Located on Vietnam’s Central Coast, Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This ancient town is a perfect example of a well preserved South East Asian trading port that dates back to the 15th –19th Century. Take a walk through Hoi An and you’ll know why this quaint little town still constantly attracts travellers from around the globe. Hoi An is a small city that is easily covered in a single day by foot, but with these suggested tours, you might be tempted to extend your stay.
1. Hoi An cooking lessons (from USD 46.0)
Sign up for a cooking lesson with Sabirama and impress your guests back home. Children are also welcome on this tour, as there are activities for them to engage in. If you have any special dietary requirements (e.g. Vegetarian), do advise at the time of booking. The tour starts with the sourcing of ingredients for the meal you’ll be whipping up. Visitors will then be taken on a boat trip up the Thu Bon River to the Water Coconut Grove. From here, you’ll embark on an enjoyable buffalo cart ride through the countryside, to the cooking class. The class is in English and ends with savouring the fruits of your labour. Do note that this tour is approximately 5 hours long.
Sabirama Cooking Class
Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
2. Hoi An Walking Tour (from 48.76 USD (Entrance fee to Hoi An Ancient Town Included))
Here are two tours tailored just for first-time visitors to Hoi An’s Ancient Town.
(A) Full Day Tour This 8-hour tour is sure to unravel all of Hoi An’s hidden treasures. Locations include the famous Japanese Bridge and the Chinese Assembly Halls. Constructed in the 1590s by the Japanese community as a link to the Chinese quarters of Hoi An, the ornamentation of the bridge, despite refurbishments, remains relatively faithful to the original design. Look for the dog and monkey sculptures, which signify the year that construction began and the year in which it was completed. It is said that the bridge may be scheduled for complete removal for repair, so do not be disappointed if this item is removed from the itinerary.
Continue the day with visits to shrines and a visit to the local market. This area is also famous for shopping. Do bring extra cash if you intend to purchase some tidbits or lanterns along the way. In the late afternoon, a 4-kilometer (2.4 mile) bicycle ride to Cua Dai is planned. The bicycle rental fee is also included in the cost of the tour. If you have children or elderly along, this tour might not be suitable. Lunch is included in the itinerary, but beverages and snacks along the way are budgeted to your own expenses.
Hoi An Full Day Tour
Pick Up Location: Your Hoi An city hotel
Price: from 48.76 USD (Entrance fee to Hoi An Ancient Town Included)
Duration: 8 Hours
Website:
(B) Half Day Tour This tour commences at 1:30pm and ends by approximately 5pm. This tour includes stops at several landmarks, such as Chua Ong Pagoda and Tan Ky House. It ends with a boat trip along Thu Bon River. Similar to the full day tour option, you’ll get to see the coveted attraction, the Japanese Bridge. Do note that this is a small group tour, limited to a maximum of 8 people. So, it’s best to express your interest early on to avoid disappointment.
Hoi An Half Day Tour
Pick Up Location: Your Hoi An city hotel
Price: from 42 USD (Entrance fee to Hoi An Ancient Town Included)
Duration: 4 Hours
Website:
3. Romantic Sunset Dinner Cruise (from USD 39.0)
Aside from history buffs, newlyweds often choose Hoi An as their honeymoon destination. In fact, Hoi An is one of the top destinations of choice for Vietnamese newlyweds too.
After a full day of sightseeing, rest your aching legs and embark on a blissful trip with your significant other down the Thu Bon River. Watch the sunset over the horizon as you sip on cocktails and feast on fresh seafood. Not a fan of cocktails? Choose from a list of wine or order a dessert. End your romantic dinner cruise by releasing candle-lit lanterns into the sky and wish for a blissful and joyous year ahead.
Note that the cost of the tour includes a welcome drink, snacks, dinner and floating lanterns. Additional costs are at the individual’s expense. Also note that there are two different operators for the tour, so depending on the option chosen, the meeting point may differ. A vegetarian option is available upon request.
Romantic Sunset Dinner Cruise in Hoi An
Duration: 2.0 hour
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Bike across Central Vietnam (from 860 USD)
This four-day, adventure-packed tour will take you across two cities in Central Vietnam and leave you wanting more. Do note that this tour involves heavy cycling, over hilly slopes and uneven terrain. Do be mentally and physically prepared, especially if you are visiting over the Summer (May – July) when the temperature may soar above 35 degrees Celsius. All meals are provided for during the tour.
On the first day, cycle 60 kilometres (37 miles) from Hue to Da Nang. You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred out of Hue City. Cycling commences from Thuan An Beach. Next, saddle up and prepare for a long ride ahead to Lang Co Beach, before cycling a steep incline to Hai Van Pass, which historically serves as a division between the Champa and Dai Viet kingdoms. Note that the route from Hue to Danang consists of steep and swerving roads, with heavy vehicles passing by every now and then. Finally, cycle along the coast and end your day in the city of Da Nang.
The following day involves cycling over a shorter distance, approximately 45 kilometres (27 miles). Prior to departure, take a visit to the Cham Museum. Located near the Han River, the museum houses the worlds’ largest collection of Cham dynasty sculptures. The tour then brings you to Marble Mountain, which overlooks the city of Da Nang. Visit the stone sculpture factory that produces sculptures of varying dimensions for local and global export. Lunch will be served in Hoi An. You will end your trip in Hoi An after a simple cycle through green paddy fields and villages.
On the third day, cycle from Hoi An to My Son, an archaeological site of the ancient Champa kingdom. Cycle back to Hoi An, where you may choose to spend the rest of the day either relaxing at the beach or exploring the Ancient Town of Hoi An.
The last day consists not of cycling, but a cooking class. You are free to opt out of the cooking class and explore Hoi An on your own. If you are worried about requiring assistance along the way after embarking on the tour, fret not! The tour is supported by a backup van/bus that is stocked with first aid supplies and drinks.
Bike Across Spectacular Vietnam: Hue to Hoi An
Address: Pick up from Hotel in Hue
Price: from 860 USD
Duration: 4 Days
Website:
5. Hoi An Old Town Food Tour By Night (from USD 37.0)
One thing not to be missed in Vietnam is their local cuisine. With this tour, you can feast on the plethora of food that is bound to satisfy even the fussiest eater. From the famous Banh Mi to the fried dumplings and Vietnamese chicken rice, you might want to bring a notebook along to take down the addresses of these places. Be sure to wear comfortable footwear, for this is a walking tour that covers most of the food within the ancient town of Hoi An. The tour is limited to 12 people per group.
Do note that this tour does not include the Hoi An Ancient Town entry ticket (USD$6/pax) or the cost of food and drinks. Children under 16 years of age are granted free entry. For USD$29, you’ll get a professional guide and a beer or coffee. Note that the minimum age to sign up for this tour is 6 years old. The tour commences at 5pm and will conclude near the Japanese Bridge.
Hoi An Old Town Food Tour with Small Group at Night
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
6. Cham Island Biosphere Reserve Day Trip (from USD 96.0)
Have an extra day in Hoi An and unsure of what to do? Here’s your answer: visit Cham Island via speedboat! Otherwise known as “Cu Lao Cham” by the locals, spend an idyllic day by the beach. You’ll be given half a day to swim, snorkel or sunbathe. This tour also includes a seafood meal for lunch, served at a local restaurant. The guides converse in fluent English and are extremely knowledgeable about the natural and cultural landmarks of Cham Island. This tour is limited to a maximum of 10 people.
Hoi An to Cham Island Biosphere Reserve Trip by Speed Boat
Duration: 6 hours
7. My Son Sanctuary Tour (from USD 32.0)
Want to catch a glimpse of the ancient Champa Kingdom? Just a few hours from Hoi An is this treat. Recognised by UNESCO as a world heritage site, My Son is a cluster of ruins that were formerly Hindu temples of the Champa Kingdom. The temples were once dedicated to worship the Hindu god, Shiva. From the 4th to 14th Century AD, this site was for religious ceremonies for kings of the Champa kingdom as well as a burial place for Cham royalties and national heroes.
Sign up for this tour and be guided by a knowledgeable guide, while visualising My Son’s former significance in the Champa kingdom. The guide speaks perfect English and the tour is limited to 8 individuals per group. There are two separate departure times, one in the morning and another in the afternoon. The round trip takes approximately 4 hours, so bring some snacks along for the ride, as the tour only includes a bottle of water.
Hoi An to My Son Sanctuary Small-Group Tour with Admission
Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
8. Lantern making (from USD 19.0)
Here is your chance to learn how to make your own miniature lantern. Offered by Lifestart Foundation, a philanthropic organisation that aims to give a new lease on life to disadvantaged locals, you will be guided through a 90-minute workshop on lantern making. Workshops are offered both in the morning and afternoon, so take your pick. All the guides converse in English.
Hoi An Lantern Making Class with Lifestart Foundation
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
There is definitely something for everyone!
Savour the culinary delights and feast your sights on the marvellous architecture that is scattered across Central Vietnam. Hoi An, a UNESCO heritage site, is definitely not a town to be missed if you’re planning a trip to Vietnam. Pack your bags, you’re in for an exciting adventure!
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to