Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An was a major international trading port from the 15th through 19th centuries. Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, and Portuguese merchants all left their mark — which is why a single street can have a Japanese Covered Bridge at one end and a Chinese assembly hall in the middle. The architecture is a genuine three-way mashup, not a reconstruction.

The Old Town's 800-plus preserved timber-frame houses on streets like Tran Phu, Bach Dang, and Nguyen Thai Hoc earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 1999, and a strict no-new-buildings rule inside the protected zone keeps it that way. The Thu Bon River, which flows right through town, was the reason merchants settled here in the first place. Hoi An is also Central Vietnam's tailoring capital — the town has hundreds of tailor shops, and getting a custom garment made in 24-48 hours is a genuine local tradition, not just a tourist gimmick.

Cao lau noodles are made exclusively here, traditionally using water drawn from ancient Cham wells. And banh mi from Banh Mi Phuong and Madam Khanh are not hype — they are legitimately some of the best in the country. The monthly Full Moon Lantern Festival, when electric lights go out at 8pm and silk lanterns take over, has been happening long before it became an Instagram phenomenon.

In 2026, Hoi An is also officially a member of UNESCO's Creative Cities Network — recognised for its craft traditions, not just its old buildings.

Cover shoulders and knees at all assembly halls, pagodas, and temples in the Old Town. The Fujian Assembly Hall at 46 Tran Phu and the Cam Pho Communal House are active worship spaces, not just photo opportunities. Pack a light scarf — it takes up no space and saves embarrassment at the door..

Remove your shoes before entering pagodas and traditional houses. At Tan Ky Ancient House on Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, step over the wooden threshold rather than on it — standing on it is considered disrespectful to the spirit of the house.. Never point your feet toward a Buddha statue, altar, or monk.

When sitting on the floor in a traditional space, tuck your feet to the side or beneath you.. Bargaining is normal and expected at the night market and smaller souvenir stalls. Start around half the asking price, stay friendly, and smile.

Walking away is fine — and often brings the price down. But once you agree on a price, buy the item.. Use both hands when giving or receiving money, business cards, or gifts.

Single-handed exchanges come across as dismissive.. Tipping isn't obligatory but is increasingly appreciated in tourist-facing businesses. Rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% for good restaurant service is welcomed.

Don't tip at street food carts — it creates awkwardness.. Loud voices in public spaces, especially near temples or in residential lanes late at night, is frowned upon. The Old Town is genuinely quiet after 10pm, and the neighbours like it that way..

Always ask before photographing someone, particularly at the Hoi An Market on Le Loi Street and in traditional villages. Some locals near the Old Town expect a small payment before posing — know that going in.

Hoi An is genuinely one of the safer tourist destinations in Vietnam. The US State Department rates Vietnam as Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions). Violent crime against tourists is rare. But a few things are worth knowing before you arrive.

The most common issue is overcharging at stalls and restaurants without posted prices. If there's no menu or price sign, ask "Bao nhiêu tiền?" before you order or before you let anyone start working on your shoes, bike, or anything else. A banh mi should cost 20,000-50,000 VND from a street cart. If you're quoted 70,000, laugh and offer 30,000 — this is normal. Always check your bill in restaurants.

Pickpocketing happens in the crowded Old Town, especially during festival nights when the streets are packed and dimly lit. Keep phones in front pockets and bags closed.

Only use ATMs inside bank branches or reputable hotel lobbies. Card skimming happens at standalone machines. Agribank has fixed fees and is considered the cheapest option for international withdrawals.

Traffic is the real daily hazard. Bigger vehicles take right-of-way in every situation. There are no stop signs. If you rent a motorbike, wear a helmet — police checkpoints do happen and the informal 'fee' to get your bike back runs 500,000-1,000,000 VND. Crossing the street requires patience: walk steadily and let motorbikes flow around you. Don't stop suddenly.

For taxis outside the Grab app, use Mai Linh (green taxis) or Vinasun. Agree on a price before getting in any unmetered vehicle. The old taxi meter fraud is less common in Hoi An than in big cities, but it still happens.

There is no airport in Hoi An. You fly into Da Nang International Airport (DAD) and the journey to Hoi An from there takes 30-45 minutes. The Grab app is the easiest option — prices are shown upfront, no negotiation, no meter tricks. A GrabCar from Da Nang airport to the Old Town runs around $12-18. For groups, private car hire is actually cheaper than Grab for that specific route, so shop around.

Once in Hoi An, the Old Town is walkable and flat. Most hotels provide free bicycles, which is genuinely the best way to explore — the town is compact and cycling to An Bang Beach takes about 20-25 minutes on flat roads. Electric bikes are an increasingly popular option for those who'd rather not pedal.

The Grab app works throughout Hoi An. GrabBike (motorbike taxi) is the cheapest and fastest for solo travellers. GrabCar is better for couples or when you have luggage. The app accepts both cash and card. For the Da Nang-Hoi An run, Grab is fine but pre-booked private drivers are often more economical if you're with more than one person.

Motorbike rentals run $5-10/day and are available everywhere. But the roads outside Old Town are unpredictable, traffic doesn't follow obvious rules, and bigger vehicles take right-of-way in every scenario. If you have experience riding in Southeast Asia, it's great. If not, stick to bicycles or Grab.

White-and-green electric shuttle buses operate around Hoi An, with a continuous route between Hai Ba Trung Street and the Old Town from 2pm-10pm for 10,000 VND one way — dirt cheap and useful if you're staying outside the centre.

The vintage cyclos (three-wheeled pedicabs) doing loops of the Old Town cost 150,000-200,000 VND for 15-20 minutes. Negotiate before you get in.