How many nights to stay, where to sleep, which tailor to trust and how to avoid the crowds. Our complete Hoi An guide, written for travellers flying in from Europe.
Quick answer: Stay at least three nights in Hoi An, ideally four. Sleep in a riverside or rice-field hotel just outside the old town, visit the lantern-lit streets early in the morning and after dark, order tailoring on day one so you have time for fittings, and keep one full day for the beach at An Bang. The driest months are February to August.
If there is one place in Vietnam that European travellers fall in love with, it is Hoi An. The little trading port on the Thu Bon River has mustard-yellow merchant houses, silk lanterns, Japanese and Chinese assembly halls and a food scene out of all proportion to its size. It also has a beach twenty minutes away by bicycle. No wonder many of our guests from Germany, the Netherlands and Scandinavia tell us they wish they had booked an extra night here.
This guide is based on what our local team recommends to our own guests: how long to stay, where to sleep, what is worth your time and what is not.
Why is Hoi An so special?
From the 15th to the 19th century, Hoi An was one of the busiest ports in South-East Asia, trading with Japanese, Chinese, Dutch and Portuguese merchants. When the river silted up, trade moved to Da Nang, and the town was simply left as it was. That is why around 1,000 historic buildings survive almost intact — and why the old town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.
For European visitors there is a particular charm in finding traces of our own history here: Dutch and Portuguese traders are part of Hoi An's story, and you can see the influence of many cultures in the architecture.
How many nights in Hoi An?
| Nights | What you can do | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Old town, lantern evening, one cooking class or cycling tour | Travellers on a tight two-week route |
| 3 | Add a beach afternoon and a tailoring fitting | Most first-time visitors |
| 4 | Add My Son ruins, Hue or the Golden Bridge as a day trip | Our recommendation |
| 5+ | Slow travel, beach days, spa, Cham Islands snorkelling | Honeymooners, families, summer holidays |
Where to stay in Hoi An
Where you sleep makes a surprising difference here. Each area has a different feel:
- Old town and riverside: walk everywhere and enjoy the lanterns at night. Can be lively in the evening.
- Cam Thanh and the rice fields: peaceful boutique hotels and villas among paddy fields, a 5–10 minute bicycle ride from town. Our favourite for couples.
- An Bang and Cua Dai beach: beach resorts with sea views; 15–20 minutes from the old town by taxi or free shuttle.
- Between Hoi An and Da Nang: large five-star resorts with private beaches — ideal for families who want a pool, a kids' club and easy airport access.
The best things to do in Hoi An
1. Walk the old town at sunrise
Between 6:00 and 8:00 the old town belongs to locals: women carrying baskets of vegetables, older men drinking coffee, shopkeepers sweeping the pavement. The light on the yellow walls is beautiful and you will have the Japanese Covered Bridge almost to yourself.
2. Buy the old town ticket — and actually use it
Entry to the old town requires a ticket that includes visits to several heritage sites, such as old merchant houses, assembly halls and small museums. Our favourites are the Tan Ky House, the Fujian Assembly Hall and the Museum of Trade Ceramics. The ticket also helps fund the conservation of the town.
3. Lanterns and the river at night
After sunset, thousands of silk lanterns light up the streets and the river. Take a short lantern boat ride and release a paper lantern on the water. On the full-moon night of each lunar month, the town switches off electric lights and the effect is even more magical.
4. Cycle to Tra Que vegetable village
A flat 3 km bicycle ride takes you to Tra Que, an organic farming village where families grow herbs that end up in the town's restaurants. Many tours combine a farm visit with a cooking class or a foot massage with herbs.
5. Take a cooking class
Cooking classes are a highlight in Hoi An, and most start with a guided market visit and a basket-boat ride through the water coconut palms of Cam Thanh. You learn to make fresh spring rolls, banh xeo pancakes and the local speciality, cao lau.
6. Spend a day at An Bang beach
An Bang is a relaxed stretch of sand with beach bars, sun loungers and seafood restaurants. From March to August the sea is calm and warm; from October to December it is rough and swimming is not recommended.
Tailors in Hoi An: how to get it right
Hoi An has hundreds of tailors, and having a suit, dress or coat made is a favourite memory for many guests. Quality varies widely, so follow these tips:
- Order on your first day. You need time for at least two fittings.
- Bring a photo or a garment you love. Good tailors can copy a well-fitting piece very accurately.
- Check the fabric. Ask whether it is real wool, silk or linen, and feel the difference.
- Agree the price and the delivery date in writing.
- Consider shipping. Many tailors ship to Europe; allow two to four weeks and factor in any import charges.
What to eat in Hoi An
Hoi An has its own culinary identity. Do not leave without trying:
- Cao lau: chewy noodles with pork, herbs and crispy croutons — traditionally made with water from local wells.
- Banh mi: Hoi An's baguettes are famous across the country.
- Com ga: chicken rice with turmeric, herbs and pickled onion.
- White rose dumplings: delicate shrimp dumplings shaped like flowers.
- Mi Quang: turmeric noodles with peanuts, sesame crackers and a small amount of broth.
For more dishes, read our Vietnamese food guide.
Day trips from Hoi An
- My Son Sanctuary: ruins of Cham temples in the jungle, about one hour away. Go early.
- Hue: the imperial citadel and royal tombs, about three hours by road via the scenic Hai Van Pass.
- Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge: a cable-car ride to the famous bridge held by giant hands.
- Cham Islands: snorkelling and quiet beaches, from March to September.
When to visit Hoi An
February to August is dry and sunny. September to December brings heavy rains, and in October and November the old town can flood briefly. If you travel in those months, keep the Hoi An stay short and flexible. Our month-by-month guide has all the details.
How to avoid the crowds in Hoi An
Hoi An's popularity is no secret, and between about 16:00 and 21:00 the riverside can be very busy, especially at weekends and on full-moon nights. A few simple habits make a big difference:
- Explore the old town between 6:00 and 9:00, then retreat to the beach or pool at midday.
- Visit the heritage houses after lunch, when the tour groups are eating.
- Walk the side streets — Phan Boi Chau with its colonial houses, or the quiet lanes behind the Central Market.
- Cross the bridge to An Hoi islet or Cam Nam island for a more local atmosphere in the evening.
- If you want the lantern boat ride without crowds, go just after dark rather than at the peak around 19:30.
A suggested four-day plan
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive, settle in, first tailor visit | Rest by the pool | Lantern walk and dinner in the old town |
| 2 | Old town guided walk at sunrise | Cycling to Tra Que + cooking class | Lantern boat ride |
| 3 | Day trip to My Son or Hue | Tailor fitting | Dinner on An Hoi islet |
| 4 | Basket boat in Cam Thanh | Beach at An Bang | Seafood dinner by the sea |
Hoi An for families and older travellers
Hoi An is one of the easiest places in Vietnam for families and older travellers. The old town is flat and pedestrianised during most of the day, distances are short and there are plenty of cafés for a rest. Children love the basket boats, the lantern-making workshops and the beach. For travellers with reduced mobility, a cyclo ride through the old town is a gentle way to see it, and many riverside hotels have rooms on the ground floor.
Shopping beyond tailoring
Beyond clothes, Hoi An is a good place to buy handmade leather shoes and bags, silk lanterns that fold flat for the flight home, ceramics from Thanh Ha pottery village and woodcarvings from Kim Bong village. Prices are usually negotiable in markets but fixed in boutiques. If you want to ship larger items to Europe, ask for a written quote including delivery and customs handling.
Responsible travel in Hoi An
Lanterns released on the river are made of paper and candles, but thousands each night add up. Many of our guests choose to take the boat ride and admire the floating lanterns without releasing one. Bring a refillable bottle — many cafés and hotels offer refills — and choose cooking classes and workshops that work directly with local families.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hoi An worth visiting?
Yes. It is one of the most beautiful and best-preserved historic towns in Asia, with excellent food, beaches and easy day trips.
How do I get to Hoi An from Europe?
Fly to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, then take a domestic flight to Da Nang (about 75–80 minutes). Hoi An is a 45-minute drive from Da Nang airport.
Is Hoi An suitable for families?
Very. It is flat, safe and car-free in the centre, and the nearby beaches and resorts are ideal for children.
Can I get around Hoi An by bicycle?
Yes, cycling is the best way to get around. Most hotels lend bicycles for free.
How much does a tailored suit cost in Hoi An?
Prices vary widely with fabric quality, from around €100 for a simple suit to €300 or more for fine wool. Always agree the price and fabric in writing.
Is Hoi An good in the rainy season?
It is still charming, but October and November can bring flooding in the old town. Keep your plans flexible and choose a hotel outside the flood-prone riverside area.
Want to stay longer in Hoi An? Our Hoi An & Phu Quoc itinerary combines culture and beach time.
