Hoi An
Key Facts
Best Time to Visit
February to August (dry season). September-January brings heavy rain and occasional flooding in old town. Full moon in any month is magical (lantern festival)
Language
Vietnamese, English widely spoken in tourist areas
Currency
Vietnamese Dong (VND)
Time Zone
ICT (UTC+7)
Airport
Da Nang International Airport (DAD), 30km north — no airport in Hoi An itself
Population
152,000 (city), old town is a compact walking area
Climate
Tropical, avg 25-35°C, dry February-August, wet September-January with potential flooding
Safety Rating
Very Safe (one of Vietnam's safest and most tourist-friendly towns)
Top Highlights
Hoi An Ancient Town (UNESCO)
A beautifully preserved 15th-century trading port with Japanese, Chinese, and European architectural influences. Buy an Old Town ticket (120,000 VND / ~$5) which grants entry to 5 of 22 heritage sites including the Japanese Covered Bridge, assembly halls, and merchant houses. The old town is car-free after 3PM. Visit at dusk when thousands of silk lanterns illuminate the streets and the Thu Bon River reflects their glow.
Japanese Covered Bridge (Cau Chua Pagoda)
Hoi An's iconic 18th-century covered bridge connecting the Japanese and Chinese quarters, adorned with monkey and dog statues (construction began in the Year of the Monkey, ended in the Year of the Dog). Included in the Old Town ticket (120,000 VND). Open 7AM-9PM. Best photographed at night when lit up in amber. The small temple inside is dedicated to the Taoist god of weather. Allow 15-20 minutes.
Custom Tailoring
Hoi An has 400+ tailor shops that can create custom suits, dresses, coats, and shoes in 24-48 hours. A bespoke men's suit costs $80-200 USD (mainland prices would be $500+). Reputable tailors: Yaly Couture, BeBe, A Dong Silk. Get fitted on day 1, first fitting day 2, final piece day 3. Bring photos of exactly what you want. Two fittings minimum for best results. Shipping overseas available but adds cost.
Banh Mi Phuong (The Banh Mi Queen)
Dubbed the best banh mi in the world by Anthony Bourdain, this tiny shop at 2B Phan Chau Trinh serves the iconic Vietnamese baguette sandwich stuffed with pate, grilled pork, herbs, chili, and pickled vegetables. Price: 30,000 VND (~$1.20). Open 6:30AM-9:30PM. Queue can be 15-30 minutes during peak hours (11AM-1PM). The special combo banh mi with everything is the move. Cash only.
Cooking Classes
Hoi An's cooking classes are among the best in Southeast Asia. Morning classes typically start with a market tour (Hoi An Central Market at 6AM for the freshest experience), followed by 3-4 hours of hands-on cooking. Classes cost 600,000-900,000 VND ($24-36) and include 4-5 dishes: cao lau, white rose dumplings, fresh spring rolls, and more. Top-rated: Red Bridge, Thuan Tinh Island, Morning Glory. Book a day ahead.
An Bang Beach
A wide, uncrowded beach 4km east of the old town with beach bars, sun loungers (50,000 VND), and excellent seafood restaurants. Less developed than Da Nang's beaches. Cycle there in 15 minutes on the flat, scenic road (bike rental: 30,000 VND/day from your hotel). The beach bars serve cocktails for 60,000-100,000 VND. Swimming is good February-September — watch for currents during monsoon months. Soul Kitchen and Shore Club are popular sundowner spots.
Full Moon Lantern Festival
On the 14th day of each lunar month, the old town switches off electric lights and illuminates with silk lanterns and candles. Thousands of paper lanterns float down the Thu Bon River (buy one for 10,000-20,000 VND and make a wish). Traditional music, dragon dances, and street performances fill the streets. The old town is pedestrian-only. Best viewed from a river boat (50,000-100,000 VND for a short ride). Arrive by 5PM for a good vantage point.
Planned Itinerary
7-Day Hoi An Itinerary
Arrival & Old Town at Dusk
Fly into Da Nang (DAD), transfer 30km south to Hoi An, and experience the lantern-lit old town as evening falls.
Da Nang to Hoi An transfer(45 minutes)
Grab car 200,000-300,000 VND or private car 350,000-400,000 VND. Local bus #1 is 30,000 VND but takes 1.5 hours
Check in(1 hour)
Stay in the old town or nearby. Rooms with pool 300,000-800,000 VND ($12-32)
Evening walk through the Ancient Town(2 hours)
Buy an Old Town ticket (120,000 VND, valid 24 hours, 5 heritage entries). The car-free streets after 3PM are magical — thousands of silk lanterns illuminate the streets and reflect in the Thu Bon River. Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge (included in ticket)
Dinner at Morning Glory(1 hour)
Famous restaurant serving Hoi An's trio: cao lau (pork noodles found only here), white rose dumplings, and banh mi. Mains 60,000-120,000 VND. Book ahead
Tailoring, Market & Cooking Class
Get fitted for custom tailoring, browse the market, and learn Vietnamese cooking.
First tailor fitting(1.5 hours)
Visit Yaly Couture, BeBe, or A Dong Silk. Bring photos of exactly what you want. A bespoke suit costs $80-200. Get fitted day 1, first fitting day 2, final piece day 3. Minimum two fittings
Hoi An Central Market(1 hour)
6AM for the freshest experience. The produce section, flower sellers, and street food stalls are photogenic and authentic. Try banh dap (crispy rice crackers with pork, 15,000 VND)
Cooking class(4 hours)
Red Bridge, Thuan Tinh Island, or Morning Glory. Market tour + 4-5 dishes. 600,000-900,000 VND ($24-36). Learn cao lau, white rose dumplings, spring rolls. Book a day ahead
Heritage Sites & Banh Mi
Use your Old Town ticket to visit heritage buildings and eat the world's best banh mi.
Old Town heritage walk(3 hours)
Use remaining ticket entries. Phuc Kien Assembly Hall (Fujian Chinese), Tan Ky Old House (200-year-old merchant home), Museum of Trade Ceramics. Each reveals a different layer of Hoi An's multicultural past
Banh Mi Phuong(30 minutes)
2B Phan Chau Trinh. Anthony Bourdain's 'best banh mi in the world.' Special combo 30,000 VND. Queue 15-30 min peak hours (11AM-1PM). Cash only
Lantern making workshop(1.5 hours)
Learn to make a silk lantern at one of the old town workshops. 150,000-250,000 VND. Take it home. The artisans have been making lanterns for generations
Thu Bon River boat ride at sunset(45 minutes)
Small sampan boat ride 50,000-100,000 VND. Release a paper lantern (10,000-20,000 VND) and make a wish. The reflections on the river are hypnotic
An Bang Beach & Bicycle Day
Cycle to the beach and spend the day on Hoi An's coast.
Cycle to An Bang Beach(15 minutes)
4km east, flat road. Bike rental 30,000 VND/day from your hotel
An Bang Beach day(5 hours)
Sun lounger 50,000 VND. Swim, read, eat at beach bars. Cocktails 60,000-100,000 VND. Soul Kitchen and Shore Club are popular. Less developed than Da Nang's beaches
Pick up tailored clothes(30 minutes)
Try on your final pieces. If anything needs adjustment, insist they fix it — reputable shops will
Sunset bia hoi session(1.5 hours)
Bia hoi (fresh draft beer) is 5,000-10,000 VND per glass (20-40 cents). Find a street corner setup near the old town and drink the cheapest beer in the world
Day Trip to My Son Sanctuary
Hindu temple ruins in the jungle — Vietnam's answer to Angkor Wat, 40km southwest of Hoi An.
Transfer to My Son Sanctuary(1 hour)
Book a half-day tour (200,000-350,000 VND) or hire a motorbike driver. 150,000 VND entry
My Son Sanctuary exploration(2.5 hours)
4th-13th century Cham Hindu temples in a jungle valley. UNESCO World Heritage. Many structures damaged by US bombing but the surviving towers and sculptural details are extraordinary. Arrive early before tour groups — the jungle mist adds atmosphere
Return to Hoi An and free afternoon(3 hours)
Rest or explore Cam Thanh coconut village — a nearby community of coconut palm islands where you can try basket boat rowing (100,000-150,000 VND)
Dinner at Cargo Club(1 hour)
River-view terrace restaurant. Vietnamese and Western menu. Mains 80,000-150,000 VND. The balcony tables at sunset are prime
Tra Que Herb Village & Free Day
Visit the organic herb village that supplies Hoi An's kitchens, then leisure afternoon.
Tra Que Herb Village(2.5 hours)
Cycle 3km north to a 300-year-old herb-growing village. Join a farming tour (200,000-300,000 VND) — plant herbs, make Vietnamese pancakes, and eat a farm-to-table lunch. The mint, basil, and lemongrass are what make Hoi An food special
Free afternoon(3 hours)
Revisit the old town, get another tailored piece, or just sit by the river with a bia hoi and watch boats pass
Final evening in the old town(2 hours)
Walk the lantern-lit streets one more time. Release another river lantern. Eat one more banh mi
Departure
Final morning and transfer to Da Nang airport.
Breakfast at The Espresso Station(1 hour)
Excellent Vietnamese egg coffee (ca phe trung, 35,000 VND) and breakfast banh mi
Last-minute shopping(1 hour)
Silk lanterns (50,000-150,000 VND), tailored clothes pickup if any last pieces, Vietnamese coffee beans (100,000 VND per bag)
Transfer to Da Nang airport(45 minutes)
Grab 200,000-300,000 VND. Arrive 2 hours early
14-Day Hoi An Itinerary
Arrival & Lantern-Lit Old Town
Fly into Da Nang, transfer to Hoi An, and walk the illuminated ancient town.
Old Town evening walk(2 hours)
120,000 VND ticket. Lanterns, Japanese Bridge
Morning Glory dinner(1 hour)
Cao lau, white rose, banh mi
Tailoring & Cooking Class
Get fitted and learn to cook.
First tailor fitting(1.5 hours)
Suit $80-200
Cooking class(4 hours)
600,000-900,000 VND
Heritage Sites & Banh Mi
Old Town ticket entries and world's best banh mi.
Heritage walk(3 hours)
Assembly halls, old houses, museums
Banh Mi Phuong(30 minutes)
30,000 VND
Lantern workshop(1.5 hours)
150,000-250,000 VND
River boat ride(45 minutes)
50,000-100,000 VND
An Bang Beach
Cycle to the coast.
Cycle to An Bang(15 minutes)
Bike 30,000 VND/day
Beach day(5 hours)
Lounger 50,000 VND
Bia hoi sunset(1.5 hours)
5,000-10,000 VND per glass
My Son Sanctuary
Cham Hindu temple ruins in the jungle.
My Son half-day tour(5 hours)
200,000-350,000 VND + 150,000 entry
Coconut village basket boats(1.5 hours)
100,000-150,000 VND
Tra Que Herbs & Leisure
Organic herb village and free afternoon.
Tra Que farming tour(2.5 hours)
200,000-300,000 VND
Rest Day
No plans. Coffee, reading, wandering.
Vietnamese egg coffee at Reaching Out Tea House(1.5 hours)
Social enterprise cafe run by deaf and mute staff. Communication by handwritten notes. Beautifully peaceful. 35,000-50,000 VND
Day Trip to Da Nang
Marble Mountains, Dragon Bridge, and Da Nang's modern beach scene.
Marble Mountains(2 hours)
5 limestone peaks with caves, pagodas, and viewpoints. 40,000 VND entry. The main cave (Huyen Khong) has a natural skylight. 30 minutes from Hoi An by Grab (80,000 VND)
Da Nang beach walk(1.5 hours)
My Khe Beach — 30km of sand. Cleaner waves than An Bang. Free
Lunch at Bep Cuon Da Nang(1 hour)
Central Vietnamese specialties. Mi quang (turmeric noodles) 40,000 VND — Da Nang's signature dish
Dragon Bridge fire-breathing show (weekends)(30 minutes)
Sat-Sun at 9PM, the bridge's dragon head shoots fire and water. Free to watch from the riverbank. If not weekend, just walk the bridge (670m) for the LED light show
Cham Islands Snorkeling
Day trip to the Cu Lao Cham marine reserve — coral reefs, fishing villages, and clear water.
Speedboat to Cham Islands(30 minutes)
Full-day tour 600,000-900,000 VND including lunch, snorkeling, and beach time. Depart 8AM from Cua Dai pier. The coral is recovering and visibility can reach 10-15m. The fishing village on Hon Lao is worth exploring
Bicycle Countryside Tour
Cycle through rice paddies, water buffalo, and rural Vietnamese life.
Guided bicycle countryside tour(4 hours)
200,000-350,000 VND. Cycle through Cam Thanh village, past rice paddies, over bamboo bridges, and through palm-canopied lanes. Visit a local family's home and learn about rural life. The flat terrain makes for easy riding
Dinner at Mango Mango(1.5 hours)
Rooftop old town restaurant. River views. Mains 80,000-150,000 VND
Photography Walk & Tailor Round 2
Early morning photography and a second round of tailoring.
Dawn photography walk(2 hours)
The old town at 6AM — vendors setting up, fishermen on the river, the Japanese Bridge without tourists. Golden hour light on the yellow walls and lanterns
Second tailor visit(1.5 hours)
Now that you've tested the first piece, order another — a dress, a coat, or a custom ao dai (Vietnamese traditional dress, $30-60)
Rest Day
Second rest day. Sleep, swim, eat.
Free Day — Revisit Favorites
Last full day. Return to whatever you loved most.
Farewell dinner at Nu Eatery(1.5 hours)
Modern Vietnamese. Tasting menu 550,000 VND. Creative dishes in a beautiful setting
Departure
Final egg coffee and transfer.
21-Day Hoi An Itinerary
Arrival & Old Town
Transfer from Da Nang, lantern-lit old town.
Tailoring & Cooking
First fitting and cooking class.
Cooking class(4 hours)
600,000-900,000 VND
Heritage & Banh Mi
Old Town sites and world's best sandwich.
An Bang Beach
Coastal day by bicycle.
My Son Sanctuary
Cham Hindu ruins.
Tra Que Herb Village
Organic farming and cooking.
Rest Day
Egg coffee and silence.
Day Trip to Da Nang
Marble Mountains and Dragon Bridge.
Marble Mountains(2 hours)
40,000 VND
Cham Islands
Marine reserve snorkeling.
Cham Islands day trip(7 hours)
600,000-900,000 VND
Bicycle Countryside
Rice paddies and village life.
Photography & Tailor Round 2
Dawn old town and new orders.
Rest Day
Pool and reading.
Side Trip to Hue — Day 1
Former imperial capital 4 hours north — the Citadel, royal tombs, and unique Hue cuisine.
Drive or train to Hue via Hai Van Pass(3.5 hours)
Private car 1,500,000 VND via the dramatic Hai Van Pass (Top Gear's 'best coast road'). Or train from Da Nang (2.5 hours, 70,000-300,000 VND)
Check into Hue hotel(30 minutes)
Near the Citadel. 200,000-500,000 VND
Imperial Citadel(2.5 hours)
200,000 VND. Vast walled city modeled on Beijing's Forbidden City. Heavily bombed in 1968 — the ruins add poignancy. The Ngo Mon gate and Thai Hoa Palace are highlights
Bun bo Hue dinner(1 hour)
Vietnam's best soup (sorry, pho). Spicy, lemongrass beef noodle soup at Bun Bo Hue O Phuong. 30,000 VND. A revelation
Hue — Day 2 & Return
Royal tombs and the Perfume River.
Khai Dinh Tomb(1.5 hours)
150,000 VND. The most elaborate royal tomb — a blend of Vietnamese and European architecture with stunning mosaic interiors
Tu Duc Tomb(1.5 hours)
150,000 VND. The most poetic — pavilions, lotus ponds, and a pine forest. The emperor designed it as a pleasure retreat during his lifetime
Dragon boat on Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda(2 hours)
200,000-300,000 VND for a private boat. The 7-story pagoda is Hue's icon. The monk's Austin Westminster car (driven to the famous 1963 self-immolation protest) is on display
Rest Day
Recovery from Hue. Nothing.
Pottery Village & Art
Visit Thanh Ha pottery village and explore Hoi An's galleries.
Thanh Ha Pottery Village(2 hours)
500-year-old pottery village 3km west. Try throwing a pot on the wheel (35,000 VND). The terracotta park (35,000 VND) has miniature recreations of world landmarks. Cycle there along the river
Hoi An art galleries(2 hours)
Several galleries on Nguyen Thai Hoc and Bach Dang streets show Vietnamese contemporary art. Prices are far lower than Hanoi or HCMC galleries
Vietnamese coffee tasting(1 hour)
Try ca phe sua da (iced milk coffee), ca phe trung (egg coffee), and ca phe cot dua (coconut coffee) at Hoi An Roastery. Learn the drip filter method
Full Moon Lantern Festival (if timing aligns)
On the 14th of the lunar month, electric lights go off and candles take over. If your dates miss it, spend the day at the beach and old town.
Full Moon Lantern Festival evening(3 hours)
Old town pedestrian-only. Paper lanterns on the river (10,000-20,000 VND). Dragon dances, traditional music. Arrive by 5PM for a good spot. River boat 50,000-100,000 VND
OR: Alternative slow day(5 hours)
If not full moon — beach morning, old town afternoon, river sunset
Rest Day
Fourth rest day.
Fisherman's Life Experience
Join local fishermen for a morning on the water.
Fishing boat experience at Cua Dai(3 hours)
Join a fisherman for net casting and traditional fishing. 300,000-500,000 VND arranged through tour operators. Early morning departure. You'll learn traditional techniques and eat fresh-caught fish for breakfast on the boat
Afternoon spa(2 hours)
Vietnamese herbal bath and massage. 400,000-600,000 VND at La Siesta or similar
Farewell Day
Last full day — favorites and farewells.
Farewell dinner at Nu Eatery(1.5 hours)
Tasting menu 550,000 VND
Departure
Final egg coffee.
Travel Tips
Visa & Entry
E-Visa Now Available for Most Nationalities
Vietnam's e-visa (90 days, single/multiple entry, $25) is available to 80+ nationalities including US, UK, EU, Indian, and Australian passport holders. Apply at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn (3 business days processing). Some nationalities (UK, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea) get 45 days visa-free. You fly into Da Nang (DAD) — clear immigration there, then travel to Hoi An.
transport
Da Nang to Hoi An Transfer
From Da Nang airport to Hoi An (30km): private car 350,000-400,000 VND (~$14-16), Grab car 200,000-300,000 VND, or local bus #1 from the airport road (30,000 VND, 1.5 hours). Within Hoi An, cycling is the best way — flat terrain, dedicated bike lanes. Rent a bicycle (30,000 VND/day) or electric scooter (100,000 VND/day). The old town is pedestrian-only afternoons/evenings.
Budget
One of the Best Value Destinations in the World
Street food meals cost 20,000-50,000 VND ($0.80-2). Restaurant meals: 60,000-150,000 VND. A bia hoi (fresh draft beer) is 5,000-10,000 VND (20-40 cents). Hotels: 300,000-800,000 VND ($12-32) for a comfortable room with pool. A custom-tailored silk dress costs $30-60. Budget $25-40/day for comfortable mid-range travel. Hoi An's three signature dishes: cao lau, white rose dumplings, and banh mi.
Tailor Shop Tips to Avoid Disappointment
Research your tailor before committing — many shops outsource to the same factories. Bring fabric swatches or specific photos rather than vague descriptions. Always get a minimum of 2 fittings. Don't pay more than 50% upfront. If the first fitting is wrong, insist they redo it — reputable shops will. Silk quality varies wildly — ask to burn a thread (real silk smells like burnt hair, synthetic melts). Start with one piece to test before ordering a wardrobe.
Local Customs
Gotcha: Old Town Ticket Enforcement
The 120,000 VND Old Town ticket is technically required to walk the heritage streets after 3PM — ticket checkers are at entry points. In practice, enforcement is inconsistent and many visitors walk in without tickets. However, the ticket is needed to enter specific heritage buildings. Buy one on your first day — it supports preservation and the 5 entries give good value. Tickets are valid for 24 hours.
Safety
Flooding Season Is Real
From October to December, the Thu Bon River floods — water can reach waist-height in the old town streets. Hotels on ground floors get waterlogged. If visiting during this period, book a hotel with upper floors and check flood forecasts. Locals take it in stride (some restaurants keep serving as water rises), but it can disrupt plans significantly. November is the highest risk month.
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