What You Will Find in Hoi An
Hoi An's Old Town is one of Southeast Asia's best-preserved historic trading ports, with over 1,000 timber-frame buildings dating from the 16th to 19th centuries. The Japanese Covered Bridge, built in the 1590s by the town's Japanese merchant community, is the city's most iconic structure. At night, the town transforms as hundreds of silk lanterns glow along the Thu Bon River, and small boats release candle-lit paper flowers onto the water. The town's tailors are legendary—custom suits, dresses, and shoes can be made in 24 hours for a fraction of Western prices.
Hoi An's charm lies in its unhurried pace. Morning starts with locals buying fresh herbs at the Central Market, where women in conical hats sell mint, basil, and lemongrass from small boats. Cua Dai Beach, 4 kilometers east, offers a long stretch of golden sand, while the rice paddies surrounding the town provide cycling routes through water buffalo fields. The town's food scene is outstanding—cao lau noodles (served with pork and greens in a broth unique to Hoi An, made with water from an ancient well) and white rose dumplings (banh bao vac) are found nowhere else.
Plan three to four days. Spend one full day exploring the Old Town's historic houses, assembly halls, and the Japanese Bridge. On day two, rent a bicycle and ride through the rice paddies to An Bang Beach or take a cooking class at the Morning Glory Cooking School. Day three can be a boat trip to the Cham Islands for snorkeling. Leave one evening free for the Night Market and the lantern-lit river.
Best Time to Go
February through May offers the best weather, with temperatures between 22 and 30 degrees Celsius, low humidity, and minimal rain. The monthly Full Moon Lantern Festival (on the 14th day of each lunar month) is when the Old Town switches off electric lights and relies entirely on lanterns. The most atmospheric festivals fall between February and April.
June through August is hot and humid but manageable. October and November bring heavy flooding—the Thu Bon River regularly overflows, and streets in the Old Town can be knee-deep in water. December and January are cool and relatively dry, making them popular with visitors escaping the northern winter.
Getting There and Around
Da Nang International Airport (DAD) is 35 kilometers from Hoi An. A prepaid taxi costs VND 300,000 to 400,000 (about USD 13 to 17) and takes 45 minutes. Many hotels offer airport pickup for a similar price. The train station in Da Nang connects to Hoi An by taxi or bus. The Hoi An Express bus runs between Da Nang and Hoi An for VND 30,000.
Hoi An's Old Town is compact and best explored on foot or by bicycle (VND 30,000 to 50,000 per day). Motorbike taxis and Grab are available for longer trips. The town charges an entrance fee of VND 120,000 for the Old Town, which covers five historic sites. Boats to the Cham Islands depart from Cua Dai harbor and cost VND 200,000 to 300,000 round trip.
Where to Stay
The Old Town itself has boutique hotels like the La Siesta (USD 50 to 80 per night) and the Hoi An Historic Hotel (USD 40 to 70). Staying inside the Old Town means you can walk everywhere, but be aware that motorized vehicles are restricted during certain hours. The area around the Japanese Bridge is the most central.
An Bang Beach, 4 kilometers east, has beachfront homestays like the Thanh Binh (USD 25 to 50) and the more upscale Hoi An Beach Resort (USD 100 to 150). The rice paddies between the Old Town and the beach offer peaceful rural stays like the Tra Que Waterwheel (USD 30 to 50). For budget travelers, hostels in the Old Town offer dorm beds from USD 6 to 10.
Must-See Attractions
Japanese Covered Bridge (Chua Cau)
Built in the 1590s by the Japanese merchant community, this distinctive bridge with a pagoda-style roof spans a small canal at the west end of the Old Town. The bridge connects the Japanese and Chinese quarters and features carved dog and monkey guardians at each end. It appears on the VND 20,000 banknote. The interior contains a small temple dedicated to the God of the North Sea.
Price: Included in Old Town ticket (VND 120,000) | Hours: Daily 5 AM-9 PM
Tan Ky Old House
This 200-year-old merchant house has been passed down through seven generations and is one of the Old Town's best-preserved historic buildings. The architecture blends Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese elements, with carved wooden panels, a sunken courtyard, and a small altar room. The owner still lives on the premises and can explain the family's trading history.
Price: Included in Old Town ticket | Hours: Daily 8:30 AM-5 PM
Hoi An Central Market
The covered market near the Thu Bon River is the commercial heart of Hoi An. The ground floor sells fresh produce, herbs, meat, and fish, while the upper floor has silk, tailoring fabrics, and souvenirs. The market is busiest in the early morning, when local women arrive with baskets of herbs from the Tra Que herb village.
Price: Free | Hours: Daily 6 AM-6 PM
Cham Islands (Cu Lao Cham)
A cluster of eight islands 15 kilometers offshore, protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The main island, Hon Lao, has a fishing village, a small museum, and Hai Tang Pagoda. The surrounding waters offer the best snorkeling and diving in central Vietnam, with coral reefs and tropical fish. Day trips include lunch on the island.
Price: VND 200,000-300,000 (day trip) | Hours: Boats depart 7-8 AM, return 3-4 PM
Tra Que Herb Village
A small farming village 3 kilometers from Hoi An where families have grown herbs for generations using organic methods. Visitors can join farmers in the fields, learn to make cao lau noodles, and enjoy a cooking demonstration followed by lunch. The village is reached by a pleasant bicycle ride through rice paddies.
Price: VND 100,000-150,000 (cooking class) | Hours: Daily 7 AM-5 PM
Food and Drink
Cao lau noodles (Hoi An's signature dish) — Morning Glory Restaurant, Old Town. VND 45,000-65,000.
White rose dumplings (banh bao vac) — Ba Le Well, Old Town. VND 30,000-50,000.
Banh mi Phuong (famous baguette sandwich) — Banh Mi Phuong, Phan Chau Trinh Street. VND 25,000-35,000.
Fresh seafood at the night market — Hoi An Night Market, Thu Bon River. VND 50,000-150,000.
Practical Tips
• The Old Town entrance ticket (VND 120,000) is required and checked at five sites—buy it at the booth near the Japanese Bridge.
• Tailoring takes at least 24 hours; visit a shop on your first day for fittings before departure.
• Flood season (October-November) can make streets impassable—check conditions before visiting.
• ATMs in the Old Town sometimes run out of cash; withdraw in Da Nang or use larger bank branches.
• The Full Moon Lantern Festival happens on the 14th day of each lunar month—check the exact date before your visit.
Traveler's Tip
After dark, hire a small wooden boat (VND 50,000) from the Thu Bon River bank and ask the boatwoman to release a paper lantern on the water. The river fills with floating candles, the Old Town glows on both banks, and the sound of folk songs drifts from nearby boats. It is a five-minute experience that captures everything that makes Hoi An special.