Hoi An is, for many travellers, the highlight of Vietnam – a beautifully preserved former trading port on the central coast, where over a thousand timber-frame buildings glow under coloured silk lanterns each night. Add custom tailoring, superb food, and beaches minutes away, and it’s easy to see why people linger here longer than planned. Here’s how to plan Hoi An for 2026, a natural central-Vietnam stop between Hanoi and the south.
The Ancient Town
Hoi An’s UNESCO-listed Ancient Town is the star: a compact, walkable maze of ochre merchant houses, Chinese assembly halls, and the iconic 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, all lit by lanterns after dark. It reflects centuries of Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and European trade.
Practical note: entering the Ancient Town’s heritage sites requires a ticket (around 120,000 VND) that covers entry to a selection of the old houses, temples, and museums. You can wander the streets freely, but the ticket is checked at the main heritage attractions. Evenings are magical – the lanterns come on, boats drift down the Thu Bồn River carrying floating candles, and the whole town glows.
The Lantern Festival
Once a month, on the 14th day of the lunar calendar (the eve of the full moon), Hoi An switches off its electric lights and the Ancient Town is lit entirely by lanterns. There’s no ticket for the atmosphere – just be in the old town from around 7pm. It’s the most enchanting time to visit if your dates align; releasing a floating candle-lantern on the river is a lovely tradition.
Tailors: Get Something Made
Hoi An is famous for its tailors – hundreds of shops can make custom suits, dresses, shirts, and coats in as little as 24-48 hours. Reputable, long-established names include Yaly Couture, A Dong Silk, and B’lan Silk. Rough prices: a men’s three-piece suit runs about US$90-200, a women’s dress US$25-50, a custom shirt US$15-45. Order early in your stay to allow time for fittings, and bring a photo of what you want.
Beaches and Bicycles
Hoi An isn’t just the old town. Rent a bicycle and ride through rice paddies to the coast:
- An Bang Beach – about 5km east, a relaxed stretch of sand with excellent beach bars and seafood restaurants.
- Cua Dai Beach – nearby, though partly affected by erosion.
Cycling the back lanes past fishing villages and paddies is one of Hoi An’s simple pleasures.
Day Trip: My Son Sanctuary
About an hour away, My Son is a cluster of crumbling red-brick Hindu temples built by the Champa civilisation between the 4th and 13th centuries – Vietnam’s answer to a mini Angkor. Go on an early-morning tour to beat the heat and crowds.
Food
Hoi An has its own celebrated dishes: cao lầu (pork-and-noodle dish unique to the town), white rose dumplings, bánh mì (Hoi An’s are legendary), and wonton. Take a cooking class, do a street-food tour, or simply graze the market and riverside stalls.
Best Time to Visit
Central Vietnam’s weather differs from north and south. The best months are February to May, when it’s dry and warm. Beaches are best March-August. Avoid September-December, the rainy and typhoon season, when flooding can affect the low-lying old town. See our guide on the best time to visit Vietnam for the full regional picture.
Getting There
Hoi An has no airport or train station of its own – you arrive via Da Nang (about 45 minutes away), which has a major international airport and railway station. Taxis, Grab, and private transfers connect the two. The Ancient Town is pedestrianised at peak times and best explored on foot or by bicycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a ticket for Hoi An Ancient Town?
You can walk the streets freely, but visiting the heritage sites (old houses, assembly halls, museums) requires a ticket of around 120,000 VND, which covers entry to a set number of attractions and is checked at the main sights.
When is the Hoi An lantern festival?
It takes place monthly on the 14th day of the lunar calendar, the eve of the full moon, when the Ancient Town turns off electric lights and glows by lantern light from around 7pm. No ticket is needed to enjoy the atmosphere.
Is Hoi An good for tailoring?
Yes – it’s Vietnam’s tailoring capital, with hundreds of shops making custom clothing in 24-48 hours. Order early in your stay for fittings; a suit runs about US$90-200 at reputable tailors like Yaly Couture or A Dong Silk.
How do you get to Hoi An?
Via Da Nang, about 45 minutes away, which has the nearest international airport and train station. Taxis, Grab, and private transfers make the short trip to Hoi An.
When is the best time to visit Hoi An?
February to May for warm, dry weather, with beaches best from March to August. Avoid September to December, the rainy and typhoon season, when the low-lying old town can flood.
Hoi An is Vietnam at its most charming – lantern-lit streets, custom tailoring, great food, and beaches a bike ride away. Time your visit for the dry season (and a lunar full moon if you can), and give it a few unhurried days.
