Things to do in Hoi An: top sights and where to go
Hoi An is an old trading port on the Thu Bon River: the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Chinese assembly halls and merchant houses such as Tan Ky all lie within a 15-minute walk, and at dusk the riverside and the night market on An Hoi islet light up with lanterns. Give day one to the Ancient Town by day and the lanterns after dark; on day two head to the My Son temples 40 km inland or the Cham Islands, or rest on An Bang Beach 5 km from the centre.
Sights
Japanese Covered Bridge
Hoi An, Vietnam
20 minOld Town ticket: 80,000–120,000 VNDchurcheshistoryancient ruins
Hoi An itineraries
Hoi An travel guide
Before you go: the lantern-lit old town, the Japanese Bridge, An Bang beach, My Son and the Cham Islands, getting there from Da Nang.
Hoi An on your own: the essentials
- How many days
- 2–3 days: town, beach, My Son
- When to go
- February–April: dry and not too hot
- Visa
- Depends on your passport — visa-free or e-visa
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Currency
- Vietnamese dong (VND); cash for markets
- Airport
- Da Nang (DAD) ≈ 30 km, ≈ 45 min by Grab
- Old town
- Ticket with coupons for the sights
- Evenings
- Lanterns and boats on the Thu Bon River
- Floods
- October–November: riverside streets flood
- Tailors
- A suit takes 1–2 days
- Time zone
- UTC+7 all year
officiali
Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Key facts
Sourcei
UNESCO World Heritage List, No. 948Sourcei
UNESCO World Heritage List, No. 949Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Japanese Covered Bridge”Sourcei
UNESCO Man and the Biosphere ProgrammeThings to do in Hoi An
The top things to do in Hoi An are in the Ancient Town: the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Fujian Assembly Hall, Quan Cong Temple, Tan Ky House, the Central Market and the riverside night market under lanterns. An Bang beach is close by, and My Son and the Cham Islands make day trips. Every place with its YesGo score is in the list above.
| Ancient Town | Old town, Japanese Bridge | ½ day |
|---|---|---|
| Old houses | Fujian, Tan Ky, Quan Cong | 2 h |
| Markets | Central, night market | evening |
| Beach | An Bang | ½ day |
| Day trips | My Son, Cham Islands | ½–1 day each |
Rather not plan it yourself? The list above has ready itineraries for 1–2 days, with places in a sensible order.
Da Nang to Hoi An
Hoi An has no airport: fly into Da Nang (DAD), ≈ 30 km away — about 45 minutes by Grab or transfer. Shuttles and buses run from central Da Nang. Cars can’t enter the old town, so the last few hundred metres are on foot.
| Grab, taxi | Da Nang airport | ≈ 45 min |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer | Hotel in Da Nang | ≈ 40–50 min |
| Shuttle, bus | Central Da Nang | ≈ 1 h |
Where to stay in Hoi An
Where to stay in Hoi An: in or next to the Ancient Town to walk out among the lanterns at night; on An Hoi islet across the river for views and quieter streets; or at An Bang and Cua Dai beaches, ≈ 10–15 minutes by bike or taxi.
| Ancient Town | Evenings, walking | Busy, can flood in autumn |
|---|---|---|
| An Hoi islet | River views, quieter | Across the bridge |
| An Bang, Cua Dai | Beach, resorts | ≈ 10–15 min to town |
| Rice fields | Homestays, calm | Bike or taxi needed |
Hoi An weather by month
The best time to visit Hoi An is February to April: dry, ≈ 26–31 °C by day. Summer is hot at ≈ 34 °C but dry with a warm sea. September to December brings rain, and in October–November the Thu Bon River often floods the old-town streets.
°CiLong-term averages, °C: day and night air, sea water near the shore, rain — rainy days a month. Any given year can be warmer or cooler. Tap a month for details below. | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 25° | 26° | 28° | 31° | 33° | 34° | 34° | 34° | 32° | 29° | 27° | 25° |
| Night | 19° | 20° | 22° | 24° | 25° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 25° | 23° | 22° | 20° |
| Sea | 24° | 24° | 25° | 27° | 29° | 30° | 30° | 30° | 29° | 28° | 26° | 25° |
| Rain | 10 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 13 | 18 | 19 | 16 |
Warm — 20 °C and above by dayBest time to go: February–May
- day ≈ 25°
- night ≈ 19°
- sea ≈ 24°
- rain 10 days
About 25°, rains easing. Warm for swimming, water — about 24°.
- day ≈ 26°
- night ≈ 20°
- sea ≈ 24°
- rain 6 days
About 26° — the season. Warm for swimming, water — about 24°.
- day ≈ 28°
- night ≈ 22°
- sea ≈ 25°
- rain 4 days
About 28°, dry. Warm for swimming, water — about 25°.
- day ≈ 31°
- night ≈ 24°
- sea ≈ 27°
- rain 4 days
About 31° — excellent. Warm for swimming, water — about 27°.
- day ≈ 33°
- night ≈ 25°
- sea ≈ 29°
- rain 7 days
Hotter, sea ≈ 29°. Warm for swimming, water — about 29°.
- day ≈ 34°
- night ≈ 26°
- sea ≈ 30°
- rain 7 days
Hot, ≈ 34°. Warm for swimming, water — about 30°.
- day ≈ 34°
- night ≈ 26°
- sea ≈ 30°
- rain 7 days
Heat, dry. Warm for swimming, water — about 30°.
- day ≈ 34°
- night ≈ 26°
- sea ≈ 30°
- rain 9 days
Heat, storms. Warm for swimming, water — about 30°.
- day ≈ 32°
- night ≈ 25°
- sea ≈ 29°
- rain 13 days
Rains begin. Warm for swimming, water — about 29°.
- day ≈ 29°
- night ≈ 23°
- sea ≈ 28°
- rain 18 days
Rain; floods possible. Warm for swimming, water — about 28°.
- day ≈ 27°
- night ≈ 22°
- sea ≈ 26°
- rain 19 days
The wettest month. Warm for swimming, water — about 26°.
- day ≈ 25°
- night ≈ 20°
- sea ≈ 25°
- rain 16 days
Rain, cooler. Warm for swimming, water — about 25°.
On each full-moon night the Ancient Town switches off electric light and lights lanterns.
What to eat in Hoi An
Hoi An is famous for street food: cao lau noodles made only here, banh mi baguettes, “white rose” shrimp dumplings and com ga chicken rice. Eat at the night market or by the river.
- Cao lau — chewy noodles with pork and greens.
- Banh mi — Hoi An’s are often called Vietnam’s best.
- White rose — translucent shrimp dumplings.
- Com ga — chicken with turmeric rice.
Hoi An old town ticket and prices
The Hoi An old town ticket comes with coupons: each opens one sight — the Japanese Bridge, a house or an assembly hall. The streets at night, the markets and An Bang beach are free. My Son and Cham Islands trips are paid.
| Japanese Covered Bridge | 40 | 20 min | Old Town ticket: 80,000–120,000 VND |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fujian Assembly Hall | 39 | 30 min | Old Town ticket, 80,000–120,000 VND |
| Tan Ky Old House | 39 | 20 min | One Old Town ticket coupon |
| Quan Cong Temple | 39 | 20 min | Old Town ticket, 80,000–120,000 VND |
| Hoi An Ancient Town | 34 | 3 h | 80,000–120,000 VND; streets free |
| My Son Sanctuary | 26 | 2 h 30 min | 150,000 VND |
| Cham Islands | 16 | 4 h | 70,000 VND + 20,000 VND fee |
Free — 3 places: Hoi An Night Market, Hoi An Central Market, An Bang Beach.
Tips
- The old town is loveliest after sunset, with lanterns and boats on the river.
- Before 9 am the streets are almost empty — the best time for photos.
- Order from a tailor on your first day: you will need a couple of fittings.
FAQ
Is Hoi An worth visiting?
Yes — its lantern-lit old trading town is one of Vietnam’s most beautiful places, with beaches and My Son nearby.
Do I need a visa for Vietnam?
It depends on your passport: some nationalities are visa-free for a set number of days, others apply for a 90-day e-visa online. Check the official rules for your passport.
How do I get from Da Nang to Hoi An?
By Grab or transfer in about 45 minutes from Da Nang airport, or by shuttle or bus from central Da Nang in about an hour.
How much is the Hoi An old town ticket?
The coupon ticket is sold at the entrances; see the price on the place card in the list above.
What to do in Hoi An in one day?
The Japanese Bridge and old houses in the morning, An Bang beach in the afternoon, lanterns and the night market in the evening.
When is the best time to visit Hoi An?
February to April: dry and not too hot.
Does Hoi An flood?
Yes, in October–November the Thu Bon River often floods the old-town streets.
How do I get to My Son from Hoi An?
By car or tour in about an hour; go at sunrise before the heat.
When is the Hoi An lantern festival?
Every month on the full-moon night, when electric lights go off in the old town.
What to eat in Hoi An?
Cao lau, banh mi, white rose dumplings and com ga.
Sources and fact-check
- UNESCO World Heritage List, Nos. 948 and 949
- Wikipedia, “Hội An”; “Japanese Covered Bridge”; Da Nang climate (1991–2020 normals)
- Hoi An Heritage Conservation Centre — hoianheritage.danang.gov.vn
Day trips from Hoi An
- Da Nang · 23 km
- Nha Trang · 415 km
- Da Lat · 438 km
- Phan Thiet · 551 km
- Ho Chi Minh City · 593 km
- Hanoi · 629 km
- Phu Quoc · 787 km