Hoi An is a charming and delightful town in Vietnam that lures hundreds and thousands of visitors from all across the world. The town sitting at the end of the Thu Bon River boasts impressive grand architecture and rich heritage. Traditional traffic and pollution are almost entirely absent from the beautiful town, as an abundance of canals cutting through the city allow for motorbike or boat as the main form of transportation.
Here is a brief travel guide to Hoi An for all those who plan to visit this beautiful town.
When to go to Hoi An
As Hoi An remains warm the whole year-round, the best time to visit the town is from February through May when the temperatures are pleasant. You should avoid visiting Hoi An from September to January months because of the heavy rain showers.
How to reach Hoi An
It is easy to reach Hoi An as the town is well connected via Bangkok and Hong Kong through numerous connecting flights. From the airport, one can take a cab or bus to reach Hoi An. Da Nang to Hoi An is the most popular route by road, and one can take a cab, a bus or even rent a motorbike. You can also take a train from Da Nang to reach this place. When in Hoi An, you can explore it on foot or take the local transportation or the advisable bikes and taxis.
Where to stay in Hoi An
There are plenty of safe, comfortable, and affordable accommodations to stay in Hoi An. Some of the most popular hotels include Tribee Bana Hostel, Under the Coconut Tree, Tribee Cham Hostel or Hoi An Vietnam backpacker hostel. These accommodations are all centrally located around the Old Town.
What to do and see in Hoi An
Hoi An has lots to do and see, and the way of life has changed little here. It boasts of enticing scenery and laid-back beaches along with green fields of rice. Here are 13 fun-filled activities to enjoy while in Hoi An.
- Explore the Old Houses in Hoi that offer a glimpse at what life was life here like in the colonial and pre-colonial period.
- Go crab fishing with the local fishermen in traditional bamboo boats.
- Visit the Quan Cong Temple that dates back to the 17th century and was built to honor the Chin Dynasty and is seen as an impressive architectural accomplishment.
- Attend the Full Moon Festival. This is probably the best time to be in the city if you do not mind the crowds and the noise. The city and its streets come alive with music and dancing.
- Take a boat ride along the river to see a different side of the town and enjoy the picturesque views of the waterfront.
- Take a trip to Cham Island and explore the diverse marine life. Take advantage of ample diving tours and snorkeling to see the underwater world up close.
- It is must to visit the Japanese Covered Bridge that was built in the late sixteenth century. The beautiful and historical piece of Japanese architecture is one of the most iconic attractions in Hoi An.
- Marble Mountains is another attraction that is located outside the city. It is a series of five mountains dotted with many pagodas and was a base for Viet Cong fighters.
- Visit the Museum of Folk Culture to learn more about rural Vietnamese culture. The Museum displays traditional dresses and gives you a good idea about the local culture.
- Fukian Assembly Hall is an excellent example of Chinese architecture, and the grand assembly hall comprises of a colorful temple that is dedicated to the goddess of the sea.
- Spend time overlooking the green fields of rice and watch the sunrise, enjoying the early morning light sparkling on every blade of grass.
- Ride bikes through the ancient town and explore its streets and enjoy the heavy scent of flowers.
- Do some yoga. Join one of the many classes in any of the yoga studios in the city. It is a great way to calm the body and mind and rejuvenate the spirit.
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