Hoi An

Why visit Hoi An?

It sounds trite, but Hoi An really does have something for everyone. Whether you’re into shopping or spas, diving or cycling, crowds or quiet, street food or fine dining, visiting cultural hotspots or kicking back on a sun lounger, this lantern-lit town has it all.

Hoi An is a special place, something of a Disneyland, as Vietnamese tourists favour it as their number 1 holiday destination, too. And once you step inside the fairytale-like Old Town, its streets adorned with colourful lanterns and its traditional wooden bridges crossing the Thu Bon river (which you can take a pleasant boat tour along), it’s easy to see why.

It’s a spellbinding place to look at, magical to wander through and, activities and food aside, is worth a visit simply because it’s so damn pretty.

Of course, there’s plenty to do in Hoi An, too! From scouring for souvenirs and snapping selfies within the maze of the Old Town, to tracking down a new wardrobe in the Cloth Market, taking a bike tour around the surrounding countryside (shuttle buses and even Vespa tours are an option, too!) or indulging yourself with great food, great drink and great massages, you won’t get bored here. But you can be as active (or do as little!) as you like – either way, Hoi An offers the perfect fit.

What to do in Hoi An

Although there are endless ways in which you can enjoy this captivating place, here are what most travellers vote as the best things to do in Hoi An.

• Hoi An Tailors: Whatever you’re looking to get made – a dress, a coat, a suit, shoes or a bag – some of the world’s best tailors work here. Our on-the-ground travel team can connect you with the best shops, or for a more local experience, advise you on who to visit in the Cloth Market.
• Bike tour: Every day, streams of tourists cycle throughout the rice fields connecting Hoi An to An Bang beach. Because exploring Hoi An by bicycle is one of the most enjoyable activities you’ll do during your Vietnam holiday, with gorgeous scenery at every turn.
• Cooking class: Vegan, vegetarian or carnivore-friendly, with a market trip or a chance to get busy picking ingredients in Tra Que Vegetable Village before you cook, there’s a massive range of Hoi An cooking classes. Once you chat to our team, we can help you choose one to match your tastes.
• Boat tour: Whether you choose to venture through the tranquil network of water coconut palms by a traditional basket boat or kayak, or to save your boat tour for the Thu Bon in Old Town, an offland Hoi An tour offers a world of new delights.
• Cham Islands: If you have extra time, we’d highly recommend a short trip across the water to the Cham Islands. A popular spot for snorkelling and diving, you can go as part of a day trip or stay overnight to really enjoy the laid back island vibes.
• Yoga classes: Vietnam is becoming an increasingly popular destination for yoga and meditation retreats – and Hoi An in particular offers the perfect base for yogis to stretch, breathe and relax. If you’re exhausted from all that travelling, we can recommend some great yoga classes in Hoi An.
• Street food: Although Hoi An’s Central Market is a wonderful place to experience a variety of local dishes, really, you’ll find great food pretty much everywhere! Hoi An, with its plentiful supply of fresh fruit and vegetables from Tra Que village, is definitely a foodie destination – so make sure to try specialities like cao lầu (a pork and noodle dish) and Vietnam’s best bánh mì (a filled baguette) while you’re here.

Where to stay in Hoi An

Hoi An accommodation is plentiful, and varied. Considering the relatively small size of the town, the place is bursting with cute homestays, boutique hotels, luxury beach resorts lining the road from Da Nang to Hoi An, and everything in between.

For a better sense of the area, you might like to split your time: spending a couple of days near the Old Town and a couple of days by the beach. Our local travel team have worked with the best accommodation options in and around town for years – and we can recommend where to stay in Hoi An, depending on the kind of experience you’re after, and what you’d like to spend.

Ready to visit Hoi An?

Trust us, you’re going to love it. And however long you plan on staying, our travel team is here to help you get the very most out of your trip. We’ll help you avoid the crowds, scout out the most scenic and peaceful spots around, track down the best food and drink the town has to offer (although really, you’ll be spoiled for choice!).

So you can come to Hoi An to relax, unwind…and recharge your batteries for the rest of your journey.

If you’re landing in Da Nang International Airport (just a 45-minute drive away), we can arrange for our driver to wait for you at Arrivals before bringing you from Da Nang to Hoi An. You can also get to Hoi An by bus, or take the train to Da Nang and we can collect you from there. However you arrive, the hardest part about a trip to Hoi An will be leaving it behind!