What to do & Where to stay in Hoi An, Vietnam 2025? (Itinerary)
- Afrah F
- 2 hours ago
- 7 min read
Our second stop in Vietnam was Hoi An. We started our trip from Saigon and took the Vietnam Sleeper Train to Da Nang. When we arrived, it was raining, but the whole town looked breathtaking. They don't lie when they say Hoi An is full of lanterns. We were wondering where to stay in Hoi An, and luckily, we picked the right place. Keep reading to find out.
Hoi An was once a thriving port city dating back to the 15th century. Known for its well-preserved architecture, lantern-lit streets, and fusion of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese influences, it’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
How to get to Hoi An?
Located in central Vietnam, Hoi An is a small ancient city nestled beside Da Nang. You’ll most likely land in Da Nang to get here, unless you’re coming by bus or private transport. Transport in Vietnam is a separate experience.
By Flight - Both Domestic and International flights land at Da Nang Airport. It takes approximately 1 hour from both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to reach Da Nang. Domestic flights cost about 60$ p.p one-way.
By Train - The SE2 sleeper train has a main stop at Da Nang station. If you're getting in from either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, it would be a 17-hour journey to reach Da Nang. A Vietnam sleeper train ride on a standard 4-berth cabin costs about 62$ p.p one-way.
Should we stay in Hoi An or Da Nang?
If it's your first time in Vietnam, we recommend staying in Hoi An for the first 2 days and visiting Da Nang on the 3rd day. That is, of course, on a 10-day itinerary in Vietnam. If you stay longer, you can stay in both cities and explore the entirety.
How many days in Hoi An?
If you're wondering how many days in Hoi An, 2 days are enough to explore Hoi An Town. Though it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there's very little for common travellers to see and experience. Apart from the quaint little Old Town, if you're an adventurer, you'll quickly get bored of this ancient city.
Best time to travel to Hoi An
Hoi An is a coastal city that tends to be wet throughout the year, but some months are better than others. When we visited, parts of the city had just recovered from flooding the week before. For the best weather, plan your visit between February and April, or even May. If you’re heading there in October or December, be prepared for frequent showers. Flip-flops and a raincoat are non-negotiables.
When to avoid visiting Hoi An?
Avoid travelling to Hoi An in November — it’s peak storm season, and heavy rainfall often causes flooding, especially in the Old Town. Trust us, wading through water isn’t exactly the travel experience you want. On the upside, hotel rates are much cheaper during this time.
Is Hoi An Safe at Night?
Hoi An Old Town is very safe at night, and that’s when it truly comes alive - especially around the Thu Bon River, where floating lanterns light up the water. You’ll find tourists strolling the streets even close to midnight. But do note: most restaurants in the Old Town close by 10 p.m. We learned this the hard way on our second night and ended up wandering around for food at 11 p.m. Thankfully, we found a quiet café still open and managed to grab some chicken rice - we were the only ones there!
Where to stay in Hoi An, Vietnam? (Our recommendation)
Out of the different parts in Hoi An, I recommend the Minh An area, consisting of the UNESCO Heritage Site, Old Town and An Hoi. It's right in the central heart, and is closest to all the important events happening around you.
We stayed at a beautiful place called Hoianese Old Town Boutique hotel, which is newly opened, and they have a few other hotels around the area too. The hosts were lovely and helped us with all other bookings, including our Ba Na Hills tour. Little Hoi An Hotel is also a renowned accommodation option.
If you didn't find any good spots in the Old Town area, you can look for hotels in Cam An, which is on the coast, or Tan An, which is in Quang Nam, bordering Hoi An.
Things to do in Hoi An
Many travellers arrive in Hoi An expecting just colourful lanterns and charming streets. While that’s part of the charm, Hoi An has more to offer. Unfortunately, some visitors only stop by for a day or skip it entirely, thinking there’s not much to do.
Here are some amazing things you can do in Hoi An:
Tailor clothes - For some reason, you'd find many tailor shops in Hoi An, all offering great value for money. But keep in mind they need at least 2 days of turnaround to deliver, so make sure you give your order on the very first day in the city.
Experience the enchanted nightlife - Unlike the nightlife in Saigon, Hoi An offers an enchanting vibe, almost as if you're taken back in time to the 16th century. It's an experience every traveller to Vietnam must get.
Visit the Chinese Assembly Halls, Temples and the Japanese Bridge - They're all located in the Old Town, so you can cover them altogether in a couple of hours on foot.
Try the Hoi An Cuisine - Food in Hoi An is different from the food in Saigon and Hanoi. We found them to be a perfect mix of both spicy and mild. Even the Banh Mi in Hoi An tasted way better than the ones we tried in the main cities of Vietnam.
Visit the Beach - Both Hoi An and Da Nang are great places to unwind by the coast. However, most people opt for Da Nang beaches simply because they’re easier to reach.
Visit the My Son ruins - If you’ve got an extra day and love exploring ancient sites, don’t miss the My Son Sanctuary. It’s just about an hour’s drive from Hoi An and absolutely worth it for a change of scenery and some historical insight.
If Hoi An is your first stop in Vietnam, we recommend exchanging money here.
Hoi An 3-Day Itinerary with Da Nang
Out of all the cities we visited in Vietnam, Hoi An was the most budget-friendly - but if I’m being honest, it also bored me the quickest. The best Hoi An itinerary includes Da Nang as well.
Here's our cost-effective and practical 3-day itinerary for Hoi An and Da Nang.
Day 1
Explore Ancient Town on foot (Japanese Bridge, Tanky House, Quon Cong Temple, etc.)
Try the local cuisine (listed right below)
Visit the Night Market and watch the beautiful lanterns
Day 2
Take the Ba Na Hills and Golden Hand Bridge Tour (If you've already done this, you can visit My Son / Marble Mountains / Son Tra Monkey Mountain)
Watch Memories of Hoi An Open Air Show (No performance on Tuesday)
Day 3
Try the Basket Boat Ride (20 Minutes)
Head to Da Nang - Cho Con Market (local food), Dragon Bridge, My Khe Beach
Try Da Nang Street Food
Best Food to Try in Hoi An
To be honest, I was so excited about the food in Hanoi and Saigon that I completely overlooked the food aspect in Hoi An until I was right there, and I had to scramble all over Google to find the best delicacies.
I'm making things easy for you. Here are the must-try foods in Hoi An.
Banh Mi – Vietnamese baguette sandwich (In my view, Banh Mi in Hoi An tops others. Had the best ones here)
Banh Beo Banh Vac – White rose dumplings (It's special because one family is carrying forward the secret recipe, and you won't find the same one anywhere else)
Com Ga – Hoi An chicken rice
Banh Beo – Steamed rice pancakes with shrimp and braised meat
Banh Xeo – Stuffed shrimp pancake
Mi Quang – Quang noodles
You’ll find many of Hoi An’s signature eats in roadside shops, but for the most authentic experiences, we recommend a few standout spots. Head to White Rose Restaurant for the original dumplings, Banh Mi Phuong (made famous by Anthony Bourdain) for the classic Banh Mi, and Bale Well for their spring roll set menu that’s perfect for sharing. If you’re concerned about meat choices or hygiene, Mrs. Tam’s is a great tourist-friendly option.
Is Hoi An Worth It?
Absolutely! Hoi An at night is something truly special - glowing lanterns, riverside views, and a quiet charm that’s hard to match. It’s a small town packed with culture and stories, so learning a bit of its history beforehand will make your visit even more meaningful. Our trip to Hoi An and Da Nang in 2025 cost us roughly $150 (excluding Ba Na Hills and train tickets). Tip: ditch the taxis and walk wherever you can. It saves money and helps you soak in more of the atmosphere.
Is Da Nang Worth Visiting Separately?
As for Da Nang, it’s a lively city with plenty of locals, great food, beaches, and scenic hill views. But beyond that, there’s not a whole lot for casual wandering, especially for first-time visitors. When we walked around the city, the experience was a bit underwhelming. The rain had left the streets muddy, the sidewalks were patchy or missing, and the traffic was a challenge.
If you're short on time, we recommend travellers to do Da Nang as part of their Hoi An trip and not the other way around.
Wrapping Up
Hope this article helps you plan your Hoi An and Da Nang trip better. If you'd like, please support us by buying me a coffee so I can write more helpful articles like this
Comments