What To Do In Hoi An Ancient Town

If you’re travelling through Vietnam, Hoi An is certainly one of the best places to visit. It is slightly more touristy than other areas and seems to attract a wider array of people. However, there’s good reason for this. The Hoi An Ancient Town is a wonderful place to explore, and located within walking distance from most areas in Hoi An. But remember, the Hoi An Ancient town isn’t the only thing to do in Hoi An! Instead, there’s a whole host of exciting places to explore.

Let’s get to it …

Hire A Bike

If it’s a pleasant day and the streets aren’t too crowded, it can be a wonderful idea to hire a bike and cycle about Hoi An Ancient Town.

Once the evening comes around and the streets become packed with tourists and stalls, this becomes a little difficult. So I’d recommend heading out for the day on your bike to explore a little further afield and into other parts of Hoi An.

Watch The Lanterns

You’ll find that the sky is soon filled with a beautiful display of lights, and it really is a sight to take in.

My top tip here would be to find yourself a restaurant on the canal that has space to sit outside.

Then, once the sun goes down and the lanterns go up, you get one of the best views available.

Explore The Shops

Throughout the day and night, Hoi An Old Town has a whole assortment of quirky little shops.

They sell a variety of things, though the artwork is what most struck me.

Sure, things are a little more pricey but, even if you’re not planning to buy anything, it is still nice to wander around and take in the buzzing shopping atmosphere.

As a side note, Cazzy bought herself two pairs of shoes whilst exploring a different market in Hoi An.

It ended up costing less than $30 for a pair of “Nikes” and a pair of “Vans” and they’ve held up pretty well ever since.

Take A Walk Along The Canal

The canal in Hoi An Ancient Town is wonderfully well maintained and offers a peaceful and tranquil walk.

However, it does get hot during the middle of the day (regularly 30 degrees plus). As such, it’s a good idea to do this earlier or once the sun starts to wind down.

Pick Up Some Trinkets From The Stalls

In the late afternoon, you’ll see all of the market vendors start to put their stalls together and bring out their wares. Which is another reason why it’s best to visit in the evening.

They seem to sell a whole bunch of things, through from lanterns to local Vietnamese street food.

Better yet, everything you find on the stalls is likely to be a lot cheaper than what you’d expect to find in the brick and mortar stores.

Enjoy The Local Cuisine

Though Hoi An ancient town is one of the more tourist-oriented spots in Vietnam, it is by no means massively overpriced.

In fact, all of the restaurants that line the streets seem to be very competitively priced.

If you’re on a real budget then you can buy from the vendors or find a small shop with the small children’s seats outside (the smaller the seats, the cheaper the food!).

However, the best restaurants in Hoi An Ancient Town are situated by the canal and have outdoor seating. It is well worth paying a little more for these.

Try The Beer!

Whilst we’re on the subject of dining, you should go ahead and try the local beer in Hoi An.

In many places, you can buy a glass for just 50 cents and it tastes perfectly fine.

In fact, where we were having our meal, a bunch of what looked like local students came in and sat down.

They worked their way through about 4 or 5 pints each before paying and heading off. That’s got to be one of the cheapest ways to pre-drink ever!

The Japanese Bridge

Hoi An ancient town has now become a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site. Which is due to the old and fascinating architecture dotted all around.

The town has influence from China, France, Japan and Vietnam, which makes for some really rather intriguing design pieces.

Perhaps most interesting is the Hoi An Old Town Japanese Bridge. The original bridge was first constructed back in 1590 and has undergone a lot of renovation ever since.

In 1986, the bridge you see today was restored and reflects the wonderful Japanese architectural design on which it was first constructed.

Enjoy The Sunset

As with every spot in Vietnam, if you are lucky enough to have a clear sky, then the sunsets are truly magnificent.

In Hoi An they are just as nice, and also a welcome relief to the unrelenting heat you experience during the day.

They are best enjoyed sat outside a local bar on the canal with a cheap 50 cent beer!

The Assembly Hall Of The Cantonese Chinese Congregation

Upon entering this building, you are welcomed by a wonderfully ornate carp and dragon both designed using mosaic.

There is also a statue of a goat further in (a note to Chinese tastes), as well as an even larger dragon out back.

Once again, this building perfectly demonstrates the mix of design styles brought together from a variety of cultures.

The building itself was first constructed back in 1786.

Phung Hung Ancient House

Situated near the Japanese bridge, the Phung Hung Old House is a delightfully old-fashioned building with an outer facade made of wood.

The entrance hall plays host to a wide array of lanterns, embroidery and other ornaments.

You can walk around inside and explore, and then head upstairs and look out over the balcony.

Tran Ancestor Worship House

The Tran Ancestor Worship House is another great thing to see in Hoi An Ancient Town.

It is a representation of the ancestor worship that is present in almost all of the homes across Vietnam.

You can get a tour that takes you around the house. It offers the perfect chance to learn more about the local design influences from someone who actually lives in the area.

Here Are A Few Of The Most Popular Questions People Ask About The Hoi An Old Town …

How much does it cost to enter Hoi An Ancient Town?

Getting into Hoi An Ancient Town is not free and you must pay an admission charge which goes towards preserving the area. As of 2017, the price was 120,000 VND for international visitors and 80,000 VND for domestic visitors.

Where do you buy your Hoi An Old Town ticket?

You can buy your tickets pretty easily upon arrival. We were charged as we were crossing over one of the bridges.

How long is your ticket valid for?

The ticket is valid for 24 hours. Meaning, if you visit in the evening and are planning to come by the next day, it’s worth hanging onto it.

What time is best to visit the Hoi An Ancient Town?

In our experience, the best time to visit is in the afternoon once the sun has started to make it’s way down. That way you have plenty of light to look at the sights, and can then sit back and watch the sunset, enjoy the lanterns and roam around the stalls.