Hoi An

Hoi An Travel Guide

A UNESCO World Heritage ancient town of yellow walls and glowing lanterns - Vietnam's most romantic destination. Thousands of lanterns swaying along the Thu Bon River, the exotic streets mixing the Japanese Bridge and Chinese assembly halls, and affordable tailor shops for custom suits and ao dai define Hoi An's charm. Cycling through rice paddies to An Bang Beach is a popular leisurely route. Highly recommended for slow travelers and photography lovers.

Essential Hoi An Travel Info

Must-Visit Places in Hoi An

★ 4.8

Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An Ancient Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has remarkably preserved its 15th-19th century identity as an international Southeast Asian trading port. The Japanese Bridge, Chinese assembly halls, and French colonial buildings mingle in a uniquely charming streetscape, and at night thousands of lanterns create a magical atmosphere. Numerous tailor shops also offer affordable custom-made ao dai and other clothing. Sightseeing ticket VND 120,000 (covers 5 sites). Purchase at the Ancient Town entrance.

Hours08:00-21:00 (sightseeing ticket required; the streets themselves are open 24 hours)

LocationHoi An, Quang Nam

TipsTiming your visit with the Lantern Festival (Full Moon Festival) on the 14th of each lunar month makes for an even more beautiful experience. Rent a bicycle to explore the old town.

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★ 4.5

An Bang Beach

An Bang Beach is a beautiful white-sand beach about a 15-minute bike ride from Hoi An's old town. Quieter than beaches in Nha Trang or Da Nang, it is popular with travelers looking for a relaxed escape. Stylish cafes and restaurants line the beach for seaside meals with ocean views, and surf lessons are available during the surf season (September-March). Free admission. About 15 minutes by bicycle from the old town.

HoursOpen 24 hours

LocationHoi An, Quang Nam

TipsThe easiest way is to rent a bike in the old town. Catch the sunset from a beachside restaurant.

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★ 4.7

Vietnamese Cooking Class

Hoi An cooking classes start with a trip to a local market to buy fresh ingredients, then proceed to a professional-led session making Vietnamese dishes such as banh mi, cao lau, and spring rolls. Most classes run in the morning: market tour (about 1 hour) then cooking (about 2 hours) then lunch with your creations. Classes often take place in gardens along the Thu Bon River or in rural villages, adding to the atmosphere. About VND 500,000-800,000 per person. Bookable at many cooking schools in the Ancient Town.

HoursMorning class 08:00-13:00; afternoon class 14:00-17:00 (varies by school)

LocationHoi An, Quang Nam

TipsRed Bridge Cooking School and Morning Glory are the most popular. Book online in advance to secure a spot.

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★ 4.5

Japanese Covered Bridge (Chua Cau)

Built in 1593 by the Japanese merchant community in Hoi An to connect the Japanese and Chinese quarters, the Japanese Covered Bridge (Chua Cau) is an 18 m wooden bridge with a tiled roof — the single most iconic landmark of Hoi An's Ancient Town. In 1719, Nguyen Lord inscribed it with the name 'Lai Vien Kieu' ('Bridge of Friends from Afar'), and a small shrine in its center honors a northern Vietnamese deity. At each end stand stone monkey and dog statues from 1604, reflecting Japanese mythological traditions. The bridge appears on the back of Vietnam's VND 20,000 banknote, underscoring its symbolic status. Entry covered by the Hoi An sightseeing ticket (VND 120,000). Heart of the Ancient Town.

Hours24 hours (crossing during ticket hours, typically 09:00-22:00)

LocationHoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam

TipsCrossing the bridge itself requires the Hoi An ticket, but photographing it from outside is free. Sunset/blue hour just after the lanterns light up (18:30-19:30) is the most magical time.

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★ 4.7

Thu Bon River Boat & Lantern Release

Hoi An's most romantic experience is hopping on a small wooden rowboat (sampan) on the Thu Bon River just after sunset. Over a 20-30 minute ride, you'll glide between the yellow colonial buildings reflected in the water with thousands of lanterns aglow. Following Hoi An tradition, you'll set tiny paper lanterns (hoa dang, VND 10,000-20,000 each) carrying wishes adrift on the river. On the full moon (14th day of each lunar month), the entire city shuts off its electric lights — only lanterns illuminate the streets, creating an unforgettable scene. Boat ride about VND 100,000-150,000; floating lanterns VND 10,000 each. Boats depart from anywhere along Bach Dang Street on the river.

HoursBoat rides 18:00-22:30; lanterns lit every evening

LocationBach Dang Street, Hoi An

TipsVisiting on the full moon (14th lunar day) is the most magical but extremely crowded. Lanterns are lit every evening 18:00-22:00, so it's gorgeous even without the full moon.

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★ 4.5

My Son Sanctuary

About 1 hour by car from Hoi An, My Son Sanctuary is a complex of 4th-14th century Hindu temples built by the Champa Kingdom and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. Around 70 red-brick towers dot the jungle, dedicated to Shiva and other Hindu deities — it was a religious heart of the Champa civilization. Together with Cambodia's Angkor Wat and Indonesia's Borobudur, it's considered one of Southeast Asia's three major Hindu/Buddhist ruin sites. Some buildings were destroyed by US bombing during the Vietnam War, but the intricate sandstone carvings and mystical jungle setting of the remaining ruins are still awe-inspiring. Traditional Champa Apsara dance performances run twice daily (09:30, 10:30). Admission VND 150,000 (foreigners). Usually visited via a half-day guided tour.

HoursDaily 06:00-17:00

LocationDuy Phu, Quang Nam

TipsEarly morning tours (06:00-07:00 departure) avoid the heat and crowds. Mosquito repellent and comfortable shoes are essential for the jungle terrain. Plan around the Champa dance shows (09:30 or 10:30).

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★ 4.6

Tailor Shops (Custom Suits & Ao Dai)

Hoi An is Vietnam's most famous custom-tailoring city, with about 600 tailor shops crammed into the Ancient Town alone. As a 16th-17th century trading port, Hoi An inherited textile traditions from Chinese, Japanese, and Indian merchants, and today it specializes in fast, affordable custom suits, dresses, shirts, coats, and the Vietnamese traditional ao dai. Most orders are completed within 24-48 hours of your initial measurements, with 1-2 fitting sessions to perfect the cut. A full suit runs about VND 1,500,000-5,000,000 (KRW 80,000-280,000), ao dai VND 800,000-1,500,000, and shirts VND 400,000-700,000. Highly rated shops include Yaly Couture, Miss Forever, and Tho Best. Booking in advance and bringing reference photos is recommended.

HoursTypically 08:00-21:00 (varies by shop)

LocationHoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam

TipsBest schedule: measurements day 1, first fitting day 2, pickup day 2-3. Bring reference photos and fabric ideas to save time. Light bargaining is possible, but very cheap shops often mean lower quality.

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Things to Do in Hoi An

Culture

Hoi An Lantern Making

Learn the art of traditional lantern-making from Hoi An artisans. Cover a bamboo frame with silk to create your own lantern and take it home as a souvenir.

Price VND 150,000-250,000Duration About 1-1.5 hours

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Adventure

Basket Boat Experience

Ride traditional bamboo basket boats (thung chai) in Cam Thanh village. Paddle through palm-lined waterways and watch local fishermen demonstrate net casting.

Price VND 100,000-200,000Duration About 1-1.5 hours

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Culture

Hoi An Cooking Class

Shop at a local market for fresh ingredients, then learn to cook Vietnamese dishes like banh mi, cao lau, and spring rolls under a chef guidance. Includes market tour, cooking, and lunch.

Price VND 500,000-800,000Duration About 4-5 hours

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Culture

Thu Bon Sunset Boat & Lantern Release

The most romantic Hoi An experience — float small paper lanterns (hoa dang) on the Thu Bon River from a rowboat just after sunset. Drift 20-30 minutes between yellow colonial buildings and thousands of glowing lanterns reflected on the water.

Price Boat VND 100,000-150,000; lanterns VND 10,000 eachDuration About 30-40 minutes

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Adventure

Hoi An Countryside Bike Tour

Rent a bicycle in the old town (VND 30,000-50,000/day) or join a guided tour to cycle through An Bang Beach, Cam Kim Island, and Tra Que Vegetable Village. Guided tours include English commentary, lunch, and bike for about VND 500,000-900,000.

Price Bike rental VND 30,000-50,000/day; guided tour VND 500,000-900,000Duration Half-day 4-5 hours (free riding 1-3 hours)

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Shopping

Custom Suit & Ao Dai Tailoring

Get a custom suit, dress, shirt, or ao dai made at one of Hoi An's 600+ tailor shops in 24-48 hours. Typical schedule: measurements day 1, fitting day 2, pickup day 3. Yaly Couture and Miss Forever are top-rated.

Price Suit VND 1,500,000-5,000,000; ao dai VND 800,000-1,500,000Duration 24-48 hours (2-3 fittings)

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Must-Try Food in Hoi An

Cao Lau

🍱 Traditional

A Hoi An exclusive of thick rice noodles served with pork and fresh vegetables. About VND 25,000-40,000 per bowl. Local restaurants on Tran Phu Street in the old town are recommended.

White Rose (Banh Bao Banh Vac)

🍱 Traditional

White Rose: shrimp-filled rice-flour dumplings shaped like roses, unique to Hoi An. About VND 20,000-35,000 per plate. The White Rose Restaurant in the old town is the original.

Banh Mi Hoi An

🍢 Street Food

Hoi An-style baguette sandwich featuring fresh herbs and charcoal-grilled pork. About VND 15,000-25,000 each. Banh Mi Phuong is the most famous.

Com Ga Hoi An (Chicken Rice)

🍱 Traditional

Turmeric-yellow rice topped with shredded chicken, onion, mint, and lime — a Hoi An specialty. About VND 40,000-60,000 per serving. Com Ga Ba Buoi is the famous original.

Mi Quang

🍱 Traditional

Yellow turmeric rice noodles topped with shrimp, pork, quail egg, and crispy rice cracker — a Quang Nam regional specialty. About VND 30,000-50,000 per bowl. Mi Quang Phu Chi in the old town is a great spot.

Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Crispy Pancake)

🍢 Street Food

Crispy turmeric rice-flour pancake filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts, wrapped in rice paper with fresh herbs. About VND 50,000-80,000 per plate. Try it at Hoi An Market food court.

Che Hoi An (Sweet Dessert Soup)

🍰 Dessert

A refreshing Vietnamese dessert of red beans, mung beans, tapioca, and coconut milk over ice — perfect at Hoi An Market stalls for cooling off. About VND 15,000-25,000 per bowl.

Hoi An Travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Hoi An?

The dry season (February-July) is ideal. September-December is the rainy season and flooding can occur.

How much does it cost to travel in Hoi An?

Daily budget approx. $20-55 (lodging $15-30, food $7-15, bicycle and sightseeing $4-7)

How do I get around in Hoi An?

About 40 minutes by taxi from Da Nang International Airport. Inside Hoi An, rented bicycles are the best way to get around. SIM cards available at Da Nang Airport (about VND 100,000-200,000/week). Cash is the main payment method; some restaurants accept cards. Tipping is optional.

Do I need a visa to visit Hoi An?

Korean passport holders may enter visa-free for up to 45 days.

Is Hoi An safe for tourists?

A very safe and peaceful town, but watch for traffic when riding a bicycle.

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