What to Do in Hoi An Ancient Town

Sightsee the Best Preserved Buildings

Read also: Attractions in Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An is a historical town that played an important role in international commerce across the region from 15^th to 19^th centuries. It drawed merchants and migrants from different countries, making it become a melting pot. Thanks to this stunning origin of history, visitors will see a variety of cultures, architectural styles (mainly from Asia), religions and foods. Amongst some thousands of buildings, around 20 were recommended to visit and a ticket is required if someone likes to see them, costing 150,000 VND. Entry to 5 places are covered, including the Traditional Art Performance Theatre at 66 Bach Dang St. Four other highlights we suggest to sightsee are Japanese covered bridge – the emblem of the town, Old house of Tan Ky, Fujian assembly hall and Museum of trade ceramics. Each is the best of its kind.

Read also: Hoi An old town walking tour (half day)

Learn How to Cook Vietnamese Foods

Read details in Hoi An’s cooking classes

Hoi An is home to the best cooking schools in the country and no doubt, a fantastic class is not hard to find in this city. Nearly all schools are restaurants that are based in the old town. For that reason, cooking class is one of the most popular activities. No matter which school, you will start with a visit to a traditional market where the chief introduces different local procedures and shopping culture. Later, he/she explains the use of ingredients and instructs how to cook some Vietnamese dishes from scratch. All experiences are hands-on and you definitely use the same utensils and ingredients, and make foods by your own hands. It’s fun to do and allows you to know better local recipes. When the last dish is done, everybody sits together on the table to taste what they just made. Cooking class is highly recommended to families and food lovers.

Note: Evening and vegan classes also are available in town.

Read also: Full day Hoi An ancient town and countryside experience

Go Shopping

There are so many stores, shops and markets in Hoi An Ancient Town, with a variety of local products, handcrafted objects, souvenirs and others to buy. The town is especially famous for some hundreds of tailors who make personalized clothings (like suits) with a short turnaround. It’s also feasible to see a diversity of fabrics, qualities, prices and styles. Having a custom made stylish garment is a must do for many visitors, especially shopaholics. Shipping home is also easy to arrange for the makers.

Read also: Hoi An old town souvenirs, Tailors in Hoi An

Get Tailor Made Garments

Read details in Tailoring in Hoi An

Making a bespoke stylish garment is a must do for many travelers, because Hoi An is the best choice for tailoring in Vietnam. The town is filled by hundreds of tailor shops where a wide range of fabrics, styles, prices and qualities is seen. The other thing that people like is a quick turnaround: within 24hrs for simple items and 2 to 3 days if more specifications are required. The fittings can be in the shop, hotel or somewhere travelers feel most convenient. History, this “industry” started when the town became a trade port. Merchants from the rest of the world moored it to seek good-quality silks and fabrics to bring home for sale.

Read also: Full day Hoi An ancient town and basket boat experience

Boat Ride in the Flooded Town [Rainy Season]

Read details in Boat rides in Hoi An old town

During the flood season from October to December, some parts of Hoi An old town are inundated by the Thu Bon river. It’s called the “Venice of Vietnam” for that reason. Apart from damages and closing of many places, travelers have the chance to experience a special boat ride. In which, locals propel the boat around streets that never support traveling by water, to allow the passengers to see their hometown from a different perspective. Of course, there are numerous photo opportunities to take memorable, unique photos about Hoi An. Due to safety reasons, the electricity is cut and by that, should have a day ride.

Tour around on a Cyclo

Cyclo (xích lô in Vietnamese) is a three-wheeled vehicle with a passenger seat in the front, propelled by pedaling (like bicycle). It’s loved by many visitors because it provides a special, leisurely ride. In which, they can see the town and life of people at a slow pace, and of course, feel easy to take pictures. If would like to tour around the town, stop and sightsee historical buildings, it’s needed to deal in advance. In common, the ride is non-stop and lasts around 20 minutes.

Note: Tipping is what visitors often have to do after the cyclo tour.

Read also: Full day Hoi An ancient town and Cam Kim island bike tour

Lantern Making Class

Read details in Lanterns in Hoi An

Lanterns were introduced into Hoi An when the Chinese people came to reside. Today, these become a symbol of the town and locals celebrate a lantern festival every full moon night. For that reason, unquestionably, lanterns are amongst the best things to buy as souvenirs. Visitors can make it by their own hands, it’s more meaningful. Classes are available around the town, such as the Lantern Lady’s workshops headed by a local family.

Read also: Handicraft workshops in Hoi An

Hoi An Traditional Art Performance House

Watching Vietnamese art performances here is covered by your ancient town entrance ticket. During the day, artists come to the stage and perform at 10:15 a.m and 3:15 p.m. The highlight of the show is Tuong (aka Vietnamese opera) – a form of Vietnamese theatre influenced by the Chinese ones. It’s first known in the country in the 17^th century and became popular in the Nguyen dynasty in 19^th and 20^th centuries. Actors and actresses wear different masks and costumes that reveal character’s personality. On the ground floor, visitors can see many colorful traditional-style masks to buy and learn how to make them from the last artisan in town. 

Read also: Cultural shows in Hoi An

Visit the Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum

Located in “French quarter” – Phan Boi Chau St, this private art gallery is owned by a talented French photographer Rehann. His amazing photos are hung up on the walls of the first space here, including some iconic moments of Hoi An. In the rest of the gallery, visitors will see the most complete collection of traditional costumes of 54 ethnics living in Vietnam. Stories about how Rehann approached and captured memorable pictures about them are told on the wooden board. Thus, not only to admire art photography, visitors also learn about different groups of people in the country.

Note: Famous Mi Quang Ong Hai is nearby, so why not get there and try yummy local noodles if hungry?

Savour the Best Banh Mi in the World

Sandwich in the Banh Mi Phuong in Hoi An is praised as “the best banh mi in the world” by Anthony Bourdain – a famed American chef during his visit. Since then, this local restaurant has been famous and even a must know place for visitors. At lunch and dinner times, there is a long queue before the makers and cashiers here. When the turn comes, the guests will let the ladies know which kind of ingredients (fillings) they like to fill the bread. To clearly know all options, we recommend walking inside, taking seats and watching the menu. Meat and vegan choices are available to choose from, with a minimum price as 20,000 VND. Beverages like beers, juices, soft drinks, fresh coconut and more are for sale too, to enhance the taste.  

Read also: Best Banh Mi in Hoi An

Eat Local Food Specialties

Hoi An is a melting pot where different culinary cultures met and have exchanged for some centuries. Its cuisine is famous all over the country, thanks to variety and features in recipe, use of ingredients and flavours. The signature dish of this city is Cao Lau – a bowl of browny-chewy noodles that showcase the influences of Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese. It’s served with thinly-sliced char siu pork, rice crackers, blanching bean sprouts, raw vegetables and a bold sauce. Mi Quang is also popular around the city. Its name means “the noodles from Quang Nam” – the province of Hoi An. The noodle is eaten with broth, pork, quail eggs, shrimps, rice crackers, roasted peanuts and raw vegetables. Other specialty foods in town are pork barbecues and rice papers, stir-fried baby clams (hến xào), fried wonton, white rose dumplings, clear dumplings and more.

Read also: Hoi An Food Specialties

Sunset Craft Beer in the Pasteur Street Brewing Company

Bach Dang riverfront is one of the best spots to watch the sunset in Hoi An. And, visitor’s experience will be enriched with an awesome craft beer from Pasteur Street Brewing Company – Vietnam’s first craft beer producers. This award-winning brewery uses American techniques and exotic local ingredients to create unique beers to bring the drinks new experiences. It’s based in Ho Chi Minh city and as a result of its rapid growth, Hoi An’s branch is birthed. The guests can climb upstairs and sit in the balcony where a good view is provided.

Early Morning or Evening Photo Tour

Hoi An town is known by all instagrammers and photographers, because there are numerous picture-perfect spots to photograph. If visitors would like to improve their skills or seek a friend to share the passion, they can join a photo tour with a professional guide (photographer). Early morning and evening are the best times to roam around and “safari” beautiful moments of the quarters and people when the crowds of tourists don’t come yet.

Taste Vietnamese Coffee

Vietnam is the second coffee producer in the world and the largest one in case of Robusta beans. Although introduced by the French in colonial times, drinking coffee soon became a part of local culture and daily life. Around the town, visitors can see numerous places to try the coffee made by beans that are grown by farmers in the Central Highlands. Arabica and specialty beans are also easy to see in top shops. Apart from western styles, it’s possible to see traditional ones on the menu, such as phin filter coffee, coconut milk coffee or egg coffee (cà phê trứng). Some of the most famous venues are in the bucket list of instagrammers thanks to decorations or nice views.

Read also: The best coffee shops in Hoi An

What to Do in Hoi An Ancient Town at Night

Lantern Festival in the Full Moon

Read details in Hoi An Lantern Festival

Hoi An at night is an unmissable experience to any visitor. It’s possible to expect a wonderful scene of colorful lights from millions of lanterns that are hung up in streets and houses. In the full moon, the lantern festival – one of the most sought-after events in town – occurs and still amazes the viewers. Down the river, locals drop down candle paper lanterns to wish for good things in life. Folk games, singgings and crowds make the town so atmospheric, lively and memorable. Lots of people want to stroll every night.

Hoi An Night Market

Read details in Hoi An Night Market

Located on the opposite bank of the old town – An Hoi Island, this night market opens from the sunset until the last visitors left. It has over 150 stalls where yummy foods and reasonably-priced objects are sold. Lantern shops here are what instagrammers want to look for and photograph nice pictures.

Watch the Hoi An Memories Show

The Hoi An Memories Show is the largest outdoor visual art performance in Vietnam. It’s active every night in the stage of Hoi An Impression Theme Park, located on a separate island on Thu Bon river. In which, 500 actors and actresses are in charge of telling different stories throughout the history of the country and the city. All wear traditional costumes, performing in a great music background and modern lighting. If staying overnight in Hoi An for a couple of days, witnessing this show is a must do.

Read also: Hoi An Memories Show

Lantern Boat Ride and Candle Lantern

After it’s dark, visitors enjoy watching and taking pictures with a huge number of colorful lanterns in Hoi An town. By the river, locals sell paper lanterns which are used to drop the water to pray for good things happening in life. In the full moon, the beauty is more gorgeous because all houses, streets and public spaces are decorated by candle lanterns. To view it, visitors can choose to get a boat ride along the canal and take plenty of nice photos with the camera. The cruise allows you to see one of the most wonderful things in Hoi An from a different point.

Read also: Hoi An old town boats

Try Street Foods

Tasting delicious street foods in Hoi An at night is highly recommended to foodies and those who would like to know better local cuisine. Don’t need any plan, just roaming around the town, visitors will see many vendors and stalls to have a look and choose what to try. Read our guide to street foods in Hoi An to know all of the options and details about them.

Have a Cold Beer in Nguyen Phuc Chu Pub Street

By Hoai river waterfront, Nguyen Phuc Chu St is known as the Pub street where many bars and pubs stand aside. So, it’s not hard to find one place and get a cold drink with nice music around the ears. Games, happy hours and social atmosphere are what to expect there too, if seeking a late night party. Due to the city’s regulations, the venues need to close around midnight.

Bai Choi Folk Games and Singgings

By An Hoi Bridge, there is an open-air stage with bamboo huts where Bai Choi (folk gaming and singing) occurs every single night. Players will sit together in the huts and the hosts stand in the yard to sing, dance or call the names of winners. It’s fun to watch and learn more about a local art tradition that was registered by Uneso as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. In the full moon (lantern festival), visitors can participate in “breaking the potteries” to receive small awards.  

What to Do in Hoi An Ancient Town that Give Back to Hoi An

Reaching Out Teahouse and Craft Shop

The Reaching Out is a social enterprise in Hoi An, aiming to train and create more jobs for disabilities. From Monday to Friday, foldable lantern making class is held from 2 to 3 pm under the instruction of an in-house artisan. The cost is 15 USD per person. In the same place, there are many elaborate hand-crafted objects to buy and give back to Hoi An. The enterprise also opens a teahouse where the guests don’t say throughout their visit, to express the respect to deaf and mute persons.

What to Do in Hoi An Ancient Town with Kids

Learn How to Make a Mask or Lantern

Lanterns are symbols of Hoi An’s old town and absolutely are nice souvenirs to bring home to memorize the visit to the world heritage. Lantern making classes are available around this area, allowing the little ones to learn about a Vietnamese traditional handicraft and have a fun time with other members of the family. The learners can start from scratch or with a pre-made frame.

Read also: Hoi An Lanterns – Festival, Making Class, History, More