Half Day in Hoi An – Getting Lost in the Town’s Beauty

Hoi An is an old city down the Thu Bon River, on the coastal plain of Quang Nam Province in Vietnam and this amazing place will definitely blow your mind away on your trip to Central Vietnam with its unique beauty reminding people of a taciturn picturesque view of the landscape.

Here present some interesting places and activities that you should experience during your half day in Hoi An.

Best time to visit Hoi An

Hoi An Town locates Central Vietnam so this city has two distinct seasons: wet season and dry season. In spite of that fact, in Hoi An, it rains quite dramatically. The average temperature of around 29°C (84°F)- how ideal the weather is for taking a half day trip to Hoi An!

Some highlights of weather condition in Hoi An:

• February to April: comfortable temperatures, low humidity
• June to August: temperatures are at their hottest, reaching as high as 38°C (100°F)
• September to January: Hoi An’s rainy season. October and November are the wettest time
• November to January: lowest temperatures, ranging from 19 to 24°C (66 to 75°F)

Dry season in Hoi An (February to August)

In this season, Hoi An is fulfilled with a lot of comfortable sunshine, low in humidity and the least rainfall of the year. The time is divided into two following separate breaks:

• February to April: the temperature is super relaxing, average temperatures reach a high of 30°C (86°F), making it a popular choice for tourists to visit the ancient town of Hoi An.
• May to August: the temperatures continue to rise and hit a peak in June, where it then plateaus until September when the seasons change.

Some events and activities in Hoi An you don’t want to miss during dry season:

• If you love sunbathing, the sun-hours in Hoi An are found from May to July.
• Hoi An Lantern Festival– the biggest Full Moons of the year – a spectacular sight over the ocean takes place in July and August.
• Calm water with superb visibility makes June to August a fantastic time to go diving and snorkelling off the coast of Hoi An.
• You will not want to miss Tet Doan Ngo- Vietnam Parasites Killing Festival in June on your half day trip to Hoi An, with different interesting activities and amazing foods that are only found on this special holiday in Vietnam.

Wet season in Hoi An (September to January)

Hoi An, and the whole Vietnam in general from September to January are into the wet season- known as Monsoon season.

During the months of October to January, the wet season brings increased rainfall and the temperatures down to around an average high of 25°C (77°F). The months of October and November also contain the bulk of the rain and the hidden possibility of flooding in Hoi An.

Some tips for your half day trip to Hoi An this time:

• It’s best to check the weather forecast ahead of time if you expect to travel to Hoi An from October to December.
• If flooding does occur during your time in Hoi An, bear in mind that the locals are super well-prepared for the incident and your half-day trip to Hoi An will definitely not be interrupted by heavy rains.
• Participating in locals’ paddling their boats through the picturesque laneways of Old Town will be one of the best decisions you’ve ever made for a memorable trip of yours to Hoi An.

So the best times to visit Hoi An are:

• March and April: Tet holiday has passed but remains the bustling atmosphere; also, the weather is still mild enough to welcome those who are coming from cooler temperatures. Rainfall during this time is also at its lowest point out of the year, making this a great time to plan for outdoor activities in the surrounding area.
• September: This special month brings you the chance to witness the Mid Autumn Festival. Even if you’re here before this time, you can still see sessions of young people practising in the evenings for the upcoming event and the flocks of people that were visiting the city in August have moved on as well.

Best destinations to visit for a half day in Hoi An

Hoi An Ancient Town

The old town is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. This unique heritage site’s buildings and its street plan reflect the both indigenous and foreign influences.

This famous tourist attraction especially enchants to visitors a great charm with its old houses, narrow streets covered with colorful lanterns, moss-grown walls,…Your soul will get lightened up and your mind will be fulfilled with peace as well on your half day trip to Hoi An.

How to make your half day in Hoi An memorable?

With only one ticket at price of 120.000 VND / person and you can discover:

– All streets in the ancient town and 5 of the 21 sightseeing places, as follows:

Historical destinations:

• Japanese Covered Bridge

The Japanese Covered Bridge in Hoi An is one of the famous tourist attractions in Hoi An, Vietnam. The original Vietnamese name of this bridge is “Lai Vien Kieu”. The word can be interpreted as “Pagoda in Japan”. It is considered that the Japanese Covered Bridge, Hoi An is a possession of the Japanese community of Hoi An.

• Cam Pho Communal House

This communal house worshipped the tutelary god of village and the ancestors of Cam Pho village, so its name is “Cam Pho Huong Hien ” (Ancestors of Cam Pho village).

• Minh Huong Communal- House of Tuy Tien Duong

This communal house is considered as the religious architecture of Minh Huong People- Chinese people obtained Vietnamese citizenship in order to worship  heroic ancestors.

• Quan Cong Temple

The temple is located in the center of the ancient town of Hoi An. With its positioned and beautiful architecture, this ancient temple is one of the top must-see places on your half day trip to Hoi An.

Museums

• Hoi An History Museum

The Hoi An History museum is located on the second floor of the ancient Quan Yin pagoda. Originally built in the 17th century by Minh Huong villagers to worship Guanyin (the Goddess of Mercy), the museum is adjacent to the Guan Yu temple in central Hoi An.

• Trade Ceramics

This museum catalogues the fantastic history of Hoi An’s prominence as the trade centre of Vietnam from the 16th to early 19th centuries. For ceramic and pottery buffs, this is a must-see destination in Hoi An. You can also view pots, urns, vases and even the remains of a sunken ship along with some of the traditional machinery used at the time on your half day in Hoi An.

• Sa Huynh Culture

Going further back in time than the History of Folklore, the Sa Huynh Culture Museum provides a glimpse into the lives of the Ancient Champa and Sa Huynh cultures. This museum is charming and small enough to simply peruse and yet interesting enough to tickle your imagination on your half day trip to Hoi An, with artefacts such as bowls, tools, weapons, and jewellery from ancient times.

• Folk Culture

Visiting here is an excellent way to pass an hour of your time. The building itself is magnificent, and wandering through gives you a sense of the “oldness” and authenticity of Hoi An. The dark wood keeps the interior feeling fresh and cool, even in the hottest part of the day.

Old houses

• Quan Thang

This is a stunning piece of oriental architecture in all its glory. The Quang Thang Family has maintained the house diligently and the results are obviously incredible.

• Duc An

The property here has been inhabited by the same family for over 400 years though the present house was built in 1850. Part of the appeal of Duc An Old House is that it is the only ancient house in Hoi An that makes a genuine effort to present some real history examples.

• Phung Hung

The ancient House is another famous architectural building in Hoi An, considered cultural heritage of the town. With over 200 years old, the house is a typical commercial house, with its unique structure of high wooden logs and broad corridors, reflecting the development and fusion of Asian architectural styles in Hoi An in the past centuries.

• Tran Family’s Chapel

The architecture of the house bears the Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese styles and it has remains almost the same as two centuries ago and thanks to its cultural values, Tran Family’s Chapel becomes one of the most famous tourist attractions in Hoi An.

• Tan Ky

The name Old House of Tan Ky itself suggests that the building is one of the remotest historical buildings in Hoi An. The age of the old house is approximately a couple of centuries and this is the exact destination that you will not want to miss to encounter great cultural significance of Vietnam.

• Nguyen Tuong Family’s Chapel

This place is famous for its unique building of art and architecture, displays a lot of valuable artifacts.

Chinese Assembly Halls

• Trieu Chau

The house’s owners hope this God will always bring luck to them and help them travel smoothly on the sea. Formerly, people often went to the house at night to pray because they thought that all their wishes would come true. The most outstanding features of the house are a sophisticatedly carved wooden frame, decorative designs, beautiful wooden patterns and embossed patterns made of porcelain pieces.

• Phuc Kien

Among the various popular assembly halls in Hoi An, the Fukian Assembly Hall (Phuc Kien) is the exceptional one. Hoi An is a small town in Vietnam that is full of excitements and tourist attractions. You must visit this assembly hall to encounter an excellent work of architecture. It is also considered as a heritage of historical significance.

• Xu Dang Trong and traditional art performance

As the result of being a historical trading port, many artisan industries flourished in historic Hoi An. Wares such as pottery, wood carving, tailoring, jewellery making, and leather work, became popular in the region and contributed to Hoi An being the city it is today. You can’t walk through the old town on your half day trip to Hoi An without noticing the range of handcrafted items, as well as the colourful lanterns hung on display.

• Ancient tombs of Japanese traders (Mr Gu Sokukun, Mr Tani Yajirobei, Mr Banjiro)

Scattered about the countryside around Hoi An are three Japanese tombs dating from the 17th century. Although not elaborately constructed, they are of great historical significance. They are the only known tombs of Edo-era Japanese merchants outside of Japan proper.

– Artistic activities, folk games, night market.

Thanh Ha Pottery Village

Pottery is not only a significant and traditional craft in Vietnam, but also an important means of livelihood. The Thanh Ha Pottery Village in Hoi An is a famous example of an establishment that aims at furthering traditions and employment. This ancient village is located in the Thanh Ha ward and Hoi An lies 3 Km to the East of it.

For hundreds of years, although the traditional craft has undergone some ups and downs, the locals have kept their love and passion for the craft. They have, so far, kept its traditional and unique method of making pottery-handmade and wheel thrown. Their products are not enamelled or heated by a traditional wood kiln.

On your half day in Hoi An, you can also make their own pottery-handcrafted commodities such as: mugs, bowls, dishes,… under the guidance of friendly and skillful citizens in the village and keep them as lovely Central Vietnam souvenirs.

How amazing that is, isn’t it? Here is the package to visit the place:

– A ticket at price: 35.000VND / person

– Tourists can visit:

• Artisans shaping utensils
• Xuan My communal house
• Nam Dieu temple of the founder of the potters (stop of Minh Mang King)
• Making whistles
• Free clay whistle as a souvenir

Tra Que Culinary Village & Spa

If you only have half day in Hoi An, you will not want to miss Tra Que Culinary Village & Spa– a small village near Tra Que vegetables supplies organic veggies for the whole Hoi An and nearby areas. Escape from the bustling city just about 15 minutes by cycling from Hoi An old quarter, you will enjoy local food at Tra Que Culinary Village with many kinds of Vietnamese food.

You can also join a cooking class and learn how to cook yourself a complete tasty meal including 4 main dishes. The foods use the village’s most original resources and you will take actions under the guide of professional cooks.

There are fresh kinds of vegetables and herbs such as basil, lettuce, spring onion, perilla, Vietnamese mint, cilantro,…for your Vietnamese traditional therapy experience at the spa center; with the sounds of water flowing and the smell of natural essential oils, herbs and spices balance. Ancient therapies and natural curatives combined with modern techniques will take your body, mind and spirit to a new level of relaxation, delight and pampering, on your half day trip to Hoi An.

Some typical appetizing traditional specialities in Hoi An

Banh beo (steamed rice pancake)

The pancake with its fried shallot slices, oil, deep-fried cao lau noodles and thick, brick red topping sauce will make you fall right in love after the very first bite on your half day in Hoi An.

Banh my Hoi An (Bami Bread)

According to Chef Anthony Bourdain, Hoi An city has the most delicious sandwiches in Vietnam, including Bami Bread. You can find those best ones at these different addresses:

• Phuong Bakery near Cam Bridge
• 115 Tran Cao Van Street
• Minh Thu bakery at 248 Ly Thuong Kiet Street.

Che Bap (Corn Soup)

The Central Vietnam is famous for its popularity of sweet specialities, including Che Bap. This sweet dessert soup costs just a few cents at street stalls.

Banh xeo

Unlike its cousin in many other places, Hoi An “Banh xeo” is mainly stuffed with shrimp rather than pork or beef. It is also smaller, especially when compared with the Southern Vietnam version. “Banh xeo” is usually served hot with a lot of herbs and green vegetables.

You can find the best at Ba Le Well Restaurant, 45/51 Tran Hung Dao Street.

Take your chance to experience this great destination on a memorable holiday in Vietnam by customizing your Vietnam tour right now. We truly hope that our suggestion will meet your expectation and help you enjoy your half day trip to Hoi An in the most satisfying and indelible way!