10 aesthetic & cultural things to do in Hoi An, Vietnam

Looking for the best and most unique things to do in Hoi An, Vietnam? Here are 10 aesthetic Hoi An attractions and cultural experiences—ranging from nature and art to local traditions—perfect for making your Hoi An trip truly unforgettable.

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Things to do in Hoi An, Vietnam

Located in central Vietnam, Hoi An is a picturesque and well-preserved ancient town, known for its historic charm and rich multicultural heritage influenced by Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and European. Its Ancient Town is even recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Personally, I think Hoi An has a completely different vibe compared to other major cities in Vietnam. Its vibrant, fusion and aesthetic elements make it my favourite place in the country. If you’re wondering whether Hoi An is worth visiting, I’d definitely say 100% yes!

Here are my top recommendations for things to do in Hoi An, for you to dive into its artistic and cultural side.

1. Try coconut coffee

Coffee plays a significant role in Vietnamese culture, and trying their iconic brews—like egg coffee, coconut coffee, and the classic coffee with condensed milk—is a must-do thing for any coffee-loving traveler visiting Vietnam.

In Hoi An, where coconuts are locally grown and the town has a relaxed, tropical vibe, sipping a smooth, velvety coconut coffee made with rich Vietnamese coffee, coconut milk, condensed milk, and topped with coconut flesh and flakes feels just right. 

We randomly found this coconut coffee stand called Coconut Coffee and honestly it was the best coconut coffee we had in all of Vietnam! We kept trying it at other places throughout our trip, but nothing came close to this one. 

Having coconut coffee there was truly a delightful moment and one of our favourite things to do in Hoi An, VIetnam. Plus, the owner is also very hospitable. I highly recommend you to try coconut coffee from this stand!

• Exact location for the amazing Coconut Coffee stand: 🔗click here

2. Walking around Hoi An Ancient Town

Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hoi An Ancient Town is known for its beautiful architecture, aesthetic streets, and rich multicultural heritage shaped by Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and European influences.

Hoi An Ancient Town truly looks like it was made for postcards—every street is vibrant and full of character.

With its vintage yellow walls, colorful lanterns, and trishaws slowly passing by, it’s the kind of place that constantly catches my eyes—I found myself snapping photos non-stop.

If you are also into photography, and this kind of vibe, make sure your camera and phone are fully charged before you arrive!

Some of the must-do things in Hoi An Ancient Town include visiting the Japanese Bridge and Quan Cong Temple, as well as taking a magical lantern boat ride along the Thu Bồn River.

Whether you prefer to explore at your own pace or🔗 join a Hoi An Ancient Town walking tour to gain deeper insight into the town’s history and culture, both are fantastic ways to experience the charm of Hoi An Ancient Town.

And if you are a solo traveler or a couple looking to capture special moments during the trip, you can 🔗join the walking tour led by photographers that take you to the most photogenic spots around the town.

3. Take the Hoi An lantern boat ride

As mentioned above, taking a lantern boat ride along the Thu Bon River is one of the cultural and best things to do in Hoi An at night.

when the river is lit up by hundreds of colourful glowing lanterns- It’s a truly magical and aesthetic scene you won’t want to miss!

You can even make a wish and release a lantern during the boat ride. 

If you don’t want to carry much cash or bargain on the spot, you 🔗can book your Hoi An lantern boat ride online in advance through this trusted site.

4. Take Hoi An coconut boat/basket boat

One of the most unique cultural experiences in Hoi An, Vietnam is taking a ride through the water coconut forest in a traditional basket boat.

This was definitely one of our highlights in Hoi An! The water coconut forest is peaceful and beautiful. And the ride was unique and fun. Even though we went on a day with heavy rain, we still enjoyed it a lot—and loved every minute of it. I highly recommend giving it a try!

That said, be mindful of tourist scams. If you are not aware of the standard prices, it’s easy to get overcharged. I’ve written a quick guide to help you avoid overpaying for the coconut boat tour— 🔗check it out here.

To avoid scams and the hassle of bargaining, you can also book your ticket online in advance- 🔗click here.

5. Try local food

Vietnam is one of the top destinations for incredible food in Southeast Asia—and there’s so much more Vietnamese food to try other than the famous pho. Each city also has its own unique dishes, and Hoi An, Vietnam is no exception, it has its own local specialties worth exploring.

If you don’t have a local friend to show you around, 🔗joining a food tour led by a local guide is a great and efficient way to discover authentic eats in Hoi An.

6. Visit Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum

The Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum in Hoi An exhibits the work of French photographer Réhahn, featuring soulful portraits and cultural artifacts from 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam.

It’s truly inspiring to see his dedication to search and document Vietnam’s diverse cultural heritage.

Also very impressive to learn how he gives back to local communities through his projects. Definitely check it out if you want to learn about Vietnam ethnic groups and into photography.

If capturing great shots related to local culture is your thing, you can also 🔗join a private photography tour led by a local photographer, to explore and capture Hoi An fishing culture.

Plus, it is a free thing to do in Hoi An, Vietnam.

• Entry fee for the Precious Heritage Art Gallery: free
• Opening hours: 8 am to 8 pm
• The official website of Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum: 🔗click here
• Location of The Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum: 🔗click here

7. Join a cycling tour around Hoi An countryside

Cycling through the Hoi An countryside with a local guide gave us an authentic glimpse into local life at the village—from crafting traditional wooden boats and handmade goods to weaving basket boats & sleeping mats.

One of the most unforgettable moments for us was learning to row a coconut boat, guided by a hilariously funny local auntie.

We also got to have lunch with locals and tried some weird liquors! It was one of the highlights of our time in Hoi An.

If you are into culture, scenic landscapes, and meaningful local experiences, this is one of the great Hoi An things to do! 🔗You can book the one we joined here in advance.

8. Get clothes tailored or shop at Hoi An Cloth Market & Hoi An Market

Getting custom-made suits, dresses, or any type of clothing is one of the most popular things to do in Hoi An. Many travelers come here to get tailor-made outfits —some even before their weddings—because the prices are often much more affordable than in other countries, and the clothes can be ready in just 1–2 days.

If custom tailoring isn’t your thing, you also have plenty of ready-to-wear options at the 🔗Hoi An Cloth Market or 🔗Hoi An Market.

We wanted to get some customised clothes but only discovered this amazing thing on our last night in Hoi An. Instead, my friend and I both bought a floral cotton set that had a great holiday vibe, and we love it too.

If you are reading this while planning your Hoi An trip, make sure to add this in, and leave 1–2 days in your itinerary for tailoring!

9. Take Lantern Making Class

As you wander through Hoi An Ancient Town, you will notice colourful lanterns lighting up the streets and buildings.

If you are inspired to make one yourself, you can 🔗join this lantern-making workshop—and even take your handmade lantern home as a unique souvenir.

If you are curious about Vietnamese coffee and want to learn how to make egg coffee, you can 🔗join this combined workshop that includes both lantern-making and a coffee experience.

10. Visit An Bang Beach & beach cafe/bar

Just a short ride from Hoi An Ancient Town, An Bang Beach is the perfect place to visit in Hoi An to slow things down from a packed travel itinerary.

With its relaxed, tropical vibe and plenty of palm trees along the shore, it is ideal for sunbathing, or simply enjoying a cold drink at the beachfront cafes or bars.

I really loved the chill, aesthetic vibe at 🔗The Deck House An Bang Beach We had coconut coffee again while enjoying the sea view.

The coconut coffee here wasn’t quite as amazing as the first one I had at Coconut Coffee, but it was still tasty and refreshing. If you are into beachfront cafes or bars, this spot is definitely worth a visit.

How to get to Hoi An, Vietnam

Hoi An doesn’t have its own airport or train station, but it’s easy to reach from nearby Da Nang City, which is well connected to major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as several international destinations.

Once you get to Da Nang City, you can take a taxi or self-drive to Hoi An, which only takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour. From our own experiences, the Grab taxi fare between Da Nang Airport and Hoi An Ancient Town is about 393K to 443K VND (around 14-16 Euros) each way. 

As for how to reach Da Nang City, you can take a flight to Da Nang International Airport (DAD) or take a train to Da Nang Railway Station (from other major cities) or take a long-distance bus to Da Nang.

How many days in Hoi An is enough?

If you want to do all the things above and also check out the iconic Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills from Hoi An, as well as save sometimes wandering around, I suggest you plan to spend at least 4 days and 3 nights in Hoi An, Vietnam.

Is credit card accepted in Hoi An or should you use cash?

I recommend bringing both credit card and Vietnamese dong (VND) cash when visiting Hoi An. Most local spots— like small restaurants, street food vendors, the Hoi An Market, the Cloth Market, and many craft shops—only accept cash. 

Credit cards are generally accepted at more tourist-oriented places such as upscale restaurants, hotels, and some tour operators.

If you are unsure how much VND you will need, you can bring some USD to exchange at local gold shops. Alternatively, you can use your home country’s ATM card to withdraw VND from ATMs around town (if you had set up this option from your bank), though keep in mind there may be service fees. 

In short: cash is essential for everyday purchases, while a credit card is handy for larger or tourist-focused expenses.