In 2024, with a high trust around the world, The Post Office magazine in the UK has launched the award to rank destinations based on considering factors that are likely to influence holiday decision making, focusing on price. Because of that, Hoian Vietnam surpassed last year’s champion and became the world’s most valuable destination in 2024. 

1. Things travelers should know before travel to Hoian Vietnam

Hoi An is an ancient city in Quang Nam province, far from Da Nang about 30 km. This is a small city with more than 400 years of history. 

Hoi An is one of two heritage sites in Vietnam recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage in 1999. Hoi An Ancient Town was once a crowded international sensation, its architectural heritage dates back hundreds of years with a intertwined of many nations noticeable as: Vietnam, Japan and China. Hoi An retains almost intact more than a thousand architectural relics such as streets, houses, assembly halls, communal houses, pagodas, shrines, clan churches, ancient wells, ancient tombs… Coming here, tourists will have the opportunity to admire the architecture that both has traditional Vietnamese artistic nuances and represents cultural exchange and integration with Eastern and Western countries.

 

 

In Hoi An, there are 2 main seasons : dry season and rainy season. The best time to travel to Hoi An is from February to March. In summer, which is from April to September, this is the dry season in Hoi An; the weather would be scorching this time, so travelers should use protection to avoid the sunburn. From September to December is winter, at the beginning of this time, there might be floods in Hoi An in about a week; after that, the weather will be cool and cold in the late of December, sometimes will be foggy a little bit. The average temperature in Hoi An is 26 degrees and sunny. 

Hoi An is famous not only by having all the old remains that have been built for many centuries but also the private and peaceful beaches that not many people know; travelers can visit and explore the local life in surrounding villages, especially the Tra Que village famous for its fresh and green vegetables, these are also the ingredients for the cooking class. In addition, to understand more about the history of Hoi An, you can visit the museum or take part in Reality Performance Show – Hoi An Memory Show.

 

2. The perfect timing to visit Hoi An – How many days are enough for Hoi An Vietnam?

As mentioned, the best time to travel to Hoi An is from February to March. This time, you can walk along the street, enjoy every activity in Hoi An without feeling too hot. 

Hoi An is a small city but has lots of interesting attractions. The ideal stay to explore and relax is around 3 days or more. Travelers can rely on the provided locations in the following parts to create an itinerary that suits their travel needs, or they can follow a 15 days itinerary with Hoi An that is designed by Asia Viva Travel’s team of travel experts. 

 

3. Why is Hoi An so famous? Top attractions in Hoi An in 2024

Top things to do in Hoi An is the topic that is most cared about when travelers are going to visit this destination. The place has more attractions to visit with lots of destinations that have been invested to attract tourits. 

3.1.Interesting experiences in Hoi An ancient town 

• Ancient houses: Hoi An is famous for its unique heritage showcasing the old and deep history of hundreds of years with houses of unique architecture. These are ancient houses blended from various different cultural backgrounds. 

Each ancient house has its own construction and purpose, could be a house for daily activities or a family’s ancestral temple. Since most houses were built with wood centuries ago, preserving and maintaining the true architectural beauty is a process that helps Hoi An city possess a characteristic image of houses with unique yellow wall paint.

 

 

There are 3 destinations that visitors should visit : Tan Ky and Phung Hung ancient houses and Phuc Kien society’s premises.

• The Museum System of Hoi An: The Museum System of Hoi An is a place where artifacts and materials are preserved and displayed to introduce the formation and development process of Hoi An, its culture, life, and spirit of its residents through historical periods. Currently, the Museum System of Hoi An is under the management of the Center for Conservation of Hoi An Cultural Heritage, and the museum is built to help visitors gain a deeper understanding of the historical process of this city in a vivid way through stories and relics.
• The Japanese Temple Bridge: It is a very famous symbol of Hoi An, a place that travelers will definitely visit to check-in. The architecture of the The Japanese Temple Bridge carries a strong Japanese style with its graceful roof, proving the cultural exchange between Vietnam and Japan and showcasing Hoi An as a sophisticated trading hub and development location for both countries. In 2024, the Japanese Covered Bridge in Hoi An has just completed its renovation process, with a new look but unchanged ancient architecture, surely still an attractive destination for tourists.
• Thu Bon river: The Thu Bon River in Hoi An flows gently through the Hoi An city and the Japanese Temple Bridge, carrying with it a serene charm and the rich cultural heritage of a bygone era. At sunset, the golden light dances on the water, creating an unforgettable and magical scene. In the evening, tourists can experience the service of sitting on a boat along the Thu Bon River and releasing flower lanterns. This is an activity that attracts tourists because it is a way for visitors to pray for a good trip or wish for more luck, health, etc. This is also a great way to support the local community in Hoi An. 
• Hoi An Market: Travelers often come to Vietnam to experience the highly renowned and diverse cuisine, and travelers can visit the Hoi An market to enjoy the local specialties at affordable prices. However, to make purchasing more convenient, travelers should prepare cash.
• Tailor ao dai in Hoi An: It is often seen that tailoring a set of clothes can take a lot of time, but in Hoi An, you will see and experience custom tailoring, especially the quick tailoring of ao dai here. In less than 24 hours, you can own a set of custom-made clothes, choose the fabric, style, and have them tailored by experienced tailors who will advise and tailor to make you feel most confident when wearing them. And surely, the prices will be very affordable.

3.2 Amazing Tra Que village

The Tra Que Village in Hội An is renowned for its traditional vegetable farming, where the fragrant aroma of fresh herbs fills the air, giving the village its unique charm. In the village, it will give visitors an extremely peaceful feeling, and visitors can choose to explore on foot or by bike.

• Farming vegetables: It’s an exciting activity as travelers will experience being a real farmer, owning a small vegetable garden in Tra Que village. Tourists will be guided by local villagers themselves, enjoy the serene countryside and experience the local farming life by planting and harvesting fresh vegetables.
• Cooking class: The next interesting activity for tourists to experience after harvesting fresh vegetables from the garden is to use them as ingredients for a cooking class. Here, they will be guided to prepare familiar Vietnamese dishes such as banh xeo or fried spring rolls. This will be an unforgettable experience as well as a very practical way for tourists to learn new cooking skills and gain a better understanding of Vietnamese cuisine.

 

 

3.3  An Bang beach

An Bang Beach in Hội An is a tranquil paradise with soft white sand and crystal-clear waters. Known for its privacy, it’s the perfect destination for those seeking a peaceful escape, where the gentle sound of waves and the romantic sunset create a relaxing atmosphere. Especially, An Bang beach was awarded the prize from  CNN as top 50 beaches in the world.

3.4 Cu Lao Cham 

If you have time to visit Hoi An, don’t forget to take a short trip to Cu Lao Cham. Travelers will be taken to Cu Lao Cham island by super-fast canoe, and in about 15 minutes, you will reach this destination. Besides enjoying a fresh seafood lunch caught on the same day, visitors can also go snorkeling to admire coral reefs or visit attractions such as temples, ancient wells,…

3.5 Vinpearl Nam Hoi An  

Vinpearl Nam Hội An is a luxury resort that blends natural beauty with modern architecture. Offering a spacious and private setting, it’s perfect not only for couples seeking tranquility but also for families with young children. Beyond admiring stunning architecture, guests can enjoy thrilling rides, a water park, safari of wild animals and birds and a water music show. The highlight is the musical water show at 7 PM, ensuring fun for the entire family. Tourists might experience a Vietnamese version of Disneyland. 

3.6 Hoi An Memory Show

The Hoi An Memory Show is a live performance program, reenacting the history of Hoi An spanning over 400 years. This show is highly recommended in Hoi An, leaving a special impression on viewers with unique water stage performances and food in the Cho Que area. All takes place on the Hoi An Memory Island, visitors should note that the show starts at 8 pm, so arrive a bit early to avoid crowds and enjoy the local specialties of Hoi An.

4. Hoi An’s specialties to eat 

4.1 Mot drinks

“Nước mót” also called as Mot drinks is a type of herbal drink from Hoi An with distinctive ingredients such as… when consumed, it feels incredibly refreshing. “Nước mót” is brewed from various herbs like licorice root, licorice, osmanthus flower, dried lotus seeds, green tea leaves, chrysanthemum, dried lotus leaves, lemongrass, honey, sugar,… Furthermore, tourists who come to drink “Nước mót” often take photos to check-in as this is a unique cooling drink of Hoi An. In Hoi An, you can find and enjoy a glass of “Nước mót” at 150 Tran Phu Street, Hoian City, Quang Nam Province, the drink shop is also named Mót.

 

 

4.2 Quang noodles

Mỳ Quảng also called Quang Noodles is a traditional Vietnamese noodle dish originating from the province.  It’s a must-try food and the pride of Hoi An’s people. It’s made with wide rice noodles, served with a flavorful broth, and topped with a variety of ingredients like shrimp, pork, chicken, and fresh herbs. Known for its rich taste and vibrant presentation, Mỳ Quảng is a beloved staple in Central Vietnam’s cuisine.

4.3 Cao Lau 

Cao Lau is a distinctive noodle dish from Hoi An. “Cao Lầu” in Vietnamese means the upper floors, this is a dish that the people of Hoi An have created when they have to climb up to high floors to avoid floods and eat. The dish features chewy rice noodles that are soaked in lye water, giving them their special consistency. It is typically topped with slices of roast pork, fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and crispy rice crackers. A small amount of savory broth, flavored with star anise and cinnamon, is added to the dish, creating a harmonious blend of tastes that is both hearty and refreshing.

 

4.4 Banh mi 

Bánh mì Phượng and Bánh mì Madam Khánh are two must-visit spots in Hội An for anyone who loves bánh mì. Bánh mì Phượng is renowned for its rich flavors, featuring grilled meat and a special sauce that has captured the attention of international food lovers. Bánh mì Madam Khánh, also known as “The Banh Mi Queen,” boasts over 50 years of experience, offering a variety of traditional fillings and flavors that provide an unforgettable culinary experience for visitors.

 

 

4.5 Grilled meat and rice noodles

 Grilled meat and rice noodles is a popular Vietnamese dish from Hội An, serving grilled marinated pork placed over vermicelli noodles. It’s typically accompanied by fresh herbs, pickled vegetables, and peanuts, all drizzled with a savory, sweet, and tangy fish sauce dressing. This dish captures the essence of Hội An’s culinary tradition with its balance of flavors and textures.

 

5. How far is it from the airport to Hoi An city?

There is a Hoi An airport named Chu Lai but doesn’t use much and the number of flights are limited which would be inconvenient to travel direct to Hoi An from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh city. For that reason, normally, tourists will travel to Da Nang and then by many ways will go to Hoi An. With Asia Viva Travel’s experience, we would recommend our travelers to travel by these common ways

5.1 By taxi

After arriving in Da Nang, you can book a taxi to go to Hoi An city by using the SM car/ Grab app; however, to use grab or SM app then tourists have to have a Vietnamese sim card to register. For that reason, you can easily get a taxi at the airport with the help of the staff, or you can book one through your hotel in Da Nang by either asking the receptionists or arranging it yourself.

The price for a trip from Da Nang to Hoi An would range about 300.000 VND – 400.000 VND (about from 12 USD – 16 USD). 

5.2 By train

Travelers can experience a train journey to Hoian with a stop at Da Nang or Tam Ky train stations. From Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh city, upon arriving in Da Nang after about a 16-hour TO 20-hour journey, travelers will continue their journey to Hoi An by car, motorbike, or taxi. Don’t worry about the time as you will witness many beautiful scenes along the way in the train. As recently, Lonely Planet – one of the world’s largest travel guides, voted for “the most beautiful railway routes in the world,” and Vietnam is honored to be named in this list.

When taking a train, there are various classes available, commonly seat and berth classes ranging from 800,000 VND to 1,300,000 VND ( about from 32 USD – 52 USD).

5.3 By sleeper bus

Similar to train travel times, it will take approximately 16 – 20 hours to travel from Hanoi to Hoi An – Da Nang or from Ho Chi Minh city to Da Nang; therefore, it would be more convenient if you choose a sleeper bus. However, travelers should carefully consider different sleeper bus companies to select one with beds wide enough for comfort on the long journey. 

The price for a trip will range from 400,000 to 550,000 VND ( about from 17 USD to 22 USD). 

5.4 By rented motorbike / private car

For this mode of transportation, tourists are recommended when starting the journey from Da Nang to Hoi An. Some notes that tourists need to be aware of when renting a motorbike or car for transportation: you have a valid motorcycle/car driver’s license in Vietnam, you are familiar with the route and can safely operate the vehicle, especially motorbikes if you do not ride usually. 

The price for the rent is affordable, depending on what kind of vehicle you will rent for the trip, make sure that travelers are clear about the price with the owner and understand the commitment before renting. 

 

6. Hoi An best accommodations to stay

At Asia Viva Travel, we understand that choosing accommodation is an important part of helping you enjoy your trip to Hoi An Vietnam. As a popular tourist destination, Hoi An offers a variety of accommodation options for travelers to choose from. Let’s take a look at some types of accommodations you can consider and choose to relax at:

6.1 Resort 

Most of the Hoi An resorts in Vietnam are located along the riverside or at An Bang beach and are built in the form of individual villas. This type of accommodation is suitable for family trips or couples on honeymoon vacations. Some amenities you may have when choosing to stay at those resorts include a spa area, swimming pool, breakfast served in each villa, etc. It takes about 5-10 minutes to walk from the resort to Hoian ancient town. 

The price for 1 night in a resort in Hoi An would range from 1.200.000 VND to 7.000.000 VND (  48 USD – 282 USD). 

6.2 Hotel 

For hotels in Hoi An , travelers have more choices with a variety of options ranging from 3 to 5 stars. Most hotels in Hoi An are conveniently located for easy access to Hoi An Ancient Town or Night Market. Travelers can confidently choose this accommodation option for its convenience and comfort; especially, the hotels all have dedicated staff, full services and amenities.

Visitors might spend about 400.000 VND to 1.500.000 VND for 1 night in a hotel in Hoian ( from 16 USD to 60 USD). The price will change based on what kind of hotel would travelers like to stay in, the best ones would be 4 stars hotels having spa and pool. 

6.3 Homestays

Homestay or Airbnb accommodation services are among the new accommodation options in Vietnam. However, travelers should note that most homestays or similar accommodations are just for renting a place to stay, as travelers may not frequently interact with the host. Therefore, if travelers wish to engage with local people, it is recommended to participate in various interactive activities in Hoi An.

With a price only from 300.000 VND, visitors can have 1 night in a homestay in HoiAn, make sure travelers should check the room that planning to stay in, as homestays usually have 2 types: bunk beds in the dormitory style with shared bathrooms, and private rooms with private bathrooms.

 

7. Conclusion

To conclude, Hoi An Vietnam is the perfect destination, known for its charm and unique appeal. You can enjoy a relaxing trip with its peaceful ancient town, serene beaches, and beautiful countryside. Hội An offers a unique experience with its rich cultural heritage, delicious cuisine, and charming atmosphere. This enchanting city allows you to unwind and discover its hidden gems without any worries. Plan your trip to this beautiful destination with Asia Viva Travel to fully immerse yourself in its stunning attractions and unique culture!

 

At Asia Viva Travel, we are committed to supporting society, especially in Vietnam’s remote regions. By traveling with us, you help support local tourism workers and contribute to building schools and providing free lunches for disadvantaged children in North Vietnam’s mountains.Join us to help build a better future for Vietnam’s children and vulnerable communities in the “Nuôi em” project .