The Ultimate Hoi An Travel Guide: 15 Best Things to Do in Vietnam’s Most Charming City

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There’s something about Hoi An that instantly captures your heart. Maybe it’s the lantern-lit streets that glow at night, the gentle pace of life along the Thu Bon River, or the way history and culture blend seamlessly with modern cafés and boutique shops. This small town on Vietnam’s central coast is often described as the country’s most charming destination—and it’s easy to see why.

After traveling through Vietnam and falling in love with Hoi An, I’ve gathered all my research and personal tips in this guide. You’ll find everything you need to plan your trip, from how to get there, the best areas to stay, the top things to do plus more practical info you might find handy.

Best Things to Do in Hoi An City

If you’re anything like me, you’ll want the fun stuff first, so I’ll jump straight to the best things to do in Hoi An. If you also need more practical info, scroll further down and you’ll find everything you need.

Wander Through Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An’s Ancient Town is the heart and soul of the city. You can spend days just exploring the cute streets and shops there. When you explore, make sure to get of the beaten path and try some of the narrow streets with less crowds, there was always a cute spot at the end of the road waiting to be discovered.

Scattered around Hoi An you’ll find a wide range of assembly halls you should make sure to visit. My favorites were the Cantonese Assembly Hall and the Fujian Assembly hall. At the Fujian Assembly Hall you can buy an entrance ticket that is valid for 5 different sites around Hoi An for 3 days. There is much more to see than 5 spots, but it’s a great start!

Another iconic spot you can’t miss is the Japanese Bridge. This 17th century wooden bridge was built by the Japanese community to connect them with the Chinese quarter on the other side of the river.

Pro Tip: Wander around the streets before noon to avoid the load of day-tour buses arriving.

If you want a guided walking tour, I recommend this one!

Take a Lantern-Making Workshop

Hoi An is famous for its lanterns so if you’re visiting Vietnam as the only country on this trip I highly recommend making one to bring home as a souvenir.

A couple of different spots like The Lantern Lady or Reaching Out Lantern have classes you can participate in. It’s one of the things I’m most upset about not being able to do, since I don’t have room to carry a lantern with me for months while traveling.

Book your lantern making class with the Lantern Lady here

Cycle Through the Countryside

One of my favorite days in Hoi An was when we explored the rice paddies outside the city itself. Hoi An can at times feel a bit chaotic with all the people, so setting aside a day or just an evening to explore the quieter side is something I definitely recommend.

If you want to visit some smaller villages and learn more about the Vietnamese way of living along the way I recommend booking this tour.

If you just want to bike on your own and relax I recommend biking either out to Sân Vân Ding Thôn Vinh or the other way towards Ang Bang beach. The first option is definitely more secluded with hardly any cars or people, but it’s quite a long ride.

We stopped at Roving Chill House for lunch one day and ended up staying for hours just relaxing and watching the rice fields. Even if you don’t want to do a bike ride I highly recommend just setting aside some time to grab a lunch or dinner here in a quiet setting. You can just book a Grab out there and relax.

If you for some reason can’t bike around, but still want to explore the more remote parts of Hoi An, you can choose to book this tour that takes you around the area in an open electric car.

Shop at Hoi An Central Market

For a taste of daily life, head to Hoi An Central Market. Here you’ll find everything from spices and teas to woven baskets and fresh produce. The food stalls are also fantastic for a quick and cheap bite after exploring the Old Town.

Visit Thanh Hà Pottery Village

Just a short ride from Hoi An’s Ancient Town lies Thanh Hà Pottery Village. Here you can see how they make pottery and get help to make on yourself. I’m adding it as a suggestion even though I personally skipped it. I’d read so many mixed reviews about the spot, many saying that it had lost its charm and become too touristy, while others still say they loved the experience and the area so I guess it‘s up to what you prefer.

Take a Cooking Class

Hoi An is one of the best places in Vietnam to take a cooking class. The class usually begins with a visit to the local market or Tra Que vegetable village to shop groceries, followed by hands-on cooking of local dishes like banh xeo (crispy pancakes) and white rose dumplings.

Join a Cooking class here

Join a cooking class on an organic farm here

Alternatively, if you just want to eat lots of great Vietnamese food, you can choose to skip the cooking and join a local for a tour to sample different street foods.

Book your street food tour here

Relax at An Bang Beach

A short ride from the Ancient Town brings you to An Bang Beach. It’s a very long beach so even when there are lots of people around, it doesn’t feel packed. There are many casual bars and seafood restaurants along the beach to choose from. I actually had some of the best Greek food outside of Greece here at a very random spot called Blue Station, so I recommend trying that if you’re a bit tired of Vietnamese food.

Take a Boat Ride & Release a Lantern on the Thu Bon River

In the evening, the Thu Bon River comes alive with floating lanterns. I honestly didn’t think it would be as good as in the pictures, but it truly is absolutely stunning.

You can get your ticket at one of the two main ticket booths, one on each side of the river close to the big bridge, you’ll have no problem spotting them. There will also be people selling lanterns along the river if you want to bring one and release on the water for good luck.

Yes, its a bit touristy and it gets crowded, but I genuinely enjoyed the experience and the views were just insanely beautiful.

There is no need to book this in advance, just wait until it gets dark and find your nearest ticket booth.

Explore the Night Market

Hoi An’s night market is a sensory feast of colors, sounds, and smells. Stalls line the streets with souvenirs, lanterns, jewelry, and street food. It’s a lively place to shop, snack, and soak up the evening atmosphere. You can wander around on your own, or choose to explore the market with a local guide showing you the best spots for street food.

Explore the Nightmarket with a guide

Try Tailor-Made Clothing

This was sadly another thing I didn’t get to try because I just didn’t have space to bring any more things along with me for the next months. However I wish I had, because Hoi An is famous for its tailors who can whip up custom-made suits, dresses, or shoes in just a couple of days.

There are hundreds of shops to choose from, so do your research and be ready to bargain. I didn’t try it myself, but here are a couple of spots you can check out that I got recommended by other travelers.

Sisters Tailor
Bao Diep Tailor

Join a Basket Boat Tour

Right outside Hoi An you can jump in a round basket boat and explore the palm forest. This is probably one of the more touristy things I’ve done, but I still had fun. Just set your expectations accordingly.

They say you’ll see how the locals fish and try fishing yourself, however it turned out to be just one person throwing a net out while a bunch of people watched. I did however enjoy the actual boat ride when we went in to the palm forest, even though it was just a short part of it.

It’s honestly not for everyone and if you’re very short on time in Hoi An I might prioritize something more authentic.

You can book this tour like we did or just show up where all the boats leave from and book one on the spot from one of the many companies doing tours.

Combine a trip to the basket boats with a cooking class here

Basket boat tour

Attend Hoi An Memories Show

Every evening you can join the “Hoi An Memories Show”. It’s a large-scale performance that narrate the town’s heritage through dance, song and theatre. I didn’t attend because it rained almost every evening I was in Hoi An and the performance takes place outside, but it looks very well put together and interesting from what I can see. If you want good seats I was told you need to book tickets in advance, especially during dry season

Book your tickets to the Hoi An Memories Performance in advance here

Best Areas to Stay in Hoi An

Hoi An may be a small town, but where you stay can really shape your experience. Depending on your preference you can choose more history, beach or country side. We stayed here at the Silk River Villa just outside of The Old Town and if you’re looking for a spot to stay a while I can definitely recommend it. The rooms vere huge, the breakfast really good and they had a very nice pool.

Below are some other options for different budgets I would recommend based on what area you prefer.

Best Places to stay in Hoi An Old Town

Staying in or near the Old Town puts you right in the middle of the action, with lantern-lit streets, historic houses, and markets at your doorstep.

De Vivre Hotel ($30 per night)

This is a lovely little boutique stay just a short stroll from Old Town with a peaceful pool. A great pick for a budget friendly stay

Hoi An Historic Hotel ($80 per night)

This is one of the town’s classic stays. It’s a beautiful, colonial-style property surrounded by tropical gardens right in the heart of the Ancient Town

Anantara Hoi An Resort ($300 per night)

A stunning boutique property with colonial-style architecture, spacious rooms, and impeccable service

Best Places to Stay Near the Beach

If you want to combine Hoi An’s charm with beach time, staying near An Bang or Cua Dai Beach is ideal.

Under The Coconut Tree Homestay ($25 per night)

A cozy, bamboo-style homestay just steps from An Bang Beach

AIRA Boutique Hotel ($90 per night)

A stylish boutique hotel close to the sand with an outdoor pool and spa

The Four Seasons ($900 per night)

The ultimate splurge, with private villas, infinity pools, and world-class dining

Best Places to stay in the Countryside & Rice Fields

For a peaceful escape surrounded by rice paddies, choose a homestay or villa outside the main town.

Red House Homestay ($20 per night)

A family-run homestay surrounded by rice fields known for its warm hospitality

Secret House Boutique Hotel ($40 per night)

This is a cozy and beautifully designed hideaway tucked down a quiet lane not far from the Ancient Town

Best Places to Eat in Hoi An

There are so many different spots to explore and I absolutely didn’t have time to try it all. However, I did a lot of research before my visit and tried a lot of different spots, and below are the ones I really liked and would go back to on my next visit.

Coffeehouses

FeFe Roastery
Uncle Hoan Coffee
Me Hoi An Rooftop Coffe & Kitchen
Faifo Coffee

Restaurants

A little Kitchen Restaurant
Secret Garden
JEERA Indian Restaurant (If you love Indian food, you need to visit this one!)
Morning Glory
The Spice Route by Ms Vy
LaQue Restaurant (Only tried the drinks, but definitely recommend it for an evening drink with a nice view)
Nourish Eatery

How to Get to Hoi An

Hoi An doesn’t have its own airport or train station, but it’s easy to reach thanks to its proximity to Da Nang, just 30 km away.

Get To Hoi An By Air

The nearest airport is Da Nang International Airport, which has frequent domestic flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as international connections from cities like Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore. From the airport, you can take a private transfer, taxi, or shuttle bus to Hoi An in about 45 minutes. We booked this private car from the airport and got picked ut when we landed.

Get To Hoi An By Train

Trains run along Vietnam’s coastal line, with Da Nang as the closest station. The scenic route from Hue or Nha Trang is said to be particularly beautiful, hugging the coastline and winding through mountains. From Da Nang, you’ll need to continue by taxi, bus, or Grab.

Get To Hoi An By Bus

Long-distance buses and sleeper coaches connect Hoi An with many destinations in Vietnam. While it’s a budget-friendly option, journeys can be long and less comfortable compared to flying. You can easily book a bus from most cities in Vietnam. We used 12Go every time we booked a bus or train in Vietnam.

Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Hoi An

Getting Around in Hoi An

The Ancient Town is pedestrian-friendly with parts of it being blocked of from cars and motor bikes. However, bikes and motorbikes are great for exploring beaches and the countryside. You can also use Grab (ride-hailing app) to get around easily. Download it before you leave to have it ready to use right away.

Dress Code in Hoi An

Modest dress is required for temples and pagodas, so cover your shoulders and knees. I usually have a light scarf with me to cover my shoulders if I’m not already wearing something appropriate.

Best Time to Visit Hoi An

Hoi An has two main seasons, one dry and one rainy.

Dry Season (February–August)

This is the best time to visit, with warm weather and plenty of sunshine. May to August is also especially good if you want to spend a lot of time on the beach.

Rainy Season (September–January)

Expect heavy rains and occasional flooding in the Ancient Town, but also fewer tourists and lower prices.

We visited in October and even though it rained quite a bit, we were still able to explore most of the things we wanted to. However, right after we left the whole city flooded and people were stuck for days.

If you’re just in Hoi An for a short time and don’t have any flexibility to wait out the rain like we had, I would not choose to visit during the rainy season.

Final Thoughts: Top Things To Do in Hoi An

Hoi An offers a rare mix of old-town charm, artisanal craft, coastal relaxation and countryside calm. Whether you spend one day or several, this list of things gives you the freedom to tailor your trip — pick the experiences that speak to you, build in a bit of flexibility, and enjoy a pace that lets you soak it all in.

I hope this guide was helpful and that you have an amazing time visiting Hoi An. If you have any questions about Hoi An or travel in Vietnam in general, or just want to follow along as I travel the world full time, don‘t hesitate to reach out to me on social media. I would love to connect and help out!

-Ingrid