Top 23 Unforgettable Experiences in Hoi An Ancient Town You Shouldn't Miss

Hoi An Ancient Town is the perfect pathway for leisurely walks and admiring ancient architectural styles. It seems like Hoi An has no room for smoke and traffic jams. Therefore, at any time, you can leisurely stroll along the small streets to explore the ancient beauty through the hazy veil of time, enjoy the peacefulness of life, and indulge in the street food sold along the way. Walking around the streets is suitable for those who want to change the atmosphere from busy days in the hustle and bustle of city life to seek comfort and relaxation for the soul, and that's exactly the serene moment every traveler wants to have when visiting Hoi An.

Night cruising on the Hoai River is one of the must-do experiences when visiting Hoi An Ancient Town. Someone once said that if you want to know the life rhythm of the place you visit, explore it at night, and that's absolutely true. At that time, Hoi An becomes mysteriously beautiful with its ancient charm. And perhaps there's nothing more delightful than drifting peacefully on the tranquil river surface, admiring and savoring the sparkling Hoi An streets under the night lights.

As night falls, the Hoai River, already romantic, becomes even more mystical and serene. At this time, you cannot resist the charm of the shimmering lights emitted from the lanterns hung along the streets of the ancient town. If you happen to be in Hoi An on the full moon night, you will have the chance to witness and immerse yourself in a very romantic scene as the locals compete to release lanterns on the Hoai River. You should also rent a small boat to cruise around the river, joining in decorating the riverside with the light party and releasing the lanterns onto the dreamy Hoai River. Who knows, your heartfelt wishes may soon come true as you sincerely pray, and each lantern released may carry your dreams higher and farther.

Cao Lau is a very popular and famous dish in Hoi An, if you set foot here without trying this dish even once, it's like wasting your entire trip. The chewy noodles combined with the rich sweetness of roasted meat and crispy pork skin create a very delicious sensation. The sweet and sour taste of fish sauce, soy sauce, and broth mixed with the bitter taste of raw vegetables will bring you a unique and unforgettable flavor. You can find this specialty dish at Mrs. Be's restaurant (located in the market at the beginning of Tran Phu street), the entrance to alley 69 Phan Chau Trinh, Hat restaurant (at the intersection of Tran Phu and Hoang Dieu), or foreigner-friendly restaurants along Bach Dang street...

Hoi An boasts world-famous beaches with white sand, golden sun, and azure sea, always exerting a particularly strong allure that is hard to resist. Voted as one of the 50 most beautiful beaches in the world, An Bang Beach is increasingly known to a large number of tourists. Here, you can cool off from the intense heat of summer by immersing yourself in the cool, crystal-clear water. Therefore, strolling on the pristine beaches and immersing yourself in the refreshing water is indeed a very enjoyable experience when visiting Hoi An.

Coffee is available everywhere, but perhaps enjoying coffee in Hoi An brings you a truly different feeling. Holding a cup of hot coffee in your hand, gazing at the ancient town and the Hoai River in the dreamy morning is a memorable experience in Hoi An ancient town. The comfortable, tranquil atmosphere will bring you a sense of peace and serenity for your soul.

A British newspaper once remarked that Vietnamese baguette sandwiches are the most delicious and miraculous dish in the world, including Hoi An's bread. Here, there are famous sandwich shops that even attract foreign tourists, such as Phuong's bread (on Phan Chau Trinh street) or Mrs. Lanh's bread (Cua Dai...) where you may have to line up for a long time just to hold a delicious bread in your hand. With slices of pork, pate, fresh herbs, pickles, and the characteristic meat sauce, Hoi An bread is extremely fragrant and enticing.

One of the must-do activities when visiting Hoi An is joining in the bai choi game - a familiar game of the locals taking place every evening near the Hoai River bridge. While playing and enjoying the folk melodies, you can learn more about the local customs of the people here. Immersing yourself in the lively atmosphere of these traditional folk games will surely bring you joy, relaxation, and comfort after stressful working days.

It can be said that the charming beauty of the ancient town has a great attraction for tourists, even those who rarely take selfies are inspired to take commemorative photos. Hoi An was also ranked 3rd in the list of the world's best selfie spots by Buzz Feed Travel. So, when you come here, don't forget to take photos with famous landmarks like the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Hoai Riverbank, or the walls along Hoang Van Thu Street...

Hoi An offers many enticing attractions for tourists, one of which is the option to have tailored fashion items made on the same day. You can have clothes, bags, shoes, sandals, and more tailored in just 4 hours, providing you with the desired items promptly. Additionally, with its unique fashion style, professional service, and affordable prices ranging from 15 to 100 USD, the 'hot tailor' shops in Hoi An leave a lasting impression on travelers.

If you have the chance to visit Hoi An Ancient Town, don't miss out on Cu Lao Cham Island - one of the islands that still retains its pristine beauty, located about 15 km away. There are many types of services you can experience here, and one of them is diving to admire the coral reefs, staying in homestays with locals, having bonfires, and enjoying fresh seafood.

Hoi An is famous for its tranquil and ancient pedestrian streets. However, for a new experience, try exploring this world heritage site by bicycle. In Hoi An, most hotels, guesthouses, and homestays offer bicycle rental services, and there are many bike rental shops on the streets with very affordable prices, starting from 20 - 40,000 VND/day.

Cycling around the ancient town is safe and convenient; you can easily navigate through narrow alleys to discover a new Hoi An with hidden charms. You can stop anywhere to shop, enjoy street food, or explore ancient houses, colorful walls, and vibrant paper flower shops... Riding a bike in a quiet space, without motor noise or urban smells, you will truly feel the essence of an authentic ancient town, peaceful and full of nostalgic flavors.

In Hoi An, there are houses with ancient styles that are considered priceless heritage, still preserved to this day despite wars, urbanization, and natural disasters. These houses are not only beautiful in appearance but also carry the ancient architecture and soul, adorned with moss and steeped in history. Some of the ancient houses you can visit here include Tan Ky, Phung Hung, Quan Thang, and Phuc Kien Assembly Hall...

This is a coffee shop voted as one of the top 5 most famous coffee shops in Hoi An, Mia café has its own unique charm that cannot be found anywhere else. Not located in the bustling ancient town, nor extravagantly decorated like many other places, Mia café always makes me feel relaxed while enjoying a strong cup of cappuccino and watching the bustling crowd passing by.

The owner of the shop is from Da Nang, dropped out of studying Economics to pursue his own coffee brand through self-exploration and research. Every time I chat with him, I feel like I'm getting more motivation to pursue my dreams in youth. Seeing the proud 90s owner talk about the bumpy road he has gone through, I understand more about the value of passion and perseverance.

When in Hoi An, you must sit at a café, enjoy a cup of pure, lightly fragrant coffee, and watch the people strolling back and forth. It's an experience that everyone who visits hopes to come back to. For something more refreshing, visit rooftop cafes and restaurants, where you can enjoy your drink while admiring Hoi An from a new, unique perspective. Here, you'll see old mossy-red-roofed houses, simple yet romantic windows, bustling pedestrian streets, and most importantly, the stunning sunset.

Couleur D’asie showcases the famous paintings of Rehahn, one of the top 10 portrait photographers in the world.

Rehahn, a French photographer, traveled to over 35 countries before choosing Hoi An (Quang Nam) as his second home. He is particularly known for his portrait photography in Vietnam, Cuba, and India, recognized as a photographer who 'captures the soul of his subjects' (Paris Match, 8-2015). Rehahn spends considerable time building close relationships with the people he meets and photographs, leading to the 'Give and Receive' project as a token of his gratitude.

The 'Precious Heritage' art photography museum by Rehahn opened on January 1, 2017, in Hoi An, displaying over 200 photos of Vietnam, its diverse cultures, and over 30 original ethnic costumes.

Bonded with Vietnam for many years, Rehahn feels an invisible connection with its people and land. Besides documenting Vietnamese lives nationwide, he endeavors to help those in need, including adopting two children in Hoi An, organizing charity programs to provide warm clothes to highland areas, sponsoring education and living expenses for underprivileged families, among many other volunteer works for Vietnam and its people. He often says, Vietnam has given him so much, and he is doing everything he can to give back to this country.

Located 4 km from the center of Hoi An, Tra Que vegetable village is a place for travelers who enjoy the fresh air and tranquility of the soul after busy working days. Hoi An is truly a wonderful place, with the sea, ancient town, countryside, and rice fields, everything basic that people expect. A sunny afternoon, cycling around the winding alleys of the vegetable village brings a strange peace to the heart. The road is deserted and quiet. Every moment, we look up and catch the brilliant sunset, illuminating the horizon.

What's so attractive about Hoang Van Thu that draws young people? These are the beautiful scenes in Hoi An you should visit. It's the famous 'legendary' brick wall, known for having a white moss-covered wall amidst the golden walls.

This famous wall isn't entirely smooth; the moss patches create very eye-catching patterns on the wall. The wall is also adorned with three blue door panels, with swirling lines along the top. Surely, standing here for a photo, you'll have some very 'artsy' shots. When someone asks you what you did in Hoi An, introduce them to this Hoang Van Thu street.

Visiting Hoi An, you must absolutely stop by the Hoi An Japanese Covered Bridge not only for a check-in but also to learn more about its historical and cultural significance. You'll find it fascinating to carry the 'mini' Japanese Covered Bridge with you every day because the image of this structure is printed on the back of the 20,000 VND bill, and now in front of you is the real 'super-sized' version.

Built by the Japanese, spanning a small stream, this bridge-cum-pagoda features a sophisticated, globally unique design constructed of wood, with columns made of brick tiles, and a beautifully decorated arched roof with intricate Vietnamese motifs.

The Japanese Covered Bridge is a favorite spot for many young people to snap check-in photos because of its unique bridge design with the pinkish-red paint of the bridge creating extremely 'adorable' pictures.

Just 3km west of Hoi An's Old Town lies Thanh Ha Pottery Village, situated in Pham Phan, Block 5 of Thanh Ha Ward. This 300-year-old pottery village boasts rows of ancient trees lining its lanes, and freshly shaped ceramic products are laid out to dry along the roadside. The village's pathways are all paved with fired bricks, and its roofs are covered with traditional clay tiles.

The souvenir shops selling pottery items like bowls, plates, and decorative plant pots are beautifully adorned with vibrant colors. You can even try your hand at crafting your own pottery under the guidance of skilled artisans. When visiting this craft village, don't forget to explore the pottery park. It's an unmissable destination on your Hoi An travel itinerary.

Hoi An's distinctive feature is its lanterns. While capturing photos with lanterns during the day is beautiful, when night falls, the illuminated lanterns become even more dazzling and vibrant. Lanterns are hung along the streets, adorning many shops and stores.

If you're wondering what to do in Hoi An at night, I suggest you experience the Lantern Street. Lantern making in Hoi An dates back nearly 400 years, with artisans meticulously crafting each lantern. Hoi An lanterns exude softness and elegance, featuring bamboo frames covered with colorful silk fabric adorned with intricate patterns.

One of Hoi An's most beautiful attractions is the Bay Mau Coconut Forest, where lush coconut trees line both sides of the emerald river. In this eco-tourism area, you can experience an exhilarating boat ride on a round bamboo basket boat. Sitting inside the basket boat while the boatman stands and skillfully paddles, spinning the boat rapidly on the water without throwing you off, is an adrenaline-pumping adventure.

Hoi An offers numerous places to explore, each with its own unique history and captivating beauty. Every destination has its own story, its own allure, making every spot in Hoi An a delightful discovery.

The Hoi An Silk Village is located at 28 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, just 1km from the center of Hoi An, making it convenient and easy to reach. This is a beautiful spot in Hoi An, as the 300-year-old village is surrounded by lush greenery, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in and learn about the finest products of the traditional village.

In addition to the traditional craft villages, Hoi An also boasts incredibly attractive tourist areas, where the spatial designs will help you relax and immerse yourself in nature.