Best Things to Do in Hoi An:
Explore Vietnam's Charming Ancient Town
- Written by Roi Alfassi
- Updated October 2025
It’s impossible not to be enchanted by this charming little town — it took us only a few hours to fall completely in love! Hoi An is a Vietnamese gem that perfectly captures the spirit of the country: flavorful, gentle, beautiful, and simply wonderful.
Five easygoing days here felt like a dream — strolling through lantern-lit streets, tasting incredible food, and soaking in the relaxed atmosphere. Come and fall in love with Hoi An, too.
Day One: Getting to Know the City
We spent our first day in Hoi An exploring the ancient town, which is filled with historical landmarks worth visiting. You can buy a single ticket that includes entry to five different sites. The ones I’d most recommend are the Japanese Bridge (Chùa Cầu), the Cantonese Assembly Hall (Quan Trieu) located nearby, and the beautiful Phuc Kien Assembly Hall.
Since the midday heat was unbearable and made walking outside difficult, we returned to our hotel and went back out to the old town later in the afternoon. Suppose you’re not keen on wandering the streets in the morning. In that case, you can spend your time at the beach, take a cooking class, visit the Tra Que Vegetable Village, or relax by your hotel pool — basically, anything that doesn’t involve walking around in the sticky heat.
If you want to stay right in the heart of the old town, I highly recommend a local homestay, as many families have converted their homes into small, welcoming guesthouses. We paid $25 per night at Han Huyen Homestay, just a two-minute walk from the weekend night market and five minutes from the ancient town.
Website: www.han-huyen-homestay.net/en
It’s also very common to borrow a bicycle from your hotel and explore the old town on two wheels. Both hotels we stayed at offered free bikes, each equipped with a lock, so you can stop at any shop along the way without worry.
Tip: Grab a bike, buy your entrance tickets, and pedal from one site to another. This way, you’ll discover fascinating streets without exhausting your legs.
A popular activity in Hoi An is custom-made clothing, especially suits — the prices are very reasonable (depending on the fabric you choose). A polyester suit costs around $100, while one made of cashmere wool with silk lining can reach $200. We ordered two pairs of trousers for my partner and a skirt for myself — $40 per pair for high-quality fabric and $35 for the skirt. You can find cheaper options, but we wanted good craftsmanship.
If you plan to have something tailored, order it on your first day in Hoi An — you’ll need to return for fittings, which usually takes about two days. Always go to a shop with solid recommendations. We went to A Dong Silk, which has three branches. The service was excellent, the tailoring was perfectly fitted to our measurements, and the fabrics felt premium. Another highly recommended tailor, though we didn’t have time to visit, is Bebe, which also has several branches around town.
Day Two: A Culinary Celebration
On our second day in Hoi An, we joined a cooking class, which turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. I highly and wholeheartedly recommend taking a class with Thuan Tinh Island Cooking Class — their professionalism, hospitality, and the variety of dishes we prepared made it an unforgettable experience.
Before booking, we made sure to check which dishes we’d be cooking since we didn’t want a course focused only on seafood and sauces. Our menu was perfect: fresh spring rolls (not fried) with peanut dipping sauce, beef salad with soy dressing, a surprisingly delicious rice pancake, and of course, pho — Vietnam’s most iconic and flavorful dish.
The class began with a guided visit to the local market, where the instructors explained the ingredients we would later use. It was fascinating to see an authentic local market full of colors and aromas. Afterward, we took a 45-minute boat ride down the river to reach the island where the cooking class took place. Upon arrival, we were greeted with a freshly made passion fruit juice, and then began by grinding rice to make rice water for our pancakes. The pho broth, which takes about an hour and a half to prepare, simmered while we worked on the other dishes.
The class was led by a Vietnamese chef and an English-speaking assistant, and the staff made sure everything ran smoothly — refilling drinks, clearing tables, and setting up the ingredients and cookware for each dish. All the ingredients came pre-washed and, when necessary, pre-cut, so we could focus entirely on the cooking. Each dish had its own unique sauce, and at the end, we received all the recipes and the large cooking chopsticks we used as a souvenir.
Website: www.cooking-tour.com
That evening, we crossed to the opposite side of the river, where the bars and restaurants are more relaxed and budget-friendly. Many offer Happy Hour specials, so for three nights in a row, we found ourselves enjoying half-dollar beers and $2 cocktails before or after dinner.
We later dined at an excellent fusion-style Vietnamese restaurant called Nu Eatery, tucked away in a small alley behind the Japanese Bridge. If you go there, make sure to order the Buns (Bans) as your starter — they’re hands down the best buns in the world!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NuEateryHoiAn
Address: 10A Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Hội An, Vietnam
Day Three: Sea and Land
We switched to a different hotel because we wanted a pool and to be closer to the beach. We chose the Aurora Riverside Hotel, booking a river-view room. The hotel provided free shuttle service to both the beach and the old town, which made getting around super convenient and saved us money on taxis.
That day, we took the shuttle to An Bang Beach, which easily rivals the beaches of Thailand. The water was warm, the sand soft and white, the sky perfectly blue, and there were plenty of fresh coconuts to sip on. Along the shore, you’ll find many beachfront restaurants offering sunbeds and umbrellas — if you order lunch, the loungers are free; otherwise, it’s about $3–4 for two chairs.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/aurorahoian
Address: 242 Cua Dai, Thanh Pho Hoi An, Vietnam
Unfortunately, during our second swim, we spotted snakes in the water. At first, we weren’t sure what we were seeing, but then we noticed small burrows in the sand confirming it. It definitely took away from the relaxing vibe. We did go back into the water one more time but got out quickly afterward. Later, when we asked the hotel staff, they were surprised to hear we’d seen snakes that early in September but said that small black snakes like the ones we described are usually harmless. Still, we didn’t take any chances and decided to skip the beach for the rest of the trip.
That evening, we returned to the old town, where we had dinner at the Morning Glory Restaurant, which I highly recommend! The dishes were both delicious and generous in size. Try some of Hoi An’s signature dishes:
Cao Lau soup, a flavorful noodle dish unique to the region
White Rose Dumplings, delicate shrimp-filled dumplings
Stir-fried Morning Glory, a local herb-like green vegetable that’s fresh, aromatic, and surprisingly tasty
Address: 106 Nguyễn Thái Học, Tp. Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
Day Four: A Fragrant Experience
We took bikes from the hotel and rode out to the Tra Que Vegetable Village, a charming and peaceful area where you can wander between colorful herb and spice gardens. It’s a lovely spot to slow down, breathe in the fresh air, and soak up the local rhythm of life. You can stop for a fresh juice or coffee at the café next to the village’s water wheel, join a cooking class, or even work alongside the local farmers, helping them tend to the spice gardens — a truly authentic experience.
In the afternoon, we had lunch at another fantastic Vietnamese restaurant called Red Dragon, which combines traditional flavors with modern presentation. We were pleasantly surprised by the tuna roll and by the special Banh Mi, which turned out to be the best one we had in all of Vietnam!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Red-Dragon-Restaurant
Address: 332 Cua Dai, Hoi An
If you’d like to try a more traditional Banh Mi, head to Madam Khanh – The Banh Mi Queen, where an elderly, kind-hearted woman makes legendary sandwiches for just $1 each — an incredible meal for the price!
Address: 115 Trần Cao Vân
Day Five: Ancient Ruins and a Bit More Food
On our last day, we visited My Son Sanctuary, an archaeological site once inhabited by the Champa Kingdom over 1,500 years ago. To be honest, the site wasn’t as impressive as we expected — only a few structures remain well-preserved, while most are just piles of old bricks. The bus ride there took about 1.5 to 2 hours, and the overall experience didn’t quite feel worth the $14 per person ticket. Still, it’s a UNESCO site, so you might want to see it for yourself and decide.
Website: mysonsanctuary.com
That evening, we treated ourselves to an authentic Italian restaurant run by a real Italian chef who lives in Hoi An. If you’ve had your fill of rice dishes, this is the perfect place to indulge in pizza and wine. The restaurant is called Good Morning Vietnam, and although it’s slightly pricier — around $20 for a pizza, Greek salad, and two glasses of wine — it’s absolutely worth it for the quality and taste.
Website: www.goodmorningviet.com
Address: 102 Nguyễn Thái Học
Another great spot to visit in town is Coco Box Café, known for its unique drinks and excellent desserts. Try their vanilla ice cream with espresso or the homemade yogurt ice cream topped with fresh passion fruit — both are refreshing and delicious treats.
Address: 94 Lê Lợi
Before we wrap up, it’s worth mentioning Vietnamese coffee — one of the country’s true delights. Due to the French influence, you’ll find baguettes, pastries, and excellent coffee throughout Vietnam. Locals drink their coffee with sweetened condensed milk, and it’s absolutely delicious — especially iced. Trust me, iced coffee with condensed milk is a must-try and an instant addiction!
Goodbye, Vietnam
The next morning, we flew from Da Nang to Hanoi and then on to Thailand, marking the end of our journey through Vietnam — a country we truly fell in love with. What an experience! The food is incredible, the people are kind, the scenery breathtaking, and the prices affordable. If you’re heading to Thailand and want to add another week and a half, or planning a two-week trip to Southeast Asia — Vietnam, simply Vietnam!
And thank you, Hoi An, for being the perfect ending to an unforgettable adventure.
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