13 Best Things To Do In Hoi An, Vietnam

Hoi An was one of our absolute favourite places we visited during our 6 month trip around Asia. It had this beautiful feeling to it, and the fact that many streets were pedestrian-only was amazing – especially after spending the last few weeks dodging scooters in Vietnam’s busy cities!

Hoi An has a rich history as a trading port dating back to the 15th century. Merchants from China, Japan, and Europe would come to trade goods such as silk, spices, and ceramics. The town’s architecture reflects this diverse heritage, with a mix of wooden Chinese shophouses, French colonial buildings, and Japanese influences, particularly evident in the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge.

Today, Hoi An is a picturesque town known for its beautifully preserved ancient architecture, vibrant culture, and a slower pace of life compared to Vietnam’s larger cities. 

We spent hours exploring and enjoying a range of fun activities, and even after five days, we felt like we could have stayed much longer.

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Where is Hoi An and How to Get There?

Hoi An is situated on the central coast of Vietnam, about 30 km south of Da Nang. The town is easily accessible from several major cities in Vietnam:

• Da Nang to Hoi An: It’s only a quick 45 minute drive away, so book a private transfer via 12Go which will cost you around £4-£5 ($5-$6), or opt for a Grab Taxi (roughly £7-£11 or $10-$15 depending on availability).

• From Hue: You can travel from Hue to Hoi An by bus, which takes around 4 hours. Prices vary, but generally start from around £9 ($11). Book your ticket on 12Go Asia for the best prices.
  
  For a more scenic and unforgettable journey, consider driving yourself on a scooter along the Hai Van Pass, a stunning coastal road. Check out our full guide on the epic scooter adventure from Hue to Hoi An.

• Hanoi to Hoi An: The quickest and most convenient way to get to Hoi An from Hanoi is by flying to Da Nang, which takes about 1.5 hours, and then travelling from Da Nang via bus or taxi – see our tips a few bullet points up. 
  
  Alternatively, you can take the train from Hanoi to Da Nang, which is a much longer but scenic journey of about 17 hours, or take a direct bus straight to Hoi An, which takes about 15 hours, with prices starting from around £36 ($47). Book your tickets here.

• Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An: Similarly to Hanoi, the best way to reach Hoi An from Ho Chi Minh City is by flying to Da Nang, with flights also taking around 1.5 hours. You can then easily reach Hoi An by road in about 45 minutes.
  
  The alternative options are the same, but take a few hours longer – the bus ride is 22 hours! If you fancy braving this long journey, you can see your options on 12Go Asia here.

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Where to Stay in Hoi An

When choosing where to stay in Hoi An, there are plenty of options.

We opted to stay on the island of Cam Nam. Tomorrow Oasis Boutique Villa was perfect for us, as it was reasonably priced and only took about 10-15 minutes to walk into the town centre. They also provided bicycle rentals to make the journey much quicker (or to cycle out to the beach, as we did).

With so many great options, here are our top recommendations for places to stay:

Hoi An Ancient Town

Great for those who want Hoi An town centre on their doorstep. This makes going out for meals and exploring super easy, as you’re just steps away from Hoi An’s top attractions, beautiful streets, and bustling markets. 

Riverside & Cam Nam Island

Perfect for those who want easy access to the town, but don’t need to be located actually in it. Cam Nam Island, just across a short bridge from the Hoi An Town, provides a similar tranquil experience with a slightly more rustic charm. 

Cua Dai Beach

This beach area is a short drive – or bicycle ride – from Hoi An and offers a few more luxury hotel options with direct beach access. This area is quieter than the town centre, making it perfect for those looking to unwind by the sea, but with the option to explore Hoi An during the day.

An Bang Beach

If you are looking for a beach location which is more laid back than Cua Dai Beach, An Bang Beach is the perfect place and Hoi An is still easily reachable by bicycle or by driving. There are also plenty of beachside restaurants and bars here to choose from.

Tra Que Village

If you’re looking for an insight into a rural, immersive experience, why not try a homestay in Tra Que Village. A short drive from Hoi An (or a 1-ish hour walk) in the peaceful countryside you can find a serene, rural setting with the option to try out activities like farming and cooking classes. It’s a great choice for those looking to experience the natural beauty of the region while staying close to Hoi An’s attractions.

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13 Of The Best Things To Do In Hoi An

Hoi An is one of those places you can just explore on foot and discover so many amazing things, but if you want a tangible list of highlights you MUST see while you’re there , why not consider some of these activities:

1. Wander Around the Stunning Ancient Town Streets

The whole Ancient Town is explored best on foot. Every street and side alleyway is filled to the brim with shops, cafes and bright colours! The highlight is strolling along both sides of the Thu Bon River.

The riverbanks are lined with cafes, shops, and historic buildings. By day, you can enjoy the scenic views of boats drifting by, and by night (definitely make sure you come back at night), the riverside comes alive with the glow of colourful lanterns reflecting on the water.

2. Ride in the Traditional Coconut Basket Boats

You might have seen videos of these boat rides on social media, so you’ll know what to expect. If not… good luck! But in all seriousness this is SUCH a fun activity. You go out on a small round basket boat with a local and ride through the tranquil mangroves spotting the wildlife, then out onto the wider river where they spin you around as fast as they can, often with music. It’s dizzying, but so much fun!

Our guide even helped us catch crab with a stick and some bait whilst we were out there – an unforgettable experience!

3. Prepare Local Dishes In A Cooking Class

A Vietnamese cooking class is a must! We joined a cooking class where we learnt to prepare traditional dishes using fresh local ingredients we had bought at the food market earlier that day with our guide.

We then spent the afternoon making Crispy Vietnamese Pancakes, Banana Flower & Papaya Salad, Grilled Aubergine with Peanut Sauce, Chicken Cao Lau, a Banana Caramel dessert.

There are so many cooking classes available – we went with the Hoi An Eco Cooking Class which was great! As well as the cooking class it also included visiting the local market, a ride in a traditional basket boat and crab fishing! 

4. Try ALL of the Delicious Street Food

Vietnam’s street food scene is amazing, and Hoi An is the perfect place to sample so many delicious local delicacies!

You can join a street food tour or simply wander the streets and try local delicacies like Banh Mi, Mi Quang, and the famous Hoi An chicken rice. Connor’s favourite was the pork Banh Mi’s – he had one almost every day for our entire one-month trip to Vietnam! If you’ve never heard of them, think ‘French baguette filled with classic South-East Asian flavours’!

There’s a street food market along the riverside right next to the An Hoi Bridge – you can’t miss it.

5. Hop Around the Many Cafes, Bars & Restaurants 

Hoi An has an impressive array of cafes, bars, and restaurants. From hidden gems in the Old Town to riverside spots offering views with every sip, there’s no shortage of places to relax and enjoy local flavours.

Be sure to try the regional specialties, such as Cao Lau and White Rose dumplings.

Some of our favourite spots include:

Mê Hội An – A cute multi-story cafe. Grab a seat outside on the street level for the ultimate people watching spot, or on any of the balconies where you can look across the rooftops of Hoi An.

Check out their rooftop area for an even better view! The owner was so friendly and helpful with the drink selections.

Try their egg coffee or, if you want something a little different, try their salt coffee!

Song Bien Xanh Hoi An – This rooftop bar offers impressive views over the river. It’s a popular spot, and they might try to persuade you to dine in order to be sat with the best view, but we just said we wanted a drink and were happy to move if diners arrived.

The Son Bistro – A fun drinking spot which often has live music. Take a seat outside the bar and soak in the atmosphere of the bustling streets in Hoi An. 

Mót Hội An – We had great Pho here, but it’s most famous for a refreshing iced herbal tea that’s served out of a window, and is great in the hot weather. Don’t be put off by the long queues – they go down quickly!

6. Cross the Famous Japanese Covered Bridge

The Japanese Covered Bridge – a footbridge with a temple atop – is one of Hoi An’s most iconic landmarks. It was built by Japanese merchants in the 16th century, and is a symbol of the town’s rich cultural heritage and historical significance. In fact, it’s so revered that it’s featured on the 20,000 VND banknote in Vietnam.

It is really beautiful, and definitely shouldn’t be missed if you’re visiting Hoi An. You can find it in the western end of the town centre and is particularly beautiful at night. 

7. Cycle to the Beach 

Hoi An is just a short bike ride away from beautiful beaches like An Bang and Cua Dai. Cycling in the town is a really popular activity, so most hotels or guesthouses will provide them for you to enjoy. Make sure to check in advance – you might plan to use them and find that there’s none left!

The cycle from the town centre to An Bang beach takes around 25-35 mins, and you’ll be riding through small farmland tracks as well as some main roads – take extra care on these! Cua Dai takes a little longer.

Spend a day cycling to the coast, enjoying the sun and sea, and relaxing at beachside bars and restaurants.

8. Get Yourself Some Hand-Tailored Clothing

Hoi An is renowned for its tailors and their incredibly reasonably priced and high quality items.

The process is quick and professional, with countless fabric choices and designs to choose from. Items can be perfectly tailored and ready in mere hours in some cases – or a few days, depending on the complexity of the task.

Sadly we can’t directly recommend the best one to go to since we were at the start of our 6 month journey so unfortunately had no room in our rucksacks (if only we’d thought about having things shipped home!)

Instead, get recommendations from your accommodation on which tailors they think are the best.

9. Climb and Explore the Marble Mountains

The nearby Marble Mountains are a MUST if you’re in the area. We rented a scooter, and drove the short 25 minutes to get to the Marble Mountains from our hotel in Hoi An.

This cluster of five limestone hills is home to caves, tunnels, and Buddhist shrines – all of which can be explored! Make sure you walk all the way to the top as the panoramic views are so worth it. If it’s set to be a hot day, make sure you go in the morning to avoid the high heat of the day.

Finding where to park at the Marble Mountains can be a little stressful, as the local shop owners will try to flag you down to park outside their shop. You can of course do this – just be aware that it’s customary to buy something from them in exchange – it shouldn’t cost more than 10,000-20,000 VND (roughly 30p-60p, or 40c-80c)!

There is public parking near the elevator, where the fee is around 5,000 VND (around 15p or 20c), if you would prefer that. 

10. Light a Lantern on the River

If you’re lucky enough to time your visit with the Hoi An Lantern Festival, also known as the Full Moon Lantern Festival, you’ll be treated to an extra special event.

The festival takes place on the 14th day of every month, when the moon is at its fullest and brightest. The town’s electric lights are turned off, and the streets are illuminated by thousands of colourful lanterns.

But don’t worry, if you aren’t in Hoi An on this particular evening you can still purchase lanterns from many sellers on the side of the river, make a wish, and release them onto the river. This tradition is believed to bring good luck and happiness.

Just be careful when leaning over to put the lantern in the water!

11. Go For an Evening River Boat Ride

A quintessential Hoi An experience is taking a sunset or evening boat ride down the Thu Bon River.

As you walk along the riverbank, you’ll find so many people offering their lantern-illuminated boat rides as the sun sets or under the moonlight. If you decide to do this, make sure you barter for a fair price, but remember to be respectful – this is how many locals earn a living.

The views of the town and the lanterns in the water around you are absolutely magical.

12. Explore the Ancient Ruins at the My Son Sanctuary

Another great day trip from Hoi An is to the My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

This ancient Hindu temple complex, built between the 4th and 13th centuries, offers a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s Champa Kingdom. Once the religious and political centre of the kingdom, these crumbling ruins give you a real sense of the Champa’s rich history and culture.

The drive is about 1 hour from Hoi An, which was manageable on a scooter, but you might consider a tour which will include a transfer and a guide to take you around the site.

The readable information around the site is definitely lacking, so we would really recommend getting a tour guide.

Make sure you save time for the traditional Cham dance performances, which are held a handful of times during the day (they were at 09:30, 12:30 and 14:30 when we were there in January 2024) – make sure to check the timetable when you arrive.

13. Take a Day Trip to Ba Na Hills Sunworld Theme Park

Another Instagram-famous stop is Ba Na Hills! You’ll likely have seen the iconic Golden Bridge, held up by giant stone hands, offering amazing views of the surrounding mountains.

You can also wander through the charming French Village, complete with European-inspired architecture and cobblestone streets.

Make sure you also check out the serene Linh Ung Pagoda and soak in the panoramic vistas. With its mix of theme park attractions, beautiful gardens, and cooler climate, Ba Na Hills offers the perfect blend of nature and entertainment.

As you might be able to tell from the long list of things we’ve recommended, Hoi An really was a special place for us to visit.

So many people we speak to absolutely love Hoi An, and it’s often the highlight of everyone’s trip to Vietnam.

There’s so much to do here – you could easily fill 5 days worth of activities (even a week), But if you’re just passing through, 2 days is perfect for packing in plenty of fun adventures!

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