Things to Do in Hoi-An - Top Attractions, Hidden Gems & Must-See Sights

Hoi An's Ancient Town is the whole reason you're here. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized in 1999, is a remarkably preserved trading port that thrived during the 17th and 18th centuries when Japanese, Chinese, and European merchants all did business along these narrow streets. Most buildings date from the 1600s to the 1800s, and the town survived both wars and the rapid urbanization that changed the rest of Vietnam. Walking through, you pass Chinese assembly halls, Vietnamese shophouses, French colonial facades, and the famous Japanese Covered Bridge, all within a few compact blocks. The Old Town ticket costs 120,000 VND and gives you access to 5 of 22 heritage sites, including old houses, assembly halls, and museums like the Hoi An Museum. You pick which 5 you want to visit when you buy it. The whole area is pedestrian-only from about 8 AM to 11 AM and 3 PM to 9:30 PM, which makes exploring on foot far more pleasant than other Vietnamese cities. After dark is when the Ancient Town transforms. Paper lanterns light up every street, the Hoai River fills with glowing boats, and the atmosphere shifts completely. If you only have one evening for things to do in Hoi An, spend it wandering here. The must-see in Hoi An is this town itself, not any single building inside it.

Built by Japanese merchants in the 1590s to connect their quarter with the Chinese neighborhood across the canal, this small covered bridge is the single most photographed structure in Hoi An. It sits at the western end of Tran Phu Street, and you can walk across it for free. The bridge is only about 18 meters long, so the visit itself takes minutes, but the wooden structure with its small temple inside (dedicated to the deity Bac De) is genuinely beautiful, especially when lit by lanterns at night. The bridge underwent a major renovation that finished in 2024, restoring much of the original woodwork. It is open daily from 9 AM to 10 PM. At peak hours, especially between 4 and 7 PM, the bridge gets packed with tour groups and people posing for photos. The crowd can make it feel more like a tourist set piece than a 400-year-old structure. Still, it is a must-see in Hoi An for good reason. From here, a two-minute walk east along Tran Phu takes you past the Assembly Hall of Fujian Chinese Congregation, Tan Ky House, and the Quan Cong Temple. This single street contains most of the Ancient Town's key sights.

After a morning exploring Hoi An's Ancient Town, you'll want somewhere to cool off, and An Bang Beach is where most people end up. It is about 4 km north of the old quarter, roughly a 10-minute ride by motorbike or bicycle. The beach is long, wide, and backed by a row of casual restaurants and beach bars where you can rent a sunbed for the day, usually for around 50,000 to 100,000 VND depending on whether you order food. The sand is clean, the water is calm enough for swimming most of the year (best from April through September), and the vibe is relaxed without being deserted. It is open 24 hours because it is a public beach, though the bars and restaurants typically run from around 8 AM to sunset. Compared to Cua Dai Beach further south, An Bang has held up much better against erosion and feels less built-up. Some beach bars play music, others stay quiet. Walk a few hundred meters in either direction and you'll find emptier stretches. As a place to visit in Hoi An, An Bang is not a destination in itself. But pairing it with the Ancient Town gives your trip a good balance between heritage and sand. Take a morning in the old streets, an afternoon on the beach. That is a solid Hoi An day.

Located at 10B Tran Hung Dao Street, the Hoi An Museum (also called the Museum of History and Culture) traces the story of this trading port from its Champa-era roots through the bustling 17th-century merchant days to the present. The museum was established on November 10, 1989, and covers about 800 square meters across several exhibition rooms. Displays include original ceramics, coins, trade documents, and photos of the Ancient Town before tourism arrived. The museum is open Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 11 AM and 2 PM to 5 PM. Closed on weekends. Entry is covered by your 120,000 VND Old Town ticket (it uses one of your 5 site slots). The collection is compact enough to see in 20 to 30 minutes. English labels are adequate, and the chronological layout makes sense even without a guide. The Champa artifacts on the ground floor are the strongest section. Among the best museums in Hoi An, this is the one to visit if you want to understand why the Ancient Town matters before you walk through it. Pair it with the Museum of Folklore nearby for a broader picture. One gives you the history, the other gives you the culture. Together they take about an hour.