Hoi An Travel Guide 2025: What to See, Where to Go, and How Long to Stay 🏮🏖️

This Hoi An Travel Guide 2025 covers everything you need to plan the perfect trip, from the best things to do in Hoi An to how many days you should stay. Known for its lantern-lit streets, ancient merchant houses, and riverside charm, Hoi An is often called Vietnam’s most enchanting town and once you stroll through its Old Town, you’ll see why.

Whether you’re putting together a quick one-day Hoi An itinerary or planning a longer stay, this guide highlights the top attractions in Hoi An including the Ancient Town, An Bang Beach, and the famous lantern markets. You’ll also find tips on tailoring your trip, choosing between guided tours or DIY travel, and uncovering hidden gems you won’t want to miss.

If you’re looking for the best travel tips for Hoi An in 2025, you’ve just landed in the right place.

📖 A Quick History Lesson

Hoi An was once a bustling trading port between the 15th and 19th centuries, attracting merchants from Japan, China, India, and Europe. This cultural melting pot shaped the town’s unique blend of architecture, cuisine, and traditions.

The UNESCO-listed Ancient Town is still wonderfully preserved, with over 1,000 timber-frame buildings, assembly halls, and shop-houses that tell the story of centuries of trade and craftsmanship.

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🖼️ Best Places to Visit in Hoi An (And What They’re Known For)

Place	Best For	What To Expect
Ancient Town	History, culture	Lantern-lit streets, merchant houses, temples, and tailor shops
Japanese Covered Bridge	Iconic landmark	400-year-old bridge, Hoi An’s most famous symbol
An Bang Beach	Sun & relaxation	Golden sand, beach clubs, sunset cocktails
Tra Que Vegetable Village	Authentic experiences	Farming, cooking classes, bicycle tours
Hoi An Night Market	Shopping & foodies	Lantern stalls, souvenirs, street food
My Son Sanctuary	History buffs	Ancient Cham ruins an hour from Hoi An
Coconut Palm Village (Cam Thanh)	Eco-tours	Basket boat rides through water coconut forests

📸 Where to Go for the Best Instagram-Worthy Views

• Hoi An Ancient Town at night: Streets glowing with colourful lanterns.

• Japanese Covered Bridge: A timeless shot, especially at dusk.

• Riverside cafés: Sip coffee overlooking boats drifting by.

• An Bang Beach sunsets: Fiery skies and chilled vibes.

• Basket boats in Cam Thanh: Fun, unique photos spinning in the round boats.

  
  

🧗‍♂️ Best for Adventure Seekers

• Cycling tours through rice paddies and villages.

• Basket boat eco-tour in the water coconut forest.

• Kayaking along the Thu Bon River.

• Day trip to My Son Sanctuary for hiking and history.

👵 Best for Older Travellers

Hoi An is gentle and walkable, perfect for travellers seeking ease:

• Ancient Town exploration: Mostly flat, with cafés for rest stops.

• Riverside boat ride: Relaxing and scenic.

• Cooking classes in Tra Que Village: Hands-on but low effort.

• An Bang Beach clubs: Comfortable loungers and slow pace.

Tip: Ancient Town streets can be uneven — comfy shoes are a must.

🕐 How Long to Stay in Hoi An?

Trip Length	What You Can Realistically See
1 Day	Explore Ancient Town, Japanese Bridge, riverside boat ride, and night market
2 Days, 1 Night	Ancient Town, Tra Que Village, An Bang Beach, lantern-lit evening
3 Days, 2 Nights	Add My Son Sanctuary, coconut village basket boats, more beach time
4+ Days	Slow down, try multiple cooking classes, cycling tours, day trips to Da Nang or Marble Mountains

🎟️ Ticket Prices & Entrance Fees (Updated for 2025)

Attraction	Entry Fee
Ancient Town ticket (covers 5 sites)	120,000 VND per person
Japanese Covered Bridge	Included in Ancient Town ticket
My Son Sanctuary	150,000 VND per person
Basket boat ride (Cam Thanh)	~150,000–200,000 VND per boat
Tra Que Village tour	100,000–150,000 VND depending on activity
Riverside boat ride	100,000–150,000 VND per boat

🚐 Private vs Group Tours (And DIY Options)

Type	Best For	Pros	Cons
Private tour	Families, photographers	Full flexibility, custom stops	Higher cost
Group tour	Solo travellers, budget	Affordable, social	Less flexible
DIY by bicycle	Adventurous & fit travellers	Scenic, cheap	Hot weather, bumpy roads
Taxi or private car	Comfort-focused	Easy, door-to-door	Pricier than bicycle

🌿 Hidden Gems in Hoi An

• Thanh Ha Pottery Village: Try your hand at making ceramics.

• Cam Kim Island: Rural life, bike rides through rice fields.

• Precious Heritage Museum by Rehahn: Photography & culture.

• Secret cafés in Ancient Town: Many tucked behind tailor shops.

🍜 Best Restaurants and Food in Hoi An

Restaurant	Why It’s Great	Must-Try Dishes
Morning Glory	Iconic restaurant	Cao lầu (Hoi An noodles)
Banh Mi Phuong	Anthony Bourdain favourite	Legendary bánh mì
Bale Well	Casual, authentic	Grilled pork skewers, DIY wraps
Tra Que Village eateries	Farm-to-table	Fresh herbs, Vietnamese pancakes
Mango Mango	Fusion dining	Creative cocktails & riverside dining

Local Dishes to Try:

• Cao lầu: Hoi An’s signature noodle dish.

• White rose dumplings (bánh bao bánh vạc): Pretty, delicate dumplings.

• Mi Quang: Central Vietnam’s noodle specialty.

• Banh mi: The famous Vietnamese baguette sandwich.

🍻 Where to Grab a Drink

• Rooftop cafés in Ancient Town for riverside views.

• Dive Bar: Backpacker favourite with live music.

• Soul Kitchen (An Bang Beach): Chill beach vibes with DJs and sunsets.

• Mango Mango Bar: Cocktails with a view.

🛏️ Where to Stay

Area	Good For	Vibe
Ancient Town	Culture lovers	Lanterns, historic charm
An Bang Beach	Relaxation	Beach resorts & cafés
Cam Thanh Village	Nature lovers	Eco-lodges, basket boat access
Cua Dai Beach	Mid-range travellers	Resorts, quieter than An Bang

🛵 Practical Tips

• Get tailor-made clothes: Hoi An is famous for its tailors — custom suits or dresses in 24 hours.

• Lantern Festival: Held on full moon nights — magical but crowded.

• Bring cash: Most markets are cash-only.

• Cycling is king: Best way to explore countryside.

• Avoid midday heat: Plan outdoor activities in mornings or late afternoons.

🗺️ Quick Sample Itineraries

1-Day Blitz

Morning: Ancient Town highlights → Afternoon: An Bang Beach → Evening: Night Market & lantern release

2-Day Relaxed

Day 1: Ancient Town + Japanese Bridge + Riverside boat ride

Day 2: Tra Que cooking class + Basket boat tour + An Bang sunset

3-Day Adventure

Day 1: Ancient Town + Night Market

Day 2: My Son Sanctuary + Marble Mountains (day trip)

Day 3: Cycling tour to Cam Kim Island + Beach day

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🌏 Final Thoughts

Hoi An isn’t just a place you visit — it’s an atmosphere you soak in. From floating lanterns to sizzling street food, every moment feels like a postcard. Whether you stay one night or five, you’ll leave with tailor-made clothes, full bellies, and unforgettable memories.

✨ Take your time here. Hoi An has a way of stealing hearts.

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