Are you considering visiting Hoi An?
Sammie Pearsall from the rambling renegade fell in love with Hoi An and visited many times over the years. Sammie shares with us her love of Hoi An.
We also fell in love with Hoi An and spent 3 weeks in the old town and out at An Bang Beach.
Three weeks gives you a completely different relationship with Hoi An than a weekend visit — time to find the back streets that the tour groups miss, to become a regular at a coffee shop, to have a tailor who knows your measurements by the second fitting and calls you by name. We still talk about the lanterns on the river on the night of the full moon festival.
We hope you enjoy Sammie’s article on Hoi An as much as we have.
There was a time in my life when I was working in a circus in Macau where I could travel easily on the weekends due to our proximity to dozens of countries such as Cambodia, Thailand, South Korea, and more.
But it didn’t take long before I heard about my cast’s favourite weekend getaway, Hoi An Ancient Town. It seemed like a magical place to me. Being from Chicago, it sounded like a dream. Described to me as a place where cars weren’t allowed to go, streets filled with people walking aimlessly to coffee shops, and home to a very special culinary fusion sandwich (Bahn Mi), it isn’t a dream; it’s a glorious reality. After I visited, it seemed justified to have Hoi An, Vietnam, as a steady yearly contender for the best places to visit.
Hoi An Ancient Town was the place to go then, and still is the place to be. I dream of visiting again after countless weekend escapades for coffee, Bahn Mi, and gorgeous tailor-made dresses.
What is Hoi An Ancient Town
Hoi An Ancient Town was classified as a National Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985 and a World Heritage Site in 1999, and has been wonderfully preserved and protected since.
From day to day, multiple collaborations occur between the stakeholders to maintain the authenticity and integrity of the town. As the town grows in popularity and recognition, the adverse effects of tourism and nearby urbanisation are controlled and monitored by authorities and the local community. This lovely little town is protected by the big boys, so it isn’t going anywhere right now. You can tell all your friends and family to check it out after you fall in love and don’t have to feel remorse about popularity eroding its charm.
The Ancient Town of Hoi An is loved by locals and tourists as a colourful, well-preserved South-East Asian trading port. Walking the lantern-lit streets, you can appreciate the original old wooden buildings, some dating back to the 17th century. It’s remarkable. As you wander into the little shops, you feel as if you’ve entered a different era untouched by the rush of modern-day living. Locals take to the sidewalks to enjoy their coffee. Shop owners are more than happy to speak to visitors about the nuances of their handcrafted goods.
Hoi An Ancient Town is a Car-Free City
That’s right. No Cars. Hoi, An Ancient Town, is a relic of a world where you could only get around on foot. It’s a holiday for your eyes as you’re free to imagine life without the noise and congestion of cars in every direction. This leaves you spoiled to look up as you walk with zero fear of walking into traffic. Something I most often have to remind myself of while meandering in the big city.
Where is Hoi An Ancient Town
Hoi An Ancient Town is located in Central Vietnam in the Quang Nam province near the mouth of the Thu Bon River. It’s only 29 kilometres from Da Nang, which takes about 45-50 minutes by car. Most likely, you will be arriving from the airport in Da Nang and need to take a bus, taxi, or private shuttle to get to the Ancient Town.
Why Visit Hoi An Ancient Town
Hoi An is a place unlike anywhere I have visited before. Of the 34 countries I’ve visited, I would choose to come back to this little town again and again if given the chance.
The Ancient Town of Hoi An is exceptionally quaint. You can spend a weekend here or enjoy an extended week’s stay in Hoi An, but no matter the time, you will leave feeling rejuvenated and alive. The main reasons to go are to experience the amazing, well-preserved port city, the unique cuisine, and the endless amount of shopping you can do.
Besides being a cultural jackpot, the scenery of Hoi An is enough of a reason to go and visit. The Hoai River running through the town gives breath to the tranquil lifestyle of the Vietnamese people, and if you explore just outside of the Ancient Town, you can experience soft sand beaches and fairytale-like countryside villages.
Hoi An Ancient Town is easy to find, easy to get to, and a wonderfully affordable place to visit.
Things to see in Hoi An Ancient Town
Japanese Covered Bridge
One of the most recognisable and honoured symbols of Hoi An. The temple is located on a bridge over a creek, built in the 17th century by Japanese Merchants, rendering its name The Japanese Covered Bridge. You’ll see gorgeous wooden paintings and sculptures of Japanese style. This site is considered one of the only architectural buildings left in town to have Japanese Heritage.
Phuc Kien Assembly Hall
Built in 1697, as a worship ground to the Sea Mother Mazu, who blesses and protects the businessmen who travel and work at sea. It is a relic of religion in Hoi An and is considered one of the top sites to visit in Hoi An. Nowadays, it is not only a site of religious belief but also a clubhouse for the Chinese community who come from Phuc Kien (the Fujian Province of China) to connect and help each other do business.
Tan Ky Ancient House
Located smack dab in the middle of the Ancient Town of Hoi An, Tan Ky was built in 1714 as a typical Hoi An Ancient tubular house (characterised as very narrow but very deep). It has the honour to be visited and adorned by domestic and foreign leaders all over the world. It is considered a “living museum”, it is a unique combination of 3 cultures: Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese and has been well-intact for over 200 years. Surviving multiple floods, it’s a miracle you can still walk through to appreciate different architectural elements as well as its intricate interior design.
Precious Heritage Museum
One of the greatest things you can do in Hoi An Ancient Town is at absolutely no cost to you. Curated by a French photographer, Réhehn, the museum is a collection of photographs, rare artefacts, and traditional costumes worn by women of ethnic Vietnamese Tribes. Réhehn has a passion for cultural preservation that emanates. He wants to educate the public with beautiful, well-curated displays covering 54 ethnic Vietnamese groups. It’s truly worth a visit to appreciate and understand the beautiful culture surrounding you on your trip to Vietnam.
Hoi An Central Market
Take a deep breath and dive into all that is the Hoi An Central Market. It’s a frenzy of everything you can imagine and nothing you’ve seen before. Even if you have zero intention of buying anything, it is worth a visit to see this enormous operation. It spans 5 streets of the central district, covering everything from street food to intricate local fabric to weird and amazing souvenirs you can bring back for the neighbours. My favourite thing about it is the handmade jewellery. It’s unbelievably cheap, and every piece is unlike anything I’ve bought before. As I said, even if you have no intention of buying anything, you might want to grab a few dong on your way out the door.
Lune Centre for Performing Arts
The first of its kind, the Lune Centre is a bamboo theatre built for the local artist community and has since become a home for the Vietnamese Bamboo Circus. It’s located where the Hoai River and the Thu Bon River meet and effortlessly fits into the background of the Mystical Hoi An scenery. I highly suggest heading to the Lune Centre to see whatever performance they are showing, but if the timings don’t work out, visiting the theatre is a unique experience on its own. The design of the theatre is inspired by the full moon, and it’s a magical palace to watch the sunset fall over the old town.
What to do in Hoi An Ancient Town
For a complete, well-curated list of Things to do in Hoi An click HERE
- Explore the carless streets
- Have clothes tailor-made
- Walk along the Hoai Riverbank
- Drink Vietnamese Coffee
- Try a Bahn Mi sandwich
- Rent a bike to explore
- Buy leather handmade goods
- Relax in a rooftop cafe
- Get a Vietnamese Massage
- Light a lantern on the Hoai River
- Take a boat tour of the Ancient Town
- Check out the nightlife at Tiger Tiger
- Eat at Mango Mango
- Learn to cook Phõ
- Take the best nighttime food tour
Hoi An Ancient Town is my favourite place to visit in Vietnam. It’s quiet enough to give a sense of relaxation at all hours of the day, but it’s vibrant enough to keep you going at night if that’s what you’re into. There isn’t another place like it; you feel the history as you walk the streets and get an overwhelming sense of welcome from the local community. There is a commonality of appreciation that vibrates through the old town. Whether you’re looking for food, culture, shopping, or scenic views, you’ll be well taken care of in the Ancient Town of Hoi An.
Bio for Sammie Pearsall
Sammie Pearsall is a travel and circus blogger living a nomadic lifestyle. Currently roaming the United States while training for the circus, she writes about her past travels, travel tips, and odd circus life. Sammie started the blog as a way to keep her family back home in Chicago in the loop about her life, travelling the world, and it has grown into a professional blog. You can follow her travels and her circus life teasers on Instagram and Pinterest
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure for more information.
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What Does It Cost to Visit Hoi An? A 2026 Budget Guide
Ancient Town Entrance Ticket:
The Hoi An Ancient Town ticket costs 120,000 VND per adult (approximately USD $5 / AUD $8) and covers entry to five heritage sites — the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Assembly Halls, the Ancient Houses and the Museum of Folk Culture. Children under 7 enter free. The ticket is valid for one day and can be purchased at the Hoi An Tourism Office on Nguyen Hue Street. Without this ticket, you can still walk the streets freely — you only need it to enter the specific paid attractions.
Tailor-Made Clothing:
Hoi An’s tailoring industry is one of the most famous in Vietnam and represents genuinely extraordinary value by any international standard. A custom-made dress costs approximately USD $20–60, depending on fabric and complexity. A suit runs approximately USD $80–200 for a well-made piece. A silk shirt costs approximately USD $15–40. Allow at least 24–48 hours for a proper fitting process — rush jobs compromise quality. Reputable tailors we recommend asking your accommodation about — the turnover in the tailor industry is high enough that specific shop names change faster than any article can track.
Food and Drink:
Bánh Mì from a street stall: approximately 25,000–40,000 VND (USD $1–1.60 / AUD $1.55–2.50). White Rose Dumplings (a Hoi An speciality): approximately 50,000–80,000 VND (USD $2–3.20 / AUD $3–5). A bowl of Cao Lầu noodles: approximately 50,000–80,000 VND. Vietnamese coffee at a local café: approximately 25,000–45,000 VND (USD $1–1.80 / AUD $1.55–2.80). A meal at a mid-range restaurant: approximately 150,000–300,000 VND per person (USD $6–12 / AUD $9–18).
Accommodation:
Budget guesthouses in the Ancient Town: USD $20–40 per night. Mid-range boutique hotels: USD $50–100 per night. The Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort and Spa (our personal recommendation for a beach stay): see our full review. An Bang Beach accommodation: USD $25–60 for guesthouses, USD $80–150 for boutique beach hotels.
Check the latest deals on accommodation in Hoi An here
Boat Tours:
Thu Bon River sunset cruise: approximately USD $5–15 per person. Full-day boat tour including My Son: approximately USD $25–45 per person.
Lune Centre Performances:
Tickets for the Vietnamese Bamboo Circus and other Lune Centre performances range from approximately USD $15–35 per person. Book online in advance at luneproduction.com as performances sell out in peak season.
Overall Daily Budget:
Budget traveller (guesthouse, street food, walking): USD $25–40 per person per day. Mid-range (boutique hotel, restaurant meals, one activity): USD $60–100 per person per day. Hoi An is one of the most affordable destinations in Vietnam — even mid-range travel here costs a fraction of comparable experiences in Europe or Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Hoi An
Is Hoi An Ancient Town worth visiting?
Completely and without reservation — and we say that having spent three weeks there rather than a weekend. Hoi An is one of the finest UNESCO World Heritage towns in Southeast Asia and one of the most beautifully preserved historic trading ports anywhere in the world. The combination of car-free streets, 17th-century wooden buildings, extraordinary food, the best tailoring in Vietnam and the lantern-lit river at night makes it genuinely unlike anywhere else. Give it more time than you think you need — it rewards it.
How many days should I spend in Hoi An?
Most travellers give Hoi An 2–3 days and leave feeling they have seen it. We spent three weeks and found new streets, cafés and experiences throughout. Three to four days is our recommendation for a first visit — enough time to explore the Ancient Town properly, visit My Son archaeological site, spend a day or two at An Bang Beach and have a proper tailor fitting with time for alterations. A week or more lets you slow down entirely and settle into the town’s rhythm.
When is the best time to visit Hoi An?
February to April offers the finest weather — dry, warm and with the lowest humidity. January and February are the coolest months. May to August is hot and increasingly humid. October and November are the wettest months — Hoi An is prone to flooding during the rainy season, and some streets in the Ancient Town can become impassable after heavy rain. December is warm and relatively dry — a good alternative to peak season if January–February accommodation prices are too high.
How do I get to Hoi An from Da Nang Airport?
Da Nang International Airport is the closest airport to Hoi An — approximately 30km, taking 45–60 minutes by taxi or private transfer. Taxis cost approximately 300,000–400,000 VND (USD $12–16 / AUD $18–25). Private transfers booked in advance through your accommodation or GetYourGuide cost approximately USD $15–25 and are more reliable than hailing a taxi at the airport. Grab (Vietnam’s Uber equivalent) also operates from Da Nang Airport.
Do I need a ticket to visit Hoi An Ancient Town?
The streets, riverbank and exterior of all buildings in Hoi An Ancient Town are free to walk at any time. To enter the five designated heritage sites — the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Assembly Halls, the Ancient Houses and the Museum of Folk Culture — you need an Ancient Town ticket costing 120,000 VND per adult (approximately USD $5 / AUD $8). Purchase at the Hoi An Tourism Office on Nguyen Hue Street. Children under 7 enter free.
What is Hoi An famous for?
Four things define Hoi An for most visitors: the extraordinarily well-preserved Ancient Town with its 17th-century wooden buildings, lanterns and car-free streets; the tailor-made clothing industry where skilled dressmakers and tailors can produce custom garments in 24–48 hours at very reasonable prices; the food — particularly Bánh Mì (voted the world’s best street food sandwich by multiple publications), Cao Lầu noodles and White Rose dumplings that are specific to Hoi An and not made anywhere else in Vietnam; and the Thu Bon River lantern festival on the evening of the full moon each month, when the Ancient Town is lit entirely by lanterns and the river carries floating lanterns downstream.
Is Hoi An suitable for older travellers?
Extremely so — and it is one of our personal recommendations for Baby Boomer travellers in particular. The car-free Ancient Town streets are genuinely pleasant to walk without traffic stress. The pace of life is relaxed. The food is outstanding and varied. The accommodation options range from budget guesthouses to beautiful boutique hotels. The activities — boat tours, cooking classes, lantern making, tailor visits, cycling through the rice paddies — are all entirely manageable at any age and pace. Hoi An is one of the most consistently recommended Vietnam destinations by travellers over 60.
What is the Hoi An Ancient Town ticket, and what does it cover?
The Hoi An Ancient Town Combined Ticket costs 120,000 VND per adult (approximately USD $5 / AUD $8) and is valid for one day. It covers entry to five heritage sites of your choice from a list that includes the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, Tan Ky Ancient House, Duc An Ancient House, the Museum of Folk Culture and several other designated monuments. You choose which five to visit — the ticket officer punches your ticket at each entry. The ticket is sold at the Hoi An Tourism Office on Nguyen Hue Street and at satellite offices throughout the Ancient Town.
What is An Bang Beach, and is it worth visiting?
An Bang Beach is approximately 3km from the Hoi An Ancient Town — a long, relaxed stretch of beach with a string of simple beach restaurants and bars. It is significantly less developed than the beaches of Da Nang and has a genuinely local character. We spent several days of our three-week Hoi An visit at An Bang — cycling from the Ancient Town in the morning, eating fresh seafood at a beach restaurant for lunch and cycling back in the late afternoon. It is one of the finest simple beach days available in central Vietnam. Cycling from the Ancient Town takes approximately 20–25 minutes on flat roads through rice paddies.
What is the full moon lantern festival in Hoi An?
On the night of the full moon each lunar month, Hoi An Ancient Town switches off its electric lights, and the streets are lit entirely by coloured silk lanterns. The Thu Bon River carries floating paper lanterns downstream in a genuinely magical display. The festival reflects Hoi An’s trading port history — lanterns were lit for ceremonies and celebrations throughout the year. The full moon night is the finest evening to be in Hoi An, regardless of when it falls. Check the lunar calendar before booking your visit to ensure your stay includes a full moon night if possible.
General Information on Visiting Hoi An, Vietnam
The closest airport is Danang, located 30 km away. You will need to allow 1.5 hours for travelling from Danang to Hoi An.
Air Asia, the budget carrier, flies to Danang from various Asian cities.
We use Skyscanner to research and book our flights at all times.
Private transfers are available from Danang Airport to Hoi An.
Bus, train, and ferry travel throughout Asia can be booked here:
Wondering when the best time to travel to Vietnam? Read here for further information.
Accommodation in Hoi An
If you would like to stay on the beach outside the Ancient Town, read our review here of the Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa.
Our hotel recommendations for staying in Hoi An:
Emm Hotel – loved this funky-designed hotel, with a swimming pool, fitness centre, spa, wellness centre and the Spice Viet Restaurant that serves excellent local cuisine. The location is great too, only 200m from the Ancient Town.
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Related reading:
My Son Archaeological Morning Tour from Hoi An
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Excellent Hoi An guide here. We spent 2 months wandering around the rice fields and in town. Renting a house about a 20 minute walk from town was the perfect location since we were in nature right by the canal and wedged in between rice fields on the outskirts of the center. Car-less areas rock. The restaurant and tailor scenes are epic!
Hoi An is one of my favorite places in SE Asia. Definitely looking forward to visiting again.
Loved Hoi An so much too! The food was excellent and just wandering the back streets and getting lost, we came across so many local businesses. Hope you get to go back soon!
Wow, what a fascinating location. Thank you for the fantastic photographs and content.
what a informative article. Thank you
So beautifully crafted information.
Thanks for sharing with us. I just loved your way of presenting. I enjoyed reading this.