Hoi An always knows how to renew itself despite its ancient, mossy appearance. Going beyond the yellow walls or bougainvillea trellises, the Hoi An tourist map in 2026 has been updated with diverse cultural and entertainment experiences, from lush eco-zones to international-scale shows.
What to do in Hoi An? In 2026, visitors can experience 15 outstanding activities such as: taking a Hoai River boat ride, watching the Hoi An Memories show, exploring VinWonders Nam Hoi An, riding a basket boat in the Bay Mau Coconut Forest, visiting Thanh Ha Pottery Village, and enjoying the Old Town’s street food.
1. Best Things to Do in Hoi An Old Town
The central area of the Old Town is the heart of Hoi An, perfectly preserving the beauty of time. You can spend a whole day just wandering around here without getting bored.
1.1 Take a boat ride on the Hoai River and release lanterns
When the sun sets is when the Hoai River is at its busiest. Sitting on small wooden boats, gliding gently on the calm water, and releasing your own wish-carrying lanterns is a “signature” experience of Hoi An.
Practical experience shows that the 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM timeframe is the most beautiful time for a boat ride. At this time, you can catch the transition moment between the twilight sunset and when thousands of lanterns start lighting up on both sides of the river. The current boat rental price ranges from 150,000 to 200,000 VND/boat (carrying 4-5 people).
1.2 Walk through lantern-lit streets and take photos at the iconic yellow walls
Streets like Tran Phu, Nguyen Thai Hoc, and Bach Dang always ban motorized vehicles during certain hours. This is the absolute best time for you to take a stroll. The combination of the signature yellow walls, yin-yang tiled roofs, and thousands of silk lanterns swaying in the wind creates a flawless photography background.
The secret to getting photos with the yellow walls without crowds is to walk around early in the morning (before 8:00 AM). At that time, the sun is just coming up, the streets are quiet, making it very suitable for a stroll.
1.3 Visit historical landmarks in the Old Town
When looking for Hoi An tourist attractions with strong cultural imprints, the historical landmarks in the Old Town are a top priority. To deeply understand the culture, you should buy a sightseeing ticket for the Old Town. This ticket allows you to enter typical historical sites:
- Japanese Covered Bridge (Lai Vien Kieu): A symbol of Vietnamese-Japanese cultural intersection.
- Assembly Halls: Fujian (Phuoc Kien) and Cantonese (Quang Dong) Assembly Halls with exquisite carved architecture by the Chinese.
- Ancient Houses: Tan Ky Ancient House, Phung Hung Ancient House – where you will hear stories of the past told by the very descendants of these families.
These are suitable stops if you want to better understand the history and life of Hoi An instead of just walking around and taking pictures.
1.4 Enjoy rooftop cafes with panoramic Old Town views
Are you used to seeing Hoi An from the ground? Try changing your perspective from above. Cafes like Faifo Coffee, 92 Station, or The Chef have ideal rooftops for you to sip a cup of Mot herbal tea or salted coffee, and gaze at the layers of mossy tiled roofs under the setting sun. The best time to sit on a rooftop is around 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM, when the sunlight is soft and begins to transition into the scene of the town lighting up.
1.5 Experience traditional folk games and local activities
In the evenings (especially on weekends), the roundabout area near An Hoi Bridge or inside the night market usually hosts the game of Bai Choi singing (a Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity). In addition, you can also try your hand at the blindfolded pot-smashing game, which is very bustling and full of laughter.
2. Top Attractions and Entertainment Near Hoi An
While the Old Town has a quiet and solemn appearance, the outskirts are a world of excitement and spectacular shows.
2.1 VinWonders Nam Hoi An
Located about 15km from the center, this is a massive entertainment complex. VinWonders Nam Hoi An features not only a water park and thrill rides but also stands out with the River Safari (taking a boat to see wild animals) and the Island of Folk Culture – a place that authentically recreates traditional craft villages from all three regions of Vietnam.
2.2 Hoi An Memories Land and the Hoi An Memories Show
Hoi An Memories is one of the standout live-action shows when visiting Hoi An, recreating the history of the Faifo trading port through large-scale performances. With an outdoor stage of about 25,000 square meters, over 500 actors, and a modern sound and lighting system, the 60-minute show delivers a quite visually impressive experience.
The show is suitable for tourists looking for a well-organized evening activity rather than just walking around or dining out. The performance area is located on Hoi An Memories Island, not far from the Old Town center, making it convenient to combine sightseeing and relaxing in the same area.
3. Nature and Cultural Experiences Around Hoi An
Just a few kilometers from the center, Hoi An hides peaceful countryside areas and centuries-old craft villages.
3.1 Ride a basket boat through the Bay Mau Coconut Forest
Dubbed a “miniature Mekong Delta in the heart of Hoi An,” the Bay Mau Coconut Forest offers the experience of sitting in a basket boat weaving through lush green water coconut groves. The most attractive highlight is the skillful “basket boat dance” performed by the rowers and the exciting rock crab fishing activity.
3.2 Try pottery making at Thanh Ha Pottery Village
Sitting quietly by the Thu Bon River, Thanh Ha Pottery Village has a history of over 500 years. Coming here, you not only get to admire the Terracotta Park (with ceramic models of world wonders) but also get hands-on experience shaping and molding clay under the guidance of veteran artisans.
3.3 Visit Tra Que Vegetable Village
If you love green tourism, Tra Que is an ideal destination. Here, you will transform into a real farmer: hoeing the soil, carrying water with a pair of tin buckets, and planting the signature herbs that form the soul of Mi Quang (Quang-style noodles) or Cao Lau dishes.
3.4 Relax at An Bang Beach and Cua Dai Beach
Located about 5km from the Old Town, An Bang Beach was once ranked among the most beautiful beaches in Asia. Not as noisy as Da Nang beaches, An Bang brings a pristine, peaceful beauty, highly suitable for swimming, surfing, or lounging on a long chair at beach clubs enjoying fresh seafood.
4. What to Do in Hoi An at Night
Hoi An is most beautiful when the lights come on. The nightlife here is not too bustling but is enough to captivate any traveler.
4.1 Explore Hoi An Night Market
The night market on Nguyen Hoang Street, about 300 meters long, is a shopping paradise. You can find everything here: from silk lanterns, ceramics, and “to he” (traditional toy figurines) to exquisite handmade souvenirs.
4.2 Walk around the Old Town and enjoy street food
Don’t forget to stroll along the riverbank and fill your hungry stomach with a Hoi An food tour. The street foods you definitely must try include: Banh Mi (Phuong or Madam Khanh), grilled meat wrapped in wet rice paper, sweet tofu pudding (tao pho), sweet corn soup (che bap), and especially cooling down with a fragrant cup of Mot tea.
4.3 Chill at riverside pubs and bars along the Hoai River
Across the river (Nguyen Phuc Chu street area) is a row of pubs and bars with a gentle acoustic style. Sipping a cocktail while listening to live music and watching the Old Town reflect on the water is a wonderful way to end a long day.
5. Suggested Itineraries for Things to Do in Hoi An
Depending on your time budget, you can refer to the 2 most optimally designed itineraries below:
5.1 One-day itinerary in Hoi An
- Morning (08:00 AM – 11:30 AM): Eat Mi Quang for breakfast. Visit historical landmarks in the Old Town (Japanese Covered Bridge, Fujian Assembly Hall). Drink rooftop coffee and enjoy the view.
- Noon (12:00 PM – 02:00 PM): Enjoy Hoi An Chicken Rice (Ba Buoi / Ba Nga). Return to the hotel to rest.
- Afternoon (02:30 PM – 05:00 PM): Move to Bay Mau Coconut Forest to ride a basket boat and enjoy the river countryside scenery.
- Evening (05:30 PM – 09:00 PM): Return to the Old Town, take a boat ride to release lanterns on the Hoai River. Walk around Nguyen Hoang Night Market, eat street food, and watch Bai Choi singing.
5.2 Afternoon to evening itinerary in Hoi An (For tourists traveling from Da Nang)
- 03:00 PM – 05:00 PM: Stroll around the Old Town, take photos at the yellow walls and bougainvillea trellises. Quench your thirst with Mot herbal tea.
- 05:00 PM – 06:30 PM: Sit on a boat on the Hoai River and watch the sunset.
- 07:00 PM – 09:00 PM: Eat specialty dinner (Cao Lau, White Rose Dumplings). Move to Hoi An Memories Island to watch the world-class live-action show.
6. Travel Tips for Exploring Hoi An
For a complete trip, keep these practical tips in mind:
- Ideal time: The dry season from February to April is when Hoi An is at its most beautiful, with sunny skies and not too muggy weather. From May to August, it gets quite hot.
- Clothing: When visiting religious sites (temples, assembly halls), you need to wear polite clothing that covers your knees. When walking the streets, prioritize flat shoes, sneakers, or comfortable sandals because you will be walking quite a lot.
- Transportation: In the center of the Old Town, only walking or cycling is allowed. You can rent bicycles at your hotel (many places offer them for free) for about 30,000 – 50,000 VND/day.
- Shopping: Don’t hesitate to bargain when shopping at the night market, especially for clothing, bags, or souvenirs. However, maintain a cheerful and polite attitude.
Reference costs:
- Old Town sightseeing ticket: Around 80,000 – 120,000 VND/person
- Hoai River boat: Around 150,000 – 200,000 VND/boat
- Bay Mau Coconut Forest: Around 150,000 – 200,000 VND/basket boat
- Hoi An Memories Show: From 600,000 VND/ticket
- VinWonders Nam Hoi An: From 600,000 VND/ticket
Hoi An is not just a name on the world heritage map, but a living entity, wonderfully harmonizing the old and the new. Through the 15 places and experiences above, we hope you have found the perfect answer to the question “What to do in Hoi An?”. Whether you choose to weave through empty small alleys, cheer excitedly on a spinning basket boat, or stand in awe before the Hoi An Memories performance, this land will surely leave you with unforgettable memories.
This article is compiled from practical experiences and updated with the latest ticket prices in early 2026 in Hoi An, combined with general reviews from the traveler community on Google Maps and TripAdvisor to provide the most objective perspective.
