3-Days in Hoi An: Enjoy the Best of Vietnam’s Ancient Trading City
This curated Hoi An itinerary helps to break down what to see, do and eat in the city in three short days.
You’ve got three days in Hoi An.
Not a lot of time, but it’s enough if you do it right. To enjoy the town’s undoubted charm, devour some of its best dishes, sip a coconut coffee or three, and take a cooking tour that’s the stuff of dreams, you’ll need this curated Hoi An itinerary.
Despite what you’ll read online, we believe Hoi An isn’t a place for ticking boxes on a map or rushing from one attraction to the next (the town is already busy enough), so we’ve designed our itinerary to delve a little deeper, to maximise sightseeing while optimising free time, helping you truly immerse yourself in the beauty of this storied town.
You’ll wander ancient streets, stroll through history, head inland to see ancient Cham ruins, cook food with the locals, and hit the coast for a little peace and quiet. There’ll be time for shopping, markets, cocktails, and more coffee.
And in the end, you’ll walk away happy to have visited, but dreaming of your next stay.
Including personal travel tips, this Hoi An 3-day itinerary is perfect for those wanting to see the best of the town, but in a limited timeframe.
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HOI AN ITINERARY OVERVIEW
HOW MANY DAYS? | A minumum of three days
TOP THINGS TO SEE | Explore the Old Town, Fujian Assembly Hall, Hoi An Markets, My Son Sanctuary, An Nang Beach
WHERE TO STAY | La Siesta Hoi An, Mulberry Silk Village, or Mad Monkey Hostel
BEST TOURS | A walking tour of Hoi An, My Son Sanctuary Tour, Hoi An Cooking Class
BEST TIME TO VISIT | March - July
HOW TO GET AROUND | Bicycle, Grab (car or scooter), Walk
IS HOI AN WORTH VISITING?
Hoi An is, of course, incredibly beautiful, its streets charming and brimming with history, but make no mistake: it is a major tourist destination, and with that comes the large crowds, increased prices, and the disappearing authenticity you’ll find in just about every other global major attraction geared towards said tourists.
The crowds can be overwhelming (especially along the river at night), the streets are stacked with fake clothing stores, trinket shops, and tailors, western brunch spots are popping up everywhere with Western pricing, and it’s very clear that in the 10+ years since one half of team TCW has been visiting, the town has focused its efforts on catering to foreign tourists in every possible way.
Is this a bad thing? Well, that probably comes down to what you enjoy experiencing on your travels, but if you’re coming here expecting laidback streets and the vibe of an ‘undiscovered gem’ (as we’ve often seen it referred to!), you may be left feeling disappointed.
In our opinion though - yes, it is a bad thing, and no, we didn’t love our time here. But it is beautiful, and the history alone makes it an essential stop on any Vietnam itinerary.
SO, HOW LONG SHOULD YOU SPEND IN HOI AN?
We spent a week in Hoi An, keen to truly immerse ourselves in the town after Mark’s wonderful first visit in 2011.
Since then, much has changed, and as we’ve listed above, Hoi An is no longer sleepy and suffers from the perils of over-tourism.
So while the slow, mindful week we spent here allowed us to explore the town at a relaxed pace, venture beyond the conventional attractions, and just enjoy ourselves, we think it would be unnecessary for the common traveller.
With this in mind, we’d suggest a three-day stay to experience it fully, before moving on to another part of Vietnam.
HOI AN 3-DAY ITINERARY
DAY #1 | EXPLORE HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN
For many, Hoi An will be the highlight of their trip to Vietnam, and it’s not hard to understand why.
Wandering through Hoi An’s old town for the first time is an undeniably charming experience. Its labyrinthine streets are flanked by mustard-yellow merchant houses and brightly coloured temples, and everywhere you look, there are examples of the foreign worlds that left their indelible marks on the town’s architecture, culture, and food.
We feel the best way to get your bearings and understand the depth and complexity of Hoi An’s history is to start with a guided walking tour, which covers the major tourist attractions within the Ancient Town, as well as some hidden gems you’d otherwise miss.
Your guide will explain the complex multicultural history of Hoi An, from the iconic Japanese Bridge and the town’s historical connections with Japan to the ancient homes and assembly halls of the early Chinese settlers and the history of the families that built them.
The main attractions you’ll see as part of your tour include the stunning Fujian Assembly Hall (map), the colourful, beautiful, and peaceful Hainan Assembly Hall, the well-preserved trader’s house of Tan Ky, and the 19th-century shophouse, Duc An House.
You’ll visit local markets, be recommended hidden gems, and end the tour at the home of the Ngô family, masters of Hoi An’s Xí mà (black sesame soup).
All in all, it’s the perfect way to spend half a day.
Post-tour, you’ll no doubt be hungry (we were!), so for lunch, we suggest Madame Khanh (map), Hoi An’s Banh Mi queen. Serving up potentially the best banh mi in Vietnam, this is the place to sample the world’s most popular sandwich.
The afternoon is open for you to enjoy more of the Ancient Town at your own pace.
Hoi An central market is a great place to explore and shop. It’s a thriving hub selling everything from fresh produce to handcrafted souvenirs, with the western side filled with souvenirs, lanterns, ceramics and knick-knacks. It’s a little too tourist-friendly at times, but there are some bargains to be had, and it’s a great place to soak up the typical atmosphere of a Vietnamese market.
The city is famous for its tailoring, especially linen, so if you’re keen on some new threads, we suggest visiting the best tailor in town, Mien (map). They produce and customise any type of linen product you’re after, but specialise in linen dresses, pants and jumpsuits.
Alternatively, meander through the ancient town without a plan; re-visit some of your favourite attractions from your tour this morning, sip tea at the most beautiful social enterprise, Reaching Out Tea House (map), head back into the Hoi An markets, or simply sit at a riverside restaurant and watch the world go by.
In the evening, venture into town to see the streets lit up with colourful lanterns, taking in the colour and chaos of the riverside.
For dinner, visit Hy Restaurant (map), tucked behind the Japanese Bridge on a nondescript canal. It’s a great place to try the local dish, Cao lầu, although the Com Ga, and crispy spring rolls, are also excellent. The ambience is lovely too - fairy lights and tables on the water, without the crowds - the perfect night!
THE DETAILS
BOOK | This highly-rated Hoi An walking tour
STAY | La Siesta Hoi An, Mulberry Silk Village, or Mad Monkey Hostel
DAY #2 | MY SON SANCTUARY & EXPLORE HOI AN/BEACH
It’s an early start to visit Vietnam’s most beautiful ancient ruins, My Son Sanctuary. But trust us, it’s worth it.
It’s about an hour’s drive to get to My Son Sanctuary, and we suggest taking this tour to arrive first before the crowds well and truly arrive.
Against the backdrop of emerald green mountains and blue skies, the burnt orange ruins of Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary make for an emphatic feature of the landscape.
The area was the spiritual and political capital of the ancient Cham Kingdom between the 4th and 15th centuries. Once home to over 70 Hindu temples, the American war was not kind to the Sanctuary. Over just a few days in 1969, the ruins were almost entirely razed by US carpet bombing raids that reduced all but 20 or so of the temples to rubble.
Thankfully, a combined international effort led to the site being UNESCO World Heritage protected since 1999, and recent restoration efforts have rebuilt some of the main highlights in painstaking detail.
Your guide will take you through each temple complex, which is grouped from A to H, and will explain the history, both ancient and modern, in detail. Group A is the most impressive of the sites, with B & H also well restored.
Now, if guided tours aren’t your thing, you can visit Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary by yourself - you’ll just need to organise transport there and back - and read our detailed guide here.
Upon returning to Hoi An, we suggest making your way to Roving Chillhouse, an excellent, bohemian-style cafe located in the rice fields, for some lunch, smoothies, and much-needed chill time.
The afternoon should be spent by the beach, enjoying a little rest after a busy few days.
We suggest An Bang (map); a long stretch of soft, white sand gently kissed by the clear waters of the East Sea. Flanked by palm trees, dotted with sun beds, and frequented by backpackers, it feels quintessentially South East Asia.
Our favourite place was Sound of Silence, a laidback hostel/cafe serving excellent coffee and decent food, with epic views and lovely sun beds. Alternatively, the Deck House An Bang has a Bali beach club vibe and excellent beach access.
We’re not sure you’ll want to do too much tonight - so grab an early dinner. The Hill Station (map) is a great option, serving Asian and European fusion alongside craft beers in an exquisite former French colonial building.
THE DETAILS
BOOK | This morning trip from Hoi An to My Son Sanctuary or the public shuttle bus from Hoi An
STAY | La Siesta Hoi An, Mulberry Silk Village, or Mad Monkey Hostel
DAY #3 | HOI AN COOKING TOUR, & MORE OF HOI AN
Start your final day in Hoi An learning all about how to cook this incredible cuisine, and experience one of the best tours we took in Vietnam.
The tour begins at the local fresh produce and wet market, which provides an insight into the quality of local produce that you’ll be using to cook later. The environment feels a million miles away from the bustling tourist-trap markets found in central Hoi An.
Then, it’s a stop at a nearby rice paddy to learn how rice is cultivated (although this may differ between tours), before being whisked to a traditional kitchen to learn how to make Vietnamese staples - spring rolls, Bánh cuốn (Vietnamese steamed rice rolls), Bánh Xèo (Hoian rice pancakes), Phở (pho noodles with beef), and Chè (sweet bean soup) - all the good stuff.
Finally, it’s time to sit down and feast upon the fruits of your labour.
There is a heap of food tours offered in Hoi An, so it can be hard to discern which is best - we opted for this 4-hour class, which included a market tour, basket boat ride, and cooking class. Vegetarians, vegans, omnivores, pescatarians, and everyone in between are catered for — and it’s not a stretch to say that this cooking class was one of our favourite things to do in Hoi An!
We highly doubt you’ll need to eat until dinner, so spend the afternoon savouring your last day in Hoi An. We’ve given you a number of options based on the vibe you’re feeling at this point of your time in Hoi An.
If you’d like to spend more time in the ancient town, we suggest slowly strolling the streets, re-visiting temples and merchant houses you visited on your tour, and stopping by MOT Hoi An (map) to sample their refreshing, herbal-based drink (it’s delish!). Head up to Faifo Coffee’s famed rooftop to enjoy delicious coconut coffee while overlooking the best view in town, before getting back down to the streets and doing some last-minute shopping at Sunday in Hoi An, or Artbook Souvenirs.
Or, join one more tour and learn the art of lantern making. The Lantern Lady's lantern-making class is one of the best things to do in Hoi An and offers a unique, hands-on experience of the ancient art of lantern-making. Guided by skilled hands, this class is an opportunity to create a beautiful souvenir and learn a new skill while. Class prices are reasonable and the class runs daily - book here.
For dinner, visit our favourite restaurant in Hoi An, Minh Hien restaurant. Serving all your Vietnamese favourites, but vegetarian, Minh Hien’s white rose dumplings are exceptional, while their Cao lầu offering was the best we tried during our time in Hoi An. Don’t sleep on the stuffed tofu wrapped in banana leaf - what a delight.
And that’s a magical three days in Hoi An done.
THE DETAILS
BOOK | This excellent 4-hour class, and Lantern Lady's lantern-making class
STAY | La Siesta Hoi An, Mulberry Silk Village, or Mad Monkey Hostel
OPTIONAL DAY TRIPS FROM HOI AN
DAY TRIP TO HUE
The unfortunate reality of spending only two weeks in a country like Vietnam is that, invariably, bucket-list places will be missed. But you can’t visit central Vietnam and not visit the famed imperial city of Hue, so it’s another early start… sorry about that!
Between 1802 and 1945, Hue served as the political, cultural, and religious centre of Vietnam under the Nguyen dynasty, and as a result, has a vast array of incredible historic and cultural sites, including the Imperial City.
There’s a lot to see and do and is worth exploring with a guided tour.
This Hue Heritage tour dives head first into the historic city and its vast Citadel, which encompasses grand palaces, ornate temples, and beautifully landscaped gardens of the former home of the Nguyen Dynasty.
The tour also further explores Hue, including a cruise on the famed Perfume River, stops at Thien Mu Pagoda and Khai Dinh Royal Tomb, as well as a lunch stop for Bún bò Huế, a local dish that enamoured Anthony Bourdain. The tour also includes a drive over the historic Hai Van Pass.
We feel like this is the best way to see Hue without staying a night or two, however it will be a long day.
Alternatively, it is possible to incorporate a visit to My Son Sanctuary and the Marble Mountains into one long day tour, in which case, we’d shift this tour to day seven, and spend today relaxing in Hoi An.
THE DETAILS
BOOK | This full-day Hue Heritage tour, or this full-day Hue tour, which takes you over the famous Hai Van pass
PLAN YOUR STAY IN HOI AN
WHERE TO STAY IN HOI AN
Hoi An, and Vietnam in general, is extremely affordable, and as a result, your budget will extend much further than, say, any European, American or Australian destinations. As a result, we suggest splashing out and staying in a 4 - 5* hotel, with a pool (or multiple), and making the most of your time here. Trust us, this will elevate your stay.
Popular areas to stay in include the authentic, quiet residential areas of Cam Chau and Tân An, as well as the relaxed beachfront of An Nang.
Thus, the hotels and hostels we’ve recommended below are outside the historic quarter in one of these areas.
LA SIESTA HOI AN | A boutique hotel that delivers big on luxury and hospitality, La Siesta Hoi An is one of the best hotels in town and comes highly recommended by friends who stayed there. It features spacious, elegantly designed rooms, multiple dining options, and two stunning pools, and is a short walk from the historic old quarter.
MULBERRY SILK VILLAGE | Where we stayed - Mulberry Silk Village is affordable, well-appointed, and served all our needs. Features huge rooms with a balcony, two swimming pools, spa facilities, and an on-site restaurant serving local and international cuisine, with a large breakfast buffet.
HOI AN CHIC GREEN RETREAT | Set amidst the green rice fields just outside of the old town lies the stunning Hoi An Chic Green Retreat. This modern, eco-friendly hotel features thoughtfully furnished rooms and an outdoor pool that blends seamlessly with the surrounding rice fields. Also includes organic dining options in-house.
MAD MONKEY HOSTEL HOI AN | Mad Monkey Hostel Hoi An is the home of hostel life in Hoi An, perfectly positioned near the ancient town. This backpacker hostel offers both dorm and private rooms and a party vibe perfect for solo travellers.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT HOI AN?
The best time to visit Hoi An is during the dry season, spanning from February to April when the weather is most comfortable for exploring.
During these months, the skies are clear, and the temperature is moderate, making it ideal for wandering through the ancient town, biking in the countryside, or lounging on the nearby beaches.
This period also avoids the peak of the hot season, which can see temperatures soaring from May to July, and the rainy season from October to November, when the town can experience significant flooding.
While February to April offers the best overall weather conditions, it's worth noting that this can also coincide with a slight increase in tourists.
HOW TO GET AROUND HOI AN
For the most part, the old town of Hoi An is pedestrian & bike-friendly, with the streets of the old town closed to motorbike traffic between the hours of 9 am - 11 am, and 3 pm - 9 pm (motorbikes are allowed in between 11 am and 3 pm).
When the motorbikes are not weaving their way through the old town, walking is a wholly comfortable experience (save for the maniac cyclo riders), so plan your adventures during these times to avoid unnecessary stress and anxiety - especially for parents with prams.
Most hotels offer complimentary push bikes, or they can be rented from within the old town. These are a super fun way to explore the town and beyond (the rice paddies).
For those looking to get beyond the old town, Grab is a lifesaver, offering motorbike and car services for longer distances (ie. the beach). It’s affordable, safe and easy.
Beyond Hoi An, if you’re looking to explore My Son, Marble Mountains, or even Hue, we suggest booking a private driver for the day. They’re safe, cost-effective, and comfortable - just ask your hotel for a suggested driver or one of your Grab drivers.
TRAVEL INSURANCE | STAY SAFE IN VIETNAM
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CAR INSURANCE | Insurance4CarHire - a great annual car insurance policy
EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF VIETNAM
VIETNAM | The perfect two-week Vietnam itinerary for first-timers
HOI AN | The best things to do in Hoi An, 15+ Essential Hoi An Travel Tips, How to visit My Son Sanctuary, How to get from Danang Airport to Hoi An, A guide to the Hoi An Old Town Ticket, The best day trips from Hoi An
HO CHI MINH CITY | The best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, 15+ Essential Saigon Travel Tips, the perfect 3-day Saigon Itinerary, How to visit Tan Dinh Church (Saigon’s Pink Church), Where to eat and drink in Ho Chi Minh City, How to get from Saigon Airport to the city centre
HANOI | The best things to do in Hanoi, The perfect 3-day Hanoi Itinerary, A curated guide to Hanoi Old Quarter, How to visit the Temple of Literature
MEKONG DELTA | The best things to do in the Mekong Delta
PHOTOGRAPHY | Love our photography? Read our detailed photography gear guide, as well as our top travel photography tips!
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL | Learn our top responsible travel tips to help you, your family and your friends travel more consciously around the globe
ECO-FRIENDLY PACKING ESSENTIALS | Don’t leave home without our favourite eco-friendly travel essentials
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