Best Things to Do in Hoi An (2026 Guide)

Hoi An is one of Southeast Asia’s most beautiful small cities. The best things to do in Hoi An start with an early morning walk through the Ancient Town before the tour groups arrive: the Japanese Covered Bridge (1593, the symbol of the city), the Tan Ky Old House (a well-preserved 200-year-old merchant home), Phung Hung Old House, the Chinese clan halls (Assembly Halls) of Fujian and Teochew communities, and the market along Bach Dang Street by the Thu Bon River. By late afternoon, the city transforms: lanterns are lit as the sun sets, the river turns golden, and the Ancient Town becomes genuinely magical. Beyond the town: An Bang Beach (5km by bicycle, a long stretch of sand with excellent seafood restaurants), My Son Sanctuary (70km, 4th-14th century Cham Hindu temple ruins in a jungle valley), and Tra Que Vegetable Village (organic gardens supplying Hoi An’s restaurants, with cooking classes and herb-picking experiences).

Best time to visit

February-July is the dry and warm season — the sweet spot for beach days combined with Ancient Town exploring. March-May is warm (25-30°C), dry, and has the best conditions for An Bang Beach. August is hot and can have afternoon thunderstorms. October-November is typhoon season in Central Vietnam; flooding in the Ancient Town (which sits on a flood plain) can be significant in October. The Full Moon Lantern Festival (14th day of each lunar month — roughly monthly) is when electric lights are switched off throughout the Ancient Town and lanterns alone illuminate the streets: one of the most beautiful evenings in Asia.

Getting around

Da Nang International Airport is 30 kilometres from Hoi An (30-40 minute taxi/Grab, approximately $10-15). Hoi An itself is best explored by bicycle — the city has invested heavily in cycling infrastructure and the flat terrain makes it easy. Electric bikes and motorbikes are available for An Bang Beach and further excursions. The Ancient Town’s core is pedestrianised (vehicles prohibited 7am-9pm in the inner area). Grab cars and motorbike taxis supplement for longer journeys.

What to eat and drink

Hoi An has its own distinct cuisine, specific to this stretch of Central Vietnam. The must-eat dishes: cao lau (thick wheat noodles with pork, herbs, and crispy croutons — authentically made with water from a single ancient well in the Ancient Town), white rose dumplings (banh bao vac, delicate steamed rice dumplings with shrimp filling, served with a crispy crouton), com ga (Hoi An chicken rice, with shredded poached chicken and turmeric-tinged rice), and banh mi from Banh Mi Phuong (long credited as the best banh mi in Vietnam). Morning Glory restaurant (founder Trinh Diem Vy) and The Market restaurant are the most celebrated in the city. Cooking classes taught by local chefs are among the best food experiences in Vietnam.

Areas to explore

Ancient Town Core — The UNESCO zone: Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky Old House, the Assembly Halls, Bach Dang riverside street, and the lantern shops of Tran Phu Street. Entry tickets (120,000 VND) cover five heritage sites.

An Bang Beach — 5km by bicycle east of the Ancient Town: a long, relatively uncrowded beach with excellent seafood restaurants (Soul Kitchen, An Bang Beach Club). Best for swimming February-July.

Tra Que Vegetable Village — An organic farming village 3km from the Ancient Town, famous for supplying Hoi An’s restaurants with fresh herbs. Cooking classes and herb-picking experiences available.

Cam Kim Island — Across the river from the Ancient Town by boat (10 minutes): a quiet island of rice paddies, traditional woodcarving workshops, and cycling through farmland. Almost no tourists.

My Son Sanctuary — 70km from Hoi An (1.5 hours): UNESCO-listed Cham Hindu temple ruins in a valley surrounded by forest. Best visited on a morning half-day trip — a full day tour including the local boat trip and Tra Kieu village makes it more interesting.