Hoi An Travel Guide: Lanterns, Tailors & UNESCO Ancient Town

History & Cultural Influence

Hoi An was Southeast Asia's most important trading port between the 15th and 19th centuries — a meeting place where Chinese, Japanese, Dutch and French merchants exchanged silk, ceramics, spices and ideas. The Thu Bon River silted up in the late 19th century, the trade moved to Da Nang, and Hoi An quietly preserved its 1,000+ wooden shophouses, assembly halls and the iconic 17th-century Japanese Covered Bridge. UNESCO inscribed the Ancient Town as a World Heritage Site in 1999, recognising it as one of Asia's best-preserved trading ports.

Quick facts:

• Population: ~120,000

• UNESCO listed: 1999 (Ancient Town); My Son Sanctuary listed 1999 (separate)

• Trading port era: 15th–19th century, peak under the Nguyen Lords

• Signature landmarks: Japanese Covered Bridge, Ancient Town lanterns, My Son Sanctuary

• Best for: lanterns, custom tailoring, beach days at An Bang, cooking classes, family travel

Top Attractions in Hoi An

The Ancient Town is the heart of Hoi An — a 1.5 km pedestrian-friendly grid of yellow-washed merchant shophouses on the Thu Bon River. Most travellers buy a 5-attraction ticket (¥120,000 dong, around US$5) and pace the visit over 2–3 days.

• Hoi An Ancient Town (UNESCO) — 1,000+ wooden shophouses, assembly halls and temples in a 1.5 km grid; most enchanting after sunset when the silk lanterns are lit.

• Japanese Covered Bridge (Chua Cau) — Hoi An's 1593 architectural icon; spent 2022–2024 under restoration but reopened fully in late 2024 with original details preserved.

• Tan Ky Old House — 200-year-old merchant's home blending Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese design; still owned by the seventh generation of the original family.

• Fujian Assembly Hall (Phuc Kien) — the most ornate of Hoi An's five Chinese assembly halls; built 1690 by the Fujian community, dedicated to the sea goddess Thien Hau.

• Hoi An Central Market — riverside food market with two storeys of bun, sticky rice, and the city's best banh mi at Banh Mi Phuong.

• My Son Sanctuary (40 km west) — UNESCO-listed Cham Hindu temple cluster (4th–13th century); the Champa kingdom's spiritual centre.

• An Bang & Cua Dai Beaches (5 km east) — soft-sand swimming beaches with beachside seafood shacks and beach clubs.

• Tra Que Vegetable Village (3 km north) — organic vegetable village with hands-on farming classes and cooking demonstrations.

Must-Try Dishes in Hoi An

Hoi An's food is among Vietnam's most distinctive — many dishes exist only here, made with water drawn from the ancient Cham wells in the Ancient Town.

• Cao lau — Hoi An's signature noodle dish: thick chewy noodles, slices of barbecue pork, fresh herbs, bean sprouts and crispy pork cracklings. Only authentic cao lau uses water from the Ba Le well.

• White rose dumplings (banh bao banh vac) — translucent rice-paper dumplings filled with shrimp or pork, shaped like white roses. Made by one family for the whole town.

• Com ga Hoi An (chicken rice) — turmeric-yellow rice topped with hand-shredded poached chicken, fresh herbs and pickled onions. Com Ga Ba Buoi is the local legend.

• Banh mi Hoi An — internationally famous; Banh Mi Phuong was made world-famous by Anthony Bourdain. Crispy baguette, multiple pates, grilled meats and pickled vegetables.

• Mi quang — wide turmeric-yellow rice noodles, shrimp, pork, peanuts, sesame rice crackers and just a slick of broth. Hoi An's brunch staple.

• Hoanh thanh (Hoi An wontons) — crispy fried wonton wrappers topped with tomato, shrimp and pork — like edible nachos.

• Che (Vietnamese sweet soups) — over 30 varieties of bean, jelly and fruit sweet soups; the night-market dessert classic.

Festivals & Local Celebrations

Hoi An's biggest cultural draw is its monthly Lantern Festival — but the city celebrates Tet, the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Tet Nguyen Tieu festival just as enthusiastically.

• Hoi An Lantern Festival (14th day of every lunar month) — electric lights switch off, thousands of silk lanterns illuminate the Ancient Town, and visitors release floating candle-lanterns onto the Thu Bon River.

• Tet Nguyen Tieu (15th day of 1st lunar month) — the year's biggest lantern festival, marking the first full moon of the lunar new year.

• Hoi An Full Moon Festival (monthly) — same date as the Lantern Festival; small floating-lantern boats fill the river at dusk.

• Mid-Autumn Festival / Tet Trung Thu (mid-September) — children parade animal-shaped lanterns; dragon and lion dances through the Ancient Town streets.

• Tet (late Jan – mid Feb) — Vietnamese Lunar New Year; the town blooms with kumquat trees and floats Tet-themed lanterns.

• Hoi An Foodival (every June) — three-day food festival showcasing Hoi An, Quang Nam and central Vietnam cuisines.

What to Do in Hoi An

Hoi An rewards travellers who mix the headline sights with workshops, cycling and a slow beach afternoon.

• Get clothes custom-tailored — Hoi An has over 600 tailor shops; allow 24–48 hours for a suit, dress or ao dai. Bebe Tailor, Yaly Couture and A Dong Silk are well-reviewed.

• Lantern-making workshop — 2-hour sessions teach you to make a folding silk lantern; take it home as a unique souvenir.

• Cooking class — most start with a Central Market tour and Tra Que vegetable garden visit. Red Bridge, Morning Glory and Vy's Market are local favourites.

• Cycle the rice paddies of Cam Thanh — basket-boat ride through the water-coconut palms, then ride the back roads to An Bang Beach.

• Day trip to My Son Sanctuary — Cham Hindu temples 40 km west; arrive at 7 a.m. to beat both the heat and the tour buses.

• Thu Bon River sunset cruise — wooden sampan rides depart from the Ancient Town pier; sunset is the most photogenic moment.

• Beach afternoon at An Bang — Vietnam's most stylish beach scene; sun loungers free with a drink purchase at Salt Pub, Soul Kitchen or Sound of Silence.

Shopping in Hoi An

Hoi An is one of Vietnam's most rewarding shopping cities — custom tailoring, silk lanterns, leather and centuries-old craft villages.

• Hoi An Night Market (Nguyen Hoang Street) — 50+ stalls selling silk lanterns, jewellery, art and souvenirs; opens at dusk along the river opposite the Ancient Town.

• Central Market (Cho Hoi An) — fresh produce, spices, dried herbs, fabrics. Bargaining expected, half the asking price.

• Tailor shops — 600+ tailors; Yaly Couture, Bebe Tailor and A Dong Silk are the most international-friendly.

• Leather shops — Friendly Shoe Shop, Loomy Leather and Real Leather Shop offer custom-made shoes, belts and bags.

• Lanterns & lacquerware — silk lanterns from ¥80,000 dong; the Phu Hoi Lantern Workshop is a working factory open to visitors.

• Souvenirs to buy — silk lanterns, custom ao dai, conical hats, hand-painted ceramics, Trung Nguyen coffee, Vietnamese spices.

Weather in Hoi An: Best Time to Visit

Hoi An has a tropical monsoon climate. February to May are the most rewarding months; September to November bring heavy rain and occasional floods.

• Spring (Feb – Apr) — mild (22–28°C), low humidity. The best time to visit Hoi An.

• Summer (May – Aug) — hot (28–35°C), high humidity but mostly dry. Best beach swimming season at An Bang.

• Autumn (Sep – Nov) — rainy season (24–30°C); occasional typhoons. Lower hotel rates but flooding can close the Ancient Town.

• Winter (Dec – Jan) — cool (18–24°C), occasional rain; Tet celebrations fill the town with kumquat trees and lanterns.

Cultural Etiquette in Hoi An

Hoi An is tourist-friendly but small courtesies still matter — particularly when visiting assembly halls and family homes.

• Dress modestly at assembly halls and pagodas — cover shoulders and knees; remove hats when entering inner sanctuaries.

• No flash photography at temples — and always ask before photographing locals, especially at markets.

• Remove shoes — at family homes, traditional restaurants and some temples.

• Bargain politely — start at half the asking price at markets, smile, walk away with grace if you can't agree.

• Tailors: deposit etiquette — most ask 50% deposit upfront; pay the balance only when you're happy with the final fitting.

• Lantern Festival rules — keep noise low during the 14th lunar-day Lantern Festival evenings; the atmosphere is reflective.

Essential Travel Information

Getting around — Hoi An's Ancient Town is car-free — explore on foot or by bicycle (most hotels offer free bike loans). For longer trips, motorbike taxis (xe om), regular taxis and Grab cars are easy and cheap. For trips to An Bang Beach, My Son Sanctuary or further afield, hire a private car (~US$15–25 per half-day). The nearest airport is Da Nang International (40 minutes by car); the train station is Da Nang. Many travellers combine Hoi An with Da Nang and Hue in a 5–7 day central Vietnam circuit.

Money — International-friendly ATMs are throughout the Ancient Town; cards work at hotels and bigger restaurants. Smaller eateries, tailor shops, markets and night-market stalls are cash-only. Carry ¥500,000–1,000,000 dong daily.

Connectivity — Reliable free Wi-Fi at hotels, cafés and restaurants. A travel eSIM or local Vietnam SIM is the easiest way to stay online beyond the Ancient Town's hotspots.

Where to Stay in Hoi An

Choose between staying in the Ancient Town for atmosphere or at An Bang Beach for resort comfort — both are 5–10 minutes from each other.

Accommodation categories

• Luxury — Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, La Siesta Hoi An Resort, Anantara Hoi An Resort, Allegro Hoi An (Little Hoi An's), Almanity Hoi An.

• Boutique heritage — Hotel Royal Hoi An (MGallery), Maison Vy, La Calm Hoi An, Little Hoi An Boutique Hotel.

• Mid-range — Hoi An Silk Boutique Hotel, Vinh Hung Riverside Resort, Cozy Hoi An Villas Boutique Hotel.

• Budget — Tribee Bana Hostel, Sunflower Hotel, abundant family-run homestays from US$20.

Best neighbourhoods for first-timers:

• Ancient Town — best for first-timers: walk to the Japanese Bridge, lanterns and Central Market.

• An Bang Beach (4 km east) — best for beach holidays: beach clubs, surf and sunset cocktails.

• Cua Dai (3 km east) — bigger resort properties facing the sea; quieter than An Bang.

• Cam Thanh / coconut village (3 km southeast) — rural and atmospheric, perfect for cycling-led stays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the most common questions first-time travellers ask about Hoi An — quick answers to help plan your trip.

How many days do you need in Hoi An?

Three to four days is ideal. Day one for the Ancient Town and a lantern-festival evening; day two for cooking class, tailor fittings and a beach afternoon; day three for My Son Sanctuary or Cam Thanh coconut village; day four for a cycling tour and one final tailor fitting.

How do I get to Hoi An from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City?

Fly to Da Nang International Airport (1 hour 20 minutes from Hanoi or HCMC), then a 40-minute taxi or hotel shuttle to Hoi An (US$15–20). Many travellers combine Hoi An with Hue, taking the scenic Hai Van Pass drive (2.5 hours by private car) on the way.

When is the Hoi An Lantern Festival?

On the 14th day of every lunar month — usually 2–3 days before the full moon. The biggest is Tet Nguyen Tieu (15th day of the 1st lunar month, usually February). On these nights the Ancient Town switches off its electric lights and is lit only by silk lanterns; thousands of floating candle-lanterns are released onto the Thu Bon River.

Is Hoi An good for tailoring? How long does it take?

Yes — Hoi An has 600+ tailor shops and is famous worldwide. A suit or dress typically takes 24–48 hours; allow at least 3 nights for multiple fittings. Yaly Couture, Bebe Tailor, A Dong Silk and Kimmy Tailor are the most-recommended international-friendly tailors. Bring a photo of what you want and expect to pay a 50% deposit upfront.

When is the best time to visit Hoi An?

February to April is ideal — warm but not humid, dry, with all attractions open. May to August is hot but great for An Bang Beach. Avoid late September to November — heavy rain and occasional flooding can close the Ancient Town for days. The Lantern Festival happens every lunar 14th regardless of season.