Why Visit Hoi An?
Hoi An enchants as Vietnam's most romantic ancient town where hundreds of silk lanterns illuminate ochre-yellow buildings each evening, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge arches over canals, and 200+ tailor shops promise custom-made suits delivered in 24 hours for $50–$120 This UNESCO World Heritage site (pop. 152,000 including beach areas) preserves Southeast Asia's best-preserved trading port—Chinese merchants, Japanese traders, and European ships converged here 16th-18th centuries, leaving architectural fusion that survives car-free in the Old Town's pedestrian lanes (entry ticket 120,000 VND/$5 for foreign visitors includes 5 heritage sites, valid for the day of your visit).
The magic peaks at dusk when lanterns glow across Thu Bon River, cyclos pedal tourists through amber-lit alleys, and floating candles drift downstream carrying wishes. Yet Hoi An offers more than atmospheric wandering: tailor culture lets visitors design custom clothing—bring photos of desired styles, choose fabrics, get measured, and pick up finished garments 24-48 hours later (suits $60–$150 dresses $30–$80 shoes $40–$70). An Bang Beach's 3km of white sand and beach clubs lie 4km from Old Town (20,000 VND taxi), while My Khe Beach near Da Nang attracts surfers.
Cooking classes teach cao lau (Hoi An's special noodles using Ba Le well water), banh mi, and fresh spring rolls in market-to-table sessions ($25–$35). The Old Town's yellow buildings house cafés, art galleries, and museums—Tan Ky House's 200-year-old merchant home, Assembly Halls' ornate Chinese architecture, and riverside restaurants serve white rose dumplings and crispy banh xeo pancakes. Full moon festivals (14th lunar month) ban electricity—the town glows solely by lanterns.
Day trips reach My Son Hindu ruins (1 hour), Ba Na Hills' Golden Bridge held by giant hands (1.5 hours), or Da Nang's Marble Mountains. With affordable prices, calm atmosphere contrasting Hanoi/HCMC chaos, and charm unmatched in Vietnam, Hoi An delivers romantic magic and tailoring bargains.
What to Do
Ancient Town UNESCO Site
Lantern-Lit Old Town
Car-free pedestrian lanes lined with ochre-yellow buildings—hundreds of silk lanterns illuminate everything at dusk. Old Town entry ticket 120,000 VND (~$5) for foreign visitors includes entry to 5 heritage sites, valid for the day of your visit. Best at sunset onwards (6–10pm) when lanterns glow. Floating candles on Thu Bon River carrying wishes. Full moon festivals (14th lunar month) ban electricity—magical. Most romantic town in Vietnam.
Japanese Covered Bridge
400-year-old bridge with temple inside—Hoi An's iconic image. Included in Old Town ticket. Small but photogenic. Best morning (7–9am) before crowds or evening when lit. Built by Japanese community in early 1600s. Quick stop (15 minutes) but must-see symbol. Located in heart of Old Town.
Assembly Halls & Ancient Houses
Chinese Assembly Halls: ornate temples built by merchant communities (Fujian, Cantonese, Hainan). Tan Ky House: 200-year-old merchant home with Japanese beams, Chinese woodwork. Each included in Old Town ticket (choose 5 from options). Best morning (9–11am) when cooler. Each takes 20-30 minutes. Learn about trading port history—architectural fusion fascinating.
Tailoring & Shopping
Custom Tailor Shops
200+ tailors offer custom-made suits ($60–$150), dresses ($30–$80), shoes ($40–$70) delivered in 24–48 hours. Bring photos of desired styles, choose fabrics, get measured, return for fittings. Reputable shops: Yaly, Kimmy, Bebe (research reviews). Allow 2–3 days for adjustments. Final fitting before leaving. Quality varies—check stitching. Bargain accepted. Hoi An specialty—everyone gets something made.
Riverside Shopping & Cafés
Art galleries, lantern shops, silk stores, cafés line Thu Bon River and Old Town lanes. Lanterns (50,000–200,000 VND) make great souvenirs. Cafés offer river views—try white rose dumplings (Hoi An specialty) and Vietnamese coffee. Best afternoon (3–5pm) for shopping and café stops. Relaxed pace—no aggressive hassle like other Vietnamese cities.
Beaches & Day Trips
An Bang Beach
3km of white sand 4km from Old Town. Beach clubs with loungers, fresh seafood restaurants, calm waves. Rent bikes (~20,000 VND/day) and cycle there in 15 minutes, or take taxi/Grab (50,000-80,000 VND). Swimming May–September. Best afternoon (2–6pm) for beach time. Quieter than My Khe (Da Nang). Local fishermen, less developed. Good escape from Old Town crowds.
Cooking Classes & Food Tours
Market-to-table cooking classes teach cao lau (Hoi An's signature noodles using Ba Le well water—can't make authentic version elsewhere), banh mi, white rose dumplings, fresh spring rolls. Classes $25–$35 include market tour, cooking, eating your creations. Takes half day. Book day ahead. Best morning (8–9am market tours). Fun, educational, delicious. Popular activity—book early.
My Son Ruins & Ba Na Hills
My Son: Hindu Cham ruins 1 hour inland (UNESCO). Half-day tours $12–$15 include transport, guide. Ancient temples in jungle. Best morning (8am start) before heat. Ba Na Hills: Golden Bridge held by giant hands (1.5 hours). Cable car, French village replica. Full-day trip. Both popular day trips from Hoi An—choose based on interest (ancient vs Instagram).
Gallery
Travel Information
Getting There
- Airports: DAD
Best Time to Visit
February, March, April, May
Climate: Tropical
Weather by Month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25°C | 20°C | 16 | Wet |
| February | 25°C | 20°C | 12 | Excellent (best) |
| March | 29°C | 23°C | 4 | Excellent (best) |
| April | 29°C | 24°C | 11 | Excellent (best) |
| May | 33°C | 26°C | 6 | Excellent (best) |
| June | 35°C | 27°C | 7 | Good |
| July | 34°C | 26°C | 11 | Good |
| August | 32°C | 26°C | 17 | Wet |
| September | 32°C | 26°C | 15 | Wet |
| October | 28°C | 24°C | 28 | Wet |
| November | 26°C | 23°C | 25 | Wet |
| December | 24°C | 21°C | 26 | Wet |
Weather data: Open-Meteo Archive (2020-2024) • Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0) • Historical avg. 2020–2024
Budget
Excludes flights
Visa Requirements
Visa-free for EU citizens
💡 🌍 Traveler Tip (November 2025): Best time to visit: February, March, April, May.
Practical Information
Getting There
Da Nang International Airport (DAD) is ~30km north (nearest airport). Taxi or Grab car to Hoi An typically 300,000-500,000 VND/$12–$19 (~45 min). Pre-booked private cars around 300,000-350,000 VND. Airport/local buses cheaper (20,000-60,000 VND) but slower. Hoi An has no airport. Buses connect Hanoi (18hr), HCMC (24hr), Hue (4hr). Da Nang train station 45 min away—taxis to Hoi An similar pricing.
Getting Around
Walk Old Town (car-free). Rent bicycles (20,000-30,000 VND/$1–$1/day) to explore countryside and An Bang Beach. Grab taxis to beaches/Da Nang (50,000-100,000 VND). Motorbike rentals (80,000 VND/day). No buses within Hoi An. Cyclos expensive tourist traps—negotiate hard if using. Walking and biking are main transport.
Money & Payments
Vietnamese Dong (VND, ₫). Exchange $1 ≈ 26,000-27,000 VND, $1 ≈ 24,000-25,000 VND. Cash dominant—tailors, restaurants, and shops prefer cash. ATMs on main roads. Cards at hotels. Bargain at markets and with tailors. Tipping: round up or 10,000-20,000 VND, 5-10% in upscale places.
Language
Vietnamese is official. English better than Hanoi/HCMC due to tourist focus—hotel/restaurant staff speak English. Tailor shops English-speaking. Older generation limited English. Translation apps helpful. Friendly locals accustomed to tourists.
Cultural Tips
Tailors: choose reputable ones (research reviews), bring photos of desired styles, allow 2-3 days for fittings/adjustments, negotiate prices. Old Town: respect ancient buildings, don't touch walls. Lantern etiquette: release on river respectfully. Flooding: October-November risky—check forecasts. Bikes everywhere—watch when walking. Hoi An relaxed pace—embrace slow travel. Food: try cao lau (Hoi An-only noodles), white rose dumplings, banh mi from Phuong bread lady. Full moon: magical lantern-only nights.
Perfect 3-Day Hoi An Itinerary
Day 1: Old Town Exploration
Day 2: Beach & Tailors
Day 3: Day Trip & Collection
Where to Stay in Hoi An
Ancient Town (Old Town)
Best for: UNESCO site, lanterns, pedestrian only, restaurants, tailors, Assembly Halls, romantic
An Bang Beach
Best for: Beach clubs, swimming, relaxed vibe, seafood, day trips, quieter than My Khe
Cam Nam Island
Best for: Local life, bike rides, rice paddies, water buffalo, authentic, villages, peaceful
New Town
Best for: Budget accommodations, local restaurants, less charm, practical, modern, cheaper
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