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Lantern-lit Japanese Covered Bridge in Hoi An at dusk
Vietnam · Travel Guide

Hoi An Travel Guide: Old Town, Beaches, Tailors, Food

Everything you need for Hoi An: Old Town highlights, beaches, tailors, food, stays, weather, and tours.

Lantern-lit Japanese Covered Bridge in Hoi An at dusk
Vietnam · Travel Guide📅 Updated 2026-06-18 · last reviewed by Phuong Le📖 3 min readPLPhuong Le15-yr Hanoi history guide
Last reviewed by Phuong Le: 2026-06-18 · Quarterly review

Quick answer

Plan Hoi An: Ancient Town ticket covers 5 sights; Lantern Festival on the 14th lunar day; Da Nang–Hoi An 30 km, 45–60 min by car; An Bang vs Cua Dai; tailors need 24–48 hours; eat cao lau, mi quang, banh mi; day trips to My Son and Cham Islands. Buy from workshops.

Da Nang–Hoi An: 30 km, 45–60 minLantern Festival: 14th lunar dayAncient Town ticket: 5 sights included

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About this guide

Hoi An sits on central Vietnam's coast, about 30 kilometres south of Da Nang, and its Ancient Town — inscribed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site on 4 December 1999 — covers 30 hectares containing more than 1,330 protected heritage sites. These include 1,068 preserved houses, five Chinese assembly halls, and the Japanese Covered Bridge, a structure that has stood since the 17th century. The architectural fabric blends Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and Western influences accumulated during the town's active trading-port era, which ran from the 15th to the 19th century. The Old Town operates a car-free pedestrian zone daily from 9 to 11 a.m. and again from 3 to 10 p.m., and a single Old Town Ticket covers entry to five heritage buildings.

The town's two main beaches — An Bang and Cua Dai — both lie roughly 4 to 5 kilometres from the Ancient Town and can be reached by bicycle, motorbike, or taxi in under 15 minutes. An Bang has a lively, social character with beachfront bars and boutique accommodation, while Cua Dai, where three rivers meet the sea, sits at a quieter, more resort-oriented stretch of coast that has faced significant erosion since a 2014 typhoon. For day trips away from the shoreline, Cu Lao Cham Marine Park — a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve comprising eight islands 15 kilometres offshore — offers snorkelling and village visits. In 2024, Hoi An recorded more than 4.42 million visitors, a figure that reflects the town's broad appeal across cultural, culinary, and beach tourism.

Hoi An carries a specific identity in Vietnamese food culture. Cao Lau, the town's signature noodle dish, combines thick rice noodles with char-siu pork, crispy croutons, bean sprouts, and fresh herbs; tradition holds the noodles must be made with water from the ancient Ba Le Well and lye derived from Cham Islands wood ash to be considered authentic. White Rose Dumplings — thin, flower-shaped rice paper parcels filled with minced shrimp or pork — are produced by a small number of families who keep the recipe closely guarded. Bánh Mì Phượng at 2B Phan Chu Trinh Street, where sandwiches are priced under VND 30,000 (approximately USD 1.30), gained international attention after Anthony Bourdain featured it in 2012. Rounding out the local repertoire are Com Ga (chicken rice cooked in broth with turmeric) and Mi Quang (turmeric-infused noodles with shrimp, pork, and peanuts).

Key facts & good to know

Best time to go
Feb–Jul is generally dry; Oct–Nov brings typhoon-season rains and occasional flooding in the Old Town — plan accordingly.
Currency & costs
Vietnamese Dong (VND). Bánh mì at Phượng runs under VND 30,000 (~USD 1.30); tailor-made casual pieces start around USD 20–30.
Language
Vietnamese. English is widely spoken in Old Town shops, tailors, and beach restaurants catering to tourists.
Time zone
Indochina Time (ICT), UTC+7. No daylight-saving adjustments — clocks stay fixed year-round.
Power & plugs
220 V / 50 Hz. Sockets are Type A, C, or F. Bring a universal adapter; USB-C charges work fine with the right plug.
Getting around
Old Town is walkable and car-free 9–11 a.m. & 3–10 p.m. Bicycles or motorbikes reach An Bang and Cua Dai beaches (4–5 km) in under 15 min.
Tailor tip
Allow at least 3 days minimum, bring reference photos, and schedule at least one fitting — rushed orders skip quality checks.
Old Town entry
A single Old Town Ticket covers entry to five heritage buildings across the 30-hectare, 1,330-site protected zone.

The honest pacing

When we put together itineraries through central Vietnam, Hoi An tends to require more days than travellers initially plan for — and that is rarely a complaint. The Ancient Town alone rewards slow exploration: a morning working through the five heritage buildings covered by the Old Town Ticket, an afternoon following the pedestrian-only streets before they open to vehicles at 10 p.m., and an evening that often ends at a riverside table. We typically suggest a minimum of three full days in town before factoring in a half-day at the beach or a boat out to Cu Lao Cham.

We also build in time for the tailoring district, because the process has a practical rhythm of its own. Established workshops like Thu Thuy Silk (open since 1989), A Dong Silk, and Yaly Couture can complete simple garments within 24 hours, but more complex pieces — a tailored suit, for instance, which starts around USD 140 at A Dong — need 3 to 4 days and at least one fitting. Our advice to clients is to arrive with reference photos or a garment they already like, set a realistic budget (at least USD 20 to 30 for casual pieces, up to USD 700 for suits in premium fabric), and treat the first day as research rather than commitment.

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What to skip on 0 days

These are the 4 mistakes 80% of first-time Vietnam travellers make when researching online.Phuong Le has personally seen each one destroy trips that could have been excellent.

✗
Buying your Old Town Ticket and rushing through all five sites in one goWhen to consider · If you have only 2–3 hours total
The ticket covers five heritage buildings, but the Old Town's 1,330+ protected sites — lanes, courtyards, assembly halls — are experienced by walking slowly. Rushing the ticketed stops while ignoring the surrounding streets means missing most of what makes the 30-hectare zone worth visiting.
✗
Ordering a complex tailored outfit and leaving Hoi An within 48 hoursWhen to consider · On a tight itinerary with fewer than 3 days in town
Simple garments take 24 hours minimum; suits and structured pieces take 3–4 days and require at least one fitting session. Leaving before the final fitting produces garments that often need expensive alterations elsewhere, and fabric choices made without reference photos or a sample garment rarely turn out as intended.
✗
Treating Cua Dai Beach as equivalent to An Bang BeachWhen to consider · When you want a reliable swimming beach
Cua Dai has experienced significant coastal erosion since a 2014 typhoon, and while rehabilitation work is ongoing, the beach is narrower and less consistent than An Bang. Both are 4–5 km from the Ancient Town, so the travel time is the same — but An Bang currently offers more stable conditions for swimming and beachfront amenities.
✗
Skipping Bánh Mì Phượng because the queue looks longWhen to consider · Any first visit to Hoi An
Sandwiches are priced under VND 30,000 (~USD 1.30) and the queue moves quickly. The shop at 2B Phan Chu Trinh Street has been internationally documented since Anthony Bourdain's 2012 No Reservations feature. Avoiding it to save 15–20 minutes means missing one of the few Hoi An food experiences with a verifiable, specific track record.

0-day Vietnam itinerary FAQ

When should I visit and how many days do I need in Hoi An?
Plan 2–3 full days to cover the Old Town, a beach visit, and tailor fittings. The drier months are February–August; May–August can be very hot at midday (often 33–37°C). Rains pick up September–December, with occasional flooding in October–November that can close riverfront streets for a few days. Evenings are cooler for walking the lanes and riverside.
How do I get from Da Nang to the Old Town, and what does it cost?
Da Nang Airport (DAD) to Hoi An is about 30 km; taxi or Grab takes 45–60 minutes and usually costs 350,000–450,000 VND. Private transfers run around 300,000–500,000 VND per car depending on size and time of day. Local Bus #1 from Da Nang bus station to Hoi An takes 60–90 minutes for about 25,000–30,000 VND; from the airport you’ll need a short taxi to the bus stop. Some hotels operate shuttles (about 80,000–150,000 VND per person); check last departures, often around 18:00.
Do I need a ticket for the Old Town, and what are the hours and rules?
The Old Town ticket costs 120,000 VND for international visitors and includes 5 coupons to enter selected heritage sites (old houses, assembly halls, museums). Ticket checkpoints are most active late afternoon and evening. Pedestrian-only hours in the core are roughly 9:00–11:00 and 15:00–21:30; arrange vehicle drop-offs outside these windows. Dress modestly for temples and carry your ticket while in the area.
How do tailor shops handle customization, fittings, and shipping?
You can walk in or message shops in advance with measurements and reference photos. Choose fabric, agree on price, and pay a 30–50% deposit; a first fitting in 6–12 hours is common, with 1–2 further fittings after that. Typical prices: simple dress 700,000–1,500,000 VND, shirt 400,000–800,000 VND, two-piece suit 2,500,000–5,000,000 VND. Most shops can ship internationally (7–14 days); small parcels often cost 500,000–1,500,000 VND depending on weight and carrier.
How do bookings and cancellations work for tailors, tours, and classes?
Tailors usually allow changes before fabric is cut; after that, deposits are often non-refundable, so confirm terms before paying. Cooking classes, basket-boat rides, and day tours commonly allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before start; late cancellations or no-shows are typically charged in full. For hotels, many mid-range properties let you cancel free until 24–72 hours before check-in; prepaid deals are stricter. Get the policy in writing on your receipt or confirmation.
Which beaches are nearby and how do I get there?
An Bang Beach is about 4 km from the Old Town; cycling takes 20–25 minutes and taxi/Grab 10–15 minutes (around 60,000–100,000 VND). Cua Dai Beach is a similar distance and has wide sandy areas; sunbeds usually rent for 50,000–100,000 VND, with umbrellas extra. Expect parking fees: bicycle 5,000–10,000 VND, motorbike 10,000–20,000 VND. Go early morning or late afternoon for cooler temperatures and calmer crowds.
What should I budget per day?
Shoestring: 600,000–1,000,000 VND (dorm 150,000–250,000; street meals 30,000–50,000; bicycle 40,000–60,000). Mid-range: 1,500,000–3,000,000 VND (hotel 700,000–1,500,000; sit-down meals 80,000–180,000; a few attractions or classes). Add tailoring or day tours on top; motorbike rental is 120,000–180,000 VND/day and fuel about 25,000 VND per liter.
What and where should I eat, and how much does it cost?
Local dishes include cao lau and mi quang (30,000–50,000 VND per bowl), banh mi (25,000–40,000), and white rose dumplings (50,000–90,000). The central market is busiest 6:00–10:00 for breakfast and produce; the night market on Nguyen Hoang Street runs roughly 17:00–22:00 for snacks. Many stalls and restaurants offer vegetarian versions; request no fish sauce if needed.

People also ask

When is the Lantern Festival in Hoi An, and what should I expect?
It happens on the 14th day of each lunar month (one day before the full moon), typically from dusk until around 9:30–10:00 pm. Electric lights in the core are dimmed, streets get busy, and river lantern boats see higher prices and queues.
How much do tailors cost in town?
Typical ranges: cotton or linen shirts 400,000–900,000 VND, casual dresses 700,000–1,500,000 VND, and two-piece suits 2,500,000–5,000,000 VND depending on fabric. Premium wool or silk and rush service can add 10–20%.
How much is a lantern boat ride on the Hoai River?
Short rides near the Ancient Town usually cost 150,000–200,000 VND per boat for 20–30 minutes (often up to 2–4 passengers). Paper lanterns to float on the water are typically 10,000–20,000 VND each.
Are Grab and taxis available, and what do short rides cost?
GrabBike and GrabCar operate, but pickups and drop-offs are at the edges of the pedestrian zone. A 2–5 km ride is commonly 20,000–60,000 VND by bike and 40,000–100,000 VND by car, with higher prices in rain or late evening.
Does Hoi An flood, and when?
Seasonal flooding is most likely from October to December, with the highest risk in late October–November. High water can close the Ancient Town for 1–3 days; check weather advisories and keep plans flexible during this period.
Do restaurants and tailors take cards, and are ATMs easy to find?
Mid-range and upscale hotels, tailors, and many restaurants take Visa/Mastercard, often with a 2–3% surcharge; smaller shops are cash only. ATMs are clustered around Tran Hung Dao, Le Loi, and Cua Dai Road, with withdrawal limits of 2–5 million VND and bank fees typically 20,000–60,000 VND per transaction.

Verified sources

  1. ATL DMC booking log · 12,000+ trips since 2011
  2. Vietnam National Authority of Tourism — Hoi An Heritage Conservation · https://vietnamtourism.gov.vn/en/post/21379
  3. Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus) — 25 Years of Hoi An as UNESCO Heritage Site · https://en.vietnamplus.vn/25-years-of-hoi-an-as-unesco-world-cultural-heritage-site-post304810.vnp
  4. Vietnam National Authority of Tourism — Explore Hoi An Ancient Town · https://vietnam.travel/things-to-do/the-best-ways-to-explore-the-ancient-town-of-hoi-an
  5. Vietnam Airlines Travel Guide — Hoi An Beaches · https://www.vietnamairlines.com/ph/en/plan-book/travel/travel-guide/hoi-an-beaches
  6. Vietnam Airlines Travel Guide — Hoi An Tailoring · https://www.vietnamairlines.com/us/en/plan-book/travel/travel-guide/hoi-an-tailoring
  7. Vietnam National Authority of Tourism — Cao Lau · https://vietnamtourism.gov.vn/en/post/7813
  8. Da Nang City Tourism Portal — Cao Lau Hoi An · https://danangfantasticity.com/en/how-to-indulge-your-passion-for-food/cao-lau-hoi-an-a-traditional-noodle-specialty-of-hoi-an-vietnam

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Phuong Le

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About the authors

PL

Phuong Le · primary author

15-yr Hanoi history guide

Specialty: Hanoi · Halong Bay · Vietnam itineraries.

Editorial process: Pacing and picks tested across thousands of ATL trips · reviewed quarterly.

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