Follow:
Food, Travel

Hoi An, Vietnam

Hoi An is a gorgeous city located in central Vietnam. It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its preservation of a traditional South East Asian trading port and commercial center from the 15th to 19th century. There are many Chinese and Japanese influences in the architecture in the city.It is a gorgeous city full of lanterns. This was definitely one of my favorite cities I’ve visited in Vietnam so far. It is a super cute romantic little town. A lot of people have mentioned how commercialized it has become, but I still really enjoyed it a lot.

AIRPORT:
Da Nang Airport (DAD) – closest airport to Hoi An, take a taxi or shuttle from DaNang to Hoi An
– We took a taxi to our hotel from the airport. There are many taxi companies and personnel trying to get you to take their taxis. I would stick with someone who is with a taxi company vs a more private car service. We went with Mailinh taxi service since that company and Vinasun were the most popular taxi companies we noted in Ho Chi Minh City. From what I’ve read, Da Nang to Hoi An should be around 350,000-400,000 dong, however usually booking through a hotel will give you a better price. Always insist the meter be turned on when riding in any taxi!

WHERE TO STAY:

DA NANG: Melia Danang Resort
– We decided to stay in Da Nang beach area since it was only about 20 minutes or so between Da Nang City and Hoi An. I think staying in this area is a great choice because we got to relax by the beach, it was close to Marble Mountain, while being easily accessible to Hoi An. Read more about the resort and Da Nang in my post here!

Tip: Hoi An seems to be pretty bike friendly especially compared to Ho Chi Minh city (Saigon). I saw many people bicycling around the city. I would definitely recommend doing this or if you don’t feel comfortable in the city, there are a bunch of rice paddies and a large paved road between Hoi An and Da Nang beach area that I would recommend.

WHAT TO DO:

Visit a tourist center (pictured in link) and purchase a ticket to be able to see the tourist sights in Hoi An ancient town.  You will not be able to enter the sites without a ticket ahead of time which are not sold at any of the sights. There are booths scattered throughout the city, where you can get a map and find more information. The ticket price is 120,000 VD and it allows you up to 5 tourist sights to visit.

There are many tourist sights to choose from, these are the ones I went to:

Fukian Assembly Hall (Phuc Kien)

– This was definitely the most picturesque of the sights. There is a gorgeous garden area, beautiful temple with hanging incense all through the ceilings.

FukianTemple

IMG_3283

Cantonese Assembly Hall (Quang  (Quang Trieu)

-Houses an ornate dragon statue and garden as well

HoiAnTemple

IMG_1846

Japanese Covered Bridge

-Most iconic architecture of Hoi An. It was built as a link between the Japanese and Chinese community across the river

 

IMG_1964

The Old House of Tan Ky

-Showcases the preservation of an home of a merchant in the 18th century

TanKy

IMG_2126There is a daytime market where you can buy fresh fruits and plenty of stores where you can buy lots of trinkets and even get clothes tailored. Hoi An is known for their tailoring shops so definitely a custom made outfit could be a nice souvenir to consider.

HoiAnMarket

fruits

hoianbridge
Definitely walk around the ancient town especially in the evening. It is so beautiful with all the lanterns lit up, pictures does not do it justice. You can also light a lantern into the river and make a wish. We saw a couple get engaged right after sending off a lantern, very very sweet!

IMG_2131

IMG_2039IMG_2089

IMG_2095

In the evening, the city lights up. There are many outdoor vendors at the market, where you can bargain for souvenirs and try different street food vendors.

WHAT TO EAT:

Banh Mi Phuong – As featured on Anthony Bourdain No Reservations, very delicious banh mi! Maybe the best I’ve ever had. I was split between Banh Mi Phuong vs. Madam Khanh on which I liked most! The bread was so fresh and the ingredients so delicious. I have never had a more delicious banh mi in the U.S. They break around 2:30PM until dinner time, so make sure you go when its open! The owner was right there making the banh mi in front of us!

BanhmiPhuong

IMG_2232

Madam Khanh Banh Mi (Banh Mi Queen) – The ingredients are slightly different from Banh Mi Phuong and it has a little bit more of a kick to it due to the red sauce. TIP: Add an EGG, you will never be sorry! I noticed there were more foreigners here vs. Banh Mi Phuong

IMG_1924

IMG_1926

Chu Chu – Fresh fruit juices, great place to relax for a little bitIMG_2245

IMG_1854

Hoi An Roastery – Very cute place, there is an upstairs area where you can people watch and surf the internet (free wifi!) Definitely more expensive, catered more to tourists, but definitely a comfortable spot for a break!

Cao Lao – Noodle dish that is very specific to Hoi An.  Definitely a must try! Similar to Mi Quang, which we tried in Da Nang.

IMG_2058

Another dish more specific to Hoi An would be hen xuc banh trang (minced clams). I’m always open to trying different foods especially those found more commonly in certain regions. However, this dish personally was not my taste, but worth a shot for you! 😉

There are a bunch of restaurants to try, but we were there for such a short time and we stuffed ourselves with banh mi (which was so worth it) so we will have to come back another time for more food adventures! We also ate at some outdoor stalls right by the river to the right of the bridge. Great little view of all the lights of Hoi An, but cheap, delicious outdoor eating. I would highly recommend this!

IMG_2076

 

ENJOY HOI AN! Read my article on Da Nang next! Let me know if you have any questions about Hoi An 🙂

Hoi An

Share on
Previous Post Next Post

You may also like

23 Comments

  • Reply Eat Well, Explore Often - Da Nang, Vietnam

    […] trip to Da Nang centered around Hoi An (read more here!), however we did check a few things while in Da […]

    May 17, 2016 at 11:24 PM
  • Reply Angie (FeetDoTravel)

    What a wonderful post! So informative and helpful and I love the colourful photos, I don’t believe I have seen Han An looking this way in other blogs before, when we visit, we will definitely be taking some of your advice. Thank you!

    May 27, 2016 at 2:26 PM
  • Reply Liberty

    Loved this post 🙂 I’ve just travelled Vietnam too and absolutely loved Hoi An! I recognise a lot of the places in your photos too. 🙂

    May 27, 2016 at 2:57 PM
  • Reply Maggie

    Great post! I hope to visit Vietnam one day.

    July 24, 2016 at 8:46 PM
  • Reply Marta

    This would be a dream trip for me, I really hope I can go one day! I love the architecture and the colours and the food seems delicious: I only tried Vietnamese food in Europe and I like it but I am sure the real thing is a million times better!

    July 25, 2016 at 9:13 AM
  • Reply Jennifer St Louis

    Great post! We hope to visit Vietnam soon. The food looks fantastic! Especially the Banh Mi Queen.

    July 25, 2016 at 10:08 AM
  • Reply Suzanne - Travelbunny

    I love this gorgeous little town – it’s one that I’d never tire of visiting. Been 3 times so far!!

    July 25, 2016 at 4:53 PM
  • Reply Erin @ Her Heartland Soul

    Looks like so much fun!

    July 25, 2016 at 9:49 PM
  • Reply Christina

    Great guide! I have Hoi An on our dream Vietnam itinerary. I can’t wait to try Banh mi!

    July 25, 2016 at 9:52 PM
  • Reply Rob Taylor

    I feel like my experience in every Asian city will just be me wandering through food markets and eating. I love the art and history of places, but the markets are so tempting.

    July 27, 2016 at 9:56 AM
  • Reply Stephanie Langlet

    This is very different from the North of Vietnam, but really charming town!
    Is it an avocado juice on the left side of the pic? Avocado juice is so delicious.

    July 27, 2016 at 2:32 PM
  • Reply TravelingMel

    Looks amazing! I hope to get to Vietnam one of these days.

    July 27, 2016 at 6:40 PM
  • Reply Dave @ Travel Transmissions

    I kind of skipped over Hoi An when I was traveling through Vietnam, and now I wish I hadn’t! Oh well..at least your food pics on here bring back some wonderful, fond memories for me!

    January 31, 2017 at 5:14 AM
    • Reply Julie

      omg goodness, you need to go back! I honestly loved Hoi An, one of my favorite places I’ve been to in Vietnam so far but of course I still have a lot to go! 🙂

      January 31, 2017 at 12:13 PM
    • Reply Julie

      omg goodness, you need to go back! I honestly loved Hoi An, one of my favorite places I’ve been to in Vietnam so far but of course I still have a lot to go!

      January 31, 2017 at 12:13 PM
  • Reply Flo @ Yoga, Wine & Travel

    Hoi An is high up on my bucketlist! I’ve never visited Vietnam before and this is making me want to hop on a plane ASAP and get some banh mi in my tummy!

    January 31, 2017 at 9:11 AM
  • Reply Laura Nalin

    Oh my goodness! That cao lao… all of it. These photos take me back! I’m actually obsessed with Vietnam; I’ve been there twice (once for a month) and will be returning this summer!

    January 31, 2017 at 12:57 PM
  • Reply Jenn Coleman

    Vietnam looks so exotic and familiar at the same time. I have seen the lanterns and exposed wooden architecture as iconic symbols of the far east. It certainly seems like a place where the past comes alive and you can walk savor the flavors of long history. Biking through the rice paddies sounds like our ideal way to see the land. Ed had big ideas of proposing to me next to a waterfall in Tahoe. He ended up proposing to me on my mom’s couch. Good thing the proposal speech was about five minutes long because I had no idea what he was doing for he first two minutes. It’s our goal to re-up our marriage every five years or so. Perhaps on the next one, he will bring a lantern and release it (assuming I say yes – lol)

    February 3, 2017 at 1:00 AM
  • Reply Cassandra

    All of the photos of food you shared look delicious! My sister JUST came home from Vietnam yesterday and she was actually in Hoi An and visiting Da Nang, too. She brought home so many treats! I am hoping to plan a trip to go there soon (:

    February 3, 2017 at 7:18 PM
  • Reply Ivy

    OMG Banh Mi Queen – at first I thought that was melted cheese but dang, thanks for the pro tip on the egg! It looks SO good. Hoi An looks waaay less crazy than Hanoi, I think we’d like it here more! Plus it’s so close to Da Nang… even better

    February 4, 2017 at 12:15 PM
  • Reply Renata Pereira

    Vietnam seems such an exotic place! As I love history, the country has always fascinated me. And it’s so beautiful how Hoi An lights up at night!

    February 4, 2017 at 7:37 PM
  • Reply Cat | For Two, Please

    Great guide detailing where to visit Hoi An! Vietnam has been on my list for quite some time, I hope to finally make my way there this year!

    February 5, 2017 at 10:11 PM
  • Reply Agness of Fit Travelling

    I love this detailed post! Vietnam looks so gorgeous, Julie and Duy!

    February 13, 2017 at 5:17 PM
  • Leave a Reply