How many days do you need in Hoi An?

Before Vietnam saw a boom in tourism, Hoi An was already attracting travelers looking for something different from the usual Southeast Asia itinerary. While some treat it as a quick stop for custom tailoring and lantern-lit photos, those who stick around a little longer get a much better sense of what the town has to offer. So, how many days should you spend in Hoi An?

How many days do you need in Hoi An?

How many days in Hoi An you need depends on how much time you have in Vietnam. If you're on a tight schedule, two days gives you enough time to explore Ancient Town and squeeze in a trip to either My Son Sanctuary or the beach. But Hoi An is best experienced at a slower pace. If you're getting custom clothing made, expect at least two fittings over 24–48 hours. Some of the best riverside restaurants book up a day in advance, so having extra time helps.

The Ancient Town ticket (120,000 VND) is valid for 24 hours, so splitting your visit across two days makes the most of it. Vietnam's weather will also effect your trip. If you're visiting in peak season (December–April), adding a day helps since crowds can slow things down. In the rainy season (October–November), an extra day is good to have in case of flooding. 

2 days in Hoi An

I'll cover here what I think a perfect trip to Hoi An would look like for different amounts of days. If you're the kind of person who finds samples like this helpful, be sure to see our Vietnam itineraries for ideas. Two days is enough to explore the Ancient Town, walk along the river, and check out the Japanese Bridge and central market. A day trip to My Son Sanctuary is worth considering if you're interested in Cham ruins and history. 

Suggested itinerary

Day 1

I would start at Hoi An's Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, one one of the most beautiful places in Vietnam. The best place to begin is the Old Town Market Square, where merchants have been selling goods for centuries. Unlike other historic districts that have been rebuilt, Hoi An's architecture has largely stayed intact—over 800 buildings from the 15th to 19th centuries, still standing despite wars and modernization. This was once a major trading hub for silk, spices, and porcelain, and you can still see hints of that past in the old shopfronts and wooden merchant houses.

From there, head to Hoi An Market, where food stalls, spice vendors, and craftspeople pack into a busy, fragrant space. It's a good spot to pick up fresh produce or a quick meal. Try cao lầu if you see it—this noodle dish is tied to Hoi An's history, traditionally made with water from the Ba Le wells and lye from tree ash sourced from the Cham Islands. The combination gives the noodles their distinct texture, and they're usually served with sliced pork, herbs, and crunchy croutons.

By evening, Hoi An completely changes. Silk lanterns light up the streets, and the whole town glows in their soft light. A boat ride on the Thu Bon River is a good way to take it all in—floating past old merchant houses while lanterns reflect on the water.

Day 2

My Son Sanctuary is about 40 km from Hoi An, tucked into a jungle-covered valley surrounded by mountains. It's the most important Cham archaeological site in Vietnam and one of the best places to go in Vietnam get a sense of the Champa Kingdom, a civilization that thrived here long before Vietnamese culture took root in the region. 

The temples at My Son were built between the 4th and 14th centuries, using a brick-firing technique that still puzzles archaeologists today. The bricks were somehow fired in place without mortar, yet they've stayed aligned for centuries. Even with heavy damage from American bombing during the war, the remaining structures still have intricate carvings of Hindu gods, celestial dancers, and scenes from Cham life.

3 days in Hoi An

How many days in Hoi An you'll need will vary from person to person, but with an extra day, you can head to An Bang Beach for a relaxed morning or explore the Marble Mountains, where caves, pagodas, and views over Da Nang make for an interesting half-day trip. Evenings are best spent walking through lantern-lit streets and trying local dishes.

Suggested itinerary

Day 3

On your third day, head to An Bang Beach, in my opinion on of the best beaches in Vietnam. Unlike some of Vietnam's more developed resort beaches, An Bang still feels laid-back and local. You'll see round thung chai, or basket boats, dotting the shoreline—these bamboo boats were originally designed during French colonial rule as a way to avoid taxes on regular boats. They might look simple, but steering one takes serious skill. 

For lunch, grab a table at one of the beachfront seafood spots like Lua Restaurant or Shore Club. The menu leans heavily on fresh, local catch—grilled red snapper (cá hồng nướng), tiger prawns with salt and chili (tôm nướng muối ớt), or the standout dish, grilled squid stuffed with pork (mực nhồi thịt nướng). It's a relaxed setting with ocean views, perfect for a long, lazy meal.

In the afternoon, make your way to the Marble Mountains, a group of five limestone and marble formations that have been spiritually significant for centuries. Named after the five elements in Vietnamese cosmology—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—these mountains are home to dozens of cave temples where Buddhist sanctuaries blend into the rock. 

The largest, Thuy Son (Water Mountain), has hidden chambers that once sheltered Vietnamese revolutionaries during past conflicts. Some of the old passageways and lookout points are still there, tucked away inside the caves. At night, visit the night market or walk through the latern-lit Ancient Town.

4 days in Hoi An

Four days gives you time to see more without feeling rushed. A boat trip to the Cham Islands is a good way to spend a day, with fishing villages, clear water, and a quieter atmosphere. Back in town, you'll still have time for tailor fittings, bike rides through the rice fields, or just more time wandering the streets.

Suggested itinerary

Day 4

Take a morning boat to the Cham Islands, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve where strict protections have kept the environment largely untouched. This small archipelago of eight islands is home to some of Vietnam's most diverse marine life, with over 1,500 species of fish and more than 400 types of coral thriving in the clear waters.

The main village on Hon Lao Island still follows centuries-old fishing traditions. With only about 3,000 residents, the community has preserved cultural practices that have faded in Vietnam's cities, including ancestor worship ceremonies tied to the lunar calendar. One of the islands' most distinctive industries is the harvesting of salangane swiftlet nests. These nests, made from the solidified saliva of swiftlets, have been highly valued for centuries and were once sent to imperial courts in China. Today, they're still collected from the island's caves and sold at a premium.

Return to Hoi An in the late afternoon and end your trip with dinner at Red Bridge Restaurant. It's not in the center of town but sits along the Thu Bon River, and most guests arrive by boat—a ride that follows the same waterways merchants once used to move goods inland. The restaurant also has an impressive herb and vegetable garden, with more than 40 varieties of Vietnamese greens used in its dishes. It's a fitting way to wrap up your time in Hoi An, and a fantastic way to experience food in Vietnam.

Best areas to stay in Hoi An

The best place to stay depends on what kind of trip you're after—whether you want to be in the middle of everything, close to the beach, or surrounded by nature. For more tips for your trip,  be sure to see our Vietnam travel advice.

Ancient Town: Best for first-time visitors

Hoi An's UNESCO-listed Ancient Town is the heart of the city and a great place to stay if it's your first visit. The streets are lined with centuries-old yellow buildings, atmospheric temples, and tailor shops, all within walking distance. At night, the lantern-lit alleys give the area a magical feel, and the riverfront fills with street vendors and lively cafés. Staying here means being right in the middle of it all, though it can get crowded, and hotels tend to be pricier. Still, if you want to step outside your door and immediately be in Hoi An's most scenic quarter, this is the spot.

An Bang Beach: Best for families

About 4 km from the Ancient Town, An Bang Beach is a great choice if you're looking for a quieter stay with easy access to the city. The beach has a long stretch of soft sand, gentle waves in the summer, and plenty of seafood restaurants right on the water. The area has a more relaxed feel than the busy town center, with family-friendly villas and homestays that often have gardens where kids can play. The roads are quiet and great for cycling, and it's only a 10-15 minute taxi ride into town.

Cam Thanh: Best for nature lovers

Just 2 miles south of the Ancient Town, Cam Thanh is a quiet, green village surrounded by waterways and coconut palm forests. This area is famous for its basket boat tours through the mangroves, and it's a good pick if you're looking for a more rural, laid-back stay. Mornings here start with birdsong, and you'll see locals fishing and farming as you explore. Many accommodations here are eco-friendly homestays and small resorts designed to blend into the landscape. There aren't as many restaurants as in town, but many stays serve home-cooked meals with fresh, local ingredients.

Things to know before going to Hoi An

A few things to keep in mind when planning your trip to Hoi An:

When you arrive, you'll need to buy a ticket to visit the Ancient Town. It costs 120,000 VND (~$5 USD) and gives you access to five historical sites of your choice. Officials may check it at different spots, so keep it with you while exploring. You can buy one at any main entrance.

Weather can really impact your trip. October and November are the rainy months, and flooding is common. The streets sometimes turn into canals, so if you're visiting during this time, check the forecast before booking.

Tet (Vietnamese New Year) happens around late January or early February and is an exciting time to be in Vietnam, but it also means most businesses shut down for several days while locals celebrate with family. If you visit during Tet, expect a festive atmosphere but limited services.  For more tips, see our guide tohow to plan a trip to Vietnam.

Daily budget

Hoi An works for a range of budgets. Homestays and street food keep things affordable, while boutique hotels and tailored clothes can add up. Costs depend on how you like to travel—some people spend little beyond meals and accommodations, while others go for guided tours, cooking classes, or custom tailoring.

• Budget (700,000-1,200,000 VND / $28-48 per day): Staying in a homestay, eating at markets or street stalls, and getting around by bike keeps costs low. Cam Pho and Cam Chau have some of the most affordable places to stay, and they're still within walking distance of Ancient Town.
• Mid-range (1,200,000-2,500,000 VND / $48-100 per day): This budget covers boutique hotels or smaller resorts, meals at mid-range restaurants, cooking classes, and some taxi rides. It's a comfortable way to experience Hoi An without going overboard.
• Luxury (2,500,000+ VND / $100+ per day): If you're planning to stay in a beachfront resort, dine at high-end restaurants, book private tours, or get custom-tailored clothing, this is what you'll likely spend. An Bang and Cua Dai beaches have some of the best places to stay in this range.

How to get around

Hoi An is compact, so walking is the easiest way to explore Ancient Town. Some areas are pedestrian-only during certain hours (9:00-11:00 AM and 3:00-9:30 PM).

Biking (30,000-50,000 VND/day) is a great way to get around, especially if you want to visit An Bang Beach or ride through the countryside. Motorbikes (100,000-150,000 VND/day) give you more freedom, but traffic can be chaotic if you’re not used to it. See our top tips for exploring Vietnam by motorbike.

When it’s too hot or rainy, Grab (Southeast Asia’s ride-hailing app) is a convenient way to get around in air-conditioned comfort. Cyclos (bicycle rickshaws) are more of a tourist experience than a practical way to get around, but they’re fun for a slow ride through Ancient Town—just agree on the price first (usually 100,000-150,000 VND/hour).

Some hotels run free shuttles to the beach. If yours doesn’t, shared vans cost about 50,000 VND for a round-trip ride and run throughout the day.

How to get to Hoi An

Da Nang International Airport is the closest airport to Hoi An, about 30 km away. It has connections to major cities like  Singapore, Seoul, Bangkok, and several destinations within Vietnam (and here's how to get to Vietnam). 

From the airport, the easiest way to reach Hoi An is by private transfer (300,000-400,000 VND). Shared shuttles are a cheaper option at around 150,000 VND, though they take a bit longer. If you’re on a tight budget, you can take a taxi to Da Nang’s bus station and then catch a local bus to Hoi An (20,000 VND).

Overnight buses connect Hoi An to major cities, with travel times of about 18 hours from Ho Chi Minh City, 16 hours from Hanoi, and 4 hours from Hue. Most accommodations can help with booking.

If you’re traveling by train, you’ll need to get off in Da Nang and arrange a 45-minute transfer to Hoi An, as the railway doesn’t go directly to town. For a more adventurous route, the Hai Van Pass between Hue and Hoi An is a scenic coastal drive, made famous by Top Gear. Many travelers rent motorbikes or book a guided ride to take in the views. 

Plan your trip with Rough Guides

Planning your trip to Vietnam? You are in the right place. If you're making plans now, I recommend taking a look at our sample itineraries, as they make for a great starting point. Our Rough Guide to Vietnam is also a great resource with expert tips and plenty of great suggestions.

• 14 days in Vietnam itinerary: Two weeks in Vietnam gives you plenty of time to see the best of the country without rushing. You can take in the chaos of Hanoi, cruise through Ha Long Bay, wander the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An, and still have time for the Mekong Delta or the mountains up north.
• 10 days in Vietnam itinerary: Ten days is enough to cover Vietnam’s highlights if you move at a steady pace. You can split your time between the north, central, and south, hitting spots like Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City.
• 7 days in Vietnam itinerary: A week in Vietnam means making some tough choices, but you can still see a lot. You’ll probably want to focus on either north or south, or do a fast-paced trip hitting Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City. Be ready for a packed itinerary.
• 5 days in Vietnam itinerary: Five days is a quick trip, but you can still get a solid feel for Vietnam. Stick to one region—Hanoi and Ha Long Bay, or Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta. You won’t see it all, but you’ll eat well and experience a lot.

Or if planning a trip is making your head spin, let us do the planning for you. Our tailor made trips are created by local travel experts who know the ins  and outs of the area. The trips are customized to what you want to do, and you'll have 24/7 support during your trip.