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    Hoi An in 72 hours - suggested itinerary

    / Last updated 19 May 2011

    Introduction

    Hoi An is a consistent favourite with travellers to Vietnam - with good reason. Its UNESCO World Heritage listing has preserved its unique old streets, it's a perfect antidote to the chaos of other large Vietnamese cities, the local cuisine is delicious, it's great for shopping and it also offers easy access to some beautiful beaches. We also love the fact that you can spend your whole time here on foot or bicycle. This gallery showcases our ideas for 72 hours in Hoi An.
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • Hoi An market is a good place to start your 3 days in Hoi An. It's still bustling with local energy despite the increasing number of tourists in town.
    • The delicious fresh greens at the heart of Vietnam's exquisite cuisine.
    • Tough way to travel to Hoi An market..... The Honda 67 motorbike is legendary in Vietnam. These bikes carried the country through years of penury post 1975 - and as they approach 50 years on the road, they're still going strong - with the help of inventive Vietnamese maintenance.
    • From the market, head to Hoi An's old streets. Tran Phu St leads to the Japanese Bridge - a city icon built by the 17th century Japanese trading community.
    • Japanese Bridge, Hoi An
    • Japanese Bridge, Hoi An
    • The old town from Phung Hung House, Hoi An
    • Duc An's old house is a favourite.
    • Mr Tram at Duc An's house - he brings the place to life and has refused to turn his lovely old house into a souvenir stall.
    • Duc An's old house was a centre of Viet Cong activity during wars against French and US supported South Vietnamese government.
    • Tan Ky old house, Hoi An. One of the great disappointments of a visit to the old town is the lack of available historical and cultural information.
    • Tan Ky old house, Hoi An
    • Tran Family Chapel, is another old residence well worth visiting.
    • Mr Le from the Tran Family Chapel will bring a visit to life.
    • Fujian Temple, Hoi An. This is where Hoi An's Chinese Fujianese community assembled during the old town's heyday. A single ticket is needed access these old Hoi An buildings.
    • Hoi An's Cantonese community assembled here.
    • Hoi An's museums are a disappointment. They're small and information is scant. Still, they're very central and easy to swing through. Often the buildings that house them are of more interest than the museum collections.
    • Hoi An's Museum of History and Culture is a particular disappointment - delivering little in terms of historical context to visitors.
    • The Museum of Trading Ceramics is little better but it does provide some sense of the city's trading past and includes a simple display on the old town's architecture.
    • While ignorance is an unavoidable feature of a visit to Hoi An, walking amidst the stunning architecture of the old streets is a delight.
    • Hoi An's old streets
    • Incredible summer sky on the Hoi An riverside.
    • Hoi An, Vietnam
    • Shopping has become one of Hoi An's biggest magnets for travellers - especially clothes shopping.
    • A good percentage of the old town's buildings have been taken over by tailors.
    • Spare a thought for the women in the backstreets that labour to meet the fast turnaround demands of travellers.
    • Galleries selling colourful decorative art including this lacquerwork are also popular.
    • Household items are also popular.
    • Upscale shopping Hoi An
    • The book exchange in Phan Boi Chau St.
    • On day two, rise early to visit the Cham ruins at My Son.
    • The Cham ruins at My Son.
    • In the afternoon, head out to An Bang beach for a swim and some relaxation.
    • Summer time at An Bang Beach is perfect and La Plage cafe is a nice place to chill.
    • Cua Dai beach is closer to town and has plenty of eateries and deckchairs. It's probably the least crowded space in all Vietnam in a hot summer day.
    • Start day 3 with a cooking class. Morning Glory, Red Bridge and Secret Garden restaurants also have popular cooking schools.
    • Mr Suong from Secret Garden Cooking School and restaurant.
    • Cooking classes, Hoi An
    • Red Bridge Cooking School.
    • A market visit is a highlight of most cooking classes.
    • In the afternoon, grab your bike and jump on the packed ferry to Cam Kim Island.
    • Cam Kim Island is beautiful and great for cycling.
    • This memorial marks a Viet Cong action against US backed forces in 1968.
    • Crossing the Thu Bon River from Cam Kim Island back to Hoi An as the sun sets.
    • Food will be a highlight of a stay in Hoi An. The local dish Cao Lau is not to be missed.

    • And there are plenty of great restaurants both local and more upscale. Tran Duc's Mango Rooms serves his unique take on Asian fuson cuisine and is very popular in the mid to high price range.


    • Brother's Cafe, the one time French police headquarters is a wonderful space.
    • Chi Mai at Ba Le Well restaurant gives these Japanese travellers a lesson in wrapping their delicious fresh rolls.
    • White Marble - Hoi An's only wine bar does very good food as well.
    Quicklink - Introduction - Hoi An