Central coast, near Da Nang · Vietnam
A perfectly preserved trading port of yellow shophouses, silk lanterns and river reflections, with tailors, cooking classes and rice paddies on the doorstep.
Hoi An was a major Southeast Asian trading port from the 15th to the 19th century, where Chinese, Japanese, Dutch and European merchants came for silk, ceramics and spices. When the river silted up and the trade moved to Da Nang, the town slipped into quiet decline, and its wooden shophouses, temples and assembly halls were left largely untouched. UNESCO inscribed the ancient town in 1999.
Today the old town is a compact, largely pedestrian area of low, ochre-yellow buildings, tiled roofs and narrow lanes, with lanterns in every colour lit at night. Chinese assembly halls, merchants' houses and the famed Japanese Covered Bridge give the town its character, while restaurants, cafés and tailors fill the ground floors.
Hoi An is touristy, but it remains charming, especially early in the morning and away from the busiest lanes. Beyond the old town are rice paddies, riverside villages, the beaches of An Bang and Cua Dai, and the Cham ruins of My Son, and it is a good base for several days.
Why visit
Hoi An is the most beautiful town in Vietnam, and a highlight for most visitors.
Wooden houses, assembly halls and pagodas from the 17th and 18th centuries.
The old town is lit by silk lanterns each evening, and on full-moon nights the electric lights are switched off.
Cao lau, white rose dumplings, banh mi and chicken rice are local specialities.
Made-to-measure clothes, shoes and leather goods at good prices.
Cycling through rice paddies, and An Bang beach five kilometres away.
Main attractions
The old town is small and can be covered in a day, but its pleasures come from wandering.
A roofed wooden bridge from the late 16th century, said to have been built by the Japanese community, with a small temple inside. It is the symbol of Hoi An.
Tip The bridge is part of the old-town ticket.
Old houses such as Tan Ky, and the Chinese assembly halls of the Fujian, Cantonese and other communities, decorated with carved wood and colourful tiles.
Tip The old-town ticket covers a choice of sites.
In the evenings, the Hoai River fills with candle-lit boats and the bank with lanterns and stalls.
Tip Go early to see the town before crowds.
A UNESCO-listed complex of Hindu temples of the Cham kingdom from the 4th to 13th centuries, about 40 km from Hoi An, partly damaged by bombing in the 1960s.
Tip Go early to avoid the heat.
A relaxed beach about 5 km from town, with seafood restaurants and beach clubs.
Tip Go by bicycle.
A water-coconut forest where round basket boats are paddled through narrow channels.
Tip The experience is touristy but fun.
Things to do
Hoi An suits slow days of walking, eating and cycling.
Hundreds of tailors will make shirts, dresses and suits in 24 to 48 hours.
Tip Allow time for fittings, and choose a tailor with good reviews.
Learn to make local dishes, often after a market visit and a boat ride.
Tip Book a morning class.
Bicycles are free at many hotels, and quiet lanes lead to villages and the beach.
Tip Go in the early morning.
Buy a paper lantern and set it on the river at night.
Tip Best on full-moon nights.
Lantern-making, pottery at Thanh Ha or woodcarving at Kim Bong.
Tip Ask your hotel.
Swim and eat seafood at An Bang.
Tip Swimming is best from March to August.
Local food
Hoi An's food is a highlight, with several dishes found only here.
Chewy noodles with pork, greens and crisp croutons, made with local ash water.
Where to try it Market stalls and small restaurants.
Delicate steamed shrimp dumplings shaped like flowers.
Where to try it Specialist restaurants.
Hoi An's baguettes are among the best in Vietnam.
Where to try it Bakeries near the market.
Rice cooked in chicken stock and topped with shredded poached chicken and herbs.
Where to try it Local restaurants.
Turmeric noodles with pork or shrimp, peanuts and rice crackers.
Where to try it Market stalls.
Smoothies, coconut coffee and iced Vietnamese coffee.
Where to try it Cafés in the old town.
Accommodation
Stay in or near the old town for atmosphere, or near the beach for space.
Transport
Hoi An has no airport or railway station, and most travellers arrive via Da Nang.
The old town is pedestrian-friendly, and bicycles are the best way to reach the countryside and beach.
When to go
Hoi An has a tropical monsoon climate, with heavy rain and occasional flooding from October to December.
Warm, dry and sunny, ideal for the beach and the old town.
Hot, sunny and humid.
Wet, typhoon-prone and often flooded, particularly in October and November.
Cool and showery, with fewer visitors.
Worth planning around: October and November, when flooding is common and the old town can be under water.
Itinerary
The old town, a day in the countryside and a day at My Son and the coast.
Bridges and lanterns.
Rice fields and a class.
Ruins and the sea.
Travel tips
Hoi An is easy, and a few tips help.
FAQ
Three days is ideal: one for the old town, one for the countryside or a class, and one for My Son and the beach.
Yes, a ticket is required to enter many of the main sights. Rules and prices change, so check locally.
Yes, if you choose a good tailor and allow time. Quality varies, so read reviews.
February to May. Autumn is wet and prone to floods.
About 30 km, or 45 minutes by taxi.
It can be at midday and in the evenings. Mornings are much calmer.
Keep exploring
Places that pair well with Hoi An, whether you have a few spare days or are building a longer route.
Perfume River, central Vietnam, Vietnam
The former imperial capital on the Perfume River, with the Imperial City, the tombs of the Nguyen emperors, Thien Mu Pagoda and a distinctive royal cuisine.
Don't miss The Meridian Gate of the Imperial City, and the calm of a royal tomb reflected in its lotus pond.
Explore Destination — HueSouthern Vietnam, Vietnam
The commercial heart of Vietnam, with the Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Notre-Dame Basilica, Ben Thanh Market, Chinatown and the Cu Chi Tunnels, plus a thriving food and nightlife scene.
Don't miss A bowl of noodles on a plastic stool at midnight, with the motorbikes of Saigon streaming by.
Explore Destination — Ho Chi Minh CityCentral Vietnam, Vietnam
A UNESCO-listed national park with hundreds of caves, including Phong Nha, Paradise and the giant Son Doong, plus jungle, rivers, ziplines and quiet countryside.
Don't miss The huge chamber of Paradise Cave, with its glittering formations lit for the visitors.
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