Is Hoi An in on your bucket list of places to visit in Vietnam? Are you wondering how many days in Hoi An would be ideal to fully experience the city? Well, you’re at the right place! Whether you’re captivated by Hoi An’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ancient Town or its vibrant lantern-lit landscapes, Hoi An offers a lot of attractions that will take your breath away. In this article, we will share a lot of useful information about traveling to this gorgeous town and help you determine how many days to spend in Hoi An.
Location & Overview
Hoi An is situated along Vietnam’s central coast and is part of the Quang Nam Province. The quaint town became a prominent trading port in the 15th century and quickly afterward became a nexus for cultural interactions between the East and the West and nothing shows this better than its old town. Its intact and preserved old town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and showcases an unusual blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and European influences.
Planning Your Trip & Best Time To Visit
Hoi An is has a tropical climate, meaning it’s warm for pretty much the whole year. There are two main seasons: dry and wet. The best time to visit Hoi An is during the dry season (February-July). The rainy season isn’t so bad either, and it doesn’t rain all the time, but it’s easy to see how the rain can cause inconveniences for exploring all the places you want to see.
The months of April and May are particularly enchanting; the temperatures are not too hot and not too cold.
Practical Tips For Visiting Hoi An
Now, before help you decide how many days in Hoi An you’d like to spend (1-7), let’s cover some helpful tips about accommodation, interesting tours, and tips on how to get around the city.
Accommodation Options In Hoi An
Hoi An offers a variety of accommodations to suit every type of traveler and in this section, we’ll cover some of our favorite choices.
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai is a a noi brainer for luxury travelers (like everywhere else in the world). You can choose from one of the many beachfront villas and get the chance to relax in one of the best spa centers in the region.
Tribee Kinh Hostel & Bar is a great choice for budget travelers. It offers dormitories and private rooms and whatever you choose you’ll always get a budget-friendly option and great value for money. The hostel also organizes daily free activities for guests that will allow you to experience the best of Hoi An’s local culture.
Little Hoi An Boutique Hotel & Spa is a great accommodation option for families; it has spacious rooms, a kids’ pool, and is located in the city center, close to most tourist attractions (a walking distance).
If you’re traveling with your most significant other, Anantara Hoi An Resort is one of the best options in town for couples. It has relaxing gardens, views of the riverside, and the beautiful colonial architecture, and it’s a perfect place to observe the lighting of the lanterns at night with a glass of wine on the balcony.
If you’re traveling solo, you’ll just love Under The Coconut Tree. It’s a welcoming hostel where you can meet other solo travelers. It’s located away from the city’s hustle and bustle in a peaceful neighborhood but also not too far from the town’s main attractions.
Lastly, if you’re one of Hoi An’s growing digital nomad population, the Hub Hoi An is a great place to stay with. The Hub Hoi An is basically a co-working space with a strong community vibe that offers accommodations too.
Transportation Options
As far as transportation options go, Hoi An doesn’t have that many. It’s a pedestrian-friendly city and you won’t find many buses or other public transport because the city is very small. The best way to explore it is by walking or cycling. I just loved the feeling of the wind in my hair as I cycle alongside the canals or to the countryside rice fields and pristine beaches. You can easily rent a bicycle, by the way, there are many stores where you can rent one. And if you’re too lazy, you can just hire a cyclo.
And if you want to take longer journeys or venture out of town, you might want to consider renting a motorbike or a taxi.
Enjoying this post? Then you may also like our list of hidden gems in Hanoi or our guide to visiting Southeast Asia on a budget.
Tours To Take In Hoi An
Deciding how many days in Hoi An you will need to cover all of the things you want to see also depends on which places you want to visit. Here, we’ll cover some of my personal favorite tours to take in Hoi An.
If you’re looking for an introductory walking tour this walking tour with local food is a great choice. If you want to cover more ground in a shorter period of time, you can join this Hoi An bike tour and if that’s not enough, you can also take this 4-hour bicycle tour of Hoi An’s countryside.
Alternatively, if you’re more into cultural experiences, you’ll surely love this Vietnamese coffee-making class, the foldable lantern-making class, or even this cooking class combined with a basket boat ride.
If you’re more into water-related activities, you’ll surely love this island hopping tour from Hoi An, this basket boat tour with locals, this fishing boat tour (with barbecue), or even this river boat tour with the dar show (a spectacular dance show based on Vietnamese tribal culture).
Last but not least, if you’re looking to explore more of local cuisine, I warmly recommend this Hoi An street food tour and this Hoi An night food tour (if you get hungry in the night).
How Many Days In Hoi An?
Now that we covered some basics, let’s get to the most important part of this article- to help you decide how many days in Hoi An you’d like to spend.
How Many Days In Hoi An? A 2-Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Exploring the Old Town
Morning: Start your day early with a stroll through the Hoi An Ancient Town. Visit the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, and take a walking tour of the well-preserved buildings in the area, don’t miss the Tan Ky House and the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall.
Afternoon: After lunch, you can head to the Hoi An Museum, it’s the city’s finest if you are looking to learn a bit about its history and afterward. After that, you can enjoy a traditional tea ceremony at the Reaching Out Tea House which by the way also employs people with disabilities.
Evening: There’s no better sensation than watching the colorful lanters sailing down the river at sunset. Well, maybe just one, if you’re on the river boat and getting to see it from even closer.
Day 2 – Beyond the Old Town
Morning: You can take a trip to My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage site located about an hour’s drive away from the city famous for its beautiful and very well preserved ancient Hindu temples.
Afternoon: After returning from My Son, you can relax at An Bang Beach and try some tasty seafood.
Evening: Upon returning to Hoi An, you can wrap up the day by taking a Vietnamese cooking class. Many classes include a trip to the local market where you’ll learn about the ingredients used in Vietnamese cuisine.
How Many Days In Hoi An? A 3-Day Itinerary
Days 1 and 2:
Are exactly the same as our 2-day itinerary mentioned in the previous paragraph. So we’ll just continue with…
Day 3: Get A Taste Of Rural Hoi An
Morning: For this day, we suggest taking a half-day farming and fishing tour that will show you a part of Hoi An’s rural life. During this trip, you can learn about traditional farming methods, go fishing in one of the cute basket boats, and explore the beautiful water coconut palm paradise that surrounds the city.
Afternoon: The afternoon is reserved for exploring places you may have missed in the old town, or rent a bicycle and discover Hoi An’s charming countryside.
Evening: End your stay in Hoi An in style by enjoying a performance at the Hoi An Impression Theme Park, or have a fancy dinner in one of the top-rated restaurants in town, Morning Glory.
How Many Days In Hoi An? A 5-Day Itinerary
Days 1-3
Are the same as the previous two itineraries, and in addition, we’ll just share the itinerary for the remaining 2 days.
Day 4: Embrace the Beach Life
Morning: Cycle to An Bang Beach (the most famous beach in Hoi An), and enjoy a beachside breakfast.
Mid-Morning to Afternoon: Spend your day relaxing on the beach or try out some water sports (it’s up to you). If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try a surfing lesson or go kayaking.
Late Afternoon: Hop on your bike and head to Cua Dai Beach for sunset. There are fewer people here, making it a great spot to watch the sun set over Hoi An’s countryside.
Evening: Go back to Hoi An, freshen up, and have a relaxing seafood dinner at riverside restaurant with vies like Mango Mango.
Day 5: A Day at Cham Islands
Morning: Start your day by taking a speedboat to the Cham Islands, a picturesque UNESCO-listed biosphere reserve. I strongly suggest exploring the island’s fascinating marine life through a guided diving tour before leaving but if you want to just relax and enjoy the beautiful nature, that’s fine too.
Afternoon: Try some seafood and relax on one of the island’s beaches. Don’t miss visiting the Cham Islands Marine Museum and one or more of the neighboring fishing villages for a slice of authentic rulra life.
Late Afternoon: Go back to Hoi An and spend the rest of your day relaxing, trying some street food, or go shopping in Old Town.
Evening: For your final night, treat yourself in a beachfront restaurant like The DeckHouse (on An Bang Beach).
How Many Days In Hoi An? A 7-Day Itinerary
Days 1-5
Remain absolutely the same, but we have made some very interesting suggestions for the following two days.
Day 6: More of Hoi An’s Hidden Gems
Morning: Visit Tra Que Vegetable Village, participate in farming activities and even take a Vietnamese cooking class.
Afternoon: Grab your bicycle and head to Cam Thanh Coconut Village where you can ride a local round boat known as ‘Thung Chai, and try your hand at crab fishing.
Day 7: Journey to the Marble Mountains
Morning: Use your last day in Hoi An to take a day trip to the nearby Marble Mountains and explore some of the caves and temples on the hills.
Afternoon: On your way back, you can stop at Non-Nuoc Stone Carving Village if you’re not too tired to see some beautiful sculptures and handicrafts and maybe buy a souvenir or two.
Day Trips from Hoi An
Lastly, we round up this guide with a few suggestions for day trips from Hoi An.
Hue: Located around three hours north of Hoi An, the ancient city of Hue was once the imperial capital of Vietnam. Some of the main highlights of the great Imperial City include the Thien Mu Pagoda, the Hue Mausoleum, and taking a boat ride on the famous Perfume River.
Da Nang: Located no more than an hour’s drive away, close to the Marble Mountains, Da Nang is the fourth largest city in and one of the most beautiful coastal cities in Vietnam.
Ba Na Hills: The scenic Ba Na Hills is another great idea for taking a day trip from Hoi An. The highlight of the area is the famous Golden Bridge, which appears to be held up by two giant hands (I’m sure you’ve seen it somewhere on the internet).
Son Tra Peninsula (Monkey Mountain): Located north of Da Nang, the peninsula is home to several scenic hiking trails where you can encounter the rare red-shanked douc langurs (often called ‘costumed apes’) that inhabit the area (hence, the name Monkey Mountains)…
How did you like this guide? Did it help you determine how many days in Hoi An you’d like to spend? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
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