Hoi An, Vietnam Travel Guide 2025

Hoi An's UNESCO-listed old town is a living museum of Southeast Asian architectural styles.

Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu): The iconic 400-year-old bridge with its roof and small temple, symbolizing the blend of Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese cultures that shaped Hoi An.
Ancient House (Phùng Hưng): A beautifully preserved 200-year-old Chinese merchant house showcasing traditional architecture and family history through generations.
Assembly Hall of the Fujian Chinese Congregation: Stunning temple architecture with intricate carvings, colorful ceramics, and traditional Chinese design elements.
Quan Cong Temple: Dedicated to the Chinese god of loyalty and righteousness, featuring beautiful gardens and traditional architecture.

Hoi An comes alive at night with thousands of colorful lanterns illuminating the streets.

Lantern-Making Workshops: Learn the ancient art of lantern-making and see how these traditional crafts are still produced by hand using bamboo frames and silk.
Night Market Stalls: The evening market features fresh street food, handmade crafts, and local artisans. It's a sensory experience with delicious smells and vibrant colors.
Lantern-Lit Streets: As darkness falls, the entire Ancient Town transforms into a fairytale setting with lanterns hanging from every building and boat.
Floating Lanterns: During festivals, paper lanterns are released onto the river, creating a magical spectacle that has become synonymous with Hoi An.

Just minutes from the historic center, Hoi An offers some of Vietnam's most beautiful beaches.

An Bang Beach: The closest beach to Hoi An, perfect for swimming, sunset watching, and beachside cafes. The beach is wide and rarely crowded.
Cua Dai Beach: A longer stretch of golden sand offering water sports, beach volleyball, and seafood restaurants. Great for cycling along the beachfront path.
Son Tra Peninsula: Offers more secluded beaches and hiking opportunities in the nearby hills. The Monkey Mountain viewpoint provides stunning coastal panoramas.
Beach Clubs & Resorts: Luxury beach clubs offering day beds, fresh coconuts, and gourmet Vietnamese-European fusion cuisine.

Hoi An is famous worldwide for its skilled tailors who can create custom clothing quickly and affordably.

Custom Tailoring Experience: Have suits, dresses, or traditional ao dai made to measure. Many tailors offer same-day service for simple items.
Silk Farming & Natural Dyes: Visit local silk farms to see how silk is produced and learn about traditional dyeing techniques using natural ingredients.
Woodcarving & Pottery: Hoi An's craftsmen produce beautiful furniture, lanterns, and ceramics using traditional techniques passed down through generations.
Paper-Making Workshops: Learn about traditional Vietnamese paper-making using mulberry bark, and see how it's used for lanterns and artwork.

Hoi An offers some of Vietnam's most authentic and delicious cuisine, with French colonial influences.

Cao Lầu: Hoi An's signature dish - thick noodles in a special broth, topped with pork, herbs, and rice crackers. Each restaurant claims to have the authentic recipe.
Hộanh Thánh: Crispy fried dumplings filled with pork, mushrooms, and glass noodles, served with sweet chili sauce.
Street Food Markets: Fresh spring rolls, banh mi sandwiches, and tropical fruits. The night market offers the best selection.
High-End Dining: Fusion restaurants combining French techniques with Vietnamese ingredients, featuring dishes like caramelized pork with coconut.
Cooking Classes: Learn to make authentic Vietnamese dishes using local ingredients and traditional techniques.

Beyond the town, Hoi An offers opportunities to experience rural Vietnamese life and nearby attractions.

Cycling Tours: Rent bicycles to explore the countryside, visiting rice paddies, traditional villages, and family-run workshops.
My Son Sanctuary (UNESCO): A 2-hour drive brings you to Vietnam's most important Cham archaeological site with ancient Hindu temples.
Son Tra Peninsula**: Hike to mountain viewpoints or visit the Linh Ung Pagoda for panoramic views of Hoi An and the South China Sea.
Perfume River Cruises: Evening boat trips along the Thu Bon River, watching the town light up with lanterns.

Hoi An's markets offer authentic Vietnamese crafts and souvenirs with reasonable prices.

Ancient Town Market: Daily market in the heart of the old town offering fresh produce, spices, and local crafts.
Cloth Market: Bolts of silk, cotton, and traditional fabrics in every color and pattern imaginable.
Artisan Shops: Handmade lanterns, conical hats, silk paintings, and traditional Vietnamese musical instruments.
Jewelry & Silk Shops: Custom jewelry and high-quality silk products made using traditional Vietnamese techniques.

Best Time to Visit: February-April (dry season, cooler) or August-October (shoulder season, fewer crowds). Avoid the rainy season (October-January) and hottest months (June-August).
Getting Around: Hoi An is very walkable within the Ancient Town. Rent bicycles or use local taxis for beaches. Da Nang Airport is 45 minutes away with frequent buses and taxis.
UNESCO Preservation Fee: Pay a small fee (120,000 VND) for entry to the Ancient Town. It helps preserve the heritage and supports local restoration projects.
Weather & Packing: Hot and humid tropical climate. Pack light clothing, good walking shoes, and rain gear for unexpected showers. Mosquito repellent is essential.
Currency & Costs: Vietnamese Dong (VND). Hoi An is affordable compared to Western standards. Street food costs 30,000-50,000 VND per meal.
Cultural Notes: Vietnamese are warm and welcoming. Learn basic phrases in Vietnamese. Remove shoes when entering homes or temples. Bargaining is expected in markets.
Language: Vietnamese is primary, but English is widely spoken in tourist areas. French influences remain from colonial times.
Health & Safety: Generally very safe. Drink bottled water and use sunscreen. Traffic can be chaotic - look both ways when crossing streets.

Hoi An