If you’ve ever dreamed of lantern-lit walks, serene rice field bike rides, and slurping down the most mouthwatering bowl of noodles you’ve ever tasted — hello, Hoi An is calling your name!
Nestled along Vietnam’s central coast, Hoi An is famous for its Old Town — sure — but there’s so much more beyond those picturesque yellow walls. I’ve been exploring Vietnam for years and keep finding reasons to keep coming back here. Whether it’s catching spine-tingling shows, digging into the local food scene, or zipping down backroads on a scooter, Hoi An knows how to charm travelers.
Let’s dive into my favorite things to do in Hoi An (and I’ll throw in a few pro tips along the way).
Where to Stay: The Lay of the Land
Hoi An is generally divided into three areas for accommodations:
- 🏯 Old Town — walkable, historic, and full of charm.
- 🏖️ Beachfront (An Bang and Cua Dai) — quieter, with ocean breeze vibes.
- 🌾 Rice field outskirts — peaceful, green, and perfect for scenic mornings.
If it’s your first visit, base yourself in or near Old Town. You’ll be close to the action and still within easy reach of beaches and countryside.
➡️ Top picks:
- Mid-range: La Charm Hoi An (great location!)
- Upscale: Moire Hoi An
Wander Hoi An’s UNESCO-listed Ancient Town
Let’s be real — Old Town is what gets most travelers here in the first place. This storybook-perfect historic quarter is filled with photogenic alleys, ornate temples, and colorful lanterns. It’s also packed with cafes, tailor shops, and street vendors.
🕖 Best time to visit? Try early morning to avoid the crowds (and heat). By 4 PM and into the evening, it gets very busy.
🎟️ Entrance is free to casually roam, but to visit historical sites or cross the Japanese Covered Bridge, you’ll need a ticket (120,000 VND).
🎭 Must-See Shows
Hoi An Memories Show: Don’t Miss It!
An absolutely epic outdoor performance that tells the story of Hoi An through centuries of culture, trade, and transformation.
- ⏰ 8 PM nightly (except Tuesdays)
- 📍 Hoi An Memories Land
- 🎟️ Book ahead! Get your ticket here
This show? Hands down, breathtaking. It’s outdoors, huge in scale (like 400 performers large!), but somehow intimate and moving too.
Lune Production: The Intimate Experience
Prefer something indoors? Lune Production’s Teh Dar show is like Cirque du Soleil meets Vietnamese tribal folklore. Bamboo acrobatics, tribal music, and mesmerizing lighting — all in an air-conditioned indoor theater.
- ⏰ 6 PM start
- 📍 Lune Center, An Hoi Island
- 💸 Pricey but worth it (tiered seating from 700,000 – 1.6 million VND)
- 🌟 Tip: The mid-range seats (Ooh! zone) are perfect.
No kids under 5 allowed, and no photos during the show. But after? The cast comes out for pics — a lovely touch!
An Bang Beach — Sun, Sand & Seafood
You didn’t think we’d skip the beach, did you?
Just a short ride from Old Town, An Bang Beach is the perfect chill-out spot. Grab a lounger, sip a coconut, or treat yourself to fresh seafood.
⛱️ Pro tip: Some loungers are free if you order drinks from nearby restaurants like Garden Sea.
Scenic Strolls Through Rice Fields
Hoi An’s surrounding rice paddies offer surreal views (and phone camera overload). Whether you’re zipping through them on a scooter or taking a slow bike ride, this is where the magic lives.
- 🚲 Best route: Hai Ba Trung Street toward An Bang Beach
🏨 Stay right in the fields at boutique spots like:
Go on a Bicycle Tour
Want someone to lead the way? Enter: Heaven & Earth Bicycle Tours, locally run and super popular. Their countryside ride (9 km) takes you through rural villages and sometimes includes a boat ride or cooking class.
- 🕗 Departures: 8:30 AM & 1 PM
- 📍 Location on An Hoi Island
Eat Your Way Through Hoi An
🍜 Try the Legendary Cao Lau
Hoi An’s signature noodle dish is basically a virus — one bite and you’re hooked.
Two killer spots:
- Claypot Restaurant — comfy, family-run
- Quan Cao Lau Thanh — street-style and flavorful
Expect to pay 25,000–60,000 VND per bowl.
☕ Sip Vietnam’s Famous Coffee
Starting with egg coffee is always a good idea.
Great cafe picks:
- Little Ha Noi Egg Coffee — cozy with classic Hanoi-style brews
- Lady Buddha Coffee & Tea Co. — excellent egg coffee + carrot cake combo!
Other types to try:
🥥 Coconut coffee
🧂 Salted coffee
Prices hover around 40–70,000 VND.
Take Day Trips
🕌 My Son Sanctuary
A day exploring Vietnam’s ancient Hindu temples, nestled in the lush jungle, is nothing short of a history buff’s dream.
- 📍 1 hour from Hoi An by car
- 🎟️ Grab a taxi via Grab, or join a guided tour
Plan for 2 hours on-site — wear sturdy shoes!
🌊 Day Trip to Da Nang
From Marble Mountains to dragon-bridge fire shows, Da Nang is super accessible and makes for a jam-packed adventure.
Highlights:
- 🏝️ My Khe Beach
- 🏯 Marble Mountains
- 🙏 Lady Buddha at Linh Ung Pagoda
- 🐉 Dragon Bridge Fire Show: Fri–Sun at 9 PM
Sample itinerary here
Ride a Scooter (Like a Local!)
If you’re comfy on two wheels, renting a scooter can unlock a whole new level of freedom. Zip between Old Town, beaches, pagodas, and rice fields in half the time.
Pricing: 125,000–300,000 VND/day
No license needed for 50cc bikes (though it’s best to confirm this with your rental company).
🛵 Good rentals:
🧢 Tip: Always wear a helmet — safety first!
Final Thoughts
Hoi An is one of those rare places that feels romantic, cozy, and bursting with culture — without being overwhelming. There’s truly something here for every type of traveler — the beach lover, the foodie, the night owl, the cyclist, even the zen seeker.
Whether you’re sticking to a 3-day stay or spending a leisurely week, this list of highlights should give you a well-rounded, unforgettable Hoi An experience.
Got questions or want help with planning? Join our free Hoi An Travel Group on Facebook and let’s chat.
☀️ Safe travels & see you in Hoi An!