled with stalls selling food, souvenirs, jewelry, clothing, and more. The market runs from 5:00 - 11:00 at night, 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.
Day 2: Take a Day Trip!
Hoi An is ideally located for a variety of fantastic day trips, making it a great base for exploring. You can either rent a motorbike and venture out on your own or simplify your trip by booking one of the many available tours. Here are just a few options to consider:
Ba Na Hills: The Famous Golden Bridge
What the Golden Bridge looks like on a clear and sunny day!
Versus the same bridge on a cloudy and foggy day that was sunny at the bottom.
Ba Na Hills hosts the iconic and Instgrammable 150-meter-long golden pedestrian bridge that appears to be held up by two massive stone hands. The bridge has an incredible view over the Annamite Mountains. Take a scenic cable car ride to the park, where you can enjoy the stunning Golden Bridge along with gardens, statues, parks, restaurants, roller coasters, and indoor amusement parks. The operation of attractions may vary depending on the weather.
Entrance Fee: 21.95 USD for the entrance ticket alone.
Distance from Hoi An: 55 KM
Best Way To Get Here: You can drive here via motorbike, but you need to be a confident driver since the drive is just under 2 hours. I did drive to the park and the roads were mostly well-kept without too much traffic. If driving is not for you, you can always hire a taxi or take a guided tour that includes transportation. Here, you will find the best guided tour option available.
Tips:
Do NOT go if it is cloudy, there is a chance of rain, fog, etc. The park will just not be worth it as the views will be hidden amongst the clouds. Once you arrive at the park, there is a camera at the entrance that will show you the weather up at the park. Trust the video footage and save this spot for another day if it looks foggy.
The park is 1500 meters (4,900 feet) up, so be prepared if you are prone to altitude sickness. Hoi An sits on a relatively low elevation, so this will be a quick and massive change for your body to go through. I did get altitude sickness later in the day which was unusual for me since I hike often.
Hai Van Pass
Distance from Hoi An: 55 KM (A little over 1.5 hours)
A great alternative if you missed the Ha Giang Loop! Similar to the loop just mentioned, the Hai Van Pass is a continuous road that loops around mountains and lush landscapes from Da Nang to Hue. There are some breathtaking views along the way to capture some unforgettable moments! You simply cannot leave Vietnam without experiencing at least one of the loops/passes! You can head here for more information.
Hue: The Historical City
Distance from Hoi An: 121 KM (Around 2.45 hours)
Hue, previously the capital of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945, is renowned for its UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Imperial City, and its well-preserved ancient structures throughout. The city is colorful, traditional, and surrounded by walls and moats. A day trip to Hue is the perfect break from the crowds in Hoi An, to escape to a timeless and serene area. You can find one of the best guided tours from Hoi An, here!
The Marble Mountains
The Marble Mountains are similar to those found in Ninh Binh, Vietnam
Distance from Hoi An: 18.4 KM (30 minutes)
Price: 40,000 VND, an additional 20,000 VND to enter the Am Phu Cave
The Marble Mountains is a group of five limestone hills near Da Nang, named after the five elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. The mountains are known to be breathtaking. You can climb hills for 360 views, explore a cave, and visit temples and pagodas within the mountains. You only need around 2-3 hours to explore the mountains.
I decided to skip this day trip here because I had recently visited Ninh Binh and was heading to Vang Vieng, Laos soon after, both of which have a similar topography.
My Son Sanctuary
Price: 150,000 VND (7 USD)
Distance from Hoi An: 39.6 KM (A little over 1 hour)
My Son Sanctuary is an archaeological site and Hindu temple complex that dates back to the Champa Kingdom between the 4th and 13th centuries. The red-brick ruins were the religious and political capital during this time. You only need around 2 hours to explore the temple grounds.
Have a Beach Day!
Don’t want to go too far? Head to one of the many beautiful Hoi An beaches! If you are visiting during the warmer months, head just 10km away to the beach side of town. Umbrellas, lounge chairs, jet skis, paddleboarding, parasailing, and many other water activities are awaiting you. An Bang and “Hidden Beach” are two of my favorites, but there are plenty to check out. An Bang can get crowded, so be sure to head there earlier in the morning.
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.
