Hoi An is a place where the bold march of progress peters into a leisurely amble. In this one-time trading port, the Thu Bon River meanders past crumbling shop houses and weathered pagodas, while sampans come and go from the old ferry quay. Outside the Old Town, two-lane roads slice through waving rice fields and emerge at a frothy coastline. Stay a couple of days, and Hoi An’s easygoing beauty and lantern-lit nights may leave you hopelessly beguiled.

Top things to do in Hoi An

Get lost in the Old Town

Merchants from China, Japan and later Europe settled in Hoi An from the 15th to 19th centuries, creating a unique architectural fusion. Bring your camera as you tread the Japanese Bridge, Tan Ky ancestral house, and Phuc Kien Assembly Hall.

Treat your taste buds

Dining in Hoi An is a true culinary delight, where the fresh ingredients from nearby farms and fishing boats meet to create vibrant, flavorful dishes. The town’s markets are brimming with freshly picked vegetables, seafood, herbs, and fruit that add a unique touch to every meal. Among the must-try dishes are:

• Cao Lau: A noodle dish made with thick, chewy noodles, pork, herbs, and crispy rice crackers, served in a flavorful broth.
• Hoanh Thanh: Vietnamese-style dumplings, often filled with pork or shrimp, served in a warm broth or deep-fried.
• White Rose Dumplings: Delicate steamed dumplings filled with shrimp and shaped like white roses, typically served with a dipping sauce.

Each dish is a reflection of Hoi An’s rich cultural heritage and the bountiful ingredients sourced from its lush surroundings.

Cycle in the countryside

Sunrise in Hoi An is a prime time to grab your hat and hop on a bike. With any luck, you’ll find yourself in a sea of green, with water buffalo flicking their tails. In Cam Thanh and Tra Que, you’ll pass vegetable farms and frond-fringed ponds.

Hit the beach

An Bang Beach, just a 10-minute drive from the Ancient Town, promises seafood lunches, sandy stretches and cool waves. Bring your books, beach blankets, and bikinis; or board a boat to the pristine shores of the Cham Islands.

Marvel at My Son

My Son Sanctuary is a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site 40 kilometres from Hoi An. Tucked into a valley near a shaded stream, these temples were built by the Cham people. The surviving structures date from the 7th to the 13th century.