Hoi An has moved from a quiet riverside town to one of the most loved destinations in Vietnam. Travellers who come for a day often wish they had planned for three. Here is what keeps drawing them.
A trading port preserved in time
Between the 15th and 19th centuries Hoi An was a busy international port where Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese and European merchants traded. When the river silted up and commerce moved to Da Nang, the town was left largely unchanged. Its wooden merchant houses, assembly halls and the Japanese Covered Bridge survived, and the Ancient Town was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.
A town made for walking
The historic streets are largely closed to motor traffic, which makes Hoi An unusually calm for a Vietnamese town. Mustard-yellow walls, tiled roofs and thousands of silk lanterns give it a look that is instantly recognisable, especially after dark.
Food found nowhere else
Hoi An has its own dishes: cao lau noodles, white rose dumplings, chicken rice and some of the most famous banh mi in the country. Cooking classes and market tours have become attractions in their own right.
Tailors and craft villages
The town is known for made-to-measure clothing, with tailors able to produce garments in a few days. Nearby villages keep older crafts alive, including pottery in Thanh Ha, carpentry in Kim Bong and lantern making in the town itself.
Beaches and countryside close by
Rice fields begin at the edge of town, and An Bang, Cua Dai and Binh Minh beaches are a short ride away. It is rare to find heritage, countryside and coast so close together.
Visiting responsibly
Popularity brings crowds, particularly in the evening. Explore early in the morning, stay a few nights rather than a few hours, and spend with local families and craftspeople to help the town keep its character.
