Best Things to See in Hoi An, Vietnam

August 20, 2015

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Before leaving on my trip to Southeast Asia, I was advised by a ton of people to skip Vietnam because it “isn’t worth it” and there is “nothing to see”. Well after stepping foot in Hoi An, I couldn’t disagree more! In my opinion, Hoi An is the perfect mix of action and relaxation, a slice of paradise outside the hustle and bustle of the hectic cities. Not to mention, Hoi An offers some of the best Instagram spots in Vietnam. Keep reading to find out the best things to see in Hoi An, Vietnam.

The Best Things to See in Hoi An, Vietnam

The Best Things to See in Hoi An, Vietnam

Lounge on the Hoi An Beaches 

While not the most beautiful beaches in the world, Hoi An oe provide a nice escape for some lady beach days. As long as you order some food at the restaurant, you can usually sit in one of the beach chairs for free.

The Best Things to See in Hoi An By Bike 

My favorite thing to do while in Hoi An was rent a bike ($1/day) and take off exploring the city! This is a great way to see all of the best things to see in Hoi An. My bike took me through the winding yellow alleyways, along the river bends, through the rice fields, and down to the beach! It is definitely the most efficient means of transportation. That being said, you should definitely hop off your bike at times and get lost among the brightly colored buildings of the old town.

Order Tailor Made Clothing

Hoi An is one of the cheapest place to get good quality tailor made clothing. A lot of guys use their trip to Hoi An as an excuse to get a handmade suit. Since I was not in the market for a suit or elegant gown, I opted for four casual pieces. I ended up with two simple black dresses, a bright blue romper, and a long blue flowered maxi dress.

Go Shopping

While shopping is not as good as in some of the larger cities, there are some great stores and markets for you to browse through. Hoi An is also known for its leather goods, which might be worth checking out. Stop by the central market for some fun, cheap eats.

Take a Cooking Class 

Like I mentioned earlier, Hoi An is a great place to take some reasonably priced cooking classes (ie. Cafe 43).

Take a Yoga Class in the Rice Fields

Before arriving in Hoi An I heard great things about the Hoi An Yoga studio, located among the rice fields. Unfortunately, the studio happened to be closed on the two days that I tried to go. If anyone does make it there for a class  they should let me know how it is! I will definitely be checking it out on my next visit!

Where to Eat in Hoi An?

There are so many incredible places to eat in Hoi An, as well as dishes unique to the region. This Hoi An Food Guide covers everything from cao lau to white rose dumplings.

Cafe 43

Cafe 43 is a quaint cafe that serves up some amazing dishes at affordable prices. It also offers an awesome cooking class deal. You simply have to stop by one day in advance to pick out the items that you wish to cook from the menu and pay an extra $5 USD for what is essentially a private lesson. I cooked some cashew nut chicken and fried spring rolls, which tasted great washed down with a big ole’ 15 cent beer!

Cafe 43 Address: Tran Cao Van

Morning Glory

By Vietnamese standards Morning Glory in Hoi An is a bit pricier, with smaller serving sizes. However the food is absolutely delicious! When you compare it to Western prices this place is still a steal and definitely worth checking out!

Morning Glory Address: 106 Nguyen Thai Hoc

Nameless Restaurant

Okay so this restaurant does have a name, I just don’t know it! Fortunately, I can say that their cao lau and white rose, two local Hoi An dishes, are simply to die for. Dining here is one of the best things to do in Hoi An! Definitely check out this place if you are interested in trying some local cuisine.

Address: 474 Cua Dai

Bahn My Phuong

This tiny sandwich shop serves what Anthony Bourdain once claimed to be the best bahn mi in the world – worth a taste if you ask me. I was so impressed after my first sandwich that I just had to order a second! Best part about it is that these tasty sandwiches are super cheap, making them great for the budget.

Address: on Phan Chau Trinh, nearly to the intersection with Hoang Dieu

Ganesh Indian Restaurant

I was a bit hesitant to add this one to the list since it is not Vietnamese cuisine, however this restaurant serves some of the best Indian food that I’ve ever had (and I’ve been to India)! After a couple of weeks of Vietnamese food, it was nice to indulge in a creamy chicken korma and some crispy garlic naan.

Ganesh Indian Address: 24 Tran Hung Dao

Beer

Although not a restaurant, or even food, I think it is important to mention that in Hoi An you can enjoy a glass of fresh beer for as cheap as 13 USD cents! That means that you can drink 7 glasses of beer for UNDER A DOLLAR! Pretty hard to beat that!

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