Hoi An Hotels

The charm is everywhere you look. Fine merchant homes that evince a once-incomparable status as a prime nexus of trade between Imperial Vietnam and China dot the small city, with pagodas, temples and countless other hallmarks of heritage infrastructure thrown in for good measure. The result is a place that is entirely without peer in Vietnam.

In a not atypical twist of irony, the understandable attention that has come with the UNESCO stamp has had pernicious effects on old Hoi An. The ancient town still holds World Heritage distinction for now, however, and landmarks like Chuc Thanh Pagoda, Quan Cong Temple and Diep Dong Nguyen House still make indelible impressions.

Hoi An’s Top 10

Hoi An History

• Traditional Theatre - One of the best places to learn the history of traditional dancing.
• Japanese Covered Bridge - This landmark was built in the 16th century.
• Old House of Tan Ky - More than 200 years old and has some of the best antiques.
• Fukian Assembly Hall - Built by Chinese merchants in the 17th century.
• Kim Bong Carpentry Village - The ancestors of this village built much of the old town.

Hoi An Art & Culture

• Tran Family Home and Chapel - This landmark acts as a shrine to the Tran family.
• Old House of Phun Hung - This Hoi An home uses the yin-yang style of architecture.
• Quang Trieu Assembly Hall - Built by Cantonese merchants using Southeast Asian architecture.
• Thanh Ha Pottery Village - Established in the 16th century, the supplier of much of Vietnam’s earthenware.
• Ba Le Well - This cultural site is found in the garden home of Ba Lo Le.

Hoi An Shopping

• Ngoc Anh - This small shop is a great place to uncover unique items.
• Phuong Mai - One of the best places to find traditional Vietnamese lanterns.
• Ngan Xua - If you are looking for lacquered paintings while in Hoi An, this is the place.
• Heritage Boutique - One of the best places to get a tailored suit or to buy a bag.
• Lifestart Foundation Workshop - A great place to find local handicrafts.

Gay & Lesbian Hoi An

• Rainbow Tourism - This travel company can take care of all of your travel arrangements.
• Son Hoi An Restaurant - This gay-owned restaurant offers waterfront seating and jazz music.
• Chic Couture - This gay-friendly tailor offers some of the best fashion in all of Hoi An.
• Sung Antique Shop - This gay-owned shop has a unique collection of antiques.
• An Phu Hotel - This hotel caters to the gay and lesbian crowd.

Hoi An Events

Cua Dai Beach is a major leisure and recreation spot in Hoi An.

Handicraft workshops and markets display endemic culture and sell first-rate souvenirs.

Cook and eat like a local at formal and pop-up culinary schools.

Cu Lao Cham Marine Park is a UNESCO Biosphere.

Mid-Autumn Festival, or Moon Festival, is a major public holiday in Vietnam.

Hoi An Full Moon Night, or Legendary Night Festival, is a fun time to be in the ancient town.

When To Go

Hoi An has a tropical climate, with humid weather and temperatures between 68°F (20°C) and 91.5°F (33°C) for the year.

The months of September, October, November and December typically feature precipitation levels of 10 in (250 mm) and up. October alone receives almost 30% of the city’s average annual rainfall.

The apex of the tourist season encompasses June, July and August. Prospective visitors with some holiday flexibility may enjoy the relative quiet of March and April, when comparatively low temperatures and rainfall make Hoi An a little more enjoyable.

Getting Around

The city of Da Nang is the principal gateway to Hoi An, via Da Nang International Airport or Da Nang Railway Station. Hoi An is a 30 km drive from Da Nang.

To arrive in Hoi An in style, book passage on a ghe nang sail boat and retrace the river trade routes of the ancient Chan Kingdom.

The old city is easy to explore on foot and bicycles will serve most well for proximate trips to the beach. Other popular modes of transport include boat charters and motorbike taxis.