The small city of Hoi An is located in the center of Vietnam, still retaining its traditional and ancient features with influences from the Chinese, Japanese, and French. Hoi An is an exceptional example of what was a commercial port city of Southeast Asia between the 15th and 19th centuries. In 1999, the ancient city was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Hoi An Old Town looks like a pristine, simple, and poetic painting. Hoi An always has a very attractive beauty regardless of morning or night.
Ideal time to travel to Hoi An
Hoi An has two seasons, the rainy season lasts from August to December and the dry season from January to July, sometimes the city receives winter winds but not so strong and cold. It is best to make your trip between February and April, the weather is pleasant and there is little rain. You can also visit Hoi An on the 14th and 15th of the month of the lunar calendar to participate in the night parties of the old quarter. On that occasion, you have the opportunity to throw the lanterns in the river to ask for peace and happiness and attend traditional activities.
How do you get there?
The distance from Da Nang to Hoi an is around 30 kilometers, on the way from Da Nang to Hoi An you can stop to visit the Five Element Marble Mountains.
Means of transport in Hoi An
You can explore Hoi An Old Town and its surroundings on foot, by bike, or by boat on the Thu Bon River… but the most favorite and convenient means of transportation is by bike.
Accommodation in Hoi An
It is a tourist city especially that attracts many foreign tourists, therefore you can find a hotel with a lot of comfort in the city center, but the rooms are always full. I recommend you book a room before two months to get the best price. In high season, you should go to the far streets of the center like Huynh Thuc Khang or Thai Phien to find hotels at reasonable prices. The most visited places in the old town: The Japanese Bridge, Tan Ky House, Phu Kien Assembly Hall (46 Tran Phu), Trieu Chau Assembly Hall (92B Nguyen Duy Hieu), Quang Dong Hall (176 Tran Phu) , Hoi An Craft Workshop (9 Nguyen Thai Hoc) ect. Other further afield worth visiting: Cua Dai Beach, An Bang Beach, Thanh Ha Ceramic Village, Tra Que Vegetable Village, Cu Lao Cham Island, Bay Coconut Forest Mau, ect.
The typical dishes:
Although it is a small one, Hoi An is a gastronomy center with a lot of diversity. Once you visit this city you have to try the following dishes: Pho Hoy chicken rice, Cao Lau, Min Pao, sautéed mussels, Quang noodle soup, banh xeo (sizzling cake), ect.
Also, if you google the best banh mi in Vietnam, you get the name of the Phuong store in Hoi An where it attracts many national and international visitors. This bakery is located at 2B Phan Chu Trinh Street. What can you buy in Hoi An?
Lanterns are traditionally made of silk, an ideal gift and souvenir. You can easily find them with reasonable prices on Tran Phu street in the Tuoi Ngoc, Ngoc Thu store or the shops on Le Loi street. In addition, you can buy the products of silk, stone, artistic painting or clothing to measure, ect.