- 1. Where is Hoi An Ancient Town Vietnam? How to get there?
- 2. Some highlights about the town
- 3. What to do in Hoi An Ancient Town?
- 3.1. Go sightseeing and pray at the famous sacred pagodas
- 3.2. Discover Hoi An’s cultural heritage through its museums
- 3.3. Admire the unique architecture of ancient houses
- 3.4. Participate in major traditional festivals of the year
- 3.5. Explore the well-known assembly halls on Tran Phu Street
- 3.6. Release flower garlands on Hoai River
- 3.7. Enjoy unique foods at Hoi An Night Market
- 3.8. Drop by some well-known coffee shops around the town
- 3.9. Experience traditional folk games in Hoi An’s evening festivities
- 4. Hoi An cuisine: Explore plenty of specialties of the ancient town
- 5. Is there an entrance fee to visit Hoi An Ancient Town?
- 6. Where to stay in your Hoi An Ancient Town travel?
- 7. The best tips to have a perfect trip to Hoi An Ancient Town
1. Where is Hoi An Ancient Town Vietnam? How to get there?
Hoi An Ancient Town is a famous tourist destination which is located in the coastal plain of Quang Nam Province, downstream of Thu Bon River. It is about 30 kilometers away from the center of Da Nang City to the Southwest. Unlike the bustling vibe of modern towns, Hoi An’s charm lies in its tranquility, featuring antique architectural structures, moss-covered houses, and vibrant lantern-lit streets.
When mentioning Ancient Town Hoi An, people always think about the extraordinary beauty of a wide range of old houses (Source: Collected)
To reach Hoi An Ancient Town from Da Nang, you have a few travel options depending on your preferences. The journey takes about an hour, covering approximately 30 kilometers, and you can choose between the scenic Vo Nguyen Giap or Ngu Hanh Son coastal roads.
In Hoi An Ancient Town, you can explore using various transport options. Rent a bicycle for 40,000 VND per day to leisurely navigate the streets. Cyclos offer a unique experience at 150,000 VND per hour, while motorbikes, costing 120,000 to 150,000 VND per day, provide flexibility for independent travel. Taxis are also available for convenient and quick transport between locations.
Cyclo is a great way to explore the old town (Source: Collected)
Read more: Da Nang to Hoi An: Choose the most economical way for your trip
2. Some highlights about the town
Hoi An Ancient Town is also famous for its unique traditional festivals, such as the Fortune God Festival, ceremonies for craft ancestors, and celebrations for religious saints. Folk games like Ho Khoan, Ho Gia Gao, and Bai Choi are also popular here. The locals in Hoi An are exceptionally friendly and hospitable, always willing to lend a hand when needed.
In addition to enjoying the town’s charming beauty, a visit to Hoi An Ancient Town offers the chance to explore a blend of Eastern cultures from Vietnam, Japan, and China. This vibrant multicultural town, founded over 200 years ago, was once a bustling trading port during the Nguyen Dynasty.
Coming to the ancient town, you can learn more about the history and culture of this place (Source: @thuy._.lee)
Hoi An Ancient Town has garnered significant acclaim and international recognition, consistently ranking high in global travel polls. In 2008, National Geographic listed it as one of the top 110 historical destinations worldwide. The town’s unique charm earned it the 3rd spot among the world’s 17 most beautiful selfie locations. Touropia also ranked Hoi An as the 4th most famous canal city globally, following Venice, Amsterdam, and Bruges. Additionally, IndiaTimes named Hoi An one of the top 10 most romantic cities. These accolades highlight Hoi An’s exceptional appeal and its status as a prominent global destination.
3. What to do in Hoi An Ancient Town?
On your journey to Hoi An Old Town, don’t miss out on the 9 awesome things to do listed below:
3.1. Go sightseeing and pray at the famous sacred pagodas
Buddhist pagodas are a significant cultural feature that has endured for a long time in Hoi An, making spiritual exploration an essential part of your visit. These pagodas not only showcase impressive architecture but also hold deep historical significance for the ancient town.
Many have become symbols of Hoi An, recognized throughout the Central region and the entire country, such as the Japanese Bridge, Ong Pagoda, Quan Am Phat Tu Minh Huong Pagoda, etc. Each year, numerous visitors from across Vietnam and around the world come to these sites to sightsee and pray for a better life.
Japanese Covered Bridge – a landmark of Hoi An Ancient Town (Source: Collected)
3.2. Discover Hoi An’s cultural heritage through its museums
Exploring Hoi An Ancient Town offers a glimpse into its culture and history through lanterns, old houses, and street vendors. However, visiting local museums provides a deeper understanding of Hoi An’s heritage and traditions. Here are three notable museums in the ancient town:
- Museum of Trade Ceramics at 80 Tran Phu Street: This museum features over 300 ceramic artifacts from Vietnam, China, Japan, Thailand, India, and the Middle East. It highlights the evolution of local ceramics, showing the influence of Chinese and Japanese techniques and patterns over time.
- Museum of Folk Culture at 33 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street: Ideal for those interested in Quang Nam’s cultural heritage, this museum offers exhibits on traditional crafts, including lantern making, carpentry, sericulture, and embroidery. It provides valuable context for exploring local craft villages near Hoi An.
- Museum of Traditional Medicine at 46 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street: During Hoi An’s trading heyday, the town was famed for its traditional medicine. The museum highlights this history, with exhibits of medicinal herbs and rare healing substances that once filled the streets of Hoi An.
Museums in Hoi An offer a glimpse into the ancient town’s rich heritage (Source: Collected)
3.3. Admire the unique architecture of ancient houses
Hoi An’s ancient houses have stood for centuries, preserving their original architectural beauty. Visiting these homes, you’ll feel transported back to Hoi An’s bustling commercial port of the past. The most common style is the one- or two-story tube house, characterized by its narrow width and great depth. Built to withstand the harsh climate, these houses are constructed from materials known for their strength and durability.
As the first house in Hoi An to become a national heritage site, Tan Ky Ancient House – which was built in the 18th century, is one of the most famous places to visit. In addition, you should also visit Phung Hung Ancient House, Quan Thang Ancient House, Duc An Ancient House, etc. to explore their architecture and history as well.
Tan Ky Ancient House attracts a lot of tourists thanks to its remarkable architecture (Source: Collected)
3.4. Participate in major traditional festivals of the year
Coming to Hoi An during the festive season, you will not only have a chance to admire the ancient beauty of the old town, but also immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere in a unique setting. The Full Moon Festival, or The Lantern Festival, has become a symbol of the old town. Its highlight is the brilliant space of colorful lanterns, garlands and many meaningful activities along Hoai River.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is when Hoi An glows with lanterns under the brightest full moon of the year. The streets are adorned with colorful lanterns, and both locals and tourists can join the lantern procession and watch lion dance performances. Additionally, festivals like Nguyen Tieu and Thien Hau Lady are also captivating events for visitors.
Ancient Town Hoi An has a lot of festivals throughout the year (Source: Collected)
3.5. Explore the well-known assembly halls on Tran Phu Street
In the late 16th century to the early 17th century, many Chinese and Japanese came to Hoi An to settle down. Staying here, the Chinese built many valuable architectural works, notably the assembly halls in Hoi An, to serve as a place for gathering compatriots and worshipping their ancestors. Today, these assembly halls are still carefully preserved and have become must-visit attractions in Hoi An.
Cantonese Assembly Hall, Fujian Assembly Hall, Trieu Chau Assembly Hall, Quynh Chau Assembly Hall, etc. are the most well-known halls that attract a lot of tourists in their trips to Hoi An Ancient Town. Each of them has its own feature, yet, they always catch the attention of many tourists thanks to their unique architecture and offer a great background for taking photos.
The assembly halls are among the most famous Hoi An Ancient Town attractions (Source: @zen_mew)
3.6. Release flower garlands on Hoai River
If you have an opportunity to visit Hoi An Ancient Town, remember to capture the sparkling scenery of garland releasing on Hoai River. This river is associated with many cultural activities of the locals. It is inherently calm and peaceful, however on full moon nights, this place will become more bustling and poetic because hundreds of visitors flock to send their wishes through the colorful garlands.
Releasing garlands is considered as a feature in the spiritual culture of the people of the old town in particular and of the Vietnamese in general. It is believed that when the garlands drift along the current of the river, they will bring health and fortune to people. When the garlands are lit up, it means that they brighten the hope of a future full of luck and peace for your family and loved ones.
Many tourists love releasing flower garlands on Hoai River in their Hoi An trips (Source: Collected)
3.7. Enjoy unique foods at Hoi An Night Market
For tourists who are curious about what to eat in the ancient town, Hoi An Night Market is an unmissable place! This is a culinary paradise where you can find many rustic and delicious dishes to enjoy with your companions. It is worth mentioning that the foods here are unbelievably cheap and there are a lot of street vendors for you to choose from.
The plenty of foods at Hoi An Night Market cannot be found anywhere else. Cao lau, banh mi, Quang noodle, water fern cake, Vietnamese spring roll, and more unique foods of the ancient town are always available here. All of them are worth a try and will make you unable to forget their taste in Hoi An Ancient Town at night.
You can find plenty of tasty specialties at Hoi An Night Market (Source: @__maiquynh)
3.8. Drop by some well-known coffee shops around the town
After you explore every alley in Hoi An Ancient Town, call a halt and come to a coffee shop for a cup of drink. The town has countless coffee shops with different styles. Some highly recommended shops for you to visit are U Cafe, The Deck House, Roastery, Lavie Tea Fresh Fruit, Faifo Cafe Hoi An, etc.
Thanks to the awe-inspiring design of the exterior and interior, each of the coffee shops makes a unique feature for Hoi An Ancient Town and allures numerous tourists each year. Not only do they have a diverse menu, these coffee shops are also the ideal places where you can find great backgrounds for taking hundreds of nice photos.
Sipping authentic Vietnamese coffee at a rooftop café while observing the leisurely pace of life in Hoi An (Source: Collected)
3.9. Experience traditional folk games in Hoi An’s evening festivities
In the evening, after you have wandered through Hoi An’s enchanting streets, make your way to Nguyen Thai Hoc Street or Kazil Park to experience the lively night atmosphere. These areas are bustling with traditional folk games, including “blindfolded pot smashing,” “walking on stilts,” and “ring toss.”
The highlight of the evening is Bai Choi, a traditional game that combines skill, strategy, and local music for an engaging experience. Participating in these games offers a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture, interact with residents, and enjoy a fun, interactive aspect of Hoi An’s vibrant nightlife.
Bai Choi is a cannot-miss traditional folk game in Hoi An (Source: Collected)
Explore: Hoi An things to do, where to visit & what to eat
4. Hoi An cuisine: Explore plenty of specialties of the ancient town
Hoi An Ancient Town captivates many tourists not only with its peaceful beauty but also with its unique cuisine and innumerable mouthwatering dishes:
- Cao Lau: A dish that dates back to the 17th century and is significantly influenced by Chinese and Japanese cuisine. Its good taste comes from the rich flavor of meat and shrimp mixed with delicious noodles.
- Hoi An chicken rice: Compared to other chicken rice dishes, Hoi An chicken rice has a very different taste. The delicious sticky rice served with chicken, onions, Tra Que herbs and sour papaya, along with a cup of rich soup, make the dish unique.
- Hoi An pancake: Hoi An pancake will satisfy your eyes and taste buds with its crispy golden appearance and fragrant smell. The dipping sauce is skillfully processed from rich soy sauce and peanuts, making you fall in love with the dish after only one try.
- Quang noodle: At first glance, Quang noodle seems like Cao Lau, but after the first bite, you will immediately feel the difference between the two dishes. Quang noodle has a rich flavor and is served with meat, shrimp, quail eggs and typical side dishes such as grilled rice paper and vegetables.
- Water fern cake: A thin steamed rice cake with minced shrimp, scallions, green bean paste, and crispy fried shallots piled on top. It is sure to whet anyone’s appetite, especially with its sour and spicy sauce made of fish sauce, sugar, garlic, chili, etc.
Cao Lau is sure to tickle your fancy in your Hoi An Ancient Town tour (Source: @hoianquan.htx)
See more: Hoi An street food: 16+ dishes that surely tickle your fancy
5. Is there an entrance fee to visit Hoi An Ancient Town?
There is no entrance fee if you merely want to take a leisurely stroll through the ancient town, try Hoi An’s delicacies, or take stunning photographs. Yet, several cultural sites, ancient houses, temples, museums, and others require admission tickets. Therefore, you will need to pay money to enter, usually 80,000 VND for Vietnamese and 120,000 VND for foreigners.
With one ticket, you can choose to visit 4 places at the same time and the ticket is only valid for 24 hours. Hence, to explore more interesting destinations in Hoi An Ancient Town, you should buy multiple tickets.
Hoi An Ancient Town begins to glow with its charming lights from 6:00 PM, offering a picturesque evening view. While most shops close by 9:30 PM, the Night Market remains lively until 11:00 PM. Motorbike access to the town is permitted, but be aware that vehicles are restricted from entering the area between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM and from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
Tickets are required when visiting some famous tourist attractions in town (Source: Collected)
6. Where to stay in your Hoi An Ancient Town travel?
For the most convenient trip to Hoi An Ancient Town, you should choose to stay in nearby hotels or resorts to travel with ease. Along with the location, the facilities and service quality are also what you need to consider carefully before making a decision.
An accommodation system that many tourists highly appreciate when traveling to Hoi An Ancient Town is Vinpearl Resort & Golf Nam Hoi An. This resort is designed in a modern style and have fully equipped bedrooms with romantic views, offering a great number of high-end amenities like spas, tennis courts, swimming pools, etc. to meet the demands of any tourist.
Vinpearl Resort & Golf Nam Hoi An is a good choice for your accommodation
Book rooms in Vinpearl Resort & Golf Nam Hoi An
When staying there, tourists can also have a chance to visit VinWonders Nam Hoi An, an entertainment paradise of the Central region, with ease. Here, you will find tons of fun and excitement through several exhilarating outdoor games, water music shows, art performances, or have a chance to ride a boat and see wild creatures at the exclusive first River Safari in Vietnam.
Embrace Vietnamese heritage at VinWonders Nam Hoi An (Source: Collected)
Book VinWonders Nam Hoi An ticket now
7. The best tips to have a perfect trip to Hoi An Ancient Town
Anyone would like a journey without any trouble. For that, take note of the tips below:
- Best time to visit: Hoi An has a tropical monsoon climate with a clear wet season from August to February and a dry season from March to July. The dry season is ideal for visiting, offering pleasant weather and uninterrupted access to the town’s cultural and scenic attractions.
- Clothings: Regardless of the weather, dressing appropriately is key. Jeans, T-shirts, skirts, and dresses are all good choices. However, when visiting religious sites, be sure to dress modestly, covering your legs and shoulders. Don’t miss the chance to wear ao dai, Vietnam’s traditional dress.
- Means of transportation: You can explore the town by bicycle, cyclo, or motorbike. Note that some streets, including Tran Phu, Nguyen Hue, Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa, and the entire road along Hoai River, prohibit motorbikes from 3:00 PM to 9:30 PM daily.
- Tickets and room booking: If you plan to visit Hoi An Ancient Town during the festive season or holidays like Tet, it’s essential to book tickets and hotel rooms in advance to avoid any inconveniences.
Do research thoroughly when planning a visit to Hoi An Ancient Town (Source: Collected)
When you come to Hoi An Ancient Town, you’ll be welcomed by its stunning architecture, rich culture, and delicious cuisine. Hopefully, the key facts listed above will be helpful for your first trip to this charming destination. Besides exploring the town, be sure to enjoy some local entertainment activities to fully unwind before returning to your busy life.