Explore the most popular things to do in Hoi An

Hoi An is a city in Vietnam that presents various natural, historical, cultural, and culinary attractions. Many tourists choose to go to Hoi An when they want to experience the real Vietnam. Because, instead of visiting tourist spots, Hoi An's main attraction is activities and moments. You can take cooking classes, shop at night markets, participate in local handicraft classes, shop for custom-made suits, try their famous coffee, and much more.

1. Hoi An Ancient Town / Old Town

Hoi An Ancient Town, as the name implies, consists of many beautiful and vintage-looking old buildings. For those who like to walk around local cultural attractions, this place is perfect for you. Besides being able to explore directly, you can also take pictures in this Instagramable spot. The location is also filled with local food vendors as well as local souvenirs and handicrafts. You can fill your stomach simultaneously or shop for souvenirs at affordable prices (don't forget to bargain, okay) here.

2. An Bang Beach

On this beach, you can sunbathe, swim on the beach, take a leisurely walk on the beach, or have a picnic with your family on a sunny day. The waves are also high enough for surfing. An Bang Beach is famous among foreign and local tourists. After spending a day at the beach, you can fill your energy by eating local culinary delights at restaurants or continue shopping at small shops around the coast.

3. Hoi An Night Market

Hoi An Night Market is one of the shopping paradises and the most famous tourist spot in Hoi An. This place has often become the favorite choice of tourists who like to shop. There are many local items, including souvenirs and handicrafts, that you can buy at affordable prices. The atmosphere is lively and festive with beautiful lights that decorate the night is also the main attraction.

4. My Son Ruins

This area contains various temples and other Hindu relics in Vietnam from the 4th to 13th centuries. Although it was abandoned and neglected, the area of ​​140 hectares has now been restored and is even included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

5. Thu Bon River

Hoi An was once known as a port and trading city because of its location at the Thu Bon River's mouth. The area around has grown into one of the favorite spots for tourists, with many cafes serving delicious local snacks. You can sip Vietnamese coffee while enjoying the peaceful riverfront atmosphere.

6. Hoi An Handicraft Workshop

As the name implies, this place exhibits various local handicrafts, including colorful lanterns and embroidery works. You can see firsthand the manufacturing process, exhibit his work, and buy works sold as souvenirs. In total, there are 12 local handicrafts here. In addition, there are also music and dance performances in the area in front of this location.

7. Reaching Out Tea House

Savoring the famous Vietnamese coffee, is one of the main activities here. Although many cafes and coffee shops you can visit, Reaching Out Tea House offers uniqueness and different values. The staff here are all deaf and physically disabled. You will be given a piece of paper and a pen on the table to write down your order, which will then be greeted with smiles and friendly service.

8. Cantonese Assembly Hall

The Cantonese Assembly Hall is one of the areas built by traders from ancient China in Vietnam. Its function is as a location for gatherings and events for Chinese citizens and a place of worship. Now, with its magnificent and distinctive architecture, this place still stands firm and has become one of the favorite tourist spots for tourists.

9. Central Market

You can shop for various kinds of groceries at the Central Market, such as vegetables, fruit, meat, and cooking spices. For those of you who want to try cooking local food with local ingredients too, this is where you must visit!

10. Hoi An Nightlife

Hoi An is one of the best cities in Vietnam to enjoy the great nightlife. There are many bars and cafes that are open and brightly lit, enlivening the evening and providing a place to hang out as night falls. Your evening will be even more enjoyable and explorative in Hoi An!

11. Tiger Market

Compared to other markets and shopping centers in Hoi An, Tiger Market is rarely heard of. This is because this market is better known among residents than tourists. Even so, here, you can shop while seeing firsthand the shopping culture of local residents. Apart from shopping for fresh groceries, you will also find used items that are vintage and worth collecting.

12. Tra Que Vegetable Village

This village is one of the ideal destinations for those who want to enjoy a relaxing and calm time. If you leave in the morning, the atmosphere is even more peaceful than you think. Apart from taking a leisurely walk and enjoying the scenery and fresh air, you can also take cooking classes, you know! The corn pancakes are one of the mainstays here. You can still buy and try them even if you don't take a cooking class. Apart from cooking, also explore this area casually by bicycle.

13. Gioan Restaurant and Cooking School

Apart from tasting delicious local foods, a popular activity in Hoi An is learning how to cook these foods. At Gioan Restaurant and Cooking School, you can do both. For the cooking class, it is usually combined with shopping for local foodstuffs to make this activity more memorable.

14. Thanh Ha Pottery Village

Whether you just want to shop for pottery or want to learn pottery, Thanh Ha Pottery Village can be your main destination! Since the 15th century, this village has over time developed pottery techniques that result in beautiful ceramics that are sold to countries around the world.

15. Thanh Ha Terracotta Park

Terracotta Park is one of the famous areas in Thanh Ha Pottery Village. The garden was built in 2011 by architect Nguyen Van Nguyen, who was inspired by craftsmen's traditional artistry. One of its unique features is the yin-yang pattern for the buildings and the stones it uses. Apart from being a beautiful open garden, the attraction is the works and carvings that are replicas of famous buildings worldwide.

16. Tra Kieu

Tra Kieu is a heritage site of the Kingdom of Champa, which used to make this location its capital. In this open area, you can explore the history and relics of the kingdom that once ruled from the 4th to 8th centuries. In addition, you can also explore other areas around it, such as Mountain Church, which is at the top of Buu Chau Hill.

17. Hoi An Silk Village

Located in Quang Nam Province, you have to drive approximately 1 km from the city center to reach this tourist spot. The village offers a calm and peaceful atmosphere with traditional buildings and houses. And, as the name implies, here you can see the famous Vietnamese silk weaving process. You can even feed the silkworms that are here.

18. Japanese Covered Bridge

As the name implies, this place is a bridge with unique and beautiful architecture that attracts many tourists. You can take pictures here and explore the surrounding area, which are two different markets connected by this bridge. So, you can also shop at the same time when planning to go to this bridge.

19. Cua Dai Beach

Cua Dai Beach is one of the tourist attractions in Hoi An, which is favored by local and foreign tourists. With a vast stretch of white sand and clean and clear seawater, you can enjoy a relaxing, relaxing time here on sunny days. The waves are not too fast, so it is suitable for swimming on the beach. In addition, the facilities around the coast are complete.

20. Hoi An Museum

Hoi An Museum, or sometimes known as the Museum of History and Culture, holds various collections of Hoi An history as a whole. There are four sections of the museum here, divided based on their historical stories, namely the historical part of Hoi An as a trading port city, during the Vietnam War, and the rebirth of this city until it became modern. Apart from the museum, you can also go to the Quan Yin Pagoda area, a temple dedicated to the goddess Quan Yin, which is in the same location as this museum.

21. Lantern Market

Lantern Market is a market that sells a variety of beautiful colorful lanterns in different sizes and shapes. Especially at night when the lanterns are lit, this place is a shopping paradise and one of the favorite instagramable spots for tourists.

22. Kim Bong Carpentry Village

As the name implies, at Kim Bong Carpentry Village, you can learn and see firsthand the local carpentry process that uses ancient techniques. Woodworking was the villagers' main occupation in ancient times, so it's no wonder that it is still running and attracting tourists. The method is still the same and passed down from the founders and the first generation. You can also buy their work as souvenirs.

23. Museum of Folk Culture

This museum, as the name implies, exhibits various collections of Hoi An folk culture. From historical items, art, and culture, to religion, you can find everything here. Apart from that, there are also traditional art performances that you shouldn't miss!

24. The Old House of Phun Hung

Want to know more about Vietnam's history and culture in a way that isn't boring? Just go to The Old House of Phun Hung! This place that has been established since the 18th century holds various kinds of collections and stories about the history and development of ancient culture in Hoi An. You can learn how ancient business, commerce, and culinary flavors ran in this city.

25. Cam An Beach

Cam An Beach still has clean white sand and clear blue sea water, presenting a beautiful beach view. Both among local and foreign tourists, this famous beach is one of the favorite destinations. Besides sitting or taking a stroll on the beach and swimming, you can also eat delicious local culinary around the beach, especially seafood. Apart from eating places, there are also some bars around the coast.

26. Tan Ky Family House

Tan Ky Family House is one of the must-visit historical tourist spots in Hoi An. Having been around for more than 200 years, this house has been passed down from generation to generation for seven generations of the same family. To this day, the family still lives in this house. However, this place is also open to the public for all visitors who wish to learn more about Hoi An's history.

27. Hoi An Tailors

One of the local produce and activities tourists love most in Hoi An is ordering a tailor-made suit or dress. There are many tailor shops that you can visit here. You only need to choose the material, color, and measurements before picking up your suit or dress the next day. The quality and results are certainly not in doubt.

28. Museum of Trade Ceramics

As the name implies, this museum, which has been open since 1975, exhibits various collections of ceramic artifacts that were exchanged and displayed until the 18th century. These ceramics come from Vietnam and the Middle East, China, Thailand, and others.

29. Quan Cong Temple

Quan Cong Temple is one of the best Chinese architectural style temples in Hoi An. At the very front, you will be greeted with a statue of two dragons. Inside, you'll find lots of red, green, and gold with a Quan Cong statue in the main hall. The name of the temple itself is taken from a Chinese defector from the Han Dynasty, who was considered a hero because of his loyalty to his homeland.

30. Fujian Assembly Hall

This place was built by visitors from China who stayed for a while in Hoi An. Because of its location in the middle of the city, you will find a busy atmosphere when going to this place. But in it, you will be greeted with a calm and peaceful atmosphere. You can take a leisurely walk while enjoying the view and admiring the architecture.