Hoi An Activities Guide: Ancient Town, Countryside, and Beach Escapes
Hoi An is the kind of place that ruins you for other towns. After a few days of wandering lantern-lit streets, cycling through rice paddies, and watching fishermen haul in their nets at dawn, you start wondering why you do not just stay forever.
The town is small—compact enough to walk across in 20 minutes—but the surrounding area offers enough to fill a week. This guide covers the essential activities: the must-sees in the old town, the countryside experiences most tourists miss, and the beach escapes that provide relief from the heat.
The Ancient Town: Getting Lost on Purpose
Hoi An's UNESCO-protected old town is the reason everyone comes. It is also the reason some people leave disappointed, having seen nothing but the main tourist drag. The key is to explore early, explore late, and get deliberately lost in the back alleys.
Japanese Covered Bridge (Chua Cau)
GPS: 15.8771, 108.3289 Entrance Fee: VND 120,000 ($4.80) for an old town ticket (covers 5 attractions) Hours: 24 hours (bridge is always open)
The symbol of Hoi An, built in the late 16th century by the Japanese merchant community. The bridge connects the Japanese quarter to the Chinese quarter, and it is impossibly photogenic—especially at night when lanterns reflect in the water below.
The reality check: By 10:00 AM, the bridge is swarming with tour groups. By sunset, you cannot move for selfie sticks. The solution? Go at 6:00 AM. The light is better, the town is quiet, and you might have the bridge to yourself.
Tan Ky Old House
Address: 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc GPS: 15.8778, 108.3295 Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Entrance: Covered by old town ticket
A 200-year-old merchant house that has been preserved in remarkable condition. The architecture blends Vietnamese, Japanese, and Chinese influences—wooden beams carved with symbols of prosperity, mother-of-pearl inlay, a central courtyard open to the sky.
The family still lives here, which gives the tour an intimacy that most heritage houses lack. The guide (a family member) will show you how the house survived floods, wars, and time. It is worth 30 minutes of your morning.
Fujian Assembly Hall (Phuc Kien)
Address: 46 Tran Phu GPS: 15.8775, 108.3292 Hours: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM Entrance: Covered by old town ticket
Built in 1690 by Chinese immigrants from Fujian province, this is the most elaborate of Hoi An's assembly halls. The courtyard is dominated by a dragon statue and a pond. The main hall is dedicated to Thien Hau, the goddess of the sea, who protected sailors on their voyages.
The craftsmanship is extraordinary—ceramic mosaics, carved wooden screens, red lacquer pillars. Even if you are templed out, this one is worth seeing.
Lantern Making Workshop
Hoi An is famous for its silk lanterns, which hang from every building in the old town. Several workshops offer classes where you can make your own.
Hoi An Handicraft Workshop Address: 9 Dinh Tien Hoang GPS: 15.8782, 108.3298 Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Price: VND 150,000–250,000 ($6–$10) depending on lantern size Duration: 60–90 minutes
You will choose your fabric, stretch it over a bamboo frame, and assemble a traditional Hoi An lantern. It is easier than it looks, and you leave with a genuinely beautiful souvenir. The workshop also sells pre-made lanterns if you prefer to just browse.
Why do this: It is touristy, yes, but the lanterns are iconic to Hoi An, and making one gives you a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship involved.
The Countryside: Where the Real Hoi An Lives
The old town is beautiful but it is not the whole story. Rent a bicycle and ride 3 kilometers in any direction, and you are in a different world—rice paddies, water buffalo, farmers in conical hats working fields that have been cultivated for centuries.
Tra Que Vegetable Village
GPS: 15.8956, 108.3389 Distance: 3 km north of old town Best time: Early morning (7:00–9:00 AM) or late afternoon (4:00–6:00 PM)
A 300-year-old village famous for its organic herbs and vegetables. The farmers here use traditional methods—no chemicals, just algae from a nearby lagoon as fertilizer. The herbs grown here (basil, coriander, perilla, mint) supply Hoi An's restaurants.
What to do:
- Walk or cycle through the gardens: The village is crisscrossed with narrow paths between vegetable plots. It is free to wander, and the farmers are generally happy to show you their crops.
- Farming experience: Several families offer hands-on farming classes. You will don traditional clothes, learn to rake and plant, and water vegetables using the traditional shoulder-pole method. VND 150,000–250,000 ($6–$10) per person.
- Cooking class: Combine the farming experience with a cooking class using freshly harvested ingredients. See the Food Guide for recommendations.
Why I loved it: At 7:00 AM, with the mist still rising from the fields and the farmers starting their day, Tra Que feels like Hoi An must have looked a hundred years ago. It is peaceful, authentic, and a world away from the tourist crowds.
Cam Thanh Coconut Village
GPS: 15.8823, 108.3421 Distance: 5 km east of old town Best time: Anytime, but morning is cooler
A village built among water coconut palms, accessible only by boat. The traditional round basket boats (thung chai) were originally used for fishing; now they are used to shuttle tourists through the palm groves.
Basket boat tour: VND 150,000–200,000 ($6–$8) per person for 45–60 minutes
The boats are surprisingly stable, and the guides (local fishermen) are skilled at spinning them in circles for photos. The palm grove itself is beautiful—dappled light, bird calls, the occasional kingfisher flashing past.
The catch: It is touristy. The boatmen have a set routine of photo ops and demonstrations. But the setting is genuinely lovely, and the money supports a traditional fishing community that is struggling to survive.
Cycling the Rice Paddies
Route: Old town → Tra Que → Cam Thanh → An Bang Beach Distance: 15–20 km round trip Duration: Half day
Rent a bicycle (VND 30,000–50,000/$1.20–$2.00 per day from any hotel or shop) and follow the small roads north and east of town. The route takes you through:
- Vegetable gardens and shrimp farms
- Water buffalo wallowing in mud
- Families drying rice on the road
- Small pagodas and ancestor shrines
Practical tips:
- Start early (7:00 AM) to avoid the heat
- Bring water and sunscreen
- The roads are flat but unpaved in places—mountain bikes are better than city bikes
- Do not rely on Google Maps; the small paths are not all marked
The Beach: An Bang and Beyond
Hoi An is not a beach town, but it is close to some excellent beaches. When the heat and crowds of the old town become too much, head east to the coast.
An Bang Beach
GPS: 15.9034, 108.3445 Distance: 4 km east of old town Entrance: Free (beach is public)
The most popular beach near Hoi An, with a long stretch of sand, beach bars, and restaurants. The water is warm, the waves are gentle, and the sand is clean.
What to expect:
- Morning (7:00–10:00 AM): Quiet, mostly locals exercising and fishing. The water is calm.
- Midday (11:00 AM–3:00 PM): Hot, crowded, loud music from beach bars. Skip it.
- Late afternoon (4:00–7:00 PM): Perfect. The sun is lower, the day-trippers have left, and the beach bars start their happy hours.
Where to eat/drink:
Soul Kitchen GPS: 15.9038, 108.3451 Hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM Price: VND 80,000–200,000 ($3.20–$8.00)
The best beach bar on An Bang. Good cocktails, decent Western and Vietnamese food, live music on weekends. The sunset views are worth the slightly higher prices.
The Deckhouse GPS: 15.9042, 108.3456 Hours: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM Price: VND 100,000–250,000 ($4–$10)
More upscale, with a focus on fresh seafood. The grilled squid and garlic butter prawns are genuinely excellent.
Hidden Beach (Bai Huong)
GPS: 15.9123, 108.3567 Distance: 12 km east of old town Entrance: Free
A local fishing beach, far less developed than An Bang. There are no beach bars, no sun loungers, just fishermen mending nets and kids playing in the waves.
How to get there: Rent a scooter or take a taxi (VND 150,000–200,000/$6–$8 each way). The road passes through Cam Thanh and continues along the coast.
Why go: If you want a beach experience without the tourist infrastructure, this is it. Bring your own water and snacks—there are no vendors.
Special Experiences
Full Moon Lantern Festival
When: 14th day of every lunar month (check a lunar calendar) Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM Entrance: Free
On full moon nights, Hoi An turns off all electric lights in the old town. The streets are illuminated only by lanterns—thousands of them, hanging from buildings, floating on the river, carried by children in traditional dress.
The town fills with visitors, but the atmosphere is magical. There are traditional music performances, folk games, and food stalls along the river. Locals release paper lanterns onto the water, each carrying a wish.
Tips:
- Arrive by 5:00 PM to secure a riverside dinner table
- Buy a paper lantern (VND 10,000/$0.40) and release it from the riverbank
- The crowd peaks around 8:00 PM; stay later for a slightly less chaotic experience
Thu Bon River Boat Ride
Departure: Various points along Bach Dang Street Duration: 45–60 minutes Price: VND 100,000–150,000 ($4–$6) per boat (negotiate)
A slow boat ride along the river that defined Hoi An's history. You will pass:
- Fishermen casting nets from small boats
- The wooden shipyard where traditional vessels are still built
- Water coconut groves and bird life
- The new town on the opposite bank, a contrast to the old quarter
Best time: Sunset. The light on the water is beautiful, and the temperature drops.
What to Skip (And Why)
The Night Market: The Hoi An Night Market is beautiful to look at—hundreds of lanterns illuminating stalls selling souvenirs and street food. But the goods are mostly junk (imported trinkets, not local crafts), and the food is overpriced and mediocre. Walk through for the atmosphere, but do not plan to shop or eat there.
Tailor Shops (for most people): Hoi An is famous for its tailor shops, which can make custom clothing in 24 hours. The quality varies wildly, and the hard sell is intense. If you do want something made, do your research, check reviews, and be prepared to negotiate aggressively. Most tourists leave with ill-fitting suits they will never wear.
My Son Sanctuary Day Trip: The Cham temple ruins at My Son are often marketed as a must-do day trip from Hoi An. They are not. The temples are heavily damaged (by bombing during the war), poorly preserved, and swarming with tour groups. The 2-hour drive each way is not worth it unless you have a specific interest in Cham architecture. If you want temple ruins, Angkor Wat is a short flight away.
Practical Information
Getting Around
Walking: The old town is compact and pedestrian-only. Perfect for wandering.
Bicycle: VND 30,000–50,000 ($1.20–$2.00) per day. The best way to explore the countryside.
Scooter: VND 100,000–150,000 ($4–$6) per day. Useful for reaching the beaches and Tra Que, but not necessary for the old town.
Taxi/Grab: Readily available. A ride from the old town to An Bang Beach costs VND 50,000–70,000 ($2–$2.80).
Best Times to Visit
February–April: Dry season, warm but not oppressive. Ideal weather.
May–August: Hot and humid, but the beaches are at their best.
September–January: Rainy season. Afternoon showers are common, but the town is less crowded. The lantern festival is magical in the rain.
What to Bring
- Sunscreen (the Vietnamese sun is intense)
- Comfortable walking shoes (the old town streets are uneven)
- Light rain jacket (if visiting in rainy season)
- Cash (many local places do not accept cards)
- A sense of curiosity (the best discoveries are unplanned)
The Bottom Line
Hoi An rewards slow travel. You could see the main sights in a day, but you would miss what makes the town special—the morning light on yellow walls, the smell of incense from a family shrine, the sound of a bicycle bell on a quiet back street.
Give it three days minimum. Spend one day in the old town, getting lost in the alleys and watching the river. Spend another day on a bicycle, exploring Tra Que and Cam Thanh. Spend a third day at the beach, or take a cooking class, or simply sit in a cafe and watch the world go by.
Hoi An is not a place to rush. It is a place to settle in, slow down, and let the town work its magic.