The Best Things to do in Hoi An, Vietnam!

Vietnam has truly left a lasting impression on both Bree and me with its vibrant culture and stunning scenery, making it one of our favourite countries. Hoi An, in particular, stands out for the array of exciting activities, delicious food and rich cultural experiences that still hold a special place in our hearts to this day. There is so much to explore and enjoy in Vietnam, so let's jump in and discover it all!

How to get to Hoi An

By Flight

If your planning to fly, the closest airport is in Da Nang which is about a 45 minute drive away from downtown Hoi An. For best flight prices, we personally used Trip.com throughout our travels and we have had no problem with them. It's a great way to save money and earn credit points to help save even more money on future trips.

By Bus

The booking platform 12go allows you to search through numerous bus companies, to find the best and most affordable option to get from one destination to the next. 12go was our primary booking platform while we were traveling throughout Asia, so you can rest assured that they are a reliable method for booking transportation. Depending where you are travelling from you will find a bus that will take you to Hoi An. Some popular routes are from Hue, Ninh Binh, Nha Trang, Da Lat and Da Nang.

Where to Stay

Hoi An offers three main areas to stay in, each with its own unique benefits.

The first is An Hoi which is a perfect choice for those seeking close proximity to Hoi Ans vibrant nightlife. The area is filled with an abundance of bars, restaurants, and the renowned Night Market offering delicious street food, souvenirs, and clothing.

Next you have Cam Chau which is opposite of An Hoi in the sense that it is a very quiet neighbourhood with a relaxing calm atmosphere. The neighbourhood is surrounded by rice paddies and offers easy access to the nearby beaches while still remaining close to all major attractions.

Finally is the area of Cam Pho with its main positive being its many affordable accomodation options. Although their are no 'tourist' activities in the nearby area, it is still an accessible spot to access all the main highlights! This was the area we ended up staying in and for reference it was a place called 'Legend Connect Homestay'. This was honestly the best place we stayed in all of Vietnam, you get free peddle bikes to be able to explore the city, complimentary breakfast and the most loving and caring ladies who do their best to ensure you have the best time!

Coconut Boats

One of the most iconic activities to do in Hoi An is the famous Coconut boat ride. You know, the ones where they spin around really fast in a circular basket boat? Well, this is it! There are many different operators that offer this experience, but some are just a plain old tourist trap charging ridiculous prices.

But don't worry, we're here to help you avoid falling into any traps and to give you some tips on what to watch out for. Let's start by sharing our own personal experience. There were five of us in our group, and Bree and I made sure to book our tickets in advance, while the others planned to pay on arrival. When it was time to head to the location, we decided to order a Grab (similar to Uber or a taxi) to get there. The driver asked if we were going to the coconut boats to which we responded yes. However, to our surprise, he took us to a more expensive option. We realised this when our friends inquired about the cost for the three of them and they were quoted a hefty $100 AUD! Compared to the tickets we got which was only $4.75 AUD per person that we booked through Klook, hosted by the company called Tuan Canh Basket Boat. The location can be a bit tricky to find, with no clear address. If you need help finding it, you can click here as I've pinned the correct spot for you.

So just be aware of this if you are getting transport to the boats and be sure to specify the company and location to the driver so you avoid being taken to the more expensive one.

Now, about our experience, we had an amazing time. The staff were so friendly and made our experience so much more enjoyable. The experience includes about a 30-45 minute journey through the Cam Thanh Coconut Forest. Along the way, you will experience your guide spinning you around on the boat which was an absolute blast! We also came across small platforms on the water where local Vietnamese people were doing Karaoke to the song 'Gangnam style' which you can ask your boat driver to go and join in on the fun. Additionally, the experience featured a famous boat show where a local Vietnamese performer showcased impressive spinning skills on the boat, which left us in awe. Without a doubt, this is a must-do attraction in Hoi An, and we highly recommend it to anyone visiting the area.

Lantern Boat Ride

When you search for pictures of Hoi An, you will likely come across numerous images of lanterns adorning the Thu Bon River. Not only can you admire this gorgeous sight, you can book tickets to have the experience of a boat ride and the opportunity to drop your very own lantern onto the river. As it is one of the most popular activities to do in Hoi An, the ride itself only lasts about 15 minutes but it is definitely enough time to grab some photos and soak in the stunning surroundings.

If you can, plan your visit during the Lantern Festival night which usually happens once every month. You can view the upcoming dates for 2025 below! We had the chance to be there for one, and it's an experience we highly recommend. During this special evening, around 8pm, the river is adorned with even more boats and lanterns, creating a truly enchanting spectacle!

Hoi An Lantern Festival Dates

January 13th, 2025

February 11th, 2025

March 13th, 2025

April 11th, 2025

May 11th, 2025

June 9th, 2025

July 8th, 2025

August 7th, 2025

September 5th, 2025

October 5th, 2025

November 3rd, 2025

December 3rd, 2025

Lantern Making Class

If dropping your own lantern in the Thu Bon River wasn't enough to experience lantern culture, there's an awesome class you can take to make your very own! You can find this class at the Tieng Vong Pho Lantern workshop  located on Tran Cao Van street. During the 1-2 hour class, you'll receive guidance from helpful instructors who will assist you through your creative journey. The workshop offers a wide selection of fabrics and designs for you to choose from, allowing you to create your very own personalised lantern. Bree and I thoroughly enjoyed this class, and we believe it is a must-visit when you're in Hoi An! You can book tickets for the class here.

Thanh Ha Pottery Village

Just 3 km west of Hoi An, you'll find the fascinating Thanh Ha Pottery Village, rich in history and culture. Pottery craftsmanship has been a cherished tradition in Thanh Ha, holding great significance for Hoi An and the entire region. Upon arrival, there is an entry fee of 35,000 VND ($2 AUD) at the gate or you can conveniently pre-book your tickets here! The village is expansive, featuring numerous streets adorned with various pottery stores. Some of these stores offer pottery items for sale, while others provide the opportunity for people to partake in pottery classes.

Day trip to Da Nang

If you chose not to stay in Da Nang during your Vietnam holiday, taking a day trip from Hoi An is a wonderful alternative. The city is just a 20-minute drive from Hoi An, and there are numerous transportation options available, including shuttle buses and motorbike rentals, making the journey incredibly convenient. For more detailed information on things to do in Da Nang, you can check out our blog here where we thoroughly explore every aspect of planning a day trip to Da Nang!

Hoi An Memories Land

Hoi An Memories Land is situated alongside the picturesque Hoai River, just a 25-minute stroll from the old town. The highlight of the land is the renowned Memories Show, which stands as the largest live performance in Vietnam. The show commences at 7:30pm and features a world-class production complete with lifelike background settings, state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, and the involvement of nearly 500 professional performers. In addition to immersing yourself in the beautiful surroundings, there are also numerous mini shows available for viewing beforehand. To make the most of your experience, we recommend arriving at the opening time of 4pm. You can book your tickets online here.

Get a tailored suit/dress

Arguably one of the most popular activities in Hoi An is getting a custom tailored suit or dress, which is particularly attractive to foreigners due to its affordability compared to their home countries.

Hoi An's tailoring industry has been shaped by its history as a trading port, where expertise in tailoring developed as a result of importing silk and textiles from China, Japan, and Europe. The skills of Hoi An's tailors have been refined over generations, passed down from master to apprentice, resulting in each garment being a true work of art. Hoi An boasts over 500 tailor shops, and a significant number of the five million annual visitors leave with custom-made clothing.

With so many fantastic options, we can't recommend one particular store however we can provide a rough price guide based on our experience. For us, I spent $150 AUD for a 3 piece tailored suit and Bree paid $150 AUD for a 2 piece suit and a white silk dress totalling $300 AUD or 5,000,000 VND. We found the prices to be reasonable, but it's always a good idea to shop around and engage in friendly negotiation to get the best deal.

Creme Brule Coffee & Banh Mi

When visiting Vietnam, you simply can't miss the opportunity to indulge in their delightful coffee. In Hoi An, we highly suggest checking out Bill Coffee & Tea as for us this place has some of the best tasting coffee their is! They offer an array of exceptional coffee options, including coconut coffee, indulgent egg coffee, and our personal favourite, the irresistible Creme Brule Coffee.

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Fun Fact

Vietnam is the second largest export of coffee in the world!

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While exploring Vietnam, one cannot overlook the chance to savour a classic backpacker favourite: the Banh Mi sandwich. Made with a short baguette and a diverse selection of fillings, it's simply a must-try item. The place in Hoi An called Madam Khanh is renowned for serving the finest Banh Mi, featuring a tempting variety of delicious options to choose from. With so many to choose from it's hard to recommend one but for only $2-$2.50 AUD for a banh mi, you may as well try more then one!

Summary

So there you have it, those are in our opinion the best things to do in Hoi An, Vietnam. If our blog has inspired you and got you excited about visiting this beautiful historic town then we would really appreciate it if you left a like, comment and share our blog using the buttons below.

Until next time

Bree & Aiden