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20 Best Things To Do In Hoi An To Have Memorable Moments

There are many attractive things to do in Hoi An for travelers to have wonderful moments, like Hoi An Ancient Town, The Japanese Covered Bridge, The Lantern Festival, My Son Sanctuary,… Let’s read Seni World’s blog below to know more!

Explore Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An Ancient Town is the heart attraction in Hoi An, which has numerous beautiful centuries-old houses, colorful lantern-lit streets, and conventional local shops. All of them will bring travelers a feeling of being transported back in time. Walking here, it is similar to going into a dwelling and a valuable museum with inspiration from China, Japan, and Europe.

Hoi An is a fascinating ancient town

Let’s spend your day exploring Hoi An Ancient Town’s slender lanes, pretty wooden houses, and brilliant lanterns. The mixture of local tailors and coffee shops, as well as art galleries, makes every corner in this town worth stopping at. Let’s try to visit at nightfall when the lanterns glow to revel in a magical and romantic atmosphere, which is one of the best things to do in Hoi An.

Visit The Japanese Covered Bridge

This iconic Japanese Covered Bridge is not only a well-known architectural wonder in Hoi An, but it is also a cultural symbol of this town. Constructed by the Japanese community in the 16th century, until now, the bridge still impresses travelers thanks to the careful carvings and timeless splendor. You can take your time crossing the bridge slowly and see the guardian statues. At night, it is superbly lit, providing a distinctive captivation in comparison to daytime.

Japanese Covered Bridge in Hoi an

Join The Lantern Festival

The next within the top things to do in Hoi An is taking part in the Lantern Festival. It is held monthly on the full-moon day and makes this place at its most enthralling. This time, Hoi An switches off electric lights, glowing only with brilliant lanterns. You can choose to float a candle-lit lantern on the Thu Bon River and make a wish for fortune and health. This will be a festive and serene vibe, which is an unforgettable memory for both local people and travelers.

Lantern Festival in Hoi An Ancient Town

Get Tailored Clothes

Hoi An is well-known for its local tailors, with skilled artisans creating and tailoring various custom garments within days. From luxury suits to dresses, both the quality and affordability are perfect. Even in case you don’t need formal clothes, you may have casual apparel made. You only need to convey a concept or just an image, and then the tailors will turn it into the real one for you.

Take A Boat Ride On The Thu Bon River

The world-famous Thu Bon River cuts through the beautiful heart of Hoi An – Hoi An Ancient Town, offering a peaceful view of the old town. You can book a conventional wooden boat tour, and it will carry you beyond sparkling lanterns and riverside shops. Let’s communicate with friendly local people and vendors here to know more about their daily lives.

Take A Boat Ride On The Thu Bon River

At sunset, the water of the Thu Bon River reflects wonderful golden light, making a poetic and attractive scene for you to witness. This is one of the best ways, as well as highlighting things you can not miss on the Hoi An itinerary, to absorb the old town’s romantic atmosphere. Don’t forget to take some photos to save this memorable moment and share them with your networks.

Visit Assembly Halls

The Assembly Halls of Hoi An were constructed by Chinese communities in a grand and distinctive style. They are now not just places of worship but also wonderful centers of cultural heritage. At this destination, Phuc Kien and Quang Dong halls stand out with complicated gates, altars, and dragon decorations. Visiting here, travelers can have a chance to gain a deeper insight into Hoi An’s multicultural roots.

Assembly Halls in Hoi an

 

Discover Hoi An Central Market

The Hoi An Central Market is dynamic with many different types of vendors promoting spices, silk, and fresh produce. This market is a place where local people shop, showing an actual slice of daily life. You can try bargaining with local vendors, taste delicious street foods, or purchase souvenirs for your family and friends. The travel attractions, special smells, and sounds make the market a lively and colourful stop.

Relax At An Bang Beach

Just a short trip from the center of Hoi An Ancient Town, An Bang Beach is ideal for swimming, sunbathing, or reveling in fresh seafood by the sea. The famous An Bang Beach has clean sands and a laid-back, pleasant vibe. Let’s rent comfortable loungers, enjoy interesting beach bars, or really loosen up with a cold drink, especially when traveling in Summer. Moreover, the sunrise right here is particularly impressive.

An Bang beach in hoi an

Visit Cham Islands

Cham Islands (also called Cu Lao Cham) is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and an eco-paradise close to Hoi An. This place has pristine beaches, coral reefs, as well as a peaceful view of the local fishing community. At Cu Lao Cham, you should try various exciting and thrilling activities, consisting as snorkeling, diving, or hiking across the islands. Day trips are common, but staying overnight at these islands permits a quieter and true enjoyment for vacationers.

summer At Cham Islands in da nang

Cycle Through Rice Fields

One of the great things to do in Hoi An with kids is cycling through rice fields to discover the town’s countryside. Slender paths here lead you through lush, emerald rice paddies, pretty buffalo-dotted fields, and serene, tranquil villages. The air is fresh, and the pace of the local people is slow, so it is best for travelers who want to unwind. Many excursions to Hoi An’s countryside also include some cultural destinations at traditional craft villages.

cycling in hoi an

Take A Cooking Class

Hoi An is very famous for its traditional local foods, and cooking lessons provide you with a hands-on indoor experience, and it will be the answer to the question of what to do in Hoi An when raining. Most classes begin with an exciting journey to the local market nearby to buy fresh ingredients. When going to the market, the cook will explain each ingredient’s meaning to you.

After that, you will turn back to the class and learn how to prepare conventional dishes in Hoi An, including Cao Lau (Hoi An Vermicelli) and Banh Bao Banh Vac (White Rose Dumplings). It will be both a funny and a realistic experience, particularly for international travelers. At the end of this cooking class, you can get to flavor your work together.

cooking class in hoi an

Explore Tra Que Vegetable Village

Tra Que Vegetable Village is a small farming village located outside Hoi An. In this village, the local people use conventional methods to grow herbs and vegetables without chemicals. You can ask them to take part in all processes, from planting, watering, and harvesting, then trying a unique farm-to-table meal. You will have a chance to chill ruin from the busy town.

Visit My Son Sanctuary

In the past, My Son Sanctuary was an ancient Hindu temple built by the Champa Kingdom, and now, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is regularly known as the “Angkor Wat of Vietnam.” Wandering among mossy ruins, you will sense both history and spirituality deeply. You also need to remember to cross early morning to avoid crowds and heat, especially in Summer.

My Son Santuacry in hoi an

Visit Tan Ky Old House

This 200-year-old Tan Ky Old House combines Vietnamese, Japanese, and Chinese design and architecture. Its interiors are well-preserved, telling travelers the story of long-lasting Hoi An’s trading days. Because of various fascinating family histories, Tan Ky Old House is more than just a building in this Central Vietnam itinerary. It is a window into the everyday lifestyles of wealthy merchants centuries in the past.

Try Hoi An’s Street Food

The next answer to the question of what to do in Hoi An is to try the Hoi An street food. Based on the sharing of many travelers all over the world through social media platforms, Hoi An’s food scene is legendary. When arriving here, don’t miss Cao Lau (Hoi An Vermicelli), Mi Quang (Quang-Style Noodle), and Banh Xeo (Steamed Rice Cakes). Street carriers and small eateries here sell dishes packed with the authentic flavor at a low price. Eating in Hoi An is as much a cultural experience as sightseeing.

hoi an street food

Explore Hoi An Night Market

At night in Hoi An, Nguyen Hoang Street becomes a lively and unique market of lanterns, conventional souvenirs, and road snacks. It is colorful, energetic, and perfect for an evening stroll. You can freely shop for crafts, revel in a lantern release on the poetic river, or just soak in the festive vibe of the night market. It will be the most atmospheric area to spend your night.

hoi an night market

Try Basket Boat Rides In Cam Thanh Village

Basket boats are round bamboo boats, which are specific to Vietnam. In Cam Thanh Village, the local people will row you through nipa palm forests. A few even take part in particular boat-spinning tricks. This activity is both a cultural and entertaining experience for travelers, especially global vacationers. It is an amusing mixture of culture and adventure in Vietnam, in general, and in Hoi An, in particular.

ride boat on cam thanh coconut village

Visit Museums Of Hoi An

Hoi An has several museums, consisting of the Museum of Folklore and the Museum of Trade Ceramics. Each keeps part of the town’s history, society, culture, and daily lives. These museums in Hoi An are small but still very insightful, is one of the best things to do in Hoi An on rainy days. A museum pass generally covers access to multiple sites.

Enjoy Coffee In Riverside Cafés

Hoi An has many different beautiful cafés overlooking the river. Some are cutting-edge, others rustic, and all have a chilled atmosphere. Therefore, when visiting Hoi An, you can not miss out on ordering a Vietnamese iced coffee and watching boats go with the peaceful flow. This thing will be an excellent pause between sightseeing. Let’s take some memorable photos of these scenes to keep this serene moment.

enjoy a cup of coffee in riverside

Join A Lantern-Making Workshop

Hoi An is well-known for lanterns, and you can discover ways to craft one yourself. You can join some workshops on how to step-by-step shape and uniquely decorate your lantern. This activity is very hands-on, innovative, and you also get a meaningful and pretty souvenir to take home. Many vacationers say it is one of their most favored activities in the Hoi An adventure.

Final Thoughts: Is Hoi An Worth Traveling?

Hoi An is a fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts various travelers because it combines history, culture, as well as natural beauty. If you want to take a Hoi An trip, consult interesting things to do and see in Hoi An, or the best time to visit Hoi An, as well as receive support for the visa process, let’s contact Seni World, a reputable tour operator from Vietnam. We are here to help you from A to Z on your brilliant Hoi An discovery adventure.

Linh Nguyen
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