Hoi An

The ancient town of Hoi An, in 1999 officially recognized as a World heritage Site by UNESCO, lies at the Thu Bon River. It is a picturesque an exceptionally well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. It is a cultural melting pot of Chinese, Cantonese and Japanese bridges, assembly halls, merchant houses and tea warehouses with their own unique architecture.

The colorful streets, the pedestrianized center and great atmosphere make it the perfect place to recharge your battery during your Vietnam travels.

The town used to harbor foreign traders back in the 17^th and 18^th century and was once an important and heavily frequented trading port in Southeast Asia. The foreigners came from all corners of the world but most were from Chinese and Japanese nationality. Some came and went but many settled in permanently and etch their marks into the history of Hoi An.

Hoi An has to these days well preserved its most sacred treasure, the centuries- old architecture. Mixing together with Vietnamese design, Chinese and Japanese accents melt and create a picture-perfect Hoi An of the late 19^th century, which it has somehow remained mostly intact since. The end product is an oddly strange-yet-familiar sight that exists nowhere else in the world.

A walking tour in Hoi An ancient town perfectly reveals it gems and is truly enjoyed by travelers, not only the hidden charms of antique houses, bridges and pagodas but also traditional music of local people.

A popular and relaxing way to see Hoi An’s beautiful countryside and beaches is to simply hop on a bike and explore by yourself. The best beaches like An Bang and Tra Que vegetable village are located a short distance from the old town.

Mỹ Sơn Holy Land, just 70km from Hoi A, is World Cultural Heritage Sites can be visited on one single tour. It is a Hindu temple complex built by Champa, various tribes of the Cham ethnic group.

Take a leisurely early morning boat ride and watch local fisherman getting around their daily business and drop off their catch at the local market is a great way to experience real local life. Very popular is a bike ride through the rice fields surrounding Hoi An’s peaceful countryside and even some of Vietnam’s most beautiful beaches, An Bang and Cua Dai are within a 15-minute bike ride. 

If you’re into diving and snorkeling, a trip to Cham Island should be on your list. The ecological sites around and the crystal clear waters to see the vivid corals and plentiful fish. Relax on the beach, visit the local fishing village and enjoy fresh seafood and recharge your battery. 

Connecting destinations:

The best way to get to Hoi An is by motorbike tour over the Hai Van pass from Hue. A full day filled by highlights and natural beauty. From Hoi An to Hue it will take you 4 hours by bus. If you want to take the train you first have to travel to Da Nang and the train will take you in 2,5 hours to Hue. From Ho Chi Minh City it will take you 18 hours by bus and 20 hours by train. By plane it will take you 1 hour.

For those traveling south, the best way to get to Hoi An from Hanoi, Hue can be reached by a short flight. Other ways to reach Hue are by overnight bus or the more comfortable soft sleeper trains, which both take around 11 hours. They are easy to arrange by us.