Initially, we planned to spend just two days in Hoi An, with a food tour scheduled for the first day and a beach visit on the second. However, due to an unexpected change in our return flight, we ended up with an extra day. A great suggestion would have been to visit Hue, a city rich in history and culture, but that will have to wait for another time.
Highlights in Hoi An
Food tour – The original Taste of Hoi An
This tour was highly rated and came highly recommended, so it was one of the things I most wanted to do. It was worth every penny!
One of the tour’s signature highlights is the opportunity to try more than 40 varieties of local foods, snacks, and beverages. While I didn’t count them, there were indeed many! You can find all the details about the tour here, and I assure you, you won’t regret it.
This is not just a food tour but also a lesson in the life of the Vietnamese people. During the tour, I learned about the Agent Orange, a highly toxic herbicide used during the Vietnam War. This chemical caused and continues to cause serious health problems, including cancers, birth defects, and neurological disorders among affected populations in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. The impact on forests and vegetation was also devastating, as the chemical’s effects take decades to disappear. The tour team supports associations that help victims of the Agent Orange, and if you wish to contribute, just talk to them.
The entire team was spectacular, and the lovely Hien helped us a lot with Maria Rita while we tasted the many delicious food served to us.
Photos from the ‘The Original Taste of Hoi An’ tour, which began with a visit to the local market.
Photo 1: The best fried banana ever.
Photo 2: The variety of fruits and vegetables at the market.
Photo 3: Black sesame seed pudding.
Photo 4: An example of the many local foods we tried.
Old town of Hoi An
I suggest visiting the historic centre both during the day and at night, as they offer completely different experiences. During the day, you can enter various historical attractions in Hoi An, for which you’ll need to purchase a ticket that grants access to five of these attractions. At night, the centre transforms with all the lantern lights along the river.
We just wandered around the city and didn’t go into any of the attractions, as the city itself is a true attraction, but here are some highlights:
Don’t miss the Hoi An night market, which sells a wide range of Southeast Asian trinkets, as well as many affordable decorative items and, of course, the famous lanterns. If you are interested, there are also workshops where you can learn to make your own lanterns.
See more images of Hoi An’s old town and other suggestions here.
Day trip to Hue
Hue was the capital of Vietnam during the last imperial reign of the Nguyen dynasty, which lasted from 1802 to 1945. It is renowned for its architectural legacy, including palaces, temples, and imperial tombs.
Main attractions in Hue:
The journey from Hoi An to Hue takes about three hours by car, making it a long day trip. Depending on the time of year, this region can get quite hot, so dress comfortably.
See more images of Hue here.
And here is a link to a day tour to Hue in Get Your Guide.
Beach time
During our stay in Hoi An we took advantage of the free shuttle service from our hotel to visit An Bang beach. We didn’t have high expectations as it was the rainy season, and it turned out that the beach wasn’t great (rough seas and wind). However, we had a lovely morning with a family staying at the same hotel at one of the many beach bars/restaurants which looked quite inviting. Some of the bars/restaurants even have their own swimming pool. Check out the post Where to eat in Hoi An, which includes a restaurant at An Bang beach.
In addition to An Bang, we received a recommendation from friends who visited Hoi An in April, during the hot season, to check out the Hidden Beach. They highly recommended this beach, even though there were some jellyfish in the water. To see the exact location of Hidden Beach, click here.
Exploring Hoi An countryside
Exploring the rural area of Hoi An offers a glimpse into the traditional way of life in the countryside and the picturesque landscapes surrounding this historic city.
There are many tours available that typically include a visit to the Thanh Ha pottery village, observing water buffaloes at work in the agricultural fields, and the traditional bamboo basket boat ride.
Here is a suggestion for a rural area tour from Get Your Guide.
Bicycle tours are also very popular for visiting the countryside. You can check out this other option on Get Your Guide.
My Son Sanctuary
This temple complex, also a UNESCO World Heritage site, is located about an hour’s drive from Hoi An. Discover more about it here.
Here is a link to a tour that includes visits to both My Son Sanctuary and Marble Mountains on Get Your Guide.
Trip to Da Nang
For more info on the main attractions in Da Nang and tours suggestions, refer to the post Arrival in Hoi An. Here, you’ll find comprehensive details to help you plan your visit to Da Nang.
Don’t miss all the posts about our stay in Hoi An here.
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