The Perfect Hoi An Travel Itinerary: What to do in Hoi An for 3 days
Discover one of Vietnam’s most delightful small towns with this Hoi An travel itinerary.
If you’re wondering what to do in Hoi An for 3 days or more, this guide will show you the best sights and activities to make the most of your visit and help you plan the perfect Hoi An itinerary.
Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s most popular tourist destinations and a culinary hotspot. I fell in love with the old-world charm of Hoi An’s Ancient Town, recognised by UNESCO for its historic and cultural significance.
Hoi An has well-preserved heritage architecture in a mixture of styles and eras and is a perfect example of a traditional trading port from the 15th to the 19th Century. French colonial buildings, wooden Japanese and Chinese shops, houses and Assembly Halls sit beside ornate temples and Vietnamese houses.
The laneways of the Old Town are filled with colourful Vietnamese lanterns and Hoi An has a pretty riverside location that is especially atmospheric at night. Lanterns light up the river, and colourful boats row on the waterways.
But Hoi An is an affluent town and a tourist mecca. The Old Town is often crowded, especially during the full moon Lantern Festival.
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I’ve travelled alone throughout Vietnam and enjoyed two visits to Hoi An. I fell in love with the historic Old Town, but on my second visit, Hoi An was inundated with tourists, and the street sellers were constantly hassling.
So is Hoi An worth visiting and how long should you spend there?
If it’s your first time in Vietnam, Hoi An is definitely worth visiting for its historical charm, but some people think it’s overrated. Like Halong Bay, Hoi An is a favourite destination in Vietnam and sees millions of tourists, especially during the high season.
Even so, Hoi An is captivating, and for me, 3 or 4 days is the ideal amount of time to explore the Old Town and the surrounding area.
TIP: I have first-hand experience and travelling alone in Vietnam and Hoi An is a great destination for female solo travellers. My Hoi An travel itinerary will help you enjoy the experience, even if it’s your first time travelling solo.
Overview: 3 Day Itinerary Hoi An
The best things to do in Hoi An include strolling the laneways, visiting historic sites, art galleries and museums, discovering the local food, shopping at the markets and boutique shops, cycling through the rice fields and relaxing at the beach.
Visiting a tailor and having clothes made to measure is also popular in Hoi An. This is one of the first things to do in Hoi An to allow time for fittings and for the clothes to be made.
Outside Hoi An, the Marble Mountains are a mysterious network of cave temples that are fun to explore, and the ancient Cham ruins of My Son are worth seeing at sunrise. Take a cooking class or a street food tour and hang out in the charming cafes and restaurants and soak in the atmosphere. There’s no shortage of fun things to do in Hoi An.
TIP: Book your plane, train and bus tickets online with 12Go Asia. I use and recommend this service. It’s an easy and convenient way to book transport throughout Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
Where is Hoi An?
Hoi An is located in Central Vietnam, 29 kilometres from Da Nang, approximately 800 kilometres south of the capital Hanoi, and a similar distance north of Ho Chi Minh City.
The Old Town of Hoi An sits at the mouth of the Thu Bon River and is just a few kilometres from several lovely ocean beaches. An Bang, Cua Dai, and Ha My Beach are all within easy reach of the ancient town of Hoi An.
How to Get to Hoi An
The quickest and easiest way to get there is to fly to Danang International Airport and take a taxi to Hoi An.
You can also arrive in Danang by train or bus. Domestic flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are inexpensive, but delays and schedule changes are common.
The transfer from Danang Airport to Hoi An takes 45 – 60 minutes by taxi, but there is also a public bus and an express bus that take around 1.5 hours.
Hoi An Travel Itinerary 3 days
Three days in Hoi An is an ideal length of time to explore the charming Ancient Town, soak in the old-world ambience, enjoy the local food and explore the surrounding area.
Hoi An Itinerary Day 1
1. Wander the Laneways
Begin your Hoi An travel itinerary by exploring the Old Town. Wander around the laneways and enjoy the atmosphere of the Ancient Town. Walk or hire a bicycle to get around the narrow streets. Stop for lunch or a coffee and watch life go by.
Hoi An is a favourite place for local Vietnamese holidaymakers, and Vietnamese visitors love to wear traditional clothes and pose for photos throughout the Old Town. It very phhotogenic and quite charming.
2. Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge
Visiting the Japanese Covered Bridge is one of the top things to do in Hoian. Built in the 18th century, the pedestrian bridge crosses the Thu Bon River, connecting the Chinese and the Japanese quarters of the Town.
The quaint wooden bridge is a combination of Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese architecture and is also known as Cau Pagoda because it has a shrine inside.
A picture of Hoi An’s Japanese Covered Bridge appears on the back of the 20,000 VND banknote, and the Bridge is thought to bring peace and prosperity to Hoi An. It’s open 24 hours a day and free to visit.
3. The Chinese Quarter
Visiting the Chinese quarter of the Ancient Town is high on the list of things to do in Hoi An. The historic Chinese buildings are easy to find on Tran Phu Street.
The Assembly Hall of the Cantonese Chinese Congregation is near the Japanese Bridge. I enjoyed visiting this place of worship, and further along the street is the impressive Chinese Assembly Hall. Brilliant red doors open into the Assembly Hall and temple. Large coils of incense hang from the ceiling, and a dragon fountain and a goat statue decorate the back courtyard.
Nearby is a centuries-old Buddhist Pagoda and shrine, Hoi Quan Phuoc Kien, and further along the street is the historic Chinese Guan Di Temple and the 19th Century Hai Nan Assembly Hall and memorial.
TIP: To see inside the heritage buildings in the Hoi An Old Town you’ll need a ticket that costs VND 150,000 (US$6) and allows entrance to 5 heritage sites.
4. Colonial French & Vietnamese Houses
Throughout the Hoi An Old Town, there are yellow terrace houses that are a remnant of French colonial days, and traditional Vietnamese wooden houses like Duc An House that you can visit.
Duc An House is now an antique shop near the Japanese Bridge Pagoda, and you can also visit the Old House of Tan Ky by the river.
5. Museums & Art Galleries
One of the best things to do in Hoian is to enjoy the many Museums and Art Galleries throughout the Old Town. Art shops are everywhere, and the local artists sell their artwork to tourists.
The Museum of Ceramics nearby is also worth seeing, and you can watch a show at the Traditional Art Performance House near the riverfront.
6. Clothing Made to Measure
Having clothes made to measure by a local tailor is one of the most popular things to do in Hoi An. Everything from suits, trousers, jackets, blouses, and shirts can be tailored to your specific requirements.
Made-to-measure clothes can take several days to sew, so make sure you put your order in as soon as you arrive in Hoi An and plan to have at least one fitting for tailored items.
I ordered a silk blouse and chose the fabric at a tailor shop recommended by my hotel. It was a fun experience and a useful souvenir to take home.
7. Try the local Vietnamese food
A street food tour in Hoi An is a fun way to discover local Vietnamese food, and I enjoyed similar tours in Da Nang and Hanoi and loved exploring the food and the city with a local guide.
My favourite place to eat in Hoi An was in the bustling food Hall at the Central Market on Tran Phu Street, and I also enjoyed the street food at the Night Market across the river.
Hoi An’s coastal location means that fresh seafood is a staple in the diet of the local Vietnamese people, so why not try a seafood dish while you’re in Hoi An?
8. Go Shopping in Hoi An
Shops line the streets and laneways of the Old Town, and for me, it was one of the most enjoyable things to do in Hoian.
I loved strolling along the laneways, stopping to browse when something took my fancy. Hoi An has many shops selling everything from silk scarves, jewellery and traditional lanterns.
It’s easy to spend hours shopping in Hoi An, and when you’re tired of browsing, there are tea rooms, cafes, and restaurants where you can rest and recharge.
The best things to buy in Hoi An are Chinese and Vietnamese silks and China Tea Sets. A trading town for hundreds of years, silk scarves, clothing, and china cups and plates can be found in the small shops in Hoi An Old Town.
9. Shop at the Night Market
Shopping at the Night Market was one of my favourite things to do in Hoi An, and it’s a fun way to spend an evening. To find the Night Market, join the throngs of people on the footbridge across the river and shop for street food, clothing, artwork, crafts, and popular souvenirs.
I bought gift cards with intricate cut paper decorations of colourful flowers, birds, and ships.
Hoi An itinerary Day 2
With a 2 day Hoi An itinerary, there’s time for more sightseeing:
10. Visit the Central Market
Hoi An’s Central Market is large and sprawling, located on the riverfront at the edge of the Old Town. It’s a busy place and fun to visit, with hundreds of stalls selling everything from fresh fruit and vegetables, clothing, souvenirs, and street food to motorbikes.
Visiting Hoi An’s Central Market is a wonderful cultural experience, and prices at the market are always negotiable, so bargain hard to get the best deal and be prepared to walk away.
11. Vietnamese Cooking Class
Immerse yourself in the local culture and spend the day learning to cook your favourite Vietnamese dish. I loved this experience, and for me, it was one of the best things to do in Hoi An.
My cooking class included visiting the Central Market, where we bought fresh ingredients to cook our chosen dishes.
It was a small group, and we had a lot of fun learning to cook dishes like stuffed squid and stir-fried chicken and cashews. Watching and eating were a big part of the day.
I enjoyed the Green Bamboo cooking class and recommend it as a good day out in Hoi An. Van’s course is popular, so book in advance.
Alternatively, you can enjoy a cooking class with a traditional bamboo basket boat ride and a market tour.
12. Ride in a Rowboat on the River at Night
A lovely way to soak in the atmosphere in Hoi An is to hire a boat with an oarsman and row on the river by lantern light. There’s nowhere prettier than Hoi An at night, and it’s a pleasure to watch the boats moving slowly in the darkness and see the lantern light reflected on the water.
13. Release a Lantern on the River
If you’re in Hoi An during the Lantern Festival, you can buy a cardboard lantern and candle to release on the river. Lanterns are sold near the footbridge to the island, and although it’s very touristy, I enjoyed making a wish and watching my lantern float away down the river.
Hoi An itinerary Day 3
With 3 days in Hoi An, there’s time to explore further afield:
14. Visit the My Son Ruins at Sunrise
On the third day of this Hoi An travel itinerary, spend the morning visiting the ancient Hindu temple ruins of My Son (pronounced: Mee-son), about an hour’s drive from Hoi An. My Son is UNESCO World Heritage listed and one of Vietnam’s most important religious sites.
TIP: Take an early morning tour to the My Son Sanctuary with a local guide. I enjoyed learning about the interesting Champa culture, and it was worth getting up before dawn to beat the crowds. A noodle breakfast with coffee was included.
15. Explore The Marble Mountains
Spend the afternoon exploring the fascinating Marble Mountains located just outside Hoi An. I loved visiting the cave temples here so much that I went back on my second visit to Hoi An. The Marble Mountains have a network of limestone caves with shrines, pagodas and tunnels.
It’s easy to spend an hour or two exploring the Marble Mountains. One of my favourite experiences was following the pathway into a cave and climbing upwards until I emerged at a viewpoint at the top of the mountain with sweeping views of the coastline and the city of Danang.
The Marble Mountains are around 18 kilometres from Hoi An, and it takes around 30 minutes to drive there. Book a Grab car, a taxi or a day tour to get there. I went in a private car on my way to Da Nang.
TIP: Join a tour and see both the Marble Mountains and My Son ruins on the same day.
16. Cycle to the Beach
Another fun thing to do in Hoi An is to hire a bicycle and ride to An Bang Beach. Just a few kilometres away from Hoi An, there are several beautiful ocean beaches with hotels, resorts, and beachside restaurants.
I hired a bicycle from my hotel and spent an afternoon cycling to An Bang Beach, which is around 4.5 kilometres from Hoi An. Cua Dai and Ha My Beach are also within easy reach of Hoi An.
More Things to do in Hoi An
If you’re wondering what to do in Hoi An for 4 days (or more), you can use Hoi An as a base to explore the local area. Here are some suggestions for day trips from Hoi An:
17. Visit Danang City & Beaches
Danang is the largest city in Central Vietnam. It’s a modern Asian city, fringed by ocean surf beaches and is approximately 40 kilometres away from Hoi An.
It takes around 45 minutes to drive to Danang, and there’s plenty to keep you entertained for a day. Visit the Dragon Bridge, relax on the beach, and visit the Lady Buddha, the Marble Mountains or Am Phu Cave
TIP: Book a private tour from Hoi An to explore Da Nang and the surrounding area.
18. Ba Na Hills & the Golden Bridge
Near Danang in the Ba Ha Hills is the stunning Golden Bridge, a popular tourist attraction and an Instagram sensation. Two giant hands support the Golden pedestrian bridge, 400 metres above sea level with panoramic views over the lush green countryside of the Ba Ha Hills.
There’s a very long cable car that takes you up the mountain, but unfortunately, on the day I went, it was raining, and the mountain was blanketed in clouds. The visibility was so bad I could only see a metre or two ahead.
TIP: Choose a sunny day to visit the stunning Golden Bridge. It’s very photogenic, and you can go on Golden Bridge day tour from Hoi An.
19. Imperial Hue
Visiting the Imperial Citadel and Royal Tombs in Hue is one of the best things to do in central Vietnam. Hoi An is around 125 kilometres from Hue, a former capital of Vietnam. Hue was the centre of power from 1802 to 1945, during the Nguyen dynasty.
The city has stunning UNESCO World Heritage historical sites, such as the Imperial Citadel of Hoang Thanh, the Emperor’s Residence, and several impressive royal tombs. A Dragon Boat cruise on the Perfume River is often included on a day tour to Hue from Hoi An.
20. The Hai Van Pass – from Hoi An to Hue
The coastal road from Danang to Hue is one of the most scenic drives in Vietnam. The train to Hue crosses the Hai Van Pass but riding a motorbike is another great way to enjoy the stunning scenery.
You can also travel the same route by car with a private transfer from Hoi An to Hue.
TIP: I can personally recommend travelling over the Hai Van Pass on an Easy Rider motorbike tour. For me, it was one of the best things to do in Hoi An and Central Vietnam.
Henry, my Easy Rider driver, strapped my backpack on his Honda bike, and I rode behind him. It was surprisingly comfortable and a lot of fun. The route over the Hai Van Pass has sweeping coastal views with the ruins of a military post at the top of the Pass.
We stopped at all the sites between Hoi An and Hue, including the Marble Mountains, the Danang Dragon Bridge, Danang Beach, Elephant Falls, stunning viewpoints and military checkpoints on the Hai Van Pass, and a fishing village on a lovely lake outside Hue.
Where to Eat in Hoi An
Eating is a pleasure in Vietnam and it was one of the things I enjoyed most in Hoi An. The Old Town has a wonderful selection of restaurants, often housed in charming heritage buildings decorated with colourful traditional lanterns.
A traditional Vietnamese meal is something to look forward to on this Hoi An travel itinerary.
TIP: Choose an upstairs balcony table. Not only will you enjoy the view, but you’ll also avoid annoying street sellers interrupting your meal.
Here are my suggestions for where to eat in Hoi An:
Vy’s Market restaurant (& cooking school) is in a food court in a lovely old building near the Night Market. It’s a busy restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere and live music. Greek guitar music was playing in the background when I ate there, an interesting choice in a heritage Vietnamese restaurant.
The traditional clay pot rice with tender pork, shrimp and crispy baked rice was delicious!
Morning Glory (original restaurant) offers traditional Vietnamese food in a lovely colonial building decorated with strings of colourful lanterns. Morning Glory is busy and popular, with fast, efficient service and good food.
I had sui mi pork and shrimp dumplings, chicken skewers with lime leaves, stir-fried celery and bean shoots and a delicious mango lassi.
Cargo Club Café & Restaurant is a popular place to eat in Hoi An and serves Vietnamese and Western dishes. The restaurant has an upstairs balcony with fabulous river views and a very good dessert menu. I enjoyed a signature passion fruit lemonade and ice cream for afternoon tea above the crowds and out of reach of hawkers.
Hoi An Café is just over the bridge, near the Night Market. I chose this restaurant during the Full Moon Festival and sat on the upstairs balcony enjoying the view of the river, full of boats lit by colourful lanterns.
The food was good, but the cocktails were average. I ordered a Vietnamese pancake wrapped in rice paper, a pork hotpot, an aubergine hotpot and a pina colada.
Thin Da Am on Nguyen Thai Hoc is a small restaurant and bar. I stopped here after dinner for a cocktail and enjoyed the live music.
The Hoi An Night Market is a great place to snack on local food. I couldn’t walk past the stall selling banana pancakes.
Favourite Lunch Spots
Nu Eatery is a tiny café that offers traditional food with a modern take and is popular for lunch. The food is delicious, but the café is hard to find in a narrow laneway over the Japanese Bridge. I ordered a steamed pork bun, a pineapple & pomelo salad, and tiny Banh Mi with prawn, chili & lime.
Get there early for a table outdoors in the pretty laneway.
The Central Market food court is the perfect place to try the local dishes and enjoy an inexpensive meal.
Little Faifo is a heritage restaurant in Hoi An with a balcony overlooking the street filled with traditional lanterns. I enjoyed the Banh Mi lunch special with a view over the street.
Poison Cafe is in a traditional building that backs onto the riverfront in Hoi An’s Old Town. It’s close to the Japanese Bridge and a good place to stop for a coffee or a meal.
TIP: Avoid the riverfront cafes that are crowded with tourists. They serve average coffee at inflated prices, and if you sit outside, you’ll be hassled by hawkers selling souvenirs.
Where to Stay in Hoi An
Hoi An has a good selection of accommodations for visitors. Here are some suggestions for places to stay in Hoi An.
Mid-Range: Green Apple Hotel I enjoyed staying at the Green Apple and especially liked the wonderful service. This hotel is a 10-15 minute walk from the Old Town, but the rooms are spotless, although the decor is a bit clinical. I enjoyed the pool, the shuttle service to the Old Town, and the onsite bicycle hire.
The staff at the reception were very helpful and recommended a tailor in Hoi An and an Easy Rider Motorbike tour to Hue.
Volar de Faifo is a small hotel in a great location on the island near the Night Market and just a 5-minute walk from all the action. I enjoyed staying here.
Luxury: If you’re after something more upmarket, the Allegro Hoi An. A Little Luxury Hotel & Spa has exceptional reviews for its stunning rooms, building, decor, and wonderful service.
When to go
February to August is the best time to travel to Hoi An in Central Vietnam. But if you’re travelling across the country, the dry season from November to April will give you the best all-round weather in Vietnam.
TIP: Vietnam experiences very different weather from the north to the south of the country. Learn more about the best and the worst times to visit Vietnam and when to travel to Cambodia. And find out what I experienced in Vietnam in January.
Is the Hoi An Lantern Festival Worth it?
Personally, I think the Hoi An Lantern Festival is overrated. It’s a monthly celebration held on the full moon, and during the Festival, the street lights in Hoi An are switched off, and the Old Town is lit with traditional lanterns.
The Old Town has a festive atmosphere, and the riverbanks are full of people enjoying the night market and the ambience. The river is full of boats, and the coloured lantern lights are reflected on the water.
I timed my second visit to Hoi An to coincide with the Lantern Festival, and while I enjoyed the Festive atmosphere, the Old Town was very crowded. The narrow laneways were packed with tourists, and the restaurants and markets were very busy.
Was it worth it? Not really! Hoi An is lit by traditional lanterns every night, and I couldn’t see much difference between the Lantern Festival and a normal night in Hoi An. While I enjoyed the atmosphere, I didn’t like the crowds.
FAQs
How many days should I spend in Hoi An?
Aim to spend 3 days in Hoi An or more time when you’re planning your Vietnam itinerary. The Old Town has many attractions, and there are lots of things to do in Hoi An and nearby in Danang and Hue. However, if you have clothing made to measure, you’ll need several days so the tailor can finish making your clothes.
Is 2 days enough in Hoi An?
With 2 days in Hoi An, there’s time to explore the Old Town and enjoy the atmosphere and the local food, but it’s not enough time for a day trip to the Marble Mountains, the My Son ruins, Da Nang or the Ba Na Hills.
Is 4 days in Hoi An too much?
No. It’s easy to fill 4 days in Hoi An. Explore the Old Town, go shopping, enjoy the restaurants and cafes, relax on the beach and do a cooking class. Take a day trip to the UNESCO My Son ruins, the Marble Mountains, the Hai Van Pass or the Ba a Hills.
Should I stay in Hoi An or Da Nang?
Stay in Hoi An Hoi An rather than Danang. Hoi An is a historic town with a lovely ambience and a good selection of restaurants, while Danang is a big city with surf beaches. Danang lacks Hoi An’s old-world charm, but offers cheaper accommodation and a wide selection of beachside bars and restaurants. It’s also closer to the airport and the train station.
Final Thoughts: What to do in Hoi An for 3 Days
This Hoi An travel itinerary includes the best things to do in Hoi An in 3 days. I was charmed by the old-world ambience of this lovely heritage town and happily spent several days enjoying the heritage sites, the busy markets, shopping, and eating.
Highlights of my Hoi An itinerary were the Hoi An Old Town, the Vietnamese cooking class and the Easy Rider Motorbike ride to Hue. If you have time, it’s also worth spending a day or two in Danang and enjoying the lovely beaches and the cheaper accommodation. Da Nang is closer to the Marble Mountains, the Hai Van Pass and the Ba Na Hills.
Hue, Phong Nha and Ninh Binh are also a wonderful addition to a trip to Vietnam and both are recognised by UNESCO.
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