Hoi An: Ultimate Travel Guide
Our detailed travel guide will show you the best of one of the most popular destinations in Vietnam, Hoi An. We enjoyed our stay in the city, and now we would like to share with you in this blog post information on the best things to do and top attractions to see in Hoi An, altogether with tips on where to stay, how to get around and where to eat.
Hoi An. When traveling around Vietnam, you will hear that name often.
And you know how is it usually with those overrated places, with places every backpacker in every hostel hear about, with places thousands of people visit every year, with trending destinations which thanks to their aura and fame they have never intended to get lost their authenticity and genius loci.
Fortunately, at least according to us, this is not the case with Hoi An.
Yes, this destination is super-popular among backpackers, short-time visitors, and both foreign and local travelers, but the city and its surroundings have so much to offer, that you will rarely be bothered by the crowds.
And why should you not even think of skipping Hoi An?
Well, first, there is the city itself. A former famous port will entertain you by its colonial houses, cute lanterns which lit up the city when the sun goes down, even cuter bridges, and many shops, art galleries, and coffee houses.
The center of Hoi An is simply stunning, both during day and night, so make sure you will reserve at least one day for strolling around.
Then there are rice paddies, cave temples, excellent food, ancient ruins, beaches, biking, markets, coffee.
Well, even though we are for sure not able to cover all the attractions and activities possible doing in Hoi An, we did our best.
In this travel guide, you can read more about top things to do in Hoi An, best attractions you can see in the city and its near surroundings, you will learn more about how to get to Hoi An, how to get around, and we will also share with you tips on when to visit the destination, what to pack, and where to find the best accommodation.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN HOI AN & TOP ATTRACTIONS
Even though the city of Hoi An is absolutely incredible, we are pretty sure we would not have enjoyed our visit that much without exploring its beautiful surroundings.
Only when strolling peaceful streets of Hoi An (looking for a restaurant) after all day biking, we fully appreciated how diverse this place is.
And we can guarantee you that no matter what type of traveler you are, you will be able to choose the best activities for you.
Here is our personally tried and tested list of the best things and activities to do and top attractions to see in Hoi An, one of our favorite destinations in Vietnam.
Walk Around Hoi An
Like most of the settlements with access to the sea, Hoi An became an important trading port early in the days, when people of Champa controlled from here the trade with spices.
Hoi An grew especially between the 15th and 19th century, and during these years the city got its true face, as you can see here architecture, which represents the bland of Vietnamese, Portuguese, Dutch, Malay, or Indian influences.
The streets in Hoi An are lined with one or two-story houses, some of the houses were turned into museums, some of the houses' interiors show how wealthy inhabitants of Hoi An used to live like, and some of the houses hide secret gardens or colorful and beautifully decorated temples.
It is not possible to write down all the interesting buildings you must visit in Hoi An (Old House of Tan Ky or Fujian Assembly Hall just to name a few), but first of all, as most of them are in the ancient part of the town, you will for sure stumble across them intuitively, and second of all, you should not forget to pick up a map of the historical center by the ticket booth, and the map will lead you.
Yes, this is something we have to mention here, the entrance to the historical part of Hoi An is not free.
You have to buy a ticket at an official ticket booth for 120 000 VND - this will allow you to freely walk around the city, plus you can go inside 5 of 22 heritage sites in the historical center. The truth is that the system is a bit messy because it is not specified if you need one ticket per day or not, but for sure you need more tickets in case you plan on visiting more heritage sites.
On the other hand, there is really no enforcement of the payment, so we recommend you simply buy one ticket for your whole stay and keep it with you all the time. To make sure you are not breaking any rules, ask at the counter how the system works today.
Hoi An is in UNESCO, and thanks to the fact it is well-preserved, therefore we can give you only one, but very important advice - have your camera ready all the time.
Hoi An is decorated with colorful lanterns that are stunning during the day, but wait for dark when the lanterns are lit, it will give the city a completely different feel.
In case you prefer to walk around an unknown city with a local guide who will show you around and tell you more about the fascinating history, book this Hoi An Walking Tour.
Japanese Bridge
Although we did not tell you exactly where to go in the historical center (you will figure out yourself with the handy map), we must point out one attraction you cannot miss, Japanese Bridge.
The bridge across the river is covered and dates back to the 1590s when Japanese inhabitants of Hoi An wanted to link their quarter with a quarter where lived mostly Chinese people.
Nowadays the bridge is wonderfully preserved and very photogenic both during the day when the bridge reflects in the water and during the night when the lights enhance the atmosphere.
Even though the bridge almost on every photo looks peaceful, it is one of the most visited attractions in Hoi An, so be prepared to share the space with others.
Visit Local Markets
Like other towns and cities in Vietnam, Hoi An offers a large selection of food markets where locals sell fresh vegetables, fruits, cooked meals, clothes, and other handicrafts.
Even though there are for sure many more markets in the area, there is one market right close to the historical part of the city.
To be honest, even though the market is photogenic and seems authentic at first sight, we were quite disappointed here because Vietnamese are enterprising and learn fast when it comes to overcharging tourists.
We get it that they will always try to earn more every time, but on other markets, we had visited we were able to bargain about the price and were able to buy a thing for a price we were pretty sure was right for both, us and the sellers.
We always love to support local people, but we do not like it when we feel we are being taken advantage of.
At the end of the day, we were able to buy on this market a pineapple for an acceptable price, but it took us quite a long time, and we were leaving this market with a bitter aftertaste.
Not only on the markets but also in adjacent streets and surrounding villages you will find many shops with handicrafts, so in case you are looking for a souvenir or a gift for your friends and relatives, shop around, you will for sure find something interesting and authentic.
Admire the Textile Industry
Hoi An is a famous travel destination for many reasons, and one of them is also the textile industry.
You do not have to read tons of travel guides or blogs before your arrival, still, after a short stroll around the city, you will notice that the place is packed with tailor shops.
During exploring Hoi An you will be stopped by people offering their services, showing you catalogs proving their skills, and you will be for sure approached when admiring clothes displayed behind the window for too long.
Even though it sounds too fancy to bring home a tailor-made suit or dress, believe us it is pretty common here in Hoi An, we even know people who travel to the city simply to get clothes tailor-made for them as it is really good quality and much cheaper than in the countries outside Southeast Asia.
Sure, quality can vary, and you will find here better and worse tailors, but take your time, and you will for sure find one which suits your needs and match your budget.
Our little advice? Don't be afraid to bargain a bit.
It usually takes two days to a week to finish your clothes, so plan your time accordingly, but you can often ask the shop to send you your clothes once it is done. This solution is also very helpful for long-term travelers who cannot carry around a suit in their backpack.
To learn more about silk and weaving techniques, visit Hoi An Silk Village. If you are interested in textiles, check out this Silk Cloth Tour to learn more.
Taste Great Food
Vietnam is foodie heaven and Hoi An is for sure one of the best destinations where you can taste various ingredients and amazing meals.
If you are like us and love to taste new meals and unknown flavors, it is the truth that you can end up in a restaurant looking like a furniture shop while eating a raw soup made of blood mixed with salad, peanuts, and animal innards, but this is what traveling is about, right?
We are not saying we exactly liked it, at the beginning we even did not know what we ordered, but later we were rewarded by the owner with rice wine for our courage and had a nice chat with him.
But no worries, you can find here in Hoi An many 'normal' restaurants serving our all-time-favorite pho soup, noodles, stalls preparing meat on a stick or one of the most popular snacks in Vietnam, banh mi. Simply, it is a must to eat in Hoi An and try as much as possible.
Prices, in case you will visit local restaurants are more than acceptable.
Because food tourism is one of the top activities in Hoi An, it is possible to take part in many guided food tours, or you can attend a cooking class, so you will be able to cook your favorite food once you will arrive back home.
Great food and drink usually go hand in hand. Same as another popular destination Dalat, Hoi An is famous for its coffee.
You can't go wrong when you order a coffee in this city, although we recommend you looking for local shops where staff roast their beans, and in short, make from good-quality coffee beans an amazing cup of coffee.
We've handpicked the best-rated food tours and cooking classes:
Night Food Tasting | Street Food Tour | Vietnamese Cooking Class
Hoi An Beaches
We do not know why, but until our arrival, we did not think of Hoi An as about a beach destination, even though we knew it was a port.
We were drawn to the place by the architecture, promise of good food, and the possibility of making plenty of day trips, but that was it. What a mistake.
Vietnam is usually not perceived as a beach country (it is usually beaten by Thailand or the Philippines), but you will be pleasantly surprised how stunning the coastline is. It does not matter if you are looking for a photo opportunity (wait for the sunset), you want to let the steam off (try water sports), or you are simply craving to spend a day sunbathing and relaxing on the white sand, Hoi An beaches will satisfy all your needs.
Although An Bang Beach is the most famous one, you can visit other beaches such as Cua Dai Beach or Hidden Beach as well.
All the beaches are pretty close to the city center, and you can get there either by a van, on a motorbike, or rent a bike and enjoy an active day before you get that well-deserved relax.
The sun in Vietnam is scorching, so the best way to enjoy the beaches is early in the morning. Not only the sun is not yet so harsh, but beaches won't be so crowded that early.
If you are craving for even more peaceful experience, head to Cham Islands.
Although the islands close to the shore are not that isolated and that underdeveloped as they used to be a couple of years ago, this place still offers a welcoming retreat from the hustle and bustle of Vietnamese cities.
Except for the beaches, you will find on Cham Islands hotels, restaurants, and a fishing village.
To get to the Cham Islands, you must get to Cua Dai Beach first. From there hop on a boat, or arrange a Cham Islands Tour.
My Son Ruins
Hands down, one of our favorite things to do in Hoi An was taking a one-day trip to nearby My Son Ruins.
Believe us, your visit to the area won't be complete without seeing the ruins with your own eyes. Sure, this place cannot be compared to Angkor Wat in Cambodia or Tikal Ruins in Guatemala, but still, we have it high on our list.
My Son Sanctuary is on UNESCO World Heritage List thanks to its preserved structures.
Back in times (between the 2nd and 14th century) this place was a sprawling independent state run by Champa people, but once the indigenous people left, My Son met its end as many of nowadays popular ruins - the jungle has taken over and beautiful structures built from red bricks disappeared under roots and greenery.
Then ruins were discovered in 1885, excavations works started, but unfortunately, most of the My Son ruins had been destroyed again during US-Vietnamese war. Luckily, some of the buildings have remained.
When we visited My Son ruins, we wandered around the grounds almost alone, which took us by surprise taking into consideration how great (according to us) this place is.
The entrance ticket costs 150 000 VND per person, but we considered it a good investment. Getting to My Son from Hoi An is pretty straightforward.
We opted for renting a motorbike, which was quite cheap, and we were later able to explore Hoi An's surroundings more independently. Another option on how to get from Hoi An to My Son is taking a tour.
You can either shop around in the city center as every tour agency in Hoi An offers this trip, or here you can reserve your My Son Tour in advance.
Bike Through Rice Paddies
Lush green hills and neverending rice fields, this is what you are going to see if you decide to leave Hoi An's center and start exploring the surroundings.
And you don't have to go far.
To get the most authentic experience possible, rent a bike (or a motorbike in case you want to cover longer distances or you are not that fit), pack a day-pack (do not forget a snack, water, and most importantly camera), and set off.
Wherever you go, you will see rice paddies and locals working hard on their fields in an effort to grow the crops.
We felt absolutely safe in Hoi An, and thanks to Martin's navigating skills we were able to do a short tour around the countryside on own, but in case you are not that confident in a foreign country, or you simply want to join a tour, check this one out.
Visit Danang
Danang is a city only 40 minutes away, and in case you are getting around the country by plane, this is the destination where you should land.
Danang is a touristy place, but it looks way different than Hoi An, it is more modern.
If time allows you should put Danang separately on your itinerary, it is possible to visit the city on a day-trip from Hoi An.
The city is surrounded by beautiful Ba Na Hills, Danang also offers quite a few architectural gems, but the main reason why the city has recently gained its fame is the star of Instagram, Golden Bridge.
We bet you've already seen the photo of large hands holding a bridge quite a few times now, so this is definitely a must. The bridge was not opened when we were traveling in Vietnam, so hopefully, we will not miss it next time.
You can take a Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge Private Tour.
READ MORE:
Explore Marble Mountains
Marble Mountains are approximately twenty kilometers from Hoi An, so you can either take a half-day tour to get there, combine the visit of the mountains with My Son temple - check out this tour, rent a motorbike, or if you have enough time and sometimes crazy ideas like us, you can rent a bike.
Well, we have to say that the journey back on an old bike when the wind was blowing against us was pretty challenging, but at least we found a stall along the way selling the best banh-mi bun in Vietnam (but there is also an option that we were just simply too hungry).
Marble Mountains are five hills rising from rice paddies you will notice at first sight, but what is even more interesting, the hills hide inside caves and shrines you can easily visit.
The entrance fee is 40 000 VND and this amount of money will keep you entertained for a while.
Be prepared to climb quite many stairs, but those of you who have mobility issues, no worries.
For a small extra fee, you can use an elevator.
Except for the shrines, the mountains are popular for the views, and if you can plan your time a bit, we recommend you to stay at the top to watch the sunset.
Tour Through Nipa Palm Forest
Thu Bon River, only a short distance from Hoi An, also deserves your attention.
As you can already see, Hoi An has no shortage of things to do, and one of them is boating the river lined with famous coconut palm.
This boat ride will take you to a completely different world, where you will be surrounded only by palms and greenery.
You can reserve your tour in advance.
Hai Van Pass
After you leave Hoi An, we strongly recommend you to visit another beautiful city, Hue.
Although it is possible to see Hue on a long one-day trip from Hoi An, we think it is worth it to see it separately. Not only the city of Hue has many top attractions, but the journey or at least one part of the journey, in particular, is absolutely stunning.
Yes, we are talking about Hai Van Pass, and even though you can visit it also from Hoi An, it makes more sense to keep this place on the day you will be leaving Hoi An.
The pass, when the weather is clear, is truly beautiful. The 25-kilometer long road will offer you with hard to beat views, and adrenaline seekers will be thrilled here thanks to the winding roads.
In case you have a car or motorbike, drive safely!
WHERE TO STAY IN HOI AN
There is no shortage of accommodation in Hoi An, but because of the popularity, make sure you will make your reservation well ahead, especially on weekends, holidays and Vietnamese New Year.
Thankfully, Vietnam is still quite a cheap destination, so you can find here super-deals, even if you do not want to spend a fortune on a hotel. The center of Hoi An is quite compact, but you do not have to be worried to stay even a bit away from the center as you can always rent a bike and get there within a couple of minutes.
We've handpicked three best hotels in Hoi An for every type of travelers, hope, you will find it useful.
Budget | Golden Bee Homestay - For the price, you will hardly get a better deal in Hoi An. This homestay is only fifteen minutes away from the historical center, and you will feel here like at home. The rooms are clean, owners friendly, and you can rent a bike here, which is very convenient for many activities in Hoi An.
Mid-range | Cozy Savvy Hotel Boutique Hoi An - A rooftop pool, great location, and beautifully decorated rooms are the main reasons why to choose this hotel.
Luxury | Belle Maison Hadana Hoi An Resort & Spa - If you are looking for a touch of luxury during your travelers, this is the place to go. Stunning rooms, welcoming pool, and tasty breakfast should persuade you to splurge a bit.
HOW TO GET AROUND HOI AN
Forget local buses, the best way to get around Hoi An is either on foot (when exploring the historical part of the city) or by renting a bike or motorbike, in case you want to see some of the must-visit places outside city limits we had mentioned earlier.
It is very easy to navigate yourself around Hoi An, so no worries you would have lost.
We found walking around the city very convenient, and thanks to it we were able to discover even hidden alleyways and charming gardens.
Most of the hotels and hostels rent bikes and motorbikes, and in case they don't, they for sure know someone nearby who does, so ask around, it pays off.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT HOI AN
Hoi An sees two distinct seasons in a year, dry and wet.
Although it is possible to visit this destination all year round, it is for sure a bit more pleasant to be here during the dry season which lasts between February and July.
Days are usually sunny, it rains very rarely, the humidity is lower, and temperatures rise (it is the truth that between May and July it is maybe too hot, but still better than cold).
The best months to visit Hoi An in the dry season are between February and April when we also recommend you to reserve accommodation and tours in advance.
The wet season lasts between August and January, when the wettest months are October and November.
During this time temperatures drop, but winter in Hoi An looks more like a warm spring in Europe or the USA, so no worries.
If you are planning your visit out of season, keep in mind that floodings and other natural phenomena such as typhoons can occur, so have a backup plan.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
WHAT TO PACK FOR VISITING HOI AN
If you are visiting Hoi An in the dry season, you should for sure pack shorts, short-sleeved t-shirt, and flip-flops.
As there are many day-trips available, having a quality daypack is a must, as well as a swimsuit and dry sack to keep your valuables dry and safe.
In the wet season make sure you have in your backpack an umbrella or rain poncho. Also, a fleece jacket and travel pants for occasional colder days are a must.
No matter when you travel to Hoi An, a travel camera and spare SD card should be in your backpack.
HOW TO GET TO HOI AN
Being one of the top destinations to visit in Vietnam has its advantages.
One of them is a good transport connection.
No matter if you plan on renting a car, use a bus, motorbike, train or plane, you will get to Hoi An.
Most of the destinations popular among travelers in Vietnam are well connected.
We arrived in Hoi An by bus from Dalat (search for bus tickets in Vietnam via 12Go Asia) which was easy enough. Overall, buses in Vietnam were easy to book, cheap, and quite comfortable.
In case you want to travel around Vietnam by train it is also possible, but please note that the train station is in a nearby city Danang, and from here you have to take a frequent bus to Hoi An, which takes approximately 45 minutes to one hour.
The same goes for when you take a flight, as the nearest airport is in Danang.
Luckily, the shuttle between the airport and Hoi An is cheap. Here you can reserve a Danang - Hoi An Shuttle Service in advance.
SAFETY IN HOI AN
Although when traveling in a foreign country you should always use your common sense, Hoi An is a place where you should feel completely safe, at least we did.
Always watch your belongings in the historical center when you are surrounded by many people as opportunistic crimes can happen.
Other than that we had a feeling that Hoi An is a safe city living out of tourism, and all locals we met were friendly, helpful, and we did not have a problem to walk around the city even after dark with a camera in hand.
Because the destination calls for renting a bike or a motorbike, be always careful when on the road as rules are not that strictly followed here.
Solo (female) travelers should always be careful when going alone to a bar and never leave a drink unattended.
Also, when going back to the hotel later at night, rather take a cab, in case you do not feel comfortable.
HOW MANY DAYS YOU NEED FOR VISITING HOI AN
And now, here it the most crucial question, how many days you need to visit Hoi An?
Well, although this is highly individual, and everything depends on your travel style and budget, we would recommend you to stay in the city for at least three days.
If you've made it through the section focusing on the best things to do in Hoi An, by now you probably know there is so much to do (not only in the city but also in the near surroundings), and so many top attractions to see, that this destination deserves a special place on your itinerary.
Sure, in case you want only tick off Hoi An from your list of must-visit places, one day will be enough to see the most the historical part of the city has to offer.
If you want to explore the area more thoroughly, you will need at least two extra days to get the sense of the place, to fully appreciate the beauty and to start feeling the vibe and atmosphere.
And in case you plan on lazing on a beach, it is a completely different story, and you should add at least two or three days.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
