The Perfect Two-Day Hoi An Itinerary For First Time Visitors

In coastal Central Vietnam, Hoi An’s lantern-lit streets and colourful historic architecture feel like a step back in time. If it’s your first time visiting Vietnam, this two day itinerary hits all the highlights of Hoi An, including foodie recommendations and top activities.

Hoi An was one of the places I was most looking forward to visiting in Vietnam. I’d saved pictures of the lantern-adorned UNESCO old town, and couldn’t wait to enjoy the combination of historical buildings, lush green countryside and beach town life.

Unfortunately, the weather had some other ideas, and we spent a lot of time taking in the sights from under the protection of an umbrella! Despite this, I loved the charm of the colonial-style buildings and the buzz of the market stalls. There’s plenty to do in the town whatever the weather, including loads of traditional craft to try and delicious food to sample.

This two day Hoi An itinerary is perfect for you if you’re visiting for the first time and you’ve got limited time to spend in Hoi An. I’ve included options that suit foodies, history buffs and culture seekers alike.

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Day 1: Old Town History and Heritage

Morning: Explore Hoi An Old Town

Hoi An’s Old Town. Aka the Hoi An you’ll see all over Instagram – and yes, it’s stunning in real life too. Formerly a merchant trading port, this well-preserved area is one of the most popular destinations in Vietnam.

Built between the 15th and 19th centuries, the yellow-fronted buildings and vibrant lanterns are an emblem of the entire country. So much so, the whole old town area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. Narrow alleyways reveal wooden shop fronts, and vibrant cafes and bars bring a modern, lively buzz to the historic centre.

You can take a walking tour to learn more about the Old Town; or if you prefer to explore self-guided, these are the essential spots to check out:

• Japanese Covered Bridge – ornate late 16th century footbridge with a small temple.
• Tan Ky Old House – one of the oldest and best preserved merchant houses in the old town, now a living museum with artefacts and antiques on display on the ground floor.
• Quan Thang Ancient House – if you enjoyed Tan Ky Old House, you’ll probably also enjoy this similar 18th century home and gallery.
• Fujian Assembly Hall & Cantonese Assembly Hall – take in the detailed carvings and vibrant colors of these 17th and 18th century traditional Chinese gathering spots.
• Hoi An Museum – explore artifacts from Hoi An’s history including ceramics, sculptures, artworks and exhibits from the Vietnam War.
• Museum of Folk Culture – learn about Vietnamese traditions and crafts through art and cultural artifacts.
• Hoi An Central Market – wander past hundreds of stalls in Hoi An’s largest markets, selling everything from fruit and veg to crafts and souvenirs.

Ticket Note: Walking the streets of the Old Town is free, but to visit some of the above attractions you’ll need to pick up an old town ticket for 120,000 VND (about $5). You can get this at various ticket booth sites around the old town or at the attractions themselves – read more here.

Tailoring: If you’re looking to take advantage of Hoi An’s famous tailoring, there are shops that can offer a 24 hour turnaround – try Rosa Tailor or Lusi Tailor. Some of the tailors on the street can be quite pushy, so if you’re not up for a purchase or sales chat, we found politely telling a white lie that we were leaving that afternoon worked a treat.

Lunch Like A Local: Banh Mi

The banh mi sandwich is a staple of Vietnamese cuisine, and it just so happens one of the best ones I had of the trip was in Hoi An!

We’d initially planned to go to Bánh Mì Phượng, once upon a time championed by the one and only Anthony Bourdain. However, we’d also been recommended Madam Khanh – The Banh Mi Queen as an even better alternative.

This unassuming shop front opens up to cosy table seating in the back, with a fast turnaround meaning we only waited a few minutes for a seat. You can also grab a takeaway banh mi, but after a morning of wandering, we fancied the sit down!

The simple menu gives a choice of five banh mi, including pork, chicken and vegetarian. The bread is super fresh and just the right amount of crispy, with generous and flavourful, well-balanced fillings.

Afternoon: Heritage Crafts

After the exploits of our previous day, my partner decided he wanted some hotel chill time, so I headed off solo to indulge my crafty side at a Lantern Making Workshop. It was something that had been on my to-do list since we’d been planning the trip

• Delve into Hoi An’s rich textile history at an embroidery workshop for beginners.
• Head out to the countryside for a wood carving class with a village artisan.
• Learn the ancient art of calligraphy.

Evening: Food Tour

Want to learn more about Vietnamese cuisine and enjoy some must-try local eats? A Hoi An food tour is the perfect way to explore the region’s unique traditional tastes, with visits to beloved family restaurants and market stalls.

Dishes you’ll sample include cao lầu, a noodle dish exclusive to Hoi An; bánh xèo crispy pancakes; and bánh xoài, a traditional mango dessert. Dietary restrictions can be catered for with advanced notice.

Day 2: Beaches, Countryside & Local Life

Morning: My Son Sanctuary Half-Day Trip

My Son is a UNESCO World Heritage site, home to a complex of 4th-13th century ruined Hindu temples built by the Champa Kingdom. Here, the intricate red-brick structures that have weathered the test of time invoke mystical energy, surrounded by lush jungle.

My Son is around 50km from Hoi An, and it takes around an hour to get there. We hired a scooter for the afternoon for our visit, but you can book a half day guided tour which includes transport, a boat ride and breakfast/lunch. I’d recommend booking the 7.30am tour if you want to see the Champa dance show when you’re there.

Afternoon Option 1: Beach Chill

For a relaxing, scenic afternoon head to An Bang Beach, where the soft sand and gentle waves make paradise feel that little bit closer!

An Bang Beach is around 15mins by taxi or scooter from the Old Town. Once you’re there, you can simply stretch out on the glorious sand; or indulge in water sports such as jet skiing, stand-up paddleboarding and parasailing.

The beach is a great spot to grab some lunch/snacks/drinks too – check out The DeckHouse or Sea and Sand Restaurant for oceanfront dining.

Afternoon Option 2: Countryside Cycling

If you’re contemplating a more active afternoon, take a two-wheeled adventure around the stunning rural areas of Hoi An. Pedal your way through rice paddies, taking in local farming activities, and check out some of the surrounding villages, each with their own special points of interest.

• Tra Que Vegetable Village is best known for its organic historic farming techniques – it’s also a great spot to learn your favourite Vietnamese recipes by joining a cooking class.
• Than Ha Pottery Village has been home to traditional terracotta pottery techniques for hundreds of years – and you can even try your hand at some pottery making.
• Cam Thanh Coconut Village is where you can take the iconic coconut basket boat ride along the river!
• Kim Bong Carpentry Village is well-known for traditional wooden furniture and shipcraft.

Many hotels offer bike hire, or there are plenty of spots in town with reasonable rates. If you’re not confident self-planning your trip, you could consider a guided bike tour which includes cycle hire and a river boat ride; or skip the bike and join a four-wheel countryside villages tour.

Evening: Boat Ride & Nightlife

To end your two days in Hoi An, we’re returning to the Old Town for a final stroll along the Thu Bon River, soaking up the night market atmosphere and a traditional wooden boat ride.

If you’ve spent any time alongside the river so far, you’ll be aware of the boat tour hawkers that stand by the shore. You can speak to any of these to book a boat ride, or book one online in advance to streamline the process and get your price guaranteed.

As an optional evening activity, you could also book tickets to the Hoi An Memories Show, Vietnam’s largest performing arts show. Hundreds of performers gather in traditional costume using dance, music, lighting and effects to bring history to life.

Finally, enjoy a drink or two at a charming cocktail bar (we grabbed some Aperol Spritz at Tropical Home bar) to see out your visit!

Getting to Hoi An

The quickest and easiest way to get to Hoi An is to fly to Da Nang airport and get a Grab taxi, private taxi or shared bus transfer. I found a Grab to be the same price or cheaper than the shared buses!

For backpackers and budget travellers, sleeper buses and trains are the most budget-friendly options to travel from further afield. Check out my full guide to travelling Vietnam by sleeper bus to learn more about that!

• Hanoi – Hoi An – from 15hrs (bus)
• Saigon – Hoi An – from 16hrs (train) or 18hrs (bus)
• Dalat – Hoi An – from 12hrs 30min (bus)

If you’re travelling to Hoi An from Hue, check out the scenic bus journey across the Hai Van Pass – or you can do it on a scooter by self-drive or with an easy rider.

Where to stay in Hoi An

After a LONG day tackling the Hai Van Pass on a motorbike in the rain, we were OVERJOYED to see our villa!

Villa hotels are a popular choice in Hoi An, due to their abundance and excellent value for money. We booked our stay at Palmy Villa in a spacious and super comfortable Superior Double Room. Despite the rain, we also made use of the large outdoor pool, and the hotel is a short scooter ride or a 30min walk to the Old Town.

If you want to be closer to the action, there are also plenty of hotels and villas closer to the Old Town:

• Ancient Haven – centrally located boutique hotel with pool
• Nu Ni Homestay – cosy and friendly homestay on the edge of the Old Town
• Hidden Boat Guesthouse – double and twin rooms in a traditional guesthouse with colonial-style architectural features.

Budget travellers looking for hostel dorms should check out Dolphins Hostel or Cheerful Hoi An Hostel.

Where to eat in Hoi An

As well as being a great spot for Vietnamese cuisine, the Hoi An area has its own special dishes that you won’t find anywhere else in the country! Whether you want to try some local dishes or fancy something a bit more familiar for a brunch, these were some of our favourite places to eat in Hoi An:

• The Son Bistro – on our first night in Hoi An we had a delicious dinner here! Enjoy local specialties such as cao lầu and white rose dumplings.
• Morning Glory – for an elegant dining experience serving an authentic menu of Hoi An street food specialties.
• Plant Lab – vegan dishes in a peaceful spot – definitely try their selection of vegan cheeses!
• Rosie’s Cafe – if you’ve rented a scooter or don’t mind getting a taxi, this spot did one of the best Western brunches I had in Vietnam!
• Zhong Hua Lou – a taste of Chinese street food in Vietnam – we loved their dumplings!

General tips for visiting Hoi An

• Hoi An is a walkable town but you might want to hire a bike/scooter to get a bit further out. If you’re not confident on a bike, Grab is the best app to use for taxis – they’re cheap by Western standards and riding on the back of a bike taxi is a quintessential Vietnam experience!
• Bigger establishments take card payment but it’s best to have some cash on you, especially for market stalls and smaller restaurants/bars/shops. Bank ATMs can be found around the outskirts of the Old Town.
• February to August is the best time to visit Hoi An. October and November bring heavy rain and occasional flooding – however, we visited in November and still had a great time regardless.
• Although Hoi An has a reportedly low crime rate, practice regular travel safety including securing your belongings and being aware of your surroundings.

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• How To Spend 2 Days in Phong Nha: Your Complete Travel Guide
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