Things to Do in Hoi An 2026: Ancient Town, Tailors and Boat Trips

Hoi An’s activities span heritage sightseeing, food, tailoring, boat trips, and beach. Plan at least two full days.

The Ancient Town (Old Quarter)

Admission: ₫120,000 ($4.80) for a 5-attraction ticket, valid for all included sites. The ticket is required to enter most heritage buildings. Buy at the entrance booths on Tran Hung Dao Street or at the Hoi An Tourist Service Centre.

Japanese Covered Bridge (Lai Vien Kieu): Built 1593 by Japanese merchants, rebuilt multiple times but still on its original location. The most iconic structure in Hoi An. Cross it, go inside, note the small shrine chamber in the middle of the bridge. Best photographed at dawn before crowds arrive.

Fujian Chinese Assembly Hall (Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall): The most elaborate of the Assembly Halls built by Chinese merchant communities. Built 1697, expanded through the 19th century. Ornate altar carvings, brightly painted ceramic frieze work on the roof, an active place of worship. Entry uses one ticket voucher.

Tan Ky Ancient House: A 200-year-old merchant house with the characteristic Hoi An mixed architecture — Japanese roof structure, Chinese wood carving, Vietnamese courtyard layout. The family still lives in part of the house. Guided tour included with entry.

Museum of Trading Ceramics: Documents Hoi An’s ceramic trade through archaeological material. The building itself — a late 18th-century merchant house — is as interesting as the collection.

Thu Bon River

The river running alongside the old town is the original reason Hoi An existed. Evening is the best time: restaurants line the riverside, lanterns are lit from the boats and along the quay, and the reflected lights on the water create the most photographed scene in Hoi An.

Boat trips: Wooden sampan boats on the river for evening rides: ₫100,000–200,000 ($4–8) for a 30–45 minute trip. Agree price before boarding.

Basket boat tours: The traditional round bamboo basket boats of the Thu Bon River delta — a fishing technique specific to this region. Several operators offer basket boat lessons and lagoon tours in the estuary south of town: ₫200,000–350,000 ($8–14) per person.

Lantern making class

Hoi An’s coloured silk lanterns are the town’s signature craft. Half-day lantern-making classes taught by local artisans: ₫200,000–350,000 ($8–14) per person. You make and keep your lantern. Several workshops near the old town offer this.

Tailors and custom clothing

The tailoring tradition in Hoi An is genuine. Hundreds of tailors operate in and around the old town. Quality ranges from poor (quick tourist shops on the main drag) to excellent (established tailors with international clientele). Better tailors: Yaly Couture, A Dong Silk, and Bebe Tailor. Budget ₫1,000,000–4,000,000 ($40–160) for a suit or dress depending on fabric. Allow 48–72 hours for fitting and completion.

Cooking classes

Hoi An has the highest concentration of Vietnamese cooking classes in the country. The standard format: market visit, boat ride to herb garden, cooking lesson, eating what you made. Half-day: ₫350,000–700,000 ($14–28). Full-day: ₫700,000–1,200,000 ($28–48). Morning Market by Red Bridge is one of the better-regarded operators.

An Bang Beach

4km east of the old town. The beach is wide and clean with a good selection of restaurants and laid-back beach bars. Better for extended beach time than Cua Dai (which suffered significant erosion). Bicycle ride from the old town is pleasant through rice paddies. Bicycle hire: ₫50,000–80,000 ($2–3.20) per day.