8 attractions in Hoi An worth seeing!
- Noa
Hoi An is one of the most popular destinations in Vietnam, and for good reason! There is so much to do, see, amazing cuisine and the opportunity to connect with local life. Hoi An is an hour's drive from Da Nang, and relatively close to Hue (about four hours), and about eight hours from Phong Nha . You can read here what is best to do, eat, where to sleep and other good tips.
It's worth knowing that if you're arriving on an international flight and don't have a connecting flight, it's a good idea to arrive at the airport with a fictitious flight ticket .
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Table of Contents
Is it worth sleeping in Hoi An or Da Nang?
First of all, why either or when you can have both?
In general, I recommend dedicating at least three nights to this entire area and dividing them between the two destinations, depending on what suits you best. As for where you'll have more fun staying, here are some points of comparison between the two places.
Hoi An
A historic and relaxed town. The main attraction is the colorful night market, backpacker atmosphere, unique buildings and French influences.
Small, authentic accommodations, there are many homestays.
A town with a cultural experience, historical buildings and a lot of peace and quiet.
Da Nang
A large coastal city with about 1.2 million residents.
You will find all types of accommodation available, from the simplest to 5-star.
Lots of entertainment venues, beaches, restaurants and attractions.
Weather in Hoi An Vietnam
- February to May: Hot and dry, the best months to visit. The average for this season is 25°C.
- June to August: Hot and dry with little chance of rain. Temperatures can reach 35°C. Relatively busy season with tourists.
- September to January: Monsoon season and the weakest season in terms of tourism. Average temperature 18°C.
8 attractions in Hoi An worth seeing
This is one of the most fun destinations in Vietnam and in my opinion even in the East in general! The city has a magical, rustic and pleasant atmosphere. Attractions in Hoi An include cooking courses, craft workshops, a market tour, interesting archaeological sites and even a beach! So what's the best thing to do?
Hoi An Night Market
At Hoi An Night Market you will find a variety of food stalls, shops, souvenirs and a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. The whole area is full of colorful lights, boats and paper lanterns. You can also buy lanterns and float them on the water.
Hội Quán Phước Kiến Temple
A historic Chinese temple in the heart of the city. The temple was built in the 17th century by immigrants from Fujian, China, in honor of the goddess of the sea. It served as a community and prayer center for the Fujian community.
Japanese Bridge Hoi An - Chùa Cầu
The Japanese Bridge in Hoi An is an iconic symbol of the town! An ancient bridge from the 16th century, worth visiting both day and night.
Cooking workshop
One of the most recommended experiences there is! Most workshops begin with a market tour, a cruise through a coconut forest where you can hunt crayfish (and release them), and of course cooking about four particularly delicious Vietnamese dishes.
We did the workshop with Wan Wan and it was perfect! She invests a lot in the training and brings quality ingredients. Feel free to contact her on WhatsApp: +84773502443
Come hungry because there is lots of food!
An Bang Beach
A fifteen-minute drive from the town center, you will find a beautiful and calm beach if you feel like taking a day off.
My Son
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, a short drive from the city. The site is a complex of ancient Hindu temples, built between the 4th and 13th centuries by the Champa Kingdom. The temples reflect the Hindu culture and faith that existed in the region.
Custom sewing
Custom tailoring is one of the most characteristic experiences in Hoi An and you can leave with some really good stuff! The city has dozens of professional tailors who can tailor-make any garment you want for you, in just a day or two. For example, I had a swimsuit sewn there!
Day trip to Da Nang
Da Nang is an hour's drive away, so you can make a day trip there. There are special attractions there such as the Marble Mountains, Ba Na Hills and the Hand Bridge.
Attractions in Hoi An with Viator
All tours include professional guides, convenient schedules, and excellent value for money.
✅ Rating of 5 ⭐ on VIATOR out of 2,701 raters!
✅ Includes a tour of the local market and a cruise through the coconut forest
✅ Small group up to 8 participants
✅ Starting from $29.99
Reserve your spot in the workshop now! ￬
✅ Rating of 5 ⭐ on VIATOR out of 1,884 raters!
✅ Making a personalized lamp in your own design
✅ Includes Vietnamese tea tasting
✅ Starting from $16
Reserve your spot in the workshop now! ￬
✅ Rating of 5 ⭐ on VIATOR out of 541 raters!
✅ Discover the temples calmly, before the rush
✅ Includes breakfast and coffee
✅ Starting from $23
Reserve your spot on the trip now! ￬
Where to sleep?
The accommodations in the town are quieter and more homely. Here are some highly recommended places, from low to high price:
⭐ Rating of 9.1 on Booking.com
✅ Excellent location near the night market
✅ Private rooms with air conditioning
✅ Hotel pool
Compare prices to get the best price:
⭐ Rating of 9 on Booking.com
✅ In the city center
✅ Rooms with pool view
✅ Breakfast included
Compare prices to get the best price:
⭐ Rating of 9.1 on Booking.com
✅ Luxurious 5-star hotel
✅ Huge pool at the hotel
✅ Includes an excellent breakfast
Compare prices to get the best price:
Recommended restaurants
Besides the night market, you can find great restaurants, both Vietnamese and Western, throughout the town. Near the lake, in the central area, there are plenty of great places with beautiful views of the lake.
Cabanon
A perfect French restaurant! Cheeses you won't find anywhere else in Vietnam, crepes and a beautiful view of the lake across the street.
Seashell
Excellent Vietnamese food! Delicious and fresh dishes, and there are also vegan dishes.
Ellie's Cafe
Healthy and nutritious food, decent breakfasts.
LP, Little Paris
A fusion of French and Vietnamese dishes – perfect for breakfast! I especially recommend the tuna banh mi, which comes with fresh red tuna.
Hoi An Toto Bingsu & Cafe
A cafe with excellent bingsu (a Korean dessert made from milk chips and toppings), on the river.
Am Vegetarian & Hideaway
A little remote but worth it! A cozy and comfortable corner. Everything is vegetarian, fresh and healthy.
Destinations to continue after Hoi An Vietnam
From the north:
Da Nang , only an hour's drive away, and I think it's worth spending a night or two there.
Hue , 3 hours drive away.
Phong Nha is 6 hours away.
Within a sleeper's distance you can reach Tam Coc and from there continue to other destinations in the north of the country.
From the south:
Dalat and Nha Trang are a 10-13 hour sleeper train ride away.
Ho Chi Minh City about 15 hours sleeper. You can easily find bus, train and flight travel at the following link:
Questions and Answers
When is the best time to visit Hoi An in terms of weather? 🌤️
The most recommended time to travel is between February to May, when the weather is pleasant and relatively dry.What attractions in Hoi An are not to be missed? 🌟
- The Japanese Bridge in Hoi An
- Hoi An Night Market
- Cooking workshop
What is special about Hoi An Night Market? 🏮
In this special market you will find paper lamps in stunning colors, dozens of stalls with beautiful souvenirs and clothes, and excellent Vietnamese street food.What nearby destinations are there in the area and how do you get there? 👨👩👧👦
- From Dalat : You can fly to Da Nang and from there it's about a 45-minute drive.
- From Da Nang : Only 30-45 minutes by taxi or organized tour.
- From Hoa : About a 3-4 hour drive by bus or taxi.
