How to spend 3 magical days in Hoi An, Central Vietnam – Most Perfect Hoi An Itinerary

When planning a trip to Vietnam, Hoi An is most certainly on everyone’s list of must-visit places. And, rightly so! It truly is a magical place to be in! Especially during the night, when colourful lanterns illuminate the charming streets and riverside promenade.

In this perfect 3-day itinerary, we will show you how you can spend the most magical time in Hoi An. With this itinerary, you will be exploring Hoi An’s colourful streets, try some of the local delicacies, get made-to-measure clothing and learn how to make Vietnamese lanterns and/or coffee yourself! Sounds interesting? Then let’s get into the itinerary!

Magical 3 Days in Hoi An – Your ultimate Hoi An Itinerary

Located in Central Vietnam, Hoi An used to be of tremendous importance. This charming port town functioned as a major trading centre for the Cham Kingdom (a kingdom formerly spanning most of the territory which is now Southern and Central Vietnam) with its surrounding nations and beyond! Of course such a fascinating past leaves its mark and thus created the charming streets of Hoi An as we know them today.

The pace of this itinerary is pretty leisurely, giving you ample time to do some shopping, café hopping and exploring of your own. We absolutely loved wandering the streets of Hoi An endlessly, be that at night or during the day, and therefore want to give you the chance to do the same.

Arrival in Hoi An – What is the best way to get to Hoi An?

Before you can start exploring Hoi An, you naturally will have to get there first. Personally, we would recommend arriving in Hoi An the day before Day 1 of this Hoi An Itinerary. Except maybe if you stayed in Da Nang before, then you can simply get a ride to Hoi An first thing in the morning on Day 1.

We wrote a separate travel guide, where we go more in depth on the topic of getting to Hoi An – sharing direct flight routes to Hoi An from overseas, the fact that you might have to travel via Da Nang first (!) and giving you more information on the various modes of transportation in general.

🛂 E-Visa. If your country is not on the Visa Exemption List (which most aren't), then you will need to get an E-Visa via the official E-Visa Website.

🦟 Mosquito Repellent. While having mosquito repellent with you is in general a good idea when travelling the tropics, Hoi An has the added disadvantage of being quite rural and very close to water. Needless to say, mosquitos will be there.

🛜 Get a SIM Card or eSIM. In case you prefer physical SIM Cards - either get a Vinaphone SIM Card (DAD Aiport Pick-up) via Klook* or buy one directly at a local Viettel store. For eSIM we recommend the Viettel eSIM obtainable via Klook*. 
Note: Generally Viettel SIM Cards/eSIM are best for Vietnam - but find out more about that in our Vietnam Checklist.

🎟️ Hoi An Old Town Ticket. If you wish to enter any of the main attractions in Hoi An Old Town, you'll need this ticket. More information (e.g. price, where to buy, validity etc.) can be found further down below.

📱 Essential Apps for Vietnam: WhatsApp & Grab. Grab for getting around. WhatsApp, because communication with tour & transportation operators is often done via WhatsApp.

🔌 Power Plug Adapter. In Vietnam you will find power plugs of the type A, C, F and sometimes even G. To be on the safe side, bring an adapter!

How to spend 3 magical days in Hoi An

Without further ado, let’s get into the itinerary.

Day 1: Explore the Old Town of Hoi An

You will spend your very first day mainly exploring all the marvels Hoi An’s charming Old Town has to offer. As such the better part of your day is going to be spend roaming around colourful streets, marvelling at Hoi An’s main sights and browsing quaint little shops (of which Hoi An has many).

👗 Commission Made-to-Measure Clothing

You are probably aware of the fact that Hoi An is famous for its many tailors and subsequently well-known as THE place where you can get yourself a custom-made piece of clothing that won’t break the bank!

We certainly did not want to pass up this awesome opportunity. And, if getting custom-made clothing is something you wish to do as well, then we recommend tackling this project right on your very first day in Hoi An. Especially so, if you only stay in Hoi An for 3 days.

From personal experience, the process of commissioning custom-tailored clothing will take three days and look something like this:

• Head to a tailor of your choosing on the first day. You can select a fit (either from a catalogue or something you design yourself), choose a colour and type of fabric you like and then, after having taken your measurements, place your order!
• Go back for a try-on and discussing potential alterations on the second day.
• Finally, pick up your custom-made clothing on the third day!

Note: In case you cannot decide what tailor to go to, we went to Tuong Tailor and where really happy with them. Part of why we chose to go with them was the amount of great reviews they have. And, we can now attest that the reviews did not lie;). They are one of the more high-end tailors in Hoi An.

🧭 Explore Hoi An Old Town

Now that your dream piece of clothing is commissioned;), it is time to throw yourself into the streets of Hoi An and start exploring! Hoi An is one of those places where strolling around the streets is an attraction in and of itself. Nonetheless, there are a few attractions we would recommend keeping an eye out for more specifically!

⛩️ Japanese Covered-Bridge. Probably the most famous sight in all of Hoi An. This stunning covered wooden bridge was built in the 16th century by Japanese merchants (hence the name) and has been preserved ever since. Entrance only with the Hoi An Old Town Ticket. 

🐉 Fujian Assembly Hall. Originally built by Chinese migrants to worship Mazu (a goddess who protects seafarers), this small temple eventually evolved into a cultural centre for Hoi An's Chinese community. Entrance only with the Hoi An Old Town Ticket. 

🥭 Hoi An Market. A local market filled with fruit, veggies, spices, fish, snacks, clothing, souvenirs and more. An interesting place to at least walk through if you have never been to a Vietnamese market before. Entrance free of charge.

🎨 Art Galleries. Dotted around the city you will find a number of small art galleries, exhibiting photographs and/or art focussing on various aspects of life in Vietnam. Entrance free of charge.

🏮 Old House of Tan Ky. A 200+ years old traditional heritage house in Hoi An. Great to get a glimpse into what a local merchant house looked like from the inside back in the day. Entrance only with the Hoi An Old Town Ticket.

🐉 Bà Mụ Temple Gate. Built in the 17th century - although at a different location first. After much wear and tear over the years, only the temple gate remains standing today. Nonetheless, Ba Mu Temple still features among the top 3 things to see in Hoi An. And rightly so, the temple gate is truly breathtaking! Entrance free of charge.

Quick Intermission: The Hoi An Old Town Ticket – What is it and do I need it?

Truthfully, prior to our trip to Hoi An, we had never heard of this ticket. Which is why at first we thought it might be a scam. But alas, it is legit! So, here’s what you need to know about this ticket before visiting Hoi An!

• What is it? The Hoi An Old Town Ticket, as the name suggests, functions somewhat as an entrance ticket to Hoi An Old Town.
• Do I need one? In theory, every tourist visiting the Old Town should have one. However, when roaming the streets of Hoi An, no one is actually ever going to ask you to present your ticket. Nonetheless, you’ll need it if you wish to enter any of the 22 attractions covered by the ticket.
• Where to buy one? You can only buy it on-site in one of 11 ticket booths spread throughout the Old Town.
• How much does it cost? Price: 120.000 VND (~3,9€/ 4,5$)
• Validity? The Hoi An Old Town Ticket is valid for up to 10 days and gives you access to 5 out of 22 attractions which are covered by the ticket. In case you wish to visit more than 5 attractions, you’ll have to buy another ticket.
• How do I use it? Simply present your ticket at the entrance of an attraction. For each attraction visited, one of the five detachable coupons which come with the ticket will be removed.

🍹 Try a delicious Mót Hội An Ice Tea

For the very appealing price of 10.000 VND (~0,33€/0,38$), you can refresh yourself with a delicious cup of iced tea. Mót Hội An’s signature drink is made from lemon, lotus leaf, ginger, green tea among a few other herbal ingredients. The result makes for a truly delicious and refreshing drink, perfect to enjoy in Hoi An’s heat.

Even if we didn’t tell you about it, there is a high chance you might have stumbled upon this little gem anyway. Especially, since it is located literally a hundred metres down the road from the Japanese Covered-Bridge. Mót Hội An has become somewhat of a tourist magnet, however we still managed to snatch ourselves a cup here and there without having to stand in line;)!

🏮 Make your very own Vietnamese Lantern

For this next item on your itinerary, you’ll have to head slightly out of Hoi An’s Old Town, more precisely to Tieng Vong Pho’s Lantern Workshop*, where you can attend a lantern making class! The workshop is lead by two siblings, both are super nice and really funny. The sister is the one leading the lantern making classes and the brother hosts a coffee workshop (for more information on the latter, wait for day 2 of this itinerary😉).

During the lantern making class, you get to built a Vietnamese lantern yourself, of course with the necessary help from the instructors should you need it;). All in all it was a super fun experience and the workshop had a really cosy atmosphere to it!

There are two versions of this workshop.

• The full version – where you make a lantern start to finish – costs 380.000 VND (~12,5€/~14,4$) and takes 2.5 hours. Note: This is the one we did.
• The express version – where you only do part of the process yourself – costs 250.000 VND (~9€/10$) and takes about 1.5 hours.

And the best part: you get to take your lantern home with you. They can fold down quite a bit for easier transport;). Ours are now permanent features in our living room. Probably one of the best souvenirs we have from all our travels!

🎆 Explore Hoi An after sunset

As the sun goes down, the streets of Hoi An transform and, believe it or not, become even more lively! Thousands of lanterns are lit up throughout the city, food stalls are set up for the evening and numerous boats start to fill the river flowing through Hoi An. It truly is an entirely different experience to walk the streets of Hoi An after sunset!

The bulk of Hoi An’s night market can be found in ‘Nguyễn Hoàng‘ Street, you’ll also find several stalls set up alongside the river promenade near Hoi An Market. Most shops and cafés throughout the city remain open until 9 or even 9:30 p.m.!

Whether you decide to take a boat ride on the river or not is up to you. You certainly won’t be short on options as there are people trying to bully you into taking a boat ride at nearly every corner😆.

Where to stay in Hoi An

Personally, we would recommend staying right in the heart of Old Town Hoi An. That way you are close to attractions, shops and cafés and can wander the charming streets at your own leisure at any time. Especially in the evenings this is going to be a big advantage!

Day 2: Marvel at the beauty of rural Vietnam

After having spend most of your first day in Hoi An exploring the streets of Old Town, today you will be venturing a bit further outside for the first time. So, let’s take a look at what your second day in Hoi An has in store for you!

Note: Also, make sure not to forget heading to your tailor for a try-on of the custom-made clothing you commissioned on the first day!;)

☕ Learn how to make Vietnamese Speciality Coffee

Coffee was brought to Vietnam in 1857 and it is indisputable that, ever since, Vietnam has become a veritable coffee drinking nation! So, what better way to start your second day in Hoi An than with coffee?! And, not just any coffee! No. Today you are going to learn how to make Vietnamese coffee* by using a Phin, a variation of the French press and a popular filter for coffee-making in Vietnam!

After a quick history lesson on coffee in Vietnam, you will be shown how to make a variety of Vietnamese coffee specialities, including the famous Vietnamese egg coffee! After taking this class we were so thrilled to be able to make this speciality ourselves that we ended up buying a Phin in Hanoi and now we still occasionally make our own egg coffee at home😆.

As mentioned before, this workshop is part of the same family business as the lantern making class. The workshop takes roughly 2 hours and costs 348.000 VND (~12€/13$). If you are a coffee enthusiast as well, we highly recommend it!

🍜 Try Cao Lau – the famous noodle dish from Hoi An

Cao Lau is rumoured to date back to the 17th century when Hoi An was an affluent trading post and frequented regularly by Japanese and Chinese merchants. The latter are likely the reason why this famous Hoi An dish is influenced so evidently by their cuisine.

Typically Cao Lau is a noodle dish, which is served in a bowl with a bit of broth and a variety of toppings such as marinated pork, lettuce, herbs, crunchy fried noodles and bean sprouts. Depending on where you go you may even find vegetarian options.

🚲 Rent a Bicycle & Go Explore

After a delicious lunch, it is time to get active! Rent a bicycle and go explore the stunning rural area surrounding Hoi An. Personally, we rented bicycles from our host at our accommodation*. However, in case yours does not offer bicycles for rent, there are a number of bicycle rental shops dotted around the city where you can do so as well.

Now, there are two directions where you might take your self-guided bicycle tour depending on how ambitious you are. Either you head north-east or south (see map down below).

• If you decide to head north-east, you’ll have to plan a bit more time (~2-3 hours). The downside to this area is the fact that you’ll have to ride your bicycle through the city for a while first before eventually making it into the rice fields. Nonetheless this area is quite stunning and home to a number of cafés where you can stop and take a break to enjoy the views.
• If you decide to head south, then 1-2 hours are probably enough. While you won’t find many cafés here, you also don’t have to ride your bicycle through the city. Simply cross Cam Kim Bridge and you’ll find yourself in the middle of rural Vietnam instantly!

If you are not so keen as to attempt a bicycle tour on your own, you can alternatively also book a guided one. Popular providers are Heaven and Earth Bicycle Tours* and Sunrise Tour*. Note: We would recommend the 3-hour bicycle tour by Sunrise Tour as it will fit best into this itinerary. However, if you prefer to do the Heaven and Earth Bicycle Tour then that’s fine too – simply switch the coffee workshop and bicycle tour around since the latter can only be started in the morning.

🍹 Relax with a drink on a Rooftop Bar

While Hoi An’s streets are certainly very busy after sunset, there are ways to get away from the crowds for a bit. Personally, our favourite way of escapism entailed going to a nearby rooftop bar where we could sit back, relax and watch the busy streets quietly from above.

However, selecting the right rooftop bar is essential here! While some rooftop bars will have loud music, others are essentially small balconies tucked away at the top of a random restaurant – and then there is everything in between. There is no right or wrong option here, just know what you are looking for and select a rooftop bar accordingly.

Our tip: If you are looking for a bar with music and overall a bit more ‘party-vibes’, you are best off searching alongside Nguyễn Phúc Chu Street. If you are looking for a more quiet rooftop bar, head to the opposite side of the river to Đ. Bạch Đằng Street.

Day 3: Take a spin in one of Vietnam’s famous Basket Boats

You might be asking yourself, is there really enough to see and do in Hoi An for one more full day? Well, yes, there certainly is! So, let’s see what you will get up to on this third and last day in Hoi An.

🥥 Take a Cooking Class

One of the best ways to delve deeper into a culture has to be hands down by doing a cooking class. We try to do at least one in each new country that we visit, especially so if we are fond of that country’s cuisine. And Vietnam certainly fits that bill.

Now, this particular cooking class* is a fun one and even more exciting, because you don’t only get to try your hand at cooking Vietnamese staple dishes for your lunch. No, you also get to go to the local market with your host plus take a ride through dense coconut forests in a Vietnamese Basket Boat!

Basket Boats (or Thung Chai) are unique Vietnamese fishing boats. They were created as a way to circumvent the heavy taxes that were put on regular boats during the French colonial era. When it came down to taxation, locals claimed their basket boats were, well, baskets not boats and could therefore not be taxed. Truly genius actually😆.

🛍️ Do some last minute shopping

In case you have not yet had the time to make all the purchases you wanted to make while in Hoi An, now is a great time to make up for that. Whether that be souvenirs, lanterns, clothing or accessories, Hoi An truly has it all!

Also, make sure to go pick up that custom-made clothing you commissioned;).

🪴 Visit a hidden café!

After finishing up your shopping, it is now time to sit down and relax for a bit. Head to Phin Coffee Restaurant, a lovely garden restaurant, tucked away in a walled courtyard on a side street in Old Town Hoi An. It is nearly impossible to stumble upon it on accident, nonetheless over the years this lovely café has managed to make itself quite the name in Hoi An!

🎭 Watch a traditional show

To end your last day in Hoi An on an exciting note, we did save one more special activity for last.

Every day, three times per day (thereof twice in the afternoon , i.e. at 3:15 and 4:15 p.m.), you can watch a traditional art performance at the ‘Hoi An Traditional Art Performance House‘. The show is a mixture of traditional dance, music and play. Entry to the performance is included in your Hoi An Old Town Ticket. Do make sure to arrive at least 20-30 minutes in advance, since the theatre fills up quite quickly!

If you are looking for something a tad more fancy, then maybe check out the ‘Hoi An Lune Center‘, where a bamboo circus regularly performs a fascinating show! The show starts at 6 p.m. and tickets for the Teh Dar Vietnamese Bamboo Circus* are best bought in advance.

How to spend 3 days in Hoi An: Final Thoughts

And this concludes your epic 3 days in Hoi An! In this complete itinerary, we showed you how to spend 3 awesome days in Hoi An, filled with food, culture, art and awesome sights! We promise, when following this exact itinerary, by the end of your time in Hoi An you will not feel like you missed out on anything!

Of course, even though your time in Hoi An has come to an end, this does not have to mean that your time in Central Vietnam is up. On the contrary, there is actually lots more to see and do! Have you been to Hue yet? Or Da Nang? How about a day trip to the Ba Na Hills and the famous Golden Bridge?

Save this post for later if your trip isn’t for another while! And, finally, we wish you safe and happy travels!🍀

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