🏮 Central Vietnam
Things to do in Hoi An
A lantern-lit old town of silk, tailors and riverside charm
A favourite for honeymoons
Hoi An is the prettiest town in Vietnam — a beautifully preserved old trading port whose UNESCO-listed lanes glow with silk lanterns after dark. It’s famous for its tailors, its riverside cafés and a monthly full-moon lantern festival, with beaches and ancient ruins close by.
Lantern-lit lanes, riverside dinners and tailor-made silk — central Vietnam at its most romantic.
Time needed
2–3 days
Best time
February–May is dry and warm — the sweet spot
Region
Central Vietnam
Don’t miss
The lantern-lit Old Town after dark
As night falls the Old Town switches off its motorbikes and lights its lanterns, and the riverfront fills with glowing boats. Wander the car-free lanes, cross the Japanese Covered Bridge and float a paper lantern down the Thu Bồn river — it’s pure magic.
Check availability on GetYourGuideTop things to do in Hoi An
- The UNESCO Old Town and the Japanese Covered Bridge.Find tours
- Have clothes or shoes tailor-made overnight by the town’s famous tailors.Find tours
- Float a lantern on the river by boat after dark.Find tours
- An Bang and Cua Dai beaches, a short ride away.Find tours
- Day trip to the My Sơn Hindu temple ruins.Find tours
Book Hoi An tours & tickets
Skip-the-line tickets, guided tours and the big-ticket experiences — compare and book ahead so they don’t sell out.
See all Hoi An experiences on GetYourGuideWhere to stay near Hoi An
Compare Hoi An hotels & stays
Find the right area, filter by price and reviews
How to get to Hoi An
Fly into Da Nang (DAD), then it’s about a 45-minute taxi or transfer south to Hoi An. Da Nang’s Marble Mountains and the Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills make easy add-ons on the way.
Hire a car in Da Nang
Compare rental deals — handy for reaching Hoi An at your own pace
Best time to visit
February–May is dry and warm — the sweet spot. Avoid the October–November rainy season, when the river can flood. Time your visit to the monthly full-moon Lantern Festival if you can.
Hoi An tips
- Allow a couple of days if you want tailoring done — fittings take time to get right.
- The Old Town is loveliest (and largely car-free) in the early morning and after dark.
- Rent a bicycle to reach the beaches and rice paddies just outside town.
Fit Hoi An into a real trip — free
Wavvia builds a day-by-day plan around Hoi An and Da Nang — tuned to your dates, pace and how you travel, with real places and safety built in.
Plan my trip — freeMore romantic escapes
Amalfi Coast
Cliff-hanging pastel villages, lemon groves and turquoise sea
🏘️Cinque Terre
Five pastel fishing villages strung along the cliffs
🌅Santorini
Whitewashed cliffs, blue domes and the world’s best sunset
More places to explore
Opening hours, prices, transport and entry rules change — always verify before you go, and check your government’s current travel advice. Some links are affiliate links; Wavvia may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.