Hoi An Mini Guide: Making the Most of Vietnam's Most Charming Town

Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located 30 kilometers south of Da Nang, Vietnam, featuring over 800 preserved historic structures dating back to the 15th-19th centuries. This ancient trading port offers exceptional value with accommodation from $50/night, authentic local dishes unique to the region, and experiences from tailor-made suits ($200-500) to cooking classes ($25-35).

After three years of exploring Vietnam's coastline from my base in Da Nang, this ancient trading port remains one of my absolute favorite destinations in the country, maybe in all of Southeast Asia. The blend of history, culture, exceptional food, and that laid-back atmosphere is what drew me to this part of the world in the first place.

Getting to Hoi An

From Da Nang, you have several options depending on your budget and adventurousness. The easiest is grabbing a Grab car (Vietnam's equivalent of Uber) for around 250,000 VND one-way, about $10 USD for door-to-door service with air conditioning. Local buses run regularly for a fraction of the price if you're not in a hurry and enjoy watching local life unfold through bus windows.

I personally enjoy renting a motorbike and taking the scenic coastal route, stopping at My Khe Beach along the way for a swim or coffee. The ride takes about 45 minutes depending on traffic, and the journey itself becomes half the fun. Watching rice paddies give way to fishing villages, then ancient architecture, creates anticipation that enhances arrival. For first-time visitors uncomfortable on motorbikes, the Grab option works perfectly well. Learn more about exploring Da Nang as a base for your Vietnam adventures.

Where to Stay

The Ancient Town area puts you right in the heart of the action, step outside and you're immediately surrounded by centuries-old architecture, boutique shops, and restaurant options. But expect to pay premium prices for that convenience, and the evening crowds can make the area feel more like a theme park than a living town.

I recommend staying just outside the Old Town in areas like An Hoi or Cam Nam Island. You'll save significant money and enjoy a quieter atmosphere while still being walking distance from everything. The boutique hotels here offer incredible value, I've stayed in places with gorgeous pools, excellent breakfast, and beautiful rooms for under $50 per night. The walk into town takes ten minutes and provides pleasant transition rather than abrupt immersion.

Must-See Attractions

The Japanese Covered Bridge is iconic for good reason, this 400-year-old structure represents Hoi An's history as a trading hub where Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese merchants conducted business. But don't miss the lesser-known assembly halls scattered throughout town. Each one tells a story of the Chinese merchant clans who once dominated regional trade. The Fujian Assembly Hall and Cantonese Assembly Hall feature intricate architecture and ongoing religious significance that provides context for the town's multicultural heritage.

The Ancient House at 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street gives you a glimpse into how wealthy merchant families lived centuries ago. The architecture blends Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese influences, fitting for a town that served as a melting pot for Asian trade. Many such houses remain family-owned, with descendants living in back rooms while opening front sections to visitors.

Best Experiences

Get a custom suit or dress made, Hoi An is famous for its tailors, and the quality-to-price ratio remains unbeatable despite rising costs. Allow at least two fittings over multiple days for best results. The tailors work fast, but rushed jobs show it. I've had suits made here that I wear to professional events years later.

Take a cooking class to learn Vietnamese cuisine hands-on. Most classes include a market visit where you select ingredients, then preparation and eating together. The experience teaches you about Vietnamese food culture beyond just recipe steps. Red Bridge Cooking School and Morning Glory's classes both have strong reputations.

Rent a bicycle and explore the surrounding rice paddies and vegetable villages. The town's flat terrain makes cycling easy, and escaping the tourist center reveals how locals actually live. Tra Que vegetable village, about four kilometers from town, supplies herbs to restaurants throughout Hoi An.

At night, release a paper lantern on the Thu Bon River. Yes, it's touristy, the river fills with floating lights during full moon festivals especially. But genuinely magical moments sometimes emerge from tourist activities, and this is one of them. The combination of reflected lanterns, ancient architecture, and warm evening air creates atmosphere that photographs can't capture. For more Southeast Asian experiences, check out expat life in Thailand.

Food and Dining

Hoi An has its own unique dishes you won't find elsewhere in Vietnam, local specialties that justify the trip on culinary grounds alone.

Cao Lau is a must-try: chewy noodles with pork and herbs that can only be made authentically with water from a specific local well. The noodles have a distinctive texture different from any other Vietnamese dish. Whether the well water story is literally true matters less than the result, unique flavor you genuinely can't replicate elsewhere.

White Rose dumplings (banh bao vac) are delicate shrimp dumplings shaped like roses, served with crispy shallots. One family has held the recipe for generations, supplying restaurants throughout town.

Banh Mi from Madam Khanh, the original "Banh Mi Queen", is non-negotiable for sandwich enthusiasts. Anthony Bourdain's visit made her famous, and the quality justifies the hype despite the resulting lines. Arrive early or late to minimize waiting.

The central market is perfect for breakfast, where locals gather for bowls of steaming pho and com ga (chicken rice). Eating where locals eat provides both better food and lower prices than the tourist-oriented restaurants on main streets.

Practical Tips

Visit during shoulder seasons (March-April or September-October) to avoid crowds and flooding. Hoi An's low elevation means heavy rains during monsoon season (October-November) can flood streets. When flooding occurs, locals take it in stride, but it affects what you can access.

The Old Town is pedestrian-only in the evenings, making it perfect for exploring on foot without motorbike traffic. This pedestrianization has improved the evening atmosphere considerably.

Buy a combination ticket for 120,000 VND that grants access to multiple heritage sites, much better value than paying individual entrance fees. The ticket system can be confusing; ask at any official booth for current options.

And whatever you do, stay for at least two or three nights. One day simply isn't enough to soak in Hoi An's magic. The town reveals itself gradually, rushing through misses the atmospheric depth that makes it special. Evening light through lanterns, morning mist over the river, the rhythm of daily life unfolding around ancient architecture, these experiences require time. Find more Vietnam travel guides for planning your trip.