Photo: Contiki
Hoi An isn’t just a stop on your Vietnam trip, it’s a whole mood. Picture golden-yellow shopfronts splashed with bright pink bougainvillea trees, silk lanterns strung above every alley, and bicycles weaving past cafés that are spilling with tourists and locals sipping on strong Vietnamese coffee. By day, it’s all bright colours, tailor-made outfits, and riverfront wandering. By night, the town transforms into a glowing lantern-lit wonderland buzzing with street food, and market energy, the perfect blend of chaos and charm.
Travelling to Vietnam with Contiki, can give you a full experience which captures the highlights, and history of the country, we have a 2-night stay in this beautiful historical city and here’s how we fully immerse you into the culture in Hoi An.
What is Hoi An known for?
Hoi An is a touristic hotspot. This article will help you skip the queues as I breakdown the 12 best things to do in Hoi An. The city is located on the Thu Bon River, and along the coastline of the East Sea. The countryside reaches the coast, and the city is divided by the Thu Bon River. The essence of the evenings of Hoi An are what will capture your heart. Colourful lanterns everywhere you look, coffee shops, tailors, local restaurants serving up some of the best Vietnamese food.
Image source:allPhoto Bangkok / unsplash
How many days do you need to spend in Hoi An?
There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind when they tell you that you could spend weeks in Hoi An alone, there’s a reason it’s one of the best places to visit in Vietnam. My suggestion would be a good solid 5 days to really get the feeling of the city for Hoi An’s attractions and sightseeing. It will be easy to fill your time by getting involved in a traditional cooking class, test your artistic flare with a lantern making class, sit still for a DIY pottery sessions, making memories with a silver smithing class, and of course drinking all of the Vietnamese coffee your body can handle.
Getting to Hoi An?
The easiest way to get to Hoi An is taking a flight from either Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi in Vietnam. Both of these cities have international airports, making it easy for you to fly in, and take a connecting flight to Danang. From Danang Airport you can take a grab car (like Uber) or hire a private driver, or taxi. The drive is around 30-45 minutes to Hoi An depending on the traffic.
Image source:Contiki
Best things to do in Hoi An
1. Danang Beach
Becoming one of the fastest developing cities in Vietnam, Danang is just a short 30 minute drive from Hoi An. Danang has golden sandy beaches, with turquoise water, beach bars and restaurants and the perfect spot to recharge and escape the city for the day.
2. Cooking class at Vy’s Market and Deli
Hoi An’s signature dish is cao lau, it’s a must try, and what better way to taste it than to do it yourself? All of the ingredients are carefully selected and prepared for you, the class is step by step in English, and filled with more local tasty treats.
Image source:Contiki
3. Night Market on An Hoi Island
The city comes alive at night. The night market has an essense of its own, glowing lanterns, sizzling street foods, stalls full of souvenirs and a vibrant energy. Not sure what souvenirs to take home? Checkout the best Vietnamese souvenirs.
4. Cam Tanh Coconut Village Palm Forest
Nothing screams fun more than a basket boat ride through the coconut village and palm forests. Trending on socials right now, there’s a reason it’s one of the best things to do in Hoi An. Incorporating fun, culture and history. I suggest going in the morning before it gets too hot.
Image source:Contiki
5. Lantern Making Class
Hoi An is famous for lanterns, and what better way to symbolise your trip than decorating your own? They’re premade, and collapsible making it easy to take home with you after the trip. The classes start for as little as 150,000 VND (approx. $5USD) depending on the size and quality of your fabric.
6. Silver Smithing Class at Bien Bac
Time to get your hands dirty at one of Bien Bac’s silver smithing classes. Quick, easy and a new skill to unlock. Sessions held throughout the day. Prices starting at 1,000,000 VND (approx. $40 USD). You get to hammer and design your own pendants or rings.
7. Temple Hopping
Vietnam is full of history, and Hoi An is packed with sightseeing opportunities. Stumbling across Quan Cong Temple dedicated to a legendary Chinese general – think red columns, dragon statues, and a photographer’s dream. For the city’s most ornate temple, visit Phuc Kien Assembly Hall with fountains, pagodas, and incense burning all day. Each one is a hidden gem filled with history and epic backdrops.
8. Lantern Boat Ride
Give your feet a rest, and take a ride on one of the lantern boats on the river. My suggestion is to go during sunset and watch the day turn to night. See how the colourful streets of the day begin glowing with lanterns and lights at night. Screams pure magic and one of the memories you’ll never forget.
Image source:Contiki
9. Visit Japanese Bridge
Small but iconic, newly refurbished this bridge dates back to the 16th century. It is one of Hoi An’s most famous attractions and landmarks. Tickets are needed to enter this area to help support sustainable tourism.
10. Crunch your way through Bánh Mì
There’s a reason Anthony Bourdain called it the best in the world. The hype about Bánh Mì Phượng is real. Crispy bread, tasty fillings (veg and non veg available), layered with spices and flavours that will have you dreaming of this sandwich for the rest of your life.
Image source:Contiki
11. Tailor-Made Clothing
Vietnam’s tailors and designers are world famous. Hoi An is the tailoring central, whether it’s sharp suits, breezy dresses, or funky festival outfits. You can have different designs made in just 24 hours. Fittings are essential to make sure everything is customised to fit your body perfectly.
12. Thanh Ha Pottery Village
This village has been spinning clay for over 400 years. Try your hands on the wheel, get messy and see what your hands are capable of. If you need something a little more simple, there are quick dry clay options and you can decorate afterwards.
It’s the kind of place you can lose hours in. You started your day drifting between coffee shops, snapping photos on pastel streets, and soaking up the culture that makes Hoi An feel like nowhere else in the world and ended the night with a delicious dinner and enjoying drinks as you overlook the lantern lit riverfront.
Hoi An’s magic runs deeper than its glowing lanterns and pastel streets. This historical city is an ancient town layered with culture and cuisine, preserving centuries of influences dating back to the Champa Kingdom’s peak between the 7th and 10th centuries. Once a major port on the maritime Silk Road, it connected Champa to India, China, and beyond. It was a spice trading hub where French, Portuguese, Dutch, Japanese, and Arab merchants all left their mark.
You can still see it today in the temples, taste it in the food, and feel it in the architecture. It’s this mix of world history and modern-day buzz that makes Hoi An so alive. A town where every corner tells a story, and every night feels like it was made for you. Searching for more on your travels in Vietnam? Look no further, here are the 15 best things to do in Vietnam.
Step outside your comfort zone and take the plunge for your new adventure. Solo travelling can be a little daunting but once you get started, you’ll realise how easy it is. Read firsthand about Sandeep’s solo travel in Vietnam. If you want to recreate his experience, you can do it with Contiki, enjoying Northern Vietnam and the breathtaking views of the Ha Giang Loop.
