Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located just a half hour drive south of Da Nang. The charming ‘yellow town’ is packed with history and full of opportunities to create magical memories. Here are the top suggestions for what to do when visiting
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- 1. Walk through the old city
- 2. Cycling through the countryside
- 3. Take a cooking class
- 4. Spend the day chilling at An Bang Beach
- 5. Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride on Hoai River
- 6. Cam Thanh Coconut Village Basket Boat Tour
- 7. Have clothing made
- 8. Visit local markets
- 9. Create your own Hoi An souvenir during a lantern-making class
- 10. Watch a live show at Hoi An Memories Show
- 11. Visit craft villages: Tra Que Vegetable Village, Thanh Ha Pottery Village, ect
- 12. A day trip to Cham Island
- 13. Hoi An to Hue via Hai Van Pass
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1. Walk through the old city
Hoi An offers a breathtaking mix of ornate Chinese temples, a Japanese-style bridge, wooden shop buildings, French-colonial houses and old canals. Most of the old shops have been carefully converted into modern businesses for tourists, including countless tailors, souvenir shops, art galleries, restaurants and cafes. The best way to explore this city is on foot. Visit the city both during the day and in the evening, when the lanterns illuminate the old town.
2. Cycling through the countryside
One of the best thing to do in Hoi An is exploring this beautiful countryside by a bicycle ride along narrow paths through the rice fields. From the center it is only 10 minutes by bike to the countryside. You see locals with water buffalos walking the land and when you are in the right season they are nice and green. You can also use the bike to cycle to the nearby beaches and other places of interest in Hoi An.
3. Take a cooking class
Hoi An is the most popular place to take a cooking class in Vietnam. A cooking class in Hoi An is often more than just learning to make dishes, but there are often many other activities that you do, such as a visit to a local market, boat trips, cycling and visiting craft villages.
4. Spend the day chilling at An Bang Beach
If you have been walking around for a whole day to see all the sights in Hoi An, you might be ready to relax the next day. Fortunately there are a number of beaches in Hoi An and in the area. The two most popular are An Bang Beach and Cua Dai Beach.
5. Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride on Hoai River
Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride on the Hoai river is a fabulous experience to admire Hoi An old town at sunset moments and its beauty at night.
The magical journey with lantern boat Hoi An will give you to immerse yourself in the town’s unique ambiance. Surrounding you are full of the shimmering glow of colorful lanterns and flower lanterns. Thus, it is a must-experience at this UNESCO World Heritage-listed ancient town.
6. Cam Thanh Coconut Village Basket Boat Tour
You will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities when you visit Cam Thanh Coconut Village, including a basket ride, fishing on the river with local fisherman, crafting items out of coconut leaves, and tasting ripe coconuts
7. Have clothing made
Once an important port on the Silk Road, the perfectly preserved 15th-century trading history of the city continues to flourish today, where the tailors in Hoi An use their magic to produce high-quality clothing at a bargain price for the seemingly endless passing trade. There are many tourists who have clothing made in Hoi An and why not? It will certainly be worth your money and it will be a great souvenir and a reminder to take home.
8. Visit local markets
One of the most popular sights is the markets in Hoi An. Markets are also one of the best places to see the local life.
In the middle of the city next to the river you will find the central market where you can really find everything.
Every night there is a Night Market. The 300-meter-long Nguyen Hoang Street changes into a sea of color, while vendors set up stalls selling everything from handmade jewelry and clothing to delicious snacks. This market is illuminated by hundreds of different colored lanterns that decorate the street and illuminate the stalls.
9. Create your own Hoi An souvenir during a lantern-making class
Are you looking for the perfect souvenir to take home from Hoi An?
Join the Hoi An Lantern Making Class Tour at lantern making workshops to make lanterns yourself.
Plus, add to the oriental ornaments that the Vietnamese believe bring good luck and happiness when hung in front of the house. The lantern-making class Hoi An will be a great experience when you travel to the old town.
10. Watch a live show at Hoi An Memories Show
Hoi An Memories Land is an awesome cultural theme park. Think epic live shows, adorable mini-villages from different eras, and cool workshops where you can craft your own souvenirs. The show is a part of Hoi An Impression Theme Park. Top it all off with a scenic boat ride, and you’ve got an unforgettable trip through Vietnam’s fascinating past!
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11. Visit craft villages: Tra Que Vegetable Village, Thanh Ha Pottery Village, ect
Tra Que Herb Village, a vegetable village, shows you the agricultural techniques of the local population, ranging from plowing the soil, sowing, watering, harvesting vegetables and other agricultural activities. You also have Thanh Ha Pottery Village and Phuoc Kieu Bronze Casting Village.
12. A day trip to Cham Island
The eight rustic, rocky Cham Islands sit off the coast near Hoi An. Also called Cù Lao Chàm, the archipelago is only 9 miles from the mainland coast of Central Vietnam – which makes it a perfect day trip from Hoi An.
Highlights of the Cu Lao Cham Islands are the quaint fishing villages, pristine beaches, gorgeous landscapes and underwater snorkeling and diving adventures. Travelers can plan a trip on their own or join an organized Cham Island tour to experience the peaceful paradise.
13. Hoi An to Hue via Hai Van Pass
Hoi An to Hue is one of Southeast Asia’s most spectacular coastal journeys, and the best way to see it is by motorbike. The windy climb over world-famous Hai Van Pass is a definite highlight.
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