Experience the Magic of Hoi An: Things to do in Hoi An
Hoi An, Vietnam, often referred to as the “Venice of Vietnam,” will honestly capture your heart with an atmosphere that I just can’t do justice through writing. This historic city, with its lantern-lit streets, historic architecture, and local cuisine is a must visit if you’re visiting Vietnam. Here are a couple of our favourite things to do in Hoi An.
1. Lantern Boat Ride:
Every evening, the river of Hoi An Ancient town comes alive with the soft glow of countless lanterns. To immerse yourself, take a lantern boat ride around the city, take beautiful photos and release your own lantern into the river. We paid 200,000 VND ($13AUD) for a 20 minute ride and it was one of the most romantic moments of my life (no joke).
2. Tailor-Made Fashion: Design your own clothes
While in Hoi An, you can’t skip the opportunity to have tailor-made clothes and suits. The town is famous for its tailor shops, and we personally had three suits and four custom-designed outfits made. However, the most challenging part was deciding where to have our clothes tailored. We strongly recommend Kimmy Tailor for their premium and professional tailoring services. They price their high-quality suits between $400 and $600 AUD, which competes well with Australian options but may not be suitable for those on a tighter budget.
3. Sunset in the Coconut Forest
We were initially planning to skip this BUT YOU HAVE TO EXPERIENCE THIS – especially during sunset. The Coconut Forest is located just outside of Hoi An and you’ll be taken on the funnest boat ride of your life where you can get spun in circles, entertained by local songs, and the vibe here is just magical. We paid 200,000 VND for two and added a 150,000 VND tip to appreciate the hard work of our boat rower. This kind gesture is well worth it, considering the demanding task of rowing a boat for hours each day.
4. Cao Lau: Taste Tradition on a Plate
Cao Lau is a dish unique to Hoi An and a culinary delight you won’t find elsewhere in Vietnam. When you’re looking for a local food experience, head to a restaurant like ‘Cao lầu Hội An’ to try this specialty. Cao Lau typically features a combination of fresh herbs, crispy croutons, savory pork, and a distinct rice noodle. It’s a flavor explosion that’ll leave your taste buds craving for more.
5. My Son Sanctuary: A Glimpse into the Past
History and outdoor photography lovers this one is for you. My Son Sanctuary is an ancient Hindu temple complex nestled in the Jungle. It’s one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites that’s definitely worth immersing in.
6. Stroll Hoi An Night Market and try waterfront Street food.
You can’t go to Vietnam and not stroll along all their night markets. From vibrant lanterns to local vendors and street food, I love shopping for gifts for my friends and family here. Make sure you also try their famous street foods like skewers, Banh Mi and Banh Xeo
These are probably my top things to do in Hoi An, but if I’ve missed your favourite let me know!
Mwah ~ Fiona
