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Top 14 Things to Do in Hoi An: The First 8 Are Must-Do Experiences for Any Hoi An Tour

Hoi An is a charming city in Central Vietnam. It is known for its rich cultural heritage, picturesque scenery, and mouth-watering cuisine. The town is a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors each year from all over the world.

Whether you're a history buff, a foodie, or a beach lover, there is something for everyone in Hoi An. This article will explore the best things to do in Hoi An and what the city is known for.

The Detailed Tourist Map of Hoi An Helps to Visit Hoi An

Hoi An’s main tourist attraction is the Ancient Town. Making up a full district of the city, Hoi An Ancient Town preserves the atmosphere of an ancient trading port town with cobblestone streets winding lined with quaint shops and restaurants. The city has a multicultural past with influences surviving today at attractions like the Japanese Covered Bridge and the Phuc Kiem Assembly Hall.

Ancient houses like Tan Ky Old House have been lovingly preserved, and sacred temples like Ong Pagoda continue to attract worshippers. The Hoi An Night Market is a hub for food and entertainment and a great spot to soak up city culture.

Not far from the city, you can relax on the white sands of An Bang Beach. Traditional villages like Tra Que Vegetable Village and Thanh Ha Pottery Village are places to explore traditional farming and agriculture.

 hoi-an-tourist-map
Map of popular Hoi An tourists attractions.

Attraction

Location

Opening Hours

Entrance Fee

Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An

24 hours

150,000 VND

Japanese Covered Bridge

Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street and Tran Phu Street

9 a.m – 11 p.m

Free

Phuc Kien Assembly Hall

No. 46 Tran Phu Street

7 am – 5 pm

150,000 VND

Tan Ky Old House

No. 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street

8:30 a.m – 5:45 p.m

35,000 VND

Ong Pagoda

No. 24 Tran Phu Street

6 a.m – 5 p.m

Free

Hoi An Market

No. 19, Tran Phu Street

6 am - 8 pm

free

Hoi An Night Market

Nguyen Hoang Street

6 am - 10 pm

free

An Bang Beach

Cam An Ward

24 hours

free

Tra Que Vegetable Village

Tra Que Village, Cam Ha Commune

7 am – 5 pm

35,000 VND

Thanh Ha Pottery Village

Thanh Ha Ward

8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

5,000 VND/adult, 15,000 VND/child

My Son Sanctuary

Duy Phu Commune, Duy Xuyen District

6:30 am – 5:30 pm

150,000 VND

Plan for at least three days to experience the best of Hoi An. Spend a full day exploring the Ancient Town, and another visiting the nearby villages. There will still be enough time to shop in the local market and try all the delicious local delicacies.

 hoi-an-japanese-bridge
Vietnamese Hoi An Japanese Covered Bridge in night view.

(Must-Do) Wander in Hoi, An Old Town, Passing Historical Streets

Hoi An's Ancient Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It's one of the most well-preserved examples of a Southeast Asian trading port from the 15th to the 19th centuries. The town boasts a unique blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese architecture, with narrow streets, ancient houses, temples, and pagodas.

Visitors can explore the town on foot. And take in the sights and sounds of the bustling markets and the local people going about their daily lives.

hoi-an-beautiful-street
Beautiful street in Hoi An.

(Must-Do) Visit Ancient Historic Buildings-Japanese Bridge

The Japanese Covered Bridge is one of the most iconic tourist attractions in Hoi An. The bridge was built in the 16th century by Japanese traders. It was constructed to connect the Japanese community with the Chinese community on the other side of the river.

The bridge has a unique design that combines Japanese and Vietnamese architectural styles. It is adorned with intricate carvings and statues. And it's said that rubbing the head of the monkey statue at the entrance brings good luck.

(Must-Do) Walk around Hoi An in the Evening to Enjoy the Night View

Hoi An is a beautiful city at night. As daylight fades in the Old Town, colorful lanterns illuminate the narrow streets and charming storefronts. Nguyen Phuc Chu Street, known as Hoi An Lantern Street, has one of the richest displays with a magical glow cast over the cobblestone pathways.

You can stroll over Moonlight Bridge or watch the scenery from a rooftop café. The Night Food Market near the Japanese Covered Bridge is the hot spot for an evening snack. Street food vendors line the area selling local delicacies like chicken rice, spring rolls, and Quang noodles.

hoi-an-night-view
Hoi An amazing night view.

(Must-Do) Taste Hoi An unique Food like Cao Lau

Cao lau is one of Hoi An’s distinctive street foods. It’s a delicious noodle dish that can only be made with locally sourced ingredients like water from a well on the Cham Islands, which gives Cao Lau its unique flavor. Unlike many other noodle dishes, it isn’t served with a broth. Instead, the noodles are combined with barbecued pork, pork rinds, and fresh herbs from Tra Que Village.

cao-lau-in-hoi-an
The famous Cao Lau in Hoi An.

Quang noodles are one of the best foods in Hoi An. It’s made with turmeric and a rich broth and combined with fresh vegetables, rice paper, and chili. White rose dumplings have been a culinary treasure in Hoi An for over a century. They’re hand-crafted to take on a rose-like appearance and filled with sweet, stir-fried shrimp.

(Must-Do) Paddle Through the Forest of Coconuts with A Basket Boat

Riding in a bamboo basket boat, you can explore the countryside around Hoi An, paddling through forests of coconuts while taking in peaceful rural scenes. The Bay Mau Coconut Forest around Cam Thanh village is a place of natural beauty where you can see the local ecosystem and learn about conservation efforts.

Villages use age-old traditional fishing techniques like net throwing to bring the catch. You can have a hands-on experience catching crabs for a deeper experience of local life.

hoi-an-basket-boat-ride
Join in Hoi An day tour to ride bamboo basket boats.

(Must-Do) Engage in Local Life by Exploring Central Market and Night Market

Hoi An’s markets give you a fascinating glimpse into local life. Central Market opens at sunrise and is a bustling place to shop for fresh produce, flowers, prepared foods, and unique handicrafts.

The Night Market offers a different experience. Hundreds of glowing lanterns light up the shops and vendors selling clothes, food, and souvenirs. Located in the Old Town, it combines shopping with the charming atmosphere Hoi An is famous for.

hoi-an-night-market
Hoi An vibrant night market.

(Must-Do) Lying on the Beautiful An Bang Beach on A Postcard Day

After walking the streets of Hoi An’s Old Town and exploring the local markets, take some time to relax at Hoi An’s beaches, especially An Bang Beach. An Bang Beach is a 4km stretch of tranquil sand and sea 3km from the city center.

There are exciting activities for all ages, like diving, snorkeling, and swimming alongside schools of fish. The calm waters are suitable for families with small children who will be happy spending the day playing in the soft, clean sand. Join a beachfront yoga class, or find a secluded area to unwind.

hoi-an-an-bang-beach
Stunning An Bang beach in HoI An.

(Must-Do) Take A Day Trip from Hoi An to My Son Holy Land

My Son is an ancient temple complex located near the town of Hoi An in central Vietnam. It’s another UNESCO World Heritage site.

The site features a complex of Hindu temples and towers. The Champa Kingdom ruled central Vietnam from the 4th to the 13th centuries. The site is a testament to India's architectural and cultural influence on Southeast Asia.

Visiting My Son is a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam's rich cultural heritage. And it's also an experience of the enduring legacy of the Cham people. It is an hour's drive from Hoi An.

(Optional) Take A Vietnamese Cuisine and Coffee Cooking Class

Cooking classes are a fun way to enjoy local cuisine with the hands-on experience of creating traditional dishes. In Hoi An, cooking classes will take you through the whole process, from selecting fresh ingredients at a local market to cooking and presenting the final product before enjoying your work.

In Tra Que Herb Village, you can have a truly authentic experience learning to cook traditional dishes with locally grown food. Located 3km north of Hoi An’s Old Town, the village is renowned for its organic farming techniques that produce delicious vegetables and herbs.

hoi-an-cooking-class
Join in a cooking class in Hoi An.

(Optional) Renting Motorbikes to Ride along the Coastline

The broad coastline of central Vietnam is an excellent place for adventurous Vietnam motorcycle tours. The class Hai Van Pass route stretches from Hoi An to Hue, covering 135 km. See ocean vistas, forests, lakes, and the Hai Van Pass on a 3-5 hour ride. Road conditions are mostly smooth, with only a few rough patches, and the light traffic makes for a pleasant ride.

hai-van-pass
Picturesque Hai Van Pass from Hoi An to Hue.

You can also venture inland on the river route through the Cu De Valley leading to Bach Ma National Park. The whole route is lined with brand-new road surfaces for excellent riding conditions. You’ll travel through green valleys, jungles, and mountains.

(Optional) Get A Hand Tailored Suit Made with Silk As A Great Souvenir

Hoi An is also famous for its silk tailors. There are many tailors in the city specializing in creating beautiful, bespoke clothing for international visitors. Depending on the garment, from measuring to completion can take as little as a few hours.

Authentic silk clothing has an unmistakable feel and comes in a wide range of rich colors. Shirts, suits, coats, dresses, blazers, and pants are all popular options.

dressing-ao-dai-in-hoi-an
Tourists can get a hand tailored suit in Hoi An.

(Optional) Make A Special Lantern by Joining A Lantern-making Class

Take part in the cultural heritage of lantern crafting with a lantern-making class. Skilled artisans will guide you through the process of choosing a frame, fabric, and color and then show you how to decorate your lantern in traditional motifs. It’s a hands-on experience where you’ll come away with a personalized souvenir.

Lantern-making classes are a good family activity for Vietnam tours. Prices are around 10-15 USD, and many providers offer pick-up and drop-off from your hotel in the city. Classes are offered in English, and options are available for families with younger children.

making-lantern-in-hoi-an
Making a special lantern can be a unique family travel experience.

(Optional) Attend Hoi An Lantern Full Moon Festival

One of the most popular festivals in Hoi An is the Lantern Full Moon Festival. The traditional Vietnamese celebration is held on the 14th day of every lunar month (13th January 2025) in the historic town of Hoi An.

During the festival, the city is illuminated with colorful lanterns. The lanterns are made from silk and bamboo and come in various colors. The streets are filled with music, dance, and food vendors. Visitors can participate in multiple activities, like making lanterns, releasing lanterns on the river, and enjoying traditional performances.

vietnamese-releasing-lanterns
Vietnamese are releasing lanterns on the river in Hoi An.

(Optional) Spend One Day from Hoi An to Da Nang for Ba Na Hills

The Ba Na Hills are only a 1.5-hour drive from Hoi An. On a day trip from Hoi An, you can take the cable car to the top of the mountains and visit the famous Da Nang Golden Bridge.

There are breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes and the unique design of the bridge held up by giant hands. Enjoy performances at the French Village, and try all the great food.

Most Recommended Hoi An Tour Itineraries

Three days in Hoi An is enough to experience some of the best the city has to offer. Make your visit part of a larger tour of Vietnam from north to south, and time your stay to fall during the full moon to be able to enjoy the monthly Lantern Festival.

Begin your tour by exploring the ancient town of Hoi An. Stroll along the charming streets and admire the Japanese Covered Bridge and the Old House of Tan Ky. Then, visit the Hoi An Museum of History and Culture. In the evening, attend a cooking class to learn how to make traditional Vietnamese dishes, like pho or spring rolls. Enjoy your creations for dinner.

visit-tan-ky
Visit 200-year-old Tan Ky House.

Take a boat ride along the Thu Bon River around Hoi An on the next day. See the lush rice paddies, coconut groves, and traditional fishing villages. Stop at Tra Que Village, known for its fresh produce and aromatic herbs. Head to the beach in the afternoon to relax in the sun.

The last day will be a trip to the nearby My Son Sanctuary. End your day with a sunset river cruise along the Thu Bon River. Enjoy the serene scenery and watch the sun dip below the horizon.

Conclusion

Hoi An is a city that offers a rich and diverse cultural experience. You can experience from its ancient history and architecture to its stunning beaches and mouth-watering cuisine. Whether you're interested in history, nature, or food, there is something for everyone in Hoi An.

Contact us at Indochina Tour anytime to start planning your holiday. We will tailor your perfect Hoi An tour and realize all the things to do in Hoi An that you have planned.

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