Things to Do in Hoi An
- Shal & James
- May 7
- 16 min read
Updated: May 27
This 3-5 day itinerary hits all the best things to do in Hoi An—from exploring the Ancient Town to wishing on lanterns to epic day trips to UNESCO gems.
Contents
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We always research, road-test, and report back with the good, the great, and the “meh.” If we link it, we’ve tried it (or nearly booked it) – and we’ll always be brutally honest, commission or not.
Day 1: Arrival & Must-Dos
Where to Stay & Airport Pick-up
We stayed at The Signature Hoi An (we paid £79 pn; ~$105 pn), a boutique 4-star hotel that was a solid choice for diving straight into the charm of the Ancient Town. The location? Absolutely perfect for wandering the pedestrianised streets, just a short stroll away from the main things to do in Hoi An. The hotel has a lovely traditional vibe that makes you feel like you're really settling into the town's rich history. The pool was atmospherically decorated with lanterns, but we didn't get a chance to dip in.
The room was quiet, but on the small side—cosy for sure, but you’ll want to pack light unless you’re into close quarters. Plus, the bed was extremely firm (we’re talking "wake-up-and-feel-every-muscle" firm), and we had to sleep with mosquito repellent on, as the rooms open to open-air corridors, so there's always a chance those pesky insects will sneak in. Hair conditioner or body lotion? Not here! You’ll only find those at 5-star spots.
Breakfast was pretty standard, but the omelette station was the highlight. We used Google Translate to order veggie egg white omelettes without cheese—keeping it healthy for all the treats later!
The luxe spots in Hoi An are mostly by the beach or riverfront, like The Four Seasons Resort: The Nam Hai (~£754 / $912 pn) or Anantara (~£195 / $266 pn)—perfect for a chill, scenic stay. But we swapped that for a more central location, just five minutes from the Ancient Town. Sure, we gave up beachfront views and hair conditioner, but being steps away from all the action made it totally worth it.
As for the airport pick-up, we should’ve just got a GrabCar, as the 40-minute ride to the hotel (400,000 VND / ~£11.50 / $15) was spent with the driver pushing us to visit his sister’s tailor shop, even though we’d already booked one.
Tailor First, Wander Later!
Hoi An’s known for its tailoring, and with so many shops around, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. To avoid decision paralysis, identify a tailor before you arrive, figure out what you want before you go—bring photos of garments you want made or, even better, bring something you want copied. Shal had three linen shirts made based on an Oxford shirt she brought for fit, and James got a bespoke work shirt. A bespoke suit’s the classic pick, but consider something you’ll wear on the regular—like a linen set or blazer. Still stylish, just far more useful than a suit collecting dust (even if said suit is gorgeous).
We chose Blue Chic Tailor after seeing a ton of glowing Google reviews, and we were pleased with our choice. They’re open until 8:30 PM, so we popped in right after checking into our hotel. We probably should have tried to haggle a bit more on price (£143 / $190 for 4 shirts), but we were really happy with the quality—the fabric, the fit, and the neat stitching were spot-on.
You’ve got to hit up the tailor right away since you’ll need a couple of fittings—and squeezing them in around all the sightseeing can take a bit of planning.
What's for Dinner? Met Vietnamese Restaurant & Vegetarian Food 6
Head over to Met Vietnamese Restaurant 6 (73B Bach Dang Street, right along the Hoai River)—make sure you’ve booked a reservation in advance and ask to sit on the patio open to the sky (trust us, it’s nicer than being stuck indoors or under the overhang!). Everything we ate was tasty, except for the beef cubes—those were tougher than shoe leather. We were big fans of the creamy pumpkin soup, tofu dishes, and the morning glory—definitely the highlights of the meal!
After Dark: Hoi An Memories Show
Memories Land: Wed - Mon 4 PM - 10 PM
Memories Show: Wed - Mon 8 PM - 9 PM
~£16 / $21 pp for advance "eco" seats (see below)
Who doesn’t like history with a side of pyrotechnics and synchronised choreography? Hoi An Memories Land is basically a history-inspired theme park, with the main event being a 500-performer show celebrating how Hoi An evolved over the centuries.
Okay, it sounds a little cheesy — but trust us, this show is absolutely worth it. (And we say that as a couple who's allergic to tourist traps.) Get there about 30 minutes early to snag a good seat for the Hoi An Memories show, and plant yourself as close to the stage as possible unless you want to watch the show through a sea of raised smartphones (even though taking photos/videos technically isn't permitted). Seating officially opens at 7:30 PM; we rolled in not long after, grabbed spots in the eco middle section, 4th row — and jackpot! No one in front of us and a crystal-clear view. English subtitles are displayed on a screen to the lower left, so heads-up: if you sit too far to the right, you might miss them.
Before the main event, there's a little historic town with mini-shows to wander through so you may want to get there with an extra 30-60 minutes to enjoy them. With that said, Memories Land opens at 4 PM so you can go even earlier if you fancy eating there or souvenir shopping.
You could try buying tickets at the gate, but to dodge any heartache, we booked ours ahead of time using Klook (~£16 / $21 pp) and picked them up onsite at the Hoi An Memories Theme Park ticket office, 200 Nguyen Tri Phuong, Cam Nam. Here's a hot tip that sounds totally backward but trust us on this one: buy the cheap seats. Thanks to some deep-diving on TripAdvisor, we learned the pricey seats can actually have worse views.
Getting back, though? Slightly less magical. Apparently, scoring a GrabCar after the show is like finding a unicorn — so we did the 28-minute stroll back to our hotel (we actually walked both ways and lived to tell the tale).
Day 2: Things to Do in Hoi An Ancient Town
Crossing the bridge into UNESCO-listed Hoi An Ancient Town feels like stepping into a time capsule, with its lantern-lit streets, wooden rowboats, and yellow colonial buildings. Once a bustling global trade hub from the 15th to 18th centuries, it faded into a sleepy riverside town after Da Nang rose to prominence, leaving behind a perfectly preserved slice of Vietnam’s rich history.
Hoi An Ancient Town Ticket
Daily 9 AM - 5PM
120,000 VND pp (~$3.50 / $4.50) [cash]
Grab your tickets 9 AM to 5 PM at the yellow huts near the bridges (see map above for ticket counter locations), not at the historic sites themselves. Your ticket (above) lets you explore the temple or covered bridge (blue site), 1 museum (green site), and 3 old houses, family chapels, communal houses, or assembly halls, plus a dance performance. Tickets are 120,000 VND and remember, it’s cash only!
One ticket grants you entry to the Ancient Town for your entire stay and you can use it to access historic sights for three days. While we didn't experience a ticket check unless we were entering a site, it’s a good idea to carry it with you just in case. To see more historic sights, we ended up buying two tickets. Some of the assembly halls didn't check our tickets or didn't mind that we had already used up all of our sites.
The paid attractions close around 5 PM—except for the museums, which may stay open a bit longer (though we wouldn’t know because, ahem, we didn’t make it to any).
Hoi An Ancient Town Historic Sites
Daily ~9 AM - 5 PM
Cost included in Hoi An Ancient Town entrance ticket (see above)
Hoi An Ancient Town’s got 22 historic sites—we skipped the five museums so we could see everything else. However, if you’re short on time (or attention span), we’d recommend one or two old houses (skip the family chapels), the covered bridge (a true icon), the dance performance, and a couple of the more ornate assembly halls. That is unless you're like Shal and have to see them all. There's seven assembly halls in total plus a temple, which is either commitment or madness depending on how much you like carved dragons and incense smoke.
Want to see everything? Budget at least two days. We kept it tight and museum-free, and didn’t feel like we missed much.
JAPANESE COVERED BRIDGE
The Japanese Covered Bridge isn’t just a pretty spot for selfies—it’s one of Hoi An’s most iconic landmarks, built in the 16th century by the Japanese community to link them with the Chinese quarter across the river. It’s even got a tiny temple tucked inside to protect sailors and merchants (because who doesn’t want a little divine backup on business deals?).
Since you can stroll across and admire the bridge from both sides for free, we did exactly that and saved our ticket for meatier sights. Once your ticket’s scanned, all you really get is a peek at a small altar inside
QUAN AM PAGODA
The Quan Am Pagoda and Quan Cong Temple are basically a two-for-one special—connected by a shared history and a single ticket scan. The pagoda is dedicated to Quan Am, the goddess of mercy, while the Quan Cong Temple honours a revered Chinese general known for his loyalty and integrity.
COMMUNAL HOUSES & ASSEMBLY HALLS
In Hoi An, temples, communal houses, and assembly halls all serve different purposes, but they all let you pray. Temples are for worship, communal houses are where locals gather for celebrations, and assembly halls were once the hangouts for merchant groups.
Aside from the grand Phuc Kien Assembly Hall (above) showing off since the late 1600s, the rest of these beauties didn’t pop up until the 1800s—making them the "new kids" on Hoi An’s historic block.
Cam Pho Communal House
One of the oldest communal houses in Hoi An, this one's a nod to the town’s earliest settlers and where big community decisions—and probably a fair share of gossip—once went down.
Minh Huong Communal House
Built by Chinese immigrants without strong clan ties, it became a welcoming spiritual and social hub—a way to find connection and community in a new land.
Hoi An Communal House
The town’s namesake communal house, it's a symbol of unity, where locals gathered to honour ancestors and hold village meetings before smartphones ruined attention spans.
Quang Trieu Assembly Hall
Also called the Cantonese Assembly Hall, this flashy spot was built by Cantonese traders to honour a sea god—because when you’re sailing from China, you really want good weather.
Phuc Kien Assembly Hall
The grandest of them all (photo above), this hall was built by the Fujian Chinese community to worship a goddess who protects sailors.
Hai Nam Assembly Hall
Erected by merchants from Hainan Island to honour 108 traders wrongfully executed—basically part temple, part memorial, all heart.
Trieu Chau Assembly Hall
This elegant hall was built by the Chaozhou community to worship the god who protects seafarers, with stunning wood carvings.
OLD HOUSES & FAMILY CHAPELS
The old houses and family chapels in Hoi An offer a peek into merchant life from centuries past, and while their history is undeniably cool and their facades help set the town’s dreamy vibe, we found most of the interiors pretty underwhelming—honestly, just seeing the beautifully preserved Old House of Tan Ky gave us the best sense of it.
DANCE PERFORMANCE
Daily 10:15 AM, 3:15 PM, 4:15 PM
The tiny Hoi An Traditional Art Performance House serves up a charming cultural show daily—think live music and traditional dance. Arrive at least 15 minutes early to snag a seat or you’ll be stuck standing in the back, peering over heads like a curious meerkat.
Bonus! The dance performance doesn’t count as one of your five scanned sites—so you can soak up the culture without sacrificing a temple or assembly hall.
What's for Dinner? Hoi An Ancient Remedy
Hoi An Ancient Remedy Dim Sum Tea House is a hidden gem that quickly became our go-to spot for dinner every night after we stumbled upon it. Tucked away in the Ancient Town it’s as cute inside as it is outside (we generally sat outside to people watch).
This charming little spot is actually connected to the well-known Morning Glory restaurant, and you can taste the quality in every dish. However, since it's lesser known than Morning Glory, there was no queue and we didn't even have to make reservations.
While we enjoyed both their Vietnamese and Western menu options (we ate through nearly everything), what really made it our favourite was the manager, Tam. She went above and beyond, making sure Shal’s shellfish allergy was never an issue, and we loved chatting with her every evening.
After Dark: Make a Wish! Time for a Lantern-lit Boat Ride
~4 PM - 9:30 PM
120,000 VND (~£3.50 / $4.50) per boat not pp [cash]
For a truly magical moment, hop on a 20-minute lantern release boat ride along the Hoai River. This isn’t just a touristy thing—it’s a heartfelt tradition to honour ancestors and wish for a prosperous year. Lanterns may officially light up the river on full moon nights (the 1st and 15th of the lunar calendar), but tourists can get their glow on any night of the week.
Along the riverbank, women sell “wish candle” lanterns, perfect for the ritual. After a bit of haggling (we snagged two for 40,000 VND), they’ll guide you to a table to buy your boat ticket—120,000 VND per boat, non-negotiable. One ticket gets you a private boat just for your party. The boat rower will light your lantern for you (and expect a tip when you’re done). It’s a serene, beautiful experience—just go with the flow and let your wishes float away... because who doesn’t want to send a little magic out into the world?
There’s no need to book this in advance (and we don’t see why you would, other than paying for an overpriced tour)—we didn’t see a single queue. Just make your way to the small rowboats by the river and you’re good to go.
Day 3: Beach Bliss Awaits
An Bang Beach
24/7 Beach
~10 AM - 10 PM Services
Free
Nothing says “vacation mode” like a fresh coconut, swaying palms, and waves on repeat. So on our last day in Hoi An, we kicked back at An Bang Beach — a sandy stretch lined with beachside cafés, all ready to rent you loungers and umbrellas so you can live your best lazy vacation life. We snagged two chairs and an umbrella for 100,000 VND (~£3 / $4) — and yes, that price holds whether you order food or not (although honestly, how do you not order a coconut at a time like this?). Getting there was a breeze: a quick 10-minute GrabCar from the Ancient Town set us back just 72,000 VND (~£2 / $2.70). Some hotels (including The Signature Hoi An) offer a free shuttle, but the departure and pickup times are limited. As for the water... well, it was offensively cold with waves. Did we swim anyway? YES.
If you’re craving something even quieter, Cua Dai Beach might just be your jam. It’s another option, but according to reviews, it’s way more low-key. It’s just a 12–14 minute GrabCar ride from most hotels in the Ancient Town, so super easy to reach if you’re in the mood for some peace and quiet. Full disclosure: we didn’t make it there ourselves (An Bang’s siren song of beach loungers and cold coconut drinks got us first).
After Dark: Hoi An Night Market & Craft Beers
Nightly 6 PM - 10 PM
Free
The Night Market on Nguyen Hoang Street has over 50 vendors selling everything from souvenirs to street food. But, full disclosure: it’s a bit of a tourist trap. Still, it’s definitely worth checking out for the experience, if only for the sheer spectacle of it all. Here’s a quirky detail — lantern vendors often ask for 10,000 VND if you want to take a photo in their stalls. Same goes for locals with those charming fruit baskets they’re all too happy to pose with. Snap away if you're game — just know there’s a price tag for those perfect Instagram shots!
7 Bridges Hoi An Craft Beer Taproom
Daily 10 AM - 11 PM
If craft beer’s your thing, don’t skip 7 Bridges. This leafy beer garden is prime for sipping a crisp yuzu IPA (which, by the way, was chef’s kiss). It’s Western-priced, sure, but we didn’t meet a beer we didn’t like—and we had a tiny tree frog join us for the evening. Best drinking buddy ever.
Odds, Ends & Other Adventures
Private My Son Sanctuary Tour from Hoi An
There are a few day trips you can take from Hoi An, and we highly recommend making time for UNESCO-listed My Son Sanctuary. Tucked away in the jungle, this ancient gem was the heart of the Hindu temple complex of the Champa Empire. It’s a mind-blowing 800 years older than Angkor Wat and — here’s the best part — a lot less crowded.
After soaking in the ancient wonders of My Son, head over to the Marble Mountains — a stunning cluster of limestone peaks offering panoramic views of Da Nang, mysterious caves, and quiets pagodas, all while being surrounded by some seriously impressive natural beauty.
Learn more about our private My Son Sanctuary tour from Hoi An (including the Marble Mountains) and/or book the tour we took here (~£65 / $86 pp).
Hue Day Trip from Hoi An
For a deep dive into Vietnam’s royal past, Hue is where it’s at. Home to UNESCO-listed sites like the Imperial City, a sprawling two-square-mile labyrinth of temples, palaces, gates, and gardens — complete with a Forbidden City plus opulent royal tombs. Complex of Hue Monuments was Vietnam's first UNESCO listing and for good reason.
After hours of research, we figured out that while you can book a private or group tour to explore either the Imperial City or the three Imperial Tombs (plus Thien Mu Pagoda), there's no tour that includes both. So, we went rogue: hired a driver to pick us up in Hoi An and take us around Hue at our own pace. The original plan was to hit up all the sites, but, surprise, we got way too carried away in the Imperial City and ended up with just one royal tomb and Thien Mu Pagoda under our belts. Time flies when you're lost in history, right?
Learn more about our private Hue day trip from Hoi An and/or book our driver here (£90 / $120)
Or, if you’re cool with sticking to a schedule, you might fancy one of these highly-rated small group tours that we almost booked ourselves:
Small group 13 people max (~£33 / $44 pp)
Smaller group 5-9 people (~£96 / $128 pp)
The group tours above include bottled water and lunch, but not entrance tickets.
We booked combo tickets to the Complex of Hue Monuments in advance on Klook (£18 / $24 pp) to dodge the dreaded long queues and avoid any disappointment. But when we got to the monuments, there were no lines, and it was way cheaper to just pay cash on-site. That said, nothing would be more heartbreaking than making the trek all the way there and not getting in. So, yeah, we'd probably do the same thing again just to be safe!
Oh, We Should've..
If we’d had a couple more days to spare, we would’ve totally booked a private driver (the same awesome company we used) to take us from Hoi An to Hue, with a pit stop at the Da Nang Golden Bridge — you know, the iconic one with the giant hands holding the bridge. With that plan, we could’ve had a proper private tour of the Imperial City one day, and the Imperial Tombs the next. We did grab an audio guide for the Imperial City, but let’s just say it wasn’t exactly riveting. So, we ended up using Perplexity as our surrogate tour guide. Sometimes, you got to get creative!
If we stayed in Hue, we would booked at Ancient Hue Garden Houses (~£189 / $238 pn) and then taken the 3-hour private Treasures of Hue: the Imperial City Tour ~£25 / $33 pp and booked this private driver to take us to the three Imperial Tombs (Mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang, Tomb of Khai Dinh, Tomb of Tu Duc) and the Pagoda of the Celestial Lady (Thien Mu Pagoda) for ~£25 / $33 pp.
Behind the Itinerary: Our Hoi An Adventure
The itinerary’s just the beginning — Hoi An was full of hidden gems, quirky moments, and, yes, a little bit of the unexpected. If you’re curious about what really stood out, check out our travel story here.
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