Hoi An City Guide — Attractions, Food & Tips

Hoi An City GuideA beautifully preserved ancient trading port where lantern-lit streets reflect in the Thu Bon River, world-class tailors craft custom clothing overnight, and centuries of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese heritage merge into one magical town.Key Facts

Country: Vietnam

Currency: VND (Vietnamese Dong)

Language: Vietnamese

Time Zone: UTC+7

Best Time to Visit: February–May

Top Places to Visit

Japanese Covered Bridge — The symbol of Hoi An, this charming covered bridge was built by the Japanese trading community in the 1590s. It features a small temple inside and pagoda-style architecture spanning a canal.

Lantern-Lit Old Town — Every evening, the old town glows with hundreds of colourful silk lanterns reflecting in the Thu Bon River. On the 14th of each lunar month, the Full Moon Festival replaces electric lights with candles.

An Bang Beach — A beautiful, laid-back beach 4 km from the old town with golden sand, gentle waves, and beachside restaurants serving fresh seafood. Less crowded than Cua Dai and perfect for a lazy day.

Hoi An Tailors — Hoi An is famous for its hundreds of tailoring shops that can create custom suits, dresses, shoes, and leather goods overnight. Quality varies — ask for recommendations and examine samples first.

Tan Ky Old House — A remarkably preserved 18th-century merchant house blending Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese architectural styles. Seven generations of the same family have lived here.

Local Food

Cao Lau — Hoi An's most famous dish, found nowhere else — thick rice noodles in a small amount of rich broth with pork, greens, and crispy croutons. Traditionally made only with water from the Ba Le well.

Banh Mi — Vietnam's legendary baguette sandwich was arguably perfected in Hoi An. Banh Mi Phuong is world-famous — crispy bread filled with pate, cold cuts, pickled vegetables, chili, and fresh herbs.

Mi Quang — Hoi An's other essential noodle dish — wide turmeric-yellow rice noodles in a small amount of rich, turmeric-infused broth with shrimp, pork, herbs, peanuts, and rice crackers.

White Rose (Banh Bao Vac) — Delicate steamed rice-paper dumplings shaped like white roses, filled with minced shrimp. A Hoi An exclusive, made by only one family in the town for generations.

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