If you have only 48 hours to savor all the attractions in Hoi An, you must choose fast.
The magic of this vibrant Vietnamese city starts at the Thu Bon River.
On a full moon night, Hoi An’s streets are adorned with lantern-lit by locals and tourists.
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Where is Hoi An, Vietnam?
Hoi An, an Ancient town, is located in Viet Nam’s central Quang Nam Province, on the north bank near the mouth of the Thu Bon River.
The Ancient Town is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century.
The yellow ochre buildings and its maze of street plans reflect the indigenous and foreign influences combined to produce this unique heritage site.
What’s so special about Hoi An?
The charming city is home to welcoming locals, an incredible local food scene, unique architecture, and an easy-going atmosphere, all originating from its ancient roots.
Thanks to its public transportation connections, Hoi An is easy to get to from anywhere in Vietnam.
Reaching Hoi An by Bus
A bus is the only mass transit option that will take you directly into Hoi An.
Trains and planes can be boarded in Da Nang, near Hoi An.
You’ll still need to take a bus, taxi, or private car to reach Hoi An.
Tourists have long adored the lantern-lit streets, though the Unesco World Heritage town has many other attractions, including rice fields, beautiful beaches, and skilled tailors.
You only have 48 hours to spend in Hoi Am?
Here’s what you can do.
Booking in advance HERE to get the best prices and accommodation options in Hoi An!
Visiting Attractions In Hoi An
1 Dive into the Central Market
The early hours are the best time to stroll through the Central Market, as there are fewer tourists and lower temperatures.
It’s a fantastic introduction to Hoi An culture, with street food and hand-crafted products available. Remember to haggle.
Hoi An Central Market is where you can devour many cheap and delicious local street food dishes.
Head to the Central Market for your first taste of Hoi An street food.
Hoi An Central Market is where you can devour many cheap and delicious local street food dishes.
2 Get Custom Tailored clothing
Hoi An is a city filled with tailors, a tradition resulting from its past as a trading port on the Silk Route.
You show up at a tailor shop and speak to the tailor.
As you wait, you can browse hundreds of patterns in magazines like Vogue to get an idea of what you want.
Once you have a pattern or two, choose the material and get measured.
You will then come back for one or more fittings to ensure that your article of clothing fits you perfectly.
Many tailoring shops have a wide price range and material and craft quality choices.
After brunch, stop by one of the expertly skilled tailors who produce top-quality custom-made clothing in no time.
Pro Tip: Make this your first stop on arrival in Hoi An to guarantee your new clothes are packed in your suitcase before you head to your next destination.
I was wondering where to start.
I went to Yaly Couture to check out their service. There are a few outlets in Hoi An, and they are professional.
Love couture? Head to Hoi An Tailors for custom tailor clothes to bring back home.
Yaly Couture
Address: 358 Nguyễn Duy Hiệu, Cẩm Châu, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
Phone: +84 235 3914 995
Appointments: yalycouture.com
3 Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge
Emblematic of Hoi An, this beautiful bridge was first constructed in the 1590s by the Japanese community to link it with the Chinese quarters.
The bridge near the Ancient Town center is the Japanese Covered Bridge, which dates back 300 years.
While it’s FREE of charge to cross the Japanese Covered Bridge, it costs a small price of 120,000 VND to visit the adjacent temple.
Visit the beautiful Japanese Covered Bridge.
Pro Tip: The emblematic symbol of Hoi An is found on the back of the VND. Can you guess the denomination?
4 Try Anthony Bourdain’s favorite banh mi
The queen of Vietnamese snacks and breakfast foods, the filled baguette at Banh Mi Phuong in Hoi An is the best.
The banh mi sandwich is a Vietnamese delicacy that consists of a flaky baguette, pickled carrots, chilies, cucumbers, and smoked minced pork.
You can find a better sandwich anywhere in the city, so be prepared to queue!
There are several sandwich shops in Hoi An where you can grab a banh mi, but Anthony Bourdain’s favorite is Banh Mi Phuong.
Banh My Phuong in Hoi An has the best sandwiches!
Bánh Mỳ Phượng
Address: 2b Phan Chu Trinh, Cẩm Châu, Hội An, Quảng Nam 560000, Vietnam
Facebook: Bánh Mỳ Phượng
5 Take A Vietnamese Cooking Class
Vietnamese cuisine is packed with flavor.
So you’d be remiss not to learn how to cook traditional Vietnamese food with Vy’s Market Restaurant & Cooking School.
The class includes a trip to the local wet market to shop for ingredients and a ride in a bamboo basket boat.
You will learn with guided instructions how to make local specialties such as Beef Pho Noodle Soup (Pho Bo) and Crispy Vietnamese Pancakes (Banh Xeo).
Your belly will be full by the end of your class, and you’ll have learned a thing or two about Vietnamese cooking.
Head to a cooking school to rustle up flavor-packed Vietnamese dishes.
Learn to make Beef Pho Noodle Soup (Pho Bo) and Crispy Vietnamese Pancakes (Banh Xeo).
Vy’s Market Restaurant & Cooking School
Address: 3 Nguyễn Hoàng, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam 560000, Vietnam
Phone: +84 235 3926 926
Facebook: Vy’s Market Restaurant & Cooking School
6 Get a taste of Vietnamese culture
After enjoying the fruits of your endeavors, you deserve to kick back and enjoy a show you’ve never seen before. Lune Productions hosts circus performances that sell out regularly.
Expect anything to happen – even the occasional power outage.
Book your tickets in advance, and you’ll enjoy the show without worrying about not having a seat.
Hội An Lune Center for the Performing Arts
Address: 1A Nguyễn Phúc Chu, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
Facebook: Hội An Lune Center for the Performing Arts
Day Two Visiting Attractions In Hoi An
7 Go for a morning swim at Ang Bang Beach
Cycling north through the rice paddies and a refreshing swim at Ang Bang Beach is a great way to start the day.
Anglers use a traditional round boat (tung chai).
Ang Bang was once a sleepy stretch frequented mainly by locals, but it’s increasingly becoming a hippie haven of bamboo beach huts and vegan restaurants.
Look out for the traditional round boat (tung chai).
8 Make Time For Coffee In Hoi An
While the ancient city is full of cafes everywhere, coffee culture is essential in Hoi An.
With a strong WIFI, you can sit and surf or work in a restaurant during your stay.
You will want to try more exotic coffees on the cafe’s menu around Hoi An.
- Egg Coffee
- Coconut Coffee
- Pink Latte
- Black Latte
- Coffee Ice Cubes
- Cold Brew
and plenty more!
Pro Tip: After trying many cafes, our favorite was Hoi An Roastery, where they serve the best piping hot, strong, and full-of-flavor coffee.
Best of all, you can buy the coffee powder at home as a great souvenir.
Coffee sounds like the perfect way to start your day. What you eat is not that important.
Hoi An Roastery Espresso & Coffee House has fine beans and a great cuppa!
Hoi An Roastery Espresso & Coffee House
Address: 135 Trần Phú, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
9 Learn To Make A Lantern
The Hoi An Lantern Festival is a monthly event celebrating the full moon.
Hoi An Handicraft Tours offers classes on making the city’s signature silk lanterns.
The hands-on workshop includes all 11 steps in the lantern-making process.
This includes making the bamboo stakes that create the lantern’s shape and applying the delicate silk outer layer.
Taking two hours out of your afternoon will result in a souvenir you’ll want to keep forever.
Hoi An’s lantern lady, Thuy, teaches you how to make your traditional lantern or Vietnamese hat.
The hidden gem is the perfect space for travelers!
Time your visit during the monthly Hoi An Lantern Festival
The Lantern Lady – Lantern Making Class
Address: V8GP+Q58, Cẩm Châu, Tp. Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam.
Facebook: The Lantern Lady
10 Drop by the Hoi An Night Market
The night market resembles most Southeast Asian bazaars, with spices, silks, and souvenirs from stalls.
Hoi An’s night market is unlike any other.
Evening venue with stalls selling street food, souvenirs, and clothes in an upbeat environment.
The night markets have stalls selling street food, souvenirs & clothing in an upbeat environment.
Hội An Night Market
Address: Nguyễn Hoàng, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
Hours: 4.30 PM to 10.00 PM (Daily)
11 Try Hoi An Specialty Cao lau
Check out Hoi An’s famous dishes while serving signature specialties.
The smoked, chewy Cao lau noodles have a distinctive flavor exclusively made in Hoi An.
This traditional dish is made with pork, veggies, and noodles.
Wash down that meal with a local beer along the riverside.
Cao Lau is Hoi An’s most famous dish.
In the evenings, the river banks are illuminated by twinkly lights and lanterns as the sun sets over the city.
Whether you decide to hunker down on the plastic stool upright on the street.
Or find yourself sitting at one of the more decent restaurants.
After spending a few days in Hoi An’s beautiful yellow town, you would have a fantastic final night in the city and its serene surroundings.
The charming architecture, friendly locals, and secret off-the-beaten-path sites will make your stay here unforgettable.
