What to do in Hoi An: A complete travel guide
Hoi An is not only an ancient city, it is also a colorful picture with rich experiences. From exploring traditional craft villages, enjoying street food, to relaxing on beautiful beaches, what to do in Hoi An is always a question that opens up many surprises. Join us to discover the 10 best things you should do in Hoi An in the article below.
Walk around Hoi An ancient town at night
One of the things to do in Hoi An that you cannot miss is walking around the old town at night. When night falls, Hoi An seems to put on a new, shimmering, magical coat. The bright lantern light shines down on the narrow streets, creating an extremely romantic scene. You can leisurely stroll, admire ancient houses, enjoy typical street food, or simply sit by the Hoai River, admiring all the surrounding scenery.Β
Take a boat trip on Hoai River
One of the other unique experiences when coming to Hoi An that you should try is a boat trip on the romantic Hoai River. Sitting on a boat and walking along the gentle river, you will admire the sparkling beauty of the old town at night with colorful lanterns. Not only that, you also have the opportunity to enjoy local specialties right on the boat, listen to sweet folk melodies and learn about the culture and history of the old town. This is really an interesting activity for you to fully explore Hoi An.
Visit historical sites in Hoi An
Hoi An things to do besides enjoying food and shopping, exploring historical sites is also an experience not to be missed. Coming to Hoi An, visitors will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the ancient space of the old town, where ancient houses, guild halls, and pagodas bearing the mark of time are preserved. Some famous relics that you should not miss include: Fujian Assembly Hall, Chaozhou Assembly Hall, Covered Bridge, Tan Ky Ancient House, or tube houses along small streets. Each relic has its own story, contributing to creating a colorful picture of the history and culture of Hoi An ancient town.
Take a basket boat ride at Bay Mau Coconut Forest
If you are wondering what to do in Hoi An for the most memorable experience, a basket boat trip at Bay Mau Coconut Forest will be a great experience. About 3 km from Hoi An center, this coconut forest has been around for about 200 years. This is a famous eco-tourism area, giving visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in river nature.Β
Sitting on a small basket boat, passing through cool green coconut trees, you will enjoy fresh, peaceful air. In addition, during the journey of discovery, you will hear interesting stories about the history and culture of the coconut forest along with typical folk songs of Quang Nam.
Diving to see coral at Cu Lao Cham
Hoi An is not only famous for its ancient old town but also the gateway to the island paradise of Cu Lao Cham. Coming to Cu Lao Cham, you will not only enjoy white sand beaches and clear blue water but also have the opportunity to explore a colorful sea world with coral diving activities. Being suspended above the water, watching the brilliant coral reefs and all kinds of marine life is an unforgettable experience for you.
At Cu Lao Cham, you can choose many forms of diving to see coral such as snorkeling or diving. No matter which method you choose, you will be fully equipped with protective equipment and dedicated guidance by experienced guides. To make the trip complete, you should prepare sunscreen, swimming goggles, and an underwater camera to capture beautiful moments. In addition, you should also pay attention to protecting the marine environment by not littering and not touching coral.
Enjoy local dishes
Hoi An, with its ancient beauty and beautiful beaches, is always an attractive destination for tourists. But besides that, this city is also famous for its rich and diverse cuisine. Best things to do in Hoi An definitely include enjoying unique and delicious local dishes. Below are some dishes that you must definitely try when coming to this land:
- Cao Lau: Cao Lau is considered the soul of Hoi An cuisine. Golden, chewy noodles, combined with richly spiced char siu meat, shrimp, and fresh raw vegetables. Cao Lau broth has a sweet taste, fragrant with the flavors of spices. Each bowl of Cao Lau is a perfect combination of flavors and colors, giving diners an unforgettable culinary experience.
- Cauldron cake: Cauldron cake is a snack loved by many tourists. Cauldron cake is small, thin and round, made from rice flour and filled with minced shrimp and meat. When eaten, cauldron cakes are dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce and served with raw vegetables. The crispy taste of the cake combined with the sweetness of the filling and the sour and spicy taste of fish sauce create a very unique flavor.
- Mi Quang: Mi Quang is one of the most popular dishes in Hoi An. Unlike other types of noodles, Quang noodles have wide, chewy noodles and are served with a variety of toppings such as chicken, shrimp, eggs, peanuts, and raw vegetables. Quang noodle broth has a characteristic sweet and sour taste, made from bone broth and spices. This dish is not only delicious but also very nutritious.
- Chicken rice: Hoi An chicken rice is famous for its delicious chicken meat, round, sticky grain rice, cooked with chicken broth. Chicken is shredded, mixed well with rice, served with raw vegetables, ginger, and ginger fish sauce. This dish is simple but very attractive, the perfect choice for those who want to enjoy the traditional flavors of Hoi An.
- Hoi An bread: Hoi An bread has become an indispensable culinary symbol when referring to the old town. The bread is crispy on the outside and soft and smooth on the inside, combining harmoniously with the greasy pate, fragrant grilled meat, and rich pork sausage to create an unforgettable flavor. The diversity in the combination of fillings has created the unique appeal of Hoi An bread, satisfying the tastes of many diners.
Experience instant tailoringΒ
One of the things to do in Hoi An is to experience instant clothing tailoring service. Walking around the old town, you will easily come across beautiful small tailor shops with all kinds of colorful fabrics. Just choose a design you like, choose your favorite fabric, and after a few hours, you will own a completely new outfit, tailored to fit your body. With the high skills of local tailors, you can confidently wear unique outfits that reflect your personal style. This will definitely be a memorable memory on your journey to discover Hoi An.
Spend a day relaxing on Cua Dai beach
Cua Dai with its long white sand beach, clear blue sea water and cool green coconut rows is a beautiful natural picture. Coming here, you can relax on the benches, enjoy the warm sunshine and cool sea breeze. In addition, you can also participate in interesting activities such as swimming, surfing, kayaking or simply walking on the beach, watching the sunset.
Besides swimming, you can also discover many other interesting things at Cua Dai. Enjoy fresh seafood right at coastal restaurants, with unique delicious flavors. Don’t forget to visit Cua Dai fish market to buy fresh seafood, just caught from the sea. If you’re looking for tranquility, try renting a bike and exploring the small coastal roads.
Visit Thanh Ha pottery village
In addition to the above, one of the answers to the question what to do in Hoi An is to explore Thanh Ha pottery village. Located on the romantic Thu Bon river, Thanh Ha pottery village is a long-standing traditional pottery village in Hoi An ancient town. This craft village was formed in the 16th century, and until now still retains its rustic and simple beauty. Coming here, you will have the opportunity to learn about the traditional pottery making process, from choosing clay, shaping to firing and finishing the product.Β
Not only is it a place to produce quality ceramic products, Thanh Ha pottery village is also an attractive destination for tourists with pottery classes. You can create your own glasses, plates, or even beautiful little statues. This will be an interesting experience, helping you relax and be creative. After completing the work, you can take it home as a souvenir or give it to relatives and friends.
Take check-in photos in Hoi An
When coming to Hoi An, it would be a mistake to miss the opportunity to take a check-in photo at famous locations. Hoi An Ancient Town with its unique architecture, sparkling lanterns and romantic Hoai River is a great outdoor studio for you to unleash your creativity. To take impressive photos, refer to some of the following tips:
- Choose the right outfit: Outfits will help you stand out more in the frame. You can choose traditional ao dai, gentle vintage clothes or simply clothes with bright colors to create a highlight.
- Find beautiful shooting angles: Hoi An has many beautiful shooting angles, from small alleys, ancient houses, wooden bridges to the banks of the Hoai River. Take time to explore and find shooting angles that suit your style.
- Use accessories: Conical hats, umbrellas, and small lanterns will help make your photos more vivid and Hoi An-like.
- Choose when to take photos: You can take photos in the morning or evening. Natural light during these two times will help you get beautiful and romantic photos.
The above article has answered your questions about what to do in Hoi An, from unique cultural experiences to relaxing moments by the beach. With these suggestions, your trip to Hoi An will definitely become memorable. To make your trip more complete, book now here Bliss Hoi An Beach Resort & Wellness. Contact us immediately via hotline 0235.3874.888 or 0912.060.558 for advice and reservations.
