All Attractions of Hoi An: A Complete Guide for Planning Your Trip

Boats on the Hoi An river are an 'icon' of the town

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Hoi An is a city that is not just seen, but felt. But beyond the magical atmosphere of evening lanterns, there are dozens of specific attractions, museums, and activities. If you're planning a trip and want to figure out what to see, how much it costs, and how everything works — this material is for you.

This article is our detailed and practical reference catalog of all Hoi An attractions, compiled from our experience of multiple trips and detailed exploration of this wonderful town. We'll tell you everything specifically about current ticket prices (including the unified ticket system), opening hours, visiting tips, author's photos, and our personal rating of each place. Everything is linked to an interactive map.

Use this article as a base for planning. And to jump straight into action, we have prepared a selection of ready-made itineraries for you — simply choose the suitable option by days or interests in the block below.

Overview of Hoi An attractions and what to see here

It's difficult to single out individual attractions in the city of Hoi An, since its entire center as a whole is an attraction, with more than 844 officially recognized historical monuments. Many of the old buildings in the city retain such features of traditional architecture that are rarely seen today elsewhere: shopfronts are still closed at night with traditional wooden shutters; the roofs of some houses are made of red 'Yin and Yang' tiled slabs. And during the rainy season, due to high humidity, the lichens and mosses on the tiles and building walls come alive, coloring the walls bright green.

In addition to independent sightseeing, city and surrounding area tours are offered by street agencies and hotels. Among the most popular are trips to the Marble Mountains, visiting the My Son ruins, bicycle tours around the area, city tours, Hoi An Silk Village, diving or snorkeling tours to Cham Island, fishing, cooking classes, lantern-making workshops, silk village, Ba Na Mountain and the Golden Bridge, tours to Da Nang, rides in round basket boats, river cruises. The choice of tours is huge, and it's hard to recommend something specific; it all depends on your preferences. But you can rely on real tourist reviews of excursions in these online booking systems and book your favorite tour right there:

• 📷 Excursions in Hoi An on Trip.com (accepts Mir cards 💳)
• 📷 Excursions in Hoi An on GetYourGuide
• 📷 Excursions in Hoi An on Sputnik8
• 📷 Excursions in Hoi An on Tripster

What is the Hoi An Ancient Town unified ticket and how to use it

If you've decided to get to know Hoi An, and especially the Ancient Town, thoroughly and in detail, then you definitely need this ticket. It allows you to visit 25 of the most popular attractions included in a unified route through the historical part of the city. Separate one-time tickets for visiting them are not provided. Let's explain how it all works:

• Where to buy the ticket? The ticket can be bought online with payment by Russian cards on trip.com via the link. They are also sold at pavilion ticket booths set up in various places around the city. There are at least 8 of them. The easiest to find are near the Covered Japanese Bridge and on An Hoi Island near the bridge. The ticket on-site is paid for in cash; cards are not accepted.

• How much does it cost? Currently the ticket costs 120,000 VND. The price hasn't changed for many years, but it may still increase over time.

• How long is the ticket valid? Three days after purchase.

• How are tickets checked? Tickets bought online and at the booth are electronic. When visiting an attraction, it is scanned, and you have one less visit remaining. Tickets are not personalized, so you can buy 1 ticket for two people and visit different attractions, but two people cannot enter the same place at the same time with one ticket.

• How to visit and not get lost? With the ticket, you will be given a map showing all the places with addresses. The attractions are grouped by type, highlighted in different colors. It's best to see them all on foot. You can also download the Organic Maps or Maps Me apps and load the points from our map — we have marked the most and in our opinion the most interesting places there.

• What can you visit? Each purchased ticket allows you to visit 5 out of 25 attractions (museums, ancient houses, communal houses, shows, temples) of your choice. Accordingly, if you want to visit 10 places, you need to buy 2 tickets. You don't have to do this all at once; you can buy one, use it, and then buy another.

• What is a must-see? Here is our TOP-5 to visit with one ticket:

  • Traditional Show (Hoi An Traditional Performance House). The show takes place at 10:15, 15:15 and 16:15.
  • Hoi An Museum
  • Tan Ky Ancient House
  • Quan Cong Temple
  • Minh Huong Communal House

  This set of locations will give you a general understanding of the history and culture. You can visit the remaining places optionally as desired.

Map of Hoi An attractions

Attractions covered by the unified ticket

Here is a list of the best places in Hoi An included in the recognized and well-developed route that can be visited with the unified ticket. We remind you that it's not at all necessary to visit them all; a small part is enough. The most interesting ones in our opinion we have placed at the top of the list.

• Traditional Show with the unified ticket (Traditional Art Performance House)

  

  If for some reason you couldn't attend one of the large-scale modern performances in Hoi An at the "Lune" theater or "Memories of Hoi An", then don't miss the traditional show held at the Traditional Art Performance House cultural center. It can even be said it's a must-visit. Because unlike modern shows, which present skill and culture not in a natural form but with the help of modern technology, here, on the contrary, everything is old-fashioned. A group of performers in traditional costumes strives to immerse the audience as much as possible in the traditional atmosphere of folk dances, songs, and music. The performance lasts 30-40 minutes, and as an added bonus, it ends with a souvenir gift raffle for one of the audience members.

  Practical information

  🕐 Opening hours: three times a day at 10:15, 15:15 and 16:15 (times may change, check when buying the ticket).

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: visited with the Old Town unified ticket.

  🚶 How to get there: the show takes place in the ancient house Traditional Art Performance House on the Hoi An embankment at Bach Dang, 66 (Traditional Art Performance House on the map).

• Hoi An Museum (Hoi An Museum of History and Culture)

  

  The Hoi An Museum of History and Culture aims to tell the history of the town in different historical periods. Although the museum is not very large, and some exhibits are dusty and stored behind dirty, cloudy glass, we still recommend visiting it as a starting point for getting to know Hoi An's attractions with the unified ticket. If you don't just look but also read and delve in (there are captions in English and AR codes), you will learn a lot of interesting things about the city's history. The exhibition includes photographs, furniture, dishes, bells, statues, an altar.

  Practical information

  🕐 Opening hours: from 07:00 to 18:00.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: visited with the unified ticket.

  🚶 How to get there: Located on Nguyen Hue Street, 7 in front of the market (museum on the map).

• Tan Ky House

  

  This is a private house whose owner's family has lived here for seven generations. The house has been lovingly preserved and today looks almost exactly as it did at the beginning of the 19th century. The scale of the house-museum is quite small; it consists of only two rooms on the ground floor, but the owners are happy to welcome guests and tell in detail in English about the meaning and history of every detail in the house. You will spend no more than 10 minutes visiting the house, but despite this, in our opinion it is one of the mandatory objects to visit with the unified ticket as a sample of a traditional historical house of Hoi An.

  Practical information

  🕐 Opening hours: from 07:00 to 18:00.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: visited with the unified ticket.

  🚶 How to get there: located on Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, 101 (house on the map). Entrance from Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, exit to the embankment on Bach Dang Street.

• Quan Cong Temple

  

  Quan Cong Temple, founded in 1653, is one of the oldest Chinese temples in Hoi An, dedicated to General Guan Yu, revered as a deity of honesty and business prosperity. The temple's architecture with inner courtyards and a main hall with a gilded statue creates a calm and solemn atmosphere, contrasting with the noisy streets. This is an active place of worship where you can see local believers, and it is on the list of attractions visited with the unified ticket. More about Quan Cong Temple and what makes it interesting.

  Practical information

  🕐 Opening hours: from 07:00 to 18:00.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: visited with the unified ticket.

  🚶 How to get there: located on Tran Phu Street, 24, in the very heart of the old town (Quan Cong Temple on the map).

• Minh Huong Communal House

  

  In Hoi An, among the attractions, you can find quite a few communal houses. In such houses, community representatives gathered to discuss and solve pressing issues, and elect community leaders. This house was built by the Chinese community of Hoi An in a typically Chinese style in 1820. This Minh Huong community still lives in the city and consists of at least 60 families. Don't expect much from visiting it, but if you're passing by and don't know what to do with an extra visit from the unified ticket, you can drop in.

  Practical information

  🕐 Opening hours: from 07:00 to 18:00.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: visited with the unified ticket.

  🚶 How to get there: Located on Tran Phu Street, 14 in front of the market (museum on the map).

• Phuc Kien Assembly Hall

  

  The Phuc Kien or Fujian Assembly Hall was built in 1679 and represents a magnificent example of Chinese architecture. Over the course of its existence, the building has undergone a number of changes but still reflects the classical architecture of that time. This pavilion is the home of the sea goddess Thien Hau; the goddess Thuan Phong Nhi, who can hear ships thousands of miles away, and the goddess Thien Lu Nhan, who can see ships many miles from her, are also venerated here.

  Practical information

  🕐 Opening hours: from 07:00 to 18:00.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: visited with the unified ticket.

  🚶 How to get there: located on Tran Phu Street, 46 (assembly hall on the map).

• Hoi An Folk Culture Museum

  

  This museum was organized in a former local house in 2005 and now contains 490 items telling about the traditional culture and art of simple village residents of central Vietnam. The museum is quite large, consisting of two floors and many rooms, each with exhibits grouped thematically. Visiting the museum is done with coupons from the unified ticket. Allow 20-30 minutes for viewing.

  Practical information

  🕐 Opening hours: from 07:00 to 18:00.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: visited with the unified ticket.

  🚶 How to get there: Located on Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, 33 (museum on the map).

Where to walk and the most beautiful locations in the Old Town

In this list, we have included the most beautiful and interesting locations and walking areas in the center of Hoi An that can be visited during a walking tour of the Old Town.

• Covered Japanese Bridge

  

  The Covered Japanese Bridge, built in 1593, is the most recognizable symbol of Hoi An, combining the functions of a crossing, a temple, and a historical monument. Under its roof there is a small shrine, guarded, according to legend, by statues of a monkey and a dog from evil spirits. The bridge is always surrounded by tourists, so for a calm inspection it's better to come in the morning or afternoon, and the most beautiful photos are taken from the embankment or from a boat on the river. More about the Hoi An Japanese Bridge and how to visit it.

  Practical information

  🕐 Opening hours: daily from 09:00 to 22:00.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: walking on the bridge is free, entrance to the chapel is with the unified ticket.

  🚶 How to get there: located in the very heart of Hoi An's tourist area (Japanese Bridge on the map). You can only reach it on foot; it is surrounded on all sides by pedestrian streets.

• Hoi An Embankment (Bach Dang)

  

  Hoi An Embankment is the main promenade street of the old town, stretching along the Thu Bon River past rows of old yellow houses. In the evening it is especially lively: tourists ride boats, launch lanterns and sit in cafes, although due to the large number of people the walk may not be the most peaceful. The most beautiful views of the embankment open from the opposite bank of the river or from a boat — it is there that those postcard shots of Hoi An are taken. More about Hoi An embankment and what you need to know about it.

  Practical information

  🕐 Opening hours: 24/7, but very crowded in the evening.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: free.

  🚶 How to get there: located in the very heart of the historical area on Bach Dang Street (embankment on the map).

• Lantern Street promenade (Lantern Street)

  

  Lantern Street or Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, also known as the main artery of the Japanese Quarter, is one of the most colorful walking zones in Hoi An. It starts at a model of a traditional Japanese ship, donated as a sign of friendship between the countries, and leads to the famous Covered Japanese Bridge, serving as a living thread connecting the past and the present. In the 17th century, trade flourished here between Vietnamese and Japanese merchants, and today on both sides of the street, in old narrow houses, dozens of shops offer souvenirs, handicrafts, fabrics, and clothing. In the evening, when hundreds of colorful silk lanterns are lit, the atmosphere becomes especially magical.

  Practical information

  🕐 Opening hours: 24/7, best time to visit is in the evening.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: free.

  🚶 How to get there: located in the center of Hoi An, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street (Lantern Street on the map).

• An Hoi Lantern Bridge

  

  The Lantern Bridge pedestrian bridge is another of the most popular locations for photography in Hoi An. It is from here that the most wonderful postcard views of the embankment and the river filled with cruise boats with beautiful lanterns are obtained. The bridge itself is also decorated with lanterns and illuminated in the evenings. The only bad thing is that after dark it can get so crowded with tourists that it is very difficult to take a photo without strangers in the frame. Sometimes there are even human traffic jams just to cross the bridge.

  Practical information

  🕐 Opening hours: 24/7, best to visit in the evening.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: Free.

  🚶 How to get there: The bridge is located in the center and leads from the embankment to An Hoi Island (bridge on the map).

• Main local market (Cho Hoi An)

  

  Hoi An Market is more than just a place for shopping; it's a whole trading quarter that you can visit almost every day as if on an excursion, and also stock up on groceries, souvenirs, clothes, and shoes. In fact, there are several markets here in one place: clothing, textile, fruit, and street markets. The two covered markets are a hundred meters apart, but street trading on the embankment practically unites them. All are interesting for tourists, but in our opinion the most interesting are the textile or sewing market and the fruit market. At the textile market, they don't just sell fabrics; there are sewing workshops here where they can make anything. And this is one of the 'features' of Hoi An that fashionistas go crazy for. Besides that, you can buy souvenirs, crafts, paintings, everyday goods, and basically anything except electronics. Inside the food market there is a pretty good food court, which we definitely recommend visiting. Just don't forget that at the market you must bargain, as local sellers inflate prices for tourists several times over.

  Practical information

  🕐 Opening hours: during daytime hours.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: free.

  🚶 How to get there: The local market is located on the river bank near the bridge to Cam Nam Island (market on the map). Even closer to the bridge are the pavilions of the textile market, and all nearby streets are occupied by vegetable and fruit stalls. In the evening, they are replaced by souvenir and art sales.

• Cam Nam village

  

  Cam Nam village is located on a long island of the same name in the middle of the Hoi An river. You can get to the village via the Cam Nam bridge, located next to the main market. The village's daily life and structure are almost no different from the center of Hoi An, and you might not even notice much difference unless you look closely. There are several good hotels here (the 'Riverside' area), small shops. In general, everything is the same as in central Hoi An, but the village is known for the fact that most of the craftsmen's products, souvenirs, and antiques sold in Hoi An's shops are made here. So during your next walk, you can cross the bridge and stroll through the quiet streets of the village, and maybe in the local shops you will find a very interesting souvenir at a low price.

  Practical information

  🕐 Opening hours: 24/7, best visited during the day.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: free.

  🚶 How to get there: Cam Nam village is on a large separate island, reachable from the center via one of three bridges (village on the map). The closest one starts from the market at the end of the embankment. It's quite possible to walk here and stroll around; it's about one and a half kilometers from the Japanese Bridge. But given the size of the island and village, it's best to come by bicycle or motorbike.

• An Hoi Island

  

  An Hoi Island is the heart of Hoi An's evening life, where people come across the pedestrian bridge to see postcard views of the old town, a colorful night market with thousands of lanterns, and cozy cafes on the embankment. This is also the main hangout area with bars where young people gather. This is a place worth visiting in the evening to feel a different, more lively atmosphere of Hoi An. More about An Hoi Island and what to do here.

  Practical information

  🕐 Opening hours: 24/7, best visited in the evening.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: free.

  🚶 How to get there: the island is connected to central Hoi An by the An Hoi Bridge pedestrian bridge (An Hoi on the map).

• Night Market (Hoi An Night Market)

  

  Night Market (Hoi An Night Market) is another place for an evening stroll and exciting shopping. Here you will find lots of street food, souvenirs, and clothes. The main rule is to definitely bargain, as prices are initially inflated several times over. The place is very crowded, especially after dark when the lights come on. It's worth coming here even if you don't plan to buy anything — just to feel the atmosphere, see the lights of the lanterns and boats on the water. The market is conveniently located in the center, so it's easy to combine with a walk along the embankments and sightseeing in the old town.

  Practical information

  🕐 Opening hours: from 17:00 to 22:00 (best time to visit — after sunset).

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: free.

  🚶 How to get there: An Hoi Island, Nguyen Hoang Street. Easy to reach from the center via the An Hoi Bridge pedestrian bridge (Night Market on the map).

• Prison Museum in Hoi An (Hoi An Prison Relic)

  

  The Prison Museum in Hoi An is a quiet and little-known place where real prison cells from the times of French colonization and the war with the USA have been preserved. The entrance is in a residential area behind inconspicuous gates, and getting here is not always easy — the opening hours are irregular, and the door is often closed even during working hours. If you're interested in Vietnamese history without embellishment, this place is worth trying to find, but be prepared that its openness is a matter of chance. More about the Hoi An Prison Museum and how to visit.

  Practical information

  🕐 Opening hours: officially from 07:30 to 11:30 and from 14:00 to 17:00 (except Saturday and Sunday), but works irregularly.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: free.

  🚶 How to get there: located on the outskirts of Hoi An's tourist area (Hoi An Prison Museum on the map). Entrance from Ly Thuong Kiet Street, need to walk 100 meters along a narrow street between houses.

Things to do in Hoi An: best activities and experiences

Sightseeing is just one facet of getting to know Hoi An. Its true spirit is revealed when you stop being just an observer. Releasing a lantern onto the water, trying to steer a round boat, creating a silk lantern with your own hands, or mastering the secrets of Vietnamese cuisine — this is what turns a trip into a personal, unforgettable adventure. In this section — all the most lively and atmospheric activities in the city.

• Boat ride on the Thu Bon River

  

  A ride on a traditional boat along the Thu Bon River is the most recognizable and popular way to see Hoi An. In the evening, when the lights come on, the river turns into a postcard view with old houses and lanterns, although due to the abundance of boats it resembles more a busy waterway than a romantic retreat. Tickets for a 20-minute ride are sold at a fixed price from 170,000 VND per boat for 1-3 people on the central embankment. More about river rides in Hoi An.

  Practical information

  🕐 Opening hours: you can take a ride during the day or in the evening, but it's most beautiful after dark.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: fixed price from 170,000 VND per boat (1-3 people).

  🚶 How to get there: boats depart from the central embankment, especially many points near the An Hoi Bridge (embankment on the map).

• Releasing night lanterns on the Thu Bon River

  

  Releasing lanterns onto the river has become a hallmark of Hoi An — in the evening the water fills with hundreds of lights, creating a magical atmosphere. Lanterns are sold right on the embankment, but be prepared to bargain: instead of the requested $5, the real price starts from 10,000 VND, and in souvenir shops on neighboring streets you can buy them even cheaper. This is a simple and beautiful entertainment worth trying to feel the evening spirit of the city. More about lanterns on the Hoi An river.

  Practical information

  🕐 Opening hours: in the evening after dark.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: a lantern costs from 10,000 VND after bargaining.

  🚶 How to get there: the main place is Hoi An embankment near the An Hoi Bridge (on the map).

• Ride in round basket boats (Basket Boat Ride)

  

  A ride on traditional round basket boats is a popular attraction that takes place outside the tourist center, in quiet lagoons among coconut groves. Here you will see rural landscapes and can try your hand at rowing, although steering such a round boat is not so easy. This entertainment is for those who have already seen Hoi An's main attractions and want to drive a little away from the center to see a calmer, rural side of life. More about the round boat ride in Hoi An and how to visit.

  Practical information

  🕐 Opening hours: during daytime hours or by arrangement.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: from 200,000 VND per boat for 2-3 people.

  🚶 How to get there: one of the popular places is the pier in Coconut Village (pier on the map). You can get there by taxi or rented transport and negotiate on the spot, or buy a tour with hotel pickup from a hotel or travel agency.

• Cooking classes and coffee lessons (Cooking classes, Coffee Making classes)

  

  Cooking classes and coffee lessons (Cooking classes, Coffee Making classes) in Hoi An are a great way to immerse yourself in local culture through its gastronomy. During the master class, under the guidance of a chef, you prepare several simple but key Vietnamese dishes, such as spring rolls, pho soup, or fried rice, and immediately taste them. There is also a variety — coffee lessons, where you will not only be told about Vietnamese coffee varieties but also taught how to prepare that very strong drink with condensed milk in a traditional filter. In our opinion, this is one of the most successful formats for getting to know Vietnam.

  Practical information

  🕐 Opening hours: by arrangement (duration usually 30-60 minutes).

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: from 200,000 VND for a cooking class (11.4 USD); from 300,000 VND for a coffee lesson (11.4 USD). 'Consumables' included.

  🚶 Where is it / how to find: offers are widespread in central Hoi An (signs, advertisements). You can also contact any travel agency or your hotel reception for organization.

• Souvenir making workshops (Lantern, Fan & Hat Making Workshops)

  

  In addition to cooking lessons, creative workshops for making traditional souvenirs are popular in Hoi An. You will be offered to assemble and decorate a famous silk lantern, paint a fan, or weave a Vietnamese conical hat nón lá with your own hands. Under the guidance of a master, you will learn the history of the craft and go through all the stages of creating the item. In our opinion, this is not just an excellent tourist activity that will diversify your experience, but also especially useful — because you can take home a unique souvenir made with your own hands, with history and warm memories of the trip.

  Practical information

  🕐 Opening hours: by arrangement (duration 1-2 hours).

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: from 150,000 to 400,000 VND depending on the complexity of the item and location.

  🚶 Where is it / how to find: offers can be found in the old town, often at souvenir workshops and shops. Also there are tours at travel agencies, hotel reception.

• Hoi An Silk Village

  

  This is a completely new attraction in Hoi An (opened only in 2012). Don't expect 'authentic tradition' from this place, as essentially it's a special surrogate for tourists, part of a large hotel complex. However, this doesn't mean at all that the 'village' isn't worth visiting. The tour here is quite educational and interesting. During your visit you can walk through a 300-year-old mulberry garden; see how handmade silk is made using ancient looms and tools; learn how silkworm larvae are raised; visit a sewing workshop where, of course, you will be offered to buy something or order clothing. You can take a lantern-making master class or a cooking lesson. Visiting the village itself will take 2-3 hours, a tour with transfer half a day.

  Practical information

  🌐 Website: http://www.hoiansilkvillage.com/

  🕐 Opening hours: from 08:00 to 16:00, no days off.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: entrance fee with tour - 50,000 VND. Cost of a tour to the village with transfer from the hotel (including lunch or dinner) - from $20.

  🚶 How to get there: the village is located right in the city not far from Hoi An's northern bus station on Le Hong Phong Street (on the map). You can even walk there from the old town.

• Thanh Ha Pottery Village

  

  Thanh Ha Pottery Village is located a couple of kilometers from Hoi An and is known for its centuries-old craft. Here you can visit workshops where ceramics are still made using ancient techniques, and even try making a souvenir yourself. Nearby is the 'Terracotta Park' — a museum with a huge collection of pottery and miniatures of famous world landmarks. This place is suitable for those who want to see traditional crafts firsthand and drive away from the tourist center. More about the Pottery Village with Terracotta Park in Hoi An and how to visit them.

  Practical information

  🕐 Opening hours: from 08:00 to 17:30.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: ticket to the workshops — 35,000 VND, to the terracotta park — 30,000 VND.

  🚶 How to get there: located 2 km from Hoi An (village on the map). You can get there by taxi, rented transport, bicycle, or on foot.

• Cham Islands

  

  Cham Islands (Chams Island) is a place for excellent snorkeling, diving, and relaxing on clean beaches with white sand. People come here to swim among corals and bright fish in clear water. This is a natural location, not a tourist attraction with sights. Infrastructure on the island is poorly developed: you won't find bars and restaurants everywhere on the coast, so water, snacks, and sunscreen should be taken with you. A small museum 200 meters from the pier with exhibits of local flora and fauna is unlikely worth special attention, but considering it's free, you can visit it. If desired, you can even stay here for a couple of days by settling in one of the few hotels.

  Practical information

  🕐 Opening hours: visits are planned for a full day, leaving in the morning.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: tours from the pier — from 400,000 VND, tours from the hotel — from 700,000 VND (include lunch, beach time, snorkeling and equipment).

  🚶 How to get there: the island is 15 km from the shore (Cham Islands on the map). Visiting is only possible with a boat tour. The tour can be bought at hotels or travel agencies in Hoi An/Da Nang, online. Independent option: get to Cua Dai pier (near Cua Dai Lighthouse) and take a tour on the spot (cheaper, but need to arrange the day before). You can get to the pier by rented transport (free parking), taxi (from 100,000 VND) or bus LK-02.

• Bamboo show at the "Lune" theater (Hoi An Lune Center for the Performing Arts)

  

  This is not a theater show but an acrobatic performance, somewhat similar to the famous Cirque du Soleil (of course, not on that scale), but with a traditional slant. The basis of the show is the incredible skill of the performers, live music, and virtuoso numbers using bamboo, which is why it's also called the 'bamboo show'. Such productions immerse you in Vietnamese culture much deeper and more emotionally than large-scale spectacles. It's better to buy tickets for the performance in advance, at least in the first half of the day of the show.

  Practical information

  🌐 Website: http://www.luneproduction.com/

  🕐 Opening hours: performances daily at 18:00, except Monday and Friday (it is recommended to check the schedule on the official website).

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: Ticket price depends on the seating zone. Minimum adult ticket — from 700,000 VND, children (5–12 years) — from 490,000 VND. Tickets are sold at the theater box office, travel agencies, and hotels.

  🚶 How to get there: An Hoi Island, easy to walk from central Hoi An ('Lune' theater on the map).

• "Memories of Hoi An" park and show

  

  The 'Memories of Hoi An' show is a large outdoor performance in a theme park. The park itself starts working at 16:00, and if you arrive at opening, you will have time to watch small mini-shows in different corners of the park before the main Hoi An Memories show, which starts at 20:00. It's pleasant to walk through the park area and get acquainted with the tradition of making straw conical hats and bright lanterns, the architecture and spirituality of Vietnam, and also try Vietnamese cuisine dishes. The 'Memories of Hoi An' show starts at 20:00 and lasts a little over 1 hour. On the large stage, about 500 performers in bright costumes perform simultaneously, water and light are used, and the plot in English helps understand the history of Hoi An. If you are interested in impressive productions with beautiful visual effects, rather than a deep plot, you should definitely go here. You will see memorable scenes like a wedding procession with elephants, the 'Boat and Sea' scene, and dances of girls in traditional Ao Dai dresses.

  Practical information

  🌐 Website: https://hoianmemoriesland.com/en/

  🕐 Opening hours: Park: Wednesday to Monday from 16:00 to 22:00, Tuesday – closed. Show: Wednesday to Monday from 20:00 to 21:00, Tuesday - closed.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: Park entrance – 50,000 VND. Ticket for the 'Memories of Hoi An' Show: adult – from 600,000 VND, children (height from 1 m to 1.39 m) – from 200,000 VND.

  🚶 How to get there: the park is located on a small island connected to the city by bridges. It's easy to walk here (2 kilometers from the Japanese Bridge) or take a taxi from 40,000 VND (park and 'Memories of Hoi An' show on the map).

Best attractions near Hoi An

The most impressive and iconic objects of central Vietnam are not in Hoi An itself, but in its surroundings. These are UNESCO-level sites (like the My Son ruins), natural phenomena (Marble Mountains) and modern wonders (the Golden Bridge in Ba Na). Visiting any of them will be a highlight of your trip, but requires a separate day and proper planning. In this section, we will not only tell you about each location, but also give clear recommendations: when it's better to go on your own, and when to take a tour to save time and nerves.

• Marble Mountains

  

  This is one of the most famous attractions in central Vietnam, and simply a must-visit place. The mountains consist of five stone hills, each of which, according to local beliefs, represents one of the five elements of the universe and has a corresponding name: Thuy Son (Water), Moc Son (Wood), Hoa Son (Fire), Kim Son (Metal) and Tho Son (Earth). Only Thuy Son Mountain is equipped for tourist visits: paths and stairs, rest areas have been built, and caves have decorative lighting. Here you can visit several caves with shrines and temples, climb one of two viewing platforms. Besides the caves, along the way you will see Buddhist pagodas and temples. More about Marble Mountains.

  Practical information

  🕐 Opening hours: from 07:00 to 17:00, no days off.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: 40,000 VND (1.52 USD, )see Vietnamese currency and exchange rate), parking 10,000 VND (0.38 USD), elevator ascent and descent – 50,000 (1.9 USD).

  🚶 How to get there: located on the outskirts of Da Nang, about 18 kilometers (mountains on the map). The easiest way to visit is to buy a group tour from Da Nang and Hoi An. You can also get here by city buses LK-02, by taxi (from 250,000 VND) or rented transport. Read all the details via the link with the full description.

• Secret Marble Mountains

  

  In addition to the equipped for tourist visits Thuy Son mountain, you can also visit the other four mountains in Marble Mountains. And we believe the most vivid impressions await precisely on the 'wild' slopes, where you can find mysterious altars deep in caves and secret passages. Visiting such places requires respect, comfortable shoes, and a good flashlight, but reveals a completely different, untouched view of the attraction. More about non-touristy Marble Mountains here.

  Practical information

  🕐 Opening hours: during daytime hours.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: free.

  🚶 How to get there: located on the outskirts of Da Nang when heading towards Hoi An (mountains on the map). Get there the same way as to the main Marble Mountains.

• Heaven and Hell Cave (Am Phu Cave)

  

  This cave is often confused with Marble Mountains, but in fact they are different attractions, they are just located in the same place. This is a natural cave inside which the atmosphere of heaven and hell in the Buddhist conception has been recreated symbolically and not only. The theme of hellish judgment is presented here in full, which, in general, is what interests tourists the most. Scenes of hellish torment are complemented by appropriate light and sound effects, which together can create creepy sensations in the most impressionable visitors. But don't expect it to be scary here. Actually it's more amusing, and you can safely visit the cave with children. More about Heaven and Hell Cave.

  Practical information

  🕐 Opening hours: from 07:00 to 17:00, no days off.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: 20,000 VND (0.76 USD), parking 10,000 VND.

  🚶 How to get there: the cave is located in the largest of the Marble Mountains (cave on the map). Its entrance is located midway between the two main entrances to Marble Mountain. Get here the same way as to the main Marble Mountains.

• My Son Ruins (My Son sanctuary)

  

  My Son ruins are the most extensive and spectacular temple complex from the time of the Champa kingdom, included in the UNESCO list. Exploring it will take at least a couple of hours — you will see dozens of ancient towers, visit a museum with artifacts and, if you're lucky with timing, a traditional Cham show. In our opinion, this place is a must-visit from Da Nang or Hoi An, it is comparable in significance to Angkor Wat in Cambodia. More about My Son ruins and how to visit.

  Practical information

  🕐 Opening hours: from 06:00 to 17:00, shows are held at 09:30, 10:30 and 14:30 (except Monday).

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: adults - 150,000 VND (5.7 USD), children under 15 years - 30,000 VND (1.14 USD). Payment at the box office is cash only, but you can buy tickets with card payment, including Russian cards, online on trip.com.

  🚶 How to get there: located 60 km from Hoi An and 80 km from Da Nang (My Son ruins on the map). You can get there by rented transport, taxi, or as part of a tour.

• Quan The Am Temple

  

  Quan The Am Temple is the largest Buddhist complex in the famous Marble Mountains near Da Nang, dedicated to the goddess of mercy. We believe it's worth visiting to see non-touristy architecture, a large prayer hall, and especially the cave with marble walls at its base. The visit won't take much time, making the temple a convenient starting point for further exploration of the 'wild' slopes of neighboring mountains. More about Quan The Am Temple.

  Practical information

  🕐 Opening hours: during daytime hours.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: free, donations.

  🚶 How to get there: located on the outskirts of Da Nang on the western side of Kim Son (Metal Mountain), part of the Marble Mountains complex (temple on the map). Read more via the link with the full description.

• Ba Na Mountain and Sun World Amusement Park

  

  45 minutes drive from Da Nang, 20 kilometers to the west, is Ba Na Mountain, on the top of which a French resort was built in 1920. You can visit it as a day trip, preferably a full day, or stay in one of the hotels for several days. Here you can stroll among replicas of old buildings (the atmosphere and architecture of an old French resort have been recreated), enjoy views from observation decks, visit a temple and a 24-meter high sitting Buddha statue, visit a wax museum, walk through beautiful themed gardens, play golf, undergo spa treatments, and much more. In general, this place is definitely worth visiting, though you'll have to stock up on money to see and try everything. More about Ba Na Mountain.

  Practical information

  🌐 Website: https://banahills.sunworld.vn/en

  🕐 Opening hours: cable car operates from 08:00 to 22:00, no days off. Separate attractions and sights on the mountain operate on their own schedule.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: adults – 922,000 VND (35.03 USD, )children height from 100 to 140 cm. and people over 70 years – 728,000 (27.66 USD). Prices change often, check before your trip on the official website.

  🚶 How to get there: Ba Na Mountain is located 20 kilometers from Da Nang (Ba Na Mountain on the map). You can visit it independently by taxi, rented transport, or even by bus, or with a tour. Read all the details via the link with the full description.

• Bang An Tower

  

  Bang An Tower is a well-preserved ancient 11th-century tower, the only one in Vietnam with a unique octagonal shape. It is located in a quiet village and is still an active place of worship. It's not worth making a special trip here from afar, but if you're driving from Hoi An to Da Nang, My Son, or Ba Na Mountain, you can make a short 10-minute stop to look at this little-known architectural monument of Champa. More about the Champa Bang An Tower.

  Practical information

  🕐 Opening hours: daily from 08:00 to 11:00 and from 13:30 to 17:00.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: free.

  🚶 How to get there: located 40 km from Da Nang (tower on the map). You can only get there by rented transport or taxi.

• Imperial Hue

  

  Another museum city worth visiting from Da Nang. The imperial capital of Hue attracts with its rich history, excellently preserved and very significant attractions. From 1802 to 1945 it was the capital of the Vietnamese Nguyen dynasty, the last imperial dynasty of the state. Two monuments of the city are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Also like Da Nang, you can visit it within a day with a tour or by rented car. But for a trip by rented motorbike or public transport for one day, it's not worth going here, as you'll spend almost all your time on the road. More about how to visit, get there, what to see read in our separate guide to Hue.

  Practical information

  🕐 Opening hours: 24/7.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: free, entrance to historical attractions is paid.

  🚶 How to get there: Hue is 140 kilometers from Da Nang, that's 2-3 hours drive by car or tour minivan (Hue on the map). We definitely do not advise coming here for one day by rented motorbike or by buses, you simply won't have time to return. You can buy tours at street travel agencies, hotels, online on sites like Trip.com (payment with Russian cards), GetYourGuide or Klook. Read more in the guide with the full description.

• Modern Da Nang

  

  Da Nang is more than just a city with beaches. Here you will find modern architectural symbols, interesting museums, a lively embankment, a colorful old quarter, local markets. Like Hoi An, Da Nang is very convenient for walks along spacious pedestrian zones. In general, in our opinion, it's definitely worth taking at least a day trip from Hoi An to Da Nang, to see the bridges and visit at least a couple of themed museums. We recommend first and foremost the Dragon Bridge, Da Nang Museum and Museum of Cham Sculpture, and the rest choose yourself according to your taste. All Da Nang attractions in our separate guide.

  Practical information

  🕐 Opening hours: 24/7.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices: free, entrance to separate attractions is paid.

  🚶 How to get there: Located 20 kilometers from Hoi An, that's 30-40 minutes by taxi or 1 hour by bus.

How to plan the perfect trip to Hoi An: summary and your final step

Now you have a complete map of Hoi An's 'places of power' — from mandatory symbols to hidden gems. You know how the unified ticket system works, how much time to allocate for visiting, and how to get to each point. The most interesting part remains — turning this information into unforgettable impressions.

Remember: the main magic of Hoi An is not in the checklist of attractions, but in the atmosphere! Be sure to find time to simply get lost in the narrow streets of the Old Town, sit in a cafe on the embankment watching the life of the river, and feel how the city changes with the onset of evening when thousands of lanterns are lit.

If you want to save time on organization, dive deeper into the history and culture, or get to places with complex logistics — professional tours will be an excellent solution. Local guides know the most colorful stories, will show non-obvious angles and help you understand the context of what you see. This is especially relevant for trips to My Son, Marble Mountains, or Cham Islands.

Via the links below you can study programs, read reviews, and book a suitable option online.