The beautiful city of Hoi An has a bit of everything, and should be on your radar if it isn’t already. Here are the best things to do while in the city.
Compared to Ho Chi Minh or Da Nang, Hoi An can seem quite underrated. It’s a charming city packed full of interesting history and architecture. It’s one of those places where you don’t feel the need to pack your itinerary to the brim — no guilt in wanting to spend some time by the pool, wake up a bit late, and take a walk down to the old town later.
If that sounds like your cup of Vietnamese coffee, we know the best things to do in Hoi An.
[Hero and featured image credit: NOX Beach Club]
The best things to do when in Hoi An, Vietnam
Spend an afternoon (or two) at NOX Beach Club
The newly opened NOX Beach Club, part of New World Hoiana Beach Resort, has everything you need for a good time, from afternoon till late. After all, four dining spots and two bars should keep you occupied for a while, and DJs coming in on the regular make this an all-in-one destination you’ll be hesitant to leave.
Whether you’re craving Vietnamese classics such as pho or banh mi, authentic Mediterranean delights with homemade pizzas to boot, fresh seafood delights with an ocean view, or an Argentinean steakhouse experience, they’ve got you covered. Plus, the signature cocktails selection at the bars are perfect for both hot days and chilly nights.
The bar at the centre is a tiki sensation come to life, with highlights including the “Banana in Pajamas,” a drink coming down the stairs made from Havana 3YO infused with banana, pineapple jam, calamansi, ginger beer, and chocolate bitters, as well as the “Jackie Sour,” a twist on the usual sour with jackfruit infused into Hennessy VSOP cognac, peach liquor, and aromatic mint bitters. Grab a cabana if you’re coming with company.
You can find more information at NOX Beach Club.
Take a stroll through the Hoi An Old Town
Hoi An is steeped in history. In fact, the city has been recognised as one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites since 1999. When you walk through the town, you’ll fine yourself surrounded by interesting architecture that is a direct result of the city’s history being a melting pot of cultures.
Wooden Chinese-style temples and shophouses adorn the street, with French colonial buildings with colourful exteriors to admire. As canals cut through the city, you’ll also find a Japanese bridge complete with a pagoda. The canal is where tourists board little rowing boats, which many argue is the best way to tour the lantern-lit city.
What’s more, these canal-adjacent shophouses offer a variety of food that won’t break the bank. The braised spiced pork noodle (cao lao) is the city’s signature dish, and perfectly paired with a cold beer you can easily get for just over a USD.
Stay and relax by the gorgeous pool at New World Hoiana Beach Resort
Sometimes you don’t need anything more than to lay back and relax poolside with your favourite book in hand. Plus, the weather in Vietnam is perfect for a trip in the summer time. New World Hoiana Beach Resort’s huge pool is certainly one of the best places we found ourselves, plus access to a private beach and the hospitality (along with the Mojito) from the pool bar isn’t anything to overlook, either.
If you’re staying at New World Hoiana Beach Resort, you can also enjoy a range of facilities, including top-of-the-line dining spots with prices more than reasonable. Being located at a 3-minute walk to the aforementioned NOX Beach Club is also a big plus.
Enjoy the charming hospitality at Mezcal Cocteleria
Hidden up a dimly-lit stairway in Phan Chu Trinh street is Mezcal Cocteleria. Once you make your way inside, it’s like being transported to Mexico, with brick walls and arches, family photos adorning the walls, and warm candle light. With a wide range of imported tequila and mezcal, they combine traditional and modern mixology techniques, and the result is a cocktail menu that not only highlights the passion of the bar, but showcases the spirits as well.
For tequila lovers, the “Traga Fuego” will certainly surprise and impress. The spicy drink is made with Altos Reposado, oregano-infused tequla, Acho Reyes Poblano, agave syrup, and whole-dried chipotle. Or if mezcal is your jam, the El Padrino is an amazing spirit-forward, using two mezcals (Recuerdo and Siete Misterios), mirasol-infused tequila, amaretto, and absinthe spray.
You can find more information at Mezcal Cocteleria.
Take part in the monthly Hoi An Lantern Festival
Normally, the Old Town and the Thu Bon River are already decorated throughout with colourful handmade lanterns. Once a month, those lanterns are tripled in quantity, and the city shines as bright as the moon. It’s a celebration of light, colour, and tradition, as locals and tourists alike tour the city in their row boats, enjoying all the festivities along the river. You’ll get to taste a variety of street food, buy souvenirs to take home, and enjoy the cultural diversity of the Old Town.
The Hoi An Lantern Festival is held on the 14th day of each lunar month as the moon shines the brightest on those dates.
Learn about the region’s history through musuems
There are in total four museums in Hoi An, plus a heritage art gallery. They don’t require a lot of time to go through, and are perfect for history buffs or those who want to know more about the lives of people living in the area.
The Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum collects the works of French photographer Réhahn over the last 10 years as he put up a collection of photos and items as he explores Vietnam.
The Museum of Sa Huỳnh Culture is considered by many to contain some of the most unusual collection of Sa Huỳnh artefacts in Vietnam. The Sa Huỳnh are the original settlers of Hoi An, and this museum contains over 200 of their artefacts.
The Museum of Trade Ceramics presents Hoi An as a historic trading port of Southeast Asia, featuring items from all over the world as they are traded in the city, from Thailand to Persia.
The Hoi An Folklore Museum is filled with items related to the daily life of Hoi An people as they zoom in on traditional occutations, performing arts, and the artefacts correlating to them.
The Museum of History and Culture is a 17th century pagoda transformed into a museum that contains historical relics tracing the history of Hoi An since the earliest settlements. original relics from the Sa Huynh, Champa, Dai Viet and Dai Nam periods are contained here.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Where to stay in Hoi An?
– While many people book hostels, we encourage you to go for more upscale stays since it is relatively inexpensive to stay in Hoi An. For beachside hotels, New World Hoiana Beach Resort is the perfect getaway, being 15 minutes away from the old town, and a brief walk away from NOX Beach Club. With an attentive ride service and even its own casino, you’re set for the trip.
How to get to Hoi An?
– Direct flights from Bangkok to Danang normally take less than two hours, then a 45-minute ride will take you to Hoi An. Thai Vietjet Air is normally the top pick as it offers around 90 flights each month, with Bangkok Airways featuring a more premium economy class with around 30 flights per month.
How many days in Hoi An is enough?
– We recommend around 3 days. Hoi An isn’t a huge city, so 3 days will give you ample time to explore the culture, try out local cuisines, and enjoy the laidback nightlife.
Vichayuth Chantan
Digital Writer, Drinks and Dining
Writer by day and skinny legend by night, Vichayuth focuses on the hospitality industry of Thailand. You'll often find him at a bar finding new friends, discovering new drinks, and silently judging you from across the room.
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