1. Hoi An Ancient Town
Hoi An is located in Quang Nam province on the banks of the Thu Bon River, 30km south of Da Nang and on the coast of the East Vietnam Sea. Coming to Hoi An, you cannot skip Hoi An Ancient Town which captivates visitors with its extremely rustic and idyllic timeless beauty. Especially, The Old Town of Hoi An features a historic mood with colorful lanterns, making itself classic and ancient at the same time. No wonder UNESCO declared the old town a World Heritage Site in 1999.
2. How to get to Hoi An Ancient Town?
The most convenient route to get to Hoi An Ancient Town is from Da Nang because the distance between the two places is about 30km. Visitors can take a taxi/ bus or ride a motorbike themselves. The price for a ride from Da Nang to Hoi An will be about 200,000 VND – 250,000 VND ($8.52 – $10.65).
To come to Hoi An Ancient Town from other cities such as Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, you can book a flight and spend nearly 2 hours getting there. National airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar, and Vietjetair all have daily flights to Hoi An, but cheap tickets are available if you book about 3 to 6 months in advance.
Another way to visit Hoi An Ancient Town is to take a train. In Vietnam, there is a railroad track from North to South, which passes through Da Nang. Going by train is slightly cheaper than by air, yet it will take you more than 15 – 20 hours to travel from HCMC or Hanoi to Da Nang.
3. What to SEE and DO in Hoi An Ancient Town?
3.1. The Hoai River
Hoi An Ancient Town stretches along the Hoai River, a tributary of the Thu Bon River. Strolling around the Hoai River will please every visitor with its unique charm. You can experience a chilling boat trip on the Hoai River and let yourself immerse in the gentle stream. By nightfall, the Hoai River becomes a glowing fair
yland and twinkles with the soft light of colorful lanterns which are released to express gratitude to ancestors or to make wishes.
3.2. Japanese Covered Bridge (Chua Cau)
Japanese Covered Bridge (also known as the Japanese Temple or the Cau Pagoda) boasts a long history of more than 400 years. It is believed that there was a lair of monsters and kappas under the Bridge. Hence, Vietnamese and Chinese people built a temple to control them, connecting it to the Northern corridor of the Bridge. When visiting Hoi An, let’s drop by the Japanese Covered Bridge and admire this cultural symbol of Vietnam, Japan and China.
3.3. Assembly Halls
Around Hoi An Ancient Town, there are several assembly halls. If you want to see the ceramic artifacts and the harmonious blend of wood and stone, head to the Cantonese Assembly Hall. This place will also bring you close to the life of the Cantonese community.
Fujian Assembly Hall, located at 46 Tran Phu, is the largest and most well-known. Visitors can come here to pray for health and fortune.
Trieu Chau Assembly Hall, built by the Chaozhou community in 1845, was considered a sacred place by Vietnamese fishermen. People worship the god Phuc Ba for a safe voyage and smooth sailing here.
3.4. Ancient houses
If you are an ancient architecture lover, take a look at some ancient houses in Hoi An Ancient Town. You can rush to Tan Ky Old House to explore the wooden East Asian-inspired decorative patterns; Phung Hung Old house to snap some photos with this expensive ironwood construction; Quang Thang House to observe stunning wood carvings of peacocks and flowers on its walls or Tran Family Chapel to enjoy the unique mix of 3 different architecture styles: Japanese – Chinese – Vietnamese
3.5. Hoi An Central Market
Hoi An Central Market is the only sound that breaks the tranquility of Hoi An Ancient Town. It features a bustling life and dynamic vibe. Tourists can buy a lot of things there including fresh seafood, vegetables, fruits, souvenirs… Make use of Hoi An Central Market and taste various delicacies of Central Vietnam cuisine such as Cao Lau, Quang noodles, etc.
Tourists can stroll around Hoi An Central Market and shop for their favorite products. Most previous visitors preferred Conical Hat (Non la), Tailor-made Ao Dai, Calligraphy, or To He. These souvenirs are iconic because they not only have their own beauty but also represent the charm of Vietnam.
4. What to EAT in Hoi An Ancient Town?
4.1. Quang seafood noodle
Quang seafood noodle is a signature dish of Hoi An cuisine. The dish includes rice noodles, shrimp (pork, chicken, fish, beef – depending on different people), herbs, and a small amount of broth. The bone broth with intense flavor is a unique taste that you cannot find anywhere else in any dish.
- Location: Cam Ha, Hoi An City, Quang Nam (alongside Thu Bon River)
- Opening hours: 07:00 am 09:00 pm
- Average price: 1.3 – 2.5 USD per bowl
4.2. Banh Mi
Banh Mi is a famous Vietnamese street food and in Hoi An, you can easily find it in some food stalls or head to some restaurants and ask for one. Banh Mi is not too big but it is full of stuffing which definitely pleases your stomach.
- Location: No. 2, Le Loi Street, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam.
- Opening hours: 07:00 – 21:00
- Average Price: 15.000 – 20.000 VNĐ ($0,64- $0,85/loaf
4.3. Cao Lau
Cao Lau is a quintessential dish of Hoi An. Cao Lau is a perfect blend of noodles, sliced roast pork, squares of crispy pork fat, bean sprouts, distinctive broth, crackers, and herbs. For a quick bite of street food to refuel (before they close at 3 p.m.), we couldn’t miss eating Cao Lau.
- Location: 474 Cua Dai
- Opening hours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
- Average Price: 28,000 VND (1.20 USD)
4.4. Chicken rice
Another dish you must try when visiting Hoi An is chicken rice. It includes firm chicken, golden-colored rice, fresh herbs, and bean sprouts, along with a bowl of innards in a spicy sauce. The chicken in Hoi An is freely raised in local gardens so they have an active lifestyle, which makes their fresh’s texture quite firm and springy. Some Vietnamese people also eat congealed blood, intestines, or the heart of the chicken while tasting chicken rice. If you like, give it a try.
- Location: 27 Phan Chu Trinh
- Opening Hours: Evenings only until sold out
- Average price: 30,000 VND ($1.25 USD)
5. Where to STAY in Hoi An Ancient Town?
5.1. Senvila Boutique Hoi An Resort & Spa
Senvila Boutique Hoi An Resort & Spa has a humble size but still brings a great experience to tourists. The hotel is located in the Hoi An Eco-Tourism Zone and close to Central Market in Old Square, Cua Dai Bridge, Hoi An Old Town. Especially, you can ask for a free electric car if you want to visit Cua Dai Beach or Hoi An Old Town. Otherwise, you can borrow a free bicycle to make your own cycling tour.
- Location: Tran Nhan Tong Street Thanh Nhi Village, Cam Thanh Ward, Hoi An
- Rooms: 36
- Style: Trendy & Charming
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +84 235 3752888
- Highlights: Free electric car (To Cua Dai Beach or Hoi An Old Town), Free bicycles, reading area
5.2. Hoi An Central Boutique Hotel & Spa
Hoi An Central Boutique Hotel & Spa is located on Hung Vuong Street and is within walking distance of the famous Japanese Covered Bridge Pagoda and the bustling Ancient Town. If you plan to visit these two places, this greeny hotel is the best choice for you because it not only saves you time but also provides you with high-standard service. Moreover, the hotel facilitates business meetings and its capacity is up to 60 guests.
- Location: 91 Hung Vuong Street, Cam Pho Ward, Hoi An
- Rooms: 108
- Style: Business & Boutique
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +84.235 395 9999
- Highlights: Business space, a small private beach nearby (4km away)
5.3. Hoian Central Hotel
Located right in the heart of Hoi An, Hoian Central Hotel offers both a comfy stay and a convenient location for visitors to walk to many attractions including the Old Town, Hoi An Market, An Bang beach, and My Son Sanctuary. The hotel particularly brings about a classic vibe due to its charming colonial style.
- Location: 301 Nguyen Duy Hieu, Hoi An
- Rooms: 25
- Style: Classic & Centrally Located
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (+84) 2353 948 777
- Highlights: one of the most charming and prestigious hotels in the area
To get more information about Hoi An Hotels click here: 15 Hoi An Hotels & Villas worth your stay in 2023.
6. Some tips for tourists to fully explore Hoi An Ancient Town?
- The best time to Visit Hoi An is from February to April and from September to December
- You can visit Hoi An by taxi, motorbike, bicycle, cyclo or walk based on your preference
- The most iconic thing about Hoi An Ancient Town is the lanterns that get set off once the sun goes in and darkness sets in.
Metta Voyage hopes that you have got some general information about Hoi An Ancient Town and What you can DO, SEE, and EAT there! If you have any questions or need more help, contact Metta Voyage and we are pleased to provide you with more detail. Click here to read about Ancient Town Hoi An – 1 Day.
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