Hoi An, Vietnam - Where Ancient Streets Whisper Stories
Most people have heard of Hoi An old town, a UNESCO world heritage ancient town in Central Vietnam.
This village began as a trading hub welcoming merchants from Asia and the rest of the world as early as the 15th Century. As the town flourished it absorbed influences from all places, the architecture especially, showcases this with wooden Chinese shophouses, intricate temples, an ornate Japanese bridge, colonial buildings and traditional Vietnamese houses. This is undoubtedly Vietnam’s most popular destination and for good reason. People flock here to spend time walking the Old Town, watching the town come alive at night as the lanterns light up and the river is awash with boats ferrying tourists up and down and enjoying Hoi An’s amazing cuisine.
This is where we are heading to next from An Bang beach. Just a 10 minute drive passing through the rice fields on the way and we arrive at Horizon Hotel by Luna Verde in the Cam Chau district. This 19 room Hotel sits outside the town center, but only a 15 minute walk or less on one of the Hotel bicycles to the Old Town. You arrive to be greeted by attentive staff and walk into a modern building with glimpses of the good sized pool outside. The King Studio room is well appointed with a nice balcony to sit at and watch daily life go by. The complimentary breakfast is a bonus, with a large selection of fruit and a chef on hand to cook up western style food for you if desired. This area of Cam Chau has a multitude of convenience stores, ATM machines, cafes and restaurants close at hand. This location is also ideal as you are between the vibrant energy of the Old Town and the relaxed nature of the rice fields or beaches of Hoi An.
The Old town is the drawcard here, the distinctive distressed yellow palette of the buildings, the moss covered tiled roofs, narrow streets and hidden lanes that give you a sense that the past is ever present. During the daytime Hoi An feels old and restrained and the relaxed rhythm of daily life makes you walk more slowly. In the evening the ancient town comes alive, radiant under the glow of thousands of lanterns, the streets are filled with people, boats pack the river and the energy of the place pulls you in.
When you arrive in the Old Town you will notice that it is car free, scooters and bikes the only transport allowed. Just wander slowly the streets and alleyways and immerse yourself in the sense of the past. There are 22 listed attractions here that require a ticket to enter, so find a tourist kiosk and purchase a 120,000 VND pass valid for 24 hours only, for entry into 5 of your choice. There are a multitude of museums, ancient shophouses and the most photographed Japanese Bridge to choose from. There is certainly enough to see for free as well, Ba Mu Temple Gate, the morning market with its vendors selling all sorts of produce and the Central Market full of clothing and souvenirs. As night closes in, the Thu Bon river comes alive and tourists flock to the traditional wooden Sampan boats at 150,000 VND per person to be paddled along the river and then release paper lit lanterns to wish for peace and prosperity.
Fabric, especially silk is a major part of Hoi An’s history and because of this the town has a fleet of tailors and clothes makers ready to make custom made items for all. Some shops may have garments or bags ready within a day, so fill your wardrobe with a new handmade suit, dress, shoes or leather goods.
There is also the opportunity here to be inspired and take workshops in Lantern Making, cooking classes are scattered around the town, head to Thanh Ha Pottery village (5km west of town) to mould your own cup or bowl, small boutique silversmith classes for jewelry or learn the art of the perfect Vietnamese Coffee.
Speaking of Coffee, Hoi An has the most amazing coffee destinations, old shophouses on the main streets, Uncle Huan with beautifully decorated coffee, secret spots down tiny lanes like Secret Garden or Hoi An Coffee Hub or head to the rice fields and have rural views (An Nhien Garden Cafe and Rau Cafe). Check the link below to see our full You Tube video on Hoi An’s remarkable cafes and coffee.
Hoi An food is a cross-cultural fusion of Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese influences. The cuisine is celebrated for its reliance on fresh local herbs, distinct noodle textures and the perfectly balanced flavors of sweet, spicy, sour and umami. Many local specialties owe their unique taste to the water from the ancient Ba Le well and the freshest local vegetables and herbs from the Tra Que Vegetable Village.
Looking to try some of Hoi An’s local dishes then don’t miss out on Cao Lau, the soul of Hoi An. Thick chewy rice noodles tossed in water from the Ba Le well and tree ash from the Cham Islands then topped with Char Siu pork, crispy pork skin and fresh herbs from Tra Que village. White Rose dumplings are translucent rice flour dumplings filled with minced shrimp and pork. Watch the lovely ladies at White Rose Restaurant make up to 3000 a day, from the family secret recipe. Com Ga or Hoi An Chicken rice is Turmeric infused rice cooked in a chicken broth and topped with shredded chicken, fresh herbs and a zesty chili fish sauce. Or try Mi Quang another dish of Turmeric-rich rice noodles served in a savory pork or chicken broth and topped with peanuts, quail egg and a crispy sesame rice cracker.
There are plenty of street food and snack options here as well. Hoi An is home to some of Vietnams best baguette sandwiches (Banh Mi) with crisp crusts, savory pate, fresh crunchy pickled vegetables and a protein of your choice. Try Banh Xeo, crispy golden fried crepes and lemongrass pork skewers (Nem Lui). You assemble them yourself by wrapping the meat and greens in wet rice paper then dipping into a rich peanut sauce. There are vendors selling Mango Cakes (Banh Xoai) everywhere, a sweet treat named for its shape as it contains no mango. It is a chewy glutinous ball of rice stuffed with crushed peanuts and brown sugar. Check out the YouTube link below for more information.
Spending a month in Hoi An, Vietnam’s enchanting heritage town, made it clear why this destination captivates so many travelers. The appeal lies in its variety: strolling through the lantern-lit Old Town, joining craft workshops, cycling into the countryside, unwinding on nearby beaches, and savoring the city’s unforgettable cuisine. A couple of days barely scratch the surface—give yourself a week to truly experience it all.
We found staying outside the busy Old Town ideal, though the crowds are ever-present. Timing matters too, as the monsoon season often floods riverside areas. For slow travel, Hoi An is exceptional, offering depth and discovery at every turn. Yet as a place to settle long-term, it wasn’t quite the right fit for us.