Hoi An: 48 hours exploring the ancient town, An Bang beach, and traditional craft villages.

Hoi An embodies the spirit of a heritage region: tranquil ancient town, gentle Hoai River, nearby blue sea, and vibrant traditional craft villages. The most convenient way to get there is by flying to Da Nang and then traveling about 30km. The ideal time to visit is from February to April. The estimated cost for a 3-day, 2-night trip is 4,500,000 - 5,000,000 VND per person.

• Best time to visit: dry season, February to August, ideally February to April.
• How to get there: Fly to Da Nang → take a taxi/bus to Hoi An (about 30km); you can also take a train or coach.
• Getting around the city: bicycles, motorbikes, cyclos, taxis; experience a boat trip on the Hoai/Thu Bon River.
• Highlights: Old Town, Cham Island, VinWonders Nam Hoi An, Bay Mau Coconut Forest, An Bang Beach, Thanh Ha Pottery Village, My Son Sanctuary.

The best time to go

Dry season (February-August): February to April are cool, with mild sunshine and little rain. From May to August, the weather is sunny, with some days of intense heat. Rainy season (September-January): Rain is prolonged, so check the weather forecast before you go.

Travel to Hoi An

By plane: from Ho Chi Minh City/Hanoi to Da Nang, approximately 1 hour flight, ticket price 400,000 - 1,600,000 VND/one way. From Da Nang airport, take a taxi or bus to Hoi An (about 30km).

Train: Departing from Ho Chi Minh City/Hanoi, stopping at Da Nang or Tra Kieu station, travel time 15-20 hours, price 230,000 - 2,224,000 VND/one way depending on route and class of seat.

Coach buses: Ho Chi Minh City - Hoi An and Hanoi - Hoi An routes, prices range from 320,000 to 480,000 VND per trip.

Personal vehicles: cars and motorbikes are suitable if traveling from neighboring provinces.

Getting around in Hoi An

• Bicycles: available for rent in many places, around 40,000 VND/day.
• Motorbike rental: 120,000 - 150,000 VND/day.
• Cyclo: available for pickup on Phan Chau Trinh and Tran Phu streets; approximately 150,000 VND/hour/vehicle.
• Taxi: 4-seater, approximately 11,000 - 15,000 VND/km for a 30km journey; 9,000 - 12,000 VND/km for distances of 31km or more.
• Boat trips on the Hoai/Thu Bon River: approximately 50,000 VND/2 people (small boat, usually less crowded); during peak season, a boat for 4 people costs around 200,000 VND/20 minutes.

Explore the Old Town

• Guangdong Assembly Hall (176 Tran Phu Street, Hoi An Ward): elaborate architecture, many ceramic artifacts.
• Chaozhou Assembly Hall (157 Tran Phu Street, Hoi An): dedicated to General Ma Vien, a mid-19th century architectural structure.
• Tan Ky Ancient House (101 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hoi An Ward): over 200 years old, displaying antiques.
• Tran Family Church (21 Le Loi Street, Hoi An): a blend of Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese architecture.
• Phung Hung Ancient House (04 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Hoi An Ward): high-quality wood, antique style.
• Japanese Bridge (Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Hoi An Ward): a symbol of the ancient town, inside it is a shrine dedicated to the Northern Emperor Tran Vo.
• Fujian Assembly Hall (46 Tran Phu Street, Hoi An Dong Ward): dedicated to the Goddess Thien Hau, notable for its triple-arched gate and large incense ring.
• Hoi An Market (Tran Quy Cap Street, Hoi An Dong Ward): consumer goods, food, souvenirs, and characteristic photo spots.

Near the Old Town: Nature and Traditional Craft Villages

• My Son Sanctuary: located more than 40km from the Old Town. Reference ticket prices: 100,000 VND/person for Vietnamese visitors; 150,000 VND/person for foreign visitors.
• VinWonders Nam Hoi An (Thang An commune, Da Nang city): located approximately 15km from the city center; 5 entertainment and cultural zones. Reference ticket prices: 600,000 VND/person for guests taller than 140cm; 450,000 VND/person for guests between 100cm and under 140cm and over 60 years old.
• Cham Island: located approximately 15km from the mainland. Round-trip speedboat fare: 225,000 VND/child, 400,000 VND/adult; wooden boat from Bach Dang Wharf to Cham Island: 100,000 VND/one way/domestic passenger, 150,000 VND/one way/international passenger; motorbike transportation to the island: 30,000 VND/vehicle.
• An Bang Beach: located about 7km southeast of the city center, ideal for relaxation, swimming, and dining.
• Cua Dai Beach: white sand, coconut trees; perfect for a stroll at sunset.
• Thanh Ha Pottery Village: located about 3km from the city center. Entrance fee: 30,000 VND/person (includes one complimentary pottery product).
• Tra Que Vegetable Village: Entrance fee is 10,000 VND per person, featuring lush green organic vegetable gardens.
• Kim Bong Woodworking Village: Free admission, watch wood carving and boat building.
• Bay Mau Coconut Forest: Take a basket boat tour for 150,000 VND/basket/2 people.
• Tam Thanh Mural Village: colorful murals, meaningful stories.

Suggested check-in points

• The wall on Hoang Van Thu Street: an ancient wall stained with color, bearing the rich marks of time.
• Hoai River: Take a boat ride at dusk and admire the floating lanterns.
• Bougainvillea trellis: a yellow wall, wooden door, soft sunlight, and a rickshaw create a distinctive frame.
• Faifo Coffee (130 Tran Phu Street, Hoi An Ward): offers a panoramic view of the ancient town from above.
• Tre Coffee – Lounge & Dining (Casamia Hoi An, near Vo Chi Cong): a space that blends traditional and modern styles.
• The gate of Ba Mu Tam Quan Pagoda (675a Hai Ba Trung, Hoi An): a striking splash of pink.

What to eat in Hoi An

• Cao Lau: Lien Cao Lau (09 Thai Phien); Ba Be Cao Lau (in Hoi An market); Thanh Cao Lau (26 Thai Phien).
• Chicken rice: Ba Buoi Chicken Rice (22 Phan Chu Trinh); A Ty Chicken Rice (25-27 Phan Chu Trinh).
• Phu Chiem Quang Noodles: Aunt Hat's Quang Noodles (4 Phan Chau Trinh); Uncle Hai's Quang Noodles (6A Truong Minh Luong).
• Banh mi (Vietnamese sandwiches): Banh mi Phuong (2B Phan Chu Trinh, Hoi An Dong Ward); Banh mi Madam Khanh (115 Tran Cao Van, Hoi An).
• Nuoc Mot (150 Tran Phu, Hoi An); corn sweet soup, black sesame sweet soup, black bean sweet soup, kidney bean sweet soup, broad bean sweet soup, glutinous rice ball sweet soup; tofu pudding.
• Snacks: snails in broth (Dien Phuong), crescent-shaped cakes, stir-fried clams with rice crackers, grilled skewers with minced pork, steamed rice cakes in small bowls (best to go in the morning).

Suggested accommodation

Vinpearl Resort & Golf Nam Hoi An (Vo Chi Cong Street, Thang An Commune, Da Nang City). Tel: (+84) 235 367 6888.

Sample itinerary

2 days 1 night

• Day 1: Stroll through Hoi An Old Town – Cua Dai Beach – Release floating lanterns on the Hoai River.
• Day 2: VinWonders Nam Hoi An – River Safari – Shopping for local specialties.

3 days 2 nights (Da Nang – Hoi An)

• Day 1: Linh Ung Pagoda – stroll through Hoi An Ancient Town.
• Day 2: Non Nuoc Beach – Marble Mountains – Han Market.
• Day 3: VinWonders Nam Hoi An – souvenir shopping.

4 days 3 nights (Da Nang – Hoi An – Hue)

• Day 1: My Khe Beach, Chicken Church, World Wonders Park, Da Nang's Four Great Bridges.
• Day 2: Hoi An Ancient Town: Trieu Chau Assembly Hall, Hoi An Market, Thanh Ha Pottery Village.
• Day 3: VinWonders Nam Hoi An.
• Day 4: Train arrives in Hue – Imperial Citadel, Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery, Perfume River.

Estimated cost for 3 nights and 2 days

• Round-trip airfare: 1,000,000 - 1,500,000 VND/person.
• Transportation from Da Nang to Hoi An: 500,000 VND/person.
• Accommodation: 500,000 - 1,000,000 VND/night.
• Food and drinks: 600,000 VND/person.
• Souvenirs: 300,000 VND/person.
• Entrance fee for sightseeing and entertainment: 650,000 VND/person.
• Additional charge: 300,000 VND/person.

Total estimated cost: 4,500,000 - 5,000,000 VND/person (depending on service selection).

What to buy as a gift?

• Mung bean cake: a distinctive sweet and salty flavor.
• Lanterns: foldable types are preferred.
• Silk.
• To he (traditional Vietnamese toy): available at Thanh Ha pottery village.
• Souvenirs: Phước Kiều bronze statue, bronze drum, bell, gong, paper fan…

Important tips

• Wake up early to experience the tranquility of the old town.
• It's busy during the full moon and Tet (Lunar New Year) holidays: so book your room early.
• Custom-made clothing: allow extra time for alterations.
• The rainy and stormy season may have an impact: monitor the weather forecast.

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