6 UNFORGETTABLE THINGS TO DO IN HOI AN — The Ultimate Guide to Vietnam’s Lantern Town ✨

Things to do in Hoi An — this is the question every traveler starts Googling the moment they book a flight to Vietnam. And honestly? The answer never disappoints. Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage town built on layers of history, culture, jaw-dropping cuisine, and lantern-lit magic that stays with you long after you’ve left. Whether you’re a first-timer or a returning soul, this guide covers every essential thing to do in Hoi An to make your trip truly unforgettable. For a broader Vietnam itinerary, check out our Complete Vietnam Travel Guide first.

🏮 The Most Iconic Thing to Do in Hoi An: Wander the Ancient Town at Golden Hour

There is no better introduction to Hoi An than simply walking its ancient streets as the sun begins to set. The Ancient Town — a perfectly preserved trading port dating back to the 15th century — glows like something out of a fairytale when dusk falls. Narrow lanes lined with mustard-yellow walls, wooden shopfronts, ornate Chinese assembly halls, and centuries-old Japanese merchant houses create a streetscape unlike anywhere else on earth.

Make your way to Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Bach Dang riverside, and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge before the lanterns light up. Arrive around 5:00–5:30 PM on a weekday to experience it before the evening crowds peak.

🪡  GET CUSTOM CLOTHES TAILORED IN 24 HOURS

Hoi An is the tailor capital of Southeast Asia — full stop. With over 400 tailor shops scattered across the town, you can walk in with a photo, a fabric swatch, or simply a dream outfit in your head, and walk out the next day wearing something made precisely for your body. Suits, ao dais, linen shirts, evening gowns, leather shoes — the skilled artisans here have been perfecting their craft for generations.

Visit reputable shops such as Yaly Couture, A Dong Silk, or Bebe Tailor for first-timers. Allow at least 2–3 fittings and budget 2 nights minimum in town to collect your finished pieces.

🛶 JOIN A BASKET BOAT TOUR IN THE COCONUT PALM FOREST

Just 30 minutes from the Ancient Town lies one of Vietnam’s quirkiest and most joyful experiences — the Cam Thanh Coconut Palm Forest and its iconic basket boat rides. These round, woven bamboo boats (called thung chai) have been used by local fishermen for centuries to navigate the waterways between the dense nipa palm groves.

The local fishermen turned guides will spin, twirl, and dance your basket boat through the water with incredible skill — turning what sounds like a simple boat ride into a full-on performance. Many tours also include crab-catching demonstrations and a short cooking class afterward.

🍜 Best Things to Do in Hoi An for Foodies: Eat Your Way Through the Local Food Scene

Hoi An is arguably the culinary capital of Central Vietnam, and that’s saying a lot in a country where every region eats like royalty. The town has its own signature dishes that you simply cannot find anywhere else with the same authenticity. Your food bucket list must include:

🥣 Cao Lau — thick rice noodles with pork slices and crispy croutons, made with water from a specific ancient well

🥖 Bánh Mì Phượng — the legendary Vietnamese baguette sandwich that took the world by storm

🫔 White Rose Dumplings (Bánh Vạc) — delicate shrimp dumplings that look exactly like white roses

🍚 Com Ga Hoi An — Hoi An-style chicken rice, fragrant and soul-satisfying

🌅 CYCLE TO AN BANG BEACH & WATCH THE SUNRISE

An Bang Beach, just 5 km from the Ancient Town, is consistently rated one of the top beaches in Asia — and unlike overcrowded resort strips further north, it still retains a relaxed village charm. Rent a bicycle from your hotel and pedal through rice paddies and vegetable gardens to reach the coast as the sun climbs the horizon.Spend your morning swimming, lounging at a beachside café, or trying a stand-up paddleboard session. Then cycle back in time for a late breakfast in town.

🏯 DAY TRIP TO MY SON SANCTUARY

Rounding out the best things to do in Hoi An is a half-day journey to My Son Sanctuary — a cluster of ancient Hindu temples built between the 4th and 14th centuries by the Cham Kingdom, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set in a dramatic jungle valley surrounded by mountains, My Son is Vietnam’s answer to Angkor Wat. Join a sunrise tour departing around 5:30 AM to beat the heat and the crowds, paired with a knowledgeable guide who brings the Cham civilization’s story to life.

Hoi An rewards those who slow down. Give it at least 3 full days — more if you can — and let the town reveal itself to you layer by layer: through its food, its people, its handcrafted goods, its river reflections, and its lantern-lit nights that feel like they belong to another century entirely.