[top cool things to do in Hoi An] There are so many things to do in Hoi An that you could spend a week just exploring the city. The old town is packed with fascinating architecture and authentic local markets, and there are some great temples and parks too. The old city is also perfect for cycling; check out our guide to biking in Hoi An if you fancy heading out on two wheels. Not only is it one of the most beautiful cities we’ve ever visited but it’s also incredibly welcoming, making it an ideal base from which to explore more remote rural areas of Vietnam.
Top 10 Cool Things To Do In Ho It’s no secret that we love spending time in Vietnam’s historic towns, the country’s small cities offer something different than its capital cities. Explore its cobbled streets, charming cafes, and atmospheric markets, or go hiking in one of Vietnam’s national parks. Here are some cool things to do in Hoi An.
Visit the Night Market
The night market is always a good place to start your exploration of any city. It’s a place where locals come to socialise, meet new people and exchange goods and services.
The Hoi An night market is famous around Vietnam and is a great way to get a feel for the local life. The market is held on the last Sunday of each month, when the city empties out, and the vendors set up their stalls along the roads and on the sides of the buildings in the old town.
This is also a great place to spot some of Hoi An’s more famous residents – the late Mr. Vo Truyen, the inventor of Spam and other canned food products, is a local legend. If you’re here in the summer, be sure to visit the Song Han Market, which is set up in the nearby park and features a range of attractive and lively outdoor stalls.
Take a walk along the Riverfront
The long and bustling Nguyen Trai Street is the heart of the city and is lined with several interesting shops, cafes and restaurants. You can follow this path all the way along the riverfront, where there are plenty of cafes and restaurants to enjoy a drink or a meal.
There are several bridges that you can cross to explore the other side of the river, where there are lots of interesting sights, including the Co Loa Temple Complex, the Imperial Citadel and the city’s old Vietnamese military citadel. The riverfront is also popular with tourists, so this is a great place to escape the crowds. And when the weather is nice, you can head up to the edge of the river to enjoy some fresh air while you eat your meal.
Explore the Historic District
If you wander through the old town, you’ll discover that it’s almost like a different country. In this small area, you’ll find a fusion of French architecture, Japanese trading houses and more Vietnamese architecture. The red-tiled roofs are characteristic of Vietnam’s architecture, but if you look closely, you’ll see that they’re decorated with intricate sculptures and intricate designs.
Explore the narrow streets and alleyways, where you’ll find colorful shops and restaurants that cater to both tourists and the local population. You can also explore the area with a guide, as this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And if you want to stay for longer, you can even book a homestay.
Check out Hoi An’s Temple Culture
Hoi An is famous for its Temple Culture, which is a unique blending of Chinese and Vietnamese Buddhist and Confucian ideals. Buddhist architecture is present throughout the city, but many of the temples have a Confucian flavour, too.
You can visit the largest temple complex in the old town, the Quan Yin Pagoda, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most important Buddhist sites in Southeast Asia. There are also several smaller temple complexes in the old town. And don’t miss the Cu Lao Temple and the Buddhist Temple of the Eight Immortals, which are both located in the countryside.
Visit one of Vietnam’s Top 3 Beaches
The beach in Hoi An might be small, but it’s still a great place to escape from the city. You can pack a picnic and explore the old town, or head to the beach and relax in the sunshine. If you want to stay active, you could join a nearby adventure tour or explore some of the nearby countryside with a bicycle tour. Whatever you do, don’t forget to take some photos of the beach and Hoi An skyline. This will remind you of your time in Vietnam.
Hang Out at the Local Pub and Cafe Scene
While Hoi An might be a World Heritage Site, it also has a thriving local pub and cafe scene. You can choose to explore the city on foot or by bike, or you can grab a beer and chill out at one of the many beachside restaurants. There are plenty of good hotels in the city, but if you want to get a bit further from the tourist crowds, consider staying at one of the hotels in the countryside.
Conclusion
Hoi An is an ancient port city that’s packed full of history, charming architecture and great restaurants. If you want to visit a truly authentic Vietnam experience, this is the place to do it. And if you like exploring old towns, this is also a great place to visit Hoi An is one of the best cities in Vietnam to visit. It’s cheap, it’s easy to get around, and there are so many great things to do in Hoi An that you’ll want to come back again and again.