Day Tours from Hoi An

Hoi An, Vietnam’s ancient port town, is the living embodiment of enchanting East Asia. The cobbled streets, the pastel yellow buildings, the ceilings of colorful lanterns – all of it draws on centuries of beloved tradition and pulls tourists in with its wonderfully charming heritage.

The day tours from Hoi An below are handpicked from Vietnam Escape Tours to showcase every fascinating angle of this UNESCO World Heritage gem in central Vietnam. Our tours focus on history, architecture, nature, food and eco-activities in and around Hoi An, where each offers a gorgeous glance on the town’s collective beauty.

It is perhaps Hoi An’s mix of influences that endears it to such a wide variety of tourists today. Between the 15th and 19th centuries, Hoi An was a crucial stop along the Maritime Silk Road, a trading route running from China to Europe. The Chinese communal houses, Japanese trading posts and European-style residences still stand today as a monument to the town’s golden age and as unmissable sites on Hoi An day tours.

Outside the town, the spirit of Vietnam reverberates around tiny handicraft villages and long fields of waving rice crop. In our day trips from Hoi An, we discover life in the farms and craft workshops of Hoi An’s outskirts, finding humble Vietnamese scenes amidst a traditional living still going strong. Hoi An eco-tours give you a chance to try this ancient lifestyle out for yourself and make family memories amidst the fields and the fisheries.

Take a look at all of the day tours from Hoi An listed below, all carefully curated by one of Vietnam’s top tour operators – Vietnam Escape Tours. 

Day Tours of Hoi An

Though its boundaries may be small, Hoi An has been a hub of activity from the 15th century to the present times. The energy in the town is electric, initially with traders but now with tourists seeking the Hoi An’s famous magic. Our day tours of Hoi An absorb this magic through layers of history, manifested across incredible ancient architecture and the modern buzz of street food, river tours and nightlife.

Hoi An Walking Tour

Hoi An walking tour is a popular day tour in Hoi An. You will understand more about the ancient town of Hoi An in this day tour which start from Hoi An and end at your hotel in Hoi An.

The Hoi An half-day walking tour is the perfect way to soak up the history of the town under professional, informative guidance. The heart of Hoi An is its ancient town, which stretches across UNESCO-listed land as 22 official attractions. These include museums, communal houses, assembly halls, townhouses and one-off pieces of architecture, each drenched in heritage from centuries past. Tourists taking such day tours of Hoi An never fail to be enraptured by its unending Asian charm.

Culinary River Cruise

To escape the hubbub of the city but stay in touch with its infatuating traditions, a Hoi An river cruise offers premium comfort and a delicious way to enjoy a magnificent sunset on the Thu Bon River. Our culinary river cruise tour takes place on a converted fishing boat and serves Hoi An’s incredible gastronomic history on platters for passengers. Try established favorites like mỳ quảng and Cao lầu while also learning of the long-held traditions attached to Vietnamese culinary culture, all atop the shimmering, nature-flanked water of the Thu Bon River.

Hoi An Cooking Class

Cooking classes in Hoi An are one of the most popular ways to explore the town’s classic recipes that have enthralled every visitor from the 15th century onwards. Such ancient visitors contributed immensely to the culinary makeup of Hoi An, which today boasts Chinese, Japanese and French amongst many other influences. A Hoi An cooking class is the best way to experience the meld of the town’s various food sources, starting with a trip to Tra Que village in the outskirts and shopping for ingredients at the farmer’s market. Learn how to turn all of these into delectable products into Hoi An’s favorite dishes like hoàng thanh chiên (fried wontons) and nem tươi (fresh spring rolls). 

Tours of Hoi An’s Outer Villages

Regardless of the charm of Hoi An, sometimes the touristic interest can become a little overbearing. This is a great time to escape to the villages, where day trips from Hoi An have a chance to showcase the quieter and beloved aspects of the UNESCO World Heritage site. In these villages, many traditional crafts iconic to the region still survive, as well as the cultures of ethnic minorities that add another dimension to the attractions of central Vietnam.

Kim Bong Carpentry Village Cycling Tour

It takes a while to cycle to Kim Bong, but that is exactly the appeal of this woodworking village occupying the northern shores of Cam Kinh Island. Cycling tours from Hoi An find a wealth of tradition in Kim Bong, which has made a name for itself as an artisanal carpentry village since the time of Hoi An’s early traders. This half-day trip from Hoi An takes in the quaint countryside outside the town by bicycle, along with a visit to Kim Bong and a thorough exploration of the small but proudly historic woodworking tradition found within.

Thanh Ha Pottery Village Tour

Thanh Ha is a picturesque pottery village right on the outskirts of Hoi An. It is a pleasant, riverside cycle away from the ancient town and a wonderful stop-off for any day trips from Hoi An to My Son Sanctuary. This craft village was an ancient source of much of Hoi An’s architecture that reached admiring audiences throughout central Vietnam during its heyday. Nowadays, the tiny village attracts tourists down its winding alleyways and into the heart of its ceramic craft, with many souvenirs to buy and many world wonders to see replicated in red brick at ‘Thanh Ha Terracotta Park’. 

Tra Nhieu Weaving Village Cycling Tour

Being a historic port town, Hoi An’s snaking network of waterways was obviously of huge importance. Its outlying village of Tra Nhieu provided a very necessary service of supplying beautifully made fishing equipment out of natural rush, jute, rattan and reeds drawn from its rivers. Fishing baskets were once the number 1 product of the village, but anyone taking a day trip from Hoi An to Tra Nhieu village will be able to see other creations that have stood the test of time, such as reed sitting mats and versatile rice paper. Our tours also feature a section where visitors are taught how to transform river plants into beautiful pieces of origami.

Bho Hoong Village Day Tour

One of the most interesting full-day trips from Hoi An is undoubted to Bho Hoong, a village in the mountains where the Co Tu minority live a life quite different from those of Hoi An’s residents. Here, the traditional houses reach as high as the stretching banana leaves around them and offer visitors a sublime get away from the bustling town into the serenity of nature. The Co Tu have opened their homes up to tourism in the hope of spreading their culture, something that ethnic day tours around Hoi An do through a tour of the village, a go at crossbow hunting and the sharing of a communal meal with the locals. An authentic ethnic experience all round.

My Son Sanctuary

While not exactly a village in outer Hoi An, My Son Sanctuary is a complex of great reverence for Hindus about 40km from the town. This was a holy site for the kingdom of Champa, who built the 71 temples of the sanctuary largely between the 4th and 14th centuries. Time and war have left many of the beautiful red brick buildings in ruins, but they now possess an air of the mysterious and offer a wonderful look back in history during a day trip from Hoi An. Visitors can follow the path around the temples, now in the midst of reclamation by the jungle, and learn more about how the Cham people honored the gods of Hinduism through incredible architecture and traditional rituals.

Hoi An Eco Tours

This is a good way for you to know more about Hoi An life and local there. This is one of the most popular day tours from Hoi An and travellers visiting Hoi An like this a lot.

Eco-tourism is on the rise in Vietnam and Hoi An is increasingly being seen as the cradle of ecotourism in the country. Hoi An eco-tours give you a taste of the ancient life through real, hands-on activities, be it farming, fishing or creating crafts with local artisans. This is the best way to get in touch with centuries-old traditions and to discover first-hand what made and continues to make, the culture of Hoi An so strong.

Tra Que Village Eco-Tour

Vietnam’s dramatic shift towards ecotourism can be seen in the practices of Tra Que, a village now committed to a completely organic agricultural approach. Tra Que occupies a tiny island in the north of Hoi An, surrounded by lush rice paddies fertilized with natural algae from the neighboring lagoon. This place is a foodie paradise; the GMO-free crops are grown here guarantee the freshest of ingredients for budding chefs taking part in a Hoi An cooking class. Add to this the farms and fisheries open for tourist activity and it becomes clear why Tra Que is such a desirable destination for half-day farming tours in Hoi An.

Cam Thanh Eco Tour

Circular coracle boats are one of the many images of Vietnam that endear the country to visitors, and Cam Thanh is a region that has them in abundance. Bordering each boat, which bobs slowly atop the Thu Bon River, are the luxuriant forests of tropical coconut trees and nipa palm that set a green backdrop to the half-day Hoi An eco-tours that run here. Visitors take the coracle boats for a spin (literally), while also trying their hand at planting and harvesting rice as well as plowing the fields on buffalo-back.

Bay Mau Coconut Forest

Take a detour between central Hoi An and its beaches and you’ll find the well-hidden coconut forests of Bay Mau. The area is in a constant bloom of stretching palm trees other tropical foliage, which line the rivers of eastern Hoi An around the humble fishing vessels. Bay Mau provides ideal conditions for half-day trips from Hoi An, as the activity here is enough to fill a morning of trekking, cycling and floating in paradise on a coracle boat.

This day tour from Hoi An will bring you one of the most unforgetable experience in Hoi An. You can join in a group tour and this day tour to Cam Thanh Coconut Jungle is very interesting and it is suitble or anyone who travel in a small group as you can save your cost. Being one of the Vietnam Group Tours offered by Vietnam Escape Tours Travel, you will know more about local life in Vietnam.

Hoi An Day Trips to Da Nang

Just a 30-minute drive from Hoi An lies one of Vietnam’s most important and desirable cities to live. Da Nang is the sixth largest city in the country but leans much more towards a natural, coastal vibe than the metropolises of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Its beach stretches up the vast majority of its eastern coast, while a solitary mountain sitting at the head of the city provides luxuriant greenery and stunning views of Da Nang and beyond. Hoi An’s day trips to Da Nang never cease to amaze with a blend of views, history and impressive architecture.

Da Nang City Tour

Less pollution, less traffic and the open sea are just some of the reasons that endear visitors to Da Nang on a day trip from Hoi An. Our city tour of Vietnam’s sixth biggest city takes in the incredible views of Dragon Bridge, an undulating golden dragon connecting the two sides of the city. The bridge displays the modern credentials of the city, but its ancient charm can still be found at Han Market, a hectic but intriguing central shopping space, and the informative Cham Museum, which tells the story of the Champa empire who fought for control of central Vietnam between the 2nd and 18th centuries.

Son Tra Peninsula

Sitting at the crown of Da Nang is its gorgeous Son Tra Peninsula, a splat of mountainous land attached to the city by a thin strip. Son Tra is a stunning combination of thick jungle climbing up rocky mountainsides, with the crashing ocean beneath and a winding mountain road in between it all. Nature is obviously the prime attraction of the peninsula, but visitors always find themselves enraptured by breath-taking architecture at Linh Ung Pagoda, the home of the Lady Buddha and her 30-story statue. Several walks are available through the forest of the Son Tra Peninsula, ones that pass a thick grove of tropics and look out onto a vista of sparkling blue ocean and the sprawl of Da Nang to its background of mountains.

Linh Ung Pagoda

No Hoi An day tour to Da Nang is complete without a visit to one of the city’s most architecturally and religiously inspiring sites. Linh Ung Pagoda was built in 2010, so it is yet to build up the layers of history that other Vietnamese temples have, but the construction, proudly boasted over the 20-hectare space, is highly memorable. This is the certainly the case across its 18 statues of enlightened arhats, but most notably in the peaceful appearance of the statue of Lady Buddha herself, reaching 67 metres into the sky and looking over a magnificent panorama of Da Nang and the Annamite mountain range.

Hai Van Pass

Of the 3,000km of coastline spread across Vietnam’s lengthy body, some of the most stunning can be found just to the north of Da Nang. The Hai Van Pass is a 21km mountain road officially crossing the center of the country, connecting its two halves along what was previously the impassable Annamite mountain range. To some drivers, nature here reaches unsurpassable heights – the forested mountains climb steeply on one side and a tranquil, beach-flecked coast hugs the foothills on the other. Waterfalls and viewpoints are highlights on any of the day trips from Hoi An to the Hai Van Pass, which accurately convey the splendor of central Vietnam across all of its best natural assets.

Marble Mountains

The primarily flat ground running between Hoi An and Da Nang takes a sudden vertical turn at the Marble Mountains, five peaks of the purest stone symbolising the five elements central to Buddhism. Of the fire, wood, earth, metal and water elements represented here, day trips from Hoi An visit the Water Mountain, which is a popular attraction teeming with melded nature and religion. The steps here may be tough to navigate due to their unevenness and the heat of the sun above them, but they lead to some spectacular and diverse sites such as the mini Linh Ung Pagoda, Mt. Thuy Summit and Huyen Khong Cave.

When to take a Day Trip from Hoi An?

Hoi An is split into the wet and the dry seasons, which operate on a slightly different time frame from both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. It is perfectly possible to visit Hoi An during either of these times as a completely different experience is available across the wet/dry divide.

Dry Season (March – September)

The dry season in Hoi An is a time of parallel appeal. While the lack of rains may mean that walking through town and going on day trips is a dry experience, the temperatures up to 35°C (95°F) will ensure that relaxing is not as easy as it could be. Exploring the shaded center of the town and its air-conditioned buildings is best for the dry season, though minimal rainfall means that you’ll never feel under threat from the often-relentless skies of central Vietnam.

Wet Season (October – February)

In the rainy season, Hoi An’s Thu Bon River can cause incredible flooding and some unbelievable scenes. Water can easily reach up to knee-height along the riverbanks and activity grinds to a halt through the lower areas of the town. Buying a good raincoat is essential and allows you access to some of Hoi An’s day trips, like My Son Sanctuary and Bay Mau coconut forest, which take on a beautiful atmosphere of the rain-drenched tropics. Temperatures are much more reasonable than during the dry season at around 25°C (77°F).

What is Included in a Day Trips from Hoi An?

At Vietnam Escape Tours, we take the hassle away from the holiday. You can expect the following inclusions on all of our day trips from Hoi An, all provided at a very high level from a trusted Vietnam tour operator.

1. A professional guide with the heritage of Hoi An running through their veins. They will be able to bring alive the stacked history of the town and bring closer the gorgeous nature of its outer regions
2. At least one meal, usually lunch, except on some cooking or food-related tours which may include dinner instead or as well
3. All bus transport from a professional driver and boat transport from long-term locals
4. All cycling, boating and safety equipment when required

What Should You Bring on a Day Trip from Hoi An?

We provide a lot for your Hoi An day trip, but be sure to bring the following to ensure you can experience the port and its surrounds to the fullest:

1. A camera, for the beautiful bygone scene of Hoi An and for memorable moments during fishing trips and eco-tours
2. Extra cash for tips and services unincluded on our tours, such as food, drink and souvenirs
3. Wet weather clothing for the wet season, including a raincoat or umbrella for time spent in the town, in the outer mountains or in the bordering farmland
4. Mosquito spray for the tropical centre of Vietnam, especially during the wet season and especially if you’re planning day trips from Hoi An into the jungle
5. Sun cream, a hat and sunglasses for the strong sunshine, particularly during the clear dry season months.

Your holiday is safe, well-organized and exciting in our hands. Take a look at Vietnam Escape Tours’ full list of day trips from Hoi An below and contact us if you have any queries!