Ancient Town, basket boats, tailors, and lanterns — here’s what to actually prioritise
Hoi An looks exactly like the photos — and somehow still exceeds expectations. The lantern-lit streets, the yellowed merchant houses, the basket boats spinning through mangroves, the tailors who’ll have a suit ready by tomorrow morning. It’s a lot. And knowing what to actually prioritise is half the battle.
This guide covers the best things to do in Hoi An, from Ancient Town essentials to underrated day trips, plus everything you need to know about getting there from Singapore, how long to stay, and how to spend your dong wisely.
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⚡️ TL;DR: Hoi An at a Glance
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Best for | History, food, tailors, slow travel |
| Best time to visit | February–August (dry season) |
| Recommended stay | 3–4 days |
| Getting there from SG | Fly to Da Nang (~2.5 hrs) → taxi 35–45 min |
| Daily budget (mid-range) | ~S$60–100/day |
| Ancient Town ticket | 120,000 VND (~S$7) |
| Currency | Vietnamese Dong (VND) |
📌 Table of Contents
- What Is Hoi An Famous For?
- 15 Best Things To Do In Hoi An
- Things To Do In Hoi An At Night
- Free & Cheap Things To Do
- How Many Days In Hoi An Is Enough?
- How To Get To Hoi An From Singapore
- Hoi An vs Da Nang: Which Should You Base Yourself?
- FAQ
- Travel Tips
What Is Hoi An Famous For?
Hoi An is a 15th-century trading port on Vietnam’s central coast, and one of the best-preserved ancient towns in Southeast Asia. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site that earned its reputation on five things:
- The Ancient Town: Car-free streets, centuries-old merchant houses, and ochre-yellow shop fronts that look like they were lifted straight out of a period drama
- Lanterns: Thousands of hand-sewn silk lanterns hanging from every building, especially stunning during the monthly Full Moon Lantern Festival
- Tailors: Some of the most skilled and affordable custom clothing makers in Asia, with 24-hour turnaround
- Food: White Rose dumplings, Cao Lau noodles, and Banh Mi Phuong (the one Anthony Bourdain made famous)
- Basket boats: Round bamboo coracles that spin 360° through flooded mangrove forests
It’s not a party destination or a beach resort. It’s a place you slow down in: wander, eat, get measured for something, repeat.
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15 Best Things To Do In Hoi An
1. Explore Hoi An Ancient Town
Image Credits: Vietnam Tourism
The Ancient Town is non-negotiable. Buy a combined ticket (120,000 VND, ~S$7) from any booth near the entrance. It covers five heritage sites from a list of 22, including merchant houses, assembly halls, temples, and museums.
Go before 9 AM or after 4 PM to beat the heat and the tour groups. The streets are narrow, flat, and entirely walkable. Budget at least 2–3 hours to do it justice.
Don’t miss: The Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu), built in the 1590s, is Hoi An’s most iconic landmark and one of the five sites included on the ticket.
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2. Take a Basket Boat Ride in Coconut Village
Image Credits: Tripadvisor
About 3km from the Ancient Town, Cam Thanh village (nicknamed Coconut Village) is a network of mangrove-lined waterways where round bamboo coracles have been used by fishermen for centuries. Today, the boat operators are extremely good at making them spin, which they will do at every opportunity.
It’s touristy, yes. It’s also a genuinely good time.
- Duration: Rides run 30–40 minutes and include a short walk through the coconut forest
- Prices: 150,000–200,000 VND (~S$7–10) per person when booked directly
- Tip: Watch out for inflated prices from touts or hotel referrals. Book through a reputable operator or show up directly at the village
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3. Get Something Made by a Tailor
Image Credits: Yaly Couture
Hoi An has hundreds of tailors and quality varies wildly. Do your research before committing. Well-regarded names include Yaly Couture, Bebe Tailor, and A Dong Silk.
A few things to know before you book:
- Timing: Budget 24–48 hours for fittings and alterations
- Prices: Custom suits run around 2,000,000–3,500,000 VND (~S$100–170); dresses and ao dais run cheaper
- Tip 1: Bring reference photos and be specific about what you want
- Tip 2: Always ask for a fitting before paying in full
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4. Take a Vietnamese Cooking Class
Image Credits: Red Bridge Cooking School
Most half-day classes start with a market visit where you pick fresh ingredients, then cook a 4–5 course meal. Red Bridge Cooking School and Thuan Tinh Island are both well-regarded options.
- Prices: 35 USD (~S$47) per person at Red Bridge for the half-day class
- Includes: Tra Que herb gardens, village market, hands-on cooking, lunch, and a boat return to town
- Tip: Morning slots fill fast. Book a day ahead.
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5. Make a Lantern
Hands-on workshops where you assemble and paint your own silk lantern to take home. Most are in or near the Ancient Town. Great with kids, genuinely fun as an adult.
- Duration: 60–90 minutes
- Prices: 100,000–150,000 VND (~S$6–9)
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6. Cycle to Tra Que Vegetable Village
Image Credits: Expedia
Rent a bicycle (30,000–50,000 VND/day, ~S$2–3) and head into the countryside surrounding the Ancient Town. The route to Tra Que is flat, quiet, and passes rice paddies, small farms, and the occasional water buffalo.
The village itself has herb gardens you can walk through and a few local restaurants. Good for a slow morning.
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7. Visit An Bang Beach
Image Credits: Tripadvisor
Hoi An’s closest beach is about 5km from the Ancient Town: a relaxed stretch with beach clubs, sunloungers, and seafood shacks at non-resort prices. Much less developed than Da Nang’s main beach strip.
Grab a Grab or rent a motorbike to get there. Cua Dai Beach is technically closer but has suffered significant erosion in recent years. An Bang is the better pick.
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8. Release a Lantern on the Thu Bon River
Image Credits: Explore Vietnam
One of the most atmospheric things you can do in Hoi An, day or night. Paper lanterns with candles are sold along the riverbank for around 10,000–20,000 VND each (~S$1). You light the candle, make a wish, and set it on the water.
The 14th of each lunar month is the Full Moon Lantern Festival: electric lights in the Ancient Town are switched off, and the river fills with hundreds of glowing lanterns. If your trip overlaps, don’t miss it.
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9. Eat Cao Lau
Image Credits: Lantana Riverside Hanoi Hotel
Cao Lau is a Hoi An-specific noodle dish: thick rice noodles, sliced pork, crispy croutons, and fresh herbs, served with very little broth. It’s made with water from a specific local well, which is why you can only get the “real” version here.
Grab it from the covered market near the Ancient Town (look for the stalls on the upper floor) for around 40,000–60,000 VND (~S$2–4).
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10. Try Banh Mi Phuong
Image Credits: DiaDiemHoiAn.Vn
Widely regarded as one of the best banh mi in Vietnam. The queue tells you everything. There are imitators on the same street. The original has a queue.
- Opening hours: Early morning until sold out — usually before noon
- Prices: 35,000–50,000 VND (~S$2–3) for a baguette loaded with pâté, cold cuts, pickled vegetables, and chilli
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11. Day Trip to My Son Sanctuary
Image Credits: Klook
About 70km from Hoi An (roughly 1.5 hours each way), My Son is a cluster of Hindu temples built by the Cham civilisation between the 4th and 14th centuries. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Older and far less visited than Angkor Wat, but genuinely striking.
- Shared shuttle from Hoi An: ~9 USD (~S$12) per person
- Sanctuary entrance fee: 150,000 VND (~S$7) — often not included in budget tours
- Mid-range guided half-day tour: 15–20 USD (~S$20–27) all-in with hotel pickup
Go early. It gets hot fast.
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12. Take a Boat Tour on the Thu Bon River
Image Credits: KKday
Slow boat tours meander through the waterways around Hoi An, stopping at craft villages, local markets, and fishing hamlets. A few operators run sunset cruises that are worth the price just for the light on the river.
- Duration: Around 2 hours for a basic tour
- Prices: From 200,000 VND (~S$10) per person
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13. Explore the Hoi An Night Market
Image Credits: Vinpearl
The night market has the usual mix of handicrafts, lanterns, clothing, and street food. Relaxed compared to big-city markets, good for an evening wander rather than serious shopping.
- Location: Nguyen Hoang Street
- Opening hours: From around 5 PM
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14. Rooftop Drinks at Cargo Club
Image Credits: Tripadvisor
Cargo Club has a well-regarded rooftop overlooking the Thu Bon River. Go at dusk for the best light. The cocktail list is straightforward, prices are reasonable for a tourist area, and the view earns its keep.
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15. Visit the Hoi An Museum of History and Culture
Image Credits: Vietnam Discovery Tours
Inside the Ancient Town, this small but well-curated museum covers the history of the port city from its Cham origins through the Chinese and Japanese merchant eras. Takes about 45 minutes. Good context before you wander the streets.
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Things To Do In Hoi An At Night
Image Credits: Vinpearl
Hoi An after dark is a different city. The lanterns come on, the riverside restaurants fill up, and the Ancient Town pedestrianises entirely.
The best evening options:
- Lantern Festival (14th of each lunar month): Electric lights go off, paper lanterns go on the river. One of the most beautiful things you’ll see in Southeast Asia.
- Riverside dining: Morning Glory and the surrounding streets along the Thu Bon are the main strip. Most options have covered seating for the inevitable evening shower.
- Night market on Nguyen Hoang Street: Low-key, relaxed, easy to combine with a post-dinner walk.
- Rooftop bars: Cargo Club for views; a few newer spots have opened near the An Hoi peninsula.
Most of the Ancient Town heritage sites close by 9 PM. The streets themselves stay open and are worth wandering late.
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Free & Cheap Things To Do In Hoi An
Hoi An is affordable, but the tourist spots do add up. Here’s where you don’t need to spend much:
- Walk the Ancient Town streets: No ticket needed to explore the lanes; you only pay to enter specific heritage buildings.
- Hoi An Market: The covered local market near the Ancient Town has some of the best (and cheapest) food in town. Breakfast for under S$3.
- Tra Que Vegetable Village: Mostly free to walk through; small fee for the hands-on farm section.
- Cycling the countryside: 30,000–50,000 VND/day for a rental.
- An Bang Beach: No entry fee; sunlounger rental is around 50,000 VND if you want one.
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How Many Days In Hoi An Is Enough?
3–4 days is the sweet spot.
| Duration | What you can cover |
|---|---|
| 1 day | Ancient Town + one evening walk. Highlights only — feels rushed. |
| 2 days | Add basket boats, a tailor visit or cooking class, An Bang beach |
| 3–4 days | Comfortable pace. Room for a day trip (My Son or Da Nang), beach afternoons, proper wandering |
| 5+ days | Slow travel. Useful if you’re doing extensive tailor fittings. |
Hoi An is compact. You can cover the core attractions in 2 days, but the town rewards slowing down, and most people who book 2 nights wish they’d booked 3.
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How To Get To Hoi An From Singapore
Hoi An has no airport. The nearest is Da Nang International Airport (DAD), about 35–45 minutes away by car.
Step 1: Fly to Da Nang
Direct flights from Singapore Changi operate on Singapore Airlines, Scoot, and VietJet. Flight time is roughly 2.5 hours. Scoot operates 7 flights per week; VietJet runs 14. Compare fares on Skyscanner or Google Flights, and factor in baggage fees on budget carriers.
Step 2: Get to Hoi An
From Da Nang Airport, the easiest option is Grab. Expect to pay around 250,000–350,000 VND (~S$12–17) depending on traffic. The drive takes 35–45 minutes. Traditional metered taxis run slightly higher, so Grab is the more transparent option.
There’s no direct train or bus from Da Nang Airport to Hoi An.
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Hoi An vs Da Nang: Which Should You Base Yourself?
Both are worth visiting. The question is where to sleep.
| Hoi An | Da Nang | |
|---|---|---|
| Vibe | Slow, historic, walkable | City energy, beach-forward |
| Getting around | Bicycle, walking, Grab | Motorbike, Grab |
| Nightlife | Quiet (mostly closes by 10pm) | More bars and clubs |
| Food scene | Local specialities, fewer options | More variety, slightly higher spend |
| Beach access | 5km to An Bang | Beachfront |
| Best for | Couples, slow travellers, culture | Families, beach holidays, longer stays |
The verdict: Base yourself in Hoi An if the Ancient Town, food, and slow travel are the draw. Day-trip to Da Nang for the Golden Bridge, Dragon Bridge, and beachfront options. Most travellers visiting the region do exactly that, and it’s the right call.
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FAQs About Hoi An:
The Ancient Town at golden hour, a basket boat ride in Coconut Village, Cao Lau from the covered market, and at least one evening walk with the lanterns lit.
If you’re there on the 14th of the lunar month, the Full Moon Lantern Festival is unmissable: electric lights off, river full of glowing paper lanterns.
Three to four days gives you the right pace. Two days covers the highlights, but you’ll leave with a list of things you didn’t get to.
Five days is only worth it if you’re doing extensive tailor fittings or treating it as a slow-travel base.
Comfortably. S$1,000 for 14 days works out to roughly S$71/day, enough for a mid-range hotel, three meals, local transport, and entry fees with money to spare. Budget travellers can do it on S$40–50/day.
Hoi An is slightly pricier than Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, but still very affordable by Southeast Asian standards.
Lantern-making workshops, basket boat rides, cooking classes, and An Bang Beach are all family-friendly. The Ancient Town is walkable and mostly stroller-friendly. Most activities are short enough not to test anyone’s patience.
Tailors and cooking classes are the obvious picks. The Ancient Town’s covered walkways and indoor heritage sites (merchant houses, assembly halls) work well in a shower. Most riverside restaurants have covered seating. If it’s a full-day rain, this is your tailor day.
Travel Tips
- Cash: Hoi An is largely cash-dependent. Street stalls and local markets only take VND. Carry some, pay by card elsewhere. YouTrip gives you the wholesale VND rate with no foreign transaction fees, and gives you free monthly ATM withdrawals of up to S$400, with a 2% fee after.
- Best time to visit: February–August (dry season). Avoid October–December — typhoon season and the Ancient Town floods badly.
- Getting around: Walk the Ancient Town. Use Grab for An Bang Beach, Coconut Village, and My Son. Rent a bicycle (30,000–50,000 VND/day) for countryside routes.
- Bargaining: Fine at markets and with street vendors. Skip it at restaurants and tailors.
- What to wear: Lightweight layers. Pack a scarf for temple visits that require covered shoulders and knees.
- Electricity: Type A and C sockets, 220V. Bring a universal adapter if you’re carrying multiple devices.
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The Ancient Town That Earns Every Cliché
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