Are you looking for things to do in Hoi An? If so, you’re going to love this post!
Hoi An was one of my favorite places to visit in Vietnam, and I know I’m certainly not alone when I say that!
A charming city that is included on almost every Vietnam itinerary, it is a welcome respite from the noisy, crowded, and overwhelming cities of Vietnam like Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) and Hanoi. But don’t let its small size fool you. There are so many things to do in Hoi An, it can be hard to choose!
On the one hand, that’s a great thing because it means you have plenty of options depending on what your interests are. On the other hand, if you’re sitting at home right now planning your Vietnam trip, already knowing you only have two days to spend in Hoi An, you might have trouble picking the best things to do that suit your interests.
That’s why I wrote this post. I’m sharing with you a list of things to do in Hoi An that covers everything from outdoor adventures and cultural activities to eating, drinking, shopping, and sightseeing. Basically, there’s something on this list for everyone.
And if you’re a ‘pack it all in in one go’ kind of traveler (like me!), then maybe, just maybe, you’ll check off everything that’s on this list of things to do in Hoi An (like I did!). I’ll be impressed for sure!
Now, let’s get to it!
9 Things To Do in Hoi An
1. Bike ride through rice paddies and local villages
A great way to get a lay of the land and explore the surrounding, local neighborhoods outside of the tourist-centric city center is to take a bike ride through the rice paddies and local villages. There are many local tour operators that offer ½ day tours and/or bike rentals. I think that a 3-4 hour tour is plenty of time to take in the beautiful countryside. Our tour ended at the beach which was perfect because, after a morning of cycling in the heat, a swim in the ocean is just what we needed.
2. Eat at Hanh Mi Phuong (An Anthony Bourdain favorite)
People waiting in line at Hanh Mi Phuong
Anthony Bourdain has certainly made many hole-in-the-wall food establishments famous with his show, Parts Unkown. But honestly, you’d be stupid not to trust his food recommendations! Case in point: Hanh Mi Phuong in Hoi-An.
When I first arrived at this modest sandwich shop, I’ll admit, I wasn’t impressed with the cramped space, which was mostly full of tourists. Usually, when I see a place like that, I run for the hills.
Instead, I patiently waited in line for a vegetarian Bahn Mi (I was only eating a vegetarian diet at the time) and found a spot at a table upstairs with a bunch of backpackers. I’m so glad I found a seat because once I tasted the sandwich, I wanted to take my time and relish each bite!
The vegetarian banh mi with marinated tofu and pickled vegetables at Hanh Mi Phuong (And yes, these sandwiches are messy!)
My sandwich came with marinated tofu, chunks of avocado, pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs topped off with a little hot sauce. After eating it, I realized why visiting Hanh Mi Phuong is one of the best things to do in Hoi An (for your taste buds at least!).
For all of you carnivores out there, they also have many non-veg options. And be forewarned, the line gets longer the later the day gets. If you want to avoid the large crowds the restaurant attracts, I recommend going at lunchtime for a more pleasant experience.
3. Stroll through Hoi An’s Ancient Town
Hoi An is arguably one of the most charming small cities in Southeast Asia, particularly the well preserved Ancient Town. With candy-colored, French-colonial style buildings, Chinese shophouses, twinkling lanterns, chic boutiques, and restaurants, Hoi An is a feast for all the senses. That’s why taking a stroll through Ancient Town is one of the best things to do in Hoi An.
Scenes from Ancient Town in Hoi An
Boats on Thu Bon River in Hoi An
Crowds of tourists in Hoi An’s Ancient Town
I will admit, when I was there, the Ancient Town got very crowded. There were tons of tourists there. While this is normally very off-putting for me, the charm and appeal of Ancient Town won me over. The pedestrian-only streets, dotted with shops, cafes, and bars are a welcome respite from the hectic and traffic-clogged streets of the larger cities in Vietnam.
4. Get custom made clothing from a tailor
Fabric choices at Yaly Couture
One of the most popular things to do in Hoi An is getting custom made clothing from one of the many tailor shops in the city. If you like clothing, it is definitely worth doing this because the quality (depending on which shop you go to) is very good and the prices are quite cheap. Also, they can work with a tourist’s timeline and get your new garments made within 24 hours.
If you have something in mind that you want them to make, I highly recommend bringing a picture of the garment from a magazine or catalog. They also have a few wardrobe books on-site with different styles of dresses, shirts, men’s jackets, etc, that you can choose from as well.
My last tip is to do your research to find a reputable tailor. We used Yaly Couture and Custom Tailor. I was on a small group trip with Intrepid Travel, and this is the shop they vetted and recommended.
5. Swim at the beach
Did you know that just outside of Hoi An, there are beautiful white sand beaches? A dip in the ocean is the perfect way to cool off from the constant Southeast Asia heat and humidity. That’s why I added it to this list of things to do in Hoi An, because trust me, at some point, you’re going to want a break from the heat!
The most popular beach in Hoi An is called An Bang. It’s where you’ll find many of the chic restaurants and cafes, including Soul Kitchen. We stopped here after our bike ride and really loved the laid back vibe. It’s a favorite among locals and tourists, and they also have live music and DJs on the weekends.
Soul Kitchen at An Bang Beach
The best times to visit the beach are in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday sun and heat. (But be forewarned that the beach gets crowded with locals in the late afternoon, looking to cool off after a day of work.) Most of the cafes have their own lounge chairs on the beach. I highly recommend either renting a lounge chair (it’s $.50 – $2.00) or if you order food and/or drinks from the cafes, you can enjoy the loungers for free.
6. Visit (and eat!) at the Central Market
A food vendor at the Central Market in Hoi An
If you’re a foodie, then one of the best things to do in Hoi An is to visit the Central Market. It is the city’s main food hall. It is filled with food vendors selling a variety of fruits, vegetables, meats, fish as well as vendors who cook authentic Vietnamese dishes. Depending on how adventurous you are, you can try some really interesting, local food.
One dish I definitely recommend trying here is Cao Lau. This is a traditional dish of Hoi An, consisting of pork and greens on a bed of rice noodles that have been soaked in lye water, which give them a unique texture and color. Supposedly this is where Anthony Bourdain had the best Cao Lau.
7. Go to Mango Mango for happy hour and an epic sunset
One of the best ways to watch to enjoy Hoi An at sunset (and all of those colorful lanterns that are lit once the sun goes down), is from the second-floor balcony of Mango Mango restaurant. Located directly across from the Thu Bon River, Mango Mango has the perfect perch for people-watching.
Enjoying the sunset from Mango Mango’s second floor balcony
Even better is if you go during happy hour when their extensive and impressive cocktail list is ½ price. I also recommend getting some appetizers to go with your drinks because the food at Mango Mango is among the best in Hoi An. (If you will be in Hoi An for two nights, I recommend eating here on one of them. My other recommendation for dinner is #7 below.)
The exterior of Morning Glory Restaurant
8. Dinner at Morning Glory
If you want delicious and authentic Vietnamese food, head to Morning Glory. This meal was one of the best I had during my entire trip to Vietnam. Everything from the dumplings to the curries is sublime. While there’s nothing fancy about the place, the food served is fancy by Vietnamese standards. But the prices don’t reflect it. A meal here won’t set you back more than $6 – $10 per person. I highly recommend eating here if you visit Hoi An!
Also worth noting is that the restaurant offers cooking classes. This is actually a very popular thing to do in Hoi An. I definitely recommend signing up for a class if you love cooking and want to learn more about the local ingredients in Vietnam.
9. Explore the Night Market to take in all the colorful lanterns
There are so many great night markets in all of the cities of Vietnam. Hoi An, in particular, is special because of all of the lantern shops as well. It’s really a signature part of Hoi An, especially in the Ancient Town, and it’s a visual splendor to see so many lanterns lit up in bright and bold rainbow colors.
But don’t worry, there are plenty of other things you can find at the night markets. From tourist trinkets and handbags to costume jewelry and Vietnamese snacks, there’s a bit of everything at these markets.
Are You Ready to Explore Hoi An?
So what do you think of this list of the things to do in Hoi An? Are you ready to visit this charming city?
I loved Hoi An so much, it’s one of the first places I want to visit again the next time I go back to Vietnam. But this time, I’ll make sure to spend a few days there, so I really have time to slow down and soak up all the culture and beauty of this charming Vietnamese city.
Now I’d love to hear from you.
Have you been to Hoi An? If so, what do you think of this list of things to do?
Did I miss anything? If so, please comment below! I’m always looking to add new discoveries to my lists and share them with the readers of this blog.
Happy travels!
Related: Planning a trip to Southeast Asia? Then you’ll want to check out all of my other Asia guides:
Things to do in Siem Reap, Cambodia
The best restaurants and cafes in Siem Reap, Cambodia
5 things you need to know before visiting Angkor Wat
The 9 best restaurants in Luang Prabang, Laos
6 Things to do in Luang Prabang, Laos
Why you should stay at the Maison Dalabua in Luang Prabang, Laos
The best restaurants in Chiang Mai, Thailand, recommended by locals
6 cafes with the best coffee in Chiang Mai, Thailand
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