13 Amazing Things to do in Hoi An; Complete Guide
Admire the colourful lanterns, explore the buzzing night market, visit the yellow ancient town with fascinating historical buildings, purchase a tailored suit and float on a bamboo raft. There are many amazing things to do in Hoi An; continue reading to discover more and everything you need to know before you visit Hoi An.
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Hoi An is everyone’s favourite Vietnamese town and how could it not be?! We both fell under its charming spell and left well and truly smitten.
Hoi An is a living museum and a wonderful melting pot of cultures that has been exceptionally well preserved over time.
Between the 15th and 19th centuries, the town was a major South-East Asian trading port and home to Japanese, Chinese, Indian and European merchants who left behind them a legacy of historical buildings.
These buildings remain in their traditional architecture. After the 19th century, trading moved to other areas in Vietnam but the town has successfully retained its roots.
Spend time wandering the streets admiring the colourful lanterns and beautiful buildings. Let your nose guide you amongst the enchanting smells.
In this guide, you’ll hear about the top things to do in Hoi An and everything you need to know including where to stay, how to get there, how to get around, the best time to visit Hoi An and so much more.
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Amazing Things to do in Hoi An
Explore Hoi An Ancient Town; a must-do in Hoi An
Hoi An Ancient Town (also known as Hoi An Old Town) is hands-down the most beautiful old town we’ve ever seen!
Much of the Old Town has been preserved to look how it did centuries ago and one of our favourite things to do in Hoi An Old Town is amble about these quaint narrow streets.
Lined with higgledy-piggledy shops, cafes and historical buildings painted in different shades of yellow with lanterns of every colour swaying between them; this area is an absolute dream for photographers.
As you mosey past Chinese Tea Houses, Pagodas, French colonial houses and a Japanese-covered bridge, you can really see the beautiful blend of cultures this town has going on! Unsurprisingly, in 1999 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Take a pleasant stroll along the Thu Bon River and appreciate the mix of Japanese, Chinese, Dutch and French architecture as you enjoy a local beer or Vietnamese coffee in one of the riverside bars and restaurants.
Cars aren’t allowed in Hoi An Old Town so you can easily meander the streets. Just keep your eye out for bikes and motorcycles!
The best way to see the top places to visit in Hoi An Ancient Town is with a local and knowledgeable guide. Book a tour of the Old Town and learn about its history while exploring the narrow streets and visiting some beautiful historic buildings.
Buy a Tailored Suit
Looking for the real Hoi An experience? This is it!
Hoi An’s tailoring history dates back to the silk route when trade was passed down from father to son. Due to a lot of past conflicts, up until about 20 years ago, there were very few travellers visiting Vietnam.
All of a sudden tourism in the country boomed. People started flocking to South East Asia to see the wonders this area of the world held. Today, there are over 300 tailors in Hoi An so there’s no shortage of choice and plenty of options to suit every budget.
We recommend doing some research and asking at your hotel before deciding on a tailor as they vary in quality.
Yes, it might seem ideal as it’s going to cost you next to nothing; but is it actually wearable and is it going to last? Probably not. Pay a bit more and get something that’s much better quality. It’ll still be a fraction of the cost than at home.
Andy had his suit made at Tuong Tailor, and it’s very high quality.
Many shops will ship purchases home for you if you’re getting a lot made or don’t want to lug them around with you.
Our Top Tip: make your initial visit on your first day in Hoi An. You’ll need a couple of days to go back for fittings. Andy went back twice before finally picking up his suit.
Try a Cooking Class; one of the best things to do in Hoi An
As Vietnam’s foodie capital, a cookery class is one of the best things to do in Hoi An.
These can be done as stand-alone tours or combined with other top attractions in Hoi An. We combined ours with a bamboo raft ride which was incredibly fun (more on that later)!
Make sure your cookery class starts with shopping for ingredients at a local market. This is a fascinating glimpse into the local daily life of buying and selling weekly groceries.
Parts of animals and vegetables we didn’t even know existed were being sold! While we throw a lot away we don’t want, here it’s all eaten, so there’s much less waste.
This was one of our favourite things to do in Hoi An. We both absolutely love Vietnamese food so learning how to cook it and what ingredients to use was an amazing experience!
The most impressive thing was Helen deep frying spring rolls with chopsticks and coming away burn free!!
Explore Hoi An's Countryside
Although Hoi An Old Town will be difficult to drag yourself away from, one of the best things to do in Hoi An for a glimpse into local life is to explore the surrounding countryside.
This is best done on bikes. Partly so you can explore further but also because it’s more fun! Bikes can be rented for a few pounds for the whole day and you can pick up a map from the tourist information centre.
Once you leave the main town and reach the peaceful countryside, the views change to lush green rice fields and traditional rural Vietnamese life.
Picture buffalo working in the fields, fishing nets, hammocks swinging between the trees with a friendly dog lying under for shade and farmers giving you a wave as you cycle past.
Discover the authentic Vietnamese laid back charm as you weave your way through sleepy back roads lined with palm trees.
We also found a lovely little restaurant full of locals off one of the back roads. The food was incredible and considerably cheaper than in the main town. So, get yourself a bike, explore the countryside and see what hidden gems you discover.
One of the best ways to discover the Hoi An countryside is with a local knowledgeable guide. Click on the link below to gain a real insight into local life in this area of Vietnam.
Relax on the Beach
As if Hoi An couldn’t get any better, it’s also near some fantastic beaches!
If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Hoi An Old Town or fancy some beach time, jump on a bike or grab a taxi down to the beach (hotels in town may also have shuttles).
An Bang is the most popular beach so it can get very busy. But, if you’re looking for bars, restaurants and water sports, this is your place.
For a quieter beach head to Hidden Beach; in between An Bang and Cua Dai. Although no longer that hidden and gaining in popularity, it’s quieter than An Bang.
Float on a Bamboo Raft; one of the top attractions in Hoi An
One of the most relaxing things to do in Hoi An is hop on a bamboo boat and float through Bay Mau.
The history behind these bamboo boats stems from when Vietnam was under French rule. The French imposed a tax on all fishing boats; to get around this, the Vietnamese designed these bamboo rafts and claimed that they weren’t boats but actually baskets.
Jump on board the basket for an hour and discover the beauty of the countryside as you meander your way around the river’s maze of waterways, canals and coconut palms.
Appreciate the creativity of your guide as they make you some interesting origami from the coconut palm stems. You’ll also see entertaining performances from a local, dancing and spinning themselves around on their basket to music.
Our Top Tip: the police will now and again appear at the river and when they do, put your life jacket on! If you don’t and the police see you, your guide will get fined.
Explore Hoi An's Night Market
One of the best things to do in Hoi An at night is visit one of Vietnam’s most popular markets; the Hoi An Night Market.
Every evening more than 50 street vendors line up across the river from Hoi An Ancient Town. The street’s illuminated by hundreds of colourful lanterns and there’s an incredible buzz in the air, you can’t miss it!
Here, you’ll find locally made souvenirs and trinkets, such as key rings, fridge magnets, accessories, clothing, shoes, toys and best of all, local snacks!
As well as lots of tourist tat, the market is one of the best places to visit in Hoi An selling beautiful works from local artists. Paintings, pottery, handcrafted products and drawings. A great conversation starter when your friends visit!
At the start of the market, you’ll notice people queuing for photos, maybe even posing for wedding photos. The reason behind this? It’s Lantern Corner of course!
All the lantern stalls are placed next to each other making it a photo opportunity hotspot. Do note though that unless you buy a lantern, you’ll have to pay a small fee to take a photo.
Food at Hoi An Night Market
Our highlight at Hoi An Night Market was all the food! You can grab a snack and continue walking or sit with the locals on a little plastic stool and enjoy the food as you watch the frenetic energy around you.
Everything from grilled meat skewers, potato and sausage rolls, Vietnamese pizza (rice crackers with various toppings such as dried shrimp, pork, quail eggs and crispy onions) and grilled octopus.
After you’ve had your fill of these; start on the dessert stalls. Coconut cake, grilled banana sticky rice and coconut candy are just a few of the sweet delicacies you’ll find.
It’s also incredibly cheap! Expect to pay about 25,000 VND (about $1) for most of the snacks. You’ll pay a bit more for an octopus skewer but still only about $3.
There are plenty of restaurants and bars nearby if you’d prefer a sit-down meal. Many have upstairs terraces with magnificent views over the Thu Bon River and the night market.
Our Top Tip: bargain down prices for souvenirs. They’re bumped up for tourists so aim for at least 50% less. If the vendor has none of it, walk away. You’ll either find it cheaper elsewhere or they’ll chase after you and lower the price.
Do bear in mind though what you’re haggling over. Your money will go a lot further for them than for you!
Admire the Japanese Covered Bridge; a must-see in Hoi An
As one of Vietnam’s most iconic symbols, the Japanese Covered Bridge is an absolute must-see in Hoi An.
This beautiful bridge dates back to when Hoi An was a major trading port. The Chinese and Japanese communities were the largest but they were separated by a river. To overcome this, the Japanese built a bridge to link the two districts.
The bridge has been exceptionally preserved and remains incredibly aesthetically pleasing. The entrances to the bridge are guarded by a pair of monkeys on one side and a pair of dogs on the other. The reason for this isn’t 100% known.
One story claims it’s because many Japanese emperors were born in the years of the dog and the monkey. Another says it’s because construction of the bridge began in the year of the dog and was completed in the year of the monkey.
On the north side of the bridge is a temple dedicated to the Taoist God of weather. Locals come here to pray and to ward off bad weather and natural disasters. Around the bridge are a number of shops selling paintings and other artwork by people in the area.
The bridge makes for some beautiful photo opportunities both during the day and at night when it’s lit up with colourful lights that change colour. Although anyone can take photos of the bridge from the outside, you need a ticket to cross it (more on the tickets later).
Our Top Tip: come down as early as possible to get the best photos as it gets very crowded later. Over 4000 people cross this bridge a day!!
Visit Hoi An's Central Market
Spanning across five streets and bursting with activity from before the sun comes up until after the sun goes down; this is the most active market in Hoi An.
Even if you have no intention of buying anything, it’s a great experience and an insight into authentic Vietnamese life.
If you’re here at 7am, you’ll see the fisherman drop off their catch and negotiate with market vendors and local buyers for the best fish.
Vendors sell anything you could possibly think of. Shoes, toys, clothes, woven baskets, household goods, DIY tools, spices, Vietnamese silk, fresh vegetables, the list is endless!
One of the main reasons to come to the Central Market is for the food court. Here, you’ll find various food vendors offering delicious Hoi An specialities.
Visit the My Son Ruins
Escape the crowds and drive through the countryside to the atmospheric My Son ruins. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was the seat of the Champa Kingdom for almost 1000 years and was an independent state from around the 2nd to 17th century.
These Hindu ruins are set in lush tropical jungle and feature many beautiful stone sculptures, temples and towers.
Over time, the red bricks of My Son have been destroyed; largely due to the Vietnam War. The Americans found out the Vietnamese were hiding in this area so they dropped bombs here. Much of the central complex is, however, still intact.
Visiting My Son is definitely one of the best things to do in Hoi An for history lovers.
Our Top Tip: we’d recommend booking a tour to My Son so you can learn the history of the complex with a knowledgeable local guide, however, if you visit independently, get here as early as possible to avoid the crowds.
Eat, Eat and Eat!
Hoi An is Vietnam’s food capital so arrive hungry!
Due to its role as a trading port, the cuisine has been wonderfully influenced by the Chinese, Japanese and Europeans.
Just wandering around the town will leave your mouth watering. From street food snacks at the night market, to sit-down meals in the charming lantern-lit restaurants to tucking into Hoi An specialities perched on a riverside stool, you’ll leave feeling well and truly stuffed!
There are several delicious dishes unique to Hoi An. Some of our favourites are:
Cao Lao
Cao Lao is Hoi An’s definitive dish and Helen’s favourite.
It’s made from Japanese-style rice noodles and topped with slices of roast pork, crispy pork fat, bean sprouts, herbs and greens. This dish is unique to Hoi An so it’s a must-try when you’re here!
Why can’t you find Cao Lao outside of Hoi An? Well, technically you can, but it won’t be the real deal. The secret behind it is the water. Authentic Cao Lao is made from water drawn from the ancient Cham wells, of which only a few remain in Hoi An Old Town. One is Ba Le Well which you can go and visit.
Our Top Tip: when looking for authentic Cao Lao, look to the street vendors who are either only serving this or only have a handful of menu items. Cao Lao takes a very long time to prepare so don’t expect the tourist restaurants with massive menus to be serving the traditional meal.
Banh Vac
Andy’s favourite Hoi An speciality was banh vac (white rose). Little dumplings made from white rice dough, with shrimp and pork placed on top rather than inside like other dumplings.
They’re then steamed and scrunched up delicately to look like roses, topped with crispy shallots and served with a unique dipping sauce. Rumour has it the water used is from Ba Le Well (the same well used to make the Cao Lao noodles).
The recipe is secret to one family who supplies their dumplings all over town.
You’ll also no doubt come across banh xeo. These are savoury crispy pancakes made with rice flour and coconut milk and rolled with ingredients such as noodles, pork, shrimp, chicken, beansprouts and herbs.
Banh Mi you’ll find on almost every street corner. These are French-influenced and a quick grab-and-go hearty baguette made with a variety of fillings.
You may think you’ve accidentally ordered Mexican nachos if you ask for hoan thanh but these are actually fried wontons made with rice flour, filled with various meat fillings and served with a salsa-like dip.
One of the best things to do in Hoi An is a street food tour. Explore the city’s markets and food vendors with a local guide who’ll take you to all the best spots for you to savour the regional specialities.
Have Tea at Reaching Out Tea House; unique must-see in Hoi An
Having tea at the Reaching Out Tea House is one of the lesser-known and unique things to do in Hoi An and is an incredible cause.
This quaint tea house is a social enterprise whose staff all have hearing and speech impairments. The money earned goes towards supporting this community.
After a few hours strolling the streets of Hoi An Ancient Town, visit the Reaching Out Tea House for the perfect sanctuary to the hustle and bustle outside.
Noise is kept to a minimum. You can speak amongst yourselves but lower your voice to a whisper. There are forms on the tables to fill out when you want to order and you hand them to the staff with a big smile!
There are also building blocks on the table with words such as ‘bill’, ‘milk’ and ‘thank you’ to help you communicate.
Check Out the Nightlife
One of the best things to do in Hoi An at night is check out the nightlife.
Once the sun sets, Hoi An’s streets are illuminated with hundreds of colourful lanterns and come alive with music and people socialising until the early hours of the morning.
Hoi An’s nightlife includes everything from laidback cocktail bars, trendy cafes and live music venues to cosy pubs, casual stools by the river and dark nightclubs where you can dance all night.
Many bars have happy hours that seem to go on all night!
Everything to Know Before You Visit Hoi An
Entrance to Hoi An Old Town
Entrance to Hoi An Old Town is technically ticketed and costs 120,000 VND (5 USD). This goes towards preserving the town and funding conservation work. However, enforcement is inconsistent and we were never asked to purchase or show a ticket.
Entry to the historical buildings is also ticketed and you will be asked to show these. Your ticket gives you access to 5 of the 22 historical sites scattered throughout Hoi An Ancient Town and can be purchased from yellow kiosks on the outskirts of the old town.
How long to spend in Hoi An
We’d recommend a minimum of 3 nights for the top things to do in Hoi An and to get a good insight into what the town offers. As the beach is so close, Hoi An is also a great place to spend a bit longer if you’ve been on the go for a while and you’d like some downtime.
The best time of year to visit Hoi An
The best time to visit Hoi An for the driest weather and most comfortable temperatures is February to May. In June and July, temperatures soar to almost 40 degrees Celsius and the humidity is unreal!
Hoi An’s riverside location makes it prone to flooding in the rainy season which runs from September to January. The heaviest rainfall happens in October and November.
Where to stay in Hoi An
Deciding where to stay in Hoi An depends on what you’d like to get from your visit.
If you only have a few days we’d recommend staying within walking distance to the Old Town so you can maximise your time here.
If you’d prefer to relax and spend time on the beach, there are plenty of resorts in An Bang. Most of the accommodation will offer shuttles into town so you can experience both.
How to get to Hoi An
You have a few options when deciding how to get to Hoi An.
Da Nang Airport is about 30 kilometres north of Hoi An; you can book a convenient shuttle to drop you at your hotel.
Buses from the north and south stop in Da Nang and from there you can take a bus or Grab taxi to Hoi An.
A very popular way of getting to and from Hoi An is on a motorcycle. You can either rent a bike yourself or sit on the back with an experienced driver.
Read: Getting Around Vietnam
Getting around Hoi An
Getting around Hoi An is super easy. If you’re staying in or near Hoi An Old Town you’ll get by walking mostly. Most hotels have shuttles to the beach.
You’ll see bike rental shops everywhere so get on one and explore. The locals love seeing tourists out in the countryside on bicycles as they don’t see it often so expect an enthusiastic wave as you pedal past!
Grab Taxis are cheap for getting around Hoi An if you’re venturing further than the Old Town. If you’re in the Old Town and don’t fancy walking, you’ll find plenty of cyclos.
We hope you’ve found this guide to the top things to do in Hoi An useful. If you have any questions, leave a comment below and follow us on Instagram to stay up-to-date with us in real time.
We have several other Vietnam travel guides below if visiting Hoi An is part of a larger trip.
3 thoughts on “13 Amazing Things to do in Hoi An; Complete Guide”
Thoughtful and detailed sharing! Hoi An with its classic beauty and unique cuisine is always one of the top destinations in Vietnam. It’s been 3 years since I came here, and your article makes me want to go to Hoi An!
amazing information and thanks for sharing with us
Hoi An holds a special place in the hearts of many. It’s undoubtedly a destination worth adding to any travel bucket list! Thank you for sharing your heartfelt experience with us.