Hoi An – Vietnam’s well-preserved ancient town

[Vietnam Travel] 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

Merchants from China, Japan and later Europe settled in Hội An from the 15th to 19th centuries, creating a unique architectural fusion. Bring your camera as you tread the Japanese Bridge, Tấn Ký ancestral house, and Phúc Kiến Assembly Hall.

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Treat your taste buds

Dining in Hội An is pure pleasure. Farms and fishing boats contribute just-picked vegetables, seafood, herbs and fruit to the markets daily. Three quintessential Hội An dishes are cao lầu, hoành thánh, and white rose dumplings.

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. In Cẩm Thanh and Trà Quế, you’ll pass 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. Bring your books, beach blankets, and bikinis; or board a boat to the pristine shores of the Chàm Islands.

Marvel at Mỹ Sơn

Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary is a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site 40 kilometres from Hoi An. Tucked into a valley near a shaded stream, these temples were built by the Chàm people. The surviving structures date from the 7th to the 13th century.

Hoi An Weather

Expect rainy days and several storms from October 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 heat.

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Hoi An Transport

The international airport in Đà Nẵng is a 50-minute drive from the Ancient Town. There are domestic flights from Vietnam’s major cities to Đà Nẵng, as well as direct flights from regional hubs. Hội An can also be reached by bus or shuttle vans from nearby destinations, such as Nha Trang, Đà Nẵng or Huế. Walking and cycling is ideal for sightseeing in the Ancient Town and the countryside. Taxis and ride-hailing apps can also take you around. Ask your hotel about a private car for trips further afield.