Things to Do in Hoi An: A First-Time Visitor's Planning Guide

If you're researching things to do in Hoi An, start here: this UNESCO-listed riverside town in central Vietnam is known for its lantern-lit Ancient Town, custom tailoring, and nearby beaches. Highlights include the Japanese Covered Bridge, lantern-making workshops, An Bang Beach, and countryside day trips. A single ticket, around 120,000 VND, covers entry to several heritage sites inside the old town.

If Hoi An is part of your Vietnam itinerary, it's worth knowing what makes it different from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City before you arrive. This isn't a guide written from personal experience running tours there. It's a planning resource we put together for travelers building a multi-city trip, alongside honest notes on where our own expertise actually lies.

Things to Do in Hoi An: What It's Known For

Hoi An sits on Vietnam's central coast, about 30 minutes from Da Nang. Between the 15th and 19th centuries it was a major trading port, which is why its old town blends Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese and French architectural styles. UNESCO listed the Ancient Town as a World Heritage Site in 1999, and much of it has been preserved rather than rebuilt, which is part of why it feels different from the busier pace of Hanoi or Saigon.

The town is compact and mostly car-free in its historic core, so most visitors get around on foot or by bicycle.

Hoi An Ancient Town: What's Inside the Ticket

Entry to the Ancient Town's main heritage sites is ticketed, typically around 120,000 VND, and covers admission to a handful of the town's most notable buildings, including old merchant houses, assembly halls, and the Japanese Covered Bridge, the town's most recognizable landmark. Lanterns come out at dusk along the river, which is when the old town is most photographed and most crowded.

Lanterns, Tailors and Hands-On Experiences

Hoi An is nicknamed Vietnam's textile capital, and its old town is lined with tailor shops that can make custom clothing in as little as 24 to 48 hours. Quality and pricing vary a lot between shops, so it's worth checking recent reviews rather than picking the first storefront you see.

Lantern-making workshops are one of the town's signature activities, usually one to two hours long, where visitors build a bamboo frame and choose silk to cover it. It's a popular option for families and makes for a souvenir with more story behind it than something bought off a shelf.

Beaches and Day Trips Near Hoi An

An Bang Beach is a short ride from the old town and a common spot for visitors who want a beach day without leaving the area. Many hotels rent bicycles, which makes it easy to combine a beach morning with an afternoon back in the Ancient Town. Tra Que vegetable village, just outside town, is another common day trip, offering a look at small-scale farming methods still used by local growers.

Planning Tips for First-Time Visitors

Most travelers spend two to three days in Hoi An, enough time for the old town, one day trip, and a tailoring fitting if you're having something made. The town gets busiest in the evening around the lantern displays, so mornings tend to be quieter for sightseeing.

Hoi An is usually visited as part of a longer Vietnam itinerary that also includes Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. If Hanoi is on your route, that's where our own tours run, small-group food and walking experiences through the Old Quarter, guided by people who actually grew up there.

Frequently Asked Questions: Hoi An

Is Hoi An worth visiting?

Most travelers combining Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City find Hoi An a useful midpoint, a slower, more walkable town after the pace of Vietnam's bigger cities, with a well-preserved old quarter and easy beach access.

How many days do you need in Hoi An?

Two to three days is typical: one for the Ancient Town, one for a day trip or beach time, and an extra day if you're having clothing tailored, since fittings usually take more than one visit.

Is Hoi An walkable?

Yes. The historic core is compact and largely car-free, and many hotels provide free bicycles for exploring slightly further afield.

This guide is a planning resource, not a first-hand account. Our own on-the-ground expertise is Hanoi, where we run small-group food and walking tours through the Old Quarter.

---

Dung (Emma) Co-founder of Beyond Vietnam

Xin chào! I’m Dung, but many travellers call me Emma. I grew up on the outskirts of Hanoi, and no matter how far I travel, this busy and slightly chaotic city still feels most like home.

I’ve explored Vietnam on my own and with the people I love, while also spending years volunteering and joining community projects. Along the way, I’ve collected plenty of stories, local tips and unforgettable moments. I share them here to help you feel closer to Hanoi and Vietnam, hopefully even before you arrive.

You can also find me on Facebook. Come and say hi!

Continue planning: Vietnam for first-time visitors · Things to do in Da Nang