Three days in Hoi An sounds like it might not be enough. Then you arrive, slip into the pace of the ancient town, and realize three days is perfectly designed for a place like this — leisurely mornings, long lunches, golden-hour lantern light. Here's how to spend every hour.
Why Hoi An Rewards Slow Travel
Hoi An is one of Southeast Asia's best-preserved trading ports, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where tailors still work by hand, fishermen still paddle basket boats at sunrise, and the night market still smells of white rose dumplings. It's small enough to walk everywhere in the old town, and the surrounding countryside — rice paddies, beaches, bicycle-friendly paths — keeps you from ever feeling cooped up.
Daily budget ranges:
- Budget backpacker: ~$20/day (hostel, street food, bicycle rental)
- Mid-range: ~$50/day (guesthouse, sit-down meals, guided experiences)
- Comfort: ~$140/day (boutique hotel, cooking class, private transfers)
Getting to Hoi An
Hoi An has no airport or train station. The main entry point is Da Nang International Airport (DAD), 30 km north.
| Option | Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Grab/taxi from Da Nang Airport | ~$8–12 USD | 45 min |
| Shared minivan from Da Nang | ~$3–4 USD | 1 hr |
| Xe ôm (motorbike taxi) | ~$5–7 USD | 40 min |
| Private car transfer (pre-booked) | ~$18–22 USD | 40 min |
Most travelers fly into Da Nang and take a Grab to Hoi An. Book through the app — prices are fixed and drivers are reliable.
Day 1: The Ancient Town at Its Best
Morning: Japanese Covered Bridge & Old Town Wander
Start at the Japanese Covered Bridge (Cầu Nhật Bản) before 8 AM — this 400-year-old wooden bridge is one of Vietnam's most photographed spots and gets crowded fast. Admission to the Ancient Town Assembly Hall circuit is 120,000 VND (~$5) and covers entry to five heritage sites including the Phúc Kiến Assembly Hall, arguably the most ornate.
From there, wander through the old town's maze of streets. Highlights:
- Tan Ky Ancient House (101 Nguyễn Thái Học) — 200-year-old merchant house, free but tip expected
- Phúc Kiến Assembly Hall — Chinese community hall with courtyard shrines and dragon columns
- Morning Market on Bạch Đằng — locals buy produce, fish, and fresh noodles from 6–9 AM
Lunch: Cơm Gà & White Rose Dumplings
Hoi An has two iconic dishes:
- Cơm Gà Hội An (chicken rice) — best at Cơm Gà Bà Buội on Phan Chu Trinh St, ~35,000 VND ($1.40)
- Bánh Bao Bánh Vạc (white rose dumplings) — delicate shrimp dumplings only found in Hoi An. Try them at White Rose Restaurant, 533 Hai Ba Trung St, ~60,000 VND
Afternoon: Tailors & Shopping
Hoi An's 400+ tailors can make custom clothes in 24–48 hours. For quality and fair prices, visit:
- Yaly Couture (47 Nguyễn Thái Học) — reliable, English-speaking, popular with expats
- A Dong Silk (40 Lê Lợi) — good for silk ao dai and dresses
Budget $40–80 for a well-made dress or suit. Order today, pick up on Day 3.
Sunset: Riverside Lanterns
The Thu Bồn River at sunset is magic. Rent a paper lantern boat from the riverside (~50,000 VND, ~$2) and float down the river as the lanterns light up. Grab a seat at Mango Mango Restaurant or Morning Glory Restaurant for riverside dinner.
Day 2: Beach Day + Countryside
Morning: An Bàng Beach
Hoi An is 5 km from the sea. Rent a bicycle (~$2/day from your guesthouse) and cycle to An Bàng Beach — quieter and more local than Cửa Đại Beach. The ride takes 20 minutes through rice paddies and is half the fun.
Arrive by 8 AM to beat the midday heat. Beach lounger and umbrella: ~60,000–80,000 VND at the beach bars. Soul Kitchen and La Plage are the go-to spots for food and drinks on the sand.
Afternoon: Tra Que Vegetable Village & Cooking Class
Tra Que Vegetable Village, 3 km north of town, is a working organic farm that supplies herbs to Hoi An's restaurants. Afternoon activities here:
| Activity | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Farm tour | Free (small tip) | 1 hr |
| Cooking class at the farm | $20–25 USD | 3 hrs |
| Morning Glory cooking class (town) | $28–35 USD | 3 hrs |
The cooking class at Tra Que or Morning Glory is one of the best value experiences in Vietnam — you shop the market, cook 4–5 dishes, eat them all. Book ahead via their websites.
Evening: Night Market
The Hoi An Night Market on Nguyễn Hoàng Street runs nightly from about 5 PM. Lanterns, souvenirs, fresh juices. Eat Cao Lầu (thick noodles with char siu pork, only authentic when made with water from a local well) from one of the street stalls — 40,000–60,000 VND.
Day 3: My Son Sanctuary Day Trip + Departure Prep
Morning: My Son Sanctuary
Leave early (7 AM) for My Son Sanctuary — a 2nd–15th century Hindu temple complex built by the Cham kingdom, 45 km from Hoi An and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its own right.
| Option | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shared tour from Hoi An | $8–12 USD | Includes transport + guide |
| Private car + guide | $30–40 USD | Flexible timing |
| Entry to My Son | 150,000 VND ($6) | Included in most tours |
Get there before 9 AM — the ruins are stunning in early morning light before the tour buses arrive. Wear light clothes; it gets hot fast.
Afternoon: Pick Up Tailoring & Final Wanders
Back in Hoi An by 1–2 PM, pick up your custom tailoring orders (try everything on before leaving — most tailors will adjust on the spot).
A final stroll through the pottery village of Thanh Hà (3 km west of town) makes for a pleasant afternoon — artisans have been making terracotta pottery here for 500 years. Free entry, small charge for workshops.
Catch a final sunset from the Japanese Covered Bridge as the lanterns come up — same as Day 1 but worth seeing twice.
Where to Stay in Hoi An
| Category | Hotel | Price/Night |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Hoi An Backpackers Hostel | $8–12 USD (dorm) |
| Mid-range | La Siesta Premium Hoi An | $35–55 USD |
| Boutique | Anantara Hoi An Resort | $110–180 USD |
| Luxury | Four Seasons The Nam Hai | $350–500 USD |
Stay within the Old Town or within cycling distance. Hotels across the river from the main tourist strip offer better value with easy walking access.
Getting Around Hoi An
Hoi An is made for exploring on foot or by bicycle. Motorbike taxis (Grab Bike) are useful for trips to the beach or My Son.
- Bicycle rental: $1.50–2 USD/day from almost any guesthouse
- Grab: Available and cheap ($1–3 for most in-town trips)
- Walking: The entire Old Town is walkable and mostly pedestrianized in the evenings
Practical Tips
- Hoi An Ancient Town ticket (120,000 VND) covers 5 sites — buy it once and keep it
- Cash is king: Small shops, street food stalls, and tailors prefer VND. ATMs on Trần Hưng Đạo St charge ~$3 fees
- Rainy season: October–November brings flooding; the Old Town can flood ankle-deep. Pack sandals, not sneakers
- Bargain gently: Prices are already low; aggressive bargaining is considered rude here
- Electricity: Vietnam uses 220V, Type A/C plugs
Plan Your Hoi An Trip With Faroway
Three days in Hoi An is easy to plan but hard to optimize on your own — do you skip My Son for more beach time? Which cooking class fits your schedule? Should you arrive by bus from Hue or fly into Da Nang?
Faroway takes your travel style, dates, and interests and builds a personalized day-by-day Hoi An itinerary in seconds — including restaurant picks, activity sequencing, and budget breakdowns. Free to use. No sign-up required to get your first itinerary.
Try it before your next Vietnam trip — it'll save you hours of tab-hopping.
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