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’s historic center, set along the Hoai River and recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site, is known for its golden, weathered houses and cobblestone lanes, and 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.
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.
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:
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 temple bells drifting across the morning, few pleasures compare to a deep, aromatic cup in the heart of the Ancient Town.
Where to linger your Vietnamese Coffee in Hoi An:
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.
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.
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.
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.
In Hoi An’s riverside hush, craftwork becomes a local experience to slow the mind and rediscover the hands.
Experience the famous Basket Boat Ride at Bay Mau Coconut Forest – known for its lively spins and joyful energy. At Namia River Retreat, around the islet, the basket-boat journey takes on a different rhythm: gentle, unhurried, and deeply serene. Drift beneath whispering green Nipa as your local guide shares laughter and riverside tales
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.
An evening of performance in Hoi An is a tender and proud journey of feeling.
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
Coming Soon
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.
This will close in 21 seconds
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
This will close in 21 seconds
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)
This will close in 21 seconds
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)
This will close in 21 seconds
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