VISIT HOI AN CENTRAL MARKET
The first thing you’ll want to do when you get to Hoi An is stop into the Central Market. The outdoor area is surrounded with locals selling produce, while the inside is where you can sit down for a meal.
The best part is that there isn’t many dishes here that will set you back more than a couple dollars!
Make sure to stop by and see our soup lady in the Hoi An Central Market when you’re there. You can find her by the photo hanging behind her of Anthony Bourdain.
Yes, the legend himself actually ate here! Honestly, we’re kind of confused why our photo isn’t up there yet with the amount of times we’ve eaten at her stall!
TRY TRADITIONAL SPECIALITIES
While we’re on the topic of food, it’s important to know that Hoi An has some of the best in Vietnam! We have gone on record saying that Cao Lau from the Hoi An Central Market is one of top 10 dishes we’ve had in our lives.
If you know anything about us it’s that we love to travel and eat…. So that’s saying a lot when it comes to the best things to do in Hoi An! Make sure to indulge in Cao Lau and these other local dishes during your visit.
Cao Lau: Thick well water noodles with pork and gravy. The noodles are only made in Hoi An!
Rose Water Dumplings: Rose shaped dumplings filled with minced shrimp and spices.
Mi Quang: Rice noodles with peanuts, sauce, and quail egg.
Com Ga: Local take on chicken And rice. Some great ones can be found around the Hoi An Night Market.
Hoanh Thanh Chien: Fried wontons filled With minced pork and ground shrimp.
CRUISE HOI AN OLD TOWN BY BICYCLE
Bicycles are perfect for riding through Hoi An Ancient Town and navigating the back streets. We do recommend going early to skip the crowds. Yet, don’t worry if you have to get off and walk the bike around the busy Hoi An Market.
If you want to do some shopping or grab lunch there are plenty of places that you can pay to park for only 5,000 VND. It’s also super fun to ride through nature on the outskirts of Hoi An.
GET LOST ON A MOTORBIKE
Unlike most places in Vietnam, we highly recommend renting a motorbike during your stay if you’re somewhat experienced. For just a $4-5 USD you can visit the nearby town of Da Nang, or head out for the famous ride on Hai Van Pass!
Having a motorbike is the key to finding the more local food spots outside of old town and getting to all the amazing things to do in Hoi An.
EXPLORE THE HOI AN NIGHT MARKET
Now we should mention that the silk lanterns won’t be the only thing to draw you over the bridge at night! There is an entire old quarter here where you can find all kinds of cheap arts and crafts for a great price.
Several food stalls pop up selling everything from frog legs to jelly desserts, and more! If you’re not sure where to start you can even jump on a night time food tour.
TAKE IN THE RICE PADDIES & COUNTRYSIDE
If doesn’t matter if you go by bicycle, motorbike, or even take a short walk! Having an hour or two to explore the rice fields and farmlands will be a highlight of your visit.
There is no set route or one road, but head out of town towards the beach and turn off the side streets. If you’re lucky you might even make friends with a Hoi An Ox!
TEMPLE HOP THROUGH HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN
There is so much history hiding behind the walls of Hoi An Ancient Town. In fact, if you don’t look for it you might miss it completely!
Some of the oldest houses in Vietnam and the 17th century Ba Mu Temple Gate actually just opened to the public for the first time recently. From the Hoi An information center you can buy a pass (120,000 VND) to enter 5 historical sites and temples around town.
ENJOY FOOD & BEER AT LAMONTA RESTAURANT & PUB
Stop in at any restaurant or cafe advertising “fresh beer” along the water and you’re in for a deal of a lifetime. Starting at just .15 cents USD each (not kidding), there is no better or cheaper way to cool off on a hot day!! One will quickly turn into two, and two can easily turn into an afternoon on the river.
The only other place we’ve found good fresh beer was in Hanoi Old Quarter in the capital city. A normal canned or bottled beer in Hoi An Old Town won’t be more than $1 USD either, but you can’t beat a fresh beer.
TRY THE BEST BANH MI’S
If you didn’t know, there is an epic food battle going on for the title of best Banh Mi! This sandwich staple can be found all over the country. Yet, two of the most delicious ones are right in Hoi An Vietnam.
Banh Mi Phuong and Queen Banh Mi are two classic establishments which travelers from all over the world claim as their favorites. Let us know which one is your favorite in the comments!
GET A CUSTOM OUTFIT MADE
Did you know shopping is one of the best things to do in Hoi An? It won’t take long to notice store after store selling custom dresses, suits, pants, and more!
This small town is known for their tailor shops where you can get clothing made for a quarter of what you might pay back home. Beautiful dresses range from $10-25 USD and they sell everything from skirts to ball gowns. Also, custom-made suits start at $100 USD or less. So if you’re looking to ship a new wardrobe home, this is the place to do it!
Around the Hoi An Central Market is the ideal place to find good deals on clothes. Make sure you ask the exact cost before committing to anything. They can vary from store to store and the price is usually negotiable.
TAKE A HOI AN COOKING CLASS
There is so much tasty food in Vietnam so why not learn how to make it yourself?? One of our favorite things to do in Hoi An is taking a cooking class. There are different options from a group setting to private experiences.
The best classes take you to the morning local market so you can actually shop for your own ingredients! This is a cool way to learn about all the fresh fruits and vegetables of the area before you get to cooking.
WATCH THE SUNSET ON HOAI RIVER
When the sun starts to set on Hoi An Vietnam the perfect place to be is on the roof! There are several rooftop bars or coffee houses to enjoy during your visit to this UNESCO world heritage site.
Here you can take in the views of the French influenced architecture that stretches into the distance. Check out some of our favorite rooftop bars and cafes below.
MARVEL AT THE SILK LANTERNS
As the home of the Vietnamese silk lantern, these magical lamps light up the streets of Hoi An Ancient Town every night. Wander through the streets, cross the river, and soak in the beauty of Hoi An.
The colorful lanterns can be seen hanging by the dozens from each stand. They make both an excellent and inexpensive gift ($3-5 USD) for someone back home if you have extra room in your suitcase! You can also do a silk lantern workshop where you learn how to make your own!
JUMP ON A HOI AN RIVER BOAT RIDE
After you light your candle it’s time to get out on the water. One of the best things to do in Hoi An at night as take a traditional boat ride up the river.
For a small fee you can go up and down the section of the river in Hoi An Old Town. If you enjoy this, you can take a longer boat further up the river during the day.
HIT THE HOI AN BEACHES
Like most of Vietnam, Hoi An is not known for its beaches. Still, on a hot day know that there is a few spots to jump in the ocean and cool off! The most popular places for a swim are An Nang and Cui Dai beach.
Cui Dai is small and very local, where An Nang is bigger and much more touristy. Our recommendation is to actually skip those and find your own slice of sand.
Cruise up the coast and cut in at one of the many small side streets. This way you can find your own part of the beach to enjoy with no people. Also, it’s good to know that the beach gets nicer and nicer as you head north towards Da Nang.
