Explore Hoi An Ancient Town

While I haven’t numbered this list of things to do in Hoi An, this is the number one experience. Hoi An Ancient Town is full of rich history and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many travellers also refer to it as Hoi An Old Town, and I tend to use the two names interchangeably.  

The Ancient Town is mostly pedestrianised, making it easy to wander through the narrow streets lined with yellow-coloured French colonial buildings, historic shopfronts and temples. Along the way you’ll come across tailor shops, souvenir shops, cafes and a variety of local crafts.  

You should plan to visit during the day and again in the evening, when the town truly comes alive, glowing with colourful lanterns and a lively atmosphere.

You’ll notice that tickets are sold at kiosks for entry to the Ancient Town, which includes access to several historic houses, temples and museums. On some of my visits I’ve been asked to show a ticket, while on others I wasn’t. I think it often depends on where and what time you enter, but if you’re planning on visiting the heritage buildings, it’s worth purchasing one.

Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge 

The Japanese Covered Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks within the Old Town. It’s an ornate wooden bridge crossing a canal with a small temple at one end, adding to its cultural significance. 

Dating back to the 16th century, the bridge was originally built by Japanese merchants. In recent years, it has been carefully restored to ensure it can continue to be appreciated and preserved for generations to come.

Wander Hoi An Night Market

The Hoi An Night Market is located just over the bridge from the Ancient Town and comes to life every evening from around 5.00pm until late. There are glowing lanterns, music and a lively atmosphere as people browse the stalls. 

You’ll find rows of stalls set up lining the streets selling souvenirs, handmade crafts, colourful lanterns and street food. The food stands are cooking up skewered meats, making fresh juices and selling sweet treats. You’ll have plenty of options if you’re wanting a snack while you wander.

Get Tailor-Made Clothing

Hoi An is a well-known destination for having clothes custom tailor-made. You can visit one of the many tailor shops to have high-quality clothing made exactly to your specifications, often within around 48 hours. You can bring your own photos for inspiration, flip through books and samples in store, and choose from a wide range of fabrics to create something that suits your style. 

My favourite tailor shop is Milan Linen Clothings & Custom Tailoring. What I love about this store is that they stock high quality linen fabrics and have a range of clothing samples hanging up in the shop. While the idea of having something designed exactly how you want is exciting, it can also feel a little overwhelming trying to decide. Being able to browse the samples made it much easier, and I could then make a few customised changes to suit my preferences. 

The tailor will take all your measurements, help you choose fabrics, and then let you know when you should return to the store for a fitting, usually around 24 hours later. At the fitting, you’ll try everything on (carefully, as there may still be pins in place) while they check the fit and make any final adjustments. Once you’re happy with how everything looks, they’ll let you know when to come back to collect the finished pieces.  

I had two dresses and a pair of shorts made here back in 2022, and they’re still in regular rotation in my wardrobe. They’ve held up well in the wash and continue to fit beautifully. 

Take a Cooking Class

Take a cooking class and learn how to make traditional Vietnamese food while you’re in Hoi An. It’s a hands-on experience that gives you a deeper appreciation for the fresh ingredients and flavours used in local dishes. 

In most classes, you’ll be guided step-by-step through preparing classics like spring rolls, Hoi An pancake (banh xeo) and green papaya salad. 

The best part of taking a cooking class isn’t just the fun of learning and preparing new dishes, but that you get to sit down afterwards and enjoy the food that you’ve made.

I’ve listed some of the local cooking classes below:

Try a Basket Boat Ride

Head to Cam Thanh Coconut Forest where you can take a ride on a traditional basket boat. These small circular boats are woven with strips of bamboo and were originally used by local fishermen. They are now also a popular tourist activity in Central Vietnam.  

The ride takes you through a network of small canals lined with coconut trees. Before hopping into the boat, I was given a traditional leaf hat to wear, which certainly added to the experience and made for a fun photo opportunity. 

You can pre-book your Coconut Forest Basket Boat Ride Experience in Hoi An, and arrange your own transport. Alternatively, you can choose a tour which includes hotel pick-up and drop-off as well as a local snack: Coconut Forest Tour by Bicycle and Basket Boat in Hoi An.

Join a Street Food Tour  

Joining a food tour is an interesting and fun way to sample a variety of Vietnamese dishes while learning more about their history and local culture. It’s also a great way to discover authentic restaurants and hidden spots that you might not have found on your own.  

You can look forward to trying traditional favourites such as banh mi, cao lau (Hoi An noodles), spring rolls or even Vietnamese coffee.

Recommended Street Food Tours in Hoi An

Make a Lantern (Lantern Making Class)

After spending time walking around the Ancient Town, I think you’ll agree that a lantern is the perfect souvenir to remind you of your trip to Hoi An and what’s better than hand-making your own at a lantern making class?

You’ll be provided with all the materials you need and given as much guidance and help required to create your very own lantern. Trust me, assembling the bamboo frame is not as easy as it looks! You’ll even get to choose your own silk fabric. I went with a pretty pink lantern.  

This is a fun activity and a lovely way to bring home a meaningful souvenir from your trip.

Stop by Ba Mu Temple Gate

Make a quick photo stop at Ba Mu Temple Gate, a beautiful historic attraction in the Ancient Town. 

What was once a larger temple complex now only has the well-preserved gate remaining. 
A pond sits directly in front of it, giving the courtyard a peaceful feel and creating lovely reflection photos with the gate mirrored in the water.

I’d suggest stopping by both during the day and again at night if time permits, as it’s also very beautiful when lit up and glowing after dark.

Relax with a Massage

One of my favourite things to do in any city in Vietnam is relax with a massage. There are so many spas to choose from and the massages are very affordable. 

You can even take it a step further and add extra treatments to your massage for full relaxation, such as a hair wash, facial or body scrub.

Cycle Around Hoi An

One of the best ways to see Hoi An is by bicycle. The roads are much less busy than in other cities, and you don’t have to cycle far to find yourself out in the countryside.

Most hotels hire out bikes free of charge. If you’re not feeling confident exploring on your own, you can also join a guided bike tour. 

It’s a peaceful way to slow down and see a different side of Hoi An beyond the lantern-lined streets.

Recommended Bike Tours in Hoi An

Spend Time at An Bang Beach

Head to An Bang Beach for an afternoon relaxing by the water. There are plenty of loungers and umbrellas available to rent along the beachfront, making it easy to settle in for a few hours. If you’re looking for a beach bar, you could visit Shore Club or The Deckhouse for drinks and food with an ocean view. 

The beach has a laid-back atmosphere and feels like a nice contrast to the busy streets of the Ancient Town. It’s a great place to cool off after a day of sightseeing. 

The best way to reach An Bang Beach from Hoi An Ancient Town is by bicycle or taking a Grab.

Day Trip to Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge 

Ba Na Hills is a large theme park located in the Truong Son Mountains, around 50 kilometres from Hoi An. As it’s located high in the mountains, your visit begins with a ride up in a cable car. It’s an over 5 kilometre journey that takes roughly 20 minutes and is one of the longest cable car routes in the world. 

Once at the top, there’s a huge amount to explore. If I’m honest, I don’t think I managed to see even half of it, as it’s spread out across multiple zones. You’ll find a French themed village complete with European style architecture and cobblestone streets, an indoor amusement park filled with games and rides, and plenty of restaurants and cafes if you’re looking for something to eat.

One of the main highlights is the Golden Bridge, famous for its large hand sculptures appearing to reach and hold it up, you’ve likely seen the photos online. You can only see the Golden Bridge as part of a visit to Ba Na Hills as you need to take the cable car up to reach it. If you’re only interested in seeing the bridge, you’ll still need to purchase an entrance ticket for the park. 

To reach Ba Na Hills, you can take a Grab or book the bus. You can pre-purchase your tickets to save time when you arrive.

There’s also the option to book a guided tour, which I’d recommend if you want to see as much of the park as possible. I managed to miss seeing half of it by navigating on my own, and a tour saves the hassle of organising transport.

Is it worth visiting Ba Na Hills?

When I visited Ba Na Hills, I met up with a work colleague and her family who happened to be in Vietnam at the same time. As a solo traveller, I don’t think it would have made it onto my itinerary otherwise. I was interested in seeing the Golden Bridge but probably wouldn’t have made the trip there for that alone. 

That said, I did really enjoy my time at Ba Na Hills because there was so much to explore and it was a bit of fun going on the amusement rides. 

If you have limited time in Hoi An, I’d personally skip Ba Na Hills and prioritise the other attractions in the city. However, if you have a full day to spare or you’re travelling with family, this is a fun and unique experience to add to your itinerary.

Day Trip to Da Nang

Da Nang perfectly combines city life, beaches, nature and cultural attractions, making it well worth a day trip from Hoi An. 

Start your visit at the Marble Mountains, where you can climb to scenic viewpoints and explore caves and pagodas. Afterwards, head to My Khe Beach to relax and cool down by the water, and enjoy lunch at one of the nearby restaurants. If you’re looking for suggestions on where to eat, you can check out my guide to the Best Restaurants in Da Nang. 

In the evening, visit Son Tra Night Market for street food and souvenirs before walking over to the Han River to see the iconic Dragon Bridge. If you’re visiting on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, the dragon breathes fire at 9.00pm.

Da Nang is around 30 – 45 minutes from Hoi An and is easily reached by Grab. If you haven’t used Grab before, it works just like Uber and is one of the most affordable and comfortable ways to travel in Vietnam. 

For more detailed recommendations, you can read my full guide on Things To Do in Da Nang.

Travel Tips for Visiting Hoi An

Use Grab for getting around

If you’re travelling outside the Hoi An Ancient Town to An Bang Beach or nearby cities like Da Nang, Grab is an easy and comfortable way to travel. It works just like Uber and is the most popular ridesharing app in Vietnam. 

Always check that the driver’s license plate matches the one shown in your app. Many drivers will approach you while you’re waiting and it can be easy to get confused.

Get an eSIM 

On my first visit to Vietnam, I bought a tourist sim card that quickly ran out of data, and I found myself wandering around facing language barriers while trying to top it up. I’m completely lost without data on my phone, as I rely on it for maps, Grab and Google Translate when travelling. 

On my most recent trip, I used an Airalo eSIM instead. I set it up before leaving Australia, which meant I was connected as soon as I landed. The eSIM ran on the Viettel network, the largest in Vietnam, and had a reliable connection everywhere I went, including getting between Hoi An and Da Nang.

Allow Enough Time for Tailoring

If you’re planning to have clothes made, ensure you allow at least 2–3 days in Hoi An for fittings, adjustments and time to collect them once they’re finished.

Carry cash

While some restaurants and cafes accept cards, many street food stalls and markets in Hoi An are cash only, and it’s also helpful to have smaller notes. 

How to Get to Hoi An

Hoi An doesn’t have its own airport or train station, so the easiest way to reach it is via Da Nang, which is around 30–45 minutes away.

From Da Nang Airport

If you’re flying into Da Nang International Airport, the simplest option is to pre-book a private airport transfer directly to your accommodation in Hoi An. This is especially convenient if you’re arriving late at night or travelling with luggage. 

You can also use Grab (Vietnam’s version of Uber), which is affordable and easy to arrange once you land.

From Da Nang City

If you’re already staying in Da Nang, you can take a Grab car to Hoi An. The journey takes around 30–45 minutes depending on traffic.

From Other Cities in Vietnam

If you’re coming from other cities such as Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, you can also travel by overnight train or bus to Da Nang before making the journey to Hoi An.

Where to Stay in Hoi An

While many of the Hoi An attractions are in the Old Town, I’d suggest staying just outside of it. At the end of a busy day exploring, I think it’s nice to retreat from the crowds and busy streets.

All of the options I’ve listed below are walking distance or a short bike ride into the Ancient Town.

Fuse Old Town Hoi An

While I haven’t personally stayed here, Fuse Old Town would be my top choice for a hostel stay in Hoi An. It’s located just a couple of blocks north of the Old Town, with plenty of great restaurants and cafes nearby. 

It looks like a really social hostel with events and activities, which is something I always look for when travelling solo. It’s a great way to meet other travellers. 

Facilities include an indoor pool, bar and on-site restaurant, and with consistently strong reviews, it’s an easy choice for a budget-friendly stay. 

If you’re travelling solo or looking for a social atmosphere close to the Old Town, this is a great option to consider.

The Saga Hotel Hoi An

I stayed at The Saga Hotel on my most recent trip to Hoi An, as I was looking to stay in a mid-range hotel with an outdoor pool, sun loungers, a gym and easy access to the Old Town. 

After staying here for 6 nights, I’d settled into a routine of using the well equipped gym in the morning, enjoying the generous buffet breakfast and then spending a few hours reading by the pool once I’d finished sightseeing. 

My room was beautifully decorated, featured a deep bath and included a complimentary mini fridge topped up daily with soft drinks and snacks. My only criticism was the lack of water pressure in the shower, so I preferred to relax in the bath instead. 

The hotel is around a 30 minute walk into the Old Town. I enjoy walking, so this didn’t bother me, but the hotel did run a shuttle service to both the Old Town and An Bang Beach. 

If you’re looking for a comfortable mid-range stay with good facilities in a quieter location, The Saga Hotel is a solid choice.

Bel Marina Hoi An Resort

If you’re looking for a luxury resort stay in Hoi An, I’d recommend the Bel Marina Hoi An Resort. I stayed here a few years ago and was lucky to be upgraded to a Villa after booking a premium suite with river view. 

The resort is in a quieter location on a small island across from the Old Town. You can reach the Ancient Town in around 10 minutes on foot, which is lovely in the evening when walking back through the night market. Complimentary bicycles are also available, making it easy to explore a little further out. 

The villa was spacious and beautifully decorated, with its own plunge pool in addition to the other large pools at the resort. 

If having space, privacy and resort-style facilities is important to you, Bel Marina offers a relaxing base in Hoi An.