Landmarks in Hoi An
- 01
An Bang Beach
A beach a few kilometres from the Old Town with cafes, sun loungers and calmer water than some nearby beaches. It is the easiest sea escape from Hoi An.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- February to May for calm weather; late afternoon for light
- Tickets
- The beach is free. Loungers, umbrellas and food at beach cafes are paid; ask about price before sitting. Check local conditions before swimming.
- 02
Japanese Covered Bridge
A small, roofed wooden footbridge with a temple built into one end, long used as the emblem of Hoi An. It takes minutes to cross and is best seen early or at dusk.
- Time needed
- 15 to 30 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning, or just after sunset when the lanterns come on
- Tickets
- Walking the Old Town streets is free, while entry to heritage sites such as this one uses a visitor ticket. Wikivoyage notes that the bridge uses one coupon and that you can cross it repeatedly. Check current rules at an official ticket booth.
- 03
Tan Ky Old House
A preserved merchant's house on Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, open to visitors for a short guided look at how a trading family lived in the old port. It is small, shaded and easy to combine with the Old Town walk.
- Time needed
- 30 to 45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning, before groups arrive
- Tickets
- Entry to the Old Town houses typically uses the visitor ticket; check at the Old Town ticket booths for what is included. Wikivoyage notes that tipping is expected at the traditional houses.
Day trips in Hoi An
- 04
Cu Lao Cham (Cham Islands)
A group of small islands about 19 km offshore, part of a marine park, reached by boat from the Hoi An coast. Beaches, reefs and fishing villages make a full-day outing in calm weather.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- February to May, in calm seas
- Tickets
- Tours are booked through hotels or operators, and prices vary. Ask what is included, check boat safety and insist on life jackets. Trips may be cancelled in rough weather.
- 05
My Son Sanctuary
A UNESCO-listed cluster of Hindu temple ruins built by the kings of Champa, set in a valley about 40 km from Hoi An. It is the best day trip for history lovers, and early starts avoid heat and crowds.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Early morning, February to May
- Tickets
- Tickets are sold at the site and online through the official site; check the official site for current prices, hours and any group rules. Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees.
Experiences in Hoi An
- 06
Cam Thanh Basket Boats
A short ride in a round coconut-basket boat through the water-palm channels of Cam Thanh, a village a few kilometres from the Old Town. It is a light, touristy but pleasant outing.
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 hours including travel
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning or late afternoon, outside the heat
- Tickets
- Rides are paid per person; Wikivoyage lists prices from about 90,000 dong, but rates change. Ask the price before boarding and insist on a life jacket.
Neighbourhoods in Hoi An
- 07
Hoi An Ancient Town
The preserved merchant quarter of Hoi An, a grid of tiled shophouses, assembly halls and river lanes listed by UNESCO in 1999. It is the reason most people come, and it is easily walked in two or three slow sessions.
- Time needed
- 2 to 4 hours, over two sessions
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Early morning, and after dark for the lanterns; February to May for weather
- Tickets
- Walking the streets is free. The main houses, halls and some museums are entered with a visitor ticket sold at booths in the Old Town, covering a set number of sites. Check the current price and coverage at the booth.
Museums in Hoi An
- 08
Museum of Trade Ceramics
A museum in a restored wooden house that explains Hoi An's role as a port through the ceramics traded with China, Japan, India and elsewhere. Wikivoyage describes the displays as modest, but the house itself is worth seeing.
- Time needed
- 30 to 45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Midday, for shade
- Tickets
- Entry generally uses the Old Town visitor ticket; confirm at a booth. Hours can change, so check at the door.
Culture in Hoi An
- 09
Phuc Kien Assembly Hall
The meeting hall of Hoi An's Fujian Chinese community, with a decorated gate, courtyards and a prayer hall. It is one of several assembly halls on Tran Phu Street and the easiest to include in a heritage walk.
- Time needed
- 30 to 45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning, before tour groups
- Tickets
- Entry generally uses the Old Town visitor ticket; confirm coverage and hours at a booth. Dress modestly and keep voices low in the prayer hall.
Places of worship in Hoi An
- 10
Quan Cong Temple
A small temple on Tran Phu Street dedicated to Quan Cong, the Chinese general venerated as a protector. It is quiet, easy to reach and a good example of a working shrine in the Old Town.
- Time needed
- 20 to 30 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning, when it is quiet
- Tickets
- Entry generally uses the Old Town visitor ticket; confirm at a booth. Dress modestly, and avoid loud talk.
