Hoi An Travel Guide

I. What and where is Hoi An?

II. What is the best time to travel Hoi An?

III. How to reach Hoi An?

IV. How to get around Hoi An?

V. What to see in Hoi An?

VI. Where to stay in Hoi An?

VII. What and where to eat in Hoi An?

VIII. What and where to buy in Hoi An?

I. What and where is Hoi An?

Once a major Southeast Asian trading post in the 16th and 17th centuries, Hoi An (Hoi An Ancient Town) in Hoi An City is considered as a living museum that houses old-town architecture. In addition, the town stands out from other travel destinations thanks to the beautiful scenery of old houses on the streets, the quiet Hoai River, rich cuisine, and unique culture. Listed as a UNESCO cultural site, Hoi An Ancient Town has become one of the most visited destinations in Vietnam. With this ultimate Hoi An Ancient Town, I have tried my best to give you all of the information you need to plan your trip to the town.

Hoi An town is located in Vietnam’s central Quang Nam Province, on the north bank near the mouth of Thu Bon River. It is about 942 km north of Ho Chi Minh City, 500 km north of Nha Trang City, 29 km south of Danang City, 120 km south of Hue City, 795 km south of Hanoi.

Covering an area of about 60 km2, Hoi An consists of 9 wards (Cam An, Cam Chau, Cam Nam, Cam Pho, Cua Dai, Minh An, Son Phong, Tan An, Thanh Ha), 3 mainland communes (Cam Thanh, Cam Kim, Cam Ha), and 1 island commune (Tan Hiep Island). The ancient town with most of the main tourist attractions, many restaurants, cafes, shops, Song Hoai Square are located in Minh An Ward. The pedestrian zone is set on the northern bank of Thu Bon River in Minh An Ward.

II. What is the best time to travel Hoi An?

In Hoi An, there are 2 distinct seasons: dry season and rainy season (moonsoon season). The average temperature is 29°C, rainfall varies quite dramatically.

1. Dry season (February to August)

The city sees lots of sunshine, lower humidity, and the least rainfall. From February to April or May, the weather is very comfortable, it is not very hot and there is no rain so that this is the best time to visit Hoi An. From May to August, the temperatures are at their hottest, reaching as high as 38°C. It is the best time to spend your day at Cua Dai and An Bang beaches. Especially, you can have a chance to see the most spectacular full moons over the ocean and enjoy plentiful seafood if you are in Hoi An in July and August. A day-long festival in June features dragon boat racing during the day and twinkle colorful lantern parades at night.

2. Rainy season (September to January)

The humidity is high, it usually rains during this time. Sometimes the rain is heavy, rarely the city is flooded. However, if the rain is light, you can use an umbrella or a raincoat to go around the ancient town. November to January are the coldest months, the temperatures range from 19 to 24°C.

Hoi An celebrates Full Moons on the 14th day of each month in the lunar calendar rather delightfully, with dancing, singing, games, the streets full of lanterns. If you can arrange to visit Hoi An on that day, it will be an unforgettable memory that you have along with your life.

III. How to reach Hoi An?

Hoi An City has no train station or airport so that tourists must take a taxi/bus/private car to Hoi An from Danang:

From your hotel in the center city of Danang;

Danang International Airport on Duy Tan Street, Hoa Thuan Tay Ward, Hai Chau District, Danang City;

Danang Railway Station at 791 Hai Phong Street, Tam Thuan Ward, Thanh Khe District, Danang City;

Danang Central Bus Station 201 Ton Duc Thang Street, Hoa Minh Ward, Lien Chieu District, Danang City.

1. How to reach Hoi An from Danang

1.1. By taxi

The price of taxi (4-seat) from Danang to Hoi An is around 250,000 – 350,000 VND. Good taxis include Mai Linh (+842363565656), Taxi Tien Sa (+842363797979), Vinasun (+842363686868), Airport Taxi (+842363272727), Datranco (or Dana Taxi) (+842363815815). The price is around 15,000 VND/km.

1.2. By bus

This is the cheapest mean of transportation, it costs 16,000 VND, it takes 70 minutes to reach Hoi An from Danang. The interval is 20 minutes. The bus starts working at 5:30 and stops working at 17:50. The bus starts at Danang Central Bus Station to Hoi An Station, 96 Hung Vuong Street, Cam Pho Ward, Hoi An City.

Danang Central Bus Station is 5 km west of Danang Railway Station, the transfer by taxi costs about 85,000 VND, the transfer by motorbike taxi is about 50,000 VND.

Danang International Airport is about 3 km from Danang Central Bus Station, you can take a taxi to go to the bus station from the airport. The price is around 50,000 VND.

1.3. By private car

The price of a private car (4-seat) from Danang to Hoi An is from 300,000. You can book at:

https://hueprivatecars.com/tour/da-nang-hoi-an-private-car/

https://danangprivatecar.com/

1.4. Motorbike

Many adventurous tourists choose to go to Hoi An from Danang by motorbike. The price is around 100,000 VND – 200,000 VND/24 hours, depending on the types of motorbikes. Motorbike Station at 196/41 Tran Cao Van Street, Thanh Khe District, Danang City. The link on TripAdvisor is HERE.

2. How to reach Danang from other places in Vietnam

2.1. By air

It takes around 1 hour 10 minutes to fly from Tan Son Nhat Airport, Ho Chi Minh City to Danang International Airport, Danang City. The flight costs from 400,000 VND.

It takes around 1 hour to fly from Cam Ranh International Airport, Nha Trang City to Danang International Airport. The flight costs from 500,000 VND.

It takes around 1 hour 10 minutes to fly from Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi to Danang International Airport. The flight costs from 1,400,000 VND.

Vietnam Airline, Vietjet Air, Jetstar are popular airlines in Vietnam. You can book your flight at https://www.vietnamairlines.com/vn/en/plan-book/book-flight-now

2.2. By train

It takes around 17 hours to go from Saigon Railway Station, Ho Chi Minh City to Danang Railway Station, Danang City. The price is 440,000 – 1,100,000 VND.

It takes around 2 hours 10 minutes to go from Nha Trang Railway Station, Nha Trang City to Danang Railway Station. The price is 130,000 – 780,000 VND.

It takes 17 – 18 hours to go from Hanoi Railway Station, Hanoi to Danang Railway Station. The price is 370,000 – 1,250,000 VND.

2.3. By bus

It takes 18 – 21 hours to go from Mien Dong Bus Station, Ho Chi Minh City to Danang City. The price is from 400,000 VND VND. Good buses include Phuong Trang, Mai Linh Express, Cuc Tung.

It takes 10 – 11 hours to go from Ben Xe Phia Bac or Ben Xe Phia Nam Bus Station, Nha Trang City to Danang City. The price is 220,000 – 330,000 VND VND. Good buses include Phuong Trang, Hoang Long.

It takes 11.5 – 15.5 hours to go from My Dinh Bus Station, Hanoi to Danang City. The price is 310,000 – 400,000 VND VND. Good buses include Hoang Long, Tan Kim Chi.

3. How to reach Hoi An from Hue?

Some tourists choose to go to Hoi An from Hue by taxi, private car, or bus. This is not a bad choice in case you do not want to stop at Danang. The distance between Hue and Hoi An is about 120 km.

3.1. By taxi or private car

Dong Ba, Mai Linh, Phu Xuan, Thanh Cong are good taxis in Hue. The price of taxi or private car (4-seat) from Hue to Hoi An is around 1,200,000 VND. It takes 2 hours 50 minutes to reach Hoi An.

3.2. By bus

It takes about 4 hours to go from Hue to Hoi An. The price is 100,000 – 290,000 VND. The SinhTourist (Sinh Café), Huetourist are good buses.

IV. How to get around Hoi An?

1. By bicycle

Hoi An is a small town and motorized vehicles are not allowed in the pedestrian zone where there are most of the must things to see and do. So that bicycle is the best choice to get around Hoi An. Many tourists ride bicycles to visit Thanh Ha village and Tra Que village. On the way, they can enjoy the beautiful sight and see more about local life. The bicycles are unisex bicycles and come with a lock so you can secure them when you have to leave them for a while. Many accommodations provide free bicycles for their guests. If not, you can rent one at the price of around 50,000 VND/day easily.

2. By cyclo

Although you can go everywhere around Hoi An by cyclo, this mean of transportation is more popular in the area of the ancient town. Many cyclos offer you a ride when you are around the ancient town. There are abundant cyclos on Phan Chu Trinh and Tran Phu Streets. To avoid scams, deal with them everything before hopping on the cyclo. The price is around 150,000 VND/hour/person.

3. By motorbike

Motorbike rental costs 120,000 – 150,000 VND/day, excluding fuel.

4. By taxi

Good taxis in Hoi An include Mai Linh (+842353929292), Taxi Hoi An (+842353919919), Faifo (+842353919191).

V. What to see in Hoi An?

1. Hoi An Ancient Town’s pedestrian zone:

Location:

In the pedestrian zone of Hoi An Ancient Town is situated in Minh An Ward, Hoi An City and covers an area of around 2 km2, consists of short and narrow streets crossing as in chessboard. Motorized vehicles are allowed in between 11:00 and 15:00. Some of the main streets in the ancient town are Tran Phu Street where many important constructions and are set, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Nguyen Thai Hoc Street.

Entrance fee:

It is free if you only walk around the ancient town, relax, see the houses from outside. In Hoi An, especially in the pedestrian-only zone, they hang thousands of colorful Hoi An lanterns everywhere. The town turns splendid and colorful when the sun goes down. Traditional games, art performances, night market make the ancient town crowded and bustling, remind of life on one of the busiest ports in Southeast Asia a few centuries ago.

If you would like to visit tourist attractions including old houses, assembly halls, communal houses, you must buy a ticket. The price of the ticket including entrance fees at 3 tourist attractions is 80,000 VND for Vietnamese tourists, 120,000 VND for foreign tourists. You can buy more tickets if you would like to visit more places. You must visit the tourist attractions within the day you buy the ticket. The tourist attractions include:

Japanese Covered Bridge, Cam Pho Communal House, Minh Huong Communal, House of Tuy Tien Đuong, Quan Cong Temple.

Old houses: Quan Thang, Duc An, Phung Hung, Tran Family’s Chapel, Tan Ky, Nguyen Tuong Family’s Chapel.

Chinese Assembly Halls: Trieu Chau, Quang Đong, Phuc   Kien.

Museums: Hoi An, Trade Ceramics, Sa Huynh Culture, Folk Culture.

Xu Dang Trong and traditional art performance at 10:15 and 15:15 daily.

Ancient tombs of Japanese traders: Mr. Gu Sokukun, Mr. Tani Yajirobei, Mr. Banjiro.

For more information, you can buy the Hoi An Ancient Town ticket at booth tickets on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Nguyen Phuc Chu Street, at Song Hoai Square, behind Japanese Bridge, on Hai Ba Trung Street, at 78 Le Loi Street, at Heritage Reservation Center 10B Tran Hung Dao Street, at 10 Nguyen Hue Street, at Hoi An Market.

The entrance fee at Traditional Art Performance Theater 1, 66 Bach Dang Street and Traditional Art Performance Theater 2, 39 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street is 70,000 VND for Vietnamese, 100,000 VND for foreigners. The performances start at 17:00 daily.

You can also troll into Hoi An Night Markets Nguyen Hoang Night Market on Nguyen Hoang Street, Minh An Ward, and the second Hoi An Night Market on Tran Quy Cap, Bach Đang và Tieu La Streets, Minh An Ward for shopping, eating or just walking and relaxing.

2. Thanh Ha Pottery Village

It has been said that the Thanh Ha Pottery Village dates back to the beginning of the 15th century. In the past, they made pots, bowls, jars, tiles, bricks, etc. Pottery items and terracotta bricks were exported to Japan, China, Spain, etc. Today, families in the village make pottery items for selling to tourists in order to make their livings and preserve the traditional pottery village. Coming to the village, you do not only have a chance to buy sophisticated pottery souvenirs at reasonable prices but also have a chance to see how they make the items, even learn how to do and try making the items yourself.

Located in the center of Thanh Ha Pottery Village, Thanh Ha Terracotta Park covers an area of 7,000 m2 and is the first and biggest Terracotta in Vietnam. At the park, tourists can admire the beauty of thousands of artworks in different shapes and sizes. Highlights include miniatures of famous constructions in Vietnam and the world. The park also introduces products, local people, history of Thanh Ha Village.

Location: Thanh Ha Ward, Hoi An City; 3 km west of the ancient Hoi An town.

Entrance fee at Thanh Ha Pottery Village: 35,000 VND, including watching how to make pottery, trying to make pottery, a small souvenir, electric car service from the parking to the village.

Entrance fee at Thanh Ha Terracotta Park: 30,000 VND.

 

 

3. Tra Que Vegetable Village

Tra Que Vegetable Village has been famous for a long time thanks to over 20 kinds of fresh, safe, specific taste and smell of vegetables and herbs. Farmers fertilize the vegetables with algae in Co Co River. There are 220 families that grow vegetables on the total area of about 40 ha. What to do at the village? You can enjoy the fresh air, do numerous activities such as digging the ground, watering, harvesting the vegetables, interacting with farmers, learning more about growing vegetables, and enjoying yummy foods from the vegetables.

Location: Cam Ha Commune, Hoi An City; 3.5 km north the ancient Hoi An town.

Entrance fee: 10,000 VND

4. Kim Bong Carpentry Village

Kim Bong Carpentry Village has been famous since the 15th century due to talent, skillfulness, and accomplishment expressed in artworks, architecture, decorations, furniture in Hoi An. It plays an important role in the development of Hoi An Trading Port. The carpentry skills were influenced by boat building’s skills of Cham people and techniques of making households of Japanese and Chinese people. It takes 15 – 20 minutes by boat from the ancient town. This tourist attraction is included on some Hoi An tours by boat. At the over 600-year Kim Bong Carpentry Village, you can see many artworks and how they carve the wood sophisticatedly, patiently, and skillfully. You also have a chance to buy great souvenirs as great gifts at good prices.

Location: Cam Kim Commune, Hoi An City; on the southern bank of Thu Bon River, 1 km coastline south of Hoi An Ancient Town; Free entrance.

5. Cu Lao Cham (or Cham Island)

Cu Lao Cham, consisting of 8 small islands, has been recognized by UNESCO as the World Biosphere Reserve (Cu Lao Cham Marine Park). Cu Lao Cham is home to numerous species of plants and animals, especially sea animals and corals. The Island is home to nearly 3,000 residents. Mother Nature gives the Island an outstanding beauty, there you have a huge chance to enjoy perfect Ong Beach, Bim Beach, Chong Beach, Bac Beach, Xep Beach with white sand and cool vast blue water. Other highlights include Tinh Springs, Ong Springs, Chong Island, Kho Island, Ba Cave, Hai Tang Pagoda, the 200-year well. Coming to Cu Lao Cham, you can not also swim and sunbath but also do many activities such as getting a boat around islands (600,000 VND/10-seat boat), scuba-diving or snorkeling (950,000 VND/person), sea-walking (950,000 VND/person). Enjoying Vu Nang Snail, Rock Crab, Forest Vegetable could not be missed there.

Location: Tan Hiep Commune, Hoi An City; 15 km east of Cua Dai Port which is 7 – 10 km from Hoi An Ancient Town.

You can come to Cua Dai Beach, then take canoe/speed boat (300,000 – 350,000 VND/person/2 ways) or wooden boat (50,000 – 100,000 VND/person/1 way). Or you can book a Cu Lao Cham Tour including pick up/drop off at your hotel.

6. Cua Dai Beach

With fine white sand, clear blue sea water, lines of green coconut trees creating a fantastic natural scenery, Cua Dai Beach is one of the favorite places of tourists coming to Hoi An. At the beach, tourists can participate in numerous types of entertainment such as swimming, playing volleyball, getting on a fishing boat and experience catching fishes by net on the sea.

Location: Cam An Ward, Hoi An City; 5 km east of Hoi An Ancient Town.

7. 7-Hectare Palm Coconut Forest or Bay Mau Coconut Forest

Bay Mau Coconut Forest is full of nipa palm forest covering an area of 57.68 ha, creating a unique ecological area and charming landscape. In the wars against the French colonial and America, the forest was the shelter for locals and soldiers. Coming to Bay Mau Coconut Forest, you will have a chance to enjoy the fresh air, explore the wetland, learn more about the local lifestyle, traditional fishing techniques, how to paddle bamboo basket on the waterways, make nice items such as ring, headband by nipa palm leaves.

Location: Cam Thanh Commune, Hoi An City; 5 km east of Hoi An Ancient Town.

Opening hours: 6:00 – 17:30.

Entrance fee: 30,000 VND. Boat rental around the forest costs 150,000 VND.

VI. Where to stay in Hoi An?

You can find accommodations easily in Hoi An so that you have many choices in this travel city. Depending on your budget, you can choose to stay in homestays, villas, hotels, resorts. Prices are different, range from a few hundreds VND to millions VND. My recommendation is:

The closer to the ancient town area, the better because you do not have to spend so much time to reach the main tourist attractions, restaurants, shops. However, accommodations which are far from the ancient town are usually in lower prices. These accommodations include free bicycles by which you can drive to the city center easily.

If your budget is not too big, you should choose hotels instead of resorts because this is not a beach city and resorts do not have beautiful beaches like in Nha Trang, Phu Quoc. However, the resort is the best choice if you a big budget. Homestays in Hoi An are quite good, the staffs almost speak English so well.

I would like to list some of the best places to stay in Hoi An:

5-star Hotel Royal Hoi An – Mgallery by Sofitel, 39 Dao Duy Tu Street, Cam Pho Ward, Hoi An City; Price from 2,650,000 VND.

La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa, 132 Hung Vuong Street, Thanh Ha Ward, Hoi An City; Price from 2,850,000 VND.

4-star Hoi An Sincerity Hotel & Spa, 1 Le Dinh Tham Street, Cam Son Ward, Hoi An City; Price from 900,000 VND.

Vinh Hung Library Hotel, 96 Ba Trieu Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City; Price from 700,000 VND.

Tue Tam Garden Villa, 43 Nguyen Truong To Street, Son Phong Ward, Hoi An City; Price from 450,000 VND.

An Bang Seaside Village (Homestay), Block 7, An Bang Village, Cam An Ward, Hoi An City; Price from 550,000 VND.

VII. What and where to eat in Hoi An?

With thousands of street food stalls, upscale dining restaurants serving hundreds of Vietnamese and international foods including Hoi An specialty foods, Hoi An is a paradise for foodies.

1. Top 7 specialty foods in Hoi An

1.1. Hoi An Chicken rice

To make Hoi An Chicken Rice or Com Ga Hoi An, the cook must use the best rice and fry on a pan with oil, salt, and turmeric powder before steaming the rice with chicken broth and stir-frying the steamed rice with garlic to make it more smelling. The rice is topped with shredded boiled chicken, chicken organ, pickled onion, herbs and served with green papaya salad, chicken organ soup, chili paste, lemon piece, and chili.

Best places to eat Hoi An Chicken rice:

Com Ga Ba Buoi or Madam Buoi Chicken Rice, 22 Phan Chu Trinh Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City; Opening hours: 11:00 – 21:00; Price: 30,000 – 55,000 VND.

Com Ga Ba Thuan or Madam Thuan Chicken Rice, 17/4 Hai Ba Trung Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City; Opening hours: 7:00 – 21:00; Price: 25,000 – 100,000 VND.

Com Ga Xi or Xi Chicken Rice, 47/2 Tran Hung Dao Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City; Opening hours: 15:00 – 19:00; Price: 20,000 – 50,000 VND.

Com Ga Huong or Huong Chicken Rice, Kiet Sica, 56 Le Loi Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City; Opening hours: 7:00 – 22:00; Price: 35,000 – 50,000 VND.

1.2. Cao lau

Cao lau, which literally means “high floor” in Vietnamese, has existed in Hoi An since the 17th century. Cao lau is a must food you should try in the ancient town. The rice to make the noodle must be the best and soaked in a mix of water from Ba Le well and ash of a special tree in Hoi An so that the noodles are tender-chewy and tasty distinctly. The broth is enough to mix the noodles and toppings including shrimp, pork, chicken, green vegetables, and herbs.

Best places to eat Hoi An Cao lau:

Cao lau Thanh, 26 Thai Phien Street, Son Phong Ward, Hoi An City; Opening hours: 7:00 – 19:00; Price: 15,000 – 33,000 VND.

Cao Lau Ba Be or Madam Be Cao Lau, Tran Phu Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City; next to the well and the entrance of Hoi An Market; Opening hours: 14:00 – 22:00; Price: 20,000 – 44,000 VND.

Cao Lau Trung Bac, 87 Tran Phu Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City; Opening hours: 8:00 – 22:00; Price: 50,000 – 110,000 VND. Besides Cao Lau, this restaurant also serves Banh Dap.

1.3. Banh bao – Banh vac (White Roses)

The highlights of these White roses cakes are that the cook must form the rice dough into rose-like-shaped cakes with thin, smooth, and shining petals. Bao cake is stuffed with pork, wood ears, bean sprouts, green onions which are stir-fried before with secret spices. Vac cake is stuffed with shrimp, pork, and secret spices that are not cooked. After steaming, the cakes become little sticky, not too tender but not too hard, and sweet smelling.

Best places to eat Banh bao – Banh vac in Hoi An:

Hoa Hong Trang or White Rose Restaurant, 533 Hai Ba Trung Street, Cam Pho Ward, Hoi An City; Opening hours: 7:00 – 22:00; Price: 50,000 – 100,000 VND.

1.4. Beat cake or Banh dap

Banh Dap consists of a Wet Cake in the middle of 2 Grilled Girdle Cake (or Baked Rice Paper, Vietnamese rice crackers, Banh Trang). The Wet cake is wet, sticky, and tender while the Grilled girdle cake is crispy. Before eating, the diner should break (or beat which means “dap” in Vietnamese) the cake so that they call the cake Beat cake. The soul of the cake is a very special dipping sauce made from Fermented fish (Mam nem), sugar, minced pineapple, onion oil, and crushed peanuts.

1.5. Stir-fried baby clams

The baby clams are stir-fried, then topped with peanuts, smelling herbs, and crispy deep-fried shallot. To eat, put clams and toppings onto a piece of Vietnamese rice crackers or Banh dap.

Most of the restaurants serving Banh dap has Stir-fried baby clams in their menus. Banh dap and Stir-fried baby clams are a perfect couple.

Best places to eat Banh dap and Stir-fried baby clams in Hoi An:

Banh dap – Hen xao Cam Nam (or Banh dap – Stir-fried baby clams Cam Nam), 657 Hai Ba Trung Street, Cam Pho Ward, Hoi An City; Opening hours: 8:00 – 21:00; Price: 15,000 – 50,000 VND.

Co Ngay Restaurant, Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, Cam Nam Ward, Hoi An City; Opening hours: 9:00 – 21:00; Price: 7,000 – 15,000 VND.

1.6. Vietnamese bread or Banh mi Hoi An

Although tourists can find Banh mi in many regions in Vietnam, Banh Mi in Hoi An stands out from all the others thanks to the plain bread which is crispy outside, airy and soft inside, handmade fillings from the best ingredients and the freshest vegetable from Tra Que village. The fillings include greasy pork liver pate, mayonnaise, fluffy pork floss, chewy Vietnamese pork roll, smelling pork patty, crunchy pickles, cucumber, tomato, cilantro, and mints add freshness make this food less greasy. The soul of Banh mi Hoi An is the sauce, which makes all of the fillings blend together and make the food outstanding.

Best places to eat Banh Mi in Hoi An:

Banh Mi Phuong, 2B Phan Chu Trinh Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City; Opening hours: 6:00 – 21:00; Price: 30,000 VND.

Banh Mi Madam Khanh, 115 Tran Cao Van Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City; Opening hours: 6:00 – 21:00; Price: 25,000 VND.

1.7. Bloating fern-shaped cake

Bloating fern-shaped cake or Banh beo – a small cake from rice flour, usually steamed in small bowls, topped with pork, dried shrimps, deep-fried onions, crispy Cao Lau. In Hoi An, they eat Banh beo with a bamboo knife. The cakes are served with Tra Que herbs and special dipping fish sauce. Tra Que herbs, Cao Lau, and bamboo knife make Bloating Fern-shaped Cake in Hoi An style different from the others of its kind in Hue, Danang.

Best places to eat Bloating fern-shaped cake in Hoi An:

Banh Beo Ba Bay, 2 Hoang Van Thu Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City; Opening hours: 6:30 – 14:00; Price: 10,000 – 15,000 VND/1 portion.

Banh Beo Ba My, at the crossroad of Tran Phu and Phan Chu Trinh Streets, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City; Opening hours: 6:30 – 14:00; Price: 3,000 VND/1 small bowl.

Read more about What to Eat in Hoi An? – part 1, What to eat in Hoi An – part 2

2. Top 10 restaurants in Hoi An

2.1. Miss Ly Cafe

Location: 22 Nguyen Hue Street, Son Phong Ward, Hoi An City.

Opening hours: 8:30 – 22:00.

Price: 50,000 – 110,000 VND.

What to eat? – Hoi An specialty foods including Cao Lau, Banh Bao, Banh Vac, grilled pork.

2.2. Dau Bac Restaurant (Dau Bac Quan)

Location: 38 Dao Duy Tu Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City.

Opening hours: 14:00 – 22:00.

Price: 10,000 – 60,000 VND.

What to eat? – Rice noodles with Fried Tofu and Fermented Shrimp Paste (Bun Dau Mam Tom) – a Vietnam’s specialty food originated in Hanoi.

2.3. Aubergine49 Restaurant

Location: 49A Ly Thai To Street, Son Phong Ward, Hoi An City.

Opening hours: 11:00 – 22:00.

Price: 80,000 – 400,000 VND.

What to eat? – European and Asian foods, homemade desserts, exquisite wine.

2.4. Ancient Faifo Restaurant

Location: 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City.

Opening hours: 7:00 –22:00.

Price: from 50,000 VND.

What to eat? – authentic Central Vietnamese foods, Verrine-style pastries, and Italian coffee.

2.5. Orivy Hoi An Restaurant

Location: 578/1 Cua Dai Street, Son Phong Ward, Hoi An City.

Opening hours: 12:00 – 22:00.

Price: from 25,000 VND.

What to eat? – Chicken Rice, Papaya Salad with Pork and Shrimp, Quang Noodles, Sticky Rice Cake.

2.6. Mango Mango Restaurant

Location: 49 Nguyen Phuc Chu Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City

Opening hours: 8:00 – 22:00

Price: 100,000 – 220,000 VND

What to eat? – diverse a la carte menu, sparkling wine, duck breast in 5 spices, papaya salad, and tiger prawns with a spicy and fruity sauce.

3. Hoi An Markets

Hoi An Central Market, Hoi An Night Markets including Nguyen Hoang Night Market the second Hoi An Night Market on Tran Quy Cap, Bach Dang và Tieu La Streets are 2 great street food destinations in Hoi An thanks to low prices, great tastes, and safe foods. You can find most of the Hoi An specialties as well as Vietnamese street foods at these markets.

VIII. What and where to buy in Hoi An?

As mentioned above, Hoi An Night Markets are not only the places where you can walk around but also a paradise for foodies and shopaholics. In and around the area of Hoi An Ancient Town, there is a large number of shops where you can buy everything from clothing to souvenirs. Below is the list of cool things you can buy in Hoi An:

1. Lanterns

Thousands of beautiful and romantic colorful lanterns are hung on the streets, on the trees, in front of and in houses in Hoi An. Lanterns have become a must part of the ancient town. Lantern making dates back to a few hundreds of year ago and Hoi An lantern is the best lantern in Vietnam. Nothing is better than a lantern as gift. Prices range from 50,o00 to 1,100,000 VND, depending on sizes, shapes, fabrics used to cover the lantern, patterns. The lanterns can be folded so that it is comfortable for you to bring home.

Where to buy lanterns in Hoi An?

Hoi An Central Market, Hoi An Night Markets, Ancient Town, and many shops in Hoi An.

Ha Linh Lantern Manufacturing Unit, 72 Tran Nhan Tong Street, Cam Chau Ward, Hoi An City; Opening hours: 8:30 – 16:00; More info: at this place, you can see and learn how to make lanterns.

2. Thanh Ha pottery items

As mentioned above, you can buy nice souvenirs at Thanh Ha Pottery Village. Prices are from several tens of VND.

3. Kim Bong Carpentry Products.

As mentioned above, you can buy nice souvenirs at Kim Bong Carpentry Village. Prices are from several tens of VND.

4. Phuoc Kieu bronze statue

Because the Phuoc Kieu Bronze Casting Village is located in Dien Phuong Commune, Dien Ban District, Quang Nam Province, far from the Hoi An City so that you could not go there to buy the products. Nice Phuoc Kieu Bronze Statues are sold popularly at many markets and shops in Hoi An center. Prices are from a few hundred VND.

5. To he

To He is a traditional edible toy for Vietnamese children, it is made from glutinous rice powder, rice powder, magenta plant extract, turmeric root extract, etc. Colorful To He in many shapes such as animals, flowers, characters in folk stories have attracted many generations of Vietnamese people and now foreigners. You can ask them to wrap the item in a box so that you can gift your family or friend. The minus of this toy is that it lasts 3-30 days, depending on the skill of the artists.

Where to buy To he in Hoi An?

Hoi An Central Market, Hoi An Night Markets.

68 Le Loi Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City.

6. 3D popup cards

3D Pop Up Cards are made with cards with inspirations of origami and kirigami art. When you open the cards, you can see famous architectures in Vietnam as well as Hoi An, beautiful landscapes, flowers (lotus – the national flower of Vietnam), Vietnamese girl in Ao Dai, cyclo. The light, cheap, and beautiful card is one of the most favorite souvenirs in Hoi An as well as Vietnam. Prices are from several tens of VND.

Where to buy 3D popup cards in Hoi An?

Hoi An Central Market, Hoi An Night Markets.

41 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City.

68 Le Loi Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City.

7. Photography and paintings

Prices are from a few hundred VND.

Where to buy Photography and paintings in Hoi An? Below is the list of best art galleries and Photography and Paintings shops:

Couleurs d’Asie Gallery, 7 Nguyen Hue Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City; Opening hours: 8:00 – 20:00.

Hung Long Art Gallery, 105 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City; Opening hours: 8:00 – 20:00.

8. Fabrics and tailor-made clothing

Prices are different, I would like to give you the average prices as below:

Ao Dai: 800,000 – 1,150,000 VND; Wedding dress: from 4,180,000 VND; Cutlottes/pants: 460,000 – 690,000 VND; Pencil skirt: 690,000 – 920,000 VND; Suits: 1,100,000 – 6,900,000 VND; Shirts: 310,000 – 460,000 VND; Trousers: 450,000 – 690,000 VND;

Best places for Fabrics and tailor-made clothing:

Bebe Tailor 1, 11 Hoang Dieu Street, Son Phong Ward, Hoi An City; Opening hours: 8:00 – 19:30; Website: https://bebetailor.com/ 

Kimmy Tailor, 70 Tran Hung Dao, Son Phong Ward, Hoi An City; Opening hours: 8:00 – 20:00; Website: https://kimmytailor.com/.

9. Customized shoes:

Prices are from 1,380,000 VND.

You can get your customized shoes at:

Linh Shoes Shop, 16 Tran Phu Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City; Opening hours: 8:00 – 20:00; Website: https://linhshoeshop.wordpress.com/

10. Ready-to-wear clothing

Banana shirt, watermelon shirt made of cotton fabric, Alibaba trousers are cheap and famous in Hoi An. You can see many people were them and you can easily find them at many fashion shops in the ancient town and neighboring areas.

11. Jewelry

Lotus Jewelry, 82 Tran Phu Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City; Opening hours: 8:00 – 21:00; Website: https://www.lotusjewellery-hoian.com/our_shop_in_hoi_an.html.

Duong Jewelry and Objects, 130 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City; Opening hours: 8:00 – 21:00; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/duongjewelry/

Tips: Do not forget to bargain if you buy items without fixed prices.