Things to do in Hoi An

Best Things to do in Hoi An

Planning a trip and wondering about the top things to do in Hoi An? From historic landmarks to modern experiences, the city offers something for every traveller, making it a perfect getaway in 2026.

With over 1836 activities in Hoi An, there is plenty to explore. Visit some of the most popular tourist attractions in , including iconic sites, vibrant neighbourhoods and cultural hubs. Whether you’re exploring bustling markets, sampling local delicacies or relaxing at scenic spots, every corner has something new to discover.

With experiences starting at INR 286, it’s never been easier to plan your perfect trip. Make the most of your visit to Hoi An in January and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Your Essential Guide to Things to Do in Hoi An

About Hoi An

Hoi An is a riverside town where time slows down. You can wander through lantern-lit streets, drift past wooden shop houses, and sit by the Thu Bon River as boats glide by. It’s the kind of place where the list of Things to do in Hoi An stretches from simple walks to full cultural dives.

The charm lies in the mix. Some of the most popular Hoi An tourist attractions include the Ancient Town, the Japanese Covered Bridge, and the lively night markets. Each corner feels like a postcard, but it’s still lived in, full of cafés, tailors, and hidden courtyards.

What makes it easy is how balanced it feels. You can spend a morning cycling past rice paddies and an evening at a lantern festival. However you pace yourself, there are enough Things to do in Hoi An to make every day feel different yet relaxed.

Unique Experiences

Lantern-Making Class in Old Town

You can fold your own lantern from bamboo and fabric, paint it, and carry it home as a light-filled memory. It’s one of the Things to do in Hoi An that feels hands-on, thoughtful, and deeply local.

• Where: In Hoi An Ancient Town
• Pricing: It starts from INR 800 per person
• Timing: About 1 hour; choose morning or afternoon sessions with slots available from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM
• When to Visit: February to April during the Lantern Festival, or September to November for fewer crowds

Unique Lantern and Coffee Making Class in Hoi An

You can spend three-and-a-half hours learning to fold lanterns and brewing Vietnamese coffee, hands-on and creative. It’s one of the unusual things to do in Hoi An that blends craft with local flavour.

• Where: Ancient Town, Hoi An
• Pricing: It starts from INR 2,600 per person
• Timing: About 3 hours 30 minutes; slots available at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM
• When to Visit: March to May for mild weather and fewer tourists

Market & Basket Boat Cooking Class

You can shop at a local market, ride in a round bamboo basket boat, try crab fishing, and then cook what you caught. It’s one of the Things to do in Hoi An that feels like a full day of discovery, from paddling through palms to cooking over fresh fire.

• Where: Starts with market tour in Hoi An, ends back in Ancient Town
• Pricing: It starts from INR 2,400 per person
• Timing: Approximately 4 hours; slots available from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
• When to Visit: May to July when ingredients are fresh and rivers are calm

Top Attractions

Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu)

You can stroll across the Japanese Covered Bridge, a timeless piece of history that also doubles as a cozy temple. It’s one of the Things to do in Hoi An that feels both iconic and quietly spiritual.

• Where: Between Tran Phu Street and Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Ancient Town
• Pricing: It’s free to visit the bridge; temple areas may require the Old Town ticket
• Timing: The bridge is accessible from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM, though temple is best viewed 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM for quieter moments
• When to Visit: All year round

Hoi An Museum of History & Culture

You can stop by this quiet museum and see artifacts that trace the town from ancient times to today, and it’s one of the Things to do in Hoi An if you want context along with charm.

• Where: 10B Tran Hung Dao Street
• Pricing: It starts from INR 520 per person
• Timing: 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday (closed weekends)
• When to Visit: Monday to Friday mornings between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM for quieter galleries

Museum of Trade Ceramics

You can step into a restored wooden house full of salt-age ceramics, each telling a trade story from centuries back. It’s one of the Hoi An tourist attractions that blends architecture with history.

• Where: 80 Tran Phu Street
• Pricing: It starts from INR 520 per person
• Timing: 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily, except on certain closed dates (15th and 26th of the month)
• When to Visit: Early evening between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM, when displays are softly lit and crowds are thin

Museum of Sa Huynh Culture

You can walk into one of Hoi An’s oldest cultural treasures and see artifacts from over 2,000 years ago. It’s one of the Things to do in Hoi An that deepens your sense of place.

• Where: 149 Tran Phu Street
• Pricing: It starts from INR 520 per person
• Timing: 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, except on some calendar days (10th and 25th)
• When to Visit: Early morning between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM, when the light is soft and displays are quiet

Sightseeing Tours

Guided Tour to Marble Mountains, Hoi An Walking Tour & Night Market Boat Ride

You can stretch into afternoon and evening with one trip that hits the Marble Mountains, a Hoi An walking tour, cruise, and night market all rolled into one. It’s one of the Things to do in Hoi An when you want a rich, layered experience in one go.

• Where: Da Nang
• Pricing: It starts from INR 8,000 per person
• Timing: About 6 to 7 hours total; typically starts at 2:00 PM
• When to Visit: February to April for comfortable afternoons and vibrant night markets

Hidden Gems of Old Hoi An Walking & Tasting Tour

You can step away from the main streets on a small-group walk that follows family producers of things like noodles and bean sprouts, with tasty bites along the way. It’s one of the activities that lets you feel the local rhythm and savour real flavours.

• Where: Hoi An
• Pricing: It starts from INR 3,700 per person
• Timing: About 3 to 4 hours; slots available at 6:00 AM and 3:30 PM
• When to Visit: Any time, though morning tours are best from March to May, before midday heat sets in

Full-Day My Son Sanctuary & Hoi An Heritage Tour

You can spend an entire day immersed in ancient ruins and cultural heritage, with a stop at My Son Sanctuary followed by a walking tour of Hoi An. It’s one of the Things to do in Hoi An when you want history and atmosphere through a whole day.

• Where: Starts from Central Hoi An
• Pricing: It starts from INR 7,000 per person
• Timing: Approximately 7 to 8 hours; typically starts at 7:30 AM
• When to Visit: February to April for cooler temperatures and clearer skies

Day Trips

My Son Sanctuary Early Morning Private Tour

You can visit the sacred ruins of My Son Sanctuary early in the morning, when the light feels soft and the atmosphere is peaceful. It’s one of the Things to do in Hoi An that blends history with quiet reflection.

• Where: Pick up from accommodation in Hoi An
• Pricing: It starts from INR 10,300 per person
• Timing: Starts at 6:00 AM and ends at 10:00 AM, duration about 4 hours
• When to Visit: February to April, when early cloud cover softens the monuments and crowds are lighter

Cham Islands Snorkeling Day Trip

You can escape to crystalline waters and coral reefs for half the day, snorkelling, beach time, and island scenery make it one of the activities that pair perfectly with an afternoon in town.

• Where: Departure from Hoi An’s Cua Dai port area
• Pricing: It starts from INR 3,500 per person
• Timing: About 6 hours; starts at 8:00 AM
• When to Visit: April to September, when sea conditions are calm and visibility is at its best

Boat Tours

Traditional Boat Trip on Hoai River

You can start with a basket boat ride through the coconut forest, float down the river, and end your evening releasing a lantern onto the water. It’s one of the Things to do in Hoi An when you want something simple, atmospheric, and unforgettable.

• Where: Leaves from Cam Thanh Coconut Village, near the river edge
• Pricing: It starts from INR 1,200 per person
• Timing: About 45 minutes total; slots available from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
• When to Visit: February to April for calmer water evenings and bright lantern light

Sunset Boat Cruise After My Son Sanctuary

You can explore the ancient My Son Sanctuary, then unwind with a peaceful boat ride at sunset along the Thu Bon River. It’s one of the romantic things to do in Hoi An and pairs history with a quiet riverside moment you’ll remember.

• Where: Boat departs from near My Son Sanctuary, returns along the river
• Pricing: It starts from INR 1,90 per person
• Timing: About 2 hours on the water at dusk; timings available at 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM
• When to Visit: March to May for golden light and fewer evening travellers

Getting Around

Hoi An is compact, and moving around feels easy once you know your choices. Each way of travel adds a different shade to your experience.

• Walking: The Ancient Town is best on foot. Some of the most rewarding Things to do in Hoi An are tucked into lanes you can only explore slowly.
• Cycling: Flat roads and quiet paths make cycling a favourite. It’s a light way to mix in daily activities while reaching rice paddies or beaches nearby.
• Taxis: Handy if you’re travelling outside town or heading back after a night out. They’re simple for quick hops when you’ve packed your day with Things to do in Hoi An.
• Boats: Crossing the Thu Bon River or taking a short evening ride is as much about atmosphere as transport. Some of the most scenic Hoi An tourist attractions sit right by the river.
• Motorbike rides: Common for day trips to beaches or the countryside. You can cover more ground and still pause when a view catches your eye.
• Shuttles and private transfers: Useful for reaching places like My Son or Da Nang if you want an easier route out of town.

Traveller Tips

• You can start your day early to enjoy the quiet streets before the crowds build. Sunrise walks give you space to enjoy some of the most peaceful Things to do in Hoi An.
• You can carry small notes for food stalls and market buys. It’s simple, practical, and makes it easier to explore unusual things to do in Hoi An tucked away in local corners.
• You can plan an evening just for the lantern festival. It’s one of the most colourful Things to do in Hoi An, with the river glowing as lanterns float by.
• You can set aside an afternoon for a cycle through the rice fields or a beach break. It’s one of the most refreshing romantic things to do in Hoi An, especially if you’re with someone and want a slower moment.
• You can leave time unscheduled. Some of the most rewarding Things to do in Hoi An appear in unplanned ways, like catching a street performance or wandering into a hidden courtyard.