Hoi An, a charming city in central Vietnam, is renowned for its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant cultures and stunning lively resorts. Among its many attractions, the Hoi An tourist night market stands out as a must-visit while in the town. In this article, we will delve into the Hoa An’s top things to do along with its unique atmosphere, the city’s weather, and recommend some top-notch hotels, resorts, and restaurants for an unforgettable experience.

Walking through the Old Town is like travelling back in time several centuries. Over 800 historical buildings have been preserved (a handful of which are accessible to the public), there are restrictions on modern development and no cars or motorbikes are allowed.

Hoi An’s cooking classes for foodies and travelers

Hoi An Japanese Bridge › A cultural symbol in the heart of the ancient town

3 best luxury resorts in Hoi An: Here are some hotels and resorts that go the extra mile to give its guests the best that Hoi An Vietnam has to offer. Hoi An is an incredible destination, where ancient Vietnamese culture still breathes life into this old port town. From the graceful flowering bougainvillea and silk lanterns that grace the colorful streets to the charming river where fisherwomen in conical hats work, the only way to experience the ancient quarter of Hoi An is by foot in this car-free, quiet world.

After exploring ageing tea warehouses, grand Japanese merchant houses and colorful markets, you need a place to sleep. As with all our destinations, we offer a selection of accommodation to match your tastes. Best Luxury Hotels in Hoi An – Travelers’ Choice Awards: See the best hotels in the Hoi An as determined from ratings by travelers like you.

High-End: Anantara Hoi An resort & Spa

Anantara Hoi An resort and Spa is an high-end hotel nestled along the bank of Thu Bon River lies Anantara Hoi An to ensure you can experience the panoramic views of the city’s iconic river whatever time of day. The luxurious rooms provide you with a soulful rest, while the hotel’s daytime activities ensure there is always something to do – from learning the Vietnamese language to making Vietnamese lanterns and paintings with local experts. Take a spa treatment, stroll through the landscaped gardens or soak in the outdoor swimming pool. You may choose to dine in the Irish pub, at the poolside cocktail bar, or in the riverside restaurant, but if you are a real romantic, then a private dinner with a personal chef might just be the way to go!

Central Vietnam Beach Hotels

Endless stretches of sandy beaches extend from Hoi An to Lang Co via Danang. Stay at a resort close to Hoi An and combine the beach with history, culture and shopping. Alternatively, stay at a property near Lang Co or Danang and laze away your days on the beach.

Hoi An Beaches

Stay at one of the beaches close to Hoi An and enjoy the beach and Hoi An’s old town. Located between 15 to 30 minutes’ drive from Hoi An, many hotels offer shuttle services to Hoi An.

Lang Co

Situated north of Danang, Lang Co offers a seemingly endless stretch of stunning white sand beach on one side of the peninsula and a lovely lagoon on the other side.

Central Vietnam beach hotels and resorts

Essential guide and travel tips to visit Hoi An, city of lanterns and often referred to as the most beautiful city in Southeast Asia, Hoi An is surely a destination that must be included on a Vietnam travel itinerary. I enjoyed it so much I ended up staying there for about two weeks! I have prepared this guide based on the information that I myself look for when I travel to a new destination. They are the result of a few weeks to “live” in Hoi An and some investigation on the spot but of course it incorporates some of my tastes and preferences, so I do not take responsibility for that.

How to get to Hoi An

To travel to Hoi An, a city which is located in central part of Vietnam, you may travel either from Hanoi by taking an hour flight to Danang and then transfer for ~25km to Hoi An. Or, do the same from Ho Chi Minh city, there are plenty budget flights to/ from Danang to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. You can also take night train to Hoi An, bus travel is also another option.

Train travel to Hoi An

Another alternative to get to Hoi An and other cities in Vietnam is to opt for traveling by train. I confess that, although it can cost almost as much as flying but take much longer. There are night trains with bed compartments and if you travel on daytime,  you have chance to view the beautiful landscapes while passing along with the coastline. Train station is also located in Da Nang. You can try to buy tickets on the official website of Vietnam Railways, but international cards rarely work. The other option to to book train ticket to Hoi An or other cities of Vietnam directly through the local agent in Vietnam or just the train station before you depart. Note: Train tickets are hard to book during the Vietnam’s Tet Holiday

Where to stay in Hoi An: Accommodation guide

Hoi An has became a favorite for many visitors, however,  being able to observe many restored buildings and attractions. Here you can do various tourist shopping and visit art galleries, museums, places of worship and historical attractions. However, prepare yourself, because it is when night falls that this city most stands out, covering of lights of all colors, with numerous restaurants offering romantic meals. The best area to stay and to book accommodation in Hoi An is Cam Pho as it is one of the main areas of the city and therefore everything is within walking distance. The river will only be a short walk away and here you will find several interesting attractions. In addition, numerous restaurants, bars and hotels are always available. If you stay here you will be very close to the current old town which has most of the tourist attractions but Cam Pho on the other hand has some of the best hotels and the good prices.

There are some fascinating things to see and do in the area including visiting the most iconic landmark, which is the Covered Japanese Bridge that was built in the 17th century by the Japanese community. It is an amazing little bridge that was solidly structured with earthquakes in mind but its original arched shape had to be restored in the 1980’s. The Temple of Cam Pho was built in the 18th century and was dedicated to a Chinese general, who symbolized loyalty, justice and integrity.

Other areas to stay in Hoi An

Cam Chau: This charming and quiet neighborhood is a few miles east of Hoi An old town and is particularly attractive due to its authentic Vietnamese atmosphere. The neighborhood is safe and it is easy to get to the old town from here with good transport links, which makes it a good place to stay. There are a good amount of shops, restaurants, cafes, hotels and bars, especially along Nguyen Duy Hieu, which have great views of the river and the city itself.

Tan An: This is another quiet and peaceful area in Hoi An where you can opt to book hotel or accommodation, the area has a certain style of the 1940s, with many old and traditional buildings along the streets. Most of the hotels here are cheap and basic as well as the whole area in general. If you choose to stay here, it will be only a 10 minute walk to the old town and the river. Most restaurants and bars can be found along Thanh Hoa Street, but do not expect to find many menus written in English. There are also some beautiful little parks and gardens in this neighborhood as well as authentic shops on La Hong Phong street.

Cam Thanh: The village of Cam Thanh is located east of Hoi An making it a great place to stay because of its safety and good transport links into the city. Here you can really immerse yourself in Vietnamese culture, even having courses of typical gastronomy. Another option is to fish or take a boat trip along the river and then relax on the beach to enjoy the sunset. The best bars, restaurants, shops and hotels can be found along Tran Nhan Tong Road, which is where you can have wonderful views of the coast.

Where to eat in Hoi An

Where to eat in Hoi An: From street food stalls to fine dining restaurants, the offer of places to eat in Hoi An is so vast that it is even difficult to recommend one in particular. In these food things, unless there is a place that really stands out and can not be missed. I leave some of the places I’ve ate most during the weeks I’ve been living in Ho An. of course, they are local foodies and I want to add that there are western foods available everywhere in Hoi An.

Throughout Vietnam, stalls and small street food restaurants are very popular and usually cost  cheap. In Hoi An, they are a also everywhere, especially in the busiest streets and in the Old Town and by the river around the Japanese covered bridge. Cao Lau is the typical Hoi An dish  and I was fed up with it! Another place I went to was often the Solo, a simple restaurant on the main street (Tran Hung Dao), with good Vietnamese and western food, relatively reasonable and with good service. They also make for take-away or delivery. Alongside and in front there are others also seemingly good and who always had a lot of people, like Café Garden or Vina Ngon.

A cheap restaurant and in a top location in the Hoi An Old Town right across the river is the Quang Thang. It is a very simple and nice place, ideal for a quick lunch with good view but not especially suitable for a more special or romantic dinner. For a local food experience in a more modern setting, a friend of mine advised me the Vy’s Market, a fun modern food-market concept, where you can sample a bit of everything. They also have cooking classes.

The best burgers are served at Jim’s Snackbar. Unfortunately, I did not get to try it but it was recommended to me by the owners of Rice Field Homestay, where I stayed for several days and are experts at good places to eat! If you feel like eating a good pizza, the best places are GoodMorning Vietnam and Casa Italia. I have always been to Casa Italia because it is nicer, the pizzas are great and the location right on the riverfront makes everything even more romantic.

Also to vary from local food, the Dingo Deli is a restaurant and small foodie with modern and international atmosphere. The food is great and the menu features great sandwichs, burritos, burgers, salads, BBQ chicken, beers and international wines. It’s not really cheap if you compare it to local restaurants. Another restaurant with an international atmosphere and frequented by fashionable people is the Soul Kitchen. The food is good, yes sir! But the location, right on the beach, is what makes all the difference. It’s a good chill out place even if you do not go for a full meal.

Hoi An beach

It may not be as spectacular as the beaches of Phu Quoc or neighboring Thailand, but the beaches of Hoi An can be azure, nice and idyllic for those who are looking for something a bit special. The main beach is An Bang, the famous Cua Dai Beach was “attacked” a few years ago by a strong storm and at the moment it is very different and the area a little abandoned but, in my opinion, it continues being a good beach.

Tailor made suit, shoes & clothes in Hoi An

Hoi An is a “best place to tailor a suit and shoes”. The shops and shoe makers are abound in the city and in less than 24 hours it is possible to make any type of suit, dress or shoe. Of course the quality varies a lot and should do some research and prospecting. One that I can recommend, not because I have used it but because I know it is really good, is Beb Be Tailor, whose owners are family members of the homestay where I stayed for several days.

Cham Island

Cham Island, or Cu Lao Cham, is an island located within 20km from Hoi An. It is easy to get there from the Cua Dai but only during the dry season (March to September), as in the rainy season the sea is very hectic and sometimes dangerous. It is one of the least explored islands in Vietnam and a great choice for diving, snorkeling and everything to do with water activities, beaches and marine sports. It can be done as a “day trip” or stay there for an overnight in local guesthouses.