Hoi An
Picture yourself strolling through streets adorned with rainbow-colored lanterns, where bicycles rule the road and the scent of sizzling street food tickles your nose like a mischievous feather. Hoi An is a UNESCO-listed masterpiece, with ancient temples and pagodas that seem straight out of a fairytale.
This is your DIYdly guide to Hoi An, Vietnam.
Prices are in Vietnamese Dong (VND) or US Dollars ($), are correct at the time of writing and may vary depending on time of year, deals available and changes to exchange rates. Booking via our links may provide DIYdly with a small commission at no cost to you.
ARRIVAL
TRAVEL FROM HUE: If you took a private transfer or tour from Hue you will be delivered to your accommodation.
The most fun is on an open air jeep tour ($121).
You could take a private transfer by car ($88 up to 3 people).
If you are into train travel book a train ticket for the beautiful 2.5 hour journey which gets you to Danang and take a Grab taxi from there.
TRAVEL FROM DANANG TRAIN STATION: If you caught the train you will arrive into Danang and need to travel from the station to Hoi An, a journey of 30km. The easiest way to do this is grab a taxi which will cost 250,000-350,000 VND.
TRAVEL FROM DANANG AIRPORT: You have three choices if flying in to Danang Airport:
Taxi: Use the Grab App to order a taxi - 45 mins (250,000-350,000 VND)
Airport Shuttle Service: Departs on a fixed time schedule throughout the day - 1.5 hours ($6)
Private Transfer: Same company as above doing the shuttle service. Just make sure you select the private transfer option - 45 mins ($27)
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation in Hoi An obviously focuses on the Old Town area. Our choices all sit walking distance to this area where you will find the history, restaurants, tailor shops and bars.
BUDGET: Legend Oasis Hoi An Boutique Hotel - located on the island across from the Old Town in a lovely garden setting.
VALUE: Zen Boutique Hoi An - amazing value close to town with a pool and free bikes. See feature picture.
COMFORT: Laluna Hoi An Riverside Hotel & Spa - great location along the riverfront close to the Old Town with a beautiful pool.
SWISH: Swish: Little Riverside Hoi An - also on the riverside on the edge of the Old Town, everything you would expect from a luxury hotel.
Options for those looking for something a bit different:
Budget: Royal Mansion Boutique - halfway between beach and town - amazing for the price.
Value: Merrily De Art Hotel - walkable to the old town and so close to the beautiful rice paddies.
ACTIVITIES
These are our very favourite guided and self-guided things to do in Hoi An. Pick and choose the ones that appeal to you. With a couple of days in Hoi An you could do one activity a day and chill or hit the beach during the remaining time of the day.
COOKING CLASS: Hoi An is a great place to learn some of the best of the local dishes on a cooking class that also includes a boat trip ($45).
BIKE RIDE: The countryside around Hoi An is perfect for a bike ride so join a bike tour or hire a bike and do it yourself ($28 or $34).
SELF-GUIDED BIKE RIDES: If you feel like heading out for a ride on your own, grab a bike from your accommodation and try one or both of these excellent rides:
Hoi An to An Bang Beach and return via Tra Que Vegetable Village and lovely rice fields.
HIGHLIGHTS
Hoi An owes its historic charm to the preservation of the Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, and European influences when Hoi An was an important trading port attracting vessels from around the world. Thankfully the town was spared during the American War.
THE OLD TOWN: A small area on the waterfront makes up the Old Town. It is easily explored on foot. A ticket allowing you entrance to five of the 22 protected historic buildings within the Old Town is worth buying (120,000VND). Technically a ticket is required to enter the Old Town so keep your ticket handy.
JAPANESE COVERED BRIDGE: First built in the 1590s, the bridge connected the Japanese and Chinese communities. Its unique design remains faithful to the original design. Free • map
CHINESE ASSEMBLY HALLS: Built by Chinese merchants during the 17th and 18th centuries, Assembly Halls functioned as communal centers for immigrants from different locations in China. Each hall was dedicated to a specific Chinese deity or an ancestral figure, and they served as places of religious worship, social gatherings, and important cultural events. The Assembly Halls boast stunning architectural features that blend Chinese design with local Vietnamese elements. The best to visit are:
Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall, for the large Fujian community, is dedicated to Thien Hau, the Goddess of the Sea. Admission by Old Town ticket • map
Hainan Assembly Hall, is a memorial to 108 Hainanese who we killed as a result of being mistaken for pirates. Free • map
Trieu Chau Assembly Hall, for the Chaozhou community, contains stunning, intricate wood carvings that are worth seeing. Admission by Old Town ticket • map
TAN KY HOUSE: Home of seven generations over the last two centuries, this home has been preserved throughout its life. The house serves all functions: shop house, central courtyard, and storage with access to the river out the back. There are beautiful displays, photos, and a little look into what these old homes are like. Admission by Old Town ticket • map
AN BANG BEACH: While Cua Dai Beach is closer to Hoi An, An Bang is nicer, quieter, cleaner, more beautiful - are you sold yet? 4km from town you can easily ride a bike there or use Grab if that seems to far to ride. There are restaurants here so it is easy to make a day of it and take a break from all the travel. map
OFF THE BEATEN PATH
These sites are worth exploring if you are looking for something a little quirky and different, or you have a deeper interest in particular parts of history and culture in Vietnam.
MY SON SANCTUARY: 40km from Hoi An, nestled in lushly wooded hills, these ancient temple ruins were once the religious and political capital of the ancient Champa Kingdom, flourishing between the 4th and 13th centuries. Here, you will discover a captivating ensemble of ancient Hindu temples and shrines, adorned with intricate carvings and surrounded by natural beauty.
Book an early morning tour ($28) to have the best experience, avoiding crowds and heat. Yes it’s a 5am or 5:30am start but trust us, it’s worth it! You also need to pay 150,000VND entrance fee on top of the tour cost. map
RESTAURANTS
There are so many places to eat in Hoi An. Just a few of our favourites are:
CAFE TAM TAM: We’ve been going to Tam Tam for over 20 years, excellent Vietnamese food, drinks, bar, pool table, lovely building. $$ website • map
HAI CAFE: $$ map
HOIANIAN: fine dining and a rare place in Hoi An offering a wide selection of wines. $$ map
CANH BUOM TRANG (WHITE SAILS): For seafood lovers, A truly local experience. $ map
BALE WELL: Hoi An specialties in set meal. Lots of delicious food! Make sure you go to the right restaurant as someone up the road is using the same name. $$ map
NIGHTLIFE
Hoi An is not a huge party party as the Old Town is done by 11pm but there are plenty of places for an evening beer or cocktail in the lantern lit streets. Across the bridge on An Hoi is where you’ll find more light night offerings.
BARS & CLUBS: Popular spots include Dive Bar and Q Bar on An Hoi.
SHOPPING
TAILORS: Hoi An is famous for the countless tailor shops that are standing by, ready to measure you up. There is a wide range of quality possible with the best ones NOT selling a suit in 24 hours. If you plan to have clothes made get measured up on your first day in Hoi An so you have time for any alterations.
REACHING OUT: This fair-trade gift store stocks a wide range of items including scarves, jewellery, and toys. Mon-Fri 8am-6:30pm, Sat-Sun 9am-4:30pm • web • map
DEPARTURE
TRAVEL TO HUE: The journey from Hoi An to Hue takes you over (or through) the famous Hai Van Pass, the geographic separator of north and south Vietnam. There is a lot to see on the journey so we think it’s worth taking your time and not just taking a bus.
The most fun is on an open air jeep tour ($121).
You could take a private transfer by car ($88 up to 3 people).
If you are into train travel book a train ticket for the beautiful 2.5 hour journey which starts in Danang. Take a Grab taxi to get you to the station - 250,000-350,000 VND.
TRAIN TO HANOI: Book tickets on the overnight train to Hanoi which departs from Danang Station
Read more about trains and train tickets in Vietnam.
FLIGHT TICKETS: Danang is connected to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Dalat and Hue. Use 12go.asia to find flights.
HOTEL TO DANANG AIRPORT: You have three choices if flying from Danang Airport:
Taxi: Use the Grab App to order a taxi - 45 mins (250,000-350,000 VND)
Airport Shuttle Service: Departs on a fixed time schedule throughout the day - 1.5 hours ($6)
Private Transfer: Same company as above doing the shuttle service. Just make sure you select the private transfer option - 45 mins ($27)
PRACTICALITIES
DIYdly LOCAL SUPERHERO: Our local superheros are there to help you out if you want to book something and can’t do it online, need to attend to an emergency back home, or just want some advice. In Hoi An our hotels serve this purpose. All hotels have excellent reception staff and a tour services desk that can help with bookings if you need anything done last minute.
MEDICAL SERVICES:
VIETNAM STORIES
ITINERARIES FEATURING HOI AN
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