Hoi An is consistently ranked among Vietnam's most beautiful tourist destinations. The peaceful beauty of the old town and the East-West interference culture has impressed both domestic and international visitors. Whether you stay for just a few days or an entire year, you'll be captivated by this place's unique allure. The following tours and activities offered by Threeland Travel are designed to help you discover every nook and cranny of Hoi An. Those visiting Hoi An for the first time and finding the city strange will find this article full of detailed experiences beneficial.

Hoi An Ancient Town's 1998 title as a UNESCO World Heritage Site was well-deserved. Hoi An was assessed by UNESCO based on the following two criteria, earning the organization's highest honor: First, an impressive physical manifestation of cultural exchange across time and space, it is a must-see for anyone visiting any major seaport. Second, Hoi An is a well-preserved example of a classic Asian trading port.

Hoi An Ancient Town has preserved a rich and varied intangible culture and natural cultural, human, and architectural treasures. Hoi An is attempting to revitalize itself in the eyes of tourists by promoting a brand of tourism that emphasizes the importance of preserving the city's cultural heritage while incorporating new forms of tourism and entertainment. Daily life, including religious practices, folk art, and cultural celebrations, is still actively practiced and developed.

In addition to being recognized as a World Heritage Site, this location has earned the nickname "city of titles" for being consistently voted as one of the world's most beautiful destinations by media outlets from all over the globe as one of the most enticing tourist destinations.

Titles include "top 50 cities to visit at least once in your life," "10 most romantic destinations for dating," etc. In May 2020, Hoi An was widely considered one of the top 3 of the world's best tourist destinations. Because of this, a trip to Hoi An is on the bucket list of anyone interested in Southeast Asia. For what? To see its full romantic beauty.

PERFECT TIME TO TRAVEL TO HOI AN

Traveling to Hoi An from February to April:
The old town of Hoi An is said to be at its most relaxed and most likable during this time of year. Less rain, dry air, and a comfortable temperature make this a great time to kick back and unwind. But March is the most stunning because the city glows in gentle sunlight and a refreshing breeze. Ideal for exploring the city's historical sites and taking in the beautiful panoramas.

Traveling to Hoi An from May to July:
This is near the end of the dry season in Hoi An, known as the sea tourism season. Although the weather can be hot, this is an excellent time to visit the old town with a trip to Cu Lao Cham or the beaches. However, May to July is also peak season, so the number of visitors will be extremely high. 

Traveling to Hoi An from October to December:
This is the beginning of Hoi An's rainy season, so your trip may be disrupted and challenging to move. However, an intriguing fact is that the whole old town was flooded with water for several days, and people had to travel by boat because of the rising water of the Thu Bon River. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a memorable experience and a picture-perfect photo by swimming in a boat through a drizzle surrounded by historic buildings and picturesque scenery.

Traveling to Hoi An on the 14th of every lunar month
Hoi An's nighttime beauty is unrivaled, especially during a full moon (the 14th day of the lunar calendar every month). On the 14th, between 7 pm to 9 pm, the whole old town will turn off all electricity and replace it with colorful lanterns, making the area extraordinarily shimmering and poetic. If you visit on this particular day, you can see lantern street in all its glory and join in on some fun activities, like letting off lanterns and singing folk songs.

In summary, the best time to visit Hoi An is from February to the end of April, May to the end of August is also very convenient, and September to the end of January should be considered. It's fine to go at this time, but remember to check the weather first, or you'll be stuck in the rain all day in that old town.

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME OF DAY TO VISIT HOI AN?
Hoi An is typically at its most picturesque in the evening, which begins at 5 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. when all the lanterns in the old town are gone. Due to this, many people decide to travel to Hoi An between 3 and 9 pm during the day.

WHAT VEHICLES SHOULD CHOOSE TO TRAVEL HOI AN?

Most tourists will book flights to Da Nang first, then plan a trip to Hoi An later.

Traveling to Hoi An from Da Nang city 

From Da Nang, if you want to move to Hoi An ancient town, there are four most popular means of transport that you can choose from: 

1. Motorbike:
 The motorcycle is the most maneuverable vehicle, as well as the most economical and proactive. Hoi An is just over 30 kilometers from Da Nang and has many beautiful routes that are easy to follow.

2. Bus:
A highly affordable mode of transportation, though not necessarily the most practical. From Da Nang, a bus route runs directly to Hoi An, which runs continuously every 10 minutes. If you want to return to Da Nang in the evening, you must know that the last bus leaves Hoi An at 5:30 p.m. Moreover, Hoi An bus station is about 1km from the center of Hoi An ancient town, so you still have to take a taxi to go back and forth to the old city. 

3. Private car shuttle:
Renting a 4-seater car from Da Nang to Hoi An is only about 200,000 to 250,000 VND for one way, which is an excellent option if you're traveling in a big group.

Traveling to Hoi An from other provinces
The most convenient way to travel from other provinces to Hoi An is by bus because the Hoi An bus station is close to the center of the ancient town, whereas the airport and train station is quite far. However, for the most convenience, book a direct flight to Da Nang first, then move on to Hoi An via the options of transportation listed above. Those who live in Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, or neighboring provinces should choose the most exciting way to travel to Hoi An by motorcycle. When combined with a visit to the old town, people will find it easier to travel to other famous places such as the Bay Mau coconut forest, Cua Dai beach, Thanh Ha pottery village, Tra Que vegetable village, and so on.

WHAT VEHICLES SHOULD YOU USE TO GET AROUND HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN?
Renting a motorbike, taxi, or car is a viable option for exploring Hoi An's top attractions. Rent a bike or hop on a cyclo if you plan on doing a lot of sightseeing but don't want too wiped out by the end of the day. However, for locations a bit further from the old town, like Tra Que vegetable village, Thanh Ha pottery village, and Cua Dai beach, the easiest way to get to places is still to rent a motorbike or book a cap.

HOI AN TOURISM EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS TOURIST LOCATIONS

Hoi An has many attractions—from ancient architecture to beaches and traditional craft villages—that contribute to its status as a top tourist destination in Vietnam. To see everything that makes Hoi An in a single visit is impossible. Below, Threeland will recommend some of the outstanding Hoi An tourist destinations to check out during your stay in Hoi An.

Sightseeing in Hoi An Ancient Town

1.Tan Ky ancient house
Address: 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An

Known as the city's oldest house, this structure has been well-reserved for over 200 years. The original beauty and distinctive architecture have been preserved to the present day. The ancient house of Tan Ky was once the home of the powerful Le family, and its spacious rooms are perfect for showcasing priceless artifacts from earlier times. The home's historical significance, architectural excellence, and cultural value are all exceptional.

2.Phung Hung old house: 
Address: 04 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City

Although it is not as well-known as the Tan Ky ancient house, the Phung Hung old house has its own unique charm and is a significant draw for visitors despite its age of over a century. This was once the home of Hoi An's wealthiest merchant. High-quality wood was used in the building's construction, and the aesthetic appeal of East Asia was integrated into the design to produce a luxurious atmosphere. That's why everybody who comes here finds something to admire.

3. Guangdong Assembly Hall
Address: 176 Tran Phu Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City
Guangdong Assembly Hall was built at the end of 1885. Guangdong Assembly Hall was constructed at the end of 1885. Beautiful architecture combining wood, stone, and cement creates an elaborate, sophisticated work. Also, delicate motifs add to the beauty of a bold Chinese style. The assembly hall still houses many artifacts made of very beautiful and sharp ceramics.

4. Pagoda Bridge
Also known as the Japanese Bridge. Japanese Bridge is another name for this structure. This is a popular tourist destination that almost everyone has seen or heard of. It is enough to understand the importance of its meaning to have the image of the Bridge printed on Vietnam's official 20,000VND denomination. The idea of the Covered Bridge has long been circulated throughout the world. It is right in the heart of Hoi An's ancient town, crossing a small tributary of the Hoai River, which appears to be the first stop for tourists on every visit to the old city.

5.Hoi An Market
Address: 19 Tran Phu Street, Cam Chau Ward, Hoi An City
This is Hoi An's largest market, specializing in trading consumer goods and food for everyone in the old town. In addition, this location focuses on a variety of specialty items such as souvenirs, lanterns, and conical hats to meet the shopping needs of tourists. If you want to learn more about Hoi An's market culture, come here to buy some items and enjoy some specialties.

Places to visit far from the Old Town

Once you've explored the Old Town and the surrounding areas, take your time traveling to the farther-off locations. Threeland Travel advises going to Cu Lao Cham in the late afternoon and combining it with a trip to the beach or other sites.

1. Cu Lao Cham Island
Cu Lao Cham Island is still quite wild but has enough services to provide a great vacation experience compared to the famous Phu Quoc island. What do you imagine sitting on super-fast canoes, crossing white waves, and enjoying refreshments will be like? And when you arrive on Cu Lao island, you will be awestruck by the beautiful scenery and open space. 

You can relax while swimming, sightseeing, and dining on coastal specialties like snails, stone crabs, half-dried cuttlefish, and ramie leaf rice cake.

2.Thanh Ha Pottery Village
 Thanh Ha Pottery Village is a small, extremely tranquil village along the Thu Bon River, about 2 kilometers from the heart of Hoi An ancient town. When you visit this village, you cannot help but feel the rustic, antique idyllic quality for which the area is known; after all, it is a pottery village that produces widely used products for daily life.

3.Tra Que Vegetable Village
Travelers who long for a break from the hustle and bustle of city life will find the Tra Que Vegetable Village a welcome retreat. Though there are plenty of other "vegetable villages," when I think of Tra Que, I picture something exceptional: a bright, open space filled with forty different types of vegetables, creating a scene that is at the once unfamiliar and comforting, characteristic of the tranquility of rural life. 

4.Cua Dai Beach
The most impressive thing about Cua Dai beach is the rows of coconut trees stretching and soaring in the sea breeze. Long stretches of white sand have made Cua Dai beach beautiful for a long time, and the sea's turquoise color adds to the area's poetic and romantic atmosphere. It is so well-liked by visitors and locals alike that Cua Dai beach is the only one in Hoi An.

5.An Bang Beach
If you're looking for a beach with services like restaurants and sun loungers, you should head to this one. Tourists and locals continue their way here every afternoon to beat the heat. Cua Dai beach is a great place to go if you want to relax and enjoy the sea in tranquility. On the contrary, An Bang is the best option for those searching for a place to unwind and enjoy delicious food in a lively atmosphere. 

6.Seven-acre Coconut Forest
When the sea encroached heavily on the mainland, and the water flow began to turn brackish, locals planted many nipa palm trees. Hoi An locals saw the potential in the area's natural beauty and renovated the coconut grove, rebranding it as the Seven-acre Coconut Forest for tourists. You must visit here if you appreciate the natural beauty found west of the river, enjoy breathing in some fresh air and experience a one-of-the-kind basket dance of the locals here.