The 10 Essential Things to Do in Hoi An, Vietnam
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. If you are planning a visit, keep reading to discover the 10 essential things to do in Hoi An to capture the city's true essence!
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10 Essential Things to Do in Hoi An
A Short History:
Hoi An was once a vital trading post for the spice trade between countries, dating back to the 2nd century B.C. Beginning in the 7th century it was highly influenced by the Chinese Empire flourishing as a center for trade, culture, and religion. Japanese presence came about in the 16th/17th century when merchants settled in Hoi An for trading opportunities and built the famous Japanese Covered Bridge. Europe joined into this trading hot spot later in the 17th century. The influence of this melting pot that settled over time in Hoi An can be seen throughout the town today.
Now let’s get into this list of the best things to do in Hoi An!
#1: Wander Old Town
The top thing to do while in Hoi An is to marvel at the wondrous streets of Old Town often referred to as Ancient Town. Many heritage sites still stand today and are accessible to tour. Head to the old town entrance to get entry into five of Hoi An’s heritage buildings for 120,000 VND. If you wish to visit more than 5, you will pay a small entrance fee per site, or you can purchase an additional 5-entry ticket. Tickets are valid for 24 hours. Some of the more popular heritage sites to visit include the Japanese Covered Bridge and the Old Tan Ky House. I have listed some of the heritage sites for you below:
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
Some of my favorites were the Fujian Assembly Hall, Tan Ky House, and the museums.
#2: Central Market
Central Market is a local food market that runs all day from 6 AM until late, selling fresh food, dried food, and local Vietnamese dishes like Cao Lau (yum). 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 for you to explore. 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.
#3: Night Market
The Hoi An Night Market is a lively waterfront market filled with stalls selling food, souvenirs, jewelry, clothing, etc. 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. This is by far the most popular market in town.
6: Let Go of a Lantern in the Water
If you walk along the river at night, you will find many locals selling candles lit inside of small multicolored lanterns. Pay around 10,000 VND, make a wish, and let go of your lantern in the river. Watch it sail down amongst the wooden boats and other floating lanterns that make the river glow.
#5: Try Cao LAu
Chickpea Eatery
Outside at V Vegan
Cao Lau is Hoi An’s signature noodle dish with thick 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 or Chickpea Eatery for their delicious vegan alternative. I ate at both of these spots numerous times while I was here and it never disappointed! At V Vegan, you can request to sit outside on a vibrant yellow street, setting the perfect scene for an afternoon lunch.
#6: Watch the sunset over the Thu Bon River
As the sun starts to set, pick a bar along the Thu Bon River or sit on the edge of the river and watch the sunset over the river. Between the colors in the sky, the ancient yellow buildings, and the colorful wooden boats in the water, the sunset here is a picture-perfect moment. For me, the sunset marks when Hoi An truly turns into a magical and colorful place to experience. You can opt for taking a boat down the river as well, however, it can get extremely overcrowded in the water.
#7: Bamboo Circus Show
Head to Lune Center for Performing Arts to see the local bamboo circus show! The performing arts center is quite small, so no seat is a bad seat. 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!
#8: Check out the Beaches
If you are visiting in the warmer months, then head 10 KM 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.
#9: Go Shopping
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.
#10: Go On 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 on a cloudy and rainy day. I recommend going whilst it is sunny only!
Ba Na Hills: The Famous Golden Bridge
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.
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
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 can not leave Vietnam without experiencing at least one of the loops/passes! You can head here for more information.
Hue: The Historical City
Previously the capital of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945, Hue 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 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
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.
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.
