Hoi An Ancient Town is a remarkably well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Located in central Vietnam’s Quang Nam Province, it sits on the north bank of the Thu Bon River. Its history as a major international hub is etched into its physical fabric: a grid of narrow, pedestrian-friendly streets lined with over 1,100 timber-frame buildings. The town is famous for its iconic yellow-washed walls, weathered tile roofs, and a unique architectural “fusion” style that blends indigenous Vietnamese elements with influences from Chinese, Japanese, and later European merchants. This aesthetic makes Hoi An feel like a living museum, where ancient assembly halls, merchant houses, and the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge continue to stand as vibrant functional spaces.
Attraction
Hoi An’s allure lies in its “slow-living” atmosphere and visual poetry. It is widely considered one of the most photogenic cities in Asia.
- The Lantern Magic: Every evening, the town is illuminated by thousands of silk lanterns, and on full moon nights, the “Lantern Festival” sees the city turn off electric lights in favor of traditional glows.
- World-Class Tailoring: Hoi An is the tailoring capital of the world. Travelers flock here to get high-quality, custom-made suits, dresses, and shoes produced in as little as 24 hours.
- Culinary Excellence: The city has its own distinct cuisine, most notably Cao Lau (chewy noodles made with local well water) and White Rose Dumplings, which cannot be authentically replicated elsewhere.
- Craft Culture: From pottery and woodworking to lantern-making workshops, the city offers an immersive “hands-on” experience of traditional Vietnamese trades.
Heritage
Hoi An was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1999. It met two key criteria:
- Criterion (ii): It is an outstanding material manifestation of the fusion of cultures over time in an international commercial port.
- Criterion (v): It is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a traditional Asian trading port.
In addition to its World Heritage status, in 2023, Hoi An was officially designated as a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in the field of Crafts and Folk Arts. This recognizes the city’s commitment to preserving its 50+ active artisanal trades and its vibrant folk singing traditions like Bai Choi.
Gateway
- Gateway City: Da Nang is the modern metropolis located just 30 km north of Hoi An.
- Airport: Da Nang International Airport (DAD) is the primary gateway, receiving frequent domestic flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as direct international flights from across Asia and the Middle East.
- Lodging: While Hoi An has beautiful boutique hotels, Da Nang serves as an excellent base for those wanting a mix of high-end beach resorts and city amenities. Transfers from Da Nang to Hoi An take roughly 45 minutes via private car or shuttle.
When
- The Golden Window (February to April): This is the ideal time. The weather is dry, sunny, and mild (20-28°C), making it perfect for walking the streets or cycling to nearby An Bang Beach.
- The Festive Peak: Visiting during the Lunar New Year (Tet) offers incredible cultural immersion, though it comes with heavy crowds and higher prices.
- Avoid (October to November): This is the peak typhoon and rainy season. Hoi An is prone to flooding during this time, and the river often overflows into the Ancient Town’s streets.
Consideration
- Entrance Tickets: Visitors are required to buy a sightseeing ticket (approx. 120,000 VND) which grants access to the Ancient Town and five specific heritage sites (temples, houses, or museums).
- The “Early Bird” Strategy: By 10:00 AM, the town becomes extremely crowded with day-trippers. To see the “authentic” Hoi An, explore at sunrise (6:00 AM) when the locals are at the market and the streets are empty.
- Dress Code: While relaxed, you should dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) when entering temples and family chapels out of respect.
- Scams & Touts: Be wary of “factory tours” that are essentially high-pressure sales pitches. Stick to reputable tailors with clear reviews.
Resources
- UNESCO World Heritage – Hoi An: For the official historical and conservation profile.
- Hoi An World Heritage Official Site: The local authority’s portal for news, events, and ticket information.
- The Common Wanderer – Hoi An Guide: A deep-dive travel blog with excellent photography and practical tips.
- Vietnam.travel – Hoi An: The official national tourism website for Vietnam.
- GetYourGuide – Hoi An Tours: Use this to book lantern-making classes, basket boat tours, or day trips to the nearby My Son Sanctuary.
Featured Image
The street of Hoi An (David McKelvey, Flickr/CC BY 2.0).
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14 responses to “Hoi An Ancient Town”
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Hoi An was, beside the Six Senses in Nha Trang, the most enjoyable part of our three week holiday in Vietnam earlier this year. We stayed in a smaller guest house, just outside of town, and cycled everywhere, in to town, around town and to the beaches too. Five days was perfect, and we are glad we didn’t shorten the trip and try to cram in more. We would have skipped Saigon, 24 hours was fine for Hanoi, 2 days in Halong Bay, but the full five days was ideal at Hoi An. Of course we had suits and skirts and blouses made, and are delighted with our purchases. Arrive with an empty suitcase, take only your favorite clothes you wish to have copied.
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Laden with multicolored lanterns, the ancient town’s canals and alleyways are a sight to behold during the lantern festival. The locals turn off their lights, leaving the town bathed in candlelight.
The myriad floating lanterns dotting the water’s surface make for an incredible view, but the festival’s atmosphere is lively, romantic and mystical.
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I love the lights at night it looks so magical ! I also like the fact that some streets are blocked to traffic, must feels so quiet. Can’t wait to go there !
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When it comes to ancient towns, Hoi An is right up there for us. I’ve always loved the romance and allure of an old town where all the buildings date back 100’s of years, generations within a family own businesses and each street has a tale to tell. Add colorful fabric lanterns adorning the streets, brightly painted shop fronts and bicycles a plenty and you have old world charm like no other and plenty of Instagram-worthy corners. In fact I dare you to try not take photos whilst there; it’s not possible.
It’s a great place to find many a talented tailor who can whip up a dress, linen pants or suit of your choice within a day. One of my favourite leather bags comes from a shop there ( made from buffalo hide) and I can’t recall finding better vietnamese food anywhere else. By day you can cycle through the streets, cruise the river in a local boat and by night watch the town explode with markets, lanterns aglow and their Japanese bridge ( dating back to 16th century) change colour in the light.
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Walking through Hoi An’s beguiling maze of narrow lanes, traditional houses, temples and shops, we lost track of time.
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One way to gain some perspective – geographically speaking – on how exactly Hoi An looks, is by doing a cruise on the Thu Bon River which runs right through the heart of the city. We were there when a monsoon struck central Vietnam, but judging by the locals’ nonchalance about this imminent disaster, this was the sort of this that happened quite often… Either way, the elevated river gave us an even better view of the famous Hoi An market at dusk, just when the Chinese lanterns lit up the streets…
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I was lucky enough to be there during the lunar lantern festival where the old town shuts off electricity in the evenings, is closed to traffic and transforms into magical alleyways of colourful lanterns, flickering candles and lively gatherings.
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I adored Hội An for its charming riverside Old Town and lanterns lighting up the night. The Hội An lantern festival is a gorgeous tradition and because of its popularity with tourists, one can now experience this beautiful light show every night. I was excited to see so much lush bougainvillea and many silk lanterns adorning the storefronts and restaurants of Hội An. Take it from me, be sure to dine along the river from 7 to 9 p.m. and watch Old Town illuminate. It’s quite the romantic and magical spectacle.
There’s such a diversity of experiences in Hội An: beautiful beaches, hand-tailored clothing, delectable food, vibrant night markets, colorful lanterns, and ancient temples in the mountains. There are many cute boutiques lining Hội An’s beautiful streets. Not surprisingly, you can find a photo op at every turn.
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At night, the historic old town is jumping with people strolling by, and shops selling stuff, as well as locals offering everything from boat rides and fruit, to silk scarves (the town is known for its silk) and leather sandals. People also come to Hoi An to have suits and clothing made for them, and you’ll find several streets lined with custom tailor shops.
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In the evenings, Hoi An casts a spell on its visitors. This spell is not only lit up by the moon itself, but also by the hundreds of lamps and candles that are both hung on the trees, and also made to float in the Hoai River. Simply strolling around the Old Town and particularly by the riverfront is how one should welcome the night when in Hoi An.
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Many buildings have great designs and architecture with wooden sculptures on the rafters and beams, and these buildings have been inherited by generations. It’s such a precious treasure for the community and the city.
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We had no idea what to expect when visiting Hoi An, but I’m so glad we visited. It was one of the best stops on our visit to Vietnam. The people, food and shopping are amazing! I’m sure you will love it too.
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We are lucky enough to be here for a few days during the city’s Lantern Full Moon Festival (which pays tribute to ancestors, a recurring socio-religious theme throughout our time in Vietnam), so the streets are festooned with colour, light and more old-world charm than you can imagine.
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Hoi An gets even more beautiful at night so around dusk, make your way over to the river and experience something magical. You’ll find hundreds of colourful paper lanterns (with a candle at the bottom of each) floating down the river and tourists in little boats trying to get that amazing photo. I opted out to spectate from the river bank but it was still a beautiful tradition to see, and all the lights and colours were simply amazing!
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