Ancient town, silk lanterns & tailors
Hoi An
Hội An · The lantern-lit old town
A UNESCO-listed former trading port frozen in time, Hoi An is Vietnam's most enchanting town. Mustard-yellow merchant houses, a Japanese covered bridge and thousands of silk lanterns glowing over the river make its old town pure magic after dark.
Top sightsSights
Ancient Town
A perfectly preserved 15th-century port of merchant houses, temples and lantern-strung lanes, closed to cars.
Japanese Covered Bridge
Hoi An's 400-year-old emblem, an ornate covered bridge with a small temple inside.
Lantern night
On the full moon the town cuts its electric lights for candlelit lanterns and floating river offerings.
Tailor shops
Hoi An is famous for skilled tailors who craft custom clothing in a day or two.
An Bang Beach
A relaxed stretch of sand a short bike ride from the old town.
What to eatFood
Cao lau
A unique Hoi An noodle dish of chewy noodles, pork and greens, said to need local well water.
White rose dumplings
Delicate translucent shrimp dumplings shaped like rosebuds, a town specialty.
Banh mi
Hoi An’s legendary banh mi is rated among the best in all of Vietnam.
Good to know
- Rent a bicycle to glide between the old town, rice paddies and the beach.
- Visit the Ancient Town at dawn or after dark to avoid the midday tour crowds.
- Order tailored clothing early in your stay to allow time for fittings.
Getting there
The nearest airport is Da Nang (DAD), about 40 minutes away by taxi or Grab; there is no train station in Hoi An itself.
Next city
Ha Long