A Few Friendly Tips for Your Time in Hoi An

A scenic painting of a traditional Vietnamese canal scene at sunset with a boat carrying two women wearing conical hats, colorful lanterns along the water, and old-style buildings with lanterns lining the canal.

Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s most visited destinations – and for good reason. Lantern-lit streets, riverside cafés, traditional craftwork, and wide sandy beaches make it endlessly inviting. Many travellers arrive planning to stay a day or two… and end up staying a week.

The best way to enjoy Hoi An is slowly and intuitively. Wander, taste, rest, pedal, and pause wherever your curiosity takes you.

Below is a short collection of our favourite experiences.

1. Stroll the UNESCO Ancient Town

Hoi An’s Ancient Town has been recognised by UNESCO since 1999. Its streets follow the Thu Bon River and weave Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese architecture into one beautiful tapestry.

It’s perfect for street photography, especially in the evening when lanterns glow between balconies of bright bougainvillea.

Quietest hours: 11:30am–1:30pm, when many locals rest and visitors often head to the beach.

A yellow colonial-style building with dark shutters, pink hanging lamps, and a balcony with white balusters, located on a street with trees, parked motorcycles, and decorative lanterns hanging across the street.

2. Take a Lantern Boat Ride

An iconic Hoi An experience is drifting along the river after dusk as floating lanterns dot the water. Prices are negotiable – just remember to bargain kindly.

3. Cycle Through Rice Fields & Villages

Between town and beach lie lush green rice fields, vegetable gardens, and small village lanes. Cross the main bridge from the Ancient Town onto the island, then turn right and follow the path toward the long metal bridge to the next island.

This lesser-known area is full of tombs, traditional homes, and peaceful local life.

You can explore by bicycle, scooter, or motorbike. If riding, please familiarise yourself with Vietnam’s road rules.

4. Snorkel on Cham Island

A great day trip for those who love the water. While not as colourful as Indonesia or Thailand, Cham Island still offers coral gardens and tropical fish.

Choose a reputable tour operator and book responsibly.

5. Join a Vietnamese Cooking Class

Hoi An is a wonderful place to learn Vietnamese cooking – from national dishes to local specialties like cao lau and white rose. Prices vary widely, so take your time to find a teacher whose style suits you. This is also a perfect rainy-day activity!

6. Tailor-Made Clothing

Hoi An is famous worldwide for its tailoring tradition. Two places we trust:

Mr Xe

Highly rated and excellent for men’s suits and classic designs for both men and women. Affordable, fast, and reliable.

Bebe Tailor – 95 Phan Chu Trinh

Outstanding for technical, creative, or bespoke designs. Huge fabric selection and a chance to see behind the scenes. Head to 95 Phan Chu Trinh Street and ask for Chi or Lien and let them know you’re friends of Phil and Hoa from ETHOS – they’ll take good care of you and may even share local food and café tips.

Yellow business card for a cloth shop and tailor called Mr Xê, highlighting unique and contemporary fabric designs from around the world, with contact information and an address in Vietnam.

Map of a coastal area with roads, landmarks, and points of interest labeled, including a post office, hospital, bank, Japanese bridge, and a market, with directions to the beach and a dock on the water.

Map of the area showing streets, landmarks, and businesses including Be Be restaurant, Riverside Resort, Brother's Café, and various streets and a post office.

A woman is helping a girl try on a traditional clothing garment in a brightly lit store.

7. Eat Well – Very Well

Hoi An is a food lover’s dream. A few highlights:
Cao Lau: The city’s signature noodle dish – thicker noodles, crisp greens, sliced pork, and crunchy toppings. Usually 30,000–40,000 VND.
Ba Be – E071, Central Market: Fantastic fried wontons, white rose dumplings, and cao lau. Incredible quality at local prices. Great smoothies next door.
Hi Restaurant – 1 Nguyen Phu Chu Street: A warm family-run spot with delicious home-style dishes and fun cooking classes.
Không Cầm Quán – 20/10 Đường 18 Tháng 8: Hard to find but worth it. Excellent flavours and a very local feel. Don’t miss the jellyfish salad.
White Sail – 134 Tran Cao Van: Cosy, friendly, and consistently delicious.

A smiling man standing next to a menu board at a food stall, with a thatched roof and outdoor setting visible.

8. Spend a Day by the Sea

Hoi An’s beaches – An Bang and Cua Dai – are major draws, especially between January and September. Monsoon season can affect beach quality, but early mornings are always beautiful.

For something quieter, head to the small beach between An Bang and Cua Dai and look for Sea Side Restaurant & Spa. With a beer or meal, you can use their loungers for free. The family often heads to the morning market to buy fresh seafood on request.

A lovely coffee shop sits right next door with excellent cold brews.

Tip: If you’re an early riser, go before 5:30am to watch the sunrise over Cham Island. Truly magical.

Motorbike rentals cost around 150,000 VND/day. Choose a bike that feels safe – no rattling, bald tyres, or smoky exhaust. For larger bikes:

https://vietnammotorcycleadventures.com

Sign advertising a restaurant and spa called Sea Side, with a beach scene background including a thatched umbrella, chairs, ocean, and clouds, and a starfish on the sand.

Empty beach with wooden lounge chairs, umbrellas, and flowering plants, overlooking the ocean with distant mountains and boats in the water.

Four children holding hands and walking along the beach during sunset with mountains in the background.

9. Lune Performing Arts Centre

A beautiful one-hour cultural show each evening. Performances highlight Vietnamese artistry, ethnic minority music, bamboo acrobatics, and stunning costumes. If Teh Dar is running, we highly recommend it.

A performer in mid-air balancing on a structure made of multiple bamboo poles, with performers sitting on the ground below wearing traditional masks and costumes

10. Hoi An Impressions Show

A grand outdoor performance telling the story of Hoi An’s history through music, dance, light, and more than 500 performers on a 25,000sqm stage. Energetic, colourful, and unforgettable.

Nighttime scene of performers in traditional clothing splashing water during a cultural water festival, with other participants in the background holding long poles, and a historic building lit up in the background.

11. Precious Heritage Museum by Rehahn

One of our favourite cultural stops in all of Vietnam. Set in a peaceful part of the French Quarter, the museum showcases more than 30 traditional ethnic costumes, 200 photographs, and powerful stories collected over six years. A beautiful, grounding experience for anyone who enjoyed learning about Vietnam’s ethnic communities here in Sapa.

Exhibit of traditional and modern clothing on mannequins in front of large black-and-white portraits of people in traditional attire in a museum setting.

12) Dawn at the Fish Market

If you’re up early, the dawn fish markets around Hoi An are a beautiful glimpse into local life. Fishing boats return as the sun rises, families sort their catch on the shore, and the coastline hums with colour and movement. It’s incredibly atmospheric and wonderful for gentle photography. Please move respectfully through the space and avoid blocking working fishers.

13) Visit the Thanh Ha Pottery Village

Just a short ride from town, Thanh Ha is a centuries-old pottery village where artisans still shape clay using traditional hand techniques. You can watch families working, visit small workshops, and even try making your own piece. It’s a peaceful option away from the crowds and a meaningful way to support local craftspeople.

14) Rooftop Views of the Ancient Town

Hoi An’s golden walls and lantern-lit streets look especially beautiful from above. A handful of small cafés around Trần Phú and Bạch Đằng streets have rooftop terraces that make lovely spots for sunrise, a cool breeze, or relaxed photography. A great way to take in the town without the bustle at street level.