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Hoi An, on the Thu Bon River near Vietnam's central coast, was a busy trading port from roughly the fifteenth to the nineteenth centuries, drawing Japanese, Chinese and European merchants. When the river silted and trade shifted to Da Nang, the town was largely left alone, preserving its ochre merchant houses, assembly halls and temples. The ancient town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Japanese Covered Bridge is the town's emblem. Merchant homes such as Tan Ky Old House and Phung Hung House show how families lived above their shops, and the Fujian Assembly Hall and Quan Cong Temple reflect the Chinese communities who settled here. Evenings center on the Thu Bon River, where silk lanterns light the lanes and small boats carry floating candles. Hoi An Central Market bustles each morning. Bicycles carry visitors to the gardens of Tra Que and to Cam Thanh, where round basket boats move among coconut palms. An Bang Beach is a short ride away, and Thanh Ha keeps its pottery tradition alive. Boats reach the Cham Islands for snorkeling, while the ruined Cham temples of My Son Sanctuary lie inland.
Hoi An suits couples, food lovers and travelers who prefer a gentle pace, and its tailors are known for fast custom clothing. Autumn brings heavy rain and occasional flooding in the old town.
WiserMap travel guideHoi An Vietnam Lanterns Tra Que Village and An Bang BeachExplore Hoi An with this guide to the Japanese Covered Bridge, merchant houses, lantern-lit river, Tra Que, An Bang Beach, My Son, food, seasons and transport.Read the guide
A wooden covered bridge built in the early 1600s by the town's Japanese community, with a small temple inside and statues of a dog and a monkey at each end. It is the symbol of Hoi An and appears on the 20,000 dong note. Entry uses a ticket from the Ancient Town ticket booklet.
Two well-preserved merchant houses in the UNESCO-listed Ancient Town, mixing Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese styles. Tan Ky has carved wood and mother of pearl inlay, while Phung Hung has a hanging altar and a large upper floor. Family members often guide visitors through the rooms.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site in a jungle valley about an hour from Hoi An, with the ruins of Hindu temples built by the Champa kingdom from the 4th to the 13th centuries. Many were damaged by bombing in the war. Go early in the morning to avoid heat and crowds, and bring water.
The Fujian Assembly Hall was built by Chinese traders from Fujian, with an ornate gate, dragon fountain and a hall honoring the sea goddess Thien Hau. Nearby, Quan Cong Temple honors a Chinese general with a large statue and a carp pond. Both are included in the Ancient Town tickets.
Five limestone and marble hills between Hoi An and Da Nang, each named for an element. Thuy Son, the largest, has caves with Buddhist shrines, pagodas and viewpoints over the coast. An elevator saves part of the climb, and the stone carving village at the base sells statues.
In the evening the Thu Bon riverside in the Ancient Town glows with hundreds of silk lanterns, and visitors float paper lanterns on the water from small boats. On the full moon each month, the town dims electric lights for a lantern festival. Sunset boat rides are cheap but agree prices first.
A busy market on the riverfront at the eastern end of the Ancient Town, selling fresh produce, fish, spices and household goods. Inside is a food hall where you can try local dishes like cao lau and mi Quang at low prices. Go in the morning to see the fish market at its busiest.
An evening market on Nguyen Hoang Street across the An Hoi bridge, with rows of colorful silk lanterns, souvenir stalls and street food such as grilled pork skewers and banana pancakes. It opens around dusk and is very busy. Bargain politely, and take photos of the lantern stalls without blocking them.
A farming village a short bike ride from the Ancient Town, known for growing fragrant herbs and greens organically with seaweed from the lagoon. Visitors can join farmers to water and tend the beds, then take a cooking class. Cycle there in the cool of morning on quiet country lanes.
A water coconut palm forest a few kilometers east of Hoi An, where locals paddle visitors around in round basket boats, often with singing, spinning and crab fishing demonstrations. It can feel touristy and loud, so ask your boat driver for a quiet route deeper among the palms.
Thanh Ha is a village of potters west of town, where you can watch families throw clay and try the wheel yourself. The Cham Islands, about 20 minutes by speedboat, are a marine protected area with snorkeling and beaches. Boats do not run in rough seas, especially in the autumn monsoon.
A long sandy beach about 4 km north of the Ancient Town with relaxed beach bars, seafood restaurants and loungers that are often free if you buy food or drinks. It is easy to reach by bicycle. Swim only in calm conditions, as waves and currents can be strong from October to January.
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