Hoi An Travel Guide: 13 Best Things to Do

1. Walk Around the Old Quarter

There is so much history and beauty found in the old quarter and the best way to explore is to walk around or rent a bicycle. One thing you shouldn't miss when in Hoi An is the Old Quarter. Discover the old town of Hoi An as you pass the small alleys and the colonial streets that make every corner full of photo opportunities. You can also find many souvenir shops, restaurants, street food, tea and coffee stalls within the old quarter. To avoid the crowd, try to visit on the weekdays or walk around early in the morning.

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2. Visit the Night Market and Enjoy the Lanterns

What better way to see the lantern capital of Vietnam than experiencing Hoi An at night. As the sun goes down, the lanterns within the old quarter get brighter, bringing vibrance to the old streets. There's few things you can do in Hoi An at night. With most people hanging out along Thu Bon river, head across An Hoi bridge and discover the night market. You can find plenty of stalls selling souvenirs to take home, as well as local street food to enjoy. 

You will also find the famous lantern shops lining the streets of Nguyen Hoang with hundreds of lanterns hanging on display. This is where most people take their obligatory lantern photos. Nowadays, shop owners ask around 1 USD for one person to take a photo. Other than that, you can also find lantern strings all around the old town. 

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Tip: Want to create your own unique lantern? Join this highly rated lantern-making class and create something special to take home.

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3. Relax Along the River

There are many restaurants and coffee shops along the river where you can enjoy the night scene and relax. However, the best place to do so is at Madam Kieu’s restaurant. The prices are on a higher scale but we recommend grabbing a drink and sitting outside the restaurant. They have live music happening nightly and the atmosphere is very lively which matches their decor. 

You can also take a tour on one of the colorful boats along the Thy Bon River. Tours go both day and night, and the price for two people starts at 7 USD for a 30-minute ride. At night, the boats are lit with lanterns as they row slowly down the river. You will also find many vendors selling small paper boats with small candles for less than 1 USD. Locals like to set these flickering lanterns on the river as a ritual both for prayers of good luck and for their ancestors. 

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4. Join a Cooking Class

Hoi An is a stunning culinary destination. It's an excellent place to learn about Vietnamese cuisine and discover new culinary skills, thanks to its rich cultural history. Joining a cooking class in Hoi An is a great way to learn about the region's traditional flavors while also gaining hands-on experience in preparing delicious meals.

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5. View the Old Quarter from Above

Have a different perspective of the old town as you view it from the highest rooftop cafe in the old quarter. Head to 92 Station Restaurant & Cafe and enjoy the view of the colonial buildings from above. Their menu also offers a variety of drinks but we loved their refreshing juices that are priced reasonably. It tends to get busy during day time and a bit more relaxed at night. They have multiple floors you can sit at but their rooftop is the place to go. It is decorated with many flowers, plants, and a platform to enjoy the view of the old town. 

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6. Visit the Precious Heritage Art Gallery 

Discover more of Vietnam through the photographs of Rehahn, a renowned photographer, who spent his time documenting and photographing a glimpse of the lives of the northern ethnic minorities. Spend some time walking through the five rooms of the museum presenting hundreds of portraits, tribal songs, and over 60 ethnic costumes. What makes the museum worth visiting are the stories behind each photograph from the tribe or from Rehanh.

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Along with the costumes are also photographs of women wearing the exact same costume on display and have given it to the museum. The Precious Heritage Art Gallery is an incredible work of art that preserves and showcases the magnificent customs and traditions of Vietnam. The museum is free of charge and is open daily from 8am to 8pm. You also get a chance to buy photo books and postcards at the shop by the entrance. 

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7. Take a Street Food Tour

If you’re looking to explore the culinary delights of Hoi An, then a street food tour is definitely the way to go! There’s nothing quite like eating your way through this charming city, sampling all the delicious dishes that it has to offer. A street food tour allows you to sample some of the best local food in town that you might not have considered otherwise.

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8. Get Tailored Clothes

Besides the lantern-lit nights and colonial streets, Hoi An is also famous for its textile industry. There are many tailors lined up in the old quarter where you can get a custom-tailored garment for a reasonable price. Depending on the items you want, make sure you have enough time as it can take 2 to 5 days for your clothes to finish. 

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9. Visit the Hoi An Market 

Get a glimpse of the local life at the Hoi An Market with local vendors selling fresh produce in the morning. The market is divided into two sections - souvenir shops and food stalls. The hustle and bustle of the market make it worth a visit. You can bargain and try different local food for low prices. At night, you will find souvenir stalls on the street just outside the market. The vendors sell products ranging from local handicrafts to street food. 

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10. Taste the Famous Hoi An Bahn Mi

Do not miss the chance to have a taste of the most famous Bahn Mi in Vietnam. For 1 USD for a Bahn Mi, decide for yourself if Bánh Mì Phượng lives up to its fame. As described by Anthony Bourdain, it is a “symphony in a package.” The bread is crunchy and crispy on the outside and airy and fresh on the inside. It is also loaded with lots of fillings to choose from. This includes fresh pate, pork, beef, chicken, cheese, egg, and an assortment of fresh vegetables. Because of its fame, the stand gets quite busy with long lineups so expect to wait.  

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11. Try Hoi An’s Food Specialty: The Cao Lau Noodles

Cao Lau is a local dish that is exclusively made in Hoi An which is known for its thick and chewy rice noodles. Because the noodles are soaked in lye water, it has a grayish-brown color and a distinctive flavor. The dish also comes with slices of barbecue pork, pork crackling, bean sprouts, fresh herbs, and is finished with a spoonful of stock.  

As you can only find this dish in Hoi An, legend says that the water used in boiling the noodles must come from the Bá Lễ well located only in the town. For the best place to taste Hoi An’s Cao Lau dish, go to Thanh Cao Lau Restaurant. This small local restaurant specializes in Cao Lau noodles as it is the only dish they serve. They tend to get very busy, so head there early or after lunch rush hour. 

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12. Explore the paddy fields and countryside on a motorbike

There’s so much more of Hoi An than the ancient town and the best way to discover it is on a motorbike. You can find many locals working on the farm or you can discover expansive rice fields that can go as far as your eyes can see. Exploring on a motorbike can help you discover more of the local culture as you drive in the small alleys. Drive along the river to find local fishermen heading out for the day or women sewing colorful fishnets. Getting out of the usual tourist area opens up a lot of learning opportunities and gives you a better glimpse of the local's lives.

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Tip: Don't know how to drive a motorbike? Join this guided bike tour and see the countryside surrounding Hoi An.

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13. Day Trip to My Son Sanctuary

A day trip to the My Son Sanctuary is an excellent addition to your Hoi An itinerary. With Hindu temple ruins built between the 4th and 14th centuries by the Champa dynasty, this UNESCO World Heritage Site provides a rare glimpse into the spiritual and cultural heart of Vietnam. 

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Best Time to Visit Hoi An

Hoi An has two distinctive seasons. The dry season starts from January to August and the rain season is from September to November.

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With that said, the best time for hitting the beach is from April to August when it’s the hottest. While the best time to stroll around the old quarter is from December to March when the temperatures are mild. 

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Read: Best Time to Visit Vietnam

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How Many Days Should you Stay in Hoi An

We recommended visiting Hoi An for at least 2 to 3 days. This will help you enjoy the ancient town without rushing. Depending on the weather and season you are visiting, it might be too hot or too busy to be walking around the town the whole day. Visiting in 2 to 3 days will allow you to fully experience both the lantern-lit streets at night and relaxed days in the old quarter. If you wish to have your clothes tailored, you will need to stay for up to 5 days or return later to pick up your clothes. 

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How to Get to Hoi An

The closest airport to Hoi An is in Danang, around 30km away. From Da Nang International Airport, you can take a taxi or GRAB to Hoi An, which takes about 45 minutes. Expect to pay around 15 USD. 

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Tip: Book this airport transfer from Danang to Hoi An to ensure a stress-free arrival. 

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Where to Stay in Hoi An

There are many accommodations available in Hoi An that fit every traveler. There are a few areas in Hoi An where you can stay, depending on what you want to do and see.

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Choose an accommodation in the old quarter if you want to be within walking distance of the ancient town. You will also be close to the majority of the area's restaurants and bars. There are plenty of hotels and restaurants available on the island where the Hoi An Night Market is located. However, if you want to be closer to the beach, Cam An is a great place to stay. Find all Hoi An accommodations here. 

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Mid-Range

ZEN Boutique Hoi An

High-End

Little Riverside Hoi An

How to Get Around in Hoi An

To fully experience the old quarter, explore on foot or on a bicycle. Most of the hotels in Hoi An offer free bikes to use for exploring the old town. If you want to explore further into the countryside, rent a motorbike at your accommodation. While rentals vary, expect to pay around 7 USD for day's rent. 

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Read: Best Ways to Get Around Vietnam

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And there you have the 13 best things to do in Hoi An!

We hope this list will help you plan your trip and make you love exploring the old town as much as we did. Hoi An is one of our favorite destinations in Vietnam, and we would like for you to have the same experience or even better than us. 

Let us know in the comments below which of these tings to do in Hoi An is your favorite.