Some places invite you to slow down, just to hear the true rhythm of land and people. Hoi An is one of those places – gentle, warm, and rich with memory. Amid old roof tiles, a languid river, and the aromas of cinnamon and freshly roasted coffee, the Ancient Town calls you not to “do more,” it simply invites you to feel more.
Below are 15 Hoi An experiences and things to do in Hoi An you shouldn’t miss if you want to live at the pace of this riverside heritage town.
Hoi An rests on Vietnam’s central coast, just 30 minutes from Da Nang International Airport, with easy connections across Vietnam and key Asian cities. Once a thriving 15th-century trading port for silk and ceramics, Hoi An Ancient Town remains one of Asia’s most beautifully preserved merchant towns. February to April is widely considered the best time to visit Hoi An, with warm, dry days and more comfortable temperatures.
The entire Ancient Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to over a thousand timber buildings and one of the world’s oldest towns with the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu). Hoi An Ancient Town is an ideal place for Hoi An activities, from sunrise walks and photography to heritage cafés and evening cultural events.
Hidden within the grid of lanes are houses that have held centuries of weather and trade, living pages of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese influences. Step over a wooden threshold, touch weathered walls, and sense the warmth of time.
Notable old homes in Hoi An:
Crossing each dark-wood door, you find Hoi An preserved more than its streets. Hoi An Old Town keeps the memories of those who lived by the port.
As daylight softens, Hoi An reveals another rhythm. Lanterns glow across balconies and alleyways, their silk skins reflecting gently on the Hoai River. Head to the riverfront near Cau An Bridge to see traditional sampan boats glowing beneath hundreds of colourful lanterns.
On the 14th day of each lunar month, the Hoi An Lantern Festival sees the town’s artificial lights turned off and illuminated by lanterns. The best way to experience Hoi An is on a sunset boat ride on the Thu Bon River, where you can release a paper lantern into the water.
Near An Hoi Bridge, small paper lanterns carrying candles drift slowly across the river’s surface. Locals say it’s a wish for peace and good fortune; travelers often find it becomes a small ritual of letting go. Whether or not you believe in wishes, watching your candle move with the current is a moment of gentle reflection – simple, symbolic, and deeply Hoi An.
Address: 679/8 Hai Ba Trung Street, Old Town, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam
Down an alley off Hai Ba Trung, a warmly lit indoor studio recreates backdrops of old Hoi An. Hoi An Photobooth – “Cây Kim Sợi Chỉ” is one of the best things to do you should try in Hoi An, which will let you preserve special moments without worrying about the sun or rainy weather.
At an accessible price of around 70,000 VND, Hoi An Photobooth is a charming stop for lovers of craft and memory, bringing home a portrait that carries the town’s quiet soul.
Before tour groups arrive, the Chinese Assembly Halls – especially Fujian (Phước Kiến) – feel contemplative rather than grand. Incense coils hang suspended in time, and courtyards echo softly with footsteps. These halls are living reminders of Hoi An’s trading past and multicultural soul.
While lingering by the riverbanks, don’t miss the chance to step aboard a traditional sampan – one of the most quietly iconic things to do in Hoi An. A sampan ride typically costs around 150,000 VND for 1 – 3 people and lasts about 20 minutes. Boats gather along the riverside near An Hoi Bridge, where vendors also sell small candle lanterns you can release onto the water.
At midday, when sunlight angles across old roofs and the aroma of char siu drifts on the breeze, nothing satisfies like a bowl of Cao Lau – best savored right here in Hoi An. The noodles are traditionally blanched using water from an old Cham well and made with lye water derived from the ash of trees on the Cham Islands, a combination that gives Cao Lầu its distinctive texture and golden color.
Where to try the best Cao Lau in Hoi An:
A true Hoi An specialty, White Rose dumplings feature delicate, translucent rice-flour wrappers shaped like tiny blossoms and filled with seasoned shrimp and minced pork. Light, elegant, and uniquely local, White Rose dumplings are a must-try local delicacy at the iconic White Rose Restaurant.
Beyond street level, Hoi An opens into quiet rooftops where tiled roofs stretch like warm mosaics below. From above, the Ancient Town feels calmer, almost meditative – the best way to experience Hoi An.
Here are some great rooftop cafes and chill spots in Hoi An:
Faifo Coffee is a familiar pause in the rhythm of the Old Town. From its rooftop, the view unfolds layers of timeworn terracotta roofs glowing softly as the day drifts toward dusk.
Above the lantern-lined streets of Trần Phú, Mê Hội An feels intimate and quietly welcoming. Warm décor, cushioned seating, and an elevated view of the Old Town create an easy stillness.
A familiar name in Hoi An, gently elevated at select addresses. Second-floor balconies along Tran Phu and Tran Cao Van offer a quiet pause above the streets. Not quite a rooftop, but a softened perspective that invites you to linger.
92 Station offers upper-floor seating with open views across tiled roofs and slow-moving streets below. Quieter than many nearby cafés, it’s a gentle place to sit with a coffee and watch Hoi An unfold.
More worth lingering cafes in Hoi An Ancient Town:
A familiar presence across Vietnam, Highlands Coffee offers comfort in its consistency. With several locations within the Ancient Town, Highlands Coffee is an easy stop for a well-known Vietnamese coffee.
Set slightly beyond the river’s edge, Starbucks Hoi An offers a familiar pause in an unfamiliar place. Air-conditioned calm, classic brews, and a steady rhythm make it a convenient stop for those seeking something known, before returning to the lantern-lit streets.
Served cold with lemongrass, ginger, and lotus petals, Mót is a humble herbal tea rooted in traditional remedies. Whether you love it or simply find it refreshing, holding the small paper cup amid the Old Town crowds feels like joining a shared local ritual – brief, cooling, and distinctly Hoi An.
Hoi An is the place where many travellers end up collecting the most meaningful souvenirs in Vietnam. Hoi An Central Market overflows with hand-woven coasters and placemats, silk lanterns, incense burners, small wooden boxes, and easy-to-wear clothing that carries the town’s colour and craft.
The Hoi An Ancient Town Pass is one of the best-value ways to explore the city’s heritage. The pass costs 120,000 VND (around £2.83) and allows entry to 5 attractions (from a list of around 20) within 24 hours. Included sites range from museums and temples to pagodas and historic merchant houses, with all proceeds supporting the preservation of Hoi An.
A few practical tips:
Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s rare holdouts for exquisite made-to-measure craft. In about 24 hours, take home garments shaped by skilled hands and a love of the trade.
Trusted ateliers in Hoi An:
Check and take from Namia River Retreat’s recommendations list to find the tailor that feels right for you.
In Hoi An’s riverside hush, craftwork becomes a local experience to slow the mind and rediscover the hands.
Bánh mì is Vietnam’s iconic street food – a crisp baguette filled with everything from pâté and pork to chicken, beef, cheese, and fresh herbs. The most famous spot is Bánh Mì Phượng, made globally popular after being featured by Anthony Bourdain on No Reservations. If you’d prefer a well-loved alternative, Madam Khánh – The Bánh Mì Queen, just outside the Ancient Town, is highly rated and a favourite with many travellers.
Farm-to-table restaurants are a must-try experience in Hoi An, where chefs turn locally grown produce into flavorful dishes. Dinner at The Merchant inside Namia River Retreat becomes a quiet ceremony for the senses. At The Merchant, the chefs work with greens, herbs, and produce gathered from nearby Hoi An community farms to reimagine Vietnamese flavors with modern finesse.
For more slow dining experiences, welcoming spaces:
With the Ancient Town largely pedestrianized, cycling is one of the most enjoyable ways to explore Hoi An at an unhurried pace. A bike allows you to move easily between town and countryside, where the rhythm of life slows, and the landscape opens into rice fields and village lanes.
From Namia River Retreat, a 10-minute ride on a bamboo bicycle trails through village lanes, green rice fields, and the soft touch of morning wind to Tra Que. Stroll the gardens, watch daily farm life, and feel the countryside calm, unique to Hoi An. Along the way, you may pass water buffalo, birds, and scenes of daily farm life that reveal a side of Hoi An many visitors never see. Bikes are easy to hire around town, or you can join a guided cycling tour for a deeper local connection.
Sunset on the Thu Bon is a traveler’s favorite. If you’re staying at Namia River Retreat, don’t forget to try a private sunset river cruise and watch the Hoi An Old Town turn golden in quiet, intimate stillness. The light fades; the water holds it for a beat longer.
Cam Thanh Coconut Village is best known for its round bamboo basket boats, often seen spinning playfully across the water. While the ride itself is fun, the village offers more than a single moment: quiet waterways, dense nipa palm groves, and small cafés lining the canals. Basket boat rides are typically about 150,000 VND per person.
At Namia River Retreat, the basket-boat journey around the islet takes on a different rhythm: gentle, unhurried, and deeply serene. This complimentary daily experience is exclusively for in-house guests. Drift beneath the whispering green nipa palms as your local guide shares laughter and tales of the riverbank.
About 3 km from the Hoi An Old Town along the Thu Bon River, Thanh Ha’s artisans keep a centuries-old flame. For just a modest fee, sit at the wheel to shape a cup or vase of your own, then paint it, leaving with clay-flecked fingertips and a keepsake fired with local earth.
In Hoi An, yoga and meditation open onto quiet spaces where only the river’s breath and the town’s unhurried pace remain. That experience can be simply found at Namia River Retreat, where daily spa and wellbeing sessions await: Vietnamese Tai Chi (Dưỡng Sinh), Yang Flow Yoga, Yin Stretch & Breathe Yoga, and Partner Yoga. Classes move slowly and less about technique, more about listening to the body and syncing breath with river flow – an easy path into wellness travel in Hoi An or a rejuvenating yoga retreat in Hoi An.
An evening of performance in Hoi An is a tender and proud journey of feeling.
Address: An Son, Hoa Vang, Da Nang
Sun World Ba Na Hills makes for a memorable day trip from Hoi An. Located about 1–1.5 hours inland, it’s a mountaintop theme park best known for the Golden Bridge. One of the highlights is the world’s longest single-track cable car, stretching 6.2km from the base to the summit.
At the top, Ba Na Hills is styled as a whimsical French Village, complete with cobbled streets, European-style buildings, a Notre Dame replica, fountains, and colourful façades. Ba Na Hills is especially popular with Vietnamese and Korean visitors and is a major photo destination.
Ba Na Hills Tickets:
Address: Cham Island, Tan Hiep, Hoi An
For a tropical escape from Hoi An’s historic streets, a boat trip to the Cham Islands offers clear water, snorkelling, and the chance to spot coral reefs and marine life just off the coast. Trips run seasonally from April to August, when sea conditions are safest, and visibility is best.
Address: Thanh Dia My Son, Duy Xuyen, Quang Nam
A day trip to My Son Sanctuary is one of the most culturally rich experiences you can take from Hoi An. Located about 40 km southwest of Hoi An, My Son is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was once the spiritual and political centre of the Champa Kingdom, which ruled central Vietnam from the 4th to the 13th century. For any traveller who appreciates history, culture and easy exploration, consider visiting My Son Sanctuary for your Hoi An trip.
Address: 81 Huyen Tran Cong Chua, Hoa Hai, Ngu Hanh Son, Da Nang
The Marble Mountains, located in Da Nang about 20 minutes by taxi from Hoi An, far exceeded expectations. What looks like a single rocky hill from the road is actually a vast complex of caves, tunnels, temples, trails, and viewpoints.
Highlights include Am Phu Cave and Huyen Khong Cave, both filled with dramatic chambers, stone staircases, and colourful shrines. The Am Phu Cave alone costs 20,000 VND, while entry to the full complex is 40,000 VND (around £1.13). You can climb to the summit for free or take the lift for 15,000 VND.
Just 15–20 minutes by bicycle from the Ancient Town, you’ll find beaches where life slows to the breath of the sea – easily among the best things to do in Hoi An.
After small alleys, sunsets, and the river’s hush, you may want a place to be simply. Namia River Retreat rests quietly along the Thu Bon River, a private sanctuary with 60 private pool villas open to views of nipa palms or the gentle flow of river water. Embraced by trees and river breeze, every element here is designed for ease and stillness – from the soft scent of local herbs to the soothing sound of water and the natural light through sheer curtains.
At Lumina Spa & Wellbeing, each ritual is rooted in the wisdom of Southern Herbology (Thuốc Nam). Our on-site apothecary honors Hoi An’s heritage of traditional herbal therapy, blending local craft with healing traditions. Set within Namia River Retreat, a serene wellness sanctuary in Hoi An, every experience is designed to reconnect body, mind, and nature.
When Hoi An slows, Namia River Retreat becomes a luxury wellness-inclusive resort to return to yourself – a quiet pause within what to do in Hoi An for travelers seeking calm and sustainable travel in Hoi An. Daily activities evolve with light and season; you can find the latest program in the Namia River Retreat resort’s activities calendar.
Location: 232 Tran Nhan Tong Street, Hoi An Dong Ward, Da Nang City.
Phone: +84 (0) 235 3533 777
Email: hello@namiariverretreat.com
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1 Bedroom Villa with Spa Sala, Jacuzzi & Outdoor Private Dining
Indoor 100 sqm, Pool & Terrace 200 sqm, Total 300 sqm
– Private pool villa with 180-degree river view
– Open-plan bedroom with 4-poster bed
– En-suite bathroom, sunken bathtub, vanity and shower
– Pool with loungers, open-air lounge, river dining sala
– All standard facilities and bamboo bicycles
Facilities include wireless internet, air conditioning, tea & coffee
facilities, mini bar, safety box, telephone, television, hairdryer, double vanity, shower and sunken bathtub.
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18 King / Indoor 62 sqm, Pool & Terrace 86 sqm, Total 148 sqm
09 Twin / Indoor 62 sqm, Pool & Terrace 86 sqm, Total 148 sqm
– Private pool villa with direct River view
– Open-plan bedroom, sunken bathtub, pool view
– En-suite bathroom with vanity and shower
– Lounge opening onto terrace, pool with loungers
– All standard facilities and bamboo bicycles
Facilities include wireless internet, air conditioning, tea & coffee facilities, mini bar, safety box, telephone, television, hairdryer, vanity, indoor and outdoor shower and sunken bathtub
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2 Bedroom Villa with Kids Room and Outdoor Family Dining
1 Twin room & 1 King room / Indoor 80 sqm, Pool 130 sqm, Total 210 sqm
– Main bedroom, sunken bathtub, pool view
– Main en-suite bathroom, vanity and shower
– Twin bedroom with vanity and shower
– Indoor lounge, outdoor dining area, pool with loungers
– All standard facilities and bamboo bicycles
Facilities include wireless internet, air conditioning, tea & coffee facilities, mini bar, safety box, telephone, television, hairdryer, double vanity, shower and sunken bathtub (king), shower (twin)
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2 Bedroom Villa with Kids Room and Outdoor Family Dining
1 Twin room & 1 King room / Indoor 80 sqm, Pool 130 sqm, Total 210 sqm
– Main bedroom, sunken bathtub, pool view
– Main en-suite bathroom, vanity and shower
– Twin bedroom with vanity and shower
– Indoor lounge, outdoor dining area, pool with loungers
– All standard facilities and bamboo bicycles
Facilities include wireless internet, air conditioning, tea & coffee facilities, mini bar, safety box, telephone, television, hairdryer, double vanity, shower and sunken bathtub (king), shower (twin)
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12 King / Indoor 62 sqm, Pool & Terrace 86 sqm, Total 148 sqm
14 Twin / Indoor 62 sqm, Pool & Terrace 86 sqm, Total 148 sqm
– Private pool villa with garden and nipa palm view
– Open-plan bedroom, sunken bathtub, pool view
– En-suite bathroom with vanity and shower
– Lounge opening onto terrace, pool with loungers
– All standard facilities and bamboo bicycles
Facilities include wireless internet, air conditioning, tea & coffee facilities, mini bar, safety box, telephone, television, hairdryer, vanity, indoor and outdoor shower and sunken bathtub
This will close in 21 seconds