7 Reasons Why You’ll Love Hoi An Ancient Town

By Trinh Tran on Feb 25, 2020

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Hoi An is like a guidebook for people to know the past life in the pre-modernization period. This town of Quang Nam Province, Vietnam has been proudly noted since 1999 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sparkling lanterns, yellow old houses, white sandy beaches – Hoi An’s sceneries are a true feast for your eyes. There you do nothing else except for being mesmerized by the beauty of this lovely little town. Hoi An is often regarded as a hidden treasure trove for a good reason: having ancient architecture, wonderful nature, and good-natured people. Here are some reasons to love Hoi An more and include it in your bucket list. 

1. Hoi An – The town of marvelous architecture

If you really want an escape from the hectic pace of life, Hoi An Ancient Town is exactly where you can listen to your soul peacefully. This place is also where you can freely take a stroll without any concern about road safety. 

The city has well preserved its culture through unique architecture. Walking through the narrow streets, you will find rows of 200-year-old shophouses with similar architectural style adorning Chinese-tiled roofs and rusty ceilings. Houses are covered by yellow, painting the picture of Hoi An more charming and magical in the daytime. Hoi An at night is even more mysterious with shimmering light from colorful lanterns.  

A trip to Hoi An is not a mere sightseeing experience, it’s a meaningful gift given to nostalgic people. Each and every scene has its own unparalleled story to tell. The Japanese Covered Bridge is the heritage jewel, the Fujian Assembly Hall holds the Sea Goddess Thien Hau, the Chaozhou Hall stands out with gleaming woodcarvings on the beams, the Hoi An Museum of History – Culture reflects the development of Hoi An over the years. 

Are you enchanted by the antique architecture? Check out 8 Must-see Temples and Pagodas in Ho Chi Minh City  or 7 Best Catholic Churches in Ho Chi Minh City

2. Vibrant handicraft along with super-fast services

Hoi An is a lovely souvenir paradise with different items ranging from silk clothes, feather bags, porcelain vases to bamboo lanterns. You’d love to bring home some best memories of this ancient town with these fascinating hand-made crafts. 

On the way to discover the hidden charm of Hoi An, you should not miss out on a chance to visit a tailor or shoemaker shop. Why? The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ancient Town of Hoi An is filled with tailors. The Time Magazine used to say that tailor-made clothing and custom made suits at Hoi An Vietnam is one of the fastest and cheapest in the world. If you really want to know how fast that is, just order a suit or a dress, the shop owner will deliver lovely tailor-made items to your address within hours. Surprise!

3. Mouth-watering dishes with famous brand names

Hoi An’s signature dishes contribute no less than perfection to traditional Vietnamese cuisine. Every gourmet finds epicurean in enjoying Cao lau (Hoi An style noodle with pork and greens), Mi Quang (Quang style noodle), Com hen (Baby basket clams rice), Com ga (Chicken rice), to name but a few. And it’s not unusual for travelers to list Food in their list of reasons to visit Hoi An. 

In the morning you can have a big breakfast with a baguette, then a bowl of Cao lau. It’s not all about eating but that’s how you gradually fall in love with Hoi An cuisine. Some stalls have even become a brand name in Hoi An. Let’s try Com ga at Ba Buoi, Vietnamese baguettes at Madame Khanh, and fresh seafood on Cua Dai Beach. Whether you look for a cheap local street cart or a fine dining restaurant, Hoi An’s authentic food will never let you down. Here are some recommendations: 

» Com ga Ba Buoi: 22 Phan Chu Trinh

» Banh mi Madam Khanh: 115 Tran Cao Van 

» Thanh Cao Lau: 26 Thai Phien

» Com ga Trung Bac: 87 Tran Phu

» A Roi Sea Food: Near Cua Dai Beach

4. Pristine beach paradise for thalassophiles

Many travelers don’t usually think Hoi An is a true beach destination in Vietnam. However, this lovely ancient town offers no less than terrific beaches for your beach dream. The most outstanding beach in this town is no doubt Cua Dai Beach which is just 5 km away from Hoi An’s center. With the alluring combination of warm sun, cooling sea breeze and endless coconut palms, Cua Dai Beach is where you can refresh and rejuvenate with no hassle. 

Hoi An does not have only Cua Dai Beach. About 4km north of Cua Dai is An Bang Beach, a new rising star in Hoi An itinerary. Turquoise water will gradually be transferred into purple, orange, and yellow when the sun sets, setting a take-your-breath-away view right before your eyes. An Bang Beach is romantic but this gorgeous location is not for romantic souls only. The waves here are quite big, which is ideal for adventure enthusiasts to experience different kinds of beach challenges, from surfing to wave jumping.

5. Hoi An – The town of friendliness

If the glamor of landscapes is what makes you fall in love with Hoi An, local people make you love this town to the moon and back. The quiet ambience does not seem to leave any interest in visitors but later on you will be captivated by this slo-mo background any second. And local people, in harmony with this scene, are both kind and warm. Thus, Hoi An is always among the best destinations to be included in many day tours and multi-day accessible guided tours in Vietnam. 

Don’t worry if you step into a shophouse and go out not finding an item you want, the local seller just says goodbye with a warm smile. In Hoi An, it’s really hard to see any vendors who try to bug you to sell their goods. In a café or on a trip boat, you will meet and sometimes have a good chance to hear local people proudly tell about their lovely town.

6. Plenty of activities for nightlife enthusiasts

When the night comes, the town does not go to sleep. In contrast, it is a little bit noisier as the whole area is filled with fascinating activities. Unlike Ho Chi Minh City which is always full of noise and endless parties, nightlife in Hoi An is lively in its own distinctive way. You won’t hear loud music from noisy bars though Hoi An has some, you see music and performance taking place along the riverfront. 

It’s nighttime and it’s time for releasing candle lit lanterns into the Hoai River and watching it float away. This tradition is believed to bring good fortune and love. If you are more interested in food and handicrafts, mingle with the crowd in Hoi An night market. Or if you love to experience cultural vibes then join Bai choi, a bingo-like traditional game – a good bet to get some gifts.    

7. Hoi An – The town of world-class hotels

Don’t confuse the ancient town and old-fashioned accommodations. There is nothing to stop you from enjoying the most comfortable stay you deserve. Hoi An will fill your vacation with relaxation and fantastic moments.

These hotels and resorts offer a great chance for you to enjoy the beach scene, see the sun and feel the breeze. If you’re aesthetes then the architectural styles of these hotels will never upset you for a while. Take note of some high-class hotels: Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa, The Palm Garden Beach Hoi An, Sunrise Premium Resort Hoi An, Golden Sand Resort & Spa Hoi An, Almanity Hoi An Wellness Resort. Get ready to experience top-notch amenities and exceptional services!

Hoi An is just a little town that you can reach all of its attractions within just a day. But you won’t want your trip to be that short, check out Da Nang – Hoi An – Hue tour to make the most of your travel experience in Central Vietnam.

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Trinh Tran written for Maika Tours 

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