Hoi An is for many travelers their favorite city in Vietnam. This is because there is a wonderful atmosphere, beautiful historical houses everywhere and there are countless good restaurants and nice shops to be found. Add to that the fact that you are less than a 15-minute walk from the center between the beautiful rice fields and the beach is never far away. Hoi An is by Vietnamese standards a small town, which means that all sights can easily be reached on foot or by bike. Are you curious about what there is to do in Hoi An? I went looking for the most beautiful places and best activities and share all my tips for Hoi An here! 

How to travel to Hoi An?

Hoi An is located right in the middle of Vietnam, making it accessible from many different destinations. Da Nang International Airport is 30 kilometers away from Hoi An. So you can also fly there from North or South Vietnam, or from a neighboring country. Many people travel from Ninh Binh , Mui Ne , Phong Nha or Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An. How to travel from these destinations to Hoi An can be read below. Do you want to travel to Hoi An from another destination? Then check all the different routes .

What to do in Hoi An?

There is no shortage of fun sights and activities in Hoi An. There is something for everyone in terms of culture, relaxation or adventure. Below you will find the best tips for a visit to Hoi An.

Explore Hoi An’s Countryside with Bike Tour

A really fun way to explore the countryside around Hoi An is with this bike tour . During the bike tour you will go off the beaten track and get to know the real life of the Vietnamese. You will come to places you would not normally go to and you will get a unique insight into local life.

During the bike tour you will stop at various places including a family business where rattan mats are made. At the next stop you will learn how the typical Vietnamese fishermen’s baskets are woven. In these fishermen’s baskets you will also go out on the water yourself. And believe me, it is certainly not easy to keep your balance here! The bike tour is led by very enthusiastic guides who speak good English and to whom you can ask all your questions about local life in Vietnam. This was for me absolutely one of the most fun things to do in Hoi An!

Explore the old town of Hoi An

Hoi An was an important trading hub in the 15th to 19th centuries thanks to its perfect location by the sea. In the historic centre you can still find many old trading houses from this period, the facades of which are often richly decorated. This part of Hoi An has been well preserved and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1999. Visit the old centre both during the day and in the evening. In the evening it is incredibly atmospheric due to the countless coloured lanterns.

Tip: In the historical centre you will also find a few special sights such as the Japanese bridge and the Hoi Quan Phuoc Kien temple. You can read more about this in the following paragraphs. In order to protect the old centre of Hoi An, you must buy an entrance ticket for a number of sights. You can get these at the yellow ticket counters .

Walk across Cau Temple – the Japanese bridge

The Cau Temple, also known as the Japanese Bridge, was built in the 16th century and is one of the most famous sights in the old town of Hoi An. The 18-meter long bridge is rich in graceful arches, refined carvings and colorful decorations. In the middle of the bridge you will find a small Buddhist temple. It is quite small and dark, so you can easily walk past it, but it would be a shame to skip this special place.

Visit the Chinese temple Hoi Quan Phuoc Kien

Hoi Quan Phuoc Kien is a Chinese temple and is surrounded by large flower pots filled with beautiful colorful flowers. If you ask me, this is one of the most beautiful temples in Hoi An and this is mainly due to the bright red colors of the woodwork in combination with the green roof tiles and the golden details. Inside the temple, the entire ceiling is filled with incense. This is lit to appease the gods.

Drink cocktails and chill at An Bang Beach

Hop on your bike and cruise from the old town in Hoi An to An Bang Beach in about 20 minutes. I immediately mention that you should not expect a pearly white bounty beach, but An Bang Beach is certainly a nice place to escape from city life and take a refreshing dip in the sea. Dolphin Kitchen and Bar is a nice beach bar to have a bite to eat and enjoy a nice cold beer or refreshing cocktail. You can sit on the terrace or relax on one of the sunbeds.

Must do: Learn to cook Vietnamese during an authentic cooking class

The Vietnamese kitchen is world famous and that is why it is very nice to do a cooking course here. Before leaving I searched like crazy for the best cooking course in Vietnam and I can say that I have found the best one. During this authentic cooking course ( Whatsapp: +84949259675 ) you will go with Thom who was born and raised in Hoi An. This is an incredibly sweet woman who welcomes you to her house about 25 minutes by boat from Hoi An.

After the boat trip you start with a visit to the local market. Here you get a glimpse into the authentic Vietnamese life, learn about the products and buy all the necessary ingredients for the cooking course. After this it is time to go to Thom’s house where you see how they make rice milk and rice sheets. Pay attention because you are going to make this yourself because you will need them later to prepare your dishes.

During the cooking course, Thom will tell you all about Vietnamese cuisine and why food is so important in Vietnamese culture. In total, you will make four different dishes, including the delicious Banh Xeo. This is a filled rice pancake. At the end of the cooking course, you will receive a small cookbook with the Vietnamese dishes you made that day. Are you a vegetarian? That is no problem, but please indicate this in the comments during the booking process.

Tip: You can also combine this cooking class and the bike tour earlier in this article into one tour . Ideal for when you don’t have much time in Hoi An and it’s also a bit cheaper.

Visit Hoi An Central Market

The Central Market of Hoi An is always very busy. This is because Vietnamese people go to the market separately for every meal to buy the freshest ingredients. You will be amazed because the food is prepared on the spot, there is everything for sale and in between there is a lot of bargaining with each other. At the market you can find all kinds of fresh vegetables and fruit, meat and fish, but there are also items such as rattan baskets and flowers for sale. Early in the morning is the best time to visit the Central Market of Hoi An.

Tip: Keep in mind that it is not always appreciated if you take a picture of locals and their market stalls without buying anything or asking beforehand.

Stroll through the Hoi An Night Market

Where the Central Market is aimed at locals, the Hoi An Night Market is mainly popular with travellers. That certainly does not make it any less fun because there is a very pleasant atmosphere at the Hoi An Night Market. It is even one of the most popular night markets in Vietnam. The market is located in a beautiful street on the water and is decorated with countless light-up lanterns. Especially in the dark it is very atmospheric and cosy. You can have a bite to eat here and score a nice souvenir. These are a lot more affordable here than in shops in the old centre of Hoi An.

Take a nice photo at Ba Mu Temple Gate

In the middle of the old center of Hoi An lies the beautiful Ba Mu Temple. The temple was built in 1926 and is richly decorated with beautiful details. In front of the temple is a large pond, which can create a reflection of the temple when there is little wind. Perfect for taking a beautiful photo!

Make your own Vietnamese lantern

You will find them everywhere in Hoi An; cheerful lanterns in all kinds of colours and patterns. And the nice thing is that you can also make your own Vietnamese lantern ! We got this tip from a follower after she had done a really nice workshop here. You make your own lantern with self-chosen fabrics or you paint the lantern. The workshop is supervised by kind and hospitable people who explain the process step by step. Of course you can take the lantern home with you afterwards. A unique souvenir for home!

Admire works of art at the Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum

Visiting the Precious Art Gallery Museum is one of the best things to do in Hoi An if you are a photography and culture enthusiast. The museum has several floors and shows the beautiful work of photographer Réhahn Steering. For years he has traveled to all corners of Asia where he has photographed many ethnic tribes. These impressive photos can now be admired in the Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum. The exhibition is called The Giving Back Project and a large part of the proceeds from the exhibition go to the tribes he has photographed. The money goes to better education, among other things. If you want to support the work, you can buy a postcard, a work of art or a book.

Tips for good restaurants in Hoi An

In addition to the many beautiful sights, Hoi An also has a lot of good restaurants and cafes. The following restaurants excel.

Reaching Out Tea house – This beautiful tea house employs people with a hearing impairment. It’s great to have a nice cup of tea here.
Phi Banh Mi – Here you can score the tastiest Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches in Hoi An. Ideal for a quick and cheap lunch!
Nourish Eatery – For a healthy breakfast or a tasty lunch, you’ve come to the right place. Order a smoothie bowl or opt for a falafel sandwich. Also suitable for vegetarians.
Minh Hien Vegetarian Restaurant – For your daily dose of vitamins, this vegetarian restaurant is the right place to go. Here you can order delicious Vietnamese dishes with lots of fresh vegetables.
Rosie’s Cafe – This trendy little place serves all-day breakfast, where you can choose from healthy pancakes, yoghurt with granola and avocado toast, among other things. MIX Restaurant – Have a bite to eat at this Greek restaurant when you don’t feel like Vietnamese cuisine. The menu features typical Greek dishes such as moussaka and souvlaki. Also plenty of options for vegetarians. Baba’s Kitchen – This is a fantastic Indian restaurant in the middle of the old town of Hoi An. The seating is a bit uncomfortable but the delicious food makes up for everything! Lim Dining Room – This is the place to be for delicious pizzas and pastas. It is a bit more expensive than most restaurants in Hoi An, but it is totally worth it if you want to have a nice dinner. The terrace is very atmospheric and perfect for a romantic dinner.

Our favorite places in Hoi An

Do you like to stay in a cozy and atmospheric hostel? Then iHome Hoi An is something for you. You won’t be bored for a moment here; there is a ping-pong table, a pool table, a large swimming pool, a bar and even an escape room! In the morning there is a delicious extensive breakfast buffet ready. The location is also nice because the old center of Hoi An is only a 10-minute walk away. Are you looking for a luxurious stay for a small price? At December Hoi An Villa you have come to the right place. This hotel is located exactly between the old center and the beach, so you can go in all directions and there are free bicycles to borrow. There is a lovely swimming pool to spend the hot afternoon hours in. The rooms have air conditioning, a good bed and a terrace. Do you want to treat yourself to a unique hotel close to the old center of Hoi An? Then Tropical Home Villa is amazing! This is a small-scale hotel with a design that is completely crazy. The swimming pool is beautiful and the comfort also gets a 10+!