10 Best Things to Do in Hoi An, Vietnam

Last Updated: October 2026

Hoi An is one of the most beautiful towns in Vietnam, famous for its colourful lanterns, historic buildings, delicious food and charming riverside setting. Once a thriving trading port, its beautifully preserved Ancient Town is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the country’s most popular destinations.

Normally, we’re not particularly fond of crowded tourist hotspots, so we were a little unsure whether we’d enjoy Hoi An. But after hearing so many wonderful things about it, we decided to include it in our Vietnam itinerary. And we’re so glad we did!

With its yellow-painted buildings, narrow alleyways, ancient temples and colourful lanterns hanging above the streets, Hoi An is an absolute photographer’s dream. It’s beautiful during the day, but once the lanterns light up after sunset, the town becomes truly magical.

We spent six nights in Hoi An and never once got bored. Between wandering through the Ancient Town, cycling past rice paddies, relaxing on the beach and enjoying some of the best food in Vietnam, there was always something to keep us entertained.

Whether you’re visiting for a couple of days or staying longer, here are 10 of the best things to do in Hoi An, along with our favourite experiences and practical tips to help you plan your visit.

Best Things to Do in Hoi An

1- Wander the small streets of the ancient town

The ancient town of Hoi An is a real delight to walk around. It’s a picture-perfect old Vietnamese town with a mixture of French colonial, Chinese and Japanese architecture. It consists of a few major streets that are crisscrossed by many narrow alleyways, each more charming and colourful than those before it. Bright coloured lanterns hang across the streets, and the street vendors wear their iconic, conical hats. Then there are the beautifully restored heritage buildings, such as the Tan Ky house and the Japanese Bridge. You’ll definitely want to visit those.

Take a walk along the shores of the Thu Bon River for more views of the old town and for great photography opportunities. Along both sides of the river, there are many restaurants and bars where you can sit and enjoy the atmosphere as you sip a local beer or a Vietnamese coffee.

Note: You’ll need a ticket to enter the old town. The ticket will be valid for the entire length of your stay. Be sure to hold on to it. However, I stupidly lost our tickets and no-one ever asked us for them. The ticket also includes five passes to use at any of the twenty-two sightseeing attractions, such as the Japanese Bridge, Tan Ky house and Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall. Entrance tickets to the Ancient Town cost VND 120,000.

2- Visit the night market

Every night on Nguyen Hoang Street, on the other side of the river, there’s a night market. There you’ll find many local vendors selling handmade souvenirs, jewellery, clothing and local snacks. The street is lit by hundreds of colourful lanterns making it another great spot for photographers. There are many stalls selling lanterns, but much to the shop owners annoyance, rather than buying them, most people simply photograph them instead. If you are looking for nightlife, the area is also full of restaurants, bars and clubs.

As pretty as Hoi An is by day, seeing the lanterns lit up and glowing against the night sky is something else! As you cross the river to the night market, you’ll see hundreds of little candlelit paper lanterns floating on the water, creating a truly magical scene. Traditionally, visitors can buy these lanterns from vendors along the riverbank, release them onto the water and make a wish for good luck and happiness.

However, as beautiful as they look, these floating lanterns can contribute to litter and pollution in the river. We recommend simply admiring them from the riverbank and capturing some lovely photographs rather than releasing your own. You can still enjoy the magic of Hoi An at night without contributing to the environmental impact.

3- Visit the Central Market

Hoi An’s Central Market bustles with life. Although it’s chaotic, it’s a great place to check out the locals going about their daily life. You’ll find a mix of local shoppers, vendors, tourists, and chickens running about. There is so much to see, smell, photograph, buy and taste! But look out for motorbikes because they will drive straight through the crowds to get to their destination!

4- Soak in the sun on An Bang Beach

An Bang Beach is about five kilometres outside of town. It’s easy to get to. You can catch a taxi there or ride and park your bike at one of the many restaurants. You buy a drink and the restaurant owner “watches” your bike for you.

An Bang beach is a nice beach to spend the day at, relaxing with a good book. You can rent one of the many lounge chairs or simply put your towel down on the sand. If you’re after lunch or cocktails, there are many restaurants and bars to choose from.

5- Ride through the countryside and rice fields

There is much more to Hoi An than its ancient town. Within a short bike ride out from the city centre, you’ll find countryside with rice fields, herb gardens, local villages and lush greenery. You’ll see farmers working their fields, water buffalos grazing, fishermen fishing in the rivers and you’ll experience a more rustic way of life. My favourite part was coming across a friendly calf who came running towards us for attention. I could have spent hours cuddling him; he was the cutest. Simon had to drag me back to my bike!

6- Take a cooking class

Hoi An is probably the best place in Vietnam to take a cooking class. Many of the best restaurants in town offer them. First, they’ll take you on a tour of the local market, and then they’ll show you how to make some of the nicest Vietnamese dishes, such as fresh Spring Rolls, Papaya salad, Chilli and Lemongrass Chicken. Of course, when we made them they never tasted quite as good, but hey, you might be better cooks than us! Nevertheless, it was a fun experience. Two good, reputable cooking classes are Green Bamboo and the Tra Que Garden cooking class.

7- Visit the My Son Ruins at Sunrise

The My Son Sanctuary is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, about forty kilometres outside Hoi An. This group of partially ruined Hindu temples was built between the 4th and 13th centuries by the Champa civilisation and was primarily dedicated to the worship of the god Shiva.

The temples are set in a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains, which means it can get incredibly hot during the day. The best time to visit is at sunrise, when it’s cooler, the morning light is perfect for photography, and most tourists are still in bed!

Having since visited Angkor Wat in Cambodia, we can certainly say that My Son is much smaller and less spectacular in scale. However, it has its own unique charm and fascinating history, and we thoroughly enjoyed exploring the ancient ruins in the peaceful early morning atmosphere.

Read more about the My Son Sanctuary here.

8- Eat and eat some more

While in the food capital you’ll want to eat out a lot. In fact, if you wanted to, you could probably spend your entire time there eating! I’m pretty sure I could of! There are so many amazing restaurants in town (read on for some of their names), and some great street food to be had.

Hoi An has a few speciality foods that you should try:

• Cao lầu (a dish made with noodles, pork, and local greens),
• Banh Bao Vac or White Rose (a shrimp dumpling),
• Com Ga (chicken rice),
• Mi Quang (Vietnamese Turmeric noodles).

9- Get something tailored

Hoi An is one of the cheapest places in the world to get custom-made suits and dresses. As for finding a tailor, well they are pretty much on every corner. But not all tailors are that good, so be sure to do your research. Everyone in town will recommend someone, mostly their family members or friends. If you’re interested, ask other travellers for recommendations, especially if you’re planning on getting a suit made or something of similar expense. Unfortunately, we can’t recommend any as we didn’t need anything tailored and decided to avoid those shops altogether.

10- Visit Cam Kim Island

Cam Kim Island is a short wooden boat ride away from Hoi An and it’s another great place to spend a few hours riding a bike around. Although you can also ride there directly via a recently built bridge, the boat ride is half the fun. Once on the island, you’ll find more typical rural scenes, villages and rice paddies. Cam Kim is also famous for its wood carving. We visited an area of the island where the locals were building and repairing traditional boats which was really interesting to watch. Mind the local geese though, they aren’t as friendly as the buffalos!

Where Is Hoi An and How to Get There?

Hoi An is a beautiful historic town in Central Vietnam, approximately 30 kilometres south of Da Nang. Although formerly part of Quang Nam Province, it is now administratively part of Da Nang following a regional merger in 2025.

The nearest airport is Da Nang International Airport, approximately 45–60 minutes away by car. There are several ways to reach Hoi An:

• Private transfer: The easiest option, especially with luggage. Most hotels can arrange airport transfers, generally costing around 300,000–500,000 VND.
• Grab or taxi: A convenient alternative, typically costing around 300,000–450,000 VND. Mai Linh is a well-known taxi company.
• Airport shuttle: Shared minibus transfers are available from approximately 120,000–160,000 VND per person.
• Public bus: The cheapest option is bus route 02 from Da Nang’s central bus station to Hoi An. However, it doesn’t depart directly from the airport, making it less convenient if you’re travelling with luggage.

For a hassle-free arrival, we’d recommend arranging a private transfer through your accommodation, particularly after a long flight.

How to Get Around Hoi An

Hoi An is best explored on foot, especially its charming Ancient Town, where motorised traffic is restricted at certain times. Cycling is another great option, particularly for exploring the surrounding countryside and rice paddies. Many hotels provide complimentary bicycles, or you can easily rent one in town. Motorbike rentals are also widely available, although visitors should check local licensing requirements and travel insurance coverage before hiring one.

Where to eat?

Mango Rooms

Their food is inventive and tasty. Their cocktails are delicious. Head upstairs for the best view of the river to accompany your lunch. It’s a great place to soak up the atmosphere and engage in a little people watching.

Green Mango

Green Mango is a bit more expensive than other places but their food is super tasty and fresh. Go there early for happy hour and start your meal with a few cocktails!

Morning Glory

Even though Morning Glory has become very touristy, the food is still outstanding and the prices are quite reasonable considering its location. There are so many dishes to choose from that it’s actually quite hard to decide. The Banh Xeo was delicious! Be sure to make a reservation or arrive very early.

Bale Well

There’s nothing fancy about Bale Well. It’s a plastic tables and chairs affair with a set menu of Banh Xeo (pancakes), grilled pork skewers, fried spring rolls, rice pancake and dessert. The waitress will show you how to eat them the traditional way. It’s actually a lot of fun and the food was very tasty.

Madame Khan

This unassuming shop is a small family run restaurant serving the best traditional Banh Mi in Hoi An. It’s a great place for a quick and cheap lunch.

White Rose Restaurant

If you want to try the famous White Rose this is the place to go to. The restaurant has been open for three generations and the recipe is a family secret. It’s the only place in town that actually makes the White Rose. You can even see the ladies making them as you enjoy your dish.

The restaurant supplies the White Rose to all the other restaurants in town and to the street vendors. What’s a White Rose? They are flower-shaped dumplings made with translucent white dough and filled with spiced minced shrimp. They’re topped with crispy fried shallots and served with a special dipping sauce. Besides these dumplings, the restaurant only serves one other dish – crispy wontons, otherwise known as the “Hoi An pizza”.

Love Vietnamese food? If you enjoyed discovering Hoi An’s delicious local specialities, you’ll love exploring the bustling food scene in Ho Chi Minh City too! From incredible street food to lively markets, Saigon is a fantastic destination for food lovers. Check out our 48 Hours in Ho Chi Minh City guide for more inspiration.

Best Time to Visit Hoi An

The best time to visit Hoi An is generally between February and April, when the weather is warm, relatively dry and ideal for exploring the Ancient Town, cycling through the countryside and enjoying the nearby beaches.

Hoi An has two main seasons:

• Dry season (February to August): Expect plenty of sunshine, with temperatures becoming increasingly hot from May to August. The summer months are particularly good for beach lovers, although sightseeing in the midday heat can be exhausting.
• Rainy season (September to January): Expect heavier rainfall, particularly between October and November, when flooding can occasionally affect the Ancient Town. December and January can also be cooler and overcast.

How Many Days Do You Need in Hoi An?

While you can see the main highlights of Hoi An’s Ancient Town in a day or two, we’d recommend spending at least three to four days to truly appreciate everything this beautiful destination has to offer.

We spent six nights in Hoi An and absolutely loved having the extra time. Rather than rushing from one attraction to another, we could wander through the colourful streets, explore the countryside by bicycle, relax on the beach and enjoy the fantastic local food.

With three or four days, you’ll have enough time to explore the Ancient Town, visit the nearby beaches, take a cooking class and perhaps enjoy a sunrise trip to My Son Sanctuary.

If you prefer slow travel, six nights certainly isn’t too long. We could happily have stayed even longer!

Where to stay in Hoi An?

Cozy Hoi An Boutique Villas

This boutique hotel offers seventeen uniquely designed villas and is a five-minutes walk to the Japanese Bridge and the night market. Click here for the latest prices.

Almanity Hoi An Wellness Resort

Located just outside the old town, the Almanity is quiet and only a few minutes walk to the action. It offers daily free massages, free bikes and it has an amazing pool to cool off in after a day exploring. We had a lovely stay there. Click here for the latest prices.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hoi An

Is Hoi An worth visiting?

Absolutely! Hoi An was one of our favourite destinations in Vietnam. Its colourful Ancient Town, beautiful lanterns, delicious food and peaceful surrounding countryside make it a wonderful place to visit. Although it’s popular with tourists, there’s plenty to discover beyond the busiest streets.

Is Hoi An better during the day or at night?

Both! During the day, you can admire the historic architecture, visit temples, browse the shops and explore the countryside. At night, the Ancient Town transforms as hundreds of colourful lanterns illuminate the streets. We’d definitely recommend experiencing both.

Should you stay in Hoi An or Da Nang?

If you’re looking for historic charm, a relaxed atmosphere and easy access to the Ancient Town, we’d recommend staying in Hoi An. Da Nang is a larger, more modern city with extensive beaches, shopping centres and nightlife. We loved Hoi An and would happily choose it again.

Can you visit Hoi An as a day trip from Da Nang?

Yes! Hoi An is only around 30–45 minutes from central Da Nang by car, making it an easy day trip. However, we’d recommend staying at least one night so you can experience the magical lantern-lit streets after dark without rushing back.

Exploring more of Vietnam? Don’t miss Hanoi, the country’s fascinating capital. With its bustling Old Quarter, beautiful lakes, historic temples and delicious street food, it’s a completely different experience from Hoi An. Read our Hanoi travel guide for more ideas on what to see and do in northern Vietnam.

Activities and tours in Hoi An

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