Spending one day in Hoi An is like taking a step back in time to a place full of charm and beauty. With its ancient streets, colourful lanterns, and cozy vibe, Hoi An offers a perfect mix of exploration and relaxation. Whether you’re wandering through its busy markets, visiting historic temples, or enjoying a coconut coffee, Hoi An has something to capture your heart.
In just one day, you can try local delicacies, soak in its rich heritage, and experience the town’s unique vibe. Here’s how to make the most of 24 hours in this charming Vietnamese town.
Before we dive in, let me burst the “Hoi An bubble” a little to prepare you for some of the inconveniences (let me call them that) that you might experience while visiting this city. Because as pretty as it is, Hoi An…comes with its challenges. I’m not saying that you will definitely experience them, but it’s just something to be prepared for.
Interested what they are? Keep reading.
Let’s start with answering the big question though…
Is one day in Hoi An enough?
Short answer: yes!
Ok, if you want to cycle around the rice fields, visit a beach or take the “famous” basket boat ride, I’d spend 2 days there. But if you only want to visit Hoi An Ancient Town, one day is definitely enough. In the end, it’s not that big of a city and all the important tourist attractions are very close to each other.
Usually tourists come to Hoi An as/on a day trip from a nearby bigger city: Da Nang. It takes 30-45 min with a car/taxi/Grab (Asian Uber) which should cost you from $15 to $30 – depending on the time of the day.
My personal note
Being there twice – once for 5 days, second time only for a day – I can easily say that Hoi An is definitely not my favourite place in Vietnam. I’d even dare to say that Hoi An is slightly overrated. I mean yes, without a doubt, it is a beautiful place, but as I mentioned before, Hoi An isn’t all plain sailing. So…
What should you expect when visiting Hoi An?
Firstly, you have to get ready for busyness and chaos. Especially in the morning and evening. Motorbikes, regular bikes, rickshaws, locals, tourists…on the small streets of Hoi An Old Town – it’s a lot. And if you think that you can avoid it by going sightseeing early in the morning – don’t! Due to the second “Hoi An challenge” (that I will mention below) mornings there are particularly busy. You simply can’t walk freely and enjoy the sights because everything around you wants to run you over. Well, not on purpose obviously, but it’s the feeling you get. Evenings are similar. But luckily then, there is less motorbike traffic.
Secondly, you have to be ready for the heat. I don’t want to say extreme heat, because it was still…bearable, but after spending 2 years in Asia, I still remember Hoi An as one of the hottest places. You can even feel it at 7 in the morning. Well, perhaps I didn’t visit Hoi An at the “best time” – I went there once in April, once in June – but I don’t think it would have made much difference.
So, taking those 2 “challenges” into consideration…
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When is the best time to visit Hoi An?
If it’s about time of the year: February to April. Before that there’s rainy season and apparently Hoi An floods quite easily. After that, the temperatures will be even more intolerable.
If it’s about the time of day…well, that’s tricky. If you want to avoid the crowds, the middle of the day is the best time to be sightseeing in peace. But, it’s also the hottest part of the day. So if you’re sensitive to heat, go early or in the evening and stay indoors from noon till 6 pm.
Important tip
You should also know, that some streets of Hoi An Old Town have been pedestrianized – only non-engine vehicles are allowed. The walking zone runs from 9 am to 11 am and from 3 pm to 9.30/10pm.
So from my experience, the best time for Old Town exploration is between 9 am and noon and then from 5/6pm until nightfall.
Is Hoi An really worth visiting?
Short answer: yes!
It is a really cute place. There’s a reason why the Ancient Town was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Well-preserved architecture, fascinating temples, lantern-lit streets – Hoi An is incredibly picturesque and fascinating. Add to that, charming cafés and the best banh mi ever, and you’ve got yourself a must-visit destination in Vietnam. But due to the “challenges” I mentioned before, in Hoi An’s case, I’d stick to the old rule: too much of a good thing, makes it a bad thing. That’s why I only recommend one day in this unique Vietnamese city.
Ok, now when you know what to expect, let’s get to the main topic of this blog post:
How to spend one day in Hoi An
Please treat this itinerary as a loose guide that you can choose to follow or take inspiration from. Feel free to add or skip a few places if they’re not your vibe.
Below you can find a map with all the places you’ll visit during your “one day in Hoi An”:
Start your day with a nutritious breakfast
Whether you pick something traditional from a local vendor or more of “Western-styled” breakfast, it’s up to you. But you do need a nutritious breakfast for a whole day of sightseeing.
I recommend Buttercup by Rosie’s Café. Tucked away in an alley, right in the heart of Hoi An, Buttercup offers a great choice of breakfasts, lunches, brunches, all in the light-filled garden with a friendly atmosphere. The smoothie bowl I had there was super tasty. Don’t forget to order a Vietnamese coffee to kickstart your day.
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Rent a bike and cycle around The Ancient Town
Around 9 am, when the morning rush quietens down, it’s a perfect time to rent a bicycle and bike around the Ancient Town. Cycling around is a great way to soak up its charm, explore the town’s hidden corners and get from place to place. Not to mention, a bicycle is a perfect prop for classic Hoi An photos. A Vietnamese hat, a bike and a lantern filled background – how cute is that.
This photo was taken on Nguyen Thái Hoc street – one of the main and most picturesque streets in the old town. You can’t miss it.
Watch my Instagram video to feel the vibe.
I absolutely loved sightseeing Hoi An on a bike. But only during “walking zones” (mention above) when the streets were (mostly) cars and motorbikes-free.
You can rent a bike from several bike rental places in town. I won’t recommend you one, because they close and open too often, but I’m sure you won’t have any problem with finding a reputable place.
Visit the sights
While the streets are still closed for traffic, you can use the bike to visit the most important sights in the Ancient Town. Or you can also ditch it and walk – everything is very close to each other.
To visit most of the museums, assembly halls and traditional houses you’re required to buy the Hoi An Ancient Town ticket. The ticket costs 120,000 VND (around 5 USD) and grants you access to any 5 of the 22 attractions. It’s valid for 24h. Some of the must see attractions include:
- Fujian (Phuc Kien) Assembly Hall,
- Quang Trieu (Cantonese) Assembly Hall,
- Hainan Assembly Hall,
- Museum of Folklore,
- Hoi An Museum,
- Tan Ky Ancient House,
- Quân Thắng Old House,
- Trần Family’s Chapel…and so on.
The tickets can be bought at several ticket booths (small yellow huts) around Hoi An Ancient Town on both sides of the Thu Bon River. Not at individual sights! When you purchase a ticket, you should also receive a map indicating the location of all those buildings. Since the ticket is not expensive, getting it is a great way to support Hoi An’s cultural heritage while getting a deeper understanding of its rich history.
And just to make it clear:
You can wander the Ancient Town streets without a ticket. But you’ll need one to enter the historic sites mentioned above.
Don’t forget to check out the Japanese Bridge. Also known as Chùa Cầu, it is one of Hoi An’s most iconic landmarks, symbolizing the town’s rich multicultural history. Built in the early 17th century by the Japanese community, the bridge was intended to connect them with the Chinese quarter across the river. Its unique wooden design, with a tile-covered roof and intricate carvings, reflects traditional Japanese architecture, but it’s located in the heart of Vietnam.
The bridge is free to cross, but if you want to enter a small temple inside you need a ticket which is also included in the Hoi An Ancient Town ticket pass.
Useful info
You don’t have to visit all the places at once. When you feel hungry or tired, move on to the next thing on the list. There will be time for more sightseeing later.
Have the most famous banh mi for lunch
Hoi An is home to one of the most legendary banh mi restaurants in Vietnam. It’s called Banh Mi Phuong and it’s located in the heart of the town. This little street-side eatery has earned global recognition after being praised by celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain. What makes Banh Mi Phuong special is the perfect blend of crispy baguette, flavourful fillings, and fresh herbs.
And I can totally confirm that. My vegetarian banh mi with tofu and avocado was insanely good! I had it several times during my time in Hoi An.
Important info
In September 2023 Banh Mi Phuong was closed for a few months due to wide spread food poisoning from meat. Hundreds of people had to be hospitalized. The restaurant is up and running again and I’m sure they’ll do their best so that nothing like that happens again. But if you’re scared to eat there you can try another place or simply order a vegetarian one.
Great vegetarian and vegan banh mi can be also bought at Le Hoi Banh Mi Chay stand. I haven’t tried their banh mi, but it’s also very highly rated.
Have a coffee at Hoi An Coffee Hub
To prevent the lunch from making you sleepy, it’s time for another coffee. I absolutely loved going to Hoi An Coffee Hub. Even though its location is super central, thanks to being secluded down an alley, it’s a perfect place to unwind and escape the hustle of the town’s busier streets. The friendly staff, chill atmosphere and cool decor only add to the cool vibe.
Make sure to order iced coconut coffee! It’s delicious! They can even make it dairy free.
Explore more or visit Mót
Or you can do both!
If, after lunch and coffee you’re ready for further exploration – go ahead and do it. There might be some museums, assemblies, traditional houses left from the Ancient Town pass list. But since we reached the hottest part of the day, I’m here to offer you a lazy but tasty alternative – having a drink at Mót Hội An.
Mót Hội An is a popular and charming “café”, known for its refreshing and unique herbal tea. Their tea (that is not hot – don’t worry) stands out for its beautiful presentation – each cup is decorated with a lotus petal, making it as photogenic as it is delicious. The tea is a mix of herbal ingredients like lemongrass, lime, lotus leaf, and ginger, making it refreshing and only slightly sweet.
I’d say it’s a must visit place in Hoi An, so make sure to go there at some point. But be prepared for crowds – it’s very popular!
You can also do some sightseeing first and then go to Mót. Just go with the flow – do what you feel like doing!
Go shopping
One day in Hoi An would not be complete without shopping. The city is famous for its tailor shops, where you can get custom-made dresses, suits, and shirts tailored to your style and measurements. The quality and affordability make it something worth checking out. The same with silk products. Hoi An is known for its high quality silk, so you can find pretty silk scarves, dresses, and other items in the markets and stores.
If you’re not into suits and silk (I wasn’t), you can always get the iconic colourful lanterns. Many shops and market stalls sell handmade lanterns in different sizes and designs, perfect for bringing a bit of Hoi An’s charm home with you.
Experience Sunset boat ride
Another of Hoi An’s must-dos! A sunset boat ride! It’s one of the most magical ways to experience the town’s beauty.
As the sun begins to set over the Thu Bon River, the boats decorated with colourful lanterns start to appear. Many boat operators offer traditional wooden sampans for a slow, relaxing ride along the river, giving you a perfect view of the lantern-lit streets and the charming riverside scenery. The boats themselves also lit the lanterns, making it an unforgettable sight.
How do you buy a boat ride?
Super easy! The closer to sunset, the more boat ride sellers start to appear on the river bank. You’ll get stopped literally every 30 seconds. It was quite annoying to be honest. But it gives you the chance to negotiate and pick the boat you want. Make sure it’s filled with lanterns.
Take a photo with the lanterns
Speaking of lanterns – yes, more lanterns – you have to snap a photo with them. You can do it during the boat ride or all over the Ancient Town really, but if you want to upgrade your Hoi An Instagram feed, you have to go Lantern 13 shop. The owner has designed a beautiful, lantern-filled background, that will make your photos magical. There is a small fee for taking photos – as far as I remember it was 10 000 VND (0.4 USD) – but it’s absolutely worth it!
This place is amazing no matter the time of day, but I would recommend visiting after dark.
Do you want to attend the the most famous lantern festival in Asia? You still have time to make it to Chiang Mai for Yi Peng Festival 2024! I’ll help you plan it with my unique itinerary!
Have dinner
And this way your one day in Hoi An is slowly coming to an end. Are you tired and happy that it’s done or you think you could spend a few more days there?
No matter the answer, I can’t send you home without a delicious dinner. There’s a lot of options for traditional Vietnamese food in Hoi An, but I wouldn’t be myself, if I didn’t recommend a vegetarian one.
Family run Chickpea Eatery was my absolute favourite restaurant during my time in Hoi An and Da Nang – they have a restaurant there too. The authentic food, made from fresh, local ingredients, was super delicious and 100% vegetarian and vegan friendly. Add to that, a lovely atmosphere and charming decor and you got yourself a great place to relax after exploring the town. Even if you’re not vegan.
Stroll lantern-lit alleys
If you still have the power and you feel like having a walk after dinner, you should check out the Ancient Town after dark. The streets come alive with the glow of colourful lanterns hanging from every shop, home, and tree, casting a warm and romantic ambiance over the town’s historic buildings. The vibe is definitely more peaceful and enchanting than during the day. The sound of traditional music, the sight of lanterns floating down the river and the cosiness of the cafés and art galleries will give the last, most magical impression of Hoi An, that will stay with you for a long time.
That’s it! You made it!
Your one day in Hoi An trip is over.
I hope this itinerary will lead you through Hoi An’s charming Ancient Town or at least will inspire you to plan a day full of excitement on your own. From exploring its rich history to indulging in delicious local cuisine, and cycling through its pretty streets, Hoi An offers a perfect blend of experiences that leave a lasting impression.
If you have any questions, leave a comment or DM me on Instagram.
Otherwise, I wish you a great time in Hoi An! Don’t get heatstroke.
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