Hoi An tourism: A guide from A to Z (Updated July 2022)
In addition to cultural values through diverse architecture, Hoi An also preserves a rather massive intangible cultural foundation. The daily life of residents with customs, religious activities, folk art, cultural festivals along with poetic natural landscapes, specialty dishes … make Hoi An more and more attractive to tourists from all over the world.
Check-in at 92 Station – Restaurant and Café – Hoi An. Photo: ivyleuyen
Check-in at 92 Station – Restaurant and Café – Hoi An. Photo: ivyleuyen
Schedule a Hoi An tour
The best time to visit Hoi An is from February to April every year, with little rain and a pleasant climate. Avoid going in the summer because the temperature is so high, it’s very hot. The rainy season from October to November also has the disadvantage that the space is wet due to heavy and heavy rain.
You should visit Hoi An on the 14th, the full moon of the lunar month to attend the old town night. On this occasion, you will have the opportunity to see with your own eyes the bright red lanterns spread all over the street, a typical scene of Hoi An on the occasion of the holiday.
Photo: martin.stoffels.photography
Photo: martin.stoffels.photography
Schedule – Travel – Hoi- An-ivivu-2
Moving to Hoi An
Plane
Hoi An belongs to Quang Nam but the nearest airport is in Da Nang (Hoi An is 30km from Da Nang). Currently, airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar, and Vietjetair all operate routes from Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to Da Nang. If you want to buy cheap tickets, you should book about 3 to 6 months in advance. You can refer and book flight tickets online easily at iVIVU.com.
ticket-flight-from-HCMC-to-Da-Nang-ivivuvé-flight-from-Hanoi-to-Da-Nang-ivivu
Other means of transport: Car, train
• From Hanoi or Saigon, there is a train route to Da Nang (North – South route), the fare varies depending on the type of train and the type of seat. You can consult and book tickets here. It takes 14 to 20 hours to travel from these two cities to Da Nang by train.
• Coach:
+ In Saigon, there are bus companies: Hoang Long Limousine, Tang Tin Limousine, Hung Dinh Limousine… You can refer to the bus lines to Da Nang here.
+ In Hanoi, there are garages: Duong Vu sleeper bus, Thien Trung Limousine, Tan Kim Chi Limousine… You can refer to other bus lines to Da Nang here.
Travel time: it takes about 18-20 hours from Hanoi/Saigon to Da Nang.
Because the transit point to Hoi An is mainly the Da Nang pier and bus station. From there you can catch a bus/taxi to Hoi An very conveniently.
• Going from Hanoi direction, you can also choose a stop at Tam Ky station (Quang Nam), where you can catch a bus to Hoi An.
• If starting from the direction of Ho Chi Minh City, you can choose the bus to the North or Da Nang, will pass by and stop at Hoi An.
Note: From Da Nang city to Hoi An, there are two ways:
+ You can follow Highway 1 to the south about 27km to Vinh Dien street and then turn left for another 10km to Hoi An.
+ The second road is closer and quieter, going from the center of Da Nang through the Han River bridge, to the provincial road Da Nang – Hoi An, about 30km to Hoi An.
Means of transport in Hoi An
• Hoi An has a full range of transportation services such as bus, taxi, motorbike taxi, cyclo.
• Motorbike rental price: depending on the type of vehicle, the price is different. Ranging from 80,000 – 700,000 VND/day. You can read more here.
• But the most interesting thing when visiting Hoi An is walking or renting a bicycle around the neighborhood to feel the special features of this place. The price of renting a bicycle is only from 30,000 VND.
Bicycles are the main means of transportation in the old town. Photo: wiki-travel
Bicycles are the main means of transportation in the old town. Photo: wiki-travel
Phone numbers to know when traveling to Hoi An:
Hoi An City Police: 0510 3861204
Hoi An Post Office: 0235 3862 888
Hoi An Hospital: 0235 3914 660
Hoi An Taxi: Mai Linh Taxi – 0235 3929 292; VinaSu Taxi – 02353 68 68 68… Also, you can refer here.
Travel advice: 0510 3910919
Tourist attractions not to be missed when traveling to Hoi An
DESTINATIONS IN HOI AN CITY
Bridge Pagoda
Covered Bridge is a gem in the heart of Hoi An. The bridge was built in the late 16th century and is known as the Japanese bridge. In the middle of the bridge there is a small temple worshiping Huyen Thien Dai De. The covered bridge is quite unique with decorative textures and motifs showing a harmonious combination of Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and Western architectural styles.
Location: The bridge spans the creek flowing into the Thu Bon River, bordering Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and Tran Phu streets.
Photo: Nguyen Duc Huy
Photo: Nguyen Duc Huy
Check out hotels near Hoi An Ancient Town
Fukien
Legend has it that the forerunner of the Assembly Hall was a small shrine worshiping the statue of Thien Hau Thanh Mau (the goddess who helps merchants overcome the ocean waves) picked up on the coast of Hoi An in 1697. Through many restorations, with the main contribution of overseas Chinese in Fujian state, the assembly hall became more and more brilliant and spacious, contributing to adorning the appearance of Hoi An ancient urban architecture.
Location: No. 46, Tran Phu Street
Assembly Hall of Chaozhou
The Assembly Hall was built in 1845 by overseas Chinese in Trieu Chau state to worship Phuc Ba General Ma Vien – a deity who is good at controlling the waves and helps to make traveling and trading on the sea smooth and profitable. The assembly hall has a special value in terms of architectural structure with its intricately carved wooden frame, wooden decorative motifs and plans, and beautiful crockery embossed works.
Location: No. 92B, Nguyen Duy Hieu
Cantonese Assembly Hall
The Assembly Hall was built in 1885 by the Cantonese Chinese Kieu, initially to worship Thien Hau Thanh Mau and Confucius, after 1911, it converted to worship Quan Cong and Tien Hien of the state. The rational use of wood and stone materials in the bearing structure and decorative details has given the Assembly Hall a majestic beauty. Every year on the day of Nguyen Tieu, in the name of Quan Cong (June 24 of the lunar calendar), there is a very festive festival that attracts many participants.
Location: 176 Tran Phu
Photo: @nguyenle.maianh
Photo: @nguyenle.maianh
Church of the Tran family
Toc Tran Church was built in 1802 by a mandarin of the Tran family (a large family from China who immigrated to Hoi An in the 1700s) according to the traditional feng shui principles of the Chinese and Vietnamese. Located on an area of about 1500 square meters, there are many items: the church of the ancestors and the display of relics related to the family, the house… The ancient church of the Tran Hoi An clan is an ancient church in the style of the Vietnamese ethnic group from thousands of years ago, with its ancient architectural form intact.
Location: No. 21, Le Loi street
Museum of History and Culture
Established in 1989, the museum displays 212 original artifacts and valuable documents in ceramics, porcelain, bronze, paper, wood, etc., reflecting the development stages of Hoi An city – trading port from the period of Sa Huynh culture (from the 2nd century AD) to the period of Cham culture (from the 2nd to the 15th century) and the Dai Viet and Dai Nam culture (from the 15th to the 19th century).
Location: No. 13, Nguyen Hue
Tan Ky Ancient House
Built nearly 200 years ago, Tan Ky house has the typical architectural style of Hoi An townhouse with the interior divided into many compartments, each with its own function. The front of the house is a place to open a shop, the back side connects with the river wharf to make a place to import and export goods.
The house is built by traditional materials and created by local carpenters and bricklayers, so it has a unique, elegant and cozy look, and shows the interaction with architectural styles in the area. On February 17, 1990, the Tan Ky Dynasty was granted the National Historical and Cultural Relic certificate.
