Hoi An was my favorite place of our month in Vietnam! Yep, this UNESCO World Heritage site is beautiful, unforgettable, and full of culture. And we can’t wait to return!
We spent four nights in Hoi An, and I’d best describe Hoi An as a charming, culturally-rich town with unique architecture and an X-factor atmosphere. What I mean by that is that Hoi An just feels special and magical! You’ll get it when you visit for yourself. Plus, it’s a visual treat!
Below, you’ll read more about our favorite things to do in Hoi An, the best hotels in Hoi An, and where to eat in Hoi An. I hope that my guide will make you want to add this popular town to your Vietnam bucket list.
Is it worth visiting Hoi An?
Yes – a million per cent is my answer!
Hoi An is a gem! This delightful town is like stepping into a postcard with its stunning ancient architecture and vibrant mix of cultures. The blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese influences creates a unique charm.
Walking through those lantern-lit streets feels like wandering in a dream, especially during the enchanting Lantern Festival (held once a month) when the whole town glows with color and warmth.
Getting to Hoi An:
Da Nang International Airport (which is only a 45-minute drive from Hoi An) welcomes flights from most major Asian cities – like Bangkok, Tokyo, Seoul, and Hong Kong. If you’re coming from the U.S., England, or elsewhere further afield, you will likely need to fly into Ho Chi Minh International Airport. And then get a connecting flight to Da Nang.
From Da Nang Airport, you can take a taxi or arrange a private transfer to Hoi An, which, as I said, typically takes about 45 minutes. Alternatively, you can catch a bus or a shuttle service that frequently runs between Da Nang and Hoi An. If you’re already in Vietnam, trains and buses from major cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City are also viable options. Though these journeys can be lengthy (you’re looking at around 15 hours from Hanoi).
Where to Stay in Hoi An:
We spent 4 nights at Hoi An Garden Villas a 3-star hotel on Nguyen Duy Hieu road. It features a lovely outdoor pool and clean and cool, and bright rooms. It is reasonably priced for Hoi An at $24 USD per night.
The ENSO Retreat Hoi An is fabulously rated, too (with an average guest rating of 9.8/10). With a lush garden, large outdoor pool, and free bike rental, it’s no wonder guests love it here. The rooms are airy and very Asian in design, which we loved. Expect to pay around $53 USD a night here.
Best Things to Do With 3 Days in Hoi An
1. Get some clothes made
If you want to get some clothes made, make sure you add Hoi An to your Vietnam itinerary. Some of the best tailors in the world line the streets of this small town. We got lots of beautiful things (including 3 suits for my husband and some dresses for me) for a very reasonable price. All of which were made of top-notch quality.
Here’s a comprehensive list of the best tailors in Hoi An.
2. Hire a bike and explore the surrounding countryside
We hired a bike for the day from our hotel and spent a full day cycling in the surrounding area. And we cycled through rice paddies filled with water buffalo and down narrow, dust-covered local roads. We even stopped for lunch at a little cookery school, and finally we rode down to An Bang Beach!
We rented our bikes through our hotel, but there are lots of places to rent bikes from on the outskirts of the Ancient Town.
✅ Top Travel Tip: Most of the historic sites in Hoi An work on a coupon system. This means 120,000 VND (or $5 USD) gets you a ticket that can be used to enter five attractions. One museum, one old house, one assembly hall, the handicraft workshop, and either the Japanese Covered Bridge or the Quan Cong Temple. These tickets are sold at various ticket stalls around town. Look out for the yellow-painted wooden huts to buy your tickets.
3. See the Japanese Covered Bridge
This pedestrian-only bridge was built in the early 17th century by the Japanese community living in Hoi An at the time. This iconic bridge features a unique blend of Japanese, Vietnamese, and Chinese influences, evident in its ornate woodwork and intricate carvings. And it’s adorned with sculptures of monkeys and dogs, symbolizing the Chinese years in which construction began and ended.
I will say, though, that walking over the bridge can be quite crowded. And it’s covered by a roof. So it’s quite dark and thus can be hard to see the intricate carvings well.
4. Visit Quan Cong Temple
This small temple is dedicated to the legendary Chinese general, Quan Cong. Who is renowned for his loyalty and integrity and is adored by the locals. It was built in 1653, and is a stunning example of traditional Vietnamese architecture with its intricate wood carvings, vibrant altars, and peaceful courtyard.
5. Check out the Ba Mu Temple
Another temple worth visiting is the Ba Mu Temple, or ‘Three Mothers Temple’, which was built to honor the three mothers who are believed to be powerful deities in Vietnamese folk religion. It was built in the 17th century, and over the centuries, the temple has undergone several restorations to preserve its enchanting beauty.
6. Try to visit for the Hoi An Lantern Festival
On the 14th of every month, the Hoi An Lantern Festival takes place, and it’s so worth being here for this date if you can.
This celebration coincides with the full moon, and on this night every month, Hoi An is transformed into a vibrant tapestry of color and light. The town’s charming streets are illuminated by thousands of colorful lanterns. And most electric lights are turned off, enhancing the glow of lanterns and candles that line the streets and the lanterns that float along the Thu Bon River.
7. Go for a spin (literally) in a coconut basket boat
Fancy being spun around in a circular boat?
These round boats are unique to coastal Vietnam, and they’ve been around for centuries – their design (made of handwoven bamboo and coated in a type of resin) enables local fishermen to navigate the rivers and sea easily and thus fish better. But recently they’ve been turned into a tourist attraction – you can now take a ride in one of these boats, get spun around really fast while listening to Gangnam-style music.
Sounds unusual, right? But honestly, this is one of the most popular things to do in Hoi An, and it’s a bunch of fun! The boat ride takes place in the Bay Mau Coconut Forest (hence the name ‘coconut boats’), which is around 5 km from Hoi An.
The tour costs just $4 USD per person.
8. Swim at An Bang Beach
Around a 15-minute drive from Hoi An (or an hour’s bike ride – that’s how we got here) is this popular beach. It’s quite a wide beach, so there’s plenty of space to spread out. And it boasts clear blue water. There are also sunbeds and umbrellas that you can rent for a small fee. As well as that, there are several restaurants lining the beach and along the road that leads up to it.
9. Eat a Banh Mi
Have you ever heard of a Banh Mi? Well, let me tell you all about this delicious Vietnamese sandwich! It’s made with a crispy, airy baguette (this part is essential) and filled with a meat (typically pork) and fresh herbs, pickled vegetables, and other condiments. It’s the perfect fusion of French and Vietnamese cuisine.
And you can try the best Banh Mi in the world right here in Hoi An!
Yep, the ‘Banh Mi Queen‘ is located in Hoi An – a little old lady who makes the best Vietnamese rolls in the world for a few dollars. Her restaurant, called Madam Khanh, is located at 115 Trần Cao Vân, and yes, I’d say that this small and unassuming stall/ small restaurant is the best place to eat in Hoi An.
And would you believe the Banh Mi Queen has been serving up Banh Mi for over 50 years?
10. Take a cooking class
I don’t know about you, but I just love Vietnamese food. It’s so fresh and packed with flavor. So, why not learn some cooking skills and recreate your favorite Vietnamese dishes at home, thanks to a cooking class with a local?
This hands-on cooking class with a local is highly rated and takes place in a family home in the Coconut village of Cam Thanh (where the coconut boat tours leave from). You’ll learn how to cook four local dishes and then get to enjoy the fruits of your labour. Prices are around $22 USD for this.
11. Wander through Hoi An Ancient Town after dark
My favorite time of day to wander through Hoi An Ancient Town was after dark, as the streets are lit up with colorful lanterns and there’s just an overall happy vibe. It can be busy, though; the other tourists had the same idea as us, I guess.
12. Go shopping at the Hoi An Night Market
Every evening (between 6 and around 10 pm) along Nguyen Hoang Street in the center of town, you’ll come across the Hoi An Night Market. Which is home to around 50 stalls all selling a variety of different things – from faux-designer bags to souvenirs and even some awesome street food.
Our favorite restaurants in Hoi An:
One must-visit restaurant here is Morning Glory, where you can try traditional Vietnamese dishes crafted with fresh, local ingredients, all served in a beautiful, historic restaurant.
If you’re in the mood for a fusion of flavors, visit Mango Mango, where the menu blends Vietnamese and international culinary influences. All of which can enjoyed with a stunning view of the Thu Bon River.
Other restaurants in Hoi An that we give our seal of approval include Home and Little Flower.
And of course, you can’t forget our top recommendation for food in Hoi An – the Banh Mi Queen, aka Madam Khanh Restaurant!
More Hoi An Travel Tips:
How many days do I need in Hoi An?
We recommend spending between 3 – 5 days in Hoi An.
We had 5 days here, and honestly, it was the perfect amount of time for us as it meant we got to tick off all the main sights in the Ancient Town and do some really fun tours (like the cooking class and the coconut boat tours). And we were also able to spend a relaxing day on An Bang Beach. We wouldn’t have been able to do as much as we did if we had less time here.
Best month to visit Hoi An:
Between February and April is the perfect time to visit Hoi An. The weather during this time is usually warm and dry, perfect for wandering the town’s historic streets, soaking in the lively lantern festival, and enjoying chill bike rides through the countryside. The humidity isn’t too bad, and the temperatures are just right (hovering around 27°C / 79 Fahrenheit).
Plus, going during these months means you dodge the heavy rains from around June and the scorching heat of mid-summer, making for a much nicer and more memorable trip.
We visited in March, and we can’t fault visiting here then.
Best travel insurance for Vietnam:
Travel insurance provides coverage for a range of situations, including flight delays, canceled flights, injuries, illnesses, etc. Depending on your policy, you could be reimbursed for hospital stays, meals, hotel stays, transportation, or even the entire cost of your trip.
This is how we find the best travel insurance for our trip, it helps us find the best travel insurance for our trip. On their site, you can compare the plans side by side so you can get the best insurance for your particular trip! As I always say, no trip is the same so your travel insurance shouldn’t be either!
Thanks for Reading!
I hope you enjoyed my guide to the best things to do in Hoi An, Vietnam. As you can see, we had a blast here, and I’d say that, while here, you can’t miss wandering the Ancient Town at night, a coconut boat tour, and the Banh Mi Queen!
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Last Updated on December 11, 2025 by snaphappytravel