5 days in Hoi An: A comprehensive guide for a perfect trip
Did you know that Hoi An is an ideal destination for those who love to explore culture, history and cuisine? 5 days in Hoi An will help you discover interesting historical stories, admire unique architecture and enjoy delicious food. Join us to find out what makes Hoi An an attractive tourist destination.
Why spend 5 days exploring Hoi An?
Hoi An – a famous tourist destination in Vietnam always has a strange attraction for visitors. With 5 days in Hoi An, you will have enough time to immerse yourself in the slow life and learn about the people and culture here. You can walk on the cobblestone streets, admire the ancient houses with unique architecture, enjoy delicious local dishes.
In addition to exploring the old town, you can visit famous places near Hoi An such as An Bang beach, Ngu Hanh Son mountain… You can also experience interesting activities such as taking a boat to see the scenery, participating in traditional cooking classes, or shopping for unique souvenirs at local markets. All will make your trip memorable and meaningful.
Read more: Exploring Hoi An weather July: Essential weather insights for travelers
5-Day Hoi An Itinerary
5 days in Hoi An is the perfect amount of time for you to fully explore the beauty of this city. Below is a 5-day itinerary to explore Hoi An that you can refer to:
Day 1: Explore Hoi An Ancient Town and both sides of Thu Bon River
On your first day in Hoi An, you will be immersed in the ancient, romantic space of the old town. Start your journey by walking on narrow streets, admiring ancient houses with unique architecture, where many cultures collide.
Morning:
- Covered Bridge: The ancient wooden bridge across the Hoai River is not only a symbol of Hoi An but also a destination not to be missed. Take some time to admire the unique architecture of the bridge and take souvenir photos.
- Tan Ky ancient house: Entering Tan Ky ancient house, you will feel like you are lost in a living museum. The house with unique architecture, bearing the mark of many cultures, will help you understand more about the history and life of ancient Hoi An people.
- Phuc Kien Assembly Hall: This is one of the most ancient and beautiful assembly halls in Hoi An. Sophisticated architecture and vivid murals will take you to a unique cultural space.
Afternoon:
- Phung Hung Ancient House: This ancient house will give you insight into the lifestyle of wealthy merchants in the past.
- Take a cooking class: End your day of exploration by taking a cooking class to make your own traditional Vietnamese dishes.
Evening:
- Walking by the Hoai River: Take time to walk by the Hoai River, watch the sparkling lanterns and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the old town at night.
- Dinner: End a long day with a delicious dinner at one of the traditional restaurants in Hoi An.
Day 2: Relax at An Bang Beach and experience eco-tours
After a day exploring the old town, you can spend today relaxing and experiencing other interesting activities. Hoi An not only has an old town but also beautiful beaches and a diverse ecosystem.
Morning:
- An Bang Beach: Start the day with a cool sea breeze at An Bang beach. You can swim, relax on white sand or participate in water sports activities such as surfing and kayaking.Β
- Explore Tra Que vegetable village: After relaxing at the beach, visit Tra Que vegetable village – one of the most famous vegetable villages in Hoi An. Here, you will learn about the traditional organic vegetable growing process and have the opportunity to pick vegetables yourself.
Afternoon:
- Basket boat ride: An experience not to be missed when coming to Hoi An is taking a boat ride on the Thu Bon River. You will see the green coconut forests, learn about the lives of local people and enjoy fresh coconuts.
Evening:
- Enjoy riverside cuisine: End a long day with a romantic dinner by the Hoai River. You can enjoy fresh seafood, local specialties and watch sparkling lanterns.
- Lantern Festival: If you are lucky enough to come to Hoi An on the full moon, you will be able to participate in the extremely meaningful lantern releasing festival. Let’s join everyone in releasing lanterns into the river and sending your wishes.
Day 3: Learn about the culture and experience local crafts
On the third day in Hoi An, you should spend time to further explore the culture and unique features of this ancient city. Hoi An is not only famous for its old town but also the convergence of many traditional craft villages, creating a rich and diverse cultural picture.
Morning:
- Hoi An Silk Village: Coming to the silk village, you will see firsthand the traditional silk production process. Skilled artisans will guide you through every step, from spinning silk to weaving. You can also buy unique silk products as gifts.
- Explore traditional craft villages: Hoi An has many traditional craft villages such as pottery villages and carpentry villages. Here, you will admire exquisite handmade products and learn about unique crafting techniques.
Afternoon:
- Tailoring clothes: An interesting experience when coming to Hoi An is to order a suit to your liking. With the highly skilled tailors, you will have a suit that fits well and is unique.
- Cycling to explore the countryside: You can join a cycling tour to explore the peaceful villages around Hoi An. The feeling of cycling on village roads, watching golden rice fields and chatting with local people will definitely bring you memorable experiences.
Evening:
- Hoi An Night Market: Hoi An Night Market is where you can find everything from clothes, handicrafts to street food.Β
- Traditional performing arts: End a day of exploration by enjoying a traditional folk music performance. This will be a great cultural experience.
Day 4: Visit famous historical sites
After days of exploring the old town and craft villages, spend the fourth day exploring the beautiful historical and natural places around Hoi An.
Morning:
- My Son Sanctuary: Start the day with a journey to My Son Sanctuary – one of the largest and most important ancient temple complexes of the Champa people.Β
- Ngu Hanh Son: Ngu Hanh Son is a limestone mountain complex with many interesting caves and ancient pagodas. Coming here, you will admire the beauty of nature and learn about the spiritual culture of Vietnamese people.
Afternoon:
- With Lao Cham: Cu Lao Cham is a beautiful small island with white sand beaches, clear blue water and a diverse marine ecosystem. You can participate in diving to see coral, explore small islands, or simply relax on the beach.
Evening:
- Boat trip on the Hoai River: End a long day with a boat trip on the Hoai River to watch the sunset. You will enjoy local specialties, hear stories about the old town and enjoy the romantic atmosphere of the evening.
Day 5: Relax and enjoy shopping
On your last day in Hoi An, take time to relax, enjoy the fresh air and capture the most beautiful moments of your trip.
Morning:
- Walking to explore: Start the day with a walk around the old town. You can walk along the banks of the Hoai River, watch small boats floating lazily, or explore small alleys with ancient houses.
- Enjoy coffee: After walking, you can visit a traditional coffee shop to enjoy a strong cup of coffee. The quiet space and coffee aroma will help you relax and fully enjoy peaceful moments.
Afternoon:
- Explore museums: Hoi An Museum is an ideal place to learn about the history and culture of the city. Here, you will admire ancient artifacts, precious documentary photos and learn about the lives of ancient Hoi An people.
- Visit Chuc Thanh Pagoda: This ancient pagoda is one of the famous spiritual destinations of Hoi An. You can come here to pray for peace and admire the unique architecture of the temple.
Evening:
- Shopping for souvenirs: Before leaving Hoi An, don’t forget to take time to shop for meaningful souvenirs for friends and relatives. You can find many unique handicraft products at souvenir shops or night markets.
Tips for your 5-day Hoi An itinerary
To make your 5-day Hoi An trip perfect, you can refer to some tips below:
Make a detailed plan
A detailed plan will help you make the most of your time and discover all the interesting things within 5 days in Hoi An. Make a list of places you want to visit, foods you want to try, and activities you want to experience. You can refer to travel articles, personal blogs or ask people who have been to Hoi An for more good suggestions. Don’t forget to arrange your schedule reasonably each day to avoid overload or missing out on attractive destinations.
Choose the right time
To have a comfortable trip and explore all the beauty of Hoi An, the ideal time is during the dry season, from February to August. During this period, the weather is sunny, little rain, very favorable. Beneficial for visiting and exploring tourist destinations. You can comfortably walk around, swim, or participate in outdoor activities without worrying about being affected by the weather.
Choose means of transportation in Hoi An
Hoi An is a small city, you can easily move by many different means such as:Β
- Bicycle: This is the most popular and convenient means of exploring Hoi An ancient town. Cycling will give you the opportunity to explore small alleys, peaceful street corners and enjoy the fresh air of the old town.
- Cyclo: If you want to experience a new feeling and see Hoi An ancient town slowly, renting a cyclo is a great choice. The cyclo drivers will take you to visit famous places and tell you interesting stories about Hoi An.
- Boat or canoe: To move to Cu Lao Cham island, you can choose to go by boat or canoe. Trains and canoes often depart from Cua Dai wharf.
Prepare clothes and personal belongings
Hoi An is a city with a tropical climate, hot and humid all year round. Therefore, when preparing your luggage, you should prioritize cool, sweat-absorbent clothes such as cotton t-shirts, shorts, and skirts. Don’t forget to bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun.Β
Besides, you should also prepare some basic medicines such as flu medicine, digestive medicine, mosquito repellent… in case of need. Don’t forget to bring identification, plane tickets, and some cash to use in emergencies.
Prepare budget
Hoi An is a fairly cheap tourist destination compared to other places. However, to have a comfortable trip, you should plan your spending appropriately. Your budget will include travel costs, meals, accommodation, shopping and other entertainment activities. You can refer to the prices of services in Hoi An before going to have an overview of the costs you will have to spend.
Read more: Food in Hoi An: A Journey through tradition and flavor
Where to stay during your 5 days in Hoi An?
Hoi An is not only an ancient city with hundreds of years old houses but also a resort with beautiful beaches and luxury resorts. If you are looking for a place to relax and enjoy your vacation, Bliss Hoi An Beach Resort & Wellness will be a perfect choice.
Located about 20km from the center of Hoi An ancient town, Bliss Hoi An Beach Resort & Wellness offers visitors peace and privacy, while still being convenient to travel to famous attractions. The resort is located right on Cua Dai beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Hoi An, visitors can comfortably enjoy the fresh air and cool sea water.
Designed in a modern style, harmoniously combined with nature, Bliss Hoi An Beach Resort & Wellness offers a luxurious and sophisticated resort space. The rooms here are fully equipped with modern amenities, ensuring to bring visitors the most comfortable feeling.
The resort also provides full services and amenities such as: infinity pool, spa, gym, restaurant, bar… Guests can relax at the pool, enjoy delicious dishes at the restaurant, or participate in exciting sports activities. With 5 days of exploring Hoi An, you will have memorable experiences, from exploring the ancient town to relaxing on the beautiful beaches. And to make your trip more complete, don’t forget to book a room at Bliss Hoi An Beach Resort & Wellness – where you will enjoy high-class services and luxurious resort space. Contact hotline 0912.060.558 for advice and booking!
