Vietnam · City Guide
Hoi An
Hoi An is Vietnam's most beautiful and atmospheric small city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of extraordinary preservation where Chinese merchant houses, Japanese covered bridges, French colonial buildings and ancient Buddhist temples coexist in a beautifully intact ancient trading port. From the Japanese Covered Bridge and the colourful lantern-lit evenings to the excellent tailoring culture, the outstanding White Rose dumplings and the beautiful An Bang Beach, Hoi An provides one of Vietnam's most complete and captivating experiences.
Elect's take
"Hoi An is the Vietnamese destination that I find most consistently magical. The combination of the ancient town at night, lit by hundreds of silk lanterns, with outstanding food, excellent tailoring and a beautiful beach nearby creates something that I find genuinely difficult to leave."
The Ancient Town of Hoi An is one of the best preserved trading ports in Southeast Asia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the fusion of Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese and European architectural traditions creates a uniquely beautiful urban environment. The Japanese Covered Bridge, built in the 18th century, is the most iconic symbol of the city. The evening lantern culture transforms the ancient town into an extraordinary spectacle of coloured light reflected in the canal. The food scene is outstanding — cao lau noodles, White Rose dumplings, banh mi from Phuong and the seafood restaurants of the riverside are all exceptional. An Bang Beach, 4 kilometres from the ancient town, is one of the finest in central Vietnam.
Best time to visit
How to get there
What to expect
Ancient Town
A UNESCO World Heritage trading port of extraordinary architectural and cultural preservation.
Lantern Festival
Hoi An's magical monthly full moon festival of coloured silk lanterns.
Hoi An Cuisine
Outstanding cao lau noodles, White Rose dumplings and the finest banh mi in Vietnam.
Japanese Covered Bridge
Hoi An's most iconic monument, a 18th century bridge of extraordinary character.
An Bang Beach
One of central Vietnam's finest beaches 4 kilometres from the ancient town.
Tailoring Culture
Outstanding bespoke tailoring available within 24-48 hours from skilled Hoi An dressmakers.
