Hoi An Itinerary: The Ultimate 4 Days

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Whenever ANYONE asks me where my favorite place is that I have visited in Vietnam, without thinking twice, it’s a very set-in-stone decision that it’s Hoi An. It’s one place I recommend to any traveler that I know is visiting the country.

I’ve visited multiple times, doing solo trips, ones with friends, romantic stays, and even family time with my in-laws. My father-in-law loves it as much as I do and has also visited numerous times. He often says he’d love to retire here, and although retirement is nowhere on my cards yet, I don’t blame him. 

Is Hoi An worth visiting?

It’s magical. It’s unlike anywhere on this planet. It’s one of the most picturesque places I’ve set foot in. Lanterns dangling from street to street, strung on poles and flitting on terra cotta rooftops. The interlinked alleys are cobbled. There are handicrafts of coconut bowls spilling out on tables and silk fabrics whistling in the wind. The smell of coffee and local delights fills the air. Temple tops peek out into the roads. The river runs alongside the Ancient Town, filled with bamboo baskets, and at night, hundreds of lanterns sparkle in the water. 

Sounds like a dream, right? THAT’S BECAUSE IT IS! I suggest you hop on this bandwagon, ASAP! So, it’s a very easy yes from me to answer the question. 

My perfect number of days here is four. Sure, two days is enough, but you’re going to fall so in love and not want to leave, hence I’ve compiled the perfect 4-day Hoi An itinerary. 

Explore the streets, ins and outs of the Ancient Town, spend the day down at the ocean, feast on seafood, explore local villages during bicycle rides, and even enjoy some day trips! 

Best area to stay in Hoi An 

For me, there are two options. In and around the Ancient Town (this includes across the river or the surroundings outside of the heart of the Old Town streets) or down by An Bang Beach. Hoi An is filled with guest houses, hotels (although none of these crazy built-up ones), backpackers,  apartments, and private homes/villas to rent. 

There are so many wonderful (and affordable options considering the setup) around Hoi An Ancient Town, including Hoianan Boutique Hotel (love the bathtubs) and River Suites Hoi An Hotel (on the water). Other excellent options are Southern Hotel Hoi An and Lantana Boutique Hotel Hoi An. 

Keen on waking up to the sound of the ocean? I love the nautical vibes of The Linh Coastline Villa. For all the niceties, check into JM Hoi An Beach Hotel. Sol An Bang Beach Resort & Spa is like its own piece of paradise. Lastly, Seaside An Bang Homestay gives all those classic Southeast Asian vibes!

Day 1: Old Town 

Morning

There’s only one thing to do the moment you arrive in Hoi An: Explore its magical Ancient Town! It’s one of my favorite places on planet Earth, even after years of traveling the world.  

Either you’ll be arriving and checking in, or waking up for Day 1 of your Hoi An itinerary already here. I recommend grabbing brekkie in the Old Town at one of its cute cafes, and then it’s off to hit the streets for a couple hours’ worth of shopping, strolling, and photo-taking. Trust me, the hours fly by because these quaint streets are just so photogenic! 

Looking for divine cafe options for breakfast or a late brunch? Here are some of my personal best cafes in the heart of Old Town – specialty coffee options included! 

I am a #proud shopaholic, so I often catch myself spending a good three to four hours moseying around and shopping. But I think that even if you’re not one for it, you’ll still find yourself falling into this rhythm here. 

Did you know Hoi An is renowned for its: 

• Leather goods 
• Tailor-made clothing 
• Handcrafted lanterns 
• Handicrafts

If there’s one city to save your shopping for in Vietnam, it’s here. Some shops I’ve loved over the years include Blue Lotus Leather, Buffalo Leather Shop, Sunday in Hoi An, Two Ladies Tailor, and Metiseko.   

Afternoon 

Whilst I lived in Hanoi, one of the reasons I loved vacationing in Hoi An was for the…food! Growing up next to the ocean, I have always been a seafood lover. 

Hanoi is in the north and doesn’t offer the best variety of it. The beach is on your doorstep in this town, so take advantage!  

Just like every Vietnamese region/town/village, Hoi An has its own speciality dishes, for example, cao lầu. If you’re in the mood for fresh seafood, head down to the beachside. Or, stick around in the Old Town and hit up one of the restaurants here, like Cao lầu Không Gian Xanh. 

It’s back into the Ancient Town for further explorations, this time focusing on the temples. There are smaller temples located down the alleys (this part of Hoi An can feel like a maze with all its little terra cotta, yellow, and lantern-lined intertwining roads), as well as some of the more popular – and busier. 

Must-check temple landmarks? 

• Chua Ong Pagoda: A UNESCO World Heritage Site  
• Chùa Bà Mụ: For exquisite architecture 
• Fujian Assembly Hall: An 18th-century site 

Evening 

Start your evening at the Hoi An Night Market, and either stay here for dinner or opt for a restaurant nearby. 

Don’t confuse the Night Market with the daytime one. The nightly affair is located on the island opposite the main part of the Ancient Town, crossing the Hoi An Bridge to reach it. This main bridge is impossible to miss. It’s jam-packed with tourists and those letting off floating lanterns. 

Day 2: Beach Day Vibes 

Morning 

If Day 1 of your picturesque Hoi An itinerary was getting familiarized with the Ancient Town, Day 2 is all reserved for some TLSea. Plus, you walked around a lot yesterday, so what’s better than cocktails and sunshine? (Hint: nothing!) 

If your accommodation doesn’t include breakfast, pick one of Hoi An’s cafes, like Rosie’s, but pack your beach bag beforehand so you can hit the ocean immediately after. 

Another option is to enjoy breakfast with sea views down at the beach, but I find the cafes do better breakfast vibes in town. Living in Vietnam, we always rent motorbikes in Hoi An, which is convenient for getting to and from the beach. But you can always rely on a Grab bike (xe om) or taxi to transport you. 

It’s a short 10 to 15-minute drive either way to Hoi An’s main beach, An Bang Beach. 

Again, some more options for you to choose from. You can pay to use sun loungers from one of the many F&B outlets scattered along the beach (a mix of restaurants, cafes, accommodation, and bars), or you can create your own setup on the sands. 

Typically, how it works is if you order food and/or drinks from one of the eateries, you can use their beach furniture. 

Afternoon  

Pick one of the beachfront restaurants for lunch. Then, spend the rest of the day frolicking in the waves, playing beach games, or if you need a retreat from the sun, take shade and enjoy some more cocktails. 

Not so keen on the busy beach vibes? Then consider one of Hoi An’s lesser-known beach spots.  

Travel Insighter tip: Uncover more day trip ideas from Hoi An here! 

Evening

I could spend the entire morning, afternoon, and into the night hanging on sandy shores, but that’s because I am secretly a mermaid! If you’re done with the sand for today, get cleaned up and head back into the Ancient Town for dinner. Or, stick around for supper on the beach. 

The Hoi An Night Market offers so much – we usually spend a couple of nights mixing it up between eating here and at the Ancient Town restaurants. If you’re looking for some fantastic vegetarian and vegan dinner options for your Hoi An itinerary, check out these 9 best vegan restaurants. 

P.S. One of my favorite treats at the night market is rolled ice cream for dessert! The last time I was there, the vendor was located right along the riverside promenade part of the market. 

Day 3: Day Trip 

Morning + Afternoon  

We all have our preferences. Some prefer to make Danang home base and then visit Hoi An as a day trip. However, I always recommend the other way round. Danang is definitely more city vibes, whereas Hoi An exudes a special kind of uniqueness that is hard to find. So, why stay in the city when you can always have this option at your fingertips around the world? 

For Day 3 of this Hoi An itinerary, it’s time to spread your wings a little, and either spend the day venturing around Danang, where you’ll go shopping, eating, and chilling at the beach.  

Discover: The best beaches in and around Danang. 

Or, instead of Danang, opt for a boat snorkeling excursion to Cham Island (forming part of Cu Lao Cham Marine Park). To make life easier, plan and book an organized tour/excursion to the island, where all logistics are taken care of for you. Realistically, a day trip to Cham Island takes between six and eight hours, so it’s a full day out. 

Morning + Afternoon in Hoi An 

Not much of a day-trip kind of traveler? Not to fear, there are loads to see and experience right near Hoi An. Some other excursions and things to do during your Hoi An itinerary include: 

1. A bamboo basket boat ride through Bay Mau Coconut Forest’s coconut tree-laden groves – iconic! 
2. Head to Taboo Bamboo Workshop and learn the art of crafting things out of one of the country’s most widely used materials. 
3. Step inside a ceramics world at Thanh Ha Pottery Village, just outside of town. Travelers often enjoy cycling here, too. 
4. Rent a bicycle and cruise through Cam Kim Island’s rice fields, where you’ll see locals go about their daily lives. Pull over and stop for a chat, even if the language is a barrier, the Vietnamese are so friendly and always up for conversation! It’s also a renowned woodcrafting mecca. 

Love working with your hands? Check out more art and craft-related workshops in Hoi An here, for example, lantern-making!

Lunch plans? For something extraordinary, dine within the coconut groves and along the river at The Basket Boat Cafe & Restaurant. Or for a refined afternoon lunch, where charcuterie boards and expert cocktails beckon, head to The Hill Station in the old town. 

Evening 

If you opted for the snorkeling/boat excursion to Cham Island, I’d say skip this next one, as you probably want to spend some time with your feet on land. But if you’ve arrived back from Danang or a day around Hoi An, then a sunset dinner cruise is on the cards for tonight’s plans. 

Multiple local boat tour operators offer these, so it all depends on the type of cruise and dinner you’d prefer. Hop on board The Merchant River Cruise for a five-course feast, inspired by the Spice Route. Cinnamon Cruises offer romantic sunset dinner cruises under the gleam of lanterns. 

Here are some other lovely sunset dinner cruise options to book. 

Once you’re back in Hoi An, if you want to end off your last night of this Hoi An itinerary with a glass of wine and gorgeous vistas over the sparkling waters, head to one of the town’s fancy rooftops at Bliss Hoi An, The Deck Bar, or Nom Sky Bar. 

Day 4: Final moments 

Not zooting off to Danang to catch a flight to your next destination? If time is NOT of the essence for you, here are some other fun activities and things to do on the final day of your Hoi An itinerary. 

1. Hoi An Memories Island

Fall into a world of traditions and things that have made Hoi An such a one-of-a-kind destination, but also one influenced by various cultures over the years at Hoi An Memories Island. The theme park is split into various zones, each one telling of what to expect. These are the Trade Quarters, Vietnamese Village, Countryside Food Area, Spirituality Section, Japanese Village, Chinese Village, Love Bridge, and Central Square. 

2. Tra Que Vegetable Village

Fascinated by permaculture or consider yourself a budding foodie? Then you’ll love the Tra Que Vegetable Village (part of the Cam Ha Commune). You don’t need to spend hours here, so it’s a lovely morning activity. But you’ll see how locals cultivate their produce through the gardens, and also get to learn and taste quintessential Vietnamese herbs and veggies. 

I’ll never forget when I first moved to Hanoi and walked through my first (tiny) local food market. Despite its size, the array of herbs and vegetables I had never seen before was so fascinating! 

Visit the farmlands as part of a pre-booked tour or join a cooking class here. 

3. Old House of Tan Ky 

Conveniently situated in the Old Town, you don’t need more than half an hour at the Old House of Tan Ky. It’s an awesome last-chance landmark to witness, showcasing the town’s amalgamation of cultures through architecture and traditions at this heritage building. 

And that’s a wrap for this exciting, cultural yet restful 4 day Hoi An itinerary. Hoi An forms part of Quang Nam Province and is conveniently located in Central Vietnam. So at this point, the world (and by that I mean the country) is your oyster. Can’t decide between the north or south of Vietnam?

Heading South? If you’re off to Ho Chi Minh City next, use my 3-day itinerary to set you off in the right direction. Or why not choose Nha Trang (another very cool Southern coastal city) instead? Rather veering north? I’ve compiled an EPIC, jam-packed 2-week Northern Vietnam itinerary for you to use as a local guide. If you’ve only got time left for the capital city, here are some unusual things to do in Hanoi. Keen to stay in your immediate-ish surroundings? I HIGHLY recommend Hue – and the drive over the pass is half the beauty of this Central Vietnam adventure, not to be missed. 

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