Hoi An Ancient Town
Hoi An Ancient Town
4.5
About
Located on the banks of the poetic Thu Bon River, in central Quang Nam province, 30 kilometers south of Da Nang, Hoi An ancient town is an Eastern oriental classic captivation. With the strategic location on the banks of the great river, with one seaside border (East), it used to be one of the major trading centers in Southeast Asia during the 16th century due to the early western trader occupying period.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Marumon
Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan3,249 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
I've been to Da Nang four times, and this was my third visit to Hoi An. I like the town because of its nostalgic and atmospheric feel, perhaps because it flourished as an international trading port and was influenced by other countries, with its colorful lanterns and beautiful night view. It may be nice to feel a bit of a Showa era atmosphere even though it's a foreign country. In 1999, it was registered as a World Heritage Site as "Hoi An Old Town".
Next time, I might stay for a night. It's been seven years since I last visited, so I was surprised to see that there were more stylish select shops. There are some facilities that require an entrance fee, but I didn't enter them this time. I was able to enter any five of the 22 places, and it seems that it used to cost 120,000 VND (737 yen).
Some luxury hotels have shuttles from Da Nang to Hoi An, but usually you have to take a taxi. This time, after checking the weather forecast, I booked a round-trip shuttle from Da Nang to Hoi An on the Klook app two days before. I think the total of 5,076 yen for three people is much cheaper than a taxi.
I'll pick up some hotels from Da Nang Airport. I got on in front of the Holiday Beach Hotel (currently under construction), which was the closest hotel to where I was staying. I got off at the Ivy Hotel (terminus), which is near the river at the entrance to the old town. On the way back, I took the reverse route.
You can choose the time of your round trip, so you can spend as little or as much time in Hoi An as you like. This time, my friend came in the afternoon and stayed for 5.5 hours until the evening, which was his first time, and he seemed to enjoy it. It was nice not to have to worry about a taxi on the way back.
The Japanese Bridge is currently under construction in May 2024 and cannot be used.
Next time, I might stay for a night. It's been seven years since I last visited, so I was surprised to see that there were more stylish select shops. There are some facilities that require an entrance fee, but I didn't enter them this time. I was able to enter any five of the 22 places, and it seems that it used to cost 120,000 VND (737 yen).
Some luxury hotels have shuttles from Da Nang to Hoi An, but usually you have to take a taxi. This time, after checking the weather forecast, I booked a round-trip shuttle from Da Nang to Hoi An on the Klook app two days before. I think the total of 5,076 yen for three people is much cheaper than a taxi.
I'll pick up some hotels from Da Nang Airport. I got on in front of the Holiday Beach Hotel (currently under construction), which was the closest hotel to where I was staying. I got off at the Ivy Hotel (terminus), which is near the river at the entrance to the old town. On the way back, I took the reverse route.
You can choose the time of your round trip, so you can spend as little or as much time in Hoi An as you like. This time, my friend came in the afternoon and stayed for 5.5 hours until the evening, which was his first time, and he seemed to enjoy it. It was nice not to have to worry about a taxi on the way back.
The Japanese Bridge is currently under construction in May 2024 and cannot be used.
Written 23 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mfilcol2014
Lisbon, Portugal2,078 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
Hoi An was a pleasant surprise for us. Beautiful city. Full of excitement. Until 9 pm the old quarter is completely pedestrianized, with no cars or motorbikes. It's worth getting lost in the maze of streets full of little shops, cafes, restaurants, art galleries.
The city was an important trading post, which is reflected in its unique architecture, colonial style mixed with traditional Chinese. One of its trademarks are the numerous lanterns that give it a unique look at night
Don't miss the traditional boat trip along the river at night with traditional lanterns. A must.
Don't miss this extraordinary city
Keep in mind that all the entertainment stops at 8.30pm and 9pm and if you want to have dinner after that time it is almost an impossible task. All restaurants and cafes close early. Only noisy bars are open to drink until later.
Pay attention to taxi drivers and Tuk tuk drivers, they are somewhat aggressive in their approach. Always use GRAB. (very cheap, reliable and problem-free
The city was an important trading post, which is reflected in its unique architecture, colonial style mixed with traditional Chinese. One of its trademarks are the numerous lanterns that give it a unique look at night
Don't miss the traditional boat trip along the river at night with traditional lanterns. A must.
Don't miss this extraordinary city
Keep in mind that all the entertainment stops at 8.30pm and 9pm and if you want to have dinner after that time it is almost an impossible task. All restaurants and cafes close early. Only noisy bars are open to drink until later.
Pay attention to taxi drivers and Tuk tuk drivers, they are somewhat aggressive in their approach. Always use GRAB. (very cheap, reliable and problem-free
Written 24 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cerylelugubris
Tokyo Prefecture, Japan3 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
Boats & Lantern Floating
There are two types of boats. Motor and rowboats. Coming from the east of the old town, you will first see a group of motorboats, with lots of neon lights and a beautiful appearance. You can also float lanterns here, so you pick up speed, go under the bridge on the opposite side of the night market, and float the lanterns in a suitable spot in the middle of the river. There is no atmosphere. 200,000 VND with lantern. They took a photo for you, but they ask for a tip when you get off. Not worth participating. The main venue is around the bridge to the night market, so it's better to ignore them and move on.
The group of rowboats is around the bridge to the night market.
The price is a standard price and is displayed on the sign. 150,000 VND, 900 yen. As far as I could see, there were three places. An old man sits alone, pays the bill, is given a ticket, and is directed to the riverside, so hand the ticket to the boatman waiting in line and get on from there. No tipping is necessary. One thing to note is that there is almost always a woman right next to the man holding up the public utility fee (?) sign, and they are organized and in a unified manner, or to put it bluntly, they are in cahoots with the man, or they are using the man to sell lanterns to tourists. This woman is not a member of the tourist association that the man would belong to, but is specialized in simply selling lanterns, and in fact, she only pays the woman the lantern fee. I didn't notice at first, and thought I had to buy a lantern from this woman to ride the rowboat, but I bought one for 50,000 VND, or 300 yen.
The second time, I was at a different man's place, but the woman approached me again and offered me the same price as above. I wanted to float 10 lanterns, so I said it was too expensive and negotiated with an old woman sitting on the ground nearby, and she offered me 10,000 VND, or 60 yen, for one lantern. 10 lanterns, 100,000 VND, or 600 yen. There are probably people who sell them for even cheaper. During that time, the woman followed us the whole time, offering discounts, but it was still too expensive. In the end, she spoke angrily and agitatedly, as if she was arguing with the old lady. Was she trying to tell us not to get in the way?
Holding the 10 lanterns we had bought in one hand, we returned to the old man's ticket booth, purchased only the tickets, and then got on the rowboat. In other words, we were allowed to bring them with us. Even though there were only 10 lanterns, the boatman lined them up neatly, lit them all with a lighter, and took photos for us, but he didn't ask for a tip when we got off the boat. However, we gave a tip when we got off the boat.
There are two types of boats. Motor and rowboats. Coming from the east of the old town, you will first see a group of motorboats, with lots of neon lights and a beautiful appearance. You can also float lanterns here, so you pick up speed, go under the bridge on the opposite side of the night market, and float the lanterns in a suitable spot in the middle of the river. There is no atmosphere. 200,000 VND with lantern. They took a photo for you, but they ask for a tip when you get off. Not worth participating. The main venue is around the bridge to the night market, so it's better to ignore them and move on.
The group of rowboats is around the bridge to the night market.
The price is a standard price and is displayed on the sign. 150,000 VND, 900 yen. As far as I could see, there were three places. An old man sits alone, pays the bill, is given a ticket, and is directed to the riverside, so hand the ticket to the boatman waiting in line and get on from there. No tipping is necessary. One thing to note is that there is almost always a woman right next to the man holding up the public utility fee (?) sign, and they are organized and in a unified manner, or to put it bluntly, they are in cahoots with the man, or they are using the man to sell lanterns to tourists. This woman is not a member of the tourist association that the man would belong to, but is specialized in simply selling lanterns, and in fact, she only pays the woman the lantern fee. I didn't notice at first, and thought I had to buy a lantern from this woman to ride the rowboat, but I bought one for 50,000 VND, or 300 yen.
The second time, I was at a different man's place, but the woman approached me again and offered me the same price as above. I wanted to float 10 lanterns, so I said it was too expensive and negotiated with an old woman sitting on the ground nearby, and she offered me 10,000 VND, or 60 yen, for one lantern. 10 lanterns, 100,000 VND, or 600 yen. There are probably people who sell them for even cheaper. During that time, the woman followed us the whole time, offering discounts, but it was still too expensive. In the end, she spoke angrily and agitatedly, as if she was arguing with the old lady. Was she trying to tell us not to get in the way?
Holding the 10 lanterns we had bought in one hand, we returned to the old man's ticket booth, purchased only the tickets, and then got on the rowboat. In other words, we were allowed to bring them with us. Even though there were only 10 lanterns, the boatman lined them up neatly, lit them all with a lighter, and took photos for us, but he didn't ask for a tip when we got off the boat. However, we gave a tip when we got off the boat.
Written 6 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chad Iee
Brooklyn, NY3 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
The town isn’t flashy, but it has a quiet allure—especially when the lanterns light up at dusk. The riverfront glowed softly, and the lantern-lit alleys felt like stepping into a postcard. It’s touristy, sure, but there’s something undeniably romantic about it. Perfect for couples seeking a laid-back escape, though don’t expect solitude—everyone seems to love this place as much as we did.
Written 16 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Harriet C
Sydney, Australia15 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
Hoi An is a must for any tourist to Vietnam. It's is bursting with tourists which is a pity but it's still very worth while. Hoi An is very pretty, situated on the river with old buildings and lanterns everywhere. There are plenty of museums and places of interest to see. We saw inside some of the ancient houses, the Folk Craft Museum and the Museum of Antiquities which I found the most interesting. Also there were hardly any people in the museums so it was a relief from the crowd. The Japanese Covered Bridge was under repair so we couldn't see it properly. You can buy a book of five tickets that allows entrance to five things that you want to see.
We stayed nearby at the Hoi An Corn Riverside Villa, which was very pleasant, on Cam Nam Island. It was an easy walk to the town. The bridge into town is a bit scary as it is very narrow. In the evening we made a good deal with a boatman to take us back to the island. The next day the boatman picked us up again at a prearranged time and took us into town which was fun. And then he took us back in the evening as well. So by then we were like old friends.
Hoi An has a lot of excellent tailors who will supply material and make clothes, or you can bring a favourite garment to copy. They will do this very quickly and cheaply. We were recommended to see Chum from Tho May Cua Toi Tailor located at 90 Phan Chau Trinh. 0827 656 275. Chum was utterly charming and did excellent work. I didn't even realise quite how cheap it was until I got home and saw the bill in Australian Dollars. I wish I had given her a huge tip. Email: themytailor@gmail.com
That's another thing. The money is very confusing because there are so many zeros. We didn't/couldn't really manage to work out what we were paying for things but as everything is very cheap in Vietnam compared to Australia we didn't really care to bargain too hard with any of the market stalls. We had a sense that the Vietnamese were very honest when they helped us work out which notes to give them, and giving us change. After what Australia and the USA did to them during the Vietnam War it amazed me how friendly and willing to help us they all seemed to be.
We definitely didn't have enough time in Hoi An. 2 days in not enough.
We stayed nearby at the Hoi An Corn Riverside Villa, which was very pleasant, on Cam Nam Island. It was an easy walk to the town. The bridge into town is a bit scary as it is very narrow. In the evening we made a good deal with a boatman to take us back to the island. The next day the boatman picked us up again at a prearranged time and took us into town which was fun. And then he took us back in the evening as well. So by then we were like old friends.
Hoi An has a lot of excellent tailors who will supply material and make clothes, or you can bring a favourite garment to copy. They will do this very quickly and cheaply. We were recommended to see Chum from Tho May Cua Toi Tailor located at 90 Phan Chau Trinh. 0827 656 275. Chum was utterly charming and did excellent work. I didn't even realise quite how cheap it was until I got home and saw the bill in Australian Dollars. I wish I had given her a huge tip. Email: themytailor@gmail.com
That's another thing. The money is very confusing because there are so many zeros. We didn't/couldn't really manage to work out what we were paying for things but as everything is very cheap in Vietnam compared to Australia we didn't really care to bargain too hard with any of the market stalls. We had a sense that the Vietnamese were very honest when they helped us work out which notes to give them, and giving us change. After what Australia and the USA did to them during the Vietnam War it amazed me how friendly and willing to help us they all seemed to be.
We definitely didn't have enough time in Hoi An. 2 days in not enough.
Written 9 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sharika
27 contributions
Mar 2025 • Solo
Walking alone in Hội An, I wandered through lantern-lit streets, feeling the town’s peaceful charm. The river shimmered under the night sky, reflecting the colorful lights. I took a boat ride for 100,000 VND, drifting gently as the cool breeze touched my skin. The calm water carried me past glowing lanterns floating on the surface, making the night feel magical. Watching Hội An from the boat, I admired its timeless beauty, the soft murmur of the river blending with distant laughter. It was a simple yet unforgettable moment of peace and serenity.
Written 1 March 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LolaGo1
Washington DC, DC6,624 contributions
Apr 2024 • Solo
To beat the heat, I started early exploring the Ancient Areas of Hoi An. Along the way, I passed by tailor shops, restaurants, coffee shops, clothing stores, souvenir shops, lantern shops, etc. Great shopping aeeas here!
Periodically, I would see an ancient Assembly Hall and Temples. Please note that there are entrance fees for the latter, amounting to 120,000 dong for entry to 5 attractions.
Note that this area becomes more active after sunset and when it gets dark. Beautiful to watch the lighted lanterns, ok to ride the boat along the river.
Periodically, I would see an ancient Assembly Hall and Temples. Please note that there are entrance fees for the latter, amounting to 120,000 dong for entry to 5 attractions.
Note that this area becomes more active after sunset and when it gets dark. Beautiful to watch the lighted lanterns, ok to ride the boat along the river.
Written 4 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
enrico p
Milan, Italy235 contributions
Mar 2025 • Couples
Delightful town, famous for the lantern festival held every fourteenth day of the lunar month. Actually, for the hypertourism that characterizes the city, every night you can see a light show along the river and the neighboring streets. So even if you don't happen to be on the day of the festival, don't worry as you will enjoy something that comes very close. In addition to the evening lights, Hoi An is also famous for the hundreds of French colonial palaces and ancient Chinese shophouses that escaped bombing during the Vietnam War. Despite being shaped for tourism, I found the city beautiful and in my opinion unmissable during a trip to Vietnam. During the evening walks have a streetfood snack or drink a Huda beer watching the sunset over the river, it's worth the trip!
Automatically translated
Written 12 March 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Willie B
Staten Island, NY6 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
The atmosphere felt intimate, especially at night with lanterns glowing. However, it was a bit touristy, which took away some charm. Still, we enjoyed the local food and friendly vibe. It’s worth a visit.
Written 17 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan May
New York City, NY5 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
The highlight for us was the Ancient Japanese Bridge, a unique gem tha perfectly blends history and beauty. Strolling through the lantern-lit streets felt peaceful, especially as the sun set. We loved getting lost in the charming alleys, discovering quaint shops and local eateries. While it can get touristy, the town’s charm still shines through.
Written 13 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We will be in Hoi An for about 5 hours off cruise ship. Would like to book a one hour or 30 min wellness massage. Assuming we are transported to the old town, what are spa recommendations please? Do we need to book ahead?
Written 11 January 2025
If you only have five hours off the ship, you won't have much time to explore the wonders of Hoi An, let alone a massage. Although if you do find yourself with time to spare, there are plenty of spas in town that don't require appointments/
Written 13 January 2025
If I bought tickets include museum entrance fee ,can I brought photoshoot equipment such as photoshoot lighting equipment or stabilizer together inside the building ? There is any equipment are banned in Hoi an ancient city ??
Written 26 June 2023
You can bring photoshoot lighting equipment, they only forbid taking pictures in a few spots.
Written 27 June 2023
Hi, I am planning to visit hoi an for a day
Will I be able to see the lanters on streets as shown in many hoi an video in August ??
Also if anyone can suggest a cozy home stay
Written 30 July 2022
August is the rainy season, and much of the old town may experience some flooding as the river that runs through it rises well above street level, making biking or walking around difficult. Try to find a place on the small island over the bridge called An Hoi. There are many little homestays with different offerings on the island. It’s not as busy as the center of the old town, yet only 2 minutes away.
Written 31 July 2022
Is the ancient town really completely closed now due to Covid-19?
Written 15 March 2020
Sorry for the delay - I returned to Montréal as fast as I could! Therefore, I have no idea if it is closed, but I did hear through the grapevines that it was
Written 2 April 2020
Do vendors take American money?
Written 28 January 2020
Get your money changed at the airport or at your hotel - the only vendors that will take USD are the major tailors (1 or 2 of them). You can use your Visa/MC at most places also but the smaller street vendors need you to pay in Dong
Written 31 January 2020
Any recommendations for hotels around the night market area please.
Written 25 January 2020
I'm sorry we stayed just outside the ancient town at the Sunshine hotel.you can walk into town from here or the receptionist will gladly order a taxi for you..I can highly recommend it.
Written 3 March 2020
Are taxis available at Da Nang airport for Hoi An? If yes, then what is there cost?
Written 13 January 2020
Better than a taxi, just download the GRAB app on your phone. You can either use a grab motorbike (cheap for one person but can be olé! olé!), a grab taxi (you pay according to meter) or a grab car (driven by an individual with his own car - this is the option we ALWAYS used and we had amazing service and amazing cleanliness all around)
Written 2 April 2020
Is there a currency exchange shop in Hoi an ancient town?
Written 12 August 2019
I guess no, we haven’t seen any foreign exchange shop. Unless restaurant or souvenir shop accept foreign currency otherwise it’s better to hold local currency.
Written 13 August 2019
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