Hoi An

Lantern-lit lanes, a 400-year-old Japanese bridge and riverside merchant houses – Hoi An is Vietnam's most enchanting UNESCO old town, with beaches, villages and My Son just beyond.

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Hoi An is a riverside town on the central coast of Vietnam, about 30 km south of Da Nang. Its Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, is one of the best-preserved trading ports in Southeast Asia, with around 1,100 historic timber buildings, the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese assembly halls and lantern-lit streets. Beyond the old town lie herb villages, coconut forests, beaches and islands, while the Cham temples of My Son Sanctuary, another UNESCO site, are an hour away. Since 1 July 2025, Hoi An has been part of Da Nang city, but it remains one of Vietnam’s most loved destinations in its own right.

Why Visit Hoi An?

Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Hoi An Ancient Town and My Son Sanctuary.
Lantern nights: silk lanterns every evening and a traditional lantern night each full moon.
Heritage architecture: Tan Ky and Phung Hung old houses, Fujian and Cantonese assembly halls.
Countryside and craft villages: Tra Que, Thanh Ha and the Bay Mau Coconut Forest.
Beaches and islands: An Bang, Cua Dai and the Cham Islands.
Food and tailors: cao lau, banh mi and made-to-measure clothes.

Top Things to Do in Hoi An

Wander Hoi An Ancient Town at sunrise and again at night.
Cross the Japanese Covered Bridge, restored in 2024.
Visit merchant houses such as Tan Ky Old House.
Admire the Fujian Assembly Hall.
Release a flower lantern on the Hoai River.
Explore the Cham temples of My Son Sanctuary.
Ride a basket boat in the Bay Mau Coconut Forest.
Cycle to Tra Que for a cooking class.
Snorkel at the Cham Islands or relax on An Bang Beach.
Taste cao lau at Hoi An Market; see our Hoi An food guide.

Hoi An Ancient Town Tickets

A ticket is required to enter the core old town: 80,000 VND (2 sites plus the Japanese Bridge or Quan Cong Temple) or 120,000 VND (3 sites, 1 museum plus the Japanese Bridge or Quan Cong Temple), valid for up to 3 days. Children under 16 are free. Details are on the official Hoi An heritage website and in our Hoi An Ancient Town guide.

Hoi An Attractions at a Glance: Opening Hours & Ticket Prices 2026

Opening hours and adult ticket prices for the main sights in Hoi An, checked in October 2026 against official and local sources. Prices are in Vietnamese dong (VND), can change without notice and are usually included in our private tours. Click a name for the full guide.

Attraction	Opening hours	Ticket (adult)
Hoi An Ancient Town	Streets open 24 hours; heritage houses about 7:00–21:00	120,000 VND foreigners (5 sites), 80,000 VND Vietnamese (3 sites); under 1 m free; valid up to 3 days
Japanese Covered Bridge	Viewable 24 hours	One coupon of the 120,000 VND old-town ticket
Fujian Assembly Hall	Daily about 7:00–17:30 (varies)	One coupon of the 120,000 VND old-town ticket
Cantonese Assembly Hall	Daily daytime (varies)	One coupon of the 120,000 VND old-town ticket
Tan Ky Old House	About 8:00–17:30 daily	One coupon of the 120,000 VND old-town ticket
Phung Hung Old House	Daily from about 8:00 (varies)	One coupon of the 120,000 VND old-town ticket
Hoi An Market	Daily about 6:00 to early evening	Free
My Son Sanctuary	6:00–18:00 (tickets until 17:30)	150,000 VND foreigners
Bay Mau Coconut Forest	Daylight	30,000 VND entrance (children free)
Tra Que Vegetable Village	Ticket booth 7:00–17:00	35,000 VND (free under 1.2 m)
Thanh Ha Pottery Village	About 8:30–17:30	About 35,000 VND
An Bang Beach	Public beach, open all day	Free (parking 5,000–20,000 VND)
Cua Dai Beach	Public beach, open all day	Free (parking 5,000–20,000 VND)
Cham Islands	Boats mainly March–August	Visitor fee 70,000 VND (from 10 Jun 2026)

Best Time to Visit Hoi An

February to April is the best time, with warm, dry weather. May–August is hot and sunny, good for beaches. September–January is the rainy season, with floods most likely from mid-October to late November. Plan around a full-moon lantern night if you can. More in our Hoi An travel tips.

How to Get to Hoi An

Fly to Da Nang International Airport, then drive 45–60 minutes to Hoi An. From Hue, the drive over or under the Hai Van Pass takes about 2.5–3.5 hours. In town, walk or cycle. See our Hoi An transportation guide.

How Many Days in Hoi An?

Spend 2–3 days: one for the old town, one for the countryside and beach, and one for My Son or the Cham Islands. Combine Hoi An with Da Nang and Hue for a 5–7 day central Vietnam trip.

Where to Stay in Hoi An

Stay near the Ancient Town or on An Hoi islet for the lanterns, among the rice fields of Cam Thanh for peace, or at An Bang Beach for the sea. Compare areas in our where to stay in Hoi An guide.

Plan Your Hoi An Trip with Local Experts

We hope this Hoi An travel guide helps you plan. Vietnam Tour Expert organises private Hoi An walking tours, My Son and Cham Islands trips, cooking classes and central Vietnam itineraries. Browse our Hoi An tours, or Contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.

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