Hoi An is a historical city in Vietnam country. Because of the rich heritage and unique cultural blend, this city attracts many tourists who come and visit yearly. In this article, we will delve into the enchanting Hoi An Ancient Town of Vietnam. From the location and history to the many famous attractions and cuisine in this old town. This article will make your trip to Hoi An more exciting and unforgettable.
Where Is Hoi An Ancient Town Vietnam?
Hoi An Ancient Town is a captivating destination within Quang Nam Province. This enchanting town is nestled along the banks of the Thu Bon River. During the 15th to 19th centuries, this city was a vibrant trading port in Vietnam. The merchants from many countries in the world come and exchange goods in this port.
This old town is situated approximately 30 kilometers south of Da Nang. With this distance, it will take from 40 to 50 minutes to come to Hoi An from Da Nang. There will be many vehicle options for tourists to choose from such as private car, jeeps, motorbikes,… So, let’s come and discover this wonderful city right now!
Historical Story Of Hoi An Ancient Town Vietnam
Hoi An Ancient Town has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. From the 15th to 19th centuries, this city was a vibrant international trading port. During this time, many merchants came and exchanged goods making this city a busy and crowded area.
With the appearance of many merchants from many countries in the world, this city has a blend of traditions and cultures from Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, Indian, and French traders, among others, settled here. So, when you come to this city you will see both the architectural and cultural legacies of Asia and Europe. Furthermore, you can see the iconic architecture built by the Japanese community in the 16th century – the Japanese Covered Bridge.
Weather In Hoi An Ancient Town
HOI AN WEATHER
Hoi An has two seasons: the dry season and the wet season.
Dry season: The season is from February to August, these months are the most popular time for tourists to visit this wonderful city. During these months, the weather will be mild and sunny, so it is perfect for discovery and outdoor activities. Therefore, if you want to seek perfect sunny days, the dry season can be the best time for you to explore this old town and enjoy many interesting outdoor activities.
Wet season: This season is from August to January. During this time, the weather can be quite humid and prone to heavy rains in Hoi An. October and November are considered the peak of the rainy season. Because of heavy rain, this is the low peak season for tourists in this old town.
Hoi An Attractions
Hoi An will have wonderful attractions for tourists to discover. All the attractions we mentioned below are the famous destinations that you can consider visiting when you come to this old city.
Hoi An Ancient Town
Entrance fee: 120.000 VND/Adult, 80.000 VND/Child under 10 years old.
Hoi An Ancient Town is always the emblem of this city. This town has many old houses and architecture from many centuries ago. When you come to this ancient town, you can take a stroll through the streets and admire many old houses and wonderful architecture. Along the way, you can find a bustling market and beautiful shops.
Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu)
The Japanese Covered Bridge is also a symbolic bridge of Hoi An Ancient Town. This bridge was built in the 16th century by the Japanese community. You can stand on the Japanese Covered Bridge and admire many beautiful landscapes in Hoi An at night.
Tan Ky Old House
Address: 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
The Tan Ky Old House is a superb example of Hoi An’s traditional architecture. This 200-year-old house offers the traditions and historical architecture of Hoi An many centuries ago. This historical house is also the hot check-in for tourists and young people when they come to this old town.
Phung Hung Old House
Address: 4 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
Phung Hung Old House is another architectural place with a blend of Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese design. This old house was built over 240 years ago in this old town. So, when you arrive at this house, you will be surprised by the wonderful and exquisite architecture here.
Fujian Assembly Hall Hoi An
Address: 46 Tran Phu Street, Cam Chau, Hoi An
Fujian Assembly Hall is a testament to the Chinese community’s influence in Hoi An. This ornate hall, built in the 17th century, served as a place of worship and community gatherings. Its architectural details and tranquil courtyards offer for tourists a into Chinese culture in Hoi An.
Cantonese Assembly Hall
Address: 176 Tran Phu Street, Hoi An
The Cantonese Assembly Hall, also known as Quang Trieu, reflects the Cantonese immigrants’ contributions to the town. It features intricate carvings, a beautiful courtyard and a rich history that is deeply intertwined with Hoi An’s past. With rich tradition and culture, this place attracts many tourists who come and visit daily.
Quan Cong Temple
Address: 24 Tran Phu Street, Cam Chau, Hoi An
Quan Cong Temple was officially built in 1653. This was also the most vibrant period in Hoi An Ancient Town. Without historical and spiritual value, this temple also attracts tourists because of its unique architecture and many unique festivals. This temple is open to welcome visitors from 6 a.m to 5 p.m every day with no fee.
Hoi An Central Market
In this market, you will see many kinds of ingredients and fresh kinds of seafood at affordable prices. You can also taste multiple featured foods such as Mi Quang, Com Ga,… Moreover, you can buy some souvenirs or handicrafts in this market to take home. So, if you want to see the daily activities of local people, you can come to this central market right now.
Tra Que Vegetable Village
If you are a nature lover, Tra Que Vegetable Village is a must-visit destination for you. This village is famous for its green vegetable fields and the traditional farming practices of Vietnam. You can experience cooking classes, ride a buffalo or watch a sunset or sunrise in this village. This will be a peaceful moment for you when you come to this village.
Thanh Ha Pottery Village
Address: Pham Phan, Hoi An, Quang Nam
This village is famous for both local people and tourists. You can admire the traditional pottery-making techniques in this pottery village. You will see the process of making pottery by local artisans in this place. Furthermore, you can try to make your own pottery under the guidance of the local artisans in this village.
Kim Bong Carpentry Village
This village has earned its reputation as a hub of traditional woodworking. When you come to this village, you can learn more about the tradition of carpentry. All of that makes this village attract many tourists to come and visit yearly.
Hoi An Silk Village
When you come to this village, you will see the process of silk making and weaving. Moreover, you can observe how skilled craftsmen are in the dyeing of Vietnamese silk. Trust me, this will be an interesting experience for you to learn about the traditions of Vietnam.
Tra Nhieu Fishing Village
Tra Nhieu Fishing Village is located 20 minutes from Hoi An center city. This village has gorgeous and peaceful landscapes for tourists to come and admire. When you come to this village, you can learn more about the daily activities of local people and their traditions.
Cam Thanh Coconut Village (Bay Mau Coconut Forest)
Cam Thanh Coconut Village is a famous attraction for tourists when they come to Hoi An City. When you come to this village, you can experience the basket boat dance from local people and taste local foods.
Cham Island (Cù Lao Chàm)
Cham Island is the place you can not miss when you come to Hoi An. This island has many kinds of colorful coral species and fauna. Without a diserve ecosystem, this island also has many gorgeous natural landscapes for you to admire. This island always attracts many tourists to come and relax because of the beautiful natural landscapes and biodiversity. Don’t hesitate to come and discover this islands right away!
An Bang Beach
An Bang Beach is one of the famous beaches in Hoi An. With gentle wind and waves, you can feel more peaceful when you come to this beautiful beach. If you want to escape from bustling city life, this beach will be the best choice. You can lounge on the soft sands, take refreshing dips in the turquoise waters or indulge in beachside massage services. So, when you come to this beach, you can taste multiple fresh seafood dishes and enjoy the natural landscapes.
Cua Dai Beach
Cua Dai beach will be another popular beach in this old city. This beach is situated around 5 kilometers from Hoi An’s ancient town. With the gentle wind and sunny, this beach will be the ideal spot for sunbathing for you to relax. Moreover, this beach also has multiple delectable seafood at reasonable prices for you to taste.
Hoi An Museum
Address: 10B Tran Hung Dao Street, Hoi An
Hoi An Museum has an area of about 800 square meters. Nowadays, this museum has still maintained the culture and tradition of Hoi An Ancient Town. When you come to this museum, you can learn more about the culture and life of Vietnamese people from many centuries ago. So, if you are a history lover, this can be a must-visit museum for you.
Museum of Trade Ceramics
Address: 80 Tran Phu Street, Hoi An
The Museum of Trade Ceramics was established in 1995. The museum currently houses more than 400 artifacts found at archaeological sites in Hoi An. This museum is open from 7 a.m to 9 p.m daily for tourists to visit.
Museum of Sa Huynh Culture
Address: 149 Tran Phu Street, Hoi An
The Museum of Sa Huynh Culture is a significant cultural attraction in Hoi An Ancient Town. This museum is dedicated to preserving many historical artifacts related to the Sa Huynh culture, which is an ancient civilization that thrived in this region over two thousand years ago. So, if you want to discover Sa Huynh culture, this is the best place for you to visit.
Hoi An Night Market
When the sun comes down, this city becomes more busy and vibrant than ever. This night market is a paradise of food and shopping. You can take a slow stroll along the Hoai River and through the market’s colorful stalls. Then, you can take a seat and enjoy local foods at affordable prices. Let’s come to Hoi An night market to admire this vibrant atmosphere right now!
Hoi An Impression Theme Park
Hoi An Impression Theme Park is also a must-visit for tourists when they come to Hoi An. This park has an area of about 10 hectares with many tourist-resort-cultural complexes. Don’t forget to bring a camera to take some wonderful pictures in this theme park. Furthermore, you can also admire the Hoi An Memories Show in this theme park. This is one of the famous traditional shows has tourists notice in Hoi An nowadays.
Hoai River
The Hoai River is also the emblem river of Hoi An. This river offers a peaceful and romantic moment for Hoi An Ancient Town. You can take a boat on the Hoai River and admire the beauty of this old town at night.
Hoi An Lanterns Festival (Full Moon Festival)
One of the most vibrant and enchanting events in Hoi An is the Hoi An Lantern Festival. This festival is taking place on the 14th day of each lunar month. The Lantern Festival illuminates Hoi An with thousands of colorful lanterns. During this time, the city will display many kinds of lanterns along the street. Tourists can admire the gorgeous scenery and the vibrant atmosphere in Hoi An. The festival features cultural performances, traditional games and religious rituals. This festival will show you the beauty traditions and culture of the town. You can also purchase their own lanterns to release into the river.
Activities In Hoi An Ancient Town Must-Try
Bai Choi
Bai Choi is a traditional Vietnamese game that combines elements of singing, acting and card games. You can gather with the local people and other tourists to play this traditional game. During this time, you can enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of this game and contact with local people. That’s so fantastic, right?
Hoi An Water Puppet Show
Let’s immerse ourselves in the captivating world of Vietnamese folklore and tradition by attending a Water Puppet Show in the charming town of Hoi An. As the curtains rise, the puppets emerge on the water, bringing to life a series of captivating stories that depict scenes from rural Vietnamese life, legends, and historical events. The stories are narrated in Vietnamese, but fear not; the performances are so visually engaging that language barriers hardly matter.
Hoi An Memories Show
If you love live performances that reappear the tradition of Hoi An, you can’t miss the Hoi An Memories Show. This grand open-air spectacle is set against the backdrop of Hoi An’s beautiful countryside, elaborate costumes and stunning visual effects. Furthermore, this show has over 500 performers not to mention about staff behind the show. So, this is a must-see show for you to admire the history and culture of Hoi An.
Rowing Boats on Hoai River and Releasing Lanterns
The thing you can’t miss when coming to Hoi An night market is the experience of taking a serene boat trip along the enchanting Hoai River and releasing lanterns. With the calm waters and beautifully preserved ancient architecture along the river, this is a gorgeous landscape you should admire.
When you release your lantern into the Hoai River, you should make a wish or say a prayer. Because local people believe this tradition would bring luck and happiness to you. The lantern along the river is an emblem of this old town in the evening. With many lanterns along the streets and river, Hoi An is more gorgeous when the dark comes.
Hoi An Specialties
Hoi An Chicken Rice (Cơm Gà Hoi An)
This dish is always an emblem in the picturesque town of Hoi An in Vietnam. Hoi An Chicken Rice combines fragrant rice, tender chicken and multiple flavorful ingredients to create a wonderful dish. This dish is a blend of flavors and delectable ingredients. This dish is carefully made from a medley of ingredients. So, when you come to Hoi An, don’t forget to taste this wonderful dish.
Cao Lau
Cao Lau is a noodle dish that is unique to Hoi An. This noodle will be served with pork, shrimp and fresh vegetables. This combination will make you fall in love at the first bite. There will have many stalls in Hoi An for you to sit and try this local noodle.
Mi Quang (Quang’s Noodle)
The first dish must-try when you come to Da Nang is Quang Noodles. This is a famous specialty of Da Nang. This dish will be turmeric-infused to have a beautiful yellow color. You will taste this featured dish with succulent meats and fresh herbs. Furthermore, Mi Quang has many kinds of flavors such as seafood or vegetarian options for you to try.
Banh Mi Hoi An
Banh Mi Hoi An is the best art of Vietnam cuisine. You will taste the blend of savory, sweet, sour and spicy flavors when you enjoy this wonderful dish. All of the ingredients of this dish will make you fall in love with this dish in the first bite. So, if you are a food lover, this dish will be the must-try food when you come to Hoi An.
Green Bean Cake (Bánh Đậu Xanh)
Hoi An offers delightful desserts like Bánh Đậu Xanh. The combination of mung bean paste sweetened will make you love this dish right away. This is also a favorite dessert for both children and adults.
White Rose Dumpling (Bánh Bao- Bánh Vạc)
White Rose Dumplings are a delicate specialty unique to Hoi An. These translucent rice paper dumplings are filled with a mixture of shrimp or pork. They are folded to resemble delicate white roses making them interesting for this dish. You will eat this dish with sour and sweet sauce and fried onion.
Hoi An Shopping
Tailored Clothes
Hoi An is renowned for its tailor shops at reasonable prices. Nowadays, tourists from around the world come to Hoi An to experience the unique clothes of the town’s talented tailors. A skilled tailor in Hoi An can create high-quality tailored clothes to your demand. From elegant suits and dresses to traditional Vietnamese ao dai, Hoi An’s tailors are well-versed in creating a wide range of custom clothing.
Hoi An Lanterns
Hoi An lanterns are not only a featured symbol of Hoi An but also Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage. The colorful lanterns will represent happiness and luck. In the mindset of local people, these lanterns are also thought to ward off evil spirits. The local people usually display lanterns during Lunar New Year celebrations, weddings and other auspicious occasions. The light of many kinds of lanterns makes gorgeous moments in this old town.
Hoi An Silk
Hoi An is also famous for its high-quality silk production. This old town offers many kinds of silk products for you to choose from. The reasonable price is also a plus point for silk production in this city.
Jewelry & Accessories
Hoi An is also known for its beautiful jewelry and accessories. There will be many kinds of designs for you to choose from. Additionally, you can easily find and buy in the night market or shop along the way in this city.
How To Get To Hoi An Ancient Town
Tourists often visit Hoi An after arriving at Da Nang Airport or visiting Da Nang and Hue. And, there are 3 commonly used ways to get to Hoi An below:
Private Car: A private car is one of the most convenient and comfortable ways to travel for you. With a private car, you can feel more free and comfortable stopping and visiting many sightseeing attractions. You can arrange a private car through local travel agencies or online booking platforms, ensuring a smooth and personalized experience. However, you can go with your friend or family in a private car that will be very cheap.
Jeep: If you are an adventure enthusiast, a Jeep car is the best option. You can feel the wind in your hair and soak up the natural beauty of the surroundings in your eyes with a Jeep. Nowadays, this option is the favorite vehicle for a trip of tourists.
Motorbike: If you want a popular option, you can hire a motorbike to come to this city. You can feel free to admire the breathtaking scenery on your motorbike. But remember that you should have the necessary driving license and adhere to traffic regulations in Vietnam.
You can contact VM Car or call hotline +84 905 55 77 68 for all services above.
Hoi An Ancient Town Transport
Firstly, you can observe historical houses and the daily activities of local people along the way on the bicycle. If you want a relaxed and traditional mode of transport, you can consider taking a cyclo ride from 150.000 VND/hour. With this option, you can discover this old city at the pace you want. This is also an interesting option for you to discover this old city. However, if you want to discover the attractions near this city, you can rent a motorbike or private car for your trip. You can feel free to visit any attractions and stop to admire the scenery whenever you want.
You can contact VM Car or call hotline +84 905 55 77 68 for all services above.
Places To Stay In Hoi An Ancient Town
Wondering where to stay in Hoi An? Don’t worry about that. Because this city always has many options for you to choose from. If you want a luxurious and comfortable place to stay, you can book a villa or hotel for your trip. You can easily find the hotel on the Internet. However, homestays and guest houses can be the best options for your budget trips. There will be many homestays and guest houses at affordable prices in the city center.
Recommended best hotels:
- Aurora Riverside Hotel
- Sunrise Premium Resort and Spa
- Lotus Hoi An Boutique Hotel and Spa
- Silk Luxury Hotel and Spa
- Atlas Hotel
- Anantara Hoi An Resort
Tips To Know When Traveling To Hoi An Ancient Town
- If you don’t know what to eat or buy in Hoi An, you can ask the driver or local people for help.
- Don’t forget to read reviews, seek recommendations and compare prices before buying anything in the market or shop.
- Wear comfortable shoes whenever you want shopping.
- You should rent a private car in advance during the peak season.
- Last but not least, you should check the weather in this city before traveling.
When you come to Hoi An Ancient Town, you can not only admire the gorgeous landscapes and historical attractions but also observe the local people’s lives. Therefore, if you travel to Vietnam, this can be a must-visit city for you. Eventually, we hope this article will give you more detail about this wonderful city and make your trip more interesting.
