Hoi An, Vietnam
A lantern-lit riverside town where centuries of trade left behind a perfectly preserved old quarter.
Hoi An is a small former trading port on Vietnam's central coast, famous for its UNESCO-listed Ancient Town of yellow facades, wooden shophouses, and silk lanterns reflected in the Thu Bon River. It's known for custom tailoring, some of Vietnam's best regional food, and a slower, walkable pace than the country's big cities.
Don't miss
- Ancient Town (Old Quarter) — Car-free streets of ochre merchant houses, Chinese assembly halls, and tailor shops that glow with paper lanterns after dark.
- Japanese Covered Bridge — A 400-plus-year-old wooden bridge-temple that has become the unofficial symbol of Hoi An.
- Lantern Full Moon Festival — On the 14th night of the lunar month, the town switches off electric lights and floats candlelit lanterns down the river.
- An Bang Beach — A relaxed stretch of sand a short bike ride from the old town, lined with casual seafood shacks and beach loungers.
- Cam Thanh Coconut Forest — Palm-lined water canals where round bamboo basket boats spin and bob for a playful, low-key river excursion.
- Central Market — A bustling market on the riverfront where you can watch noodle-making, browse produce, and eat at humble local stalls.
Getting around
Hoi An's Ancient Town is compact and best explored on foot or bicycle, with many hotels offering free bikes to guests. Motorbike or bicycle rental is the easiest way to reach An Bang Beach or the Coconut Forest, while short taxi or ride-hail trips cover longer distances; the nearest airport is in Da Nang, about a 30-45 minute drive away.
Food and drink
Hoi An has its own distinct dishes worth seeking out: cao lau (thick noodles with pork and greens, said to use water from a specific local well), white rose dumplings, and banh mi from stalls that have built loyal followings over the years. Riverside restaurants and street-side com ga (chicken rice) stalls both have their place, and the town is a good base for a hands-on cooking class using produce from nearby herb villages like Tra Que.
Tailoring and shopping
Custom tailoring is one of Hoi An's signature experiences, with shops able to turn around suits, dresses, and shoes in a short time; quality and pricing vary widely, so ask for recommendations and allow time for at least one fitting. The Ancient Town's shops and the Central Market are also good spots for lanterns, ceramics, and handicrafts.
When to visit and the weather
The central coast has a distinct wet season, so the drier months generally fall from around February to July, while later in the year brings a higher chance of heavy rain and possible flooding in the Ancient Town's low-lying streets. Shoulder months can offer a good balance of fewer crowds and reasonable weather, but it's worth checking seasonal patterns before booking.
Day trips nearby
The My Son ruins, a cluster of ancient Cham temple towers set among hills, make a popular half-day trip from Hoi An, and the historic city of Da Nang with its own beaches and bridges is close enough for an easy day out.
A sample keepsake
This is the kind of trip story Voyagekit writes for you afterward — from your real trip.
Three Slow Days in Hoi An
This is an illustrative example of a short trip to Hoi An, following a generic traveler's first visit to the old town and its surrounding countryside and coast.
Arrival and first lantern light
We arrived in the late afternoon and walked into the Ancient Town just as the light was turning gold, the yellow facades along the river glowing even before the lanterns switched on. By dusk the streets had filled with soft red and yellow light reflected in the Thu Bon River, and we ate our first bowl of cao lau at a plastic-stooled stall, the broth and pork rich enough to make us forget the journey.
Photo: David McKelvey — CC BY 2.0
Tailors and a fitting
The next morning we ducked into one of the countless tailor shops, flipping through fabric swatches and sketches, and by afternoon we were back for a first fitting on a jacket that had been cut overnight. Between appointments we wandered past the assembly halls and merchant houses, ducking in and out of the shade, picking up a few lanterns and ceramics as we went.
Photo: David McKelvey — CC BY 2.0
Basket boats in the coconut forest
We spent an easy afternoon out at the Cam Thanh Coconut Forest, spinning in a round bamboo basket boat while a local rower showed off a few playful tricks, palm fronds arching low over the narrow canals. It felt like the countryside version of Hoi An, quieter and greener than the lantern-lit streets we'd left behind.
A morning at An Bang
On our last morning we rode bicycles out to An Bang Beach, ordering grilled seafood and fresh coconuts at a beachfront shack and watching fishing boats bob offshore. It was the perfect unhurried close to the trip, sand still on our feet as we packed up to head back toward Da Nang.
Full moon over the river
We happened to be there on the lunar full moon night, when the electric lights along the river dimmed and the town lit up instead with hundreds of candle lanterns set adrift on the water. Sitting by the riverbank watching them drift past felt like the quiet, glowing memory we carried home from Hoi An.
Photo: Nguyen Duc Loi — CC BY 2.0
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Good to know
How many days do you need in Hoi An?
Most travelers spend 2-4 days, which is enough to wander the Ancient Town, relax at the beach, take a cooking class, and fit in a tailoring fitting or two; add an extra day if you want to visit My Son or explore further afield.
When is the best time to visit Hoi An?
Many visitors prefer the drier stretch from roughly February through July, since later months bring a greater risk of heavy rain and occasional flooding in the low-lying old town. Check seasonal weather patterns as your trip approaches, since timing can shift year to year.
Is Hoi An worth visiting?
Yes, it's one of Vietnam's most rewarding stops for its atmospheric old town, distinctive food, and relaxed pace, especially if you enjoy walking historic streets rather than nonstop sightseeing.
Is Hoi An safe for tourists?
Hoi An is generally considered safe and welcoming, with the usual common-sense precautions around belongings in crowded areas and caution with traffic; flooding during heavy rains is a more notable seasonal risk than crime.
What is Hoi An famous for?
It's best known for its beautifully preserved Ancient Town of lantern-lit streets and merchant houses, its custom tailors who can make clothing quickly, and its own regional dishes like cao lau.
Do I need cash in Hoi An, and can I bargain in the market?
Cash is still useful for small stalls, markets, and some tailors, while cards are commonly accepted at larger restaurants and hotels. Gentle bargaining is normal and expected at the market and with street vendors, though most fixed-price shops are not negotiable.
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