In the old town of Hoi An City, 1,107 well-preserved timber-framed buildings stand close together along narrow pedestrian lanes. The original street plan has also been preserved. Together, the houses and lanes create an exceptionally well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port from the 15th to the 19th century. Visitors who choose this destination will find not just individual sights, but a historic townscape that provides a guiding thread for their exploration.
Old Town and cultural sites
On a walk through the old town, 844 of the 1,107 buildings in the townscape are designated as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. At its center stands the wooden Japanese Covered Bridge, with its 18th-century pagoda. The open-air market and a ferry landing are also part of the townscape, adding a variety of places to visit alongside the historic lanes.
The individual houses also tell different stories. Tan Ky is an 18th-century private home; descendants of the original family live on its upper floor. The Phuc Kien Assembly Hall was built in the 17th century as a communal space and spiritual refuge for a Chinese migrant community. To this day, it serves as a spiritual center for local people in Hoi An City. A home still used by the same family and a spiritual meeting place thus represent different aspects of the town’s history.
There are other cultural venues for music and performing arts: the Hoi An Traditional Art Performance House presents folk songs from the province on ethnic instruments. The Hoi An Lune Center for the Performing Arts is home to the Vietnamese Bamboo Circus. Its performance tells Vietnam’s story through singing, dance and bamboo props. If you plan to attend a performance, check the schedule in advance.
Crafts, routes and the river
At Duy Xuyen Silk Village, also known as Hoi An Silk Village, silk weaving has a tradition dating back more than 300 years. Visitors can observe different stages of the process, from the old mulberry garden and silkworm rearing to weaving on looms and the production of finished shirts or colorful scarves. Visitors can also make their own lanterns in workshops in Hoi An City as a keepsake. These are two different ways to explore craftsmanship: at the village, visitors can follow a longer production chain; making a lantern lets them create an item of their own.
To explore the surrounding area, visitors can cycle from Hoi An City through rice fields toward Cam Nam Island; route conditions may vary. Sampan rides are offered along the riverbank at sunset. Operator availability may vary, so it is a good idea to check in advance whether a ride is available.
Cuisine and markets
The cuisine of Hoi An City has been shaped by Chinese, Japanese, Western and other commercial and cultural connections. Culinary tours or cooking classes offer a way to explore these influences through food. In cooking classes, visitors select fresh ingredients and then enjoy the dishes they have prepared themselves; provider availability may vary. Hoi An Cloth Market offers a different focus: more than 50 stalls sell fabrics in a wide range of types and colors, although the number of stalls may change.
Additional experiences beyond the old town
Tra Que Vegetable Village is about 3 km from the old town. There, visitors can get hands-on experience with vegetable growing. The village’s cooking classes also connect cuisine with freshly prepared ingredients and specialties from Hoi An City. Compared with a cooking class in town, the difference also lies in the focus: here, a practical introduction to vegetable growing; there, choosing fresh ingredients in the class.
An Bang Beach is less than 10 km from the old town and offers parasailing, jet skiing and stand-up paddleboarding. Beach conditions and operator availability may vary. Another option, with a different focus, is Cu Lao Cham Marine Park: this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve comprises eight islands and lies about 15 km off the coast of Hoi An. Conditions for access to the sea vary seasonally.
Discover more destinations: Tam Ky City.
Return to the main travel overview: Quang Nam.
