Since 400 years ago, Hoi An was a trading port crowded with traders from all over the world, creating a cultural diversity, harmony between East and West. Today, Hoi An is one of the rare ancient cities still preserved almost intact. If you are passionate about the nostalgic, peaceful atmosphere of this small old town on the Hoai River, quickly save the self-sufficient Hoi An travel experiences below to enjoy a full trip.
Hoi An Ancient Town always ranks first in the list of tourist destinations in Vietnam for many reasons. This small town is the intersection of East and West cultures; is the quintessential combination of Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, European countries in both cuisine, architecture, and the traditions of the local people. Along with charming nature, convenient location, Hoi An tourism is always chosen by many tourists when stopping across the central land strip.
1. The ideal time to travel to Hoi An
Possessing a distinct two-season climate, Hoi An tourism in the dry season (January – July) will of course be preferred over the rainy season. In particular, the ideal time is from February to April, when the climate in spring, early summer, the weather is cool and the sun is not too harsh.
Outside of this time, you can still choose to go to Hoi An during the rainy season (August – December). The climate of Hoi An in general is still quite temperate, not affected by storms or high temperature differences between seasons. However, it should be noted that the rain in Hoi An is quite persistent, and will sometimes cause floods. If you want to experience the feeling of rowing in the old town, traveling to Hoi An during this time will be an interesting memory.
However, according to the experiences of Hoi An self-sufficient tourism, the most special time to visit this city is on the full moon of each month. Every 14 lunar day, the old town will turn off all the lights and be lit with sparkling and colorful lanterns. On this day, the streets in the old town, the two banks of the Hoai River are filled with the melody of traditional songs, folk games and activities, and of course, attractive traditional dishes are indispensable. .
2. How to get to Hoi An?
By plane
For the most convenient Hoi An travel, you can buy a flight ticket to Da Nang and then continue to Hoi An. Flights from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi or other provinces to Da Nang only take approximately 1 hour, with prices ranging from 400,000 to 1,600,000 VND / way.
From Da Nang, the two most popular ways to get to Hoi An are by taxi or bus.
- Taxi: It is very easy to catch a taxi at Danang airport and only takes 45 – 55 minutes for you to move to Hoi An. The cost for a taxi ride is 350,000 – 450,000 VND, depending on the company and type of vehicle.
- Bus: Suitable for travelers who want to save or enjoy backpacking, you can catch bus number 1 (Da Nang central bus station – Hoi An bus station) for only 25,000 VND / way.
By train
Similar to going by plane, if you travel by train, you will stop at Da Nang station or Tra Kieu station. The journey from Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi to Da Nang will take 15-20 hours, ticket prices are in the range of 230,000 – 2,224,000 VND, depending on the itinerary and seat type. Check train times and buy tickets directly here .
By passenger car
If you do not want to stop by Da Nang but directly to Hoi An, there are still direct buses from Ho Chi Minh City – Hoi An, or Hanoi – Hoi An. The popular car manufacturers that you can choose from are Hanh Café, Thien An, The Sinh Tourist, with prices ranging from 320,000 to 480,000 VND / time.
By motorbike
From Da Nang, you absolutely can drive a motorbike to Hoi An to save costs. There are two main routes:
- Go south on National Highway 1, turn into Vinh Dien. In this direction, you will visit Thap Cham Bang Anh.
- Go across the Han River Bridge, follow the provincial road of Da Nang – Hoi An. This route will be convenient for you who want to combine visiting Ngu Hanh Son.
The road from Da Nang to Hoi An is quite easy to go and clear. However, if it is your first time going on a trip, you should consult Hoi An self-sufficient travel experiences to make the trip the most smooth one.
3. Transportation in Hoi An
Motorbike: As a tourist city, you will easily rent a motorbike in Hoi An for 120,000 – 150,000 VND / day.
Bicycle: The best way to get around the old town is to cycle and feel the peaceful rhythm of the city. Some hotels in Hoi An will have free bicycles for rent, or for rent at around 40,000 VND / day.
Cyclo: If cyclo in the city is a rare thing, in Hoi An, this vehicle is still a typical image. You can pick up cyclo in Hoi An at Phan Chau Trinh Street, Tan Phu for 150,000 VND / hour / car.
Taxi: Hoi An has familiar taxi companies Mai Linh (phone number: 0235.3.92.92.92), Taxi Hoi An (phone number: 0235.3.91.99.19), Faifo (phone number: 0235.3.91.91.91)
Boat, boat: For a tour of the old town, do not miss the opportunity to take a boat on Hoai River or Thu Bon River. You can easily catch a boat right at the river wharf in the heart of the old town.
4. Hoi An tourist destination should not be missed
Hoi An ancient town area
Hoi An Impression Park and Hoi An Memory Show
This will definitely be the highlight of your visit to this Old Town. Since its debut, the scene show Ky Uc Hoi An has received countless praises from audiences and critics. “The visual party” made the audience go crazy when watching professional dancers perform amid spectacular stage effects, fine props, skillful and expressive dance. Another amazing thing is that the show is performed on a 25,000 m2 stage – the largest outdoor stage in Vietnam, with a poetic setting of the Thu Bon River.
Japanese Covered Bridge
Can be considered as a symbol of the old town, Cau pagoda is the clearest proof of the diverse cultural interference of Hoi An. Inside the pagoda, there is a statue of North Emperor Tran Vo, a god who protects the land and brings good things to people.
| Address : Crossroads of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai – Tran Phu, facing the main face to Hoai River.Operation time: All day |
Fukien
The Assembly Hall of Fujian worship Thien Hau Thanh Mau, where Chinese businessmen often stop to pray for a peaceful, rainy sea trip. After many renovations, the Assembly Hall still retains its typical architecture with the three-door gate, shrine, and large rings of incense that bring a sacred atmosphere to the temple.
| Address : 35 Tran Phu, p. Minh An, HCMC. Hoi An, Quang Nam.Opening hours: 07:00 – 17:00 |
Assembly Hall of Chaozhou
Built early, around the middle of the 19th century, the Chaozhou Assembly Hall was the place where the overseas Chinese community built to worship Phuc Ba General Ma Vien – a famous Han dynasty, worshiped as a guardian god. seafaring people (“Phuc Ba” means conquering the waves)
| Address : 157 Nguyen Duy Hieu, HCMC. Hoi An.Opening hours: 07:00 – 17:00 |
Ancient home system
Hoi An ancient houses are often built entirely of wood, roof tiles, yin and yang, divided into many rooms, and is the place to live and do business for generations in a family.
- Old House of Tan Ky: 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc
- Quan Thang ancient house: 77 Tran Phu
- Phung Hung Old House: 04 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai
- Toc Tran Church: 21 Le Loi
Hoi An night market
As a place to go out at night not to be missed when traveling to Hoi An, the night market on Nguyen Hoang Street is the place where Hoi An is the most concentrated. Dozens of stalls of handicrafts, food, and souvenirs are available here, in the shimmering, nostalgic space of colorful lanterns.
| Address: Nguyen Hoang Street, near Hoai River. Opening hours: 17:00 – 23:00 daily |
Museums in Hoi An
Not only a museum displaying historical artifacts, Hoi An owns museums about both culture and arts, attracting even young visitors who love to experience.
Réhahn’s Precious Heritage Museum
Is a private museum displaying portraits that French photographer Réhahn recorded on his journey to explore Vietnam. Each photo is a human story that is faithfully represented under an artistic lens.
| Address: 26 Phan Boi Chau, City, Hoi An, Quang Nam. Opening hours: 08:00 – 20:00 |
Cotic art exhibition space
If you are a lover of Vietnamese traditional art, especially tuong, then you cannot ignore Cotic. With the desire to transmit a cultural – artistic beauty of the country, Cotic focuses on every small corner, providing a space imbued with Vietnamese identity.
| Address: 56 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Minh An, Hoi An, Quang Nam. Opening hours: 07:00 – 23:00 |
Area far from the ancient town of Hoi An
Hoi An is not just the old town. Just take the trouble to go a little far from the center, this city still has tourist destinations outside of Hoi An ancient town that you do not want to go.
Thanh Ha Pottery Village
This pottery village over 600 years old is even more famous for Thanh Ha Terracotta Park – a place where models of miniature world wonders are gathered in fine pottery. This is also the largest ceramic park in Vietnam.
| Address: Block 5, Ward Thanh Ha, City. Hoi An (located on the bank of Thu Bon river, 4 km from the center of the old town). Opening hours: 07:00 – 17:00Ticket price: 15,000 – 25,000 VND / ticket |
Kim Bong carpentry village
Do not be surprised to know that Kim Bong carpentry products have contributed to the magnificence of Hue capital . Many times this traditional craft village was awarded the king’s reward. Today, when visiting Kim Bong, you will still admire the process of making wooden works of art.
| Address: Rural Road, Trung Ha Hamlet, Cam Kim Commune, Cam Kim, Hoi An, Quang Nam. Opening hours: 07:00 – 17:00 |
Tra Que Vegetable Village
For those who like the form of ecotourism, visit Tra Que vegetable village once – a place that attracts both domestic and foreign tourists, especially indispensable in the self-sufficient Hoi An tourism experience. Just a few kilometers from the center of the old town is a green vegetable garden, grown organically.
Stop at Tra Que, do not miss the opportunity to try hoeing, fertilizing, carrying water to water each row of lush green vegetables. And the best part is probably the feeling of cycling in the countryside scenery, enjoying the fresh air on the way to Tra Que.
| Address: Cam Ha Commune, City. Hoi An (from the center of the old town, go straight to Hai Ba Trung street). Opening hours: 07:00 – 21:00 |
Cua Dai Beach
Cua Dai is always the first name when it comes to beautiful beaches in Hoi An tourism experience. After improving the erosion a year ago, Cua Dai Beach has continued to open its doors to visitors with clear blue sea water and fine sand.
| Address: Take the extended 608 road, 5 km east of Hoi An ancient town. Operation time: All day |
An Bang Beach
Famous for its peaceful beauty, An Bang used to be in the top 25 most beautiful beaches of Trip Advisor. Therefore, An Bang is also chosen by many Hoi An resorts to build luxury resorts. If you travel to Hoi An on your own, try to refer to the plan “clearing the island” of An Bang beach in just one day to enjoy this famous beautiful beach!
| Address: Hai Ba Trung Street, Cam An Ward, City. Hoi An (3 km from the city center). Operation time: All day |
Cu Lao Cham
Concentrating 8 large and small islands, Cu Lao Cham is an ideal stopover for travelers who love the pristine sea scene, diving and admiring colorful coral reefs. Besides, Cu Lao Cham also has historical relics such as ancient wells of Cham or ancient pagodas of Hai Tang, enough to satisfy all the exploration needs of visitors.
- How to get there: Take the speedboat from Cua Dai wharf for about 25 minutes or take a wooden boat from Bach Dang wharf for about 2 hours
Seven Mau Coconut Forest
Coconut is not a specialty of Ben Tre itself, in Hoi An there is also a very unique coconut forest, up to “seven acres” wide. The interesting point of Bay Mau coconut forest is that visitors can sit on basket boat, floating in the water, wove among dense coconut trees.
| Address: Cam Thanh Commune, City. Hoi An (3 km from the city center). Operation time: All dayPrice: From 50,000 – 80,000 VND / person / trip(depending on boat type and location of service) |
In addition, according to experience, Hoi An self-sufficient tourism should be combined with exploring Da Nang city or more time than Hue. With close proximity, all of them in the top of the most famous tourist destinations in Vietnam, you will definitely have a lot to look forward to for this journey. Learn more about Hoi An – Da Nang travel tips in more detail in the following series:
The famous “virtual living” places in Hoi An
The wall of Hoang Van Thu street
One of the most famous photo spots in Hoi An is the old wall on Hoang Van Thu Street (the road leading to the Hoai River). This is the wall of an old house, with patchy patches of color degraded by time; But at the same time is what makes this place so special.
Paper flower truss
Bougainvillea flowers are not only available in Hoi An, but the image of confetti on an old yellow wall is probably only this old town on Hoai River. Combine the light sun, wooden window frames, and an idyllic cyclo you have the best view.
Hoai River
Located in the center of the old town is Hoai River. If you are a city resident, this is an opportunity for you to try sitting on a gourd boat, turning the water through the ancient houses with tile roofs, typical yellow lime walls of Hoi An.
Hoai River every time has its own beauty; But the best way to take a boat ride on the river is probably at dusk. At this time, the street lights up, beside the river wharf are floating flower lights, creating a sparkling, magical scene.
5. Hoi An cuisine has nothing attractive
Already a cultural crossroads, cuisine must also be diverse. Not many people can resist a long list of dishes not to be missed when coming to Hoi An .
High-rise
As a testament to Hoi An’s diverse cuisine, the high-rise has large noodles like Japanese soba; Chinese char siu-style meat; Serve with raw vegetables, Vietnamese-style crackers.
| Address to eat delicious:Thanh high floor: 26 Thai PhienGreen Space: 687 Hai Ba TrungLien High floor: 9 Thai Phien |
Fried oysters – Baked cake
Baked cake is a unique cake, combining dry and wet rice paper. When eating, you must beat lightly so that the two cakes stick together. The most rustic batter is dipping sauce, sometimes served with fried mussels for more variety.
| Address to eat delicious:Quan Ba Gia: Hamlet 1, Cam Nam Commune |
Chicken rice
Chicken rice is considered a famous specialty that no self-sufficient travel tips from Hoi An can be ignored. Rice is cooked with chicken broth and turmeric for a golden color. Boiled chicken mixed with salad, add a little onion, shredded papaya, herbs, and sweet and sour fish sauce.
| Address to eat delicious:Ba Buoi chicken rice: 26 Phan Chau TrinhXi chicken rice: 47/2 Tran Hung DaoTy chicken rice: 25-27 Phan Chau Trinh |
Pancakes – Spring rolls
Being a central province, Hoi An pancakes are small, crispy cakes full of meat, shrimp and squid. Some places also specially serve banh xeo with spring rolls, making another attractive version of the familiar dish.
| Address to eat delicious:Ba Le well: 45/51 Tran Hung Dao |
Dumplings – Cakes cauldron
Two types of steamed cakes made from rice flour, dumplings filled with meat, mushrooms; and ca ca cake is the core of crushed shrimp. The rustic cake dish is served with a little scallion, served with sweet and sour chili fish sauce.
| Address to eat delicious:White Rose Restaurant: 533 Hai Ba Trung |
Bread
As the “national” dish of Vietnam, Hoi An bread is still very sought after in all shared experiences of Hoi An tourism. A “full-sized” loaf of bread with char siu, grilled meat, pork rolls, pate and homemade butter sauce, sour food … will be enough to seduce anyone, whether you are a fan of this dish or not. .
| Address to eat delicious:Phoenix Bread: 2B Phan Chu TrinhBread Madam Khanh: 115 Tran Cao Van |
Grilled meat skewers
If you ask Hoi An what snacks to eat, the answer is grilled skewers. After an afternoon strolling around the old town, stop by the Hoai River, enjoy charcoal grilled meat, served with crispy sour papaya, and unique sauce of each restaurant.
| Address to eat delicious:Quan Anh: 132 Nguyen Thai HocBa Huong Restaurant – Wet baked meat: Tran Phu – Tieu La intersection, Minh An wardOld Quarter grilled meat: At the beginning of Bach Dang street, near the river bridge |
Snacks
Walking around the streets of Hoi An, it is not difficult for you to find snacks to “recharge” for your exploration. It could be tea, tofu, mango cake, or a cool glass of herbal juice for a hot afternoon.
Nice cafes in Hoi An
After eating “covered with coffee”, do not miss the experience of enjoying the peaceful space of the old town in a cafe that is also deeply nostalgic.
- Reaching Out Tea House: 131 Tran Phu
- Hoi An Roastery: 135 Tran Phu
- Cocobana: 16 Nguyen Thai Hoc
- Chu Chu: 74 Tran Phu
- Cocobox: 94 Le Loi
- Muoi Hoi An: 150 Tran Phu sidewalk shop
- The Chef: 166 Tran Phu
6. Where to go to Hoi An for “quality”?
Tourists often come to Hoi An for a vacation between a peaceful, nostalgic space. Perhaps that is why hotels in Hoi An are also quite invested in the space, with the desire to bring the most comfortable stay to the guests far away.
Hotel in Hoi An
The two main areas that tourists often prefer when choosing a place to stay in Hoi An are the Old Quarter area and hotels by the sea. The familiar names you can consider when coming to Hoi An are Maison Vy Hotel , Hoi An Rose Garden Hotel , Lasenta Boutique Hoi An Hotel , River Suites Hoi An Hotel …
For those who want to find an affordable choice, to save “wallet” for the discovery, you can refer to Top 7 Hoi An Hotels Under 1 Million VND .
Homestay in Hoi An
Hoi An is a perfect place for those who want to find a hostel or homestay for a local experience. The homesaty Hoi An are very ” diligent ” to invest in design – not only beautiful, but also a nostalgic, peaceful atmosphere in Hoi An style.
Hoi An homestay salts are being hunted restlessly, such as Under The Coconut Tree Hoi An Homestay , An Bang Beach Hideaway Homestay , Lemongrass Homestay , Heron House Hoi An , Jolie Villa Hoi An Homestay …
Discover more about Top 5 homestays in Hoi An which are mesmerizingly beautiful, making believers “virtual life” forget their way back “
Villa in Hoi An
Villa Hoi An is the perfect choice for those who are looking for an authentic resort. Whether in the bustling old town center or a quiet area away from the center, you will still be “pampered” with professional services and the most luxurious facilities.
Immediately find names such as Golden Peach Villa Hoi An , Le Pavillon Hoi An Central Villa , Golden Bell Hoi An Boutique Villa , Tue Tam Garden Villa , Azumi Villa Hoi An … for a self-sufficient Hoi An trip. than.
Resort in Hoi An
As for guests who have a personal love for the blue sea, golden sand, do not hesitate to choose a Hoi An resort in the area of famous beaches like An Bang or Cua Dai. What is more wonderful than enjoying the salty sea breeze, while still indulging in the nostalgia of Hoi An.
Top favorite resorts in Hoi An are indispensable for places like Belle Maison Hadana Hoi An Resort & Spa , Senvila Boutique Resort , Tropical Beach Hoi An Resort , …
7. Hoi An tourism experiences to remember
- Hoi An’s mornings are especially peaceful and quiet, with only the local people preparing for their new day activities. Don’t be afraid to get up early to fully enjoy the beauty of the old town.
- Hoi An is most beautiful on the occasion of the full moon or traditional New Year so it is also very crowded at this time. Ideally, you should book your hotel in Hoi An in advance to be most ready for the trip.
- Common items that tourists buy as souvenirs in Hoi An are lanterns, handicrafts, or tailoring services in the old town. As for custom-made clothes, you should subtract the repair time to get the most satisfied clothes.
- Although the weather in Hoi An is not as harsh as the city vulnerable to floods and storms. Pay attention to see the weather forecast if you do not want to travel at this time.
A self-sufficient Hoi An travel experience can not be more complete for those who are planning to explore the old town. Hope you will have the most complete moments to unleash your exploration of this beautiful city!