HOI AN: TRAVEL GUIDE TO THE PRETTIEST TOWN IN VIETNAM

I absolutely adore Hoi An. It’s a very special place that I’ve been lucky enough to visit three times since 2009. I’ve watched it grow in popularity over the years, and it’s amazing to see how much has changed (and how much has stayed the same). The historic Ancient Town is the heart of Hoi An, a place that blends French colonial, Japanese and Chinese architecture in the most picturesque setting. It’s a bustle of energy by day that’s illuminated with color in the evenings when the Thu Bon River lights up with lanterns and floating wooden boats. Below is my complete travel guide to Hoi An including the best historical sights, rice fields, coffee shops, rooftops, day trips, restaurants, cafes, Hoi An photo locations, night markets and more.

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Ancient Town is the most picturesque destination in Vietnam. OUTFIT DETAILS: Abercrombie and Fitch dress linked here.

HOI AN TRAVEL TIPS

• CURRENCY – The official currency of Vietnam is the Vietnam Dong. While most hotels and established restaurants take credit card, cash is a must for smaller food stalls, shopping, admission tickets and guides.
• TAILOR SHOPS – Hoi An is known for custom tailor shops that can produce clothing items in 24-48 hours. With more than 300 tailor shops to choose from, it’s best to do a bit of research pre-trip and arrive with a list of three to four shops. On day one, visit the shops to go over design details, materials options and pricing, to find the shop that is the best fit. Most shops will do two fittings induring the one to two day production period. I had two-piece linen sets made for my summer trips to Europe.
• TIPPING – There is no tipping culture in Vietnam, although a 10%-15% tip is appreciated by guides who offer good service.
• STAYING CONNECTED – Most hotels have wi-fi connection, but for 24/7 connection it’s best to purchase an e-SIM for your cell phone.

Faifo Coffee is one of the cutest cafes in Hoi An – a charming facade and fabulous rooftop views.

WHEN TO VISIT HOI AN

• FEBRUARY-APRIL – The best time of the year to explore central Vietnam is February through April when temperatures are generally cooler with low chance of rain.
• MAY, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER – These months can be hit or miss with weather, as they fall between the rainy season and the cooler months of the year.
• NOVEMBER-JANUARY – This is the rainy season in Hoi An.
• JUNE-AUGUST – June through August is typically the hottest time of the year to visit central Vietnam with scorching temperatures and soaring humidity.

HOW MANY DAYS IN HOI AN

Two full days is enough time to explore Ancient Town on a tight schedule, as well as include the surrounding rice fields and a day trip to the My Son ruins. For more breathing room and time to relax at the beach, stay three to four full days.

Moments is another cute coffee shop with a lovely rooftop view of Ancient Town.

PLACES TO VISIT IN HOI AN

ANCIENT TOWN

Hoi An Ancient Town might be my favorite place in all of Vietnam. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is an extremely well-preserved confluence of Chinese, Japanese and European architecture. The result is a vibrant labyrinth of streets lined with yellow buildings, tiled rooftops and colorful lanterns that feels like a step back in time. The two main streets in town are also the most photogenic – Trần Phú and Nguyễn Thái Học.

ASSEMBLY HALLS

There are five assembly halls in Hoi An that were built during the 18th and 19th centuries. They were originally built for Chinese congregations, and burst with cultural details including swallowtail roofs, yin-yang tiles, dragon carvings, bonsai trees, courtyards and incense wreaths. The prettiest of the assembly halls are Phuc Kien and Quang Dong.

CAM CHAU RICE FIELDS

Escape the bustle of Ancient Town with a visit to the picturesque Cam Chau rice fields. The vibrant paddies are a short distance from town accessible via a 10-minute bicycle ride or 20-minute stroll. Narrow paths of dirt form a walking labyrinth through the rice fields where farmers and water buffalo spend their days working the fields.

CAM THANH RICE FIELDS

Cam Thanh is another set of beautiful rice fields located just outside of Ancient Town. The sea of green is breathtaking, and offers a nice change of pace from the chaos of the river, cafes and markets. It’s a 20-minute bicycle ride from town to reach the rice fields, or a 10-minute taxi ride.

CUA DAI BEACH

Cua Dai Beach sits just a few kilometers north of Ancient Town. The powder white sand and calm blue waters offer up an ideal setting to relax in the afternoon after a morning of sightseeing. Luxury resorts line the beach, as well as sun beds for rent, seafood stalls and restaurants.

HOI AN NIGHT MARKET

Open seven days a week from 5 PM through 10 PM, the Hoi An Night Market lines Nguyen Hoang Street where dozens of stalls light up the streets selling colorful glowing lanterns, street food, juices, clothing, trinkets, jewelry and more. It’s a must-visit while in town.

JAPANESE COVERED BRIDGE

Chua Cau is the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge that crosses a tiny canal off the Hoi An River. The ornate wooden footbridge dates back to the 16th century and features a pink tiled rooftop, animal statues and a mix of Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese design cues.

THU BON RIVER

While in Hoi An it’s hard to miss the beautiful Thu Bon River that borders Ancient Town. During the day, the bank of merchant buildings bathed in yellow serve up a stunning backdrop for the river. At night, the river transforms into a magical kaleidoscope of color thanks to the vibrant glowing lanterns that line the river and hang from the floating wooden boats. My favorite photo location in the evenings is on the cement blocks that line the river, near the Night Market.

In the Vietnamese culture, thr color yellow represents prosperity, happiness and harmony.

HOI AN DAY TRIPS

CHAM ISLAND ARCHIPELAGO

The beautiful Cham Island Archipelago is a group of eight islands located off the coast of Hoi An. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the main island Hon Lao has become a popular tourist attraction in recent years with ferry and speed boat transfers available from Cua Dai Pier, in Hoi An. Transfer time takes 30 to 45 minutes. Hon Lao is home to beaches, turquoise water and offshore snorkeling, but the setting isn’t comparable to the islands in Thailand. There are a handful of casual places to eat on the island, as well as local homestays and guesthouses.

MY SON SANCTUARY

The My Son Sanctuary is a mini-Angkor Wat located just 90 minutes from Hoi An. It sits in a lush green valley below Cat’s Tooth Mountain. The ancient temples date back to the 4th and 13th centuries, composed primarily of red fired brick and sandstone. My Son is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is a popular tour group destination, but it’s more enjoyable if you come on your own and see the ruins at your own pace.

The My Son cham temple ruins are my favorite day trip from Hoi An.

WHERE TO STAY IN HOI AN

FOUR SEASONS RESORT THE NAM HAI

Not only is Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai the nicest place to stay in Hoi An, it’s also one of the best resorts in all of Vietnam. The property is an exquisite blend of modern luxury and cultural design that features water gardens, tiered infinity pools, platform luxury villas and a resort layout inspired by the garden houses of Hue. There are a variety of villas to choose from – beachfront, oceanfront and pool villas. All are overly spacious with plush king beds, sunken desks, a lounge area, deep tubs and gorgeous cultural design details. This is my favorite place to stay in Hoi An.

MOIRE HOI AN

Moire Hoi An is a fine alternative to the Four Seasons for travelers looking for something new, contemporary and high-end without the $$$$ price tag. It’s a new property that opened in 2024 and the design is airy, bright and sophisticated. The beautiful exterior has been designed entirely in yellow with white window shutters to pay homage to the architecture of Ancient Town. The rooms here feel very clean, new and modern. Moire Hoi An sits on the banks of the Do River, an easy 10-minute stroll to Ancient Town.

NAMIA RIVER RETREAT

Situated on the Thu Bon River just a few miles from Ancient Town, Namia River Retreat offers 60 luxurious villas in a tranquil wellness setting. The villas are stunning and boast private pools, sunken tubs and epic views of the river. This place is gorgeous, and an absolute vibe.

BEST HOI AN ROOFTOPS

• FAIFO COFFEE – View of Ancient Town streets and rooftops
• MANGO MANGO – View of the river
• ME HOI AN – View of Ancient Town streets
• MEMORIES – View of Ancient Town streets
• MET HOI AN 10 – View of the river
• MOMENTS CAFE – View of Ancient Town streets
• MORNING GLORY ORIGINAL – View of Ancient Town streets
• MORNING GLORY SIGNATURE – View of the river

BEST HOI AN RESTAURANTS

• BANH MI PHUONG – Sandwiches
• BANH MI QUEEN – Sandwiches
• FIREFLY RESTAURANT – Vietnamese
• HOME HOI AN – Vietnamese
• NHAN’S KITCHEN – Vietnamese
• LIM DINING ROOM – Italian
• MANGO MANGO – Vietnamese
• MORNING GLORY – Vietnamese
• OLD RIVER RESTAURANT – Vietnamese
• PHAN GIA RIVERSIDE RESTAURANT – Vietnamese
• ROVING CHILL HOUSE – Brunch
• ROSIE’S – Brunch
• TRADERS WATERFRONT RESTAURANT – Vietnamese

Lunch with a view at Morning Glory Original.

Sandwiches from Banh Mi Phuong, an Anthony Bordain favorite.

Smoothie bowl and passion fruit juice at Fika Cafe.

BEST HOI CAFES

• 92 STATION CAFE
• FAIFO CAFE
• FIKA CAFE
• HOI AN ROASTERY
• MEMORIES BRUNCH & CAFE
• MOMENTS CAFE
• ROSIE’S BRUNCH

GET AROUND HOI AN

• WALKING – Ancient Town is a small pedestrian friendly destination, and the easiest way to explore is on foot.
• BICYCLE – Bicycle is a unique popular way to get around Ancient Town. Most guest houses, hotels and homestays offer complimentary bicycles for guests to use.
• SCOOTER AND MOTORBIKE – Both scooter and motorbike are popular modes of transportation.
• RIDE SHARE – Grab is the main ride share app in Vietnam. Download the app to have handy for any transportation needs.

Bicycle is a fun way to explore Ancient Town in the mornings.

GET TO HOI AN

• FLIGHT – Danang International Airport (DAD) is the closest airport, a 90-minute drive from Hoi An.
• TRAIN – Danang is also home to the closest train station that connects the country north to south. There is no train station in Hoi An.