Best of Hoi An, Vietnam – An eShores favourite

Hoi An is an absolute must-visit on any multi-centre holiday to Vietnam. This riverside town, just a short distance from Da Nang, is oozing with charm, history, and some of the most stunning lantern-lit streets you’ll ever come across. As you wander through its narrow lanes, you’ll soak up a fascinating blend of Japanese, Chinese, and French influences. Add in the gorgeous nearby beaches, and it’s the ultimate win-win. Whether you’re crossing the famous Japanese Covered Bridge, enjoying the legendary Cao Lau noodles, hunting for bargains at the night markets, or simply relaxing on the powdery beaches, Hoi An delivers some incredible experiences.  Here are some of our top picks…

 

TL;DR – top things to do in Hoi An:

• Wander round the UNESCO-listed Old Town
• Walk across the Japanese Covered Bridge
• Take a basket ride in the coconut forest
• Take a foldable lantern making class
• Visit during a lantern festival
• Experience Vietnamese coffee culture
• Taste Cao Lau noodles
• Relax on An Bang beach
• See the Hoi An Memories Show
• Get a tailored suit or silk dress made
• Visit My Son Sanctuary
• Snap up some bargains at Hoi An night market
• Ride along the Thu Bon river

 

 

Wander round the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Hoi An

One of the first things you’ll want to do as soon as you arrive is get your walking shoes on and head out for a wander to get a feel for this magical place. Hoi An’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a joy to explore on foot, with narrow streets lined with colourful traditional lanterns, beautiful buildings, and a mix of architecture. You’ll spot everything from Chinese temples and Japanese merchant houses to French colonial architecture.  One of the main attractions is the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge (but we’ll come back to that later). Another highlight is the is Quan Cong Temple, a peaceful and beautifully kept shrine where you’ll see statues, red lacquered beams, and ornate carvings.  The magic really happens though once the sun goes down and the lanterns light up along the riverside, with the whole place taking on a warm, twinkling glow.

Once you’ve had an explore around on your own, it’s well worth booking a guided walking tour. You’ll get a proper sense of the town’s history, and visit key spots including the Fujian Assembly Hall, Quan Thang Ancient House, Kazik Park, and the Central Market. Local guides also often share personal stories and lesser-known bits of history, and you’ll get to nip down hidden alleyways or discover street stalls or little shops you might otherwise miss.

 

Walk across the Japanese covered bridge

The Japanese Covered Bridge is probably the most iconic landmark in Hoi An. Built in the early 1600s by the Japanese community to connect with the Chinese quarter, it’s a beautiful piece of architecture with a curved roof, wooden beams, and stone statues guarding each end.

The bridge is especially beautiful in the morning or at dusk when the lanterns are glowing.  Inside, there’s a small temple dedicated to Tran Vo Bac De, the Taoist god believed to control the weather and protect the town from floods and disasters, with beautifully detailed woodwork.

 

Take a basket ride in the coconut forest:

To get a true feel for the countryside beyond Hoi An’s bustling streets, a hugely popular activity is to take a basket boat ride through the nearby Cam Thanh Coconut Forest. This forest is located just a short drive from town and is a maze of waterways shaded by huge coconut palms. The basket boats themselves are handmade from bamboo and shaped like giant woven baskets that float on the water and below you can find a picture of me (Dave) enjoying the experience with my family.

The trip lasts about an hour along the river, and you’ll be warmly welcomed by the local people who run these tours. Along the way, you glide down narrow waterways, learning how to paddle your own basket boat if you fancy, or even have a go at spinning in the boats. You also get to watch traditional fishing techniques and hear stories from the locals about life on the water and the wildlife living in this beautiful forest. It’s a really fun thing to do and a great way of seeing some stunning scenery along the way.

 

Take a Foldable Lantern making class

 Hoi An’s magical glow after dusk is thanks in large part to its iconic lanterns which have become the main symbol of the town.  Learning how to make a foldable lantern is a hands-on way to connect with this tradition. In the workshop, you’ll learn how to craft your very own lantern using bamboo frames and colourful silk and your instructor will also share fascinating stories about the lanterns’ significance in festivals, weddings, and daily life in Hoi An. The best bit is you get to bring home your handmade lantern (folding handily so it fits in your suitcase!)

 

Visit during a Lantern Festival

 If you’re lucky or organised enough to be in Hoi An during a Lantern Festival, you’re in for a real treat. This lovely event happens every month on the full moon, usually around the 14th or 15th day of the lunar calendar. On the night, the Old Town switches off all its electric lights and instead glows with thousands of colourful paper lanterns floating above the streets and drifting gently along the river. You can even float your own candle-lit lantern downstream in memory of a loved one. The whole place feels utterly magical, with traditional music playing and cultural performances taking place.

It’s definitely the best time to see Hoi An at its most atmospheric and picture-perfect. That said, the narrow streets can get packed with visitors and tour groups, so be prepared for the crowds. If you’re after something a bit more peaceful, it might be worth planning your visit outside the festival dates. You’ll still get to enjoy the town’s charm and the pretty lanterns, just on a quieter scale.

 

Learn about Vietnamese coffee culture:

Vietnam is the world’s second-largest coffee producer after Brazil, and over time it’s developed a coffee culture that’s entirely its own. You’ll see people sipping coffee at all hours, perched on tiny plastic stools by the roadside, tucked away in courtyards, or in trendy, modern cafés.  Vietnamese coffee is often strong, made by slowing dripping the liquid through a metal phin filter, and usually served with condensed milk, either hot or over ice. The sweet, creamy twist came about because fresh milk used to be hard to come by.  Taking a coffee-making class in Hoi An is a brilliant way to get under the skin of the local coffee scene.  During the class you’ll learn how to make different styles of traditional Vietnamese coffee, including the famous egg coffee and coconut coffee.  Most classes are run by local baristas and you’ll likely hear a few stories about how coffee became such a big part of daily life in Vietnam. Even if you’re not a coffee expert, it’s a great way to spend a couple of hours.

 

Taste Cao Lau (noodle dish)

If you want to eat like a local, you can’t leave Hoi An without trying Cao Lau. This iconic noodle dish is unlike anything else you’ll find in Vietnam. It’s made with thick rice noodles, slices of pork, fresh herbs, croutons, and a delicious broth.  The secret to Cao Lau’s unique texture and taste is the local water from a special ancient well in Hoi An, giving the noodles a distinct chewiness you won’t find anywhere else.

For the most authentic and tastiest Cao Lau, we’d recommend skipping the restaurants in the Old Town and heading to Hoi An market by the river or one of the busy street food stalls along this stretch. It’s a dish that’s usually eaten at lunchtime, so you’ll get the best experience at this time of day.  And, as always, look for where the locals eat – a sign of good quality!

 

Relax on An Bang beach

One of the great things about Hoi An is its proximity to a lovely stretch of coastline. Whilst most people tend to stay within the historic town itself, it’s only a couple of miles’ drive or cycle to the beautiful nearby beaches, including An Bang Beach. Here you sink your toes into powdery soft white sand, take a dip in the calm waves, and enjoy the shade of the swaying palm trees.

If you’re feeling a bit more energetic, you can hire a kayak or paddleboard.  The sunsets here are stunning, so even if you only manage to nip to the beach at dusk, the golden skies make your visit more than worth it.

 

Hoi An Memories Show

The Hoi An Memories Show is a huge outdoor performance held at the Hoi An Impression Theme Park, about a 10-minute drive from the Old Town. It brings Hoi An’s history, culture, and legends to life with stunning visuals, live music, and choreography featuring hundreds of performers. Set against a riverside backdrop and under the open sky, the show uses water, fire, and dramatic lighting effects with incredible effect.  There’s English narration at the start of each scene, so you can follow the story easily and it’s worth arriving early to explore, grab a bite or a drink, and soak up the atmosphere before the show begins at sunset. We recommend booking your ticket in advance as it can sell out.

 

Get a Custom Suit or Silk Dress Made

Hoi An is famous for its tailors and beautiful silk, with affordable and high-quality work plus quick turnaround times. So it’s the perfect opportunity to treat yourself to something custom-made. It’s always best to do a bit of research or ask for advice at your hotel to pick a good tailor.  Plus bring along any photos if you have specific ideas of what you’d like them to make.  There are usually at least two fittings to get everything just right and many tailors will even pick you up from your hotel and take measurements on the spot.

 

Visit My Son Sanctuary

My Son Sanctuary is as UNESCO World Heritage site about a 40-minute drive from Hoi An. It consists of a collection of ancient Hindu temples from the Champa Kingdom, built between the 4th and 13th centuries. With striking red brick towers, intricate carvings, temples dedicated to Shiva, and beautifully preserved sculptures, it offers an insight into the beauty and craftsmanship of the Champa Kingdom’s heritage.

The site is relatively small, and it’s best to visit early in the morning before the big tour buses arrive.

 

Snap up some bargains at Hoi An night market:

Hoi An’s night market, just a short walk from the Old Town along the riverfront, really comes alive after sunset. The streets fill up with colourful stalls selling all sorts from handmade pieces to lanterns and local street food. It’s the perfect spot to try some tasty Vietnamese favourites such as Cao Lau, grilled skewers, or sweet treats. With the twinkling lanterns and a buzzing atmosphere, it truly captures the spirit of Hoi An at night.

 

Cruise along the Thu Bon River

For a different angle of the town, hop on a river cruise along the Thu Bon in Hoi An.   Sunset trips are particularly popular as you watch the sky turn a golden hue and the lanterns start flickering on.  Once the sun finally dips below the horizon, the river really comes alive with the boats glowing with lanterns. If you’re after something a bit more hands-on, there are longer cruises that stop at nearby craft villages, or you could even combine it with a cooking class.

 

As part of a wider multi-centre holiday across Vietnam or Southeast Asia, Hoi An offers the perfect place to truly soak up the beauty of Vietnamese culture.  With its pretty Old Town, nearby beaches, incredible food, and warm, welcoming atmosphere, it’s a place that will likely end up being a true highlight of your holiday.