Hoi An Travel Guide

Best Old Houses in Hoi An – Things to See in Hoi An Old Town
Hoi An has more than 1,000 houses protected, making it the largest heritage town in Vietnam. Amongst them, many houses still preserve their original architecture and interior furnishing thanks to efforts from the owner’s family and from the government. They

Thai Phien Ancient House – Things to See in Hoi An Old Town
Thai Phien Ancient House is an interesting attraction in Hoi An Old Town, Vietnam. It’s constructed and preserved by a family with many generations living together. Here, history, daily life and traditional handicrafts of this family are exhibited and introduced by

Quan Thang Ancient House – Things to Do in Hoi An Old Town
Quan Thang Ancient House is one of the best preserved houses in the Hoi An Ancient Town World Heritage Area. It’s also a typical one-storied traditional house where many generations of a local family have resided. Here, during the day,

Tan Ky Old House – Best Things to Do in Hoi An Old Town
Although not the oldest, Tan Ky Old House is one of the best preserved and the most typical houses in Hoi An Ancient Town. Since being constructed, its architecture has been nearly unchanged, thanks to efforts from the local family

Duc An Old House – Best Things to Do in Hoi An Old Town
Duc An Old House is one of the best preserved houses in the Hoi An Ancient Town. Since the 19th century when it’s constructed, its architecture is almost unchanged. It used to be a bookstore, a Chinese traditional medicine shop,

Phung Hung Old House – Best Things to Do in Hoi An Old Town
Phung Hung Old House is one of the most famous historical sites and tourist attractions in Hoi An Ancient Town. It’s very close to the Japanese Bridge. Since it’s built (approx 17th century), its architecture has been nearly unchanged, making
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Hoi An Basket Boat Ride: Location, Time, Cost, Tours & More
[Updated in November 2024] ‘Basket boat’ is a small round bamboo boat used by fishermen in central Vietnam, including Hoi An. Here, locals use it to carry visitors to explore the water coconut forests and participate in fascinating activities on

Hoi An Self Guided Walking Tour: The Best Old Town Itinerary
The Hoi An Old Town is a Unesco heritage site in Vietnam. The best way to explore it is walking and in many hours of the day, its main streets are just for pedestrians. The best attractions and historical sites

Hoi An’s Countryside – Non-Touristy Things to Do in Hoi An
Hoi An’s countryside is as stunning as Hoi An’s Old Town. It’s part of the Thu Bon River Delta that stretches around an area of 450,000 km2. Here, visitors can see peaceful villages, vast green or yellow rice fields, calm

Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride: Location, Timing, Prices, Tours & More
[Updated in November 2024] When the sun goes down, the boat ride on the Hoai River is one of things not to miss in Hoi An. It’s popularly known as ‘Hoi An lantern boat ride’ because people will release paper

My Son Sanctuary Travel Guide – World Heritage Site in Vietnam
My Son Sanctuary is a complex of ancient Hindu temples and ruins, a Unesco world heritage site, and a popular tourist attraction in Da Nang/Hoi An. It served as the holy land for Cham kings to worship Shiva God, from

Hoi An Old Town Travel Guide – World Heritage Site in Vietnam
[Updated in November 2024] The Hoi An Old Town (or Hoi An Ancient Town) is the most famous tourist attraction in Hoi An city, Vietnam. It’s a well-preserved trading port dating back from the 15th to 19th centuries, with yellow
Quick facts about Hoi An
Area | Population | Time zone | Currency |
60 km2 | 152,160 | GMT +07:00 | Vietnam dong (VND) |
Official languages | Best time to visit | Days to stay | Tour operator |
Vietnamese | March-August | 3 | HOIAN DAY TRIP Limited Company |
Hoi An on Map
JAPANESE BRIDGE - SYMBOL OF HOI AN
The Japanese Covered Bridge stands as the definitive architectural and historical symbol of Hoi An. Originally constructed in the early 17th century by Japanese merchants, this iconic stone and wooden structure gracefully spans a small canal in the heart of the Ancient Town. It features a unique integration of a functional bridge and a Buddhist temple, adorned with elaborate carvings and protective animal statues. Reflecting a beautiful blend of Japanese, Vietnamese, and Chinese craftsmanship, the bridge serves as a timeless monument to Hoi An’s rich heritage as a peaceful, multicultural trading port.
CHAM ISLANDS - WORLD BIOSPHERE RESERVE
The Cham Islands (Cù Lao Chàm) constitute a stunning archipelago recognized as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Located just 15 kilometers off the coast of Hoi An, this cluster of eight pristine islands is celebrated for its exceptional marine biodiversity and lush tropical landscapes. The surrounding waters protect thriving coral reefs, extensive seagrass beds, and hundreds of marine species, making it a premier sanctuary for eco-tourism, snorkeling, and scuba diving. The islands perfectly illustrate a successful balance between environmental conservation and traditional fishing community life, offering an idyllic, protected escape into nature’s raw beauty.
CAO LAU - CULINARY SYMBOL OF HOI AN
Cao Lau reigns as the ultimate culinary symbol of Hoi An, a legendary noodle dish woven into the town’s history. True authenticity relies on strict local secrets: the thick, chewy rice noodles must be mixed with ash from trees on the nearby Cham Islands and cooked using water drawn exclusively from the ancient Ba Le Well. This labor-intensive process gives the noodles their signature texture and smoky, yellowish hue. Topped with tender slices of barbecue pork (xa xiu), crisp local greens, fresh herbs, and crunchy rice crackers, Cao Lau delivers an irreplaceable taste of local heritage.