Hoi An Ancient Town

Phố cổ Hội An

A UNESCO World Heritage port town with yellow-walled old houses, the Japanese Covered Bridge and thousands of lanterns on the Thu Bon River. It is most enchanting after dark.

Hoi An was one of Southeast Asia's most important international trading ports between the 15th and 19th centuries, and it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. The old town preserves more than a thousand wooden houses that blend Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and French styles, centred on Tran Phu Street, Nguyen Thai Hoc Street and Bach Dang Street along the Thu Bon River. Highlights include the 17th-century Japanese Covered Bridge (Lai Vien Bridge, restored in 2024), the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, the Quang Trieu Assembly Hall, the Tan Ky Ancient House and traditional craft demonstrations. Entry requires a 120,000 VND combined ticket, which lets you visit any five paid heritage sites; buy it at the ticket booths at the entrances. Visit after 4:00 pm. Explore the old houses and assembly halls first, then, once the sun sets, the lanterns light up along the river. For 100,000 to 150,000 VND you can take a small boat and release a lantern on the river. The most spectacular night is the 14th day of each lunar month, when the whole town turns off its lights and only the lanterns glow. Motor vehicles are banned from the old town during the day, so walking or renting a bicycle is best. Hoi An is also the place to have custom suits, ao dai and leather shoes made. Items can be collected within 24 hours, and prices are negotiable. Local specialities include cao lau, white rose dumplings and Hoi An chicken rice. Notes: Night markets are crowded, so keep an eye on your belongings. In the rainy season, when the river rises, Bach Dang Street often floods.

Hoi An Ancient Town

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