Hoi An Old Town Ticket: Price, Sellers, Included Sites, More

As an attraction including attractions, Hoi An Old Town requires an entrance ticket to tourists who come from other parts of Vietnam and the world. It raises funds for preservation of the world heritage as well as its thousands of old buildings. The townies also have financial support when they need, in order to repair their own house or renovate their community’s temples. This article focuses on Hoi An Old Town ticket that all travelers need to have. That is from its price, where to buy, reservation, validity, what it covers to recommendations based on our local knowledge. We recommend reading our guides to Hoi An Old Town and 12 maps to make it easier to explore.

Boundaries

Core zone (the best-preserved zone) of Hoi An Old Town world heritage has an area of 30 hectares. This zone is strictly protected and bordered by Thu Bon River to the south and 3 roads closewise: Cao Hong Lanh, Phan Chu Trinh and Hoang Dieu. For Unesco, all of remains within it fully expresses the intactness and the role of the town as an international trade port. There are grid streets lined by traditional residential and shop houses, a bridge, still-active markets, a quay where merchant boats moor and religious buildings constructed by different nationalities. Architecture here showcases a unique fusion of Asian cultures and a little bit French. See detailed boundaries in Hoi An Old Town Map

How to Preserve Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An Ancient Town’s streets and laneways are unallowed for access to vehicles with 4 wheels and more. Motorcycles can’t move in the area during pedestrian hours too, from 9 to 11 a.m and 5 to 9 p.m daily. This policy aims to reduce air pollution, noise and dangers for walkers. So, walking and riding bicycles are the best ways to get around.

Buildings in Hoi An Ancient Town are classified into 5 categories, based on their own history, culture, architecture, state of preservation and more. Each one receives a different policy from the local government. There are special, I, II, III, IV and V. The bulk of special buildings open the doors for tourists and require a ticket, because of their unreplaceable values. No doubt that Japanese bridge, Chinese assembly halls and temples, old Vietnamese houses, communal houses and family chapels are in this list. The lowest categories are buildings constructed before the town was designated to be a heritage site. Conservationists request to replace them by a new one with traditional architectural styles, like tiled roof, yellow wall, timber furniture.

Hoi An Old Town Ticket Price & Reservation

Hoi An Old Town Ticket Price

At the moment, the price of a Hoi An Old Town ticket (or Hoi An Ancient Town entrance fee) is 150,000 VND for international visitors and 80,000 VND for domestic visitors. Overseas Vietnamese (Viet kieu) have to show Vietnamese ID or passport if wanting to pay the same to locals. It’s free of charge for kids and childrens will get a discount. The rate for non-Vietnamese sightseers is higher because of more coverings and longer validity.

In 2022, visitors only pay a half of original Hoi An Old Town ticket price, 75,000 VND for foreigners and 40,000 VND for Vietnamese.

Reservation and Tips

At this time, visitors don’t need or can not reserve Hoi An Old Town ticket in advance. Just come to ticket booths (see the list below) and purchase. Keep in mind to take a map to know the location of places with highlights. Whenever aiming to wander around the town, like in the evening to see lanterns, don’t forget the ticket because it’s a must. If bought but leave it in the room, showing the map taken from the ticket kiosks or pictures of what you took in ticket-required places.

Places to Buy Hoi An Old Town Ticket

Ticket booths are placed along boundaries of the Unesco world heritage area. For visitor’s convenience, these official selling spots stand by main roads leading further inside the best-protected quarters. Some places are located in the heart of the town, to allow visitors who walk in by laneways to pay the admission easier. Location of all booths is outlined clockwise from the south as following below:

– An Hoi Bridge: Nguyen Phuc Chu/Chau Thuong Van crossroad

– Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa/Nguyen Du crossroad

– Cao Hong Lanh: near the beginning of Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa and Nguyen Thi Minh Khai streets

– The Japanese Bridge Laneway: near crossroad with Phan Chu Trinh St

– Japanese Covered Bridge: Tran Phu/Bach Dang crossroad

– Gate of Ba Mu Temple on Hai Ba Trung St

– Le Loi/Phan Chu Trinh crossroad: Dinh Ong Voi communal house (Hoi An communal house)

– Le Loi/Tran Phu crossroad: first quarter

– Nguyen Hue/Phan Chu Trinh crossroad

– Hoang Dieu/Tran Phu crossroad: near Hainan assembly hall

Opening Times of Ticket Booths

Ticket booths in Hoi An Old Town open from 7 a.m to 9 p.m. Due to low domestic tourists, many of which close around 6 p.m when the bulk of ticketed attractions stop welcoming visitors. The cashier knows English, so he/she definitely can talk with and give some recommendations on the map. Let her/him know if wanting to book an on-site guide around the town. However, we recommend traveling with a guide who doesn’t work for the management board. The reason is that this “unofficial” buddy will wander with visitors longer, speak English better and knowledgeable equally, but not more expensive.

What does Hoi An Old Town Ticket Cover?

Hoi An old town ticket covers the entry to the Unesco-inscribed area anytime during the day. In addition, ticket holders can choose to see 5 amongst 21 sightseeing places and art performance theatres. To the right-hand part of the ticket, there are 5 blocks with words “sightseeing places”. In each attraction, the checker will use a scissor to cut a block and if all are cut, visitors need to buy another ticket if would like to sightsee more.

List of Places Included by Hoi An Old Town Ticket

– Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu): This is the town’s emblem, built by the Japanese in the early 17th century in 2 years, from the Year of Monkey to the Year of Dog. It’s constructed by the Chinese later and since then, a Taoist temple has been standing behind. Both groups of people wish for moderate weather, luck in business and happiness. Together with the use of local materials and artisans, the bridge becomes a symbol of cultural exchange between 3 countries. You can see it on the note of 20,000 VND.

– Hoi An Traditional Art Performance House: At 66 Bach Dang St, this theatre provides shows performed by artists, at 10:15 a.m, 3:15 p.m and 4:15 p.m.

– Vietnamese Old Houses (nhà cổ): allow visitors to know better local resilience in many past centuries, and life of the owners. Tan Ky, Duc An, Phung Hung and Quan Thang are the 4 most famous houses.

– Chinese Assembly Halls: showcase the most sophisticated architectures in town that express the wealth of different Chinese groups. The people migrated here due to political and business reasons. Jujian (Phúc Kiến) and Guangdong (Quảng Đông) are most visited, and then Chaozhou (Triều Châu), Hainan (Hải Nam) and All Communities (Trung Hoa).

– Museums: exhibit in a variety of collections that tell visitors different stories about history and culture in town. There are museums for Sa Huỳnh culture, Trade ceramics, Folk culture, Traditional medicine and History and culture.

– Temples and Pagodas: Quan Cong temple where Chinese honour the military general of the same name and visit daily to pray. Vietnamese Buddhist pagoda Quan Âm stands next to.

– Family Chapels: a place of worship for Vietnamese family’s ancestors, including the Nguyễn Tường, Trần.

– Communal Houses: worshipping centers of villages in Vietnam, including Cẩm Phô and Hội An built by Vietnamese and Tụy Tiên Đường by Chinese in Minh Hương village.

Our Choices for the First Ticket

These are 5 places we recommend for the first time in Hoi An Old Town and reasons:

– Japanese Covered Bridge: emblem of the town, only Japanese building, stunning history and cultural relations, a must-know photogenic spot

– Fujian Assembly Hall: largest of its kind, many awesome architectures, an Instagrammable spot

– Museum of Trade Ceramics: exhibiting a part of ceramics and porcelains brought from the largest underwater excavation – Hoi An shipwreck

– Old House of Tan Ky: one of the best-protected old merchant residence in town, free guidance from a member of the owner family, food levels over years

– Hoi An Traditional Art Performance House: only choice for “watching” instead of sightseeing, attractive Tuong show

Our Choices for the Second Ticket (Repeat Visitors)

– Museum of Folklore: providing information and artifacts about many cultural traditions and handicrafts of the town, like tailoring, weaving, pottery making

– Guangdong Assembly Hall: near Japanese bridge and contains the finest architectures and cultural values of one of the largest Chinese communities, also sacred to Vietnamese

– Duc An Old House: owned by Mr Cao Hong Lanh who founded the first communist association for the youth in town, ever functioning as a bookstore, medicine store.

– Quan Cong Temple: built by Chinese merchants in the front of the market to pray for luck in the business, for worship of Quan Cong – a famed military general in ancient times.

– Tran Family Chapel: most-loved of its kind, thanks to ornate interiors and shaded garden in the surrounding.

Free Places that Visitors Can’t Miss

– Hoi An Central Market: an array of local food stalls with a fixed, clear price and hospitality, all Hoi An’s special dishes can be found here

– Gates of Ba Mu Temple: an emerging instagrammable spot, newly-reconstructed main gate of Chinese Ba Mu Temple that destroyed by wars

– Precious Heritage by Rehann: owned and showcase art photo works of Rehann – a French expat in Hoi An, a collection of every traditional costume of ethnics in the country

– Hoi An Night Market: including over 150 food and souvenir stalls where visitors can try lots of yummy dishes, specialties, and take amazing pictures with lanterns

– Bach Dang waterfront for sunset

– Bai Choi stage where folk games and performances occur every night, registered by Unesco in 2017

Hoi An Old Town Ticket Validity

Validity of Hoi An old town ticket is one day that is clearly shown on the physical piece of ticket. However, aiming to provide a convenience and comfort at most for international visitors, the city decides to extend it to cover the whole stay of the buyers. Simply, the ticket validates until you leave Hoi An. Always remember to bring it, to enter the town if you don’t want to purchase another one.

Recommended Itinerary in Hoi An Old Town

The Morning Itinerary

– See daily life of locals in the Fish market, a part of Chợ Hội An (the Central Market)

– Breakfast and morning coffee like a local in Japanese Covered Bridge

– Sightsee our 5 old constructions and watch the cultural show

– Visit a good tailor shop for a custom made garment like suit, shirt, dress

– Try Nước mót (local herb water) in front of Duc An House

– Go to the Central Market to try cao lau, the signature noodle dish of the town or Banh Mi Phuong to eat the best banh mi sandwich.

The Afternoon Itinerary

– Sightsee 4 places and the theatre to watch the traditional art show

– Visit a tailor shop for personalized garments at your own favourite styles

– Have a break in a coffee shop and sip Vietnamese traditional coffees such as ca phe sua da or coconut milk coffee

– Enjoy the sunset at Bach Dang waterfront (get a drink if like!)

– Taste street foods like bánh ướt thịt nướng (grilled pork skewers rolled with rice paper, raw vegetables and eat with peanut sauce)

– Stroll along the Night market to sample more and photograph with lanterns

– Get on a lantern boat ride, light up a paper lantern and drop it down the water by yourself

– Have a cocktail or cold beer in the Pub Street

Hoi An Ancient Town Tour and Private Guide

Main article: Hoi An Ancient Town Tour

Half day Hoi An ancient town walking tour is the most popular activity, for both guided and self-guided travelers. Its itinerary has all places included in the ticket, and other recommendations from the tour guide. The additions may be tailors, coffee shops, markets, handicraft workshops, and more that allow visitors to fully know the town. In the afternoon, the chance to see street foods is high, and he/she definitely suggests (and informs) to give it a try. Food tours or cooking tours are other stunning experiences with a focus on local diverse cuisine. On the other hand, all day tours from Hue or Da Nang to Hoi An include the Old Town, because it’s a must see. If staying overnight in Hoi An already, travelers can choose to combine with some top attractions in the outskirts such as My Son temples or Marble Mountains, to complete the day.

Other Entrance Fees in Hoi An

– Hoi An Pottery Village Entrance Fee: 35,000 VND covering entry to the village, class to learn about how to make pottery, a gift (clay whistle) and visiting historical buildings. Within it, Thanh Ha Terracotta Park costs, separately, 40,000 VND.

– Hoi An Coconut Forest Entrance Fee: 30,000 VND, covering entry to Bay Mau coconut village to explore its maze-like waterways by a basket boat.

– Cham Island Entrance Fee: 70,000 VND

– Tra Que Vegetable Village Entrance Fee: 35,000 VND

– My Son Sanctuary Entrance Fee: 150,000 VND, covering entry to all temples and ruins, two-ways transfer by buggy, Cham show, and entry to My Son Museum.