15 Best Things To Do In Hoi An, Vietnam

Planning a trip to Hoi An, Vietnam? Explore the best things to do in Hoi An and insider tips in this comprehensive guide.

I’ve been to Hoi An several times now, and I still get excited when I know I’m going back.

There’s just something about being here that puts me in a good mood. I’ll head out planning to grab a coffee, then somehow end up wandering the Old Town, eating something, shopping for clothes and staying out until all the lanterns come on.

And the best part is that Hoi An isn’t only those famous yellow streets.

Some of my favorite memories here have involved cooking, cycling through rice fields, spinning around in a basket boat and spending lazy afternoons by the beach.

So if you’re wondering what to do in Hoi An, these are the experiences I’ve loved most and would happily do again.

Plan your Hoi An stay

1. Wander around Hoi An Ancient Town

I’ve walked around Hoi An Ancient Town so many times, and somehow I never get bored of it.

The yellow buildings, little alleys and old wooden houses are beautiful, but I like the atmosphere just as much. There’s always somewhere I want to stop, whether it’s a café, a shop or another courtyard I somehow missed last time.

On your first visit, make time for the Japanese Covered Bridge, Fujian Assembly Hall and Tan Ky Old House. They’re all close enough that you can wander between them without turning the day into a sightseeing marathon.

And definitely go inside some of the historic buildings. The carved wooden rooms, little courtyards and family shrines make the Old Town much more interesting than simply walking around taking photos of the façades.

I love Hoi An during the morning when everything feels calmer, but I nearly always come back again in the evening. Once the lanterns start glowing, it feels like a completely different place.

Book Hoi An Ancient Town tickets →

2. Get something made by a Hoi An tailor

Getting clothes made in Hoi An was one of those things I really wanted to try, and I had so much fun with it.

You walk into a tailor, look through what feels like an endless amount of fabric and start putting an outfit together from scratch. I loved choosing the style and material, then coming back for fittings and watching it all take shape.

If you already have something in mind, save a few photos on your phone before you go. It makes the whole process much easier when you suddenly have hundreds of colors and fabrics sitting in front of you.

And yes, it’s very easy to walk in planning to order one thing and somehow leave with several.

3. Eat as much Hoi An food as possible

I could happily spend half my Hoi An trip eating.

Cao lầu is one dish I always want when I’m here, with thick noodles, pork, herbs and those crispy little pieces on top. Then there’s cơm gà Hội An, white rose dumplings and bánh mì, so deciding what to have next becomes a nice problem to have.

I’ve eaten at everything from tiny local restaurants to street stalls, and some of the simplest meals have been my favorites.

If you’re not sure where to start, my guide to Hoi An specialties has plenty more ideas.

Join Hoi An food tour →

4. Take a Hoi An cooking class

One of my favorite Hoi An experiences was spending part of the day cooking.

We went shopping for ingredients first, then came back and made several Vietnamese dishes ourselves. I loved actually doing everything rather than sitting there watching someone else cook.

And of course, you get to eat it all at the end, which is a pretty good reward.

There are lots of different cooking classes around Hoi An now. Some are small family-run classes, while others combine cooking with the market, countryside or coconut forest.

I’d choose one where you get plenty of time in the kitchen because that’s the part I enjoyed most.

Book Hoi An cooking class →

5. Have fun in a basket boat at Cam Thanh Coconut Forest

I knew the basket boats were going to be touristy before I went, and I still wanted to do it.

They’re these tiny round bamboo boats that somehow glide through the coconut palms much more easily than they look like they should. Sitting inside one is already quite funny, especially when you see another boat spinning wildly nearby.

Then I tried the spinning myself. It was chaotic, silly and exactly the kind of travel experience that makes me laugh whenever I remember it.

You can keep the ride calm if spinning around isn’t your thing, and the coconut waterways themselves are lovely to float through.

A lot of Hoi An cooking classes include the basket boats too, so you can easily combine both experiences if you want.

Book a Hoi An basket boat ride →

6. Make your own Hoi An lantern

After seeing lanterns everywhere in Hoi An, making one yourself feels very appropriate.

You learn how the bamboo frame comes together, choose your fabric, and slowly turn it into something that hopefully resembles the beautiful lanterns hanging around the Old Town.

I really like doing activities where you actually make something because you remember the experience every time you see it afterward.

And it’s a much more personal souvenir than grabbing another magnet on the way home.

Learn how to make lanterns in Hoi An →

7. Watch the Hoi An Memories Show

Hoi An Memories is not a small show.

I went expecting something entertaining and ended up being impressed by just how big the whole production is. There are hundreds of performers, huge sets, water, lights and colorful costumes all moving across this enormous outdoor stage.

The show takes you through different periods of Hoi An’s history, but for me, the visual side was what made it so enjoyable.

It’s bright, dramatic and completely different from wandering around the Old Town at night. If you want one evening where you actually book something special rather than just seeing where the night takes you, this is a fun choice.

Book Hoi An Memories Show tickets →

8. See Teh Dar at Hoi An Lune Center

Teh Dar has a completely different energy from Hoi An Memories.

Instead of a huge outdoor production, you’re much closer to the performers while they combine bamboo circus, acrobatics, music and stories inspired by cultures from Vietnam’s Central Highlands.

The bamboo props are used in really creative ways, and I love how physical the whole performance feels.

It’s also staged inside the bamboo Hoi An Lune Center beside the Old Town, so it’s easy to turn it into part of an evening out.

If you enjoy live performances when you travel, this is one I’d add to the list.

Book Teh Dar Show tickets →

9. Spend an evening under the Hoi An lanterns

No matter how many times I’ve seen Hoi An lit up at night, I still want to go out and see it again.

Once the lanterns come on, everyone seems to drift toward the Hoai River. The streets get busier, the river fills with little boats and the reflections from all those colored lights make everything feel a bit more festive.

I’ve taken the lantern boat several times and still enjoy it.

It’s a simple little ride, but being down on the water among all the lights gives you a completely different view from standing along the riverbank.

Then, wander across toward the Night Market, pick up some food and see what’s happening around the Old Town. You may come across Bai Choi games and little cultural performances too.

This is one evening where I wouldn’t make too many plans.

Book a Hoi An lantern boat ride →

10. Cycle through the rice fields to Tra Que

Whenever the Old Town starts feeling busy, I love getting on a bike and heading toward the countryside.

Within a short ride, the yellow buildings disappear and you’re cycling between green rice fields, vegetable gardens and small local roads. It feels like such a big change for somewhere so close to town.

Tra Que Vegetable Village is a lovely destination for the ride.

I’ve tried the farming activities here too, and getting into the garden yourself is much more fun than simply wandering around looking at vegetables. You get to see how the herbs and produce are grown, then have a go at some of the work.

I’d make this one countryside outing rather than treating cycling and Tra Que as two separate attractions.

11. Try pottery at Thanh Ha Pottery Village

I’m definitely better at appreciating pottery than making it, but that didn’t stop me trying.

Thanh Ha has been producing pottery for generations, and you can watch local craftspeople working before having a go yourself.

It looks so easy when someone experienced is shaping the clay. Then you sit down, try to copy them and realize very quickly that it isn’t.

That’s part of what made it fun for me, though. I’d much rather leave with a slightly questionable handmade pot and a good memory than simply walk around another souvenir shop.

Join Thanh Ha pottery village tour →

12. Have a lazy afternoon at An Bang Beach

An Bang has rescued me from more than one hot afternoon in Hoi An.

I love coming out here when I’ve spent enough time walking around town and just want a swim, somewhere cold to drink and a few hours without much of a plan.

An Bang Beach is close enough to Hoi An that you can easily come for an afternoon and stay until dinner.

There are plenty of restaurants and beach bars along the coast, and sunset is usually my favorite time to be here.

I’ve visited Hoi An enough times now that I really appreciate having the beach nearby. It gives the trip a completely different pace whenever I want it.

13. Stop for coffee somewhere pretty

Hoi An is very good at making a quick coffee turn into a much longer break.

There are cafés everywhere, from little places inside old houses to rooftop spots overlooking the tiled roofs of the Ancient Town.

I love finding somewhere upstairs, ordering a Vietnamese coffee and watching everything happening on the street below.

You don’t need a list of ten famous cafés for this. Half the fun is spotting somewhere you like while you’re wandering and deciding that sightseeing can wait for half an hour.

14. Visit Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum

Precious Heritage is one place I’d recommend even if museums aren’t usually high on your travel list.

The collection was created by French photographer Réhahn and focuses on Vietnam’s ethnic communities through beautiful portraits, traditional clothing and personal stories.

I found myself spending much more time here than I expected.

The photographs are lovely, but it’s the stories behind the people that make the exhibition memorable.

And because it’s right in central Hoi An, you can easily pop in while you’re already wandering around town.

15. Relax at a spa

After a day of exploring, treating yourself to a spa session in Hoi An is the perfect way to unwind.

There are several great spas in town, offering everything from traditional Vietnamese massages to herbal baths. My favorite is Ylang-Ylang Spa, where the ambiance is calming, and the treatments are incredibly soothing.

Have another day? Explore beyond Hoi An

Once you’ve had a few good days in Hoi An itself, there are some brilliant places nearby.

My Son Sanctuary is the one I’d choose for history. I loved seeing the old Cham temples surrounded by green hills because the setting and architecture feel completely different from anything in Hoi An.

I’ve also been out to the Cham Islands, which makes for a fun day when you want beaches, boats and snorkeling.

And if you’re traveling with kids or just feel like swapping temples for rides and water attractions, VinWonders Nam Hoi An can easily fill a day.

You can find more ideas in my best day trips from Hoi An.

Book a My Son Sanctuary tour →

Where to stay in Hoi An

Hoi An has some gorgeous high-end hotels, so this is one place where I’m very tempted to make the hotel part of the trip.

Anantara Hoi An Resort is the one I like for location. You’re right beside the river and can walk into the Ancient Town, but once you’re back inside the resort, everything feels calm and relaxed.

If I wanted to really treat myself, I’d go for Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai. It’s a beautiful beachfront stay with the kind of pools, gardens and sea views that make it very difficult to convince yourself to leave the hotel.

Boutique Hoi An Resort is another lovely choice when the beach matters most. You can spend slow mornings by the sea, then head into Hoi An later when you’re ready for food, shopping and lanterns.

Compare hotels in Hoi An →

Final thoughts

Hoi An is one of those places where I never seem to run out of things I want to do again.

I’ll happily revisit the Old Town, go back to An Bang for sunset or spend another evening watching the lantern boats. But some of my favorite memories are the sillier ones too, like attempting pottery or being spun around in a tiny bamboo boat.

That mix is what makes Hoi An so much fun for me.

Come for the beautiful streets and lanterns, but give yourself enough time to play, eat, make things and wander outside the Old Town too. That’s when Hoi An becomes a place you’ll probably start wanting to come back to.