Vietnam is one of the most popular destinations for travelers. For those looking to explore a country rich in historical and cultural attractions as well as those seeking a budget friendly vacation, Hoi An Vietnam offers all of that and more. Hoi An is a small ancient town known for it’s well-preserved architecture and cultural heritage and is a must-see place on any Vietnam itinerary. Here is a list of 33 amazing things to do in Hoi An Vietnam on your next visit.
About Hoi An Vietnam
Hoi An is a historic town located in central Vietnam and was officially established in the late 16th century although the area had been inhabited for nearly 1600 years before that. Hoi An sits along the Thu Bồn River which allowed it to become a major hub for trade between Vietnam, China, Japan, and other countries. The town is known for it’s blend of Chinese, Japanese, and European styles and it’s heritage and history reflect this unique blend of cultures.
In the late 1700’s, changes in ruling parties, war, and silt build up at the mouth of the river caused Hoi An to lose it’s trading port status and for more than 200 years it was mostly forgotten. In the 1990’s a revival of Hoi An was started and the area referred to as Ancient Town is an UNESCO site.
Hoi An Vietnam Travel Info
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE | VIETNAMESE |
CLOSEST AIRPORT | DA NANG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT |
PASSPORT & VISA REQUIREMENTS | MUST HAVE 6 MONTHS LEFT ON YOUR PASSPORT AND A VISA IS NECESSARY FOR MOST COUNTRIES |
CURRENCY | VIETNAM DONG |
VOLTAGE | VIETNAM’S VOLTAGE IS 220V |
WEATHER – BEST TIME TO GO | FEBRUARY TO APRIL HAS THE BEST WEATHER – DRY AND MILD TEMPERATURES |
POPULATION | 120,000 |
BEST KNOWN FOR | THE UNESCO SITE OF ANCIENT TOWN AND LANTERNS |
Getting to Hoi An Vietnam
Plane
Hoi An does not have an airport so to get to Hoi An you will first have to get to another city in Vietnam. Most people arrive in either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City and from there travel to other places in Vietnam. The closest airport to Hoi An is in the city of Da Nang, located just 40 minutes north of Hoi An.
Train
Hoi An does not have a train station but if you’re traveling by train in Vietnam you can take the train to Da Nang and then from there hire a driver to take you to Hoi An.
Bus
Traveling by bus is a very popular means of transportation in Vietnam. Hoi An has several bus stations with connections to more than 10 cities including Da Nang. There are also numerous bus companies in Vietnam that travel throughout the country. Traveling by bus is very affordable.
Best way to get around Hoi An Vietnam
Hoi An is a very walkable city and in fact, the most popular area of Ancient Town does not even allow cars. To get around Hoi An and outside of the city limits, you can get a Taxi or Grab (similar to Uber), rent a bicycle, or rent a motorbike. But you’ll likely spend the majority of the time walking.
Best time to visit Hoi An Vietnam
The country of Vietnam is over 1000 miles long or 1650 km so the weather varies throughout the country. It’s mostly hot and humid throughout the year but during the winter months it can get cold up north near Hanoi while being extremely hot and humid down south near Ho Chi Minh City.
The BEST time to visit Hoi An is from late February to April. During this time it is dry and the temperature is mild. Unfortunately, this is also when the majority of tourists visit. From May to July it becomes extremely hot but many hotels have pools and the beach is just a few miles away. The rainy season runs from September to January and the area is prone to flooding during this time.
If you are planning to visit Hoi An, Check out my Ultimate Guide to Hoi An for all the information you need to visit the Ancient City.
33 Amazing things to do in Hoi An Vietnam
On to our list of amazing things to do in Hoi An Vietnam. Crossing all of these things off of your Hoi An Bucket List in a single trip would be quite an accomplishment. You might need to return a few times to do so. Trust me, you wouldn’t be mad about that!
1. Ancient Town
Number 1 on our list of 33 amazing things to do in Hoi An Vietnam is visiting Ancient Town, sometimes referred to as Old Town. It’s the main reason people visit Hoi An. Ancient Town is the heart of the city and is the area of town that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is the historic district where trading ports from the 16th and 17th centuries were. The buildings in Ancient Town are a very well preserved mix of Japanese, Chinese, and European styles. It’s a MUST-SEE on a visit to Hoi An Vietnam.
LOCATION
Ancient Town Hoi An
HOURS
Sites open from 7am – 6pm
ENTRANCE FEE
120.000 VND for 5 tickets
2. Eat a Banh Mi
What is a Banh Mi? A Banh Mi is a sandwich made with a baguette and filled with meats and vegetables, herbs, spices, and sauces. Hoi An is known for having some of the best Banh Mi sandwiches in Vietnam. Anthony Bourdain actually made a particular Banh Mi sandwich shop famous when he visited back in 2008. That sandwich shop is called Bánh Mì Phượng and the line to get one of those sandwiches is usually 15-20 people long. It’s a must-try when you visit Hoi An Vietnam. I mean, you do have to eat after all!
LOCATION
2b Phan Chu Trinh, Cẩm Châu
HOURS
6:30am – 9:30pm
COST
About 100.000 VND
3. Shop at the Hoi An Night Market
The Hoi An Night Market is a popular area with street food, souvenirs, live perfomances, music, and cultural displays of the local Hoi An heritage. Some of the things you might want to shop for are lanterns, silk, jewelry, wood carvings, ceramics, and more. You’ll also find food stalls serving Vietnamese food including the Banh Mi, seafood, and white rose dumplings. The Hoi An Night Market is a nightly event that begins around 5:00 or 6:00pm and runs until around 10:00pm. Make sure you bring small bills because many vendors only accept cash and might not be able to make change.
LOCATION
Ancient Town
HOURS
5:00pm – 10:00pm
ENTRANCE FEE
Free
4. Vietnamese Cooking Class
If you like Vietnamese food then you might want to take a local cooking class and take some of that knowledge back home with you. There are many places in Hoi An where you can take these cooking classes and some include multiple things. This Hoi An Cooking Class is JUST for the cooking class and includes four authentic Vietnamese meals.
LOCATION
Varies
DURATION
2 hours
TOUR COST
$22
5. Lantern Making
Hoi An is known for it’s lanterns and you’ll find them hanging outside houses and places of business and strung across the road from one side to the other. Of course you can buy a lantern for around $5 but learning how they are made and taking home your own handmade lantern is much more fun. This is one of the most popular lantern making classes in Hoi An Vietnam.
LOCATION
507 Đ. Hai Bà Trưng, Phường Cẩm Phổ
DURATION
1.5 – 2.5 Hours
COST
260.000 / $11
6. Hoi An Silk Village
One thing you’ll notice in Vietnam is that silk is sold everywhere. Silk was one of the most valuable commodities between the 15th and 19th centuries when Hoi An was a major trading hub. Today you can pick out material and have clothing made in about 24 hours. Located about a mile outside of the center of Hoi An is the Hoi An Silk Village where you can see for yourself traditional silk-making techniques that have been used in the region for centuries. You can see the process of silk production from harvesting silk threads from cocoons to dyeing the silk and weaving the fabric.
LOCATION
Hoi An Silk Village
DURATION
3 Hours
COST OF TOUR
$39
7. Have clothing made
Did you know you can have custom clothing made while in Hoi An? Hoi An is known for its skilled tailors and the quick turn around makes it possible to be done in about 1-2 days. All you have to do is find a shop that offers this (they’re everywhere), pick out your fabric, get measured, and come back to pick it up. It’s a good idea to have an idea of what you want and either bring a photo or sketch of what you want made.
8. Ride in a basket boat
You may have been on a boat before but I bet you’ve never been on a round bamboo basket boat. Hoi An’s basket boats, known as thung chai, are traditional Vietnamese boats that the fishing communites in the area have been using for centuries. These boats are made from lightweight bamboo that is woven into a circular shape until it looks like a large basket. These Basket Boats have become very popular with tourists in Hoi An where they are spun around in circles over and over. Just don’t go right after you’ve eaten.
LOCATION
V9FF+5X6, Cẩm Thanh
DURATION
1 Hour
COST
$8
9. Shopping
Hoi An is known for its unique handicrafts and there is no shortage of places to buy souvenirs. Some of the most popular items to purchase are high-quality leather goods like bags, belts, and shoes, pottery, woodwork, jewelry, antiques, and silk products such as scarves and clothing and of course lanterns. You will definitely be wishing you had brought a larger suitcase!
LOCATION
Throughout Hoi An
HOURS
Store Hours Vary
COST
$
10. Tour the Tan Ky House
The Tan Ky House is a historical building that is a traditional merchant’s home that has been well preserved and is now open to the public. It was built in the late 1700’s and has been passed down through several generations of the same family. The name “Tan Ky” means “progress shop” and reflects the owner’s desire to have continuous prosperity. The house is a blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese architectural styles and is located in Ancient Town.
LOCATION
101 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Minh An Ward
HOURS
8:30am – 5:45pm
ENTRANCE FEE
30.000 VND
11. Hoi An Museum
If you want to learn more about Hoi An’s past and it’s history and culture then head over to the Hoi An Museum of History and Culture. This museum houses artifacts and exhibits related to the history, trade, and culture of Hoi An. Inside you’ll find photos, maps, antiques, and war memorabilia.
LOCATION
7 Nguyễn Huệ, Sơn Phong
HOURS
7:00am – 5:00pm Mon-Sat
ENTRANCE FEE
120.000 VND
12. Tra Que Vegetable Village
Visit this working farm located just a few miles outside of Hoi An where locals have been growing vegetables and spices for 300 years. The Tra Que Vegetable Village is famous for it’s organic vegetable growing methods using algae from the lagoon as fertilizer. You can also take part in a cooking class. The best way to take part is to book a Half-Day Tra Que Vegetable Village Bike Tour.
LOCATION
Tra Que Vegetable Village
DURATION
4 Hours
TOUR COST
$60
13. Tra Nhieu Fishing Village
Visit an ecological village on the banks of the Thu Bon River where you can experience traditional fishing methods going back to the 16th century. There are various tours that include options like a bike ride to the village, seeing how the basket boat is made, learning traditional fishing methods, and lunch. The Tra Nhieu Eco Village Tour is 4 hours long and costs $34.
MEET-UP LOCATION
Huy Hoang River Hotel
DURATION
4 Hours
TOUR FEE
$34
14. Cam Thanh Eco-Coconut Village
Located 2.5 miles from the Hoi An Ancient Town, Cam Thanh is a fishing village with a seven-acre coconut forest. The Cam Thanh Tour is only $11 and includes a ride in a bamboo basket boat, observing local fishermen in action, and lunch.
LOCATION
V9FG+F5X, Trần Nhân Tông, Cẩm Thanh
DURATION
45 minutes
TOUR COST
$11
15. Bike the countryside
If you want to get away from the crowds and tourists, you can rent a bicycle for about $1.00 for the day (most hotels have them) and head out to the rural area outside of Hoi An. While you don’t need to a tour to do so, you can opt for one. The Countryside Sightseeing Bike Tour & Basket Boat Ride includes all transportation, a bike ride through the rice paddies, a visit to the Tra Que Vegetable Village, the Cam Thanh Eco-Coconut Village, a basket boat ride, and lunch.
MEET-UP LOCATION
11 Hoang Dieu Street
DURATION
4 Hours
TOUR COST
$32
16. Museum of Trade Ceramics
Located in Ancient Town in Hoi An, this museum is in a traditional two-story house set up in a similar style to the old shophouses of Hoi An. The museum showcases the history of the town and it’s historic trade and relationships with foreign nations. There are archaeological artifacts dating back to the 9th century from trade with India, China, Japan, and more.
LOCATION
80 Tran Phu Street
HOURS
7am to 9pm
ENTRANCE FEE
120.000 VND
17. Hoi An Memories Show
This authentic cultural show takes place outdoors every eveneing except Tuesdays. The Memories Show takes place at the Hoi An Impression Theme Park where you can see themed villages and workshops that depict Hoi An’s history and culture. Throughout the park you’ll find mini performances telling the story of Hoi An and Vietnam. You can also participate in workshops such as lantern-making, pottery, or loom weaving. The main attraction is the Memories Show that features more than 500 people telling 6 centuries of Hoi An’s history through performance.
LOCATION
159 Tran Quang Khai Str., Cam Chau Ward, Hoi An City
HOURS
4pm – 10pm
closed Tuesdays
ENTRANCE FEE
100.000 – 1.200.000 VND
(various shows)
18. Thanh Ha Terracotta Park
This park in Hoi An is dedicated to the 400 year history of pottery making in the region. There are different areas showing the history of terracotta in different countries and cultures around the world. There are activities for children, a workshop, and a pottery museum.
LOCATION
Thanh Ha Village, Hoi An
HOURS
8:30am – 5:30pm
ENTRANCE FEE
40.000 VND
19. Thanh Ha Pottery Village
This 400 year old working pottery village allows tourists to observe and take part in the pottery making process of clay being formed into pottery. The pottery is still made manually using many of the same techniques that have been used for hundreds of years. The Pottery Village sits around the corner from the Thanh Ha Terracotta Park.
20. Hoi An Lune Center
This unique round theatre is made of bamboo and showcases a bamboo-themed acrobatic performance set to traditional Vietnamese music. The performers interact with the audience throughout the 1 hour show and the performances include singing, dancing, live music, acrobatics, and comedy. Tickets can be purchased on the Lune Production website.
LOCATION
1A Nguyễn Phúc Chu, Phường Minh An
HOURS
Shows starts at 6:00pm on various days
ENTRANCE FEE
3 options from 700.000 to 1.600.000 VND
21. Sunset Cruise
A list of things to do in Hoi An Vietnam not be complete without taking a sunset cruise on the Thu Bon River. This 2-3 hour cruise meanders down the river as the sun is setting. Meet with local fisherman and learn how they cast a net to catch fish and take a ride in a bamboo basket boat. The Hoi An Sunset Cruise also includes a BBQ dinner and beer and wine.
MEET-UP LOCATION
Hoi An Mercy Homestay
DURATION
3 Hours
TOUR FEE
$34
22. Reaching Out Tea House
The Reaching Out Tea House employs people with disabilities, mainly speech and hearing impaired. Reaching Out gives people who might have a difficult time finding employment a purpose and teaches them skills in metalwork, embroidery, and jewelry. The Tea House serves tea, coffee, juice, and biscuits. Visiting Reaching Out is a great way to give back to the local community.
LOCATION
131 Tran Phu Street
HOURS
8am – 8:30pm Mon-Sat
ENTRANCE FEE
None
23. Kim Bong Carpentry Village
Hoi An Vietnam is all about keeping their ancient traditions alive and that’s also true with their carpentry. The Kim Bong Carpentry Village is located about 7km outside of Hoi An Ancient Town along the Thu Bon River. There you can watch firsthand how artisans carry on the old traditional ways of shipbuilding, furniture making, and sculptures.
LOCATION
Cam Kim Commune
HOURS
8am – 5pm Daily
ENTRANCE FEE
None
24. Taboo Bamboo Workshop
The Tabook Bamboo Workshop is located just outside Hoi An in the Coconut Palm Village where traditions are kept alive. You’ll have the opportunity to create a souvenir out of bamboo to take home with you. Experience Taboo Bamboo Workshop is 4 hours long.
LOCATION
Hotel Pick Up
DURATION
4 Hours
ENTRANCE FEE
$48
25. Hoi An Traditional Art Performance House
This 30 minute show is a live performance of Vietnamese folk music and dance that brings the history of the Hoi An to life. The performers use facial expressions and specific movements to aid in bringing to life the story of Hoi An’s artifacts and relics. Your Ancient Town ticket will get you into the show. The venue is small so there is limited space for the evening show.
LOCATION
75 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street
HOURS
Varies – check with venue
ENTRANCE FEE
One Ancient Town Ticket
26. Bay Mau Coconut Forest
Located 5km outside of Hoi An is the Bay Mau Coconut Forest, a popular eco-tourism destination. On the Bay Mau Tour, you’ll float down the Thu Bon river in a basket boat while enjoying the surroundings. You’ll also take part in the basket boat spinning, listen to folk singing, and watch local fisherman throw fishing nets.
LOCATION
Thu Bon River – Bay Mau
TOUR DURATION
1 Hour
TOUR FEE
$7.40
27. An Bang Beach
Hoi An is just minutes from An Bang Beach, voted one of the top 50 beaches in the world and one of the top 20 beaches in Asia. There’s plenty of activities at An Bang Beach from snorkeling and diving in the crystal-clear waters, yoga on the beach, kayaking, paddleboarding, and more. There’s restaurants and bars on the beach too.
28. Visit a spa
You can’t go very far in Hoi An without running across massage and spa businesses. It’s a great way to relax after shopping and sight seeing and the best part is the price. You can’t beat the price of a massage in Vietnam. For around $10 you can get an hour long full body massage! If you’re unsure of which one to go to just ask your hotel. Some hotels have spas too but those may cost a little more than stand alone spas.
29. Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as the Children’s Festival. This festival happens during the middle of the eighth lunar month and is a celebration of the harvest. Children participate in lantern parades at night and there are dancers and drummers performing on the street. Mooncakes are sold throughout Hoi An.
30. Tet – Vietnamese New Year
Tet is the Vietnamese New Year and is the most important festival in Vietnam. Families come together to celebrate the accomplishments of the past year and to honor their ancestors. It’s important for them to spend this time with family and friends. Tet usually falls sometime between mid January and mid February.
31. Hoi An Lantern Festival
Lantern Festivals in Hoi An began back in the 16th century thanks to the influence of Chinese and Japanese traders. It’s believed to bring good fortune. Hoi An holds Lantern Festivals on the 14th day of the lunar month which marks the full moon. The festival takes place around Ancient Town near the Japanese Covered Bridge near the river. The lights at businesses are all shut off except for the lanterns. There’s music and performances all around the Hoai River in Ancient Town. Take a ride on a Sampan Boat and release a floating lantern into the water.
LOCATION
Ancient Town near the river
HOURS
6 – 10PM
COST
100.000 VND for the boat ride
32. New Years Eve
Have a unique experience by celebrating New Years Eve in Hoi An. Have dinner at one of the hundreds of restaurants, hang out at some local bars, watch local street performers, and attend a lantern festival. All the lights in Ancient Town are shut off except for the lanterns. Set off a cardboard lotus-shaped lantern with a candle down the river for luck. At midnight enjoy a fireworks show over the Thu Bon River.
33. Hoi An UNESCO Heritage Site Walking Tour
We are at number 35 on our list of things to do in Hoi An Vietnam and there’s no better way to get to know Hoi An than a UNESCO World Heritage site Tour. Explore Ancient Town with a local guide who can tell you all about the history of the ancient houses and temples. The tour includes learning more about the cultural influences that have shaped Hoi An into the city it is today. You’ll also visit the Hoi An Market and Hoi An Museum. Includes the entrance fee into Ancinet Town.
LOCATION
Ancient Town, Hoi An
DURATION
4 Hours
TOUR FEE
$33 USD
Conclusion
There are so many things to do in Hoi An Vietnam that it definitely should be on everyone’s list of places to visit in Vietnam. You won’t have any problem filling your day with unique activities. Don’t leave Hoi An off your Vietnam Itinerary.