Hoi An is one of the easiest destinations in Central Vietnam for first-time visitors to enjoy. The best things to do in Hoi An include walking through the Ancient Town, seeing lantern streets at night, taking a basket boat ride, joining a cooking class, visiting local markets, and relaxing at nearby beaches.
This guide introduces 10 practical experiences that help travelers plan a simple and memorable Hoi An itinerary. Each activity focuses on what to do, where to go, and how to enjoy the city without feeling rushed or confused.
1. Walk Through Hoi An Ancient Town
Walking through Hoi An Ancient Town is one of the best things to do in Hoi An for first-time visitors. Start around the Japanese Covered Bridge, then follow Tran Phu Street, Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Bach Dang Street, and the riverside area for the easiest walking route.
What to Do in Hoi An Ancient Town
Visitors should spend about 2 to 3 hours walking through the Ancient Town. The route should include old merchant houses, Chinese assembly halls, lantern streets, riverside cafés, and small shops selling local crafts.
A practical first route is:
- Japanese Covered Bridge – near Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Hoi An
- Tan Ky Old House – 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hoi An
- Fujian Assembly Hall – 46 Tran Phu Street, Hoi An
- Bach Dang riverside area – good for cafés and river views
- Hoi An Night Market – Nguyen Hoang Street, An Hoi area
Travelers who want to enter heritage houses, assembly halls, museums, or selected monuments should buy the Hoi An Ancient Town sightseeing ticket. The official tourism information says the ticket includes entry to selected heritage sites, and ticket counters are located at Ancient Town entrances such as Tran Phu, Nguyen Thai Hoc, and Le Loi.
2. Ride a Basket Boat at Bay Mau Coconut Forest
Riding a basket boat at Bay Mau Coconut Forest is one of the most popular things to do in Hoi An for first-time visitors. The site is in the Cam Thanh coconut forest area, about a short drive from Hoi An Ancient Town, and the main experience is sitting in a round bamboo boat through narrow water coconut canals.
What to Do at Bay Mau Coconut Forest
Travelers should book a basket boat ride through the coconut forest and allow about 45 to 60 minutes for the activity. The ride usually includes paddling through the canals, watching basket boat spinning, seeing fishing-net demonstrations, and taking photos under the coconut palms.
The boat spinning part is fun for some visitors, but it can feel dizzy. Travelers can tell the boatman in advance if they want a gentle ride instead of a fast spinning performance.
Where to Go and How Much It Costs
The main place to go is Bay Mau Coconut Forest, Vong Nhi Hamlet, Hoi An Dong Ward, Da Nang City, formerly known as the Cam Thanh coconut village area. Travelers can go by taxi, private car, bicycle, or as part of a half-day Hoi An tour.
A reference price is usually around 90,000–200,000 VND per person, depending on operator, entrance fee, transfer, and included activities. Visitors should confirm the price before getting on the boat, especially if they book directly at the entrance.
Practical Tips for First-Time Visitors
The best time to go is morning or late afternoon because the weather is cooler. Midday can feel hot, especially when travelers sit on the boat without much shade.
Visitors should bring sunscreen, a hat, water, and a waterproof phone pouch. They should also keep small cash ready for tickets, drinks, or tips if they enjoy the boatman’s service.
3. Get Custom Clothes Made at a Hoi An Tailor
Getting custom clothes made is one of the most practical things to do in Hoi An if visitors stay for at least two days. First-time travelers should start with simple items such as linen shirts, summer dresses, trousers, skirts, or a basic suit, then visit the tailor on the first day for measurements and fabric selection.
Where to Get Custom Clothes Made in Hoi An
Travelers should choose a tailor based on the type of clothing they want, their budget, and how many fittings they can attend. Larger tailor shops often have more fabric choices, while smaller shops may feel more personal.
- BeBe Tailor – 05–07 Hoang Dieu Street, Hoi An. This shop is useful for travelers who want suits, dresses, shirts, or more detailed garments with fittings and hotel delivery options.
- A Dong Silk – 62–64 Tran Hung Dao Street, Hoi An. This tailor is suitable for suits, shirts, coats, dresses, and formalwear, with several store locations in Hoi An.
- Yaly Couture – 47 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street or 20 Tran Hung Dao Street, Hoi An. This option works well for travelers who want a larger tailoring brand with many fabric choices.
- WIN Custom Tailor – 29 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hoi An. This address is convenient for travelers walking through the Old Town and looking for made-to-measure clothing.
4. Cross the Japanese Covered Bridge in Hoi An Ancient Town
The Japanese Covered Bridge is one of the most important things to do in Hoi An because it is the town’s most recognizable heritage landmark. The bridge sits inside Hoi An Ancient Town and has stood for more than four centuries as a symbol of cultural exchange in the old trading port.
What to Do at the Japanese Covered Bridge
Travelers should visit the bridge while walking through the Ancient Town route around Tran Phu Street and Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street. The experience is simple: cross the bridge, look at its wooden structure, notice the small shrine inside, and take photos from the nearby street corners.
This stop does not take long, but it gives visitors a clear sense of Hoi An’s history. The bridge is especially photogenic in the late afternoon, when the streets are softer and the lanterns begin to appear around the old town.
5. Take a Lantern Workshop and Make Your Own Hoi An Souvenir
Taking a lantern workshop is one of the most hands-on things to do in Hoi An for first-time visitors. Instead of only buying a lantern from a shop, travelers can choose fabric colors, attach silk to a bamboo frame, and take home a foldable lantern they made themselves.
Picture: Internet.
Where to Join a Lantern Workshop in Hoi An
Travelers should book a workshop near the Ancient Town if they want an easy activity between sightseeing and dinner. Most classes take about 1.5 to 2 hours, and many are beginner-friendly.
- Hoi An Lantern Making Class – 45 Phan Boi Chau Street, Hoi An Old Town. This class lists prices from 250,000–450,000 VND and focuses on making a foldable Vietnamese lantern.
- Happy Town Lantern Workshop – K128 Nguyen Truong To Street, Hoi An. This workshop lists a reference price of 250,000 VND per person.
- Lantern Making Class – 507 Hai Ba Trung Street, Hoi An. This option lists fixed class times and is suitable for travelers who want a structured activity.
Practical Tips for First-Time Visitors
This activity is best in the afternoon, before the Ancient Town becomes busy at night. Travelers can make the lantern first, then walk to the riverside, night market, or lantern streets after sunset.
Visitors should choose a foldable lantern if they plan to carry it in luggage. They should also ask the workshop to pack the lantern carefully, especially if they still have several travel days left.
6. Try Cao Lầu, White Rose Dumplings, and Hoi An Bánh Mì
Trying local food is one of the most practical things to do in Hoi An because the town has several dishes that are easy to find in one short walking route. First-time visitors should start with cao lầu, white rose dumplings, and Hoi An bánh mì because these dishes are closely linked with the town’s food identity.
Where to Eat These Hoi An Dishes
Travelers can plan a simple food route around the Ancient Town and nearby streets. These addresses are practical for visitors who want clear stops instead of searching randomly.
- Cao Lầu Thanh – 26 Thai Phien Street, Hoi An. Order cao lầu here if you want the classic Hoi An noodle dish with pork, herbs, crispy toppings, and a small amount of sauce.
- White Rose Restaurant – 533 Hai Ba Trung Street, Cam Pho, Hoi An. Order white rose dumplings here because Vietnam Tourism lists it as the family-run restaurant specializing in this dish.
- Bánh Mì Phượng – 2B Phan Chau Trinh Street, Hoi An. This is one of the most famous bánh mì shops in town and is often included in food-focused Hoi An routes.
- Madam Khánh – The Bánh Mì Queen – 115 Tran Cao Van Street, Minh An, Hoi An. This is another convenient option for travelers who want a well-known local bánh mì stop.
How to Plan This Food Experience
A simple plan is to eat cao lầu for lunch, try white rose dumplings as a shared snack, and buy bánh mì for a quick meal later. This route works well because the addresses are not difficult to combine with an Ancient Town walk.
Travelers should avoid ordering too much at one place because Hoi An food is best enjoyed through several small stops. They should also bring cash, check opening hours, and go outside peak lunch or dinner time if they want a more comfortable experience.
7. Relax at An Bang Beach Near Hoi An Ancient Town
An Bang Beach is one of the easiest things to do in Hoi An when travelers want a break from walking in the Ancient Town. The beach is about 7 km from the old town area, so visitors can reach it by taxi, motorbike, bicycle, or hotel shuttle.
What to Do at An Bang Beach
Travelers can swim, walk on the sand, rent a beach chair, order a drink, or have a seafood lunch near the beach. The experience is simple and practical because visitors do not need a full tour or complicated plan to enjoy it.
An Bang Beach is best for a slow half-day activity. Visitors can spend the morning by the sea, return to town for lunch, or go in the late afternoon before heading back to the Ancient Town for lantern streets at night.
How to Plan the Visit
A taxi or private car is the easiest option for most first-time visitors. Cycling is also possible for travelers who want a slower route through local roads and countryside areas before reaching the beach.
Travelers should bring swimwear, sunscreen, water, sunglasses, and some cash for beach chairs or drinks. Midday can feel hot, so morning or late afternoon is usually more comfortable for swimming, walking, and relaxing by the sea.
8. Cycle Through Tra Que, Cam Chau, and Cam Thanh Countryside
Cycling through the countryside is one of the most relaxing things to do in Hoi An for first-time visitors. The best simple route is from Hoi An Ancient Town toward Tra Que Vegetable Village, Cam Chau rice fields, and Cam Thanh countryside, where travelers can see vegetable gardens, quiet lanes, rice paddies, ponds, and local village life. Vietnam Tourism also recommends cycling from the Ancient Town toward Cam Thanh and Cam Chau, with bicycle rental often available from hotels or street shops.
What to Do on a Countryside Cycling Route
Travelers should start early in the morning, when the roads are cooler and local life is more active. A practical route can include Tra Que Vegetable Village for herb gardens, Cam Chau for rice field views, and Cam Thanh for coconut-lined waterways.
This route is best for slow cycling, not fast sightseeing. Visitors can stop for photos, watch farmers working, pass water buffaloes, drink fresh juice at a local stop, or combine the ride with a basket boat experience in Cam Thanh.
How to Plan the Ride
A simple countryside ride usually takes about 2 to 4 hours, depending on stops and cycling speed. Travelers can rent a bicycle from their hotel, join a guided bike tour, or ask their homestay for a quiet route.
Morning is the best time because the weather is cooler and the light is softer. Visitors should bring water, sunscreen, a hat, and small cash for drinks, garden visits, or short local activities along the way.
9. Shop at Hoi An Central Market for Food, Spices, and Local Goods
Shopping at Hoi An Central Market is one of the most practical things to do in Hoi An for first-time visitors. The market is located in the Tran Phu, Bach Dang, Tran Quy Cap, and Tieu La area in the center of Hoi An Ancient Town, so travelers can add it easily to a walking route.
What to Buy at Hoi An Central Market
Travelers can buy fresh fruit, spices, coffee, dried goods, seafood products, fabrics, clothes, leather goods, and small souvenirs at the market. The market is useful because goods are grouped by product types, so visitors can compare options before buying.
A simple shopping list can include:
- Vietnamese coffee
- Cinnamon, pepper, or chili products
- Dried seafood or dried snacks
- Small handicrafts and souvenirs
- Light clothing or fabric items
- Fresh fruit for eating during the day
How to Plan the Visit
The best time to visit is in the morning if travelers want to see the market at its busiest. This is when local vendors sell fresh produce, seafood, spices, and everyday goods to residents and restaurants.
For a lighter visit, travelers can go after walking around the Ancient Town. They should bring cash, ask prices before buying, and compare a few stalls before making a purchase.
Practical Tips for First-Time Visitors
Hoi An Central Market can feel busy, narrow, and crowded, especially around food and fresh produce areas. Travelers should keep bags close, wear comfortable shoes, and avoid carrying too many valuable items.
If visitors want food gifts, they should choose sealed products with clear labels and expiry dates. For spices, coffee, or dried goods, it is better to buy small packs that are easy to carry in luggage.
10. Watch the Hoi An Memories Show on Hoi An Memories Land
Watching the Hoi An Memories Show is one of the most memorable things to do in Hoi An for first-time visitors who want an evening cultural experience. The show takes place at Hoi An Memories Land, with a large outdoor stage, hundreds of performers, áo dài costumes, music, lighting, and scenes inspired by the history of Hoi An.
What to Expect from the Show
The show tells the story of Hoi An as an old trading port through large-scale stage scenes. Travelers can expect dance performances, traditional costumes, river-inspired visuals, and dramatic lighting instead of a normal indoor theater show.
This activity is best for visitors who want something structured after walking around the Ancient Town. It is also a good choice for families, couples, and travelers who prefer a seated evening experience instead of another market or café stop.
How to Plan the Visit
The venue is Hoi An Memories Land, 88 Tran Quang Khai Street, Hoi An Dong Ward, Da Nang City. The official booking page lists the show time as 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with the park opening earlier in the evening and the show running daily except Tuesday.
Travelers should arrive at least 30 minutes early to find seats and avoid rushing. If they want to explore the themed park area before the show, they should arrive around late afternoon or early evening.
Practical Tips for First-Time Visitors
Visitors should book tickets in advance during weekends, holidays, or peak travel periods. Seat classes may include Eco, High, and VIP, so travelers should choose based on budget and preferred view.
A taxi or private transfer is the easiest way to reach and leave the venue. After the show, many guests may leave at the same time, so travelers should plan pickup in advance or allow extra time for transport.
Read for more information about Da Nang tour:
- https://abite.asia/things-to-do-in-da-nang-top-places-experiences-for-first-time-visitors/
- https://abite.asia/what-to-eat-in-da-nang-10-local-dishes-you-should-try/
- https://abite.asia/what-to-buy-in-da-nang-10-souvenirs-local-gifts-to-bring-home/
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