Hoi An
Ancient trading port with lantern-lit streets, tailor shops, and riverside charm.
About Hoi An
Hoi An is a town preserved in amber. Once one of Southeast Asia's busiest trading ports, this UNESCO World Heritage site retains the architecture of its Japanese, Chinese, and European merchant past — timber-framed houses painted in buttery yellow, covered bridges, and assembly halls thick with incense smoke. When the sun sets, the town switches off its electricity and switches on thousands of silk lanterns in crimson, saffron, and jade, transforming the Thu Bon River into a ribbon of floating light. By day, tailors work magic with scissors and fabric, creating bespoke suits and silk dresses in 24 hours. Cyclo drivers offer leisurely tours past bougainvillea-draped walls, while cooking schools teach the secrets of cao lau and white rose dumplings. Just beyond the ancient town, rice paddies stretch to the sea, and An Bang Beach offers a perfect antidote to sightseeing with its golden sand and beachfront cafes. Hoi An does not try to impress; it simply enchants. And long after you have returned home, the memory of lantern light on water will call you back.
Best Time to Visit
February to April and September to November. February-April is dry and mild, ideal for beach and cycling. September-October may bring occasional rain but the town is less crowded. The full moon monthly lantern festival is magical but requires advance booking.
Top Attractions
The UNESCO-listed Ancient Town with its 18th-century merchant houses and assembly halls; the Japanese Covered Bridge with its monkey and dog guardian statues; An Bang Beach for swimming and seafood dining; Tra Que Herb Village where organic vegetables are grown in river silt; and the vibrant night market for lanterns, leather goods, and street food.
Photo Gallery
Travel Tips
- Visit the Ancient Town after 5 PM when motorbikes are banned and the lanterns come alive
- Get a custom suit or dress made — Hoi An tailors are world-famous and turnaround is 24-48 hours
- Release a paper lantern on the river for good luck (1-2 USD)
- Cycle to Tra Que Village early morning to see farmers tending organic herb gardens
- Try cao lau at Morning Glory restaurant — Hoi An's signature noodle dish is only authentic here
- Book accommodation inside or near the Old Town to fully experience the evening atmosphere
