Hội An is a place where the bold march of progress peters into a leisurely amble. In this one-time trading port, the Thu Bồn River meanders past crumbling shop houses and weathered pagodas, while sampans come and go from the old ferry quay. Outside the Old Town, two-lane roads slice through waving rice fields and emerge at a frothy coastline. Stay a couple of days, and Hội An's easygoing beauty and lantern-lit nights may leave you hopelessly beguiled.

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TOP THINGS TO DO IN HỘI AN:

Get lost in the Old Town

Hội An’s allure is distilled in the narrow streets of the Ancient Town. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was a bustling commercial hub from the 15th to early 19th centuries. Merchants from China, Japan and later Europe settled in Hội An, creating the unique architectural fusion you see today. The townscape -- its open market, tight alleys and wooden footbridges -- hasn’t changed. Bring your camera along as you tread the ornate Japanese Bridge, step inside the Tân Kỳ ancestral house, and wander the Phúc Kiến Assembly Hall.

Treat your taste buds

Dining in Hội An is pure pleasure. Farms all around contribute just-picked vegetables, herbs and fruit, and fishing boats yield their catches to the markets daily, so you’ll have no shortage of memorable meals. Three quintessential dishes in Hội An are cau lầu–a toothsome noodle dish–hoành thánh crispy wontons, and the oh-so-succulent white rose shrimp dumplings. But it’s the humble bánh mì that fosters culinary showdowns.

Sign up for a cooking lesson

Hội An is a magnet for foodies and cooks looking to learn the secrets of Vietnamese cuisine. Most cooking classes include a trip to the bountiful Hội An Market, although some will ferry you as far as the vegetable farms and fishing villages. Have a morning to spare? Try your hand at the cooking schools of Red Bridge, Morning Glory or Secret Garden.

Cycle in the countryside

Sunrise in Hội An is a prime time to grab your hat and hop on a bike. With any luck, you’ll find yourself in a sea of green, with water buffalo flicking their tails along the path and flocks of herons scattering on the horizon. The island of Cẩm Kim, a ferry hop away, is a lush, lovely landscape. In Cẩm Thanh and Trà Quế, you’ll pass quiet riverside lanes, vegetable farms, and frond-fringed ponds. 

Hit the beach

An Bàng Beach, just a 10-minute drive from the Ancient Town, promises seafood lunches, sandy stretches and cool waves. Soul Kitchen is a favourite chill-out spot to bring your books, beach blankets, and bikinis. For a full day of sun and surf, board the ferry to the Chàm Islands, where you’ll have pristine shores and a handful of diving spots all to yourself.

Shop for a new outfit

Hội An may charm your pants off, but it’ll also sew you a new pair. The streets are overflowing with tailors eager to stitch you an outfit in 24 hours. In the ready-to-wear category, check out the racks of cotton, linen, and silk threads at boutiques such as Papillon Noir and Metiseko. Jewellery and leather goods are also high on the list of temptations for shoppers. 

Marvel at Mỹ Sơn

An insightful diversion awaits 40 kilometres away at the Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site. Tucked into a valley near a shaded stream, these temples were built by the Chàm people, who established a thriving spice trade long ago in Central Vietnam. The surviving structures, which bear the scars of time and war, date from the 7th to the 13th century.

Watch My Hội An with Chau Le

Hoi An Itineraries

24 Hours in Hội An

Get in line for your banh mi fix at Banh My Phuong first thing, then poke around the stalls of the wet market to eye the day’s best produce. Cycle through the rice paddies to An Bang Beach for a seafood lunch and dip in the ocean. When the air cools, walk the streets of the Ancient Town, stopping to check out any stores that catch your fancy. Have a sumptuous Vietnamese dinner, and stroll back to your hotel in the glow of Hội An’s colourful lanterns.

48 Hours in Hội An

On your second morning in Hội An, sign up for one of the excellent cooking classes in town or visit the organic vegetable farms on Trà Quế. In the afternoon, divert yourself to the historical ruins at Mỹ Sơn, or do a self-guided tour of Hoi An's charming cafes and tea houses. Afterward, sip sundowners with a view of the river at Mango Mango, do a last-minute spot of shopping, then treat yourself to a well-deserved foot massage.

Hoi An Weather

Like the rest of Central Vietnam, Hội An weather can be unpredictable. Expect rainy days and several storms from September to January. If you arrive at the start of the year, bring a few extra layers to stay warm. March to May are the best months to visit, but you can also see Hội An from June to August, if you don’t mind the intense heat.

Transport to Hoi An

The easiest way to access Hội An is to fly into the international airport in Danang, a 30-minute drive from the Old Town. There are domestic flights from Vietnam’s major cities to Danang, as well as direct flights from Bangkok, Siem Reap, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong. Hội An can also be reached by bus from the North or South of Vietnam.