Hoi An Vietnam: Things to do & Travel Guide
Hoi An, Vietnam stands out for its vibrant and well-preserved Ancient Town along the Thu Bon River. This city offers a fascinating blend of charm and energy. I’ll share a well-traveled fun yet unique Hoi An itinerary designed to help you make the most of up to 5 days in this enchanting town. Feel free to adjust the plan based on the time you have.
Additionally, to help you explore this captivating destination, i’ve put together a comprehensive guide on all the best, free and unique things to do, this surely make your stay more useful and experience this charming town like a local.
15 Best Things To Do in Hoi An, Vietnam
I can’t recommend Hoi An enough—it’s a must-visit destination on any Vietnam itinerary. Strolling through the lantern-lit streets of the Ancient Town is one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon. Every visit reveals charming coffee shops, hidden corners, and a thriving food and drink scene that’s hard to beat.
This guide highlights the best areas and activities, with all the free and unique things to do in Hoi An.
1. Walk Along the old streets of Hoi An
Take your time exploring the streets of Hoi An, admiring the blend of old style Asian houses, vibrant shutters, and eye-catching colors. Consider joining a free guided walking tour to dive deeper into the town’s history while uncovering the charm of this ancient quarter. The well-preserved architecture evokes a sense of nostalgia, thanks to its recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Take a break at the uniquely designed coffee shops, many featuring terraces with views of the ancient rooftops and the river. At night, the streets light up with lanterns, creating a romantic and enchanting atmosphere.
2. Visit Quan Cong Temple
The Quan Cong is a Small, 17th-century Chinese style pagoda temple decorated with elaborate statues & artwork. The building is adorned in vibrant pink and red, showcases classic Chinese temple architecture. Its striking colors contrast beautifully with the surrounding yellow facade buildings, highlighting cultural influences in the area. Take a moment to enjoy the tranquility of the inner courtyard, but pay attention to signs with guidelines, such as removing your shoes when near sacred statues. To visit the temple, purchase a Hoi An Old Town ticket from any nearby ticket counters.
3. The Japanese Covered Bridge
The iconic Japanese Bridge, over 300 years old, was originally constructed to link the Japanese and Chinese quarters. While it can get busy during peak times, it’s a must-see attraction and perfect for capturing memorable photos. Admire its intricate architectural details during the day or enjoy its enchanting illumination at night. This historic bridge remains one of the most see sites you come across while in Hoi An. To cross the bridge, you’ll need to purchase the Hoi An Old Town ticket.
4. Wander the riverfront
Adding a pleasant walk along Hoi An’s riverfront to your itinerary is a must. Take in the vibrant yellow buildings and watch as boats glide along the river. If you’d like to hop on, vendors nearby will eagerly offer tickets. The riverfront becomes even more magical in the evening, especially during full moon festivals (15th of each month), when floating lanterns light up the water, creating an enchanting atmosphere.
5. Hoi An's Market
Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of Hoi An Market (Chợ Hội An), where you’ll find fresh vegetables, flowers, spices, baskets, and a variety of meats and mainly fish. Experiencing the local crowds and the hum of motorbikes in the morning is an essential part of visiting Hoi An. We paired our market trip with a day tour that included a cooking class and a basket boat ride. For a custom-made suit or dress at a great price, head to the nearby Hoi An Tailor Market, where you’ll find skilled tailors—just be ready to negotiate for the best deal. Check out best night markets in Vietnam
6. Banh Mi Hoi An
French colonial influence in Vietnam brought the baguette, which is the local name for the iconic Banh Mi sandwich. This Vietnamese classic features a mix of meats, coriander, cucumber, pâté or cheese, chili, and mayonnaise. Different regions in Vietnam, tend to offer their own variation of Banh Mi, however, this one in Hoi An is pretty unique for it’s unique flavor and aroma. Try it.
7. Basket Boat Along the river
Experience the fun of a lazy river ride in a traditional Vietnamese basket boat, known as a Thung Chai. Made from bamboo, these round boats are tricky to navigate—it’s nearly impossible to avoid spinning in circles! You’ll find plenty of opportunities to try it yourself and spend a whole morning or afternoon learning about this ancient craft. This is an absolute must-do when visiting Hoi An!
8. Get drenched at An Bang Beach
While the old town is the main draw in Hoi An for almost anything free to do, the nearby (5km from old town of Hoi An) An Bang and it’s coastline offers another fantastic experience. An Bang Beach stretches 4km, lined with deckchairs and laid-back beach bars. Relax with a drink and take in the stunning ocean view. An Bang is basically a ocean side village that become more busy based on the tourism development. There are villas, home-stays, restaurants to keep you stay for a full day.
9. Relax at one of old town's many Cafes
Vietnamese love to chill out and spend time at cafe, meet friends while drink one of the best coffees in the world, the Vietnamese Coffee. Go local and do one of the best ways to spend a few days in Hoi An, simply sitting back, watching life unfold, and sipping coffee. Hoi An’s Ancient Town has plenty of charming cafes. Just walk around and you see a plenty of them as you walking by.
10. Tra Que Vegetable Village
Tra Que, a peaceful, leafy area located halfway between the Ancient Town and the coast. If it’s your first visit to Hoi An, I strongly recommend checking out Tra Que to experience a completely different side of the city. Tra Que Vegetable Village grows all the fresh veggies you’ll enjoy in Hoi An. The locals fertilize the land with seaweed instead of chemicals, giving the area a fresh, aromatic scent. Exploring the area offers a scenic and unique contrast to the rest of the town.
11. Day trip to Ba Na Hills
One of the very popular day trips almost everyone would take is to visit the Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills. Located within ~55km from Hoi An up to the Ba Na Hills. The Golden bridge, known also as a God’s hand bridge is a symbolic 150 meter long pedestrian bridge designed as a tourism project. The day trip include a visit to a french village up the mountain. The day trip is included transfer, buffet lunch and cable car. The trip is definitely worth a try. Learn more about Golden Hand Bridge in Vietnam
12. Hoi An Free Bike Tour
Vietnamese students host free cycling tours to practice their English. Explore Hoi An’s countryside like a local by cycling through rice fields, preparing traditional dishes, and visiting the outskirts of Hoi An that are typically off the beaten path. I had a wonderful experience, engaging in great conversations with locals while enjoying stunning views at sunset. The tour runs every Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday.
13. Take a Vietnamese cooking class
I believe one of the best ways to connect with a new culture is by learning to prepare its cuisine. Vietnamese food stands out for its rich and often surprising blend of flavors in every dish. Try to join a cooking class as it exceed expectations. The experience included a visit to the local market, a ride on coconut basket boats, and the preparation of four mouthwatering dishes.
14. Visit the Assembly Halls & museum
You can buy tickets for the assembly halls and museums at the tourist center near the entrance to the Ancient Town. The cost is 120,000 VND (~USD 5), which grants access to the Old Town and five sightseeing spots, including assembly halls and museums. The ticket lists all the available options for your convenience. I suggest visiting the Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall and Chua Quan Am Temple.
15. Get yourself a custom clothe made
Hoi An boasts more than 200 tailor shops, making it the perfect place to have custom clothing made. If you have a few days in here, that’s enough time to tailor one. Many shops allow you to either bring an example of a design you’d like replicated or select from their collection of displayed styles. Prices vary by shop, but they are significantly more affordable than what you’d pay in the United States.
How to Visit Hoi An, Vietnam
Hoi An lies in central Vietnam and, while it lacks its own airport, it is well-connected. The closest airport is in Da Nang, just a 45-minute drive from the town. Once in the airport, you can opt for taxi to Hoi An for 350.000 VND (~15USD). Daily flights operate between Da Nang and major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, with an increasing number of international flights now being offered. Check out Vietnam Visa Requirements
Buses
While flying is the fastest way to travel, you can also choose from several reliable sleeper buses operating from various parts of Vietnam. Take the overnight Bus from Hanoi to Da Nang for a more scenic journey.
Getting Around
One in old town, walking and cycling are the main ways to get around Hoi An. The pedestrian-friendly streets are ideal for exploring on foot. Rent a bicycle to visit the beach or ride through the rice fields. Almost all hotels and guesthouses in Hoi An provide bicycles.
Hoi An Old Town Ticket
To help preserve Hoi An’s old town, visitors need a ticket to access certain buildings in order to visit them. You can buy tickets at counters located around the edges of the city center. The ticket costs 120,000 VND (~USD 5), but it’s not required for simply strolling through Hoi An.
Where to Stay
Choose your accommodation based on the type of experience you’re looking for—stay near the An Bang beach for a relaxing vibe or closer to the old town for the convenience. Opting for lodging just outside the old town often provides more affordable options while keeping both the beach and the old town within easy reach.
Hoi An however offers accommodation options from home-stays to top luxury resorts. Remember to book in advance specially if your trip date is around Vietnam’s lunar new year (Late Jan – early Feb).
Best Time to Visit Hoi An
Hoi An enjoys warm weather throughout the year, with the driest months running from February to July. It’s best to steer clear of Vietnamese public holidays, especially TET, the country’s biggest celebration, as most shops and restaurants close during this time. Check out Best time to visit Vietnam
Hoi An Things to do in 5 days
Hoi An itinerary: Day 1
Explore the magnificent, pleasant and peaceful old town, check out the yellow building, stop by temples, grab a Banh Mi at the Central Market, and enjoy a coffee. Take your time to experience the laid-back atmosphere of Hoi An. Wrap up the day by checking out the iconic night market and admiring the colorful hanging lanterns.
Hoi An itinerary: Day 2
Head to the Marble Mountains, located in the limestone hills near Da Nang. This half-day adventure offers caves and pagodas to explore, taking a couple of hours to fully experience. From Hoi An, it’s a 40-minute drive—either rent a scooter or join a tour. The entrance fee is only 40,000 VND.
Hoi An 3 day itinerary
Spend the day at An Bang Beach, one of the favorite spots in Hoi An. With beach swings, loungers, hammocks, and bean bags, it offers a relaxing and colorful setting, perfect for enjoying a sunset!
Hoi An itinerary: Day 4
The Cham islands
Ok. The Cham Islands located in Cu Lao Cham Marine Park, a UNESCO-protected area. For a unique experience, book a private tour and you’ll explore the island and its beaches, plus wear an astronaut-style helmet to walk along the ocean bed and admire the fish!
My Son Temples
Located an hour outside Hoi An, the 1,300-year-old My Son Temples were built by the Cham people, an ethnic group native to Vietnam and Cambodia. Unlike Vietnam’s Buddhist temples, these structures reflect Hindu influences, with statues of Vishnu and Ganesha among others.
Hoi An itinerary: Day 5
Nightlife in Hoi An
Hoi An is a very safe place to be, even for solo female travelers in Vietnam. At night, the riverfront comes alive with vibrant bars, including the quirky Bars—definitely worth a visit. If you stay around till late, make sure to take a taxi back to your hotel, or book a ride haul trough Grab (Download the app).
