Hoi An Tours

Why visit Hoi An

Between the 16th and 18th centuries Hoi An was an important port, visited by Japanese, Chinese and European merchants. When the river silted up and trade moved to Da Nang, the town was left much as it was. Today the Ancient Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its small scale makes it easy to explore on foot or by bicycle. In the evening, lanterns light the riverbank and the night market fills with food stalls.

Top things to do in Hoi An

• Ancient Town walk: the Japanese Covered Bridge, old merchant houses and family assembly halls, best seen early in the morning before the day visitors arrive.
• Cooking class: shop for ingredients at the market, then learn to make local dishes such as cao lau noodles and fresh spring rolls.
• Tra Que vegetable village: cycle out to the herb gardens on the edge of town and see how the greens used in Hoi An cooking are grown.
• Basket boats in Cam Thanh: ride a round bamboo boat through the water coconut palms a short drive from the centre.
• My Son Sanctuary: the ruins of Cham Hindu temples in a jungle valley about an hour away, also UNESCO-listed and quietest in the early morning.
• Tailors and lantern makers: have clothes made to measure, or try making your own silk lantern in a small workshop.

Best time to visit

February to April is the most pleasant period, with mild temperatures and little rain. May to August is hot and sunny, good for pairing the old town with time on An Bang Beach. September to December is the rainy season, and in October and November the river sometimes floods the streets closest to the water.

Getting there

Hoi An has no airport of its own. The nearest is Da Nang, which has flights from Hanoi taking about 1 hour 20 minutes, and from there it is around 45 minutes by road. Hue is roughly 3 to 3.5 hours away by car, so Hoi An, Da Nang and Hue combine easily in one trip.