Best Hoi An Tourist Guides - Best Travel Tips & Essential Info

Introduction

1. LOCATION

Hoi An belonged to the central region of the country in Quang Nam Province, which adjoin directly to the sea, gently lies on the flat area of plain, where the great Thu Bon river approaches out the ocean.

You can get to Hoian from Da Nang city whether by bus, taxi, private car or motorbike. The distance between Da Nang and Hoian is around 40km and takes about 30 to 60 minutes to get to the destination depending on your means of transport.

2. BEST TIME TO VISIT HOIAN

Hoi An has two main seasons: Dry and Rainy. Characterized by a tropical climate, the region has a warm temperature all year round.

Tourist arrival turns peak from February to May, when the weather is comfortable with the average temperature of 28°C. This period of time is on the dry season of the region, so instead of severe rainy days, you will catch warm sunshine and cool winds.

Bare in mind that from June to August, the weather turns really hot. With the average temperature of 34°C and high humidity. However, this is the perfect time to get tanned on Hoian amazing beaches like An Bang or Cua Dai and also enjoy diving and snorkeling off coast Hoian in Cham island.

From September to January, the rainy season takes place. During the time, heavy rain pours and typhoons happen, it quite severe and cause a flood to most of the region and tourist spots.

For festive spirits information, people in Hoian celebrate the Full Moon Day on every 14th day of the lunar month with many interesting activities like singing, dancing or folk games. Especially, all the streets will be light up with beautiful lanterns.

3. THINGS TO DO IN HOIAN

Explore the Ancient Architectures

When talking about time-honored buildings, people remind of Hoi An where many constructions have been keeping intact since the 17th century. The architecture here is influenced by Chinese, Japanese and French culture creating a unique fusion that nowhere else in Vietnam has. Whatever the structure you visit, it is also a piece of art, which possesses distinctive features in design and decorations. Let’s check out some remarkable buildings in Hoi An ancient town.

Phuoc Lam pagoda owns both ancient and modern version in its large yard, which are designed to follow the Chinese style. In the spot, you can find old statues and stunning wood carvings. Quan Cong temple also worth a visit with the typical ancient shrine or Chuc Thanh Pagoda, which famous for possessing unique Chinese style designed of the old time and dreamy gardens.

Moreover, you can also pay a visit to Phung Hung house, which still keeps the antique furniture and housewares, owns a small souvenirs shop and is designed in Chinese style. Fujian Assembly Hall boasts beautiful wood carvings and many more proofs of art.

Contemplate the Ancient Mark of Japanese Bridge

Japanese Covered Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks in Hoian Ancient Town. It was built in the 1590s by the community of Japanese in town, in order to connect with the Chinese quarter across the stream. Over the centuries, the structure survives with the original ornamentations of Japanese architecture making it one of the not - to - be - missed sites in Hoi An as well as the town’s unique symbol.

Stroll Along the Ancient Town

At the ancient town, by day the sun turns the yellow town shiny, by night the colorful lanterns adorned to its mystery beauty. Strolling through its paths and alleys, you will be amazed and fall for the historical town. People here have to walk or go by bike to enter the street, in this way the town can keep its spotlight. When enjoying your time, you can see many stores sell souvenirs, cool items, snack, food, spend some money if you like. The most important thing, make sure you have enough battery for fantastic images.

Enjoy the Beaches

With the advantage of owning beautiful beaches, Hoi An had drawn a great number of tourists from all around the world. To catch the best site and clean sand-yard, An Bang and Cua Dai beaches are the best choices for you. There are some stunning resorts you can find near the stretches offering not only amazing accommodations but also many water sports activities such as canoeing, sailing, surfing, etc. Moreover, Cham Island is also a great option for a beach break in Hoi An with pristine nature and amazing spots for snorkeling and diving.

Discover the Countryside

Just a little from the ancient town, you can catch an endless site of rice paddy field and gardens of farmers. Hire a bike and spend a day discovering the region, you can relax and breathe in fresh air. Along the track, rustic rural view and encountering local would make your trip an awesome one.
If time permits, you should ride to Tra Que Organic Farm, where a hundred miles of herb and vegetable gardens grown. Right at the time you are getting close, you would feel pleasant and enjoyable with the herb smell that emerges in the air. Off course, the site is beautiful as always. Stop your bike, let’s get your hands muddy when giving a hand to locals which is picking the herb leaves. You can also collect the good for your own and use them in the cooking class you attended. What a day to go!

Go on a boat trip on Thu Bon River

On the Thu Bon river, which flows through the ancient town of Hoi An, sitting on the local wooden boat, you can completely immerse yourself in this dreamy site. From the sampan, you can observe the lively activities of the locals as well as the beautiful houses on the waterfront. Make a stop at some villages exploring the authentic life of the natives will get you memorable moments. And when the day comes to an end, enjoy the romantic and spectacular scenery when the sun cast its orange glow on the horizon.

Food to Try

Hoi An owns itself many delicious dishes that can impress you from the first taste. Among those, these stand-out dishes are what you should try once.

Cao Lau: the most famous dish of Hoi An that you can’t find anywhere else. Comprises of chewy udon - like rice noodles, slices of Chinese barbecued pork, bean sprouts, croutons, fresh herbs in a pork-based gravy and kinds of vegetable.
Mi Quang: the materials are yellow rice noodles, bone broth flavored with fish sauce, pepper, shallot, and garlic, several kinds of meat, herbs, and local vegetable.
Banh Beo: made of flour liquid and coconut milk, topped with several kinds of meat, cut scallion. They are served with a separate bowl of processed fish sauce and a large dish of local vegetable.
Com Ga: still rice and chicken but the way they cook it is different. The soul of this dish this fried fragrant rice, shredded chicken, chili jam and herbs.
Banh Mi: the baguette sandwich includes greasy pate, butter, meat slices, sauces. and vegetable.

4. THINGS TO BUY IN HOIAN

To buy something as gifts or souvenirs, you can also find some of the unique and fantastic items right in shops and on the town street

Lantern: awesome for decorating, available to all size and color, you can easily find it in the town shops
Non La: a symbol of Vietnam, it is a hat with a cone shape, made of palm tree leaves.
Shoes: the common style of shoes that the locals use to wear on called Dep Kep, it is nearly uncovered your feet, you can find it is pretty comfortable.
Copper statue: there is a village that famous for making copper statues, you can find the statue from a diverse shape like a building, architect of the area, people, animal and so on.
Silk: the silk is really soft because it was made from silkworm string, the price is high but the quality is undiscussable.
Accessories: like bracelets, necklaces, earrings, hairpins.