Hoi An travel blog: The fullest guide to Hoi An for first-times, fun & budget

May 20, 2025

Hoi An – an ideal destination for you to get away from urban life and immerse yourself in the peaceful ancient town. Let us tell you the guide of self-sufficient travel to Hoi An really fun and economical through this Hoi An travel blog.

hoi an travel blog 2 — The poetic beauty of Hoi An, Vietnam | Hoi An travel blog

hoi an ancient town-best experiences in hoi an (2) — Hoi An ancient town by night | Hoi An travel blog

Hoi An tourism has long been an indispensable choice in the journey to explore Vietnam. Possessing ancient beauty, unique architecture and a rich culture, Hoi An has conquered the hearts of many tourists. Join Living Nomads to discover interesting things in the ancient town and enjoy memorable experiences!

Hoi An Old Town, Vietnam — Boats and Thu Bon river | Hoi An travel blog

When is the best time to travel to Hoi An?

Guide of Self-sufficient Travel to Hoi An Super Fun & Economical | Hoi An travel blog

Hoi An is beautiful all year round, but the dry season (from February to April) is considered the most ideal time to travel. During this time, the weather in Hoi An is quite cool and pleasant, with an average temperature of 24°C to 30°C. This helps you feel comfortable and airy when visiting the ancient town.

However, the rainy season (from September to January) also has its own charms, despite the wet weather due to heavy rain. To prepare for the trip, you should follow the weather forecast and bring suitable clothes. In addition, do not forget to bring an umbrella or raincoat in case of sudden rain.

Hoi An travel blog: How to get to Hoi An from Da Nang?

Aerial view of Hoi An | Hoi An travel blog

There are many means of transport to Hoi An from Da Nang, each with its own advantages. Here are some suggestions to help you choose the most suitable means of transport for your trip:

Go to Hoi An by motorbike

Traveling by motorbike is a great choice for those who want to flexibly explore Hoi An. With a rental cost of only 100,000 to 180,000 VND/day, you can easily rent a motorbike at hotels, homestays or reputable motorbike rental shops. However, to ensure safety, you should choose new and good quality motorbikes, and be fully equipped with helmets and identification papers.

You should refer to one of the following two popular routes:

Route 1: From Da Nang, you follow National Highway 1 to the South for about 27km. When you reach Vinh Dien intersection, turn left onto Vinh Dien street and continue for another 10km. Finally, you turn onto Huynh Thuc Khang street to reach the center of Hoi An ancient town.
Route 2: You cross the Han River bridge to enter the center of Da Nang city. Then, you follow the Da Nang – Hoi An provincial road for about 30km. This road will take you straight to the center of Hoi An ancient town.

Go to Hoi An from Da Nang by Private Car

If you want a comfortable trip, freely explore Hoi An as you wish, stop to rest at any time, then renting a private car is an option worth considering. However, the cost of renting a car is often higher than other public transport, about 300,000 VND/way for a 4-seater car. You can book a car through Klook or contact the car rental companies directly for more options.

Go to Hoi An by Taxi

Taxi is a quick way to travel, especially suitable for tourists who want to save time. You just need to call a car and a taxi will come to pick you up. However, the cost of a taxi is often higher than other public transport, about 16,000 VND/km. To ensure service quality, you should choose reputable taxi companies such as Mai Linh, Song Han, Huong Lua.

Hoi An travel blog: Go to Hoi An from Da Nang by Bus

Go to Hoi An by bus, why not? With ticket prices ranging from only 18,000 to 30,000 VND/way, you can comfortably admire the scenery and enjoy the fresh air. However, buses often have fixed schedules and stop at many stations, so you need to plan your trip carefully to avoid missing your trip.

Bus stops on the Da Nang – Hoi An route you need to know:

Da Nang Central Bus Station
Ton Duc Thang
Dien Bien Phu
Le Duan
Tran Phu
Trung Nu Vuong
Nui Thanh
Nguyen Van Troi Bridge
Ngu Hanh Son
Le Van Hien
Hoi An Bus Station

Means of Transportation When Traveling to Hoi An on Your Own

Hoi An, an ancient and poetic city, is a destination not to be missed when traveling to Vietnam. To fully explore the beauty of this city, you can choose from many different means of transportation.

Explore Hoi An by Bicycle

Cycling is a perfect choice for those who want to explore Hoi An slowly and enjoy the fresh air, explore small alleys, peaceful street corners that motorbikes or cars cannot pass through. You can easily rent a bicycle at rental shops for about 40,000 VND/day or take advantage of the free service of the hotel.

Travel to Hoi An by Motorbike

Motorbikes are a means of transport that helps you explore Hoi An completely. You can freely cross small roads, ancient villages or simply walk on the beach. Motorbike rental prices usually range from 120,000 to 150,000 VND/day, depending on the type of vehicle and rental time.

See Hoi An by Cyclo

Cyclo is a great way to experience the culture and explore Hoi An in a relaxing way. Sitting on a cyclo, you will be taken to explore the streets and listen to interesting stories from the cyclo driver. To have such a trip, you need to prepare a certain amount of money, about 150,000 VND/hour/vehicle.

Take a Boat to Explore Hoi An Ancient Town

Taking a boat on the Hoai River and Thu Bon River is an experience that shows you a different beauty of Hoi An. You can admire the ancient houses, the sparkling lanterns and enjoy the fresh air. The ticket price for a boat trip is usually about 50,000 VND for 2 people on weekdays.

Walk

Walking is a way to explore Hoi An ancient town that is both economical and fun. However, on hot days, walking a lot can make you tired. To have a comfortable trip, you should bring a pair of comfortable shoes and a bottle of water.

What to Do in Hoi An? Famous Tourist Destinations in Hoi An

If you are wondering what to do when coming to Hoi An, let’s explore the interesting activities and the most famous tourist destinations here!

Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An Ancient Town is an ancient town located in the lower Thu Bon River, in the coastal plain of Quang Nam province, Vietnam, about 30 km south of Da Nang city. Hoi An Ancient Town was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage on December 4, 1999.

Hoi An Ancient Town is a complex of ancient urban architectural relics following the model of Southeast Asian trading ports from the 16th to the 19th century. It is home to more than 1,000 architectural relics, including houses, assembly halls, communal houses, pagodas, temples, clan houses, ancient wells, etc. These relics were built in many different architectural styles, reflecting the interweaving of Eastern and Western cultures.

The architecture of Hoi An ancient town is a harmonious combination of traditional and modern elements. The houses here are often built of wood, yin-yang tiled roofs, and red brick walls. The decorative details on the houses are also very sophisticated, bearing the imprint of Chinese and Japanese culture.

Hoi An ancient town was also a bustling commercial center from the 16th to the 19th century. This was a trading point for merchants from many countries around the world. Today, Hoi An ancient town still retains the beauty of an ancient trading port, with narrow streets, ancient houses, souvenir shops, …

Check-in VinWonders Nam Hoi An Park (Vinpearl Land)

VinWonders Hoi An is an international-class entertainment area located in Quang Nam province, Vietnam. This entertainment area is about 17km from Hoi An ancient town. VinWonders Hoi An is an ideal destination for visitors of all ages, offering exciting entertainment experiences with high educational value.

VinWonders Hoi An – an attractive entertainment destination, spread over a large area with 5 unique zones, promises to bring interesting experiences.

First, Folk Culture Island will take you back to the past, discovering the traditional cultural beauty of Vietnam through craft villages, folk games and unique art performances. Next, the Water Park with a modern slide system will be a moment of refreshing fun for the whole family.

If you love animals, don’t miss the Safari Open Zoo, where you can see more than 1,500 species of wild animals from around the world in their natural habitat. The film studio area will be a place for visitors to unleash their creativity, transforming into characters in famous movies and television shows.

Finally, immerse yourself in the unique art space at the Performance Area, where performances imbued with Vietnamese cultural identity will make #teamKlook unable to take their eyes off.

Hoi An Traditional Craft Villages

With hundreds of years of development, it is no surprise that Hoi An is the “capital” of many traditional craft villages imbued with Vietnamese identity. The most prominent are Kim Bong carpentry village, Thanh Ha pottery village, Tra Que herb village, Phuoc Kieu bronze casting village…

These Hoi An tourist destinations are all very close to Hoi An Ancient Town, so you can combine a visit in one day. When coming to Hoi An, you cannot miss the traditional lantern making class – an extremely popular item here. The colorful fabric lanterns will create a unique highlight for your home.

Basket Boat Ride in Hoi An Bay Mau Coconut Forest

Known as a “miniature West”, the eco-tourism area of Bay Mau Coconut Forest Hoi An (or Hoi An Coconut Forest, Cam Thanh Coconut Forest) impresses with its rows of green coconut trees running along both sides of the river. What could be more “chill” than sitting leisurely on a basket boat, admiring the rich nature while listening to a folk song?

Of course, in Hoi An Bay Mau Coconut Forest there is no shortage of local delicacies and delicious specialties that you can enjoy or buy as gifts. If you are lucky, you will receive some handmade gifts made from coconut leaves “branded” by Bay Mau Coconut Forest.

Watch Hoi An Memories Show

Regarding the traditional ao dai, Hoi An Memories Show opens up a comprehensive picture of a port town that has constantly changed to develop over the past 400 years. With a 1km long stage and up to 500 actors participating, it is not an exaggeration to say that Hoi An Memories Show is one of the most unique art performances in Vietnam.

If you have fallen in love with Hoi An Ancient Town, you absolutely cannot miss this attractive activity. Let me tell you: you can combine watching the show with visiting Hoi An Impression Theme Park – where there are many “virtual living” corners and a series of attractive mini-shows. Buy Hoi An Memories Show Ticket Combo and Hoi An Impression Theme Park Ticket on Klook to save an additional 10%.

Release Flower Lanterns on Hoai River in Hoi An Ancient Town

What’s interesting about Hoi An Ancient Town at night? That is the Hoai River lit up by many colorful lanterns. Visitors can buy lanterns at the stalls along the Hoai River, send their thoughts and wishes into them and then release them into the peaceful water.

The activity of releasing lanterns in Hoi An Ancient Town takes place every day, but is most beautiful and vibrant on the first, fourteenth and fifteenth of the lunar calendar. Besides lanterns, Hoi An Ancient Town at night is also more bustling with shops selling handicrafts, souvenirs or unique restaurants and bars. This is also the most romantic activity that many couples look forward to when traveling to Hoi An on their own.

Visit Phung Hung Ancient House

Located at No. 4, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Phung Hung Ancient House attracts thousands of visitors every year thanks to its unique nostalgic appearance and impressive history. Phung Hung Ancient House was built in 1780 – when Hoi An port was at its most prosperous – originally a trading place for many items such as porcelain, glassware, cinnamon, salt, etc.

The architecture of Phung Hung Ancient House is a combination of three cultural schools: Japan, China and Vietnam – clearly shown through the “four seas” roof style of the Edo period, the system of wooden ribs, crossbeams, longitudinal beams, traditional Vietnamese columns or windows, main doors with bold Chinese colors. With an age of about 240 years, Phung Hung Ancient House is a national monument recognized by the Vietnamese government. This is definitely a Hoi An tourist destination you should not miss when visiting the ancient town.

“Chill” on An Bang Beach in Hoi An

You may not know: An Bang Beach, Hoi An was once on the list of “50 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World” voted in 2011 by CNNGo. Not as vibrant as Cua Dai beach or as diverse in sports and entertainment activities as famous beaches in Da Nang, An Bang beach “fascinates” tourists with its pristine, wild and peaceful beauty as if it had never been touched by human hands.

You can fully admire the beauty of An Bang beach when you come here early in the morning, when the sun has just risen – the perfect time to let your soul follow the basket boats offshore, breathe in the fresh “salty” air or admire the rows of purple sea spinach flowers. “Chill” on the beach of An Bang is an indispensable activity when traveling to Hoi An on your own, do you agree?

Stroll Through Trieu Chau Assembly Hall (Teochew Assembly Hall) – Ong Bon Pagoda in Hoi An

With an age of more than 150 years, Trieu Chau Assembly Hall or Ong Bon Pagoda has long been a famous place of religious activities in Hoi An Ancient Town. This is a place to worship many sea gods, praying for smooth sailing and trade.

The Trieu Chau Assembly Hall is one of the Hoi An tourist destinations loved by tourists, thanks to its unique and elaborate architecture, associated with many folk legends. This place is also the “common home” of beautiful porcelain reliefs, with high historical, cultural and artistic value. Coming to Hoi An on the 16th day of the first lunar month, visitors can visit the Trieu Chau Assembly Hall to participate in the very special Nguyen Tieu and ancestor worship ceremonies.

Visit the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall (Fujian Assembly Hall) in Hoi An

Along with the Duong Thuong Assembly Hall, the Teochew Assembly Hall and the Guangdong Assembly Hall, the Fujian Assembly Hall is also one of the most beautiful assembly halls of the Chinese in Hoi An. Also known as Fujian, the Fujian Assembly Hall is a place to worship ancestors, gods as well as a meeting place for fellow Fujianers on important festivals. Traveling to Hoi An on your own, we invite you to visit the Fujian Assembly Hall once to admire the unique architecture, listen to the fascinating anecdotes and understand the cultural and historical significance of this place.

Go to the White Sand Area at Cua Dai Beach – Hoi An

If you think that Hoi An does not have beautiful beaches, you are very wrong. Only about 5km from the center of Hoi An is Cua Dai beach – where the three rivers De Vong, Thu Bon, Truong Giang intersect, possessing a “sparkling” white sand coastline as if it had just stepped out of a pictorial.

Cua Dai Beach gathers many high-class hotels, resorts, sports activities, entertainment, cuisine, shopping… Coming to Cua Dai Beach, you can admire another aspect – youthful, dynamic and new – of Hoi An.

Beautiful Photo Spots in Hoi An for “Virtual Life” People

It can be said that “small and pretty” Hoi An is like a paradise for virtual life enthusiasts. Let’s take a look at the outstanding check-in locations in Hoi An with us, promising to bring you extremely artistic photos.

Duy Vinh Old Brick Kiln in Hoi An

Address: Vinh Nam Village, Duy Vinh Commune, Duy Xuyen District, Quang Nam Province

Located in the middle of a green field in Vinh Nam Village, Duy Xuyen District, Old Brick Kiln exudes a special attraction and has become a famous check-in destination near Hoi An. Although it is located in Quang Nam province, because it is only about 5km from Hoi An, visitors can still easily visit. Under the shimmering sunlight, you can unleash your creativity and create impressive photos at the Old Brick Kiln.

Preserve your “youth” with your relatives and friends in Hoi An with a tour of the famous places in Hoi An and take “hundreds of likes” photos right away.

Faifo Coffee Cafe in Hoi An

Address: 130 Tran Phu Street, Cam Chau Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province

Located in a unique location, Faifo Coffee allows visitors to admire the ancient town from a completely new perspective. From here, you can see the small streets, ancient houses and ancient bridges along the river. The view from above at Faifo Coffee creates an ideal space to take photos and enjoy the unique beauty of Hoi An ancient town.

Not only is it an interesting check-in location, Faifo Coffee is also a place where you can enjoy delicious food and unique drinks. With a cool green space and beautiful decoration style, this cafe will surely satisfy even the most demanding tourists.

Cam Hai Palace – Ba Mu Pagoda in Hoi An

Address: 67A Hai Ba Trung Street, Tam Quan Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province

Let us take you to the Tam Quan of Ba Mu Pagoda, also known as Cam Hai Palace – where you can freely show off your “super artistic” photography skills. Ba Mu Pagoda is the popular name of the architectural works of Cam Ha Palace and Hai Binh Palace of the Minh Huong and Chinese communities in Hoi An.

Passing through the Tam Quan of Ba Mu Pagoda, you will feel the wonderful combination of traditional architecture and contemporary art with bright and vibrant pink colors. Invite your friends to come here and produce these colorful Hoi An travel photos.

Tan Ky Ancient House in Hoi An

Address: 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province

The historic Tan Ky ancient house, a timeless architectural masterpiece, stands firmly on Hoi An land, a witness to the beautiful past and rich culture. This 200-year-old house has gone through many historical periods and still shines brightly.

Tan Ky ancient house is not only a tourist destination, but also a door leading you into the world of ancient noble families. Stop, enjoy the tranquility and discover the secrets hidden behind these ancient brick and stone walls.

Cau Pagoda in Hoi An

Address: Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City. Hoi An

As a symbol of Hoi An and also a testament to cultural exchange, the Japanese Covered Bridge not only attracts locals but is also an attractive destination for international tourists. Inside the temple, the Northern Emperor Tran Vo is worshiped, the god who protects the land and brings good things to the people.

On the wooden bridge connected to the Hoai River, you will be drawn into a colorful and romantic space. The sparkling lights along the bridge make the Japanese Covered Bridge shimmer and attract at night.

Bougainvillea Trellis Along the Hoai River, streets in Hoi An

Address: along the streets around the old town, along the Hoai River

In the ancient town of the Hoai River, the pristine yellow wall covered with bright pink bougainvillea is an ideal stop for those who love to explore and show off their virtual moments. The soft light from the sun filtering through the bougainvillea flowers, traditional wooden window frames and rustic cyclos will be an ideal “background” for your virtual photos.

Graceful in ao dai, traditional conical hats, walking around the sunny streets, shaded by bougainvillea flowers and enjoying a poetic Hoi An, what are you waiting for?

Where to stay? Beautiful Hotels and Resorts in Hoi An to Consider

When traveling to Hoi An on your own, visitors often choose to visit Hoi An ancient town during the day and then return to neighboring big cities (Da Nang, Hue) to rest. In fact, you should stay in Hoi An for a night to enjoy the vibrant life when the streets are lit up. Refer to some beautiful hotels in Hoi An below.

Santorin Hoi An Villa (agoda, booking)
The Pearl Hoi An (agoda, booking)
Hoianan Boutique Hotel (agoda, booking)
The Nam An Villa Hoi An (agoda, booking)
Lantana Boutique Hotel Hoi An (agoda, booking)
La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Retreat (agoda, booking)
Bel Marina Hoi An Resort (agoda, booking)
Almanity Hoi An Resort & Spa (agoda, booking)
Little Riverside Hoi An . A Luxury Hotel & Spa (agoda, booking)
Cozy Savvy Boutique Hotel Hoi An (agoda, booking)
Little Oasis – An Eco Friendly Hotel & Spa (agoda, booking)

Check out more top and best hotels in Hoi An on Agoda or Booking or Klook

What to Eat in Hoi An? Discovering Delicious Hoi An Specialties

Coming to Hoi An and discovering local cuisine is a favorite activity of culinary connoisseurs. Pocket some delicious Hoi An dishes that you can freely fill your hungry stomach.

Hoi An Chicken Rice

Hoi An chicken rice can be prepared in many different versions, but the most popular are shredded chicken rice and chicken gizzard rice. The rice is cooked in golden chicken broth, served with soft, chewy chicken and fragrant onion and carrot salad. Many visitors jokingly say that if you travel to Hoi An and forget to order chicken rice, you must immediately plan… to travel again!

Reference places for Hoi An chicken rice:

Ba Buoi chicken rice: 22 Phan Chu Trinh street, Minh An ward, Hoi An city, Quang Nam province
Ba Thuan chicken rice: 685/4 Hai Ba Trung street, Minh An ward, Hoi An city, Quang Nam province
Long Chicken Rice: 53/16 Phan Chu Trinh street, Minh An ward, Hoi An city, Quang Nam province

Cao Lau Hoi An

It can be said that Cao Lau is the pride of Hoi An cuisine. The noodles are soaked in rich sauce, eaten with char siu, boiled vegetables, fried pork rinds, … it is truly a masterpiece. On cold days, the flavor of Cao Lau seems to be many times more delicious. Traveling to Hoi An without trying Cao Lau specialty is a big mistake.

Cao lau noodles, one of the best Vietnamese street foods

Reference Cao Lau restaurants:

Thanh Cao Lau: 26 Thai Phien Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province
Lien Cao Lau: 120 Tran Cao Van Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province
Green Space Cao Lau: 687 Hai Ba Trung Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province

Banh Bao – Banh Vac Hoi An

White Rose Cake – the common name of Hoi An’s Banh Bao and Banh Vac, is a specialty not to be missed when visiting the ancient town. With a soft outer shell, fragrant shrimp and meat filling mixed with a little sweetness of sugar, white rose cake brings an unforgettable culinary experience.

Reference places of Banh Vac Hoi An:

White Rose – Banh Bao & Banh Vac: 533 Hai Ba Trung Street, Cam Pho Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province
Trung Bac Restaurant – Cao Lau & Banh Vac: 87 Tran Phu Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province
Hoi An Market: 19 Tran Phu Street, Cam Chau Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province

Banh Uot Cuon Thit Nuong Hoi An (Hoi An grilled pork rice paper wrap)

This seemingly simple dish turns out to be an extremely memorable “taste explosion”. A plate of Banh Uot Cuon Thit Nuong in Hoi An includes Banh Uot, grilled skewers with burnt edges, served with raw vegetables, peanuts and sweet and salty dipping sauce. You can find this famous delicacy at street stalls along the banks of the Hoai River, Hoi An Ancient Town.

Reference places of “Hoi An grilled pork rice paper wrap”:

Ms. Loi Hoi An: 3 Nguyen Hue Street, Cam Chau Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province
Ms. Dong Hoi An: Pham Hong Thai Street, Cam Chau Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province
Hai Dao Restaurant: 160 Ly Thai To Street, Cam Son Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province

Banh Beo Hoi An (“Hoi An Steamed Rice Cake” or “Hoi An Water Fern Cake”)

What should you eat when traveling to Hoi An on your own? The answer is Banh Beo – a famous Hoi An specialty because the soft dough melts in your mouth with a variety of rich toppings, with dried shrimp, fish cakes, peanuts, crispy pork rinds… This dish is served with sweet and sour fish sauce, spicy and must be said to be “the best”.

Reference places of Banh Beo Hoi An:

Banh Beo Ba My: Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province
Banh Beo Ba Bay: 2 Hoang Van Thu Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province
Banh Beo Co Ty: 5 Thai Phien Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province

Hoi An still has many surprises waiting for you to discover. Come and feel the ancient, romantic beauty of the old town, known as the “Venice of Vietnam”.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Hoi An you can refer to

Read more Vietnam guide here.