A Few Friendly Tips for Your Time in Hoi An
Xin chào friends,
Thanks again for journeying with us here in the mountains. It means a great deal to our ETHOS family to share their homes, food and stories with travellers who value connection as much as you do.
As many of you continue south after Sapa, we wanted to share a little guide to Hoi An, a place we love for its charm, creativity, and warm coastal rhythms. Below you’ll find a friendly mix of ideas, directions, and favourite local spots to help you settle in and explore at your own pace.
A Little Introduction to Hoi An
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.
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. 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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.