Hoi An or Da Nang?
Hoi An for charm and tailoring; Da Nang for resort beaches — they are 45 minutes apart.
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Hoi An Travel Guide
Things to do in Hoi An — Lantern-lit old town and tailor shops
Photo: Adam Jones Adam63 · CC BY-SA 3.0
Why visit Hoi An
Hoi An's UNESCO Ancient Town glows with yellow walls, lantern nights and riverside cafés — a walkable base for beaches, cooking classes and custom tailoring.
Hoi An is a stop in Vietnam, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 2 days. If time is short, prioritise Ancient Town lantern streets, Japanese Covered Bridge, Assembly Halls instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 45–90 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: February–April for dry, pleasant weather. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
February–April for dry, pleasant weather
Weather
Tropical monsoon — hot summers, rainy Oct–Dec
Airport
Da Nang International (DAD) — 45 min by road
Getting around
Bicycle rental in town; taxi to An Bang Beach; shuttle from Da Nang airport
Experiences
Things to do in Hoi An
1
Ancient Town lantern streets
2
Japanese Covered Bridge
3
Assembly Halls
4
Thu Bon River boat
5
An Bang Beach
6
Tra Que Vegetable Village
7
Tailor shopping
8
Night market
Budget travel
Free things to do in Hoi An
Japanese Covered Bridge
An Bang Beach
Night market
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Hoi An itinerary (2 days)
- 1
Day 1
Ancient Town
- Japanese Covered Bridge
- Assembly halls and old merchant houses
- Central Market lunch
- Lantern-lit old town after dark
- 2
Day 2
Beach and countryside
- An Bang Beach morning swim
- Tra Que Vegetable Village cycle
- Thu Bon River boat at sunset
Prefer a full 8-day trip with costs and FAQs? Read the Hoi An itinerary guide.
Budget
Hoi An trip cost
Budget
USD 20–40
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 45–90
per person / day
Luxury
USD 150+
per person / day
Tailoring and cooking classes are popular mid-range extras. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Hoi An
Estimated total (USD)
$1,760
≈ $880 per person · $251 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $55/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Hoi An mid-range ground costs (budget 20–40 · mid 45–90 · luxury 150+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Neighbourhoods
Where to stay in Hoi An
Ancient Town
Best for: Atmosphere
Heritage hotels inside the pedestrian core
An Bang Beach
Best for: Beach mornings
Boutique resorts a short taxi from old town
Cam Chau
Best for: Value
Residential area between town and beach
Where to eat
Local favourites
- $$
Morning Glory
Vietnamese · Ms Vy Nguyen's Hoi An classic
- $
Banh Mi Phuong
Vietnamese · Famous Anthony Bourdain stop
- $$
Secret Garden
Vietnamese · Rooftop garden favourite
- $$
Nu Eatery
Vietnamese fusion · Intimate chef-driven spot
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
- $$$$
Anantara Hoi An Resort
Cua Dai Beach · River-meets-sea luxury resort
- $$$
Hotel Royal Hoi An
Ancient Town edge · MGallery heritage stay
- $$$
Little Hoi An Beach Boutique Hotel
Cua Dai · Beachside boutique favourite
Shopping
- Ancient Town silk shops
- Nguyen Phuc Chu Street tailors
- Central Market
- Night Market
Nightlife
- Ancient Town lantern bars
- An Bang Beach bars
- Riverside cafés
- Full Moon Lantern Festival (monthly)
Museums & culture
- Hoi An Museum of History & Culture
- Museum of Trade Ceramics
- Sa Huynh Culture Museum
Local foods to try
- Cao lau noodles
- White rose dumplings
- Mi Quang
- Com ga Hoi An
Hidden gems
- Tra Que Vegetable Village
- Cam Kim Island bike loop
- Kim Bong carpentry village
Travel tips
- Buy an Ancient Town ticket for assembly halls and old houses
- Tailoring needs 24–48 hours — plan ahead
- Full Moon nights restrict motor traffic in the old town
In pictures
Hoi An gallery
Good to know
Hoi An travel FAQs
When is the lantern festival?
Monthly on the full moon — plus daily lantern lighting after dusk year-round.
What are the best things to do in Hoi An?
Top picks in Hoi An include Ancient Town lantern streets, Japanese Covered Bridge, Assembly Halls, Thu Bon River boat. See the full list and itinerary on this Hoi An travel guide.
When is the best time to visit Hoi An?
February–April for dry, pleasant weather.
How many days do I need in Hoi An?
Plan at least 2 days in Hoi An for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Hoi An?
Base yourself in Ancient Town (Atmosphere), An Bang Beach (Beach mornings), Cam Chau (Value). Pick the area that matches your trip style, then book within walking distance of transit or main sights.
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