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How many days to spend in Hoi An

  Jun 23, 2020

  By Linh Vu

How many days to spend in Hoi An” or “How long to stay in Hoi An” is one of the most frequently asked questions when tourists talk about this place. Hoi An, located in the Central of Vietnam, became more famous after recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. Now, with the development of tourism, Hoi An is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Vietnam. Many visitors think that to explore this small town, they will need only 1 day or so. However, this historic town offers a lot of things to see and to do. Along with the famous Hoi An Ancient town, tourists can also visit My Son Sanctuary, An Bang Beach, Cham Island, artisan villages, etc. So, if you are planning a visit to this beautiful town and still wondering how many days to spend in Hoi An, follow our article below!

The Best Time To Visit Hoi An

In fact, Hoi An is a year-round visitor destination thanks to its ideal location and the tropical climate of Vietnam. The average temperature throughout the year varies from 28 to 30oC. During winter months, it drops a bit lower to 19 and 24oC and then increases quickly from May. 

Hoi An only has two seasons in one year: a wet season and dry season. The wet season begins from August to January and the dry season lasts from February to July. The best time to visit Hoi An is in the early months of the dry season (February to April) with a comfortable temperature, low humidity, favorable sunshine hours to enjoy the beach. May to July are also great months to visit Hoi An but the temperature is higher so tourists might feel a bit uncomfortable. From August to October, the wet season begins so temperatures and rainfall vary drastically. The rainfall appears more often in this period and there will be a higher chance of flooding. Therefore, tourism in this period seems quiet and tourists who don’t care much about the rain can visit to have cheaper deals of hotels and tours. 

The best time to visit Hoi An is in the early months of the dry season

Besides choosing the best month to visit Hoi An, it is also recommendable to come during the Full moon (the 15th day of the lunar calendar) to join the festivals of the town, the night markets and admire the beautiful lights of lanterns.

Hoi An itinerary – How to spend 3 days in Hoi An

Day 1 of 3 days to spend in Hoi An

Get a tailor-made suit

Known as an important trading port of silk route, one of the most common things to do in Hoi An is to get a tailor-made suit from any shops in the city. Besides the suit, tourists can also get shoes, shirts, skirts and furthermore. At the shop, the assistants will give you advice on the garment you are looking to have tailored. Guests can choose all the details they want for their suits from fabrics, buttons, linings, length, etc. It’s important to be clear about everything for the best suit to take home.

Navigate around Hoi An Ancient Town

After the tailor shop, take a walk to explore Hoi An Ancient Town – the historic and beautiful destination. The Old Town offers a wonderful mix of ancient buildings and unique architecture. Some most famous attractions of the Old Town are the Japanese Covered Bridge, The Assembly Hall, The Old Houses, temples, and museums. Despite being small, the Japanese Covered Bridge is considered the icon of Hoi An.

Have banh mi for lunch and a cup of coffee

After the walking tour, you will be tired so a banh mi is a good choice for lunch. This Vietnamese sandwich is renowned in Hoi An and the most famous place to eat is Banh Mi Phuong. This shop is very popular with both locals and tourists and it is known as one of the best banh mi places in Hi An.

There are a lot of options for you but we recommend the classic pork and pate banh mi. Take a seat inside, grab a fresh drink while watching the ladies preparing the sandwiches. Some people keep eating banh mi for the whole trip because they found it super delicious!

Then, it’s time to grab a coffee and enjoy the view of Hoi An. A good location to enjoy a cup of coffee in Hoi An is Faifo Coffee Shop. The highlight of this coffee shop is the rooftop with a stunning view of the old town. 

Afterward, you might want to return to your hotel and take a shower.

Visit the night market and take the evening cruise

For the evening, visit the vibrant Night Market which is consists of food stalls, clothing, souvenir shops, and jewelry stalls as well as local artworks. The most purchased gift is the lanterns as they light up the night of Hoi An creating a magical scene. There is plenty of time for you to explore the wonderful dishes, stop for a drink and snack for dinner.

After that, you can spend time enjoying a river cruise. It will take you along the river and see the city of Hoi An shining. Tourists can also make a wish with flower garlands and colored lanterns then drop it in the river. 

The lanterns at the night market

Day 2 of 3 days to spend in Hoi An

Visit My Son Hollyland

My Son Hollyland is an ancient sanctuary and a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO. Located outside of Hoi An Town, My Son Hollyland is worth visiting for a day tour from Hoi An. If you take the early morning tour to My Son Sanctuary, you will have the chance to admire the beautiful sunrise in the countryside. Besides, this attraction also offers a unique chance to learn about history and architecture with charming temples. 

Try Cao Lau for lunch 

After the visit to My Son, it’s your perfect chance to have one of Hoi An’s most tasty specialties – cao lau. There is no better place to try this dish than in Hoi An. It includes a small amount of savory and sweet pork broth, thick and chewy noodles put on top with slices of pork and herbs. Cao Lau is found anywhere in Hoi An but we recommend eating at Cao Lau Khong Gian Xanh.

Go swimming at An Bang Beach

For a relaxing afternoon and dinner, make your way to An Bang Beach which is located around 7km from the center of Hoi An. You can choose to go there by bicycle, motor or taxi. The beach is unspoiled and features restaurants and bars along the shore. If you want to have dinner at the beach, go to Soul Beach and order some fresh seafood.

Go swimming at An Bang Beach is one of the best things to do in Hoi An

Day 3 of 3 days to spend in Hoi An

Take a rural cycling tour

Spend the last day of your 3 days in Hoi An with a rural village half-day cycling tour. Tourists will have a chance to experience the magnificent scenery of Hoi An by bicycle. We will cycle over the bridge and along the countryside road to discover a peaceful world of Hoi An. We will see the local Vietnamese life in the handicraft villages. Travelers can also try to be a farmer, learn how to grow rice, and then will be rewarded with a food massage. The tour also features an interesting cooking class led by a local chef showing us how to make delicious spring rolls and Vietnamese pancakes. 

Final fitting and pick-up tailored clothes

Coming back from the half-day Hoi An tour, head over your tailor shop one last time and try on your new cloth. You will be amazed by the fine work of the tailors here and might even want to purchase a few more items. If you are happy with everything, you could choose to have your clothes delivered to your hotel. Besides, they all offer to ship to your country but it comes with an extra cost.

Finally, relax at your accommodation and prepare to check-out. End of your 3 days itinerary to spend in Hoi An old town.


In conclusion, the question “How many days to spend in Hoi An?” is not a difficult question. It depends on your plan and needs but the longer you stay, the better experience you will get. If you have time, you can explore deeper the cultural sights and try more delightful dishes of this magical destination. 

If you have any concerns about the trip in Hoi An or are wondering whether you should take some day tours from Hoi An, contact Vietnam Escape Tours and talk to the best travel consultants.

Besides, check out our Best Places to visit in Hoi An if you want to explore more destinations of this town.