Vietnam travel with the narrow streets, steeped in history, the old houses standing under the golden sunlight – that’s what people generally think of when they evoke Hoian. But behind the historical beauty of this ancient town, Hoian city is full of many interesting things waiting to be discovered.
From stunning beaches to tranquil villages, ancient temples to unique culinary experiences – Hoian is a diverse and rich destination not only for those wanting to visit the old town once in their lifetime.
Hoian is not just a tourist destination but also a spiritual experience, a journey to discover the culture and history of Vietnam. Embark on unique and unforgettable travel experiences with Paradise Travel as you set foot in the city of Hoian.
Hoian: A Journey to Discover Antique Beauty and Traditional Flavors
Overview of Hoian
Nestled on the downstream banks of the Thu Bon River, Hoian is an ancient town in Quang Nam Province, over 30 km from Da Nang city and 122 km from Hue. With its authentic Asian architecture, narrow streets lined with brick houses and traditional colors, Hoian is more than just a tourist destination; it’s a subtle experience immersed in the beauty of the intersection between ancient and modern culture.
This city is famous not only for its old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, but also for its magnificent beaches like Cua Dai and An Bang. Hoian is also the hub of a unique culture and cuisine of the Central Vietnam region, with its iconic dishes and traditional craft villages.
Moreover, Hoian attracts visitors with its traditional festivals, night market experiences, and the friendly, warm atmosphere of its local residents. The travel experience in Hoian is not limited to discovering historical sites but also to immerse oneself in the tranquility of daily life, savoring typical cuisine, and enjoying serenity amidst the bustle of modern life.
Hoian Ancient Town
In just the first three months of 2024, Hội An has successively received prestigious awards from reputable travel magazines and publications worldwide.
In 2024, Hoian surpassed the Maldives and Venice to become the second favorite destination on Tripadvisor’s list of 25 dream honeymoon destinations. This list is based on expert and traveler reviews of these places, and in recent years, Hoian has become a beloved stop for many international tourists.
“Let the professional tailors here make you custom clothing,” suggests Tripadvisor for an experience that travelers should try during their visit to the old town. This will be a suggestion for those who are making a program for their honeymoon vacation in Vietnam.
The renowned travel website Travel Off Path has ranked Vietnam among the seven trendiest destinations in the world. During the recent World MICE Awards ceremony held in Germany, Hội An was honored as the “Best Business Resort Destination in Asia in 2023”.
When is the best time to visit Hoian?
Hoian’s climate blends the climates of the South and the North, with distinct rainy and dry seasons. Each season in the old town has its own charms.
The first three months of the year are the ideal time to visit Hoian, with moderate sunshine, cool weather, and occasional light rains.
From April to June is the driest period of the year, but the weather in Hoian is quite pleasant, thanks to its position south of the Truong Son mountain range. It is also the peak tourist season.
In July, it is still the dry season. In August and September, it’s the transition period. The sun still shines gently, but rains begin to fall sporadically, and it gets cool at night.
The last three months of the year are the rainy season in Hoian, with little sunshine, abundant rains, and sometimes floods. Travelers coming from the South should prepare appropriate clothing to avoid health issues during the cold season.
Tourist Attractions in Hoian Vietnam
The Old Town
With over 2000 years of history, Hoian’s old town bears the mark of Eastern merchants, Japanese, Chinese, and Europeans who visited the region for trade from the 17th to the 19th century.
To visit the most remarkable sites of the old town, tourists need to purchase an entrance ticket, valid for 24 hours. Highlights include the Japanese Bridge, assembly halls like Phuc Kien, Quang Trieu, Hai Nam, Trieu Chau, ancient houses such as Quan Thang, Duc An, Phung Hung, Tan Ky, etc. Additionally, the ticket also includes street artistic activities, traditional games, a night market, etc., which take place after 19:00.
Activities along the Hoai River are usually lively from 18:00 to 22:00. Here, visitors will see illuminated boats with lanterns floating on the river and lanterns lit on the shores. It’s the most attractive scene in the old town due to its fairy-tale and romantic beauty. Tourists can use boat services on the Hoai River to fully enjoy this enchanting scene.
In the evening in the old town, you can stroll on illuminated bridges, listen to live music in bars, cafes, and attend artistic performances.
If you don’t like the hustle and bustle of the night in Hoian, you can visit the town in the morning. Hoian in the morning is very quiet and peaceful as only locals prepare for a new day. It’s the perfect time to discover and enjoy the fresh air and simple beauty of this place.
Beaches
Beaches in Hoian are also a tourist attraction due to their tranquility and calmness.
An Bang Beach, located in Cam An district, is 3 km from the city center of Hoian. The sea there is clear, clean, not too rough, offering just enough space for relaxation. In 2011, An Bang Beach was ranked by CNN among the 50 most beautiful beaches in the world.
An Bang Beach
In 2017, Ha My Beach was selected by the British newspaper Telegraph as one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in Asia. Located 3.5 km from An Bang, 6 km from the tourist site of Ngu Hanh Son, and nearly 7 km from the city center of Hoian, Ha My Beach, although less known, retains its peaceful and attractive charm. Although it is a bit far from the city center, Ha My still offers homestays, hotels, and resorts for travelers.
Cua Dai Beach is a well-known place in Hoian, ranked by Tripadvisor among the 25 most beautiful beaches in Asia in 2013. Cua Dai is located 5 km from the city center of Hoian, it is a large beach of several hectares with fine white sand, clear blue sea, and gentle waves. Visitors can spend hours sunbathing on the sand, listening to the sound of waves, fishing near the shore, renting a fishing boat with local fishermen, or engaging in various water sports…
Cu Lao Cham
Cu Lao Cham is an archipelago located approximately 15 km east of the coast of Hoian. With its wild beauty, vibrant blue waters, and biodiversity, Cu Lao Cham has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve since 2009.
With its preserved natural landscapes, crystalline waters, and ecological diversity, Cu Lao Cham attracts those seeking tranquility, relaxation, and to discover Vietnam’s natural beauty.
If you depart from Hoian, there are two ways to reach Cu Lao Cham: by canoe or wooden boat. Canoes usually depart from Cua Dai and take about 20 minutes to reach Cu Lao Cham. As for the wooden boats departing from Bach Dang, the journey takes nearly 2 hours but is cheaper.
In Cu Lao Cham, the main accommodation options are guesthouses, homestays, or tent rentals. In addition to catering and accommodation services, guesthouses and homestays also offer various tourist activities such as bicycle rentals, boat rentals to visit the islands, coral diving, fishing, seabed walking, etc.
Popular tourist sites include the Cu Lao Cham Maritime Museum, Hai Tang Temple, ancient Cham culture well, Tan Hiep market, Swallow Island, Da Chong Beach, etc.
Cu Lao Cham
Craft Villages
While visiting Hoian Vietnam, tourists can also choose to visit craft villages to learn more about Vietnam’s traditional culture. Some of the prominent crafts in this region include vegetable farming, pottery, woodworking, bronze casting, etc.
Tra Que Vegetable Village is famous for its delicious vegetables grown on fertile land. Located in Cam Ha commune, 3 km from the center of Hoian, visitors will have the opportunity to discover a wide variety of vegetables and herbs.
Tourists can also experience authentic farm life by plowing the land, planting, and harvesting various types of vegetables. Then, they can taste Hoi An specialties prepared with freshly harvested vegetables, such as banh vac, mixed clams, Quang noodles, cao lau, etc.
Thanh Ha Pottery Village has existed since the late 15th century, located about 3 km west of Hoian’s old town, right next to the Thu Bon River. The village’s products include not only traditional pottery such as pots, tiles, and plates but also many unique souvenirs. Visitors can learn the craft and create their own pottery products.
Kim Bong Woodworking Village has over 600 years of history. It is renowned for its exquisite wooden artworks, ranging from houses to boats, and today for its craft, decoration, and souvenir products.
Phuoc Kieu Bronze Casting Village has a history dating back 400 years. When visiting Phuoc Kieu, tourists will see many bronze products used in religious ceremonies, festivals as well as daily household items. In addition to admiring the unique and exquisite products, visitors can also watch artisans casting bronze and purchase bronze items as souvenirs.
Cam Phu Community Tourism Village, in Dien Phong commune, Dien Ban town, about 15 km from Hoian, is an area rich in cultural values and unique traditional crafts such as wood carving, flower cultivation, silk, silkworm breeding, etc. Visitors to the village can experience the rural atmosphere, visit woodworking, weaving workshops, watch shrimp fishing demonstrations on the Thu Bon River, etc.
Bay Mau Coconut Forest
Bay Mau Coconut Forest
Located more than 3 km east of Hoian’s old town, along the Hoai River, lies the Bay Mau Coconut Forest, sprawling over ten hectares in Cam Thanh commune. The basket boat ride service for tourists in the Cam Thanh coconut forest appeared a few years ago and gradually became a must-try “specialty” in Hoian tourism.
In addition to the basket boat ride, tourists can enjoy boat dance performances, learn to make cute little toys from coconut leaves, such as flowers, beetles, bracelets, glasses, rings, hats… as souvenirs. If you visit Bay Mau in August of the lunar calendar, you can taste ripe coconuts with crunchy and sweet flesh.
Cultural Program in Hoian Vietnam
Memories of Hoian
Memories of Hoian is an outdoor artistic spectacle involving more than 500 actors. Divided into 5 acts, it narrates different periods of Hoian’s history.
The sets of the Memories of Hoian show are told through various artistic languages such as dance, light, sound, music, combined with props and modern technologies to create a grand, vibrant, and emotionally charged spectacle.
A scene from the show Les Souvenirs de Hoian
Additionally, visitors can head to the Impressions of Hoian park from 5 p.m. to experience interesting activities and learn more about Hoian’s culture before attending the Memories of Hoian show.
Show schedule: Memories of Hoian is scheduled weekdays (except Tuesdays), from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Lantern Festival
On the 14th day of the lunar calendar every month, and especially during the full moon of the Mid-Autumn Festival, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., traffic is suspended, shops and houses turn off their lights, and the entire street is flooded with thousands of glowing lanterns and the shimmering glow of the full moon.
In addition to lantern hanging and lantern releasing activities, visitors can also enjoy artistic performances such as lion dance, folk dances, or participate in traditional games like rope jumping, chess, or singing folk songs.
Festival Times: The 14th day of the lunar calendar each month, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Discover: Travel Tips and Things to Do at Hoi An Lantern Festival
Hoian Cuisine
Cao Lau
When mentioning Hoian, one cannot miss the local specialty, cao lau. An iconic dish of Hoian with a strange name but a unique taste. Cao lau is essentially a noodle dish made from flour mixed with ash from the tremble wood, thus giving light yellow, thick, and tender noodles.
These tender noodles are accompanied by shrimp, pork, xa xiu (caramelized pork), vegetables, all with a special sauce that gives cao lau its distinctive character unique to Hoian.
Some restaurant recommendations:
- Thanh Restaurant, located at 26 Thai Phien, Minh An Ward, Hoi An
- Lien Restaurant, located at 120 Tran Cao Van, Minh An Ward, Hoi An
- Hoian Ba Be (Mrs. Be) Restaurant, located at 19 Tran Phu, Cam Chau, Hoi An
Mi Quang (Quang Noodles)
Quang noodles, a traditional dish from the Quang Nam region in Central Vietnam, have become an indispensable symbol of Hoian’s cuisine.
It is a delicate mixture of tender noodles, fragrant broth made from pork bones, chicken, or seafood, accompanied by beef, shrimp, crabs, and fresh vegetables such as coriander, green onions, spinach… All beautifully decorated with slices of hard-boiled egg, crispy fried onions, and a bit of roasted rice flour that gives mi Quang its distinctive flavor.
Some restaurant recommendations:
- Mi Quang Ong Hai (Mr. Hai’s Quang Noodles), located at 6A Truong Minh Luong, Hoi An, open from 07:30 to 21:00.
- Mi Quang Di Hat (Mrs. Hat’s Quang Noodles), located at 4 Phan Chau Trinh, Hoi An, open from 08:00 to 22:00.
- Mi Quang Ba Minh Hoi An (Mrs. Minh’s Quang Noodles), located on Cam Ha Street, open from 07:00 to 21:00.
Com Ga (Chicken Rice)
Although chicken rice is present in almost every region, savoring it in Hoian guarantees an unforgettable experience.
Hoian’s chicken rice is renowned for its attractive golden yellow color, fragrant and fluffy rice, accompanied by golden pieces of chicken and salad, all seasoned with sweet and sour vinegar and soup.
Some restaurant recommendations:
- Com Ga Ba Buoi (Mrs. Buoi’s Chicken Rice), located at 22 Phan Chu Trinh, open from 10:30 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 20:00.
- Com Ga xi Hoi An (Hoi An’s xi Chicken Rice), located at 47/2 Tran Hung Dao, open from 12:30 to 20:00.
- Com Ga Ba Thuan (Mrs. Thuan’s Chicken Rice), located at 17/4 Hai Ba Trung, open from 12:00 to 19:30.
Che (Dessert)
Che is a Vietnamese specialty that can be easily found everywhere. However, che in Hoian has a unique characteristic that attracts many visitors.
Here are some varieties of che that we recommend:
- Che hat sen (lotus seed che): Renowned for its deliciously fragrant taste, this dessert is very nutritious and promotes body relaxation.
- Che dau do (red bean che): This dessert has variations in preparation depending on the seasons. In summer, it is refreshing, while in winter, it offers comforting warmth.
- Che ngo (corn che): Both fragrant and soft, with a coconut cream for a rich and creamy flavor, this dessert is delightful, especially with a touch of ginger to enhance its aroma.
- Che me den (black sesame che): Prepared from black sesame, rice flour, and sugar, this dessert relies heavily on the skill of the cook. It offers a sweet and fragrant flavor from the first bite.
- Tao pho: This dessert is made from soybean tofu, served with pieces of white soybean jelly, coconut milk, and jasmine or ginger-flavored sugar syrup. With these two types of syrup, this dessert can be enjoyed hot or cold, suitable for all seasons.
Some restaurant recommendations:
- Che Ba Muoi (Mrs. Muoi’s che), located at 4 Hoang Dieu, open from 09:00 to 21:00.
- Che Co Sau (Mrs. Sau’s che), located at 18 Nguyen Tat Thanh, open from 08:00 to 21:00.
- Che me den Ong Thieu (Mr. Thieu’s black sesame che), located opposite 118 Nguyen Truong To, open from 07:00 to 21:00.
Bun Thit Nuong (Grilled Meat Vermicelli)
Those who wish to explore Hoian’s cuisine cannot miss the famous grilled meat vermicelli. The meat is grilled then placed on white rice noodles, accompanied by fresh vegetables and topped with a sauce, creating an unforgettable flavor for food lovers.
Some restaurant recommendations:
- Bun thit nuong Co Bay (Mrs. Bay’s Grilled Meat Vermicelli) – Hoi An Market, open from 07:00 to 18:00.
- Ty Ty Restaurant, located on Hai Ba Trung Street (next to Tam Quan Ba Mu temple), open from 07:00 to 22:00.
- Restaurant at 01 Hoang Van Thụ, open from 16:00 to 21:00.
One can say that Hoian Vietnam is not only an ideal tourist destination for those who want to discover the timeless beauty of an ancient town, but it’s also a unique cultural experience with delicious cuisine and dynamic cultural activities. Travel to Central Vietnam, visiting Hoian will offer travelers memorable and unforgettable experiences.
In particular, with the help of this travel guide, tourists can enjoy every moment with confidence and ease. It is certain that discovering Hoian will be an essential part of your exploration journey through central Vietnam.
