Things to do in  Hoi An

Renowned throughout Southeast Asia for its antique charm, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hoi An Ancient Town is a must-see for first-time visitors to Vietnam. The pedestrianized streets provide a calming break from chaotic traffic, while the colorful facades of lantern-clad houses harbor history that dates back more than 2,000 years.

Visit the ancient ruins of towers and temples on the emerald hills of Central Vietnam at the My Son Sanctuary (Mỹ Sơn), a unique cultural complex of brick and stone temples built by Hindu Cham kings between the 4th century and 13th century. Today, the UNESCO World Heritage Site makes an easy day trip from hotels in Hoi An or Da Nang.

Located between Hoi An Ancient Town and An Bang Beach, Tra QueVegetable Village is an agricultural district that still uses traditional techniques to produce Vietnamese crops. The fertile farmland, which provides a welcome break from the crowds of Hoi An Ancient Town, is awash with fragrant herbs and home to numerous independent workshops.

Clustered around 13 miles (21 kilometers) from Hoi An’s Cua Dai harbor, Vietnam's eight Cham Islands are known as Cham Island or Cù Lao Chàm. They offer white-sand beaches, granite cliffs, and coral reefs ideal for diving and snorkeling. The islands’ rich marine life and ecosystems have earned them UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status.

Millions of travelers flock to the Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu) in Hoi An every year. Built in the 18th century, the bridge features intricate carvings and statues of dogs and monkeys and provides great views of the Thu Bon River. Put aside extra time to cross the frequently crowded bridge—it’s the most popular spot in the Old Town.

The largest of Hoi An’s five assembly halls—historic meeting places for the city’s Chinese merchants—Phuc Kien Assembly Hall (Fujian Assembly Hall is an architectural feast and among the highlights of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Old Town. A National Monument, it’s home to a temple, shrine, and a tree-lined courtyard.

A 10-minute boat ride from Hoi An, the village of Kim Bong—a traditional carpentry village on Cam Kim island—has been churning out artisan works since the 15th century. After taking the ferry across, you can ride bikes across the pastoral landscapes of the island, visit local shops, and witness woodwork being carved before your eyes.

Home to a colonial-era hill station, the monsoon forests of Bach Ma National Park center on Bach Ma, or White Horse Mountain, which rises 4,757 feet (1,450 meters). Waterfalls, crumbling villas, hiking trails, and a wealth of wildlife, including pheasants, langur monkeys, and muntjac deer, make a magnetic spot to spend a day—or longer.

Just 20 minutes from Hoi An, the fishing village of Tra Nhieu offers a deeply peaceful look into Vietnam’s more rural side. An “ecological village”—meaning it preserves traditional ways of fishing, farming, and living—this little hamlet sits on the Thu Bon River, easily accessible for travelers to walk, bike, and tour for a glimpse of daily life.

Hailed as the epitome of antique grandeur, the 200-year-old Tan Ky Old House pays homage to Hoi An’s rich architectural heritage. The beautifully preserved 18th-century house contains Chinese and Japanese artworks, dark-wood furniture, and watermarked walls that attest to the building’s ability to withstand Hoi An’s seasonal floods.

Overshadowed by famous Hoi An Ancient Town, Cua Dai Beach (Biển Cửa Đại) is a pristine, white-sand strand flanked by turquoise waters and backed by rustic Vietnamese seafood restaurants. The laid-back beach provides a relaxed break from central Hoi An and offers white-knuckle water sports to appease thrill seekers.

Flowing all the way from Ngoc Linh Mountain to the South China Sea, the Thu Bon River is responsible for Hoi An’s development as a major trading post. The river runs through Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is flanked by some of the city’s most famous attractions, including the Japanese Covered Bridge and Hoi An Central Market.

From crafting a Vietnamese silk lantern to admiring ancient weaving techniques, the Hoi An Handicraft Workshop hosts hands-on classes and demonstrations suitable for all ages. Set in the historic surrounds of a centuries-old Chinese trading house, the building also offers traditional handicrafts for sale and the chance to attend live music and dance performances.

From gleaming lanterns to sleek ao dai dresses, the maritime silk trade helped make Hoi An Ancient Town what it is today. The Hoi An Silk Village (Làng Lụa Hội An, part of a resort of the same name, lets you experience that rich culture in a museum, through demos, and hands-on, as artisans take silk from leaf to loom.

Immigrant Chinese and Japanese communities throughout Vietnam socialize and pass on traditions in social assembly halls. Founded in 1786, the colorful Cantonese Assembly Hall in Hoi An’s Ancient Town is one of five such community centers in the city. It’s a local tourist attraction with grand entrance gates leading onto an ornamental front courtyard, followed by a main hall and elaborate altar room.