Hoi An, Vietnam is known best for its well-preserved and colorful Ancient Town located on the Thu Bon River. Offering the perfect mix of beauty and chaos. You’ll find motorbikes buzzing by you at every turn, handmade lanterns hanging at almost every door and colorful city walls beaming with history. To help you navigate this amazing city, I’ve compiled a complete guide to visiting Hoi An, Vietnam. I’ve also published two YouTube videos on Hoi An which you can view here and here.

When to Visit Hoi An:

February through April is typically the best time to visit Hoi An as the weather is dry and humidity is on the lower side. We visited in July and found that the weather was very hot and humid. We also learned that July is a popular time for local Vietnamese to visit the area so it can get very crowded, especially on the weekends.

How to Get to Hoi An:

The easiest and fastest way to get to Hoi An is by flying into Da Nang airport and hiring a private car transfer. A private car will cost you roughly $30 and will take around an hour. We organized ours through our hotel in Hoi An and found that the rate was very similar to others on sites like GetYourGuide and Viator.

Where to Stay when Visiting Hoi An:

There are a number of different areas that you can choose to stay in when visiting Hoi An. A few neighbohoods that I’d recommend are Cam Chau, Cam Pho, An Hoi and Cam Thanh. We stayed at the Hoi An Riverside Villas & Apartments located in the Cam Chau village, which is about a 7 minute drive outside of the Ancient Town. I’d recommend this area for those that are looking for something on the quieter side and don’t mind commuting a short way to get to the ancient town.

Alternatively, you can stay in the Old Town but while that may seem convenient, the area does get loud and crowded at night.

What to Know about Hoi An:

• The local currency in Hoi An is the Vietnamese dong. As of January 2024, $1 = 24,540 VND
• The official language is Vietnamese. Though you will find that a lot of people working in restaurants, hotels, etc. near the Ancient Town will also speak some English.
• US citizens need a visa to enter the country, which you will need to apply for ahead of time. We applied about 7 days before our trip and needed to follow up on one of them so I would recommend applying ahead of time so that you don’t need to worry about it.
• The best way to get around Hoi An is by using the Grab transportation app. Think of it as the South East Asia version of Uber. We found that most rides that we took in the area were less than $4. *Note: You will be able to use Grab to get into the Ancient Town but you’ll need to use the local taxi service in order to get out.

The Best Things to Do and See in Hoi An:

Roam through the Ancient Town.

Known as one of the best preserved examples of a 15th to 16th century South-East Asian trading port, Hoi An’s Ancient Town is quite impressive. You could spend days making your way through the many shops, restaurants, museums and assembly halls that make up the town.

Take a Vietnamese cooking class.

In my opinion, one of the best ways to immerse yourself in another culture is by making their food. Vietnamese food is so unique; there is such a rich and sometimes unexpected combination of delicious flavors in every dish. We booked this GetYourGuide cookingclass ($35 per person) and it did not disappoint. The class included a local market tour, a trip on the coconut basket boats and the making of four delicious dishes.

Enjoy the Ancient Town views from 92 Station Bar & Restaurant.

Snag a seat on the rooftop of 92 Station Bar & Restaurant to enjoy some of the best views of the city and surrounding landscapes. I’d recommend getting there just before sunset so that you’re able to get a taste of both the day and nighttime views, when the city twinkles from all of the lanterns.

Eat traditional Vietnamese food at local restaurants.

This one is a no brainer; you absolutely need to eat the local cuisine when visiting Hoi An. Hoi An especially known for banh mi sandwiches, quang noodles, cao lau and white rose dumplings, all of which you absolutely must try. A few of our favorite restaurants that we ate at while we were there Little Flower Restaurant, Cao lầu Không Gian Xanh, Mì Quảng Ông Hai – Mr. Hai Noodles and the Banh Mi Queen.

Visit the Assembly Halls and museums in the Ancient Town.

Tickets for the assembly halls and museums can be purchased at the tourist center near the Ancient Town entrance. The fee is 120,000 VND (~$5) and this gives you access to the Old Town as well as five sightseeing locations like the assembly halls, museums, etc. You’ll find all of the options conveniently listed on your entrance ticket. I recommend the Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall and the Chua Quan Am temple.

Take a day trip to Ba Na Hills for the views.

Ba Na Hills is a theme park and resort near the city of Da Nang. While the theme park aspect fell a bit short for us, the views from the cable car ride, Golden Bridge and park in general, made the trip worth it. Rather than booking a full day tour, I recommend traveling there on your own so that you can come and go as you please.

Try a traditional Banh Mi from the Banh Mi Queen.

A trip to Hoi An isn’t complete with a visit to Madam Khanh – The Banh Mi Queen. If you’re not familiar with banh mi, it’s a short baguette with a crisp crust that is split lengthwise and filled with savory ingredients like pork or chicken. Madam Kanh’s banh mi shop serves some of the most delicious banh mi around. Order the mixed option with everything on it; you won’t be disappointed.

Wander through the Hoi An Night Market.

Located at Nguyen Hoan Street, the night market is open everyday from 6-10pm. Here you’ll find endless stalls selling everything from street food to ‘designer’ bags and local souvenirs. It’s a bustling and colorful nighttime activity that I highly recommend taking part in. Keep in mind that it can get very crowded so just be mindful of your belongings as you wander through.

Get custom clothes made at one of the many tailor shops.

Hoi An is home to over 200 tailor shops, making it the ideal place to get something tailor made for you. As long as you have a few days to spare, you’ll have just enough time to get something made from scratch. In most shops you can either show them an example of a piece that you’re looking to have replicated or you can choose from their displayed designs. Pricing ranges depending on the location, but as you can imagine, it’s significantly cheaper than anything you’ll find in the US.

Spend an afternoon at An Bang Beach.

Just a 15 minute ride from the Hoi An Ancient Town, An Bang Beach offers a tranquil escape from the chaos of the Ancient Town. Here you’ll find a large stretch of sand, clean blue waters and in most areas, lounge chairs for rent. There are also a number of restaurants, bars and shops that line the main area so it’s a great place to spend a relaxing day in Hoi An. If you visit the area, head to YESH! Tribe for a delicious smoothie or smoothie bowl.

Take a moonlit ride on the lantern boats.

Every night you’ll find boats illuminated with colorful lanterns, making their way up and down the Thu Bon River. You can purchase your boat ticket from the designated stand by the river. You’ll usually easily be able to distinguish it as there will be a long line of people waiting. It will cost around $6 (~150,000VND) for two people. You can then purchase your paper lanterns from any one of the vendors selling them along the river. These should cost you only $1 or so for two. The line to board a boat moves relatively quickly and the ride itself will last around 20 minutes.

Walk through the Hoi An Central Market.

Nestled in the Ancient Town and right on the banks of the Thu Bon River, you’ll find the Central Market. Think of it as the local farmers market. You’ll find vendors selling everything from vegetables and fruits to spices, street food and much more. I could have wandered through here for hours, soaking up all of the different smells and marveling at the numerous displays of tropical fruits and vegetables.

Experience the coconut basket boats.

You’ve probably seen the infamous basket boat ride videos on Instagram or TikTok where people are being violently thrown from a spinning boat. While that can happen, it’s definitely not the norm and shouldn’t deter you from experiencing this activity. Just a short 15 minute ride from Hoi An’s Ancient Town is the Trang Coconut Village where you’re able to hop on a coconut boat ride through the river. The ride is overall pretty calm but there will be pockets of basket boats blasting music and spinning passengers. It’s a must when visiting Hoi An.

Walk along the Thu Bon River and stop at one of the restaurants for a drink.

Leading in and out of the Ancient Town you’ll find the Thu Bon River and lining its shores there are a number of restaurants and bars. You can opt for a livelier spot closer to the Ancient Town or something a bit quieter down the river, either way they’re a great place to relax and enjoy a drink. Our favorite spot was the Phan Gia Riverside Restaurant.

Get a massage.

There are a number of places in Hoi An to get a message for a fraction of the price that you would pay in the US. We used the massage facilities at our hotel, which were fantastic, and paid $20 for a 60-minute massage. Just don’t forget to also leave a tip!

If you liked this travel guide to visiting Hoi An, Vietnam, you can find more of my travel content here!

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