24 hours in Hoi An

In Quang Nam, besides strolling through the old town, tourists can visit Tra Que vegetable village and go kayaking on the De Vong River.

Below is a sharing from Phan Anh Minh, 32 years old, a hotel manager in Hoi An, about the itinerary for sightseeing and activities in this famous tourist destination in Central Vietnam. These are the activities Minh often suggests to tourists.

Morning

Begin your exploration of Hoi An with a sidecar tour to Tra Que vegetable village, located about 4 km from the ancient town center. This is one of the services favored by international tourists, costing over 1.2 million VND for a two-hour tour for two people per motorbike. It's best to go early before the sun rises.

The vegetable village, spanning over 18 hectares and situated beside the Co Co River in Cam Ha commune, is enriched by year-round alluvial soil and boasts more than 40 varieties of vegetables. The most famous among them are basil, onions, coriander, and water spinach, grown from seeds rather than cuttings. Tra Que supplies clean vegetables to supermarkets and hotels in the region and is a popular tourist attraction, drawing hundreds of visitors daily.

Tourists ride sidecars around the old town. Photo: Victoria Hoi An

Visitors can also cycle here. In addition to free admission, visitors can participate in cooking classes and watering plants like farmers. This is an experience that young visitors love.

Visitors can also visit the Bay Mau mangrove forest, spanning over 10 hectares in Cam Thanh commune, more than 3 km from the Old Quarter, and experience rowing a basket boat. Each boat accommodates a maximum of two people. To visit the mangrove forest, visitors must purchase an entrance ticket for 30,000 VND (children free). The price is 150,000 VND per boat.

Visitors can also watch boat dance performances and learn how to make toys from nipa palm leaves such as bracelets, glasses, rings, hats, and souvenirs. If you visit Bay Mau in the 8th lunar month, you will be able to enjoy ripe nipa palm coconuts with their crispy and sweet flesh.

midday and afternoon

Besides swimming at An Bang and Cua Dai beaches or visiting Cham Island, tourists can experience kayaking on the De Vong River or sailing on the sea (cataraman), costing 840,000 VND per hour for two people. Sailing depends on the sea breeze. According to Mr. Minh, the best time to sail is around 2 PM.

Enjoying the view of Hoi An from above while sitting on the third floor of Faifo Cafe right in the heart of the old town, or stopping by Mot Cafe to buy herbal drinks, are also great suggestions.

Hoi An offers a wide variety of food options, including banh mi (Vietnamese sandwiches), cao lau (noodle soup), Quang noodles, chicken rice, banh xeo (Vietnamese savory pancake), vegetarian rice, banh bao vac (steamed buns), and various sweet soups such as lotus seed, mung bean, tofu pudding, mango cake, and pork skin. Snacks and sweet soups start from 5,000 VND. Main courses range from 35,000 to 70,000 VND. Some famous eateries include: Ba Buoi's chicken rice, Phuong or Madam Khanh's banh mi, Thanh's cao lau, Bong Hong Trang's banh bao vac, and Chau Quan.

Evening

Many people visit the old town during the day, but the evening is a different experience. When the streets and riverbanks are illuminated by colorful lanterns, Hoi An's old town becomes more "mysterious and magnificent," according to Minh.

Hoi An Old Town becomes quieter after 10 PM. Photo: Phuong Anh

Around 9 PM, the old town is less crowded, but the lanterns are still lit, making it the perfect time for those who enjoy a slower pace of life. Beyond the bustling areas along the Hoai River, visitors can stroll through the narrow alleys. "You'll feel the ancient, nostalgic atmosphere. It will be a very different Hoi An than you know during the day," Minh said.

After a busy day, visitors can treat themselves to a leisurely stroll in the evening or enjoy drinks with friends in the bars of the old town. Before that, if you have an art appreciation, you can sign up for the Memories of Hoi An show, but remember to buy tickets in advance.

Accommodation

Depending on your travel preferences, you can stay for one or more days. If you want to combine a visit to Da Nang or Hue, you can book a room at a hotel in Da Nang city and take a taxi to Hoi An ancient town.

If your trip is solely focused on exploring the area, you can book accommodation at Victoria Nam Hoi An (4 km from the Old Town, 5 km from Tra Que Vegetable Village, and right next to Cua Dai Beach) or ÊMM (located right next to the Old Town, about a 5-minute walk). For a more relaxing getaway, you can visit TUI Blue Nam Hoi An, which is about 1 km from Tam Tien Fish Market. In the morning, visitors can go to the fish market, have breakfast there, and watch the sunrise at 5:30 AM. However, this place is about 50 km from the Old Town, making it suitable for travelers who want a completely relaxing vacation.

Phuong Anh

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