Hoi An: Vietnam’s Ancient Lantern City
Hoi An is unlike anywhere else in Vietnam. This Unesco World Heritage town feels frozen in time — a perfectly preserved 15th-to-19th-century trading port where yellow-walled merchant houses line the riverbank and thousands of silk lanterns illuminate the streets each evening. By day it’s a cycling paradise through rice paddies and beaches. By night it’s a lantern-lit wonderland. And it’s also home to some of the best tailors, chefs, and coffee in the country.
Why Hoi An is Every Traveller’s Favourite
Ask any traveller who’s been to Vietnam for their favourite stop, and Hoi An is the most common answer. It’s walkable, bikeable, affordable, and beautiful without trying. The Old Town is car-free in the evenings, the food scene is spectacular (cooking classes are a whole industry here), and the Thu Bon River flows gently through it all. Plus, you can get custom-tailored clothing made for a fraction of what it would cost back home — that alone makes it worth the stop.
Top Things to Do in Hoi An
1. The Lantern Festival & Night Market
Twice a month, during the full moon, Hoi An turns off all its electric lights and lets the silk lanterns take over. The Lantern Festival is magical — locals release paper lanterns onto the river while traditional music plays. Every other night, the Old Town is still draped in lanterns, and the night market along the riverfront is a riot of colour, grilled corn, bánh mì, and handmade souvenirs.
- Full Moon Lantern Festival — check dates, it changes monthly
- Night Market (Nguyễn Hoàng Street) — 5 PM onwards, best for evening strolls
- Release a floating lantern onto the river for good luck
- Try bánh bèo (steamed rice cakes) from street vendors
- Shop for silk lanterns, paintings, and embroidered textiles
2. Get Measured — The Tailor Experience
Hoi An is the tailoring capital of Vietnam, and getting custom clothing made is a rite of passage. Suits, dresses, coats, ao dai — you name it, Hoi An’s tailors can make it in 24–48 hours at prices that would be 10x more at home. The quality varies enormously, so choosing the right tailor matters.
- Recommended tailors: Yaly Couture, Bà Thi, Hoi An Tailor, A Dong Silk
- Bring photos of what you want — it helps immensely
- Allow 24–48 hours for full garment creation
- All tailors offer free alterations within reason
- Full suit: $80–150. Silk dress: $30–60. Custom coat: $50–100
3. The Ancient Town Walking Tour
Hoi An’s Old Town is a living museum. Buy a ticket (120,000 VND) that covers entry to five historic sites: the Japanese Covered Bridge, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, a traditional old house, a museum of your choice, and a music performance. The streets are compact enough to cover in half a day on foot.
- Japanese Covered Bridge — Hoi An’s most iconic landmark (1593)
- Phuc Kien Assembly Hall — ornate Chinese temple with dragon motifs
- Tân Kỷ Old House — 200-year-old merchant home blending styles
- Hoi An Museum of History & Culture — fascinating Cham artifacts
- Old Town ticket: 120,000 VND ($5) — valid for all 5 sites
4. Cycling to An Bang Beach & Rice Paddies
Hoi An is flat, small, and perfect for cycling. A free or cheap bike from your accommodation unlocks a completely different side of the city. Ride through emerald rice paddies, past water buffalo, and along the river to An Bang Beach — a relaxed stretch of sand with excellent seafood shacks and no high-rise development.
- Most hostels/hotels provide free bikes
- Old Town → An Bang Beach: 4 km, 15 minutes
- Eat at Bikini Beach Bar or Soul Kitchen for beachfront eats
- Cycle through Tra Que Vegetable Village on the way
- Cua Dai Beach — 5 km, quieter during weekdays
5. Cooking Class & Street Food Safari
Hoi An is the cooking class capital of Vietnam, and for good reason — the local cuisine is distinct from both Hanoi and Saigon. Cao lầu (thick noodles with pork and herbs), bánh bao vạc (white rose dumplings), and mì Quảng (turmeric noodles) are Hoi An originals that you won’t find done properly anywhere else.
- Cooking classes: $25–40, including market visit + boat ride
- Best classes: Red Bridge, Hoi An Cooking School, Gioan
- Try cao lầu at Bá Lễ (49/3 Trần Hưng Đạo) — the original
- White rose dumplings at Bông Hồng Trắng restaurant
- Bánh mì from Madam Khanh — arguably Vietnam’s best
6. Tra Que Vegetable Village & Rural Hoi An
Just a 15-minute bike ride from the Old Town, Tra Que Village has been growing herbs and vegetables for Hoi An’s kitchens for over 300 years. You can join a farming experience — planting, watering, and harvesting with local farmers — or simply walk through the fragrant fields of basil, mint, and lemongrass.
- Free to walk through; farming tour costs around $5
- Grows 40+ varieties of herbs and vegetables
- Uses traditional seaweed fertiliser from the river
- Combine with a cooking class that starts here
- The surrounding area has excellent homestay options
Cost Breakdown: Hoi An on a Budget
Budget per person per day:
- Budget Traveller: $20–35
- Mid-Range: $40–70
- Comfort: $80–120
Sample Costs:
- Cao lầu: $1.50–2.50
- Bánh mì: $1–1.50
- Cooking class: $25–40
- Tailor suit: $80–150
- Bicycle rental: $1–2 (often free)
- Hostel dorm: $5–8 per night
- Private room: $15–30 per night
Best Time to Visit Hoi An
February–April is the ideal window — dry, sunny, 25–32°C, and less humid than summer. May–August is hotter (35°C+) but still good for beach days. September–November is the rainy season — the Old Town can flood, and many attractions close temporarily. December–January is cool and pleasant (18–25°C) but can be busy with holiday travellers.
Flood warning: October–November sees the heaviest rainfall. Check forecasts if travelling during this period.
Disclaimer: Prices are approximate and subject to change. Tailor quality varies — read recent reviews before commissioning. Check seasonal flooding before visiting in autumn. This guide is for general reference only.