Browse Hoi An

The adventure

By day, Hoi An is a town of ochre-yellow merchant houses, bougainvillea spilling over wooden shutters and bicycles weaving through narrow lanes. Centuries of trade with Chinese, Japanese and European ships have left their mark in the assembly halls, temples and the little covered bridge built by the Japanese community around 400 years ago.

At dusk it changes completely. Thousands of silk lanterns light up in red, yellow and green, boatmen paddle along the Thu Bồn river and visitors float paper lantern candles on the water for luck. In between, you cycle out through rice paddies to the beach, try cao lầu noodles at a street stall and pick up the suit, dress or shoes that a tailor made for you in a day.

Why it’s epic

The Japanese Covered Bridge, built around the 1590s and an emblem of the town.
Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.
Cao lầu, a local noodle dish traditionally made only in Hoi An.
The monthly full-moon lantern festival, when lights are dimmed and the river fills with candles.

What it is

Hoi An's old town is a well-preserved trading port with lantern-lit streets and the Japanese Covered Bridge.

How to do it

Fly to Da Nang and transfer 45 minutes south. Explore on foot or by bicycle.

Top tip

Have clothes made by Hoi An's tailors early in your stay, so there's time for fittings.

Need to know

The old town needs a ticket that covers entry to several historic buildings.
October and November bring heavy rain and occasional floods, when the river can spill into the old town.
Da Nang airport is about 45 minutes away, and the My Son temple ruins make a good half-day trip.

Plan this trip

Rough cost: £750 to £2,000 per person, including flights from the UK
Time needed: 2 to 3 days
Best time to go: February to April
Fly into: DAD airport

Hoi An itself is very affordable, so flights to Vietnam and any tailoring are the main costs.

Make it happen

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Why it’s on my list

Not done yet. If you’ve done it and have tips, tell me about it.