---
name: "Hoi An"
country: "Vietnam"
tagline: "Lantern-lit ancient town with tailor shops, cooking classes, and beach vibes"
price: "From $179"
bestTime: "February - May (Warm & Dry)"
currency: "Vietnamese Dong (VND)"
language: "Vietnamese"
tags: ["Culture","Relaxation","Food","Budget"]
highlights: ["Ancient Town","Lantern Festival","Custom Tailoring","Cooking Classes","An Bang Beach"]
parentDestination: vietnam
regionType: city
canonical: https://traveloonie.com/destinations/hoi-an
---
## Why Hoi An?

Hoi An is the destination that makes everyone fall in love with Vietnam. This UNESCO-listed ancient town is a perfectly preserved trading port from the 15th-19th century — think lantern-lit streets reflecting off the Thu Bon River, centuries-old Japanese bridges, French colonial shop houses turned into boutique cafes, and food so good that people plan entire trips around it. It's also impossibly affordable: get custom clothes tailored in 24 hours for $20-50, take a cooking class for $15, and eat the best cao lau of your life for $2.

## What to Do

### The Ancient Town

The heart of Hoi An is car-free and best explored on foot or by bicycle. Visit the iconic **Japanese Covered Bridge**, wander through the old merchant houses, and peek into the **Fujian Assembly Hall** with its ornate Chinese architecture. Buy a ticket that gives access to five heritage sites. The real magic happens after dark when hundreds of silk lanterns light up the streets.

### Lantern Festival

On the 14th day of each lunar month (the full moon), Hoi An holds its famous **Lantern Festival**. The town switches off electric lights, locals float candle-lit lanterns on the river, and the streets fill with traditional music and performances. It's one of the most photogenic nights in all of Southeast Asia.

### Custom Tailoring

Hoi An is famous worldwide for its tailor shops. You can get **custom suits, dresses, leather shoes, and bags** made to your exact measurements in 24-48 hours. Prices range from $20 for a dress to $100 for a three-piece suit. **Yaly Couture** and **BeBe** are well-known, but smaller shops often offer better deals and more personal service.

### Cooking Classes & Food

Take a morning **cooking class** ($15-25) that starts with a market tour, then teaches you to make pho, spring rolls, and banh xeo. Seek out **Cao Lau** — thick noodles with pork, herbs, and crispy crackers found only in Hoi An. Visit **Banh Mi Phuong** (the "Banh Mi Queen") for what Anthony Bourdain called the best sandwich in the world. **White rose dumplings** are another Hoi An-only specialty.

### Beach & Beyond

**An Bang Beach** is a 15-minute bicycle ride from the Ancient Town — golden sand, beach bars, and far fewer crowds than Da Nang. Rent a bicycle for the day ($1-2) and ride through rice paddies to get there. For a day trip, the **My Son Sanctuary** — a 4th-century Hindu temple complex — is Vietnam's answer to Angkor Wat (45 minutes by car).

## Pro Tips

- **Rent a bicycle** — Hoi An is flat and compact; cycling is the best way to get around ($1-2/day)
- **Visit after 4pm** — The Ancient Town charges entry during the day but is free to walk through in the evening
- **Full moon = Lantern Festival** — Check the lunar calendar and plan your visit around it
- **Get fitted early** — Visit tailors on your first day so alterations can happen before you leave
- **Morning market** — The central market is best before 9am for fresh produce, banh mi, and local snacks
- **Da Nang is 30 minutes away** — Easy day trip by Grab or local bus for beaches and the Marble Mountains