- Cao lau at Cao Lau Thanh or Morning Glory: the noodle dish made only here.
- White rose dumplings and banh mi Phuong (the Anthony Bourdain baguette).
- Com ga Hoi An (chicken rice) at Com Ga Ba Buoi.
- An Bang Beach for grilled seafood at sunset.
Hoi An City Guide
The Japanese Covered Bridge (Chua Cau) in Hoi An. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Hoi An was a trading port when Shakespeare was writing: Japanese, Chinese, Dutch and Indian merchants all had streets here in the 16th and 17th centuries. The river silted up, the port died, and the town froze: hundreds of merchant houses, assembly halls and the covered Japanese bridge survive almost intact, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
By day it is tailors and coffee; by night the old town closes to traffic and the lanterns come on. The full-moon lantern festival, every lunar month, is the town at its most magical. An Bang Beach and the Tra Que herb village sit a short bike ride away.
What to do in Hoi An
The old town
- 1
Japanese Covered Bridge (Chua Cau) The 1590s bridge built by Japanese merchants, the town's symbol. - 2
Old Town streets Tran Phu, Nguyen Thai Hoc and Bach Dang: lanterns, tailors and cafes. - 3Assembly halls The Fujian, Cantonese and Hainan halls: carved dragons and incense coils.
- 4
Full-moon lantern festival Every lunar month: the old town goes dark and the river fills with candles.
Around Hoi An
- 1
An Bang Beach The long beach 4 km north: seafood shacks and calm water. - 2
Tra Que herb village The market-garden village: farming experiences and cooking classes. - 3
My Son Sanctuary The Cham towers, an hour west: go at opening time. - 4
Thu Bon River boat rides Sunset boats past the lantern-lit waterfront.
Hoi An Hotel Guide
How to choose the best places to stay in Hoi An. Verified properties below; for the full list, search live availability on Booking.com.
Luxury
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai
The beachfront resort south of town: villas, spa and the famous pools.
View on Booking.com
Mid-range
Almanity Hoi An Wellness Resort
The old-town wellness resort with cooking classes and spa.
View on Booking.com
Budget-friendly
Tribee Kinh Hostel
The riverside hostel in the old town, social and well run.
View on Booking.comWhere to eat
Getting there and around
Da Nang International Airport (DAD) is 45 minutes north; private cars and shuttles run constantly. The old town is flat and best done by bicycle. My Son is an hour west by tour bus.
Eating in Hoi An
Fledge Food has a full guide to how Hoi An eats: its defining dishes and how to order them, street food decoded, the markets, and the neighborhoods to eat in.