Hoi An: Vietnam’s most loved travel destination, and home to the charming lantern-lit streets of the old town, which lie nestled along the river bank. The Japanese, Chinese and French influences translate back into the street scene where traditional old wooden and yellow colonial buildings sit side-by-side. Not to mention the baguettes being sold on every street corner- yum! Hoi An is a long-established UNESCO world heritage site and, therefore, has perfectly preserved its history. Here are the top things to do in Hoi An, Vietnam.
Best thing to do in Hoi An
1. Wander down the old streets of Hoi An
Spend hours wandering slowly through the streets and admiring the French & Asian style houses, shutters, and colors. Join a guided walking tour to learn more about the city’s past as you discover this ancient town. The architecture provides a real nostalgic feeling and has been perfectly maintained as a result of its UNESCO status.
Stop off at charming coffee shops, some of which have terraces that provide views over the archaic roofs and the river. During the night, lantern-lit streets give a charming and romantic feel.
2. Quan Cong Temple
The Quan Cong Pagoda Temple is decorated in bright gold and red, which is typical for Chinese temples. It stands out against the yellow buildings and is a perfect example of cultural influences. Enjoy the calmness of the inner courtyard but keep an eye on the signs that mention things such as removing shoes when standing in front of the sacred statues.
3. Japanese Bridge
The iconic sight of Hoi An is the majestic Japanese Bridge that sits over the river. This bridge, built in the late 16th century at the time of Japanese immigration, is one of the most popular things to do in Hoi An, Vietnam. See the architectural details of the charming and well-preserved bridge by day or see it beautifully lit up by night.
In order to cross the ancient bridge, you will need to have the Hoi an old town ticket.
4. Day trip to Da Nang
Da Nang is a large and developed city located 30 minutes from Hoi An. It has great food hot spots, interesting architecture like the Dragon Bridge, and arguably some of the best beaches in Vietnam. Additionally, visit the Lady Buddha and Marble Mountains.
5. Hoi An Market
Engage in the hectic local life and visit the Hoi An Market (Chợ Hội An). You can find products like fresh vegetables and fruits, flowers, spices, baskets, and meat and fish. Experiencing the intense crowds and beeping motorbikes during the morning is a thing you must do in Hoi An. You can also combine a visit of the market with a cooking class and a basket boat ride by booking a day tour.
Additionally, visit one of the many tailor shops at the nearby located Hoi An Tailor Market and have a high-quality suit or dress custom-made for a very reasonable price if you’re comfortable with bargaining.
6. Banh Mi – Taste the best ones in Hoi An!
The French colonial influences have left their mark in Vietnam through the introduction of the baguette. The Banh Mi sandwich filled with meats, coriander, cucumber, pathé or cheese, chili, and mayonnaise is now a traditional Vietnamese dish.
Hoi An has been dubbed the Banh Mi Capital of Vietnam, so there couldn’t be a better place to try this incredible Vietnamese take on a sandwich. We’re warning you; these are highly addictive!
7. Boat Along the river
Take a lazy river ride in one of the traditional Vietnamese basket boats! Thung Chai is the name of this round basket-style boat, which is made from bamboo. Try navigating for yourself, and you’ll see it’s almost impossible to not spin around in circles due to the shape of the boat. There are lots of options to learn this and enjoy an entire morning or afternoon learning about this ancient craft. A must-do experience whilst in Hoi An!
8. Precious Art Gallery
Visit the great gallery of photographer Rehahn, who displays the culture and importance of the ethnic tribes of Vietnam. The series of photos were taken over a period of 8 years, documenting 51 out of the 54 remaining tribes left in Vietnam. New photographs have been added too. Also available to see are some traditional ethnic costumes, all of which provide a real insight into the history of one of the most important cultural aspects of Vietnam.
Leave a Reply