Things to do in Hoi An

Hoi An is a UNESCO heritage site, located right on the banks of the Thu Bon River. This place is not only an ancient town but also vibrant with culture and history. With moss-covered streets, sparkling lanterns and great street food, Hoi An has attracted thousands of visitors from all over the world. If you are looking for a destination that is both peaceful and energetic, Hoi An is the perfect choice. Let Hoi An taxi explore countless things to do in Hoi An to make your trip more memorable than ever.

Walking in Ancient Space

The first things to do in Hoi An that visitors cannot miss is walking around Hoi An ancient town. This is where you can spend hours wandering, exploring small street corners, admiring the unique architecture combining Vietnam, China and Japan.

Explore the Hoi An Old town: You will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the flow of time when wandering through the streets designed specifically for pedestrians. Each paving brick, each yin-yang roof tile evokes the feeling of a golden age. This is where you will feel the slow pace of life, completely different from the hustle and bustle of modern life..

Admire the Japanese Bridge: The symbol of Hoi An, the Japanese Covered Bridge (Japanese Bridge) is a unique architectural work, spanning a small creek. The bridge has a wooden roof, intricately carved, is an ideal place to take beautiful photos and feel the cultural exchange.

Visiting ancient houses: You will have the opportunity to step into spaces that preserve hundreds of years of history. Each house, such as Phung Hung ancient house or Tan Ky ancient house, is not only an architecture but also a story about the generations who lived and created this heritage. You will feel the sophistication in each carved line, each arranged object.

Admire the Assembly Halls: Buildings such as the Fujian Assembly Hall, the Quang Trieu Assembly Hall or the Trieu Chau Assembly Hall are not only places of worship but also evidence of the strong cultural exchange of Hoi An. You will see splendid, colorful architectural works, each with its own unique mark.

Visit the Hoi An Museum of History and Culture: To better understand the formation and development of Hoi An, take the time to visit this museum. It displays thousands of valuable artifacts, from ceramics to works of art, showing the prosperity of a bustling trading port.

Explore Local Cuisine – Things to do in Hoi An

Hoi An is not only beautiful in landscape but also famous for its rich and attractive street food. The dishes here have strong local flavors, prepared from fresh ingredients and traditional family recipes. Enjoying Hoi An cuisine is a must try things to do in Hoi An.

Enjoy Cao Lau: Hoi An’s most iconic dish, Cao Lau is a unique combination of chewy noodles, char siu, crispy pork skin, raw vegetables and rich sauce. The flavor of Cao Lau is said to come from Ba Le well water and tree ash.

Mi Quang: Another dish not to be missed is Quang Noodles. The noodles are large and thick, served with fragrant broth made from stewed bones, shrimp, chicken or pork, served with rice paper and raw vegetables.

Banh Mi Phuong or Banh Mi Madam Khanh: These two bakeries are famous worldwide for their hot, crispy sandwiches filled with pate, char siu, pork roll, herbs and special sauce.

Visit Hoi An traditional market: This is not only a place for shopping but also a cultural experience. You will see the liveliness, diversity of fresh ingredients and the exciting atmosphere of trading. You can try street snacks, feel the most authentic taste from small shops.

Other dishes: Don’t forget to explore other delicious snacks such as Mango Cake, Tofu Pudding, Corn Sweet Soup, or fresh seafood sold along the riverbank.

Private car pick you up from your hotel, Hue or Da Nang airport to Hoi An ancient town easily. You are completely proactive about the schedule, departure time and stops. Do not depend on the fixed time or route of public transport. In addition, you have private space, comfortable relaxation and the driver is usually experienced, familiar with the roads and can handle unexpected situations.

Explore Traditional Craft Villages:

Visit Tra Que Vegetable Village: One of the things to do in Hoi An that brings you closer to nature. This is a famous organic vegetable village, providing green vegetables for many restaurants in Hoi An. You can learn about the traditional vegetable growing process, even participate in taking care of the vegetables yourself.

Kim Bong Carpentry Village: Kim Bong Carpentry Village is home to exquisite wood products, from ancient houses to interior decoration items. You can visit the carpentry workshops, admire wooden artworks and learn about traditional carving techniques.

Hoi An Silk Village: This is where you can learn about the traditional silk production process, from raising silkworms, reeling silk to weaving silk. You can also shop for high-end silk products as souvenirs.

Other experiences:

Hoi An is not only the ancient town. The surrounding areas also have many interesting activities, giving you more diverse things to do in Hoi An, away from the noise and bustle of the center.

Cycling through the countryside: Rent a bicycle and explore the peaceful roads, green rice fields, and small villages. You will feel the fresh air, see the simple images of rural life. This activity is one of the great things to do in Hoi An to relax and admire the surrounding natural landscapes.

Basket boat ride in Bay Mau coconut village (Cam Thanh): A unique and exciting activity. You will sit on a traditional basket boat, weaving through the coconut forest, feeling the coolness and peace. You will witness the unique boat spinning performance of skilled boatmen, creating bursts of laughter and unique photos. This experience is one of the things to do in Hoi An that you can hardly find elsewhere.

Relax at An Bang Beach: Located about 5km from the Old Town, An Bang Beach is the ideal place to relax. You can lie on the sand, listen to the sound of the waves or enjoy a cool drink at the beachside cafes. This is an airy space to rest after hours of exploring the ancient town.

Cua Dai Beach: is one of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam, you can come here to enjoy the fresh air, take a walk and enjoy local dishes.

Cruise on Thu Bon River: A gentle boat trip on Thu Bon River, especially at sunset, will bring you a worthwhile experience. You will see the scenery on both sides of the river, see fishermen preparing for the night fishing trip and can release flower lanterns into the water with your own wishes.

My Son Sanctuary: About 40km from Hoi An, My Son Sanctuary is an ancient Cham Pa temple complex, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. This place used to be an important religious center of the Champa kingdom, bearing a strong historical and unique architectural mark.

Cu Lao Cham: A world biosphere reserve, Cu Lao Cham is a things to do in Hoi An that you cannot miss. Here you can participate in activities such as scuba diving to see coral, swimming, fishing and enjoying fresh seafood.

Tips for Hoi An Trip

To have the most complete trip to Hoi An, keep in mind a few things when making your list of things to do in Hoi An:

Best time: The dry season in Hoi An lasts from February to August, characterized by beautiful sunshine, clear skies and little rain. This is the ideal time for you to explore the ancient town.
Getting there: Hoi An Ancient Town is a pedestrian zone, and exploring on foot is ideal. Bicycles are great for going a little further to the craft villages or beaches. Taxis or private cars are also easily available.
Hoi An Old Town Entrance Tickets: To enter some important historical attractions in the Old Quarter (such as ancient houses, assembly halls, and the Japanese Covered Bridge), you will need to purchase an entrance ticket. Read more: Hoi An old town entrance fees 2025 latest update

Hoi An offers a journey where every moment is a discovery. From the ancient streets filled with lanterns, to the unique culinary flavors, or the simple experiences in the suburbs, all will create an emotional and meaningful trip. The things to do in Hoi An are diverse, ensuring you will have a trip that suits your interests.

Hoian Ancient town, Things to do, Travel Guide