Hoi An

Overview

Hoi An is an iconic port town nestled along the central coast of Vietnam with a rich history dating back to the 15th century. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999, it's renowned for its incredibly well preserved Ancient Town, beautiful beaches and world famous tailors. Once a major trading hub on the Silk Road, Hoi An's vibrant history is still visible today, hidden in its quaint lantern-lit alleys and intricate architecture. Its rich past as an international trading hub led to a unique culinary fusion, making it one of Vietnam's top culinary destinations.

Highlights

• Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site
• A ride on the iconic basket boats
• The Ancient Japanese Bridge
• Tailor-made clothes from the world-famous local tailors
• An Bang or Cua Dai Beach
• The night markets in the Ancient Town
• Bicycle rides through the rice fields and farmlands
• A lantern-lit sampan boat ride on the Thu Bon River
• A local cooking class or lantern making class

Food

The food in Hoi An is legendary thanks to the unique blend of Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese flavours that resulted from bustling 15th-century trade. Merchants who settled in this port brought their own culinary traditions, creating a melting pot of techniques that blended with native Vietnamese ingredients to form the iconic dishes we know today. Many staple dishes here are difficult to replicate elsewhere due to hyper-local ingredients, look out for Cao Lầu, bánh bao bánh vạc, CÆ¡m Gà and freshly caught local seafood. The best way to experience Hoi An's flavours is on a street food tour in the Ancient Town or a local cooking class.

Travel Tips

• Visit the tailors early in your trip to allow time for any alterations
• Fly into Da Nang and take a taxi into Hoi An, around a 45-minute journey
• Take a basket boat from the Basket Boat Cafe to avoid crowds and tourist scams, its price is set
• Book accommodation around An Bang Beach for a quieter, more relaxed stay away from the busy Ancient Town
• Use Grab taxis and never get on an unlisted bike for safety
• Visit the Ancient Town early morning to beat the crowds and heat before the night markets get busy
• Look out for full moon lantern festivals, when hundreds of lanterns are released onto the river

Best Time to Visit

February to April is best for sightseeing, with minimal rainfall and comfortable temperatures. May to August is best for the beaches.

Plan Your Trip