Hội An Featured

15 best things to do in Hoi An

The calm, and antique beauty enchant every visitor at the very first sight. There's no need to worry too much about planning because the best things to do in Hoi An will be covered right below.

  • Nhu Quynh Tran

Nhu Quynh Tran

• 9 min read
People of Hoi An. Photo byTam Nguyen/ Unsplash

Morning stroll the ancient town

Taking a stroll is the best way to immerse yourself in all the authentic scents of the old town - the aromas of the ancient houses, a warm cup of herbal tea, of coffee, of a local food stall, of candles inside the lanterns, the smell of pure Silk, of the river, and trees breathing.

Hoi An ancient town has been designated for pedestrians and cyclists in two-time frames: 9 am to 11 am and from 6 pm to 10 pm.

Collect unique local souvenirs

Metiseko silk shop. Photo by Metiseko Hoi An

Hoi An used to be one of the crucial spots on the legendary silk road, making this town the land of many meticulous luxury goods. Shopping in Hoi An might not end up taking a lot of space in your luggage but is likely to take you a lot of time because it offers you so many unique and eye-catching items.

Silk

Don't miss out on the artisan, high-quality silk products in Hoi An. The patterns on the Silk reflect the old glorious thrive of an infusion of Asian culture.

Here are some of the best places that offer luxurious Silk in Hoi An:

Metiseko Hoi An

Hoi An Silk Village

Jewelry

Besides silk, local signature souvenirs in Hoi An are jewelry. Varying in styles, including contemporary classic, oriental, and fusion designs, the options are diverse, so you can rest assured that something that matches your taste is waiting to be discovered.

Some of the finest shops for jewelry are:  

COTIC art space. Photo by COTIC art space

Lotus Jewellery

COTIC art space

Taste the local flavors

Although there are various culinary options for visitors in Hoi An, local foods are an incomparable delight for your tastebuds. The signature dishes of Hoi An are banh mi (Vietnamese baguette), Cao Lau (Hoi An signature pork noodles, literally translated as "high floor"), My Quang (Quang style noodle soup), Com Ga (chicken rice).

Banh mi in Hoi An is well-known as the world's best banh mi. Listed below are two places that are proudly called by that title:

Banh Mi

Banh mi Phuong. Photo by Hidden Hoi An

Madam Khanh

  • Get there: 115 Tran Cao Van, Hoi An, Vietnam
  • Opening hours:  6:30 AM - 7:30 PM

Banh Mi Phuong

  • Get there: 2B Phan Chau Trinh, Hoi An, Vietnam
  • Opening hours: 6:30 AM - 9:30 PM

Cao Lau

Cao Lau means “ high floor” in Vietnamese. This course used to be served only to wealthy people. The name is believed to come from the way people would sit on a higher floor to enjoy the dish.

You can enjoy the best Cao Lau at one of these places:

Cao Lau dish in Hoi An. Photo by Best Price

Trung Bac Restaurant

An Ty Ty Restaurant

Cao Lau Khong Gian Xanh

Traditional rice dishes

Head Chef/ Founder of Mai Fish. Photo by Mai Fish

Each region in Vietnam offers a unique taste of a traditional meal. The local flavor of this land will delight you heartily. You can find the most authentic meal sets at the restaurants below:

Mai Fish

Mango Mango

Get on a boat and watch lantern's light

Glowing Hoi An. Photo by Ruxat Photography/ Unsplash 

Hoi An is blessed with an alluvia river flowing through its heart. Thu Bon River has been the cultural center for as long as the age of the land. Let's give yourself some time to get on the water, feel the flow of time, and watch the enchantment lantern's lights of this ancient town.

Change your view of Hoi An from a rooftop restaurant

The wide-stretching view of old tile roofs with its signature color of sunbeam in the late afternoon will linger in your mind long after leaving this place. You will get the feeling of stepping into a movie scene when the sun disappears behind the horizon as the light of thousands of lanterns starts glowing up in the town.

Dinner at The Chef. Photo by The Chef

Here are some cafes, bars, and restaurants that offer great views and delicious menus:

The Chef

92 station restaurant & cafe

  • Get there: 92 Tran Phu, Hoi An, Vietnam
  • Opening hours:  7:30 AM - 7 PM (weekday) and 7:30 AM - 8 PM (weekend)
  • Fanpage: @92-station-restaurant-cafe

Get your own cafe tour in Hoi An

Afternoon in Rosie’s Cafe. Photo by Rosie’s cafe 

The exterior and interior design of cafes in Hoi An are so uniquely local that you might not find them anywhere else. The spaces here offer a fresh and calm vibe when you slowly sip your cup of coffee.

Phin Coffee Hoi An

Rosie’s Cafe

Hoi An Roastery

Get lost in time at tea houses of Hoi An

Cocobana Tea Room. Photo by Cocobana 

Drinking tea in Hoi An's rustic, peaceful, and antique atmosphere is a pleasing experience. It’s perfect for enjoying some of your valuable time in a space full of time values.

Here is the information on places that offer green and peaceful spaces with great teas:

Reaching Out Teahouse

Reaching Out's garden seats. Photo by Reaching out Teahouse

Cocobana Tea Rooms & Garden

Relax your mind and body at Hoi AN’s best spa and yoga centers

Things to do in Hoi An for a retreat won't be complete without spa and yoga sessions. After strolling downtown, a little merry souvenir shopping and a nice rest in the tea space, you might want to treat yourself to herbal therapy or a spa session for a wholesome day.

Doing early morning or afternoon yoga is a brilliant idea for keeping up your workout routine while traveling.

Citrus Spa

Nomady Yoga

Aum Yoga

Hear the amazing stories of Hoi An’s historical relics

Japanese Covered Bridge. Photo by Hanoi Premium travel

Wandering Hoi An ancient town, you might meet some fascinating architectural relics. Accompanying the artistic and historical values are amazing stories that await you to discover.

Japanese Covered Bridge

Old House of Tan Ky

Fukian Assembly Hall

Get to know the artisans in Thanh Ha pottery village

The making of vases at Thanh Ha Pottery Village. Photo by Kristina Tate

The village has a long history. During the 17th and 18th centuries, local pottery products were exported to Japan, China, and Spain via Hoi An Trading Port. Visiting Thanh Ha, you will have a chance to learn the stories of how humble artisans have preserved family traditions and choose for yourself a unique pottery product.

Thanh Ha Pottery Village

Explore local cuisine practices in Hoi An’s cooking classes

Coming to Hoi An is an ideal opportunity to learn local dishes. The land offers abundant fresh ingredients from the Thu Bon River. Hoi An also nurtures hospitable people that will guide you through memorable cooking sessions.

Cooking class at Red Bridge Restaurant. Photo by Red Bridge Restaurant

My Grandma's Home Cooking

Red Bridge Restaurant, Cooking School & Villa

Don’t miss Hoi An’s cultural shows.

Hoi An Memories show. Photo by Klook

The year-round cultural shows in this place are Hoi An Water Puppet Show, Hoi An Memories, and Lune Productions Show. Hoi An Memories tells the story of Hoi An’s evolution throughout four centuries through a massive performance of 500 actors, dancers, singers, and artists every night in Impression Theme Park. Lune Production shows are theater-like performances with the concept of the five unique cultures of five Vietnamese ethnic communities. Besides, every night, there are smaller free shows performed by amateur artists in the walking streets of Hoi An.

Hoi An Water Puppet Show

  • Get there: 548 Hai Ba Trung, Hoi An, Vietnam
  • Opening hours: 6:30 PM every day (closed on Wednesday and Sunday)
  • Fanpage: @waterpuppet.HoiAn
  • Price: Adult – 80,000 VND (3.5 USD) Child – 40,000 VND (1.7 USD).

Hoi An Memories

Lune Productions shows

  • Get there: Dong Hiep Park, Nguyen Phuc Chu St.
  • Opening hours: Check the website for scheduling & booking tickets
  • Website: luneproduction.com
  • Price: Zone A– 700,000 VND (30.50 USD);  Zone O – 1,150,000 VND (50 USD), Zone W– 1,600,000 VND (70 USD)

Set yourself a suntan on An Bang beach

An Bang beach. Photo by La Siesta Resort

Located only 25 minutes cycling or ten-minute drive from the central town of Hoi An, An Bang Beach offers a peaceful scene with well-equipped bars, restaurants, and accommodations for you to enjoy sunbathing on the beach.

Feel the most authentic local life on a cycling trip

Hoi An peaceful morning. Photo by Steve Douglas/ Unsplash

Both morning and afternoon cycling around the countryside of Hoi An are pleasant experiences. On your way, eye-stretching paddy fields and petit garden houses that are the signature of central Vietnam's architecture and lifestyle appear lively and vivid but so peaceful that they can be as good as a way of meditation.

Perceive the marvelous architecture of My Son Sanctuary

My Son Sanctuary. Photo by Steve Douglas/ Unsplash

During the 14th and 15th centuries, this place was the spiritual center of the Champa Kingdom. The Cham people are closely related to the Malaysian ethnic group and used to be the core of Muslims in Cambodia and Vietnam. The complex consisted of 70 structures; however, only 25 remained.

Now it's time for you to experience this list in Hoi An in your way!