Hoi An often brings to mind images of small historic streets and old houses.
Travel to Vietnam, why visit Hoi An? Hoi An is often remembered with its small historic streets and old houses illuminated by the golden light of the sun. Yet, beyond this historical beauty, Hoi An is full of hidden treasures to discover. From stunning beaches to peaceful villages, ancient temples to unique culinary experiences, this city is a rich and diverse destination.
Join us to discover the reasons why you must come to Hoi An once in your life.
Overview of Hoi An, Vietnam
Nestled on the banks of the Thu Bon River, Hoi An is an ancient town in Quang Nam Province, more than 30 km from Da Nang and 122 km from Hue. With its authentic Asian architecture and alleys lined with traditional brick houses, Hoi An offers a subtle experience where ancient culture and modernity blend.
Renowned for its old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hoi An is also famous for its beaches like Cua Dai and An Bang, as well as its unique Central Vietnamese culture and cuisine. Hoi An captivates with its traditional festivals, bustling night market, and the warm hospitality of its residents. A trip to Hoi An is not just about discovering historical sites but also about immersing in the peaceful daily life, savoring local cuisine, and enjoying serenity amidst modern life.
Hoi An has received several prestigious accolades from renowned travel magazines and publications. The city was ranked second on TripAdvisor’s list of 25 dream honeymoon destinations, surpassing places like the Maldives and Venice. It’s a great suggestion for those planning their honeymoon vacation in Vietnam.
Read more: Hoi An, Vietnam – A Dream Honeymoon Destination
Travel Off Path also ranked Vietnam among the top seven trending destinations, and Hoi An was honored as the “Best Resort Destination for Businesses in Asia” at the World MICE Awards 2023.
Hoi An Ancient Town
Why Visit Hoi An?
A Former Prosperous Port City
Hoi An was once a prosperous port city, playing a significant role in international trade from the 15th to the 19th century. Merchant ships from Japan, China, Portugal, and many other countries docked in Hoi An, bringing not only goods but also various cultural influences. Visitors to Hoi An can feel the historical atmosphere of a thriving port city with its rows of old houses, traditional craft shops, and cobblestone streets.
Exceptionally Well-Preserved Heritage
One of Hoi An’s major assets is its extremely well-preserved cultural and architectural heritage. Hoi An has not only maintained the structure of an old town but also preserved traditional beauty through buildings such as ancient houses, pagodas, assembly halls, and the famous Japanese bridge. Visitors have the opportunity to explore and better understand the history, culture, and life of the locals through every street corner, house, and artwork.
Multicultural Heritage
Hoi An’s cultural diversity is a particular attraction for tourists. The convergence of Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Western cultures has created a rich and diverse cultural space. From varied culinary specialties and traditional festivals to cultural and artistic activities, Hoi An offers visitors a colorful and unique experience.
UNESCO World Heritage Site
In 1999, Hoi An was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its exceptional historical, cultural, and architectural values. This recognition not only highlights Hoi An’s importance on the world tourism map but also attracts millions of visitors from around the globe to explore and discover. UNESCO’s recognition has helped Hoi An develop sustainable tourism and preserve its valuable heritage.
Beautiful Beaches and Peaceful Spaces
In addition to its historical and cultural values, Hoi An also boasts beautiful beaches such as Cua Dai and An Bang, offering visitors perfect relaxation moments. These beaches are renowned not only for their fine white sand and turquoise water but also for their wild and peaceful beauty, creating an ideal space for relaxation.
Unique Cuisine
Cao Lau
Hoi An’s cuisine is a highlight not to be missed when visiting this city. Dishes such as cao lau, mi Quang, banh bao, banh vac, banh xeo, and che are all imbued with the distinctive flavors of Central Vietnam. Visitors can participate in cooking classes to prepare and enjoy these special dishes themselves.
Experiencing Local Culture and Life
Hoi An is not just a place to visit but also a place to live and experience local culture. Visitors can engage in activities such as lantern making, cooking, visiting traditional craft villages, and the night market. These experiences allow visitors to better understand the people and culture of Hoi An, creating unforgettable memories on their journey.
Hoi An travel experience
Best Time to Visit Hoi An
Hoi An’s climate, blending the climates of the South and the North, offers distinct rainy and dry seasons. The first three months of the year are ideal for visiting Hoi An, with cool and sunny weather. From April to June, it’s the peak tourist season, with dry and pleasant weather. July continues the dry season, while August and September mark the transition with sporadic rains and cool nights. The last three months of the year bring the rainy season, with heavy downpours and flood risks.
Tourist Attractions in Hoi An
Old Town
With more than 2000 years of history, Hoi An’s old town reflects the influences of Japanese, Chinese, and European cultures from the 17th to the 19th century. A 24-hour entrance ticket allows visitors to explore iconic sites like the Japanese Bridge, Phuc Kien and Quang Trieu assembly halls, and ancient houses. Street art activities and night markets add to the allure of the old town, particularly lively from 6 pm to 10 pm.
Beaches
Hoi An’s beaches, such as An Bang, ranked among the world’s 50 most beautiful beaches by CNN in 2011, and Ha My, recognized by the Telegraph in 2017, offer clear waters and peaceful landscapes. Cua Dai, another famous beach, was ranked among Asia’s 25 most beautiful beaches by TripAdvisor in 2013.
Cu Lao Cham
Cu Lao Cham
Cu Lao Cham, an archipelago located 15 km from Hoi An, is recognized as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Visitors can reach it by canoe or wooden boat and enjoy biodiversity, pristine beaches, and activities like scuba diving and fishing.
Craft Villages
Hoi An is home to several craft villages, such as Tra Que vegetable village, Thanh Ha pottery village, Kim Bong carpentry village, and Phuoc Kieu bronze casting village. These villages offer insight into traditional crafts and allow visitors to participate in craft activities.
Bay Mau Coconut Forest
The Bay Mau coconut forest, located 3 km from the old town, offers basket boat rides and boat dance performances. Visitors can also make coconut leaf toys and enjoy fresh coconuts.
Cultural Events in Hoi An
Memories of Hoi An
This outdoor art performance, involving more than 500 actors, tells the story of Hoi An through five acts. Visitors can also explore the Hoi An Impression Park before the show, scheduled from 8 pm to 9 pm (except Tuesdays).
Lantern Festival
Every 14th day of the lunar calendar, Hoi An’s streets are illuminated with thousands of lanterns. Visitors can participate in traditional activities and watch artistic performances from 5 pm to 10 pm.
Read more: Travel Tips and Things to Do at Hoi An Lantern Festival
Hoi An Lantern Festival
Hoi An Cuisine
Cao Lau
Cao lau is an iconic dish of Hoi An, featuring thick and tender noodles, shrimp, pork, vegetables, and a special sauce. Thanh, Lien, and Hoi An Ba Be restaurants are recommended for tasting this dish.
Quang noodles
Quang noodles, a traditional dish of Central Vietnam, are served with meat, shrimp, vegetables, and hard-boiled eggs. Mi Quang Ong Hai, Mi Quang Di Hat, and Mi Quang Ba Minh Hoi An are popular choices for this dish.
Chicken Rice
Hoi An’s chicken rice, with its fragrant rice and golden chicken, is a must-try culinary experience. Com ga Ba Buoi, Com ga xi Hoi An, and Com ga Ba Thuan are recommended restaurants.
Che
Visitors can try che with lotus seeds, red beans, corn, or black sesame. Che Ba Muoi, Che Co Sau, and Che me den Ong Thieu offer a variety of these desserts.
Rice noodles with grilled meat
Rice noodles with grilled meat, accompanied by fresh vegetables and sauce, are a Hoi An specialty. Bun thit nuong Co Bay, Ty Ty, and the restaurant at 01 Hoang Van Thu are popular places to enjoy this dish.
A corner of Hoi An’s old town attracts many tourists visiting Vietnam in the summer.
Why visit Hoi An
Why Visit Hoi An? With its ancient beauty, cultural diversity, and well-preserved heritage values, Hoi An is an ideal destination for international tourists. It’s not just a place to explore history and culture but also to experience culinary delights, enjoy beautiful beaches, and discover local life.
Contact us to plan a travel to Central Vietnam with Hoi An, to feel the harmony between past and present, between natural beauty and unique cultural values.
