Hoi An Travel Tips
Hoi An combines a UNESCO-listed Ancient Town, countryside, beaches and one of Central Vietnam’s most distinctive food scenes. A little planning can help you experience much more than the famous lantern-filled streets.
Explore the Ancient Town on Foot
Hoi An’s historic centre is best explored slowly.
The original street layout and hundreds of heritage buildings have been preserved, creating an area that feels more like a living museum than a conventional city centre.
Walking allows you to stop at historic houses, temples, cafés, shops and riverside areas without worrying about transport.
Official Hoi An information currently lists pedestrian and non-motorized zones in the Ancient Town from 09:00 until 21:30 in summer and until 21:00 in winter.
Consider an Ancient Town Ticket
Some heritage attractions inside the Ancient Town require an official sightseeing ticket.
Current local heritage information says the ticket may be used during a visitor’s stay for up to three days, so keep the ticket stub after visiting attractions.
Ticket rules and prices can change, so check the current official information when you arrive.
Visit Early or Stay Until Evening
Early morning is one of the nicest times to experience Hoi An before the streets become busy. Vietnam Tourism recommends visiting before around 9am for a quieter experience.
Evening offers a completely different atmosphere, with lanterns, riverside activity and illuminated streets.
Hoi An’s famous lantern festival is traditionally held on the 14th day of each lunar month.
Don’t Miss the Countryside
One of the biggest mistakes visitors make is staying only inside the Ancient Town.
Cycling through the surrounding countryside gives you a completely different side of Hoi An, with rice fields, gardens, village roads and local life. Cam Thanh and Tra Que are among the areas highlighted by Vietnam Tourism for countryside exploration.
Spend Some Time at the Beach
Hoi An is also a beach destination.
An Bang Beach is less than 10 km from the Ancient Town and is one of the most popular nearby beaches, with restaurants, loungers and watersports.
A good plan is to explore the town in the morning, relax at the beach during part of the day, and return to the Ancient Town toward sunset.
Try Hoi An’s Local Food
Hoi An’s history as an international trading port helped create a distinctive local cuisine influenced by Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese and other culinary traditions.
Local dishes worth trying include:
- Cao Lau
- White Rose Dumplings
- Mi Quang
- Hoanh Thanh
- local seafood
- banh mi
Vietnam Tourism identifies Cao Lau, Hoanh Thanh and White Rose dumplings among Hoi An’s signature dishes.
Allow Time Beyond the Ancient Town
Hoi An works especially well as a base for nearby experiences.
Depending on your schedule, you can combine the city with:
- An Bang Beach
- Hoi An countryside
- Cam Thanh
- Tra Que
- Cham Islands
- My Son Sanctuary
The Cham Islands lie about 15 km off Hoi An’s coast, while My Son Sanctuary is roughly 40 km from the city.
Our Quick Recommendation
For a first visit, give Hoi An enough time to experience more than the Old Town.
A good stay combines:
Ancient Town + local food + countryside + beach + one nearby experience.
And don’t rush the evenings — Hoi An after sunset is one of the city’s defining experiences.