Private tailor-made journeys of a life time
(+84) 942777545
sales@vietnamescapetours.com
Need Help?
Private tailor-made journeys of a life time
May 28, 2020
By Linh Vu
On the central coast of Vietnam, we can easily find the ancient city of Hoi An. This graceful city is considered one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Vietnam. Because of its strategic location on stunning canals, Hoi An used to be an international commercial port with China, Portugal, Netherland, and Japan in the 10th century.
The setting of riverside and unique architecture is what makes Hoi An a special destination that you shouldn't miss in Vietnam. The architecture in Hoi An is a combination of styles around the world: Chinese, Portuguese, French, and Japanese influences. Tourists coming to Hoi An will have a chance to explore its ancient houses, old pagodas, and mouth-watering food. Therefore, a vacation in Hoi An is an ideal suggestion for those who wish to escape from hustle city life. If you are wondering which interesting attractions to visit in Hoi An, Vietnam Escape Tours will help you with a list of Best places to visit in Hoi An.
Vietnam is not very famous for the beaches so tourists don’t have very high expectations when visiting beaches here. But after coming to An Bang beach, you will have to change your mind because this beautiful beach will exceed all of your expectations. An Bang beach is one of the whitest and softest beaches in Vietnam located very close to Hoi An Ancient Town. An Bang has an amazing condition for surfing, swimming, and sunbathing. Otherwise, there is an option for paddleboarding and parasailing if you want something more thrilling.
It is not exactly quiet especially in September and March because there are a lot of tourists traveling in this period but you can visit this place for a good time on the beach. There are some small shops of locals selling souvenirs till late so that you can buy a gift back home after swimming. This is one of the best spots in Hoi An to relax and enjoy the sound of the ocean.
An Bang Beach
If you are planning to visit the central of Vietnam, you shouldn't miss the Hoi An Old Town. Please check the tours from Hoi An for booking a trip in Hoi An and around Hoi An.
It is designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. This is a meeting place of culture, architecture, and monuments and it’s also one of the busiest commercial ports in Southeast Asia back in the 18th century.
Located on the riverbank, Hoi An provides a good offer of walking around and admiring the picturesque scenery. Both sides of the river are filled with ancient buildings in yellow color. You can feel the influence of Chinese and Japanese here by the red Chinese rooftops and pagoda-lie buildings. Hoi An Old Town also has plenty of places to eat and shop as well as spots for sunset watching. This is one of the best places to visit in Hoi An for a walking or street food tour.
Hoi An Old Town
For those who love learning about the culture and history of a place, the Japanese Covered Bridge is a must-go attraction for you. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, this is one of the most famous tourist sites in Hoi An. By crossing the bridge, you can visit two different markets for shopping.
What makes the Japanese Covered Bridge special is its architecture. With Japanese and Chinese style, the bridge also has astrological animals added to commemorate important dates. The redwood roof looks stunning at night when the lights are on and the bridge reflects on the water. It is a part of the Old Town protected area so tourists will be required to purchase a ticket to access it. This is surely one of the best places to visit in Hoi An.
Japanese Covered Bridge
Like most Vietnamese markets, Hoi An Night market is noisy and crowded but that’s also the attractive point of it. This is one of the best places to visit in Hoi An for the shopaholics. If you want to visit local shops, buy some souvenirs or taste the best dishes, a visit to the night market should be on your must-do list. This place is located nearby the river and it’s famous for both locals and tourists because it has everything you would need during your trip. If you are lucky, you might find some interesting handicrafts in this huge space or make friends with the locals here. Furthermore, if you are good at haggling, you would get a steal deal with them.
For some good quality souvenirs or best street food, nothing can beat the Hoi An Night Market. That’s the reason why the night market became one of the best places to visit in Hoi An.
Lanterns in Hoi An at night
One of the most famous buildings in Hoi An is the Phung Hung Old House built in the 18th century. At first, it was a merchant house for selling spices, silk, and chinaware. Although the shop is no longer here, tourists can still find the details on the tables and windows that honor the owner's ancestors.
The house features Yin Yang Style with colorful hanging lanterns, a Japanese style-roof, and a bright wall. Tourists will have a chance to know the old version of Hoi An by visiting this Old House of Phung Hung. It is much like a history book providing memories and facts about the culture of Hoi An. Visiting the house, you will get to learn the ancient business, trade, and values of Hoi An date back a hundred years ago. It is one of the buildings that were designated as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. Therefore, it is one of the best places to visit in Hoi An for travelers.
Phung Hung Old House
The Phuc Kien Assembly Hall (or also known as Fukian Assembly Hall) was constructed in the 17th century as a pagoda for Chinese visitors to Hoi An. Located in the heart of the city, it acted as both cultural and temple centers for events and festivals. The main hall is beautifully decorated with colors and mythical animal statues such as dragons, phoenix, turtles as well as many bells. There is a Golden temple inside that dedicated to the Chinese deity of the sea.
Because Phuc Kien Assembly Hall is located in the city center, you may experience the crowds and noise from outside. However, inside the assembly hall, you will enjoy absolute tranquility. There are also places that tourists can sit to relax and admire the charm of the place. Despite the crowdedness, you can still stroll around the place and take some good pictures. Phuc Kien Assembly Hall is one of the best places to
visit in Hoi An.
Phuc Kien Assembly Hall entrance
Another best place to visit in Hoi An that we must mention is Cham Island. This is one of the most beautiful attractions in Hoi An with the turquoise water. This picturesque destination offers a chance to relax on stunning beaches, explore lush forests, and visit the local village. Furthers, you can also engage in exciting outdoor activities such as swimming, snorkeling, or scuba diving.
Cham Island is located 27kn away from Hoi An and it takes around 15 minutes to transfer on the speed boat. It is known as a paradise for summer vacations and the best time to visit Cham Island is from April to September.
Cham Island
Quan Cong Temple was built in the 17th century and has gone through many renovations since then. The temple stands out with elaborate décor and beautiful Chinese architecture. Recognized as a National Historic and Cultural Site, this temple is dedicated to a Chinese general from the Han Dynasty – Quan Cong who was deemed as a victorious hero because of his loyalty and dedication to China. Today, his memory is honored with a 3-meter tall statue perched in the main hall made from paper-Mache. The statues of his guardian – General Chau Xuong and his horse are set on either side of his statue.
To enter Quan Cong Temple, visitors will pass by a Chinese gate with bright color. You will see the temple built with red bricks mixed with the color green, gold, and red interior. On the walls are the poems describe the loyalty of General Quan Coc. It is one of the best places to visit in Hoi An for those looking for a historical learning trip.
Quan Cong Temple
Hoi An only has two seasons which are the dry season and wet season. The temperature is quite stable throughout the year – at 29oC in the daytime and 24oC at night.
The period from February to June is the best time to visit Hoi An. For comfortable weather with low humidity and more sunshine hours, come to Hoi An from February to April. From May to July are also good months to visit this coastal city. There are not very much rainfalls during these months but the temperatures are a little high during this time so it might be uncomfortable for those who don’t like the heat.
August marks the beginning of the wet season. The temperature and rainfall vary significantly in this period. July and August are the hottest months with the average temperature at 38oC while November, December, and January are the coldest months with temperature ranges from 19 to 24oC.
After finding out what are the best places to visit Hoi An, many people will also look for a place to buy a gift home. But before talking about Things you should buy in Hoi An, there is one big advice for shopping in Hoi An or Vietnam is that you always have to negotiate. Some of the vendors might double the price when they sell to foreigners so be aware of that.
The Hoi An Cloth Market offers some of the finest silk in Vietnam. There are many types to choose from and plenty of tailors to help you make your dream silk suit. Just select the one you like in Cloth Market (remember to bargain politely) and when you are ready, choose your tailor. Usually, it will take more than 24 hours to make so it’s recommendable to send it sooner.
You can find interesting and cheap souvenirs anywhere in Hoi An such as Art Space or Viet Made. If you want to make the shopping more special, pay a visit to Reach Out or Lifestart Foundation. They are non-profit organizations that support disabled people by giving them work. At these shops, you can find not only beautifully made but also meaningful souvenirs to bring home.
Hoi An is famous for many souvenirs and one of the most distinctive ones is the lanterns. They are hanged all around the town with different sizes, shapes, and designs. There are various colors for tourists to choose from and they can be bought at any shop in town. One of the best places to buy them is the Night Market, they provide high-quality and elegantly crafted ones.
Non la is an iconic symbol of Vietnam and it’s one of the things that every tourist should get when they come to Vietnam. It is very useful that protects us from the sun. The hat has many types varying from sizes, materials, and mostly worn by women. It is easily bought anywhere and you can see many Vietnamese people wearing them on the street. Take one home with you like a bit of Vietnamese history!
After buying the clothes, you should consider buying some new accessories to match them. And it should be something with the Vietnamese style to perfectly match with your suit. No worries, you can find everything in Hoi An. There is a wide range of jewelry from silver, gold to plastic in Hoi An. There are options for rings, necklaces, bracelets, etc.
The history of Hoi An is still very much alive in every corner of the Ancient Town. It is quite interesting to let yourself lost in the small streets of Hoi An. You might end up discovering some exciting craft shops, traditional markets, or some best street food dishes. Or else, ask us for the Best places to visit in Hoi An so that you can spend your time reasonably in this old city.
Thank you so much for reading. We hope that you will have good time in Hoi An and in your trip to Vietnam. Vietnam Escape Tours Travel - A leading tour operator in Vietnam is happy to arrange any tour in Vietnam for you when you visit Vietnam.
