1. Introduction: Hoi An—A place where heritage and vibrant experiences converge
Hoi An is a poetic riverside tourist city located about 30 km from the center of Da Nang. It stands out with its ancient architecture, moss-covered tiled-roof houses, colorful lantern streets, and a space imbued with Asian culture.
In addition to the famous old town, Hoi An is also attractive with traditional craft villages, exquisite local cuisine, and unique folk festivals such as the Co Ba procession or Tet Nguyen Tieu. This is also an ideal destination for those who love nostalgia and want to slow down and immerse themselves in nature—from the peaceful Hoai River to the green fields around the countryside.
It is the combination of heritage, nature, culture, and people that creates an attractive and vibrant Hoi An. Things to do in Hoi An Vietnam, are not just tourist activities but also opportunities to connect with the profound, authentic, and unique values of Vietnam.
2. Top 15 Best Things to Do in Hoi An, Vietnam
2.1. Walking in Hoi An ancient town
Hoi An is something of a rarity in Vietnam, as it managed to escape most of the bombing that razed many other cities to the ground during the Vietnam War. This means that the beautiful buildings here were spared, and so you will still find some gorgeous architecture here in the Old Town, which makes it the perfect place to go for a walk and take in all the sights.
Hoi An Ancient Town has existed for more than 400 years and was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1999. Hoi An Ancient Town, with its mossy tiled roofs, colorful lanterns, and cobblestone streets, is an ideal place to stroll, take photos, and feel the slow pace of life. This is the heart of every experience and thing to do in Hoi An, Vietnam.
Thousands of tourists visited the old town on New Year’s Day to stroll around and capture beautiful moments. (Source: Internet)
2.2. Visiting the assembly hall and ancient house
2.2.1. Visit the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall.
One of the most opulent buildings in all of Hoi An is the Fujian (Phuc Kien) Assembly Hall, which dates from the 17th century. This was built by the Fujian Chinese community in Hoi An and is considered a sacred space.
The main hall here is covered in carved figures that feature around a gateway, which is etched with carvings of mythical Chinese creatures. There is also a large courtyard here, and legend has it that if you pray in the Assembly Hall, then you will be lucky when it comes to conceiving children.
- Address: 46 Tran Phu, Hoi An ward, Da Nang city.
Phuc Kien Assembly Hall in Hoi An—the most beautiful cultural heritage in the ancient town. (Source: Internet)
2.2.2. Visit Tan Ky Ancient House.
The Tan Ky Ancient House is one of the most historically significant buildings in Hoi An and is located in the Old Town section of the city. The family home was built in the 18th century and would have belonged to a family of merchants.
The architecture here is a mix of Japanese, Chinese, and traditional Vietnamese design motifs, and you can now take a tour of this amazing property. Some seven generations of merchants lived in the home, and you will still find their original furniture and memorabilia here, which will give you an idea of how people would have lived in Hoi An in the days of old.
- Address: 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Hoi An Ward, Da Nang city.
2.2.3. Visit Phung Hung Old House
The house is known for its ornate and colorful entrance hall which is covered in lanterns and embroidered wall hangings. There is a pretty balcony here with some spectacular views and a charming suspended altar.
- Address: 4 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Hoi An Ward, Da Nang city.
2.3. Admire the Japanese Covered Bridge
The Japanese Covered Bridge (Chua Cau) is located in the heart of the old town and is also one of the highlights of Hoi An. The bridge is about 12 meters long and is famous for its elaborate carvings.
The only covered bridge in the world to house a Buddhist temple was built in the 16th century as a symbol of goodwill between Chinese and Japanese merchant communities. The bridge has retained a distinctively Japanese character, with subdued decorations and references to Japanese history.
- Address: 186 Tran Phu, Hoi An Ward, Da Nang city.
Hoi An Bridge Pagoda – A place to preserve the historical beauty of Hoi An, Vietnam. (Source: Internet)
2.4. Experience a cyclo ride around the old town.
A cyclo ride around the old town is a great way to relax and see every corner of Hoi An in depth. The cyclo driver is always ready to chat and tell you stories about the daily life of Hoi An.
- Routes: Tran Phu – Bach Dang – Phan Chau Trinh
- Price: about 6 USD/hour
2.5. Releasing flower lanterns on the Hoai River
Participating in the flower lantern festival is a unique experience only available in Hoi An on full moon nights of the lunar calendar. Hundreds of shimmering candles float along the water, carrying the wishes of peace from visitors everywhere.
- Location: Along the Hoai River, from Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Street to Bach Dang Street
- Time: from 6:30 p.m. on the 14th day of the lunar calendar every month
2.6. Enjoy the art of water puppetry
In 2025, the water puppetry show at Hoi An Theater and Impression Park will continue to innovate light and sound technology, bringing unique experiences to international visitors.
- Hoi An Theater: 548 Hai Ba Trung, Hoi An Ward, Da Nang City.
- Impression Park: 200 Nguyen Tri Phuong, Hoi An Ward, Da Nang City
- Showtime: 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m; Closed every Tuesday
- Reference ticket price: Children ~1.5 USD, adults ~3.2 USD
Hoi An Water Puppetry – the most unique performing art. (Source: internet)
2.7. Visit the Sa Huynh Museum and the Hoi An Cultural Museum.
If you want to understand more about the history and cultural identity of Hoi An, do not miss two unique destinations: the Sa Huynh Museum and the Folk Culture Museum. This is a special experience in the list of things to do in Hoi An, Vietnam, that you cannot miss.
At the Sa Huynh Museum, visitors will admire more than 2,000 precious artifacts, reflecting the life, beliefs, and customs of the Sa Huynh residents—the first people to live in this land thousands of years ago. Meanwhile, the Folklore Museum offers a vivid perspective on the traditional lifestyle of the ancient Hoi An people through handicraft models, traditional musical instruments, ancient costumes, and many unique intangible cultural heritages.
- Sa Huynh Museum: 149 Tran Phu, Hoi An Ward, Da Nang City.
- Hoi An Folklore Museum: 33 Tran Phu, Hoi An Ward, Da Nang City
- Opening hours: 8 a.m – 5 p.m daily
- Combo entrance ticket: ~2 USD/person
2.8. Visit Hoi An Silk Village.
Hoi An Silk Village is an ideal destination to explore the traditional weaving techniques typical of this land. The village is located at 28 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, about a kilometer from Hoi An Ancient Town, offering you an ancient village with houses built in the traditional style.
The village has many artisans who will guide you on how to make beautiful silk; you can even feed the silkworms and help them spin their cocoons. This is also a great place to buy traditional silk as gifts and souvenirs, with prices starting at around 5 USD.
2.9. Explore Tra Que Vegetable Village
If you love ecotourism, don’t miss Tra Que—a famous vegetable village with clean vegetables grown using traditional methods. Visitors can transform into farmers, watering, weeding, and learning to cook local dishes.
- Address: Hoi An Tay Ward, Da Nang City.
- Opening hours: 7 a.m – 5 p.m daily
- Reference ticket price: Tra Que Vegetable Village entrance ticket: 1.34 USD/person/turn. If you want to participate in more in-depth activities, such as learning to cook, professional harvesting, or a package tour, there will be an additional fee: 7.65 USD – 19.12 USD/person.
Tra Que vegetable village Hoi An becomes a famous tourist destination attracting many international visitors. (Source: internet)
2.10. Try making pottery at Thanh Ha pottery village.
Having been standing for over 500 years, Thanh Ha pottery village has witnessed the many ups and downs of Hoi An history. Bringing travelers numerous new experiences, the village has become a famous tourist destination.
Besides being able to directly observe the sophisticated process of pottery making, you also have the chance to participate in creating your own unique ceramic product. This certainly should be on the list of top things to do in Hoi An, Vietnam.
- Address: Pham Phan Street, An Hoi Tay Ward, Da Nang City
- Pottery-making experience from ~2 USD/person
2.11. Cruising in a basket boat in Bay Mau coconut forest
Bay Mau Coconut Forest is located about 3 km south of Hoi An Ancient Town. Here, you can relax on basket boats drifting gently on the river, with experiences such as crab fishing and enjoying fresh coconut water under the cool green trees. If you are an adventurous person, you can join the emotional basket dance performance of skilled boat rowers.
- Address: Can Nhan village, Hoi An Dong ward, Da Nang city.
- Tour price: 6 USD–10 USD/person
Tourists take a basket boat ride around the Bay Mau Coconut Forest in Hoi An, Vietnam. (Source: internet)
2.12. Swimming in An Bang Beach & trying water sports
An Bang Beach continues to be ranked by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the top 50 most beautiful beaches in the world in 2025. Blessed by nature with clear blue water and long stretches of white sand, An Bang Beach is an ideal destination for you to dispel all your worries and fatigue in the gentle waves.
You can also lie down to sunbathe, sip a cool smoothie, and enjoy the peaceful pace of life. However, if you are an adventurous person, try different adventure sports such as surfing, jet skiing, paragliding, or kite flying in the late afternoon.
- Address: Hoi An Tay Ward, Da Nang City.
- Reference ticket price: Surfing, jet skiing: from 8–15 USD
2.13. Cu Lao Cham Island Tour
As a world biosphere reserve, Cu Lao Cham not only has blue sea and white sand but is also a place that preserves many Cham Pa cultural values. Coral diving, camping, and fishing village exploration tours here are very popular in 2025.
- The speedboat departs from Cua Dai—20 minutes of travel.
- Tour price: ~18–20 USD/person
2.14. Cycling to explore the countryside
Renting a bicycle and exploring craft villages, rice fields, and riverside village roads is a popular experience in 2025, especially for international tourists.
- Renting price: about 1 USD–1.5 USD/hour
2.15. Enjoy the famous Hoi An specialties.
Cuisine is an indispensable part when talking about things to do in Hoi An, Vietnam. The dishes here have a rich Central flavor and unique features that cannot be mixed.
Cao Lau: chewy yellow noodles, served with char siu pork and Tra Que raw vegetables.
- Cao Lau Thanh: 26 Thai Phien, Hoi An ward, Da Nang city.
- Reference price: from 1 USD to 1.5 USD/portion.
White rose cake (banh bao-banh vac): delicate, refreshing.
- White Rose Restaurant: 533 Hai Ba Trung, Hoi An ward, Da Nang city.
- Reference price: about 1.5 USD–2 USD/portion
Quang noodles, banh xeo, banh dap, corn sweet soup, Mot tea, etc, are dishes that cannot be missed at night markets and sidewalk stalls. Other notable dishes: Quang noodles, banh xeo, Mot tea, etc.; cost about 1 USD/dish.
Cao Lau – the authentic taste of Hoi An culinary heritage. (Source: internet)
3.Conclusion:
Here are the Top 15 Best Things to Do in Hoi An, Vietnam: Discover the Heritage Gem in 2025 that we have just shared with you. If you are looking for a complete and sophisticated trip, do not hesitate to accompany Asia Luxury Travel, a professional travel agency always ready to bring you a unique, classy, and time-saving discovery journey.
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