Is Hoi An Worth Visiting? Reasons You Shouldn’t Miss Hoi An on Your Vietnam Itinerary

Yes, Hoi An is beautiful and deserves a few days of your itinerary. When it comes to planning a trip through Vietnam, there’s one place that feels like it leapt straight from a painter’s canvas: Hoi An. You will fall in love with this city, and it is a must in every Vietnam itinerary.

If you’re wondering, “Is Hoi An a good place to visit in Vietnam?“ Let us share our personal experience because this town offers more than just pretty photos.

We have no cons about visiting Hoi An, other than it’s very crowded at night, but this doesn’t outrank the many pros. We explored deeper, spending two nights in Rosie Villa, on the edge of the old town, on our second visit to Hoi An. We really slowed down, and changed our perspective about this touristy Unesco Heritage city. We then visited the picturesque Hoi An more, fell in love, and stole the leadership of most beautiful places we visited in Vietnam.

Let’s dive into our tips to make your trip to Hoi An one of a kind, with pros and cons to chose the better time to do it. We’ll surely convince you that Hoi An deserve a chance.

The most beautiful town in central Vietnam

Let’s start with a confession—our first time in Hoi An was just a day trip from Da Nang. We had heard whispers of this “lantern-lit wonder,” but with just one day, we barely scratched the surface. It wasn’t until our second visit, when we stayed in the Old Town for three days, that we truly fell under Hoi An’s spell.

We checked into a charming private villa, complete with heritage décor and a pool. From there, we walked the short distance to the town, soaking in everything from sunrise to moonlight. And trust us when we say—Hoi An is two different worlds, depending on when you visit.

By day, you’ve got that old-world charm—market vendors, quaint streets, and wooden houses steeped in history. By night, the town transforms into a lantern-lit wonderland, the river glimmering under colourful lights, creating the perfect setting for romance or just a moment to stop and stare.

FAQ | Is Hoi An worth visiting?

Is It Worth Going to Hoi An? Absolutely; three reasons why we went there!

• Hoi An’s Unique Atmosphere: You’ll have a small old town, completely walkable, and pedestrian only (apart local mopeds that doesn’t respect the rules).
• Skilled tailors that can make up your clothes within the day: We had it delivered about 8 hours after we did chose the style, and committed. We were impressed. Still wearing Hoi An custom made clothes 3 years apart. The clothes are very good quality. We went to Ba Ri Tailor and couldn’t recommend enough.
• The Best Banh Mi: Madam Khanh is the Banh Mi Queen serves up what can only be described as perfection between two slices of bread. Crispy on the outside and packed with flavour on the inside—it’s a simple meal but a must-try.

The elephant in the room: Is Hoi An too touristy?

We’ve seen people referring to Hoi An as a “Disney-fied theme park”; that’s not true. It appears as if you visit after 6PM, when it’s the Mecca for day trippers. We lived in a different Hoi An, without tourists, away from the crowds, and getting to the old town, to experience the glamour of Chinese Lanterns lit up.

However, we can’t deny. Yes, Hoi An is very touristy. In 2026, Hoi An was named Vietnam’s “Most Welcoming Destination,” but that hospitality comes with a side of massive crowds.

If you walk into the Old Town at 7:00 PM expecting a quiet, spiritual experience, you’re going to be disappointed. You’ll be met with selfie sticks, “lucky sale” pitches, and a river so full of lantern boats that we could barely see the water.

However, calling it a “trap” misses the point. It’s an attraction, and you need to think about that as a touristy destination.

The old town is losing its authenticity.

Comparing our first visit to Hoi An, with the latest, a few months ago, it feels two worlds apart. Before, we could still see old ladies at their shophouse door; now it’s just boutique shops, big companies and surely soon big brands taking over small businesses.

Many traditional homes have been converted into identical souvenir shops. While this is a big red flag, it has also polished a bit the gritty ocra walls.

Despite the commercialism, the architecture is real. These are 15th-century buildings that have survived wars and floods. The beauty isn’t fake; it’s just crowded and now one of the most picture-perfect places in Vietnam.

How to Avoid the “Trap” (2026 Insider Tips)

To see the Hoi An that people actually fall in love with, we stayed overnight, rented a villa in a traditional neighbourhood, woke up when locals rise, and went to bed when tourists flock in:

• The 7:00 AM Rule: We walked around the Old Town at sunrise. There were only locals practising Tai Chi and stretching along the canal. The tour buses don’t arrive until 10:00 AM. You’ll see the actual morning market, locals sipping coffee on tiny plastic stools, and the golden light hitting the yellow walls without a thousand people in your frame.
• Escape to Cam Kim: Just a 10-minute bike ride across the bridge is Cam Kim Island. It feels 20 years behind the Old Town—think rice paddies, water buffalo, and zero souvenir shops.
• The Post-8:30 PM Sweet Spot: Most day-trippers from Da Nang head back to their hotels by 8:30 PM. The town takes on a much calmer, more romantic atmosphere late at night.

Don’t skip Hoi An because it’s touristy. Skip it if you aren’t willing to put in the effort to find the quiet corners.

Hoi An’s Hidden Gems

While most people stay around the riverside, we discovered a few places that took us beyond the usual tourist traps. The Réhahn photo gallery is a hidden gem we stumbled upon, filled with breathtaking portraits of Vietnam’s people.

For coffee lovers (like me), we found our fix at Ivy Coffee and Faifo Coffee, the latter offering a rooftop view of the entire Old Town. Up there, with a cup of Vietnamese coffee in hand, you can watch the town buzz below.

Then there’s Hoi Qun Quang Dong—a beautiful Chinese assembly hall that gives a glimpse into the town’s Chinese heritage. And for a peaceful escape, the Marble Temple is worth the short walk out of the town centre. Few tourists make it here, which adds to its quiet charm.

Join an Artesanal Laboratory

I guess that the city is pretty popular because locals strive for artistic skills. Every shop is, in fact, a boutique, either for clothes, goodies, households, jewels and more.

Spending some time in Hoi An will be great to sign up for a cooking class (This is the one we recommend), or a lantern making session (just £7 for this). While there, on our first trip to Vietnam, Ale fell in love with a painting, and surely we will be back in the future to buy it to adorn our home one day.

Go out of town for coffee and quiet atmosphere

We love finding secluded spots, away from the crowds and the so often called hidden gems. So during the busy, touristy hours in Hoi An, we escaped 5 minutes motorbike away out of town. We found peace at Rosie’s Cafe. This cute little corner is hidden in an unknown street, neither google map can point it correctly. It’s like finding a speakeasy. At some point we thought were lost.

The cafe is within a private garden, with privacy spots, and only locals. I had my traditional Vietnamese coffee while Ale went for juice. Well, it wasn’t for the drinks, either delicious, but for the atmosphere and the kindness of its owner.

Hoi An made us wish to stay longer

We did wander more than once to extend our stay in Hoi An, but had an Airbnb for an entire month booked in Da Nang. So we used the wish as an excuse to come back every time we felt, during our two months stay in Vietnam, and then back again every year since.

It’s the charming street, calm atmosphere (especially early in the morning), nice food for a good price, and cool accommodation.

What we found in Hoi An is that it doesn’t matter your budget; you can have a glorious adventure and quality experience even on a tight budget. Not many touristy places have this flexibility.

Yes, it’s crowded, but after all a buzzing atmosphere is what you need when travelling. If you ask me, I will go again and again to Hoi An, even though we have seen pretty much everything, even the seaside.

Beyond the Old Town: Hoi An’s Beach and Expat Hangouts

Not many people know this, but Hoi An has a beautiful beachside that’s often overlooked by tourists. On our last visit, we made our way to one of the quieter beach spots, popular among expats.

An Bang Beach (Bãi Biển An Bàng) is often referred to as Hoi An Beach and isn’t packed with tourists, which is probably why we loved it so much.

We spent just a short time before heading back to Da Nang, where we spent the classic Digital Nomads life renting an apartment for a month. If you’ve had your fill of the Old Town’s bustle, this is the perfect escape.

How much costs visiting Hoi An

To be fair we didn’t find prices particularly inflated compared to the rest of Vietnam. You can expect 10% more compared to other places, but overall is inline with what you’ll spend in Hanoi. These are the updated 2026 costs visiting Hoi An:

Old Town Entrance Ticket:120,000 VND (~$5.00) for international visitors.

Custom Tailoring: Expect to pay $120–$250 for a high-quality two-piece suit and $30–$60 for a custom silk dress or a man shirt. If you are staying longer, go for a two days delivery, the garments will be high quality compared to a 24 hour service.

Daily Coffee Fix: A traditional Cà Phê Muối (Salt Coffee) or Cà Phê Sữa Đá will cost between 35,000 and 55,000 VND.

Getting Around: Renting a bicycle cost 30,000 to 50,000 VND per day. If you want to go back and further from the beach, rent a motorbike for double the price, or rely on Bolt. We found Grab more expensive, sometimes 20% up compared to Bolt.

Best Time to Visit Hoi An: Timing is Everything

If you’re wondering when to visit, aim for the dry season from February to April. The weather is pleasant, and you’ll avoid the intense heat of summer.

We’ve visited in both the dry and rainy seasons, and while Hoi An is always beautiful, dodging rain puddles in the Old Town isn’t as fun as it sounds. Plus, the riverside lanterns have a different magic when they’re reflected in still water, not rain-soaked streets.

2026 Lantern Festival Dates

The Full Moon Lantern Festival is the city’s busiest night. If you don’t mind to squeeze through the crowds to find a tiny little spot to watch, go for it. We passed on, and enjoyed smaller festival celebrations held every Saturdays in Hoi An.

If you want the “Instagrammable” boat experience, plan your trip around these confirmed 2026 dates:

• March 2nd (The largest celebration: First Full Moon of the Lunar New Year)
• April 1st
• May 30th
• June 28th

Where to stay in Hoi An | Our favourite spot

Hoi An truly offers something for everyone. Each district has its own charm and personality, so where you stay in Hoi An can completely shape your visit.

Our Pick: On our second trip, we chose Rosie Villa — a lovely Chinese-style heritage home with plenty of character. It offered total privacy, our own pool, two cozy bedrooms, a full kitchen, and space for the motorbike. Hidden from the busy streets but still a short walk from the Old Town. Interested in staying here? You can check availability and book your stay at Rosie Villa Hoi An.

Where to anchor yourself

Choosing the right neighborhood is the difference between a restful trip and a noisy one. These are our unique tips, from our experience exploring Hoi An many times:

• Cam Pho (Best for First-Timers): A nice area just west of the Old Town. You can still walk to the centre (15 minutes top), but offers better value boutique hotels and a slightly more local feel.
• An Bang Beach (Best for Slowmads and couples): A 10-minute drive from the centre. Perfect if you want to start your day with a swim and end it with a lantern-lit dinner.
• Cam Nam Island (Stay Authentic): Just across the bridge from the market. This is where we stayed to get away from the “Disney-fied” side of the city. (Read my full Rosie Villa Review for why we chose this area).

Our Final Take: Hoi An is 100% Worth the Trip

So, is it worth going to Hoi An? Absolutely. Whether you’re looking for cultural history, taking instagrammable photos from Vietnam, delicious food, or just a beautiful place to slow down for a while, Hoi An delivers.

The town’s unique blend of influences, its charming atmosphere, and its ability to make even the simplest moments feel magical make it a must-see on any Vietnam itinerary.

And honestly, if you’re a coffee lover like me, Hoi An might just be your slice of heaven. The number of cute cafes will keep you caffeinated and content for days.