Looking for the best things to do in Hoi An ? See my recommendations below,
Set along Vietnam’s central coastline, Hoi An is a beautifully preserved trading port dating from the 15th to 19th centuries. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its enchanting old town is illuminated by golden lanterns and lined with centuries-old shophouses, reflecting a fusion of cultural influences shaped by its past. We spent two days there.
Chinese assembly hall
The ancient town of Hoi An is a compact maze of winding lanes, moss-covered merchant houses, and hidden courtyards. The best way to explore it is on foot. We booked a walking tour with Get Your Guide and visited a museum, an ornate Chinese assembly hall, a centuries-old family residence open to the public, and the Japanese covered bridge. Our guide, Kun, was thoroughly entertaining, and shared insights into local life along with historic information.
Heritage House
An interesting fact about Hoi An is that it floods almost every year between October and December with the water rising to knee or even waist height. What is remarkable, though, is the speed and spirit with which locals recover from it. Within hours of the waters receding, shopkeepers are out with brooms and buckets, restaurants reopen, and the lanterns go back up. We were shocked when Kun showed us how high the water levels were just a few days before our arrival.
Japanese Covered Bridge
The Japanese Covered Bridge is the town's most enduring symbol and one of the most photographed structures in all of Vietnam. Built in the early 18th century by the Japanese merchant community, the bridge spans a small canal at the edge of the Ancient Town and is adorned with carved wooden details.
Lantern Boats at Night
As the sun sets over the river, Hoi An transforms into something almost magical. The waterfront lights up with the soft glow of coloured lanterns reflected on the dark water, and wooden boats drift slowly past carrying candles and flowers. Joining one of these evening river cruises — or simply watching from the riverbank as lantern-lit boats glide by — is a special experience.
For an even more immersive experience, visit on the 14th night of the lunar month when the Ancient Town's electric lights are switched off for the Full Moon Lantern Festival. The streets fill with silk lanterns in every colour, and visitors and locals alike release small paper lanterns onto the river, making wishes as the lights drift downstream into the dark.
Cam Thanh Coconut Basket Boats
Just outside Hoi An, the Cam Thanh Coconut Village provides a fun and uniquely local experience with its famous coconut basket boats. These round, woven boats—traditionally used by fishermen—glide through a maze of water coconut palms. Visitors can hop aboard for a gentle ride along the waterways, accompanied by skilled rowers who spin the boats in circles and share snippets of local life.
An Bang Beach
An Bang is a peaceful stretch of soft sand and calm, blue water about five kilometres from the Ancient Town. Often listed among the best beaches in Asia, it is lined with casual beachfront cafés and palm trees, and is a great spot to unwind, sip fresh coconuts and enjoy seafood. The South China Sea here is warm and relatively calm for most of the year, making it ideal for swimming.
Hoi An Countryside
Beyond the Ancient Town's charming streets lies a patchwork of green rice paddies, flower farms, and quiet villages that are best explored by bicycle. The flat terrain makes cycling accessible for almost everyone, and the roads are quiet once you leave the main streets behind.
Tailor shops in Hoi An
This is one of the most popular things to do in here. Hoi An has been a tailoring town since the days of the ancient Silk Road trading port, and today it remains home to hundreds of skilled dressmakers and tailors who can produce bespoke clothing in as little as 24 to 48 hours. The range available is extensive — from linen trousers and silk blouses to tailored suits and leather shoes.
The key to getting a great result is to allow yourself at least two days, bring reference photos or a well-fitting garment for the tailor to copy, and be very specific about fabrics and fit during your initial consultation. The best tailors will ask detailed questions and schedule at least one fitting before the final handover.
Dragon Bridge in Da Nang
30 kilometres north of Hoi An, the bustling city of Da Nang is a fascinating contrast to the old town's quiet charm. Vietnam's third-largest city, it is modern, fast-moving, and full of energy — with a long stretch of My Khe Beach, a colourful dragon bridge that breathes fire on weekend evenings, and a vibrant restaurant and cafe scene. The closest airport to Hoi An is in Da Nang, so you will most likely fly in or out of there.
Pagoda on Marble Mountain
The main sights include the Marble Mountains — a cluster of limestone hills riddled with caves, temples, and breathtaking viewpoints — and the Museum of Cham Sculpture, which houses the world's largest collection of Cham artefacts. We visited Da Nang and the Marble Mountains on a bus tour from Huếto Hoi An. We also flew from Da Nang airport to Ho Chi Minh City, spending some time there before our flight.
Golden Bridge, Bana Hills
Perched high in the mountains west of Da Nang, Ba Na Hills is one of the most unique attractions in central Vietnam. The Ba Na Hills cable car, one of the longest and highest in the world, takes you above the jungle canopy and through clouds to a mountain-top resort where the climate is completely different to the coast below.
At the summit you'll find the famous Golden Bridge — held by two enormous stone hands and offering panoramic views across the forested hills — along with French colonial ruins, a flower park, and a fantasy-themed entertainment complex. Be warned though, Ba Na Hills is very touristy—some people love it, and some hate it.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t visit due to the bad weather during our visit.
Hoi An is small enough that you're never too far from anything. The Ancient Town is the heart of it all — staying here or within walking distance puts you among the lantern-lit streets, tailor shops, and riverside restaurants the moment you step outside. It's atmospheric and convenient, though it can get busy in the evenings. Just outside the Ancient Town along the Thu Bon River is a sweet spot — close enough to walk in, but calmer and more spacious with great views.
For a taste of local life, stay in a residential area. We stayed in an Airbnb called Fantasy Village Villa in the Cam Thanh countryside area. It was huge with three en-suite bedrooms and a large open-plan area. We were the first guests there. The hostess, Tram, was very friendly and left drinks, cookies and freshly-laid eggs from her chickens (which were on the grounds) for us when we arrived. She even gave us a farewell gift when we departed.
Find more accommodation options here.
See how to apply for a visa for Vietnam.
See how to plan a trip to Vietnam.
See things to do in Huế.
Read about our cruise in Ha Long Bay.
Sara Essop is a travel blogger and writer based in South Africa. She writes about family travel and experiences around the world. Although she has been to 53 countries thus far, she especially loves showcasing her beautiful country and is a certified South Africa Specialist.
