24 Hours in Hoi An | Vietnam

Hoi An, in central Vietnam, is often included as a 3 day stay as part of a wider Vietnam holiday itinerary. Usually travellers will then head north or south. When planning trips, I’m often asked if 3 days is necessary in Hoi An and my answer is always an emphatic “Yes!” – it’s my favourite place in Vietnam. This historic UNESCO town has it all, beautiful countryside, temples nearby and a fantastic beach so it’s certainly not difficult to keep busy. But if I only had 24 hours to enjoy Hoi An, here’s what I’d get up to…

If you’re interested in food and want to experience the markets as the locals do then I’d suggest taking a scenic ride along the Hoi An river, stopping off to meet our local guide who will take you around the market to buy supplies for your Vietnamese cooking class. You’ll then head down river by boat to a scenic location to cook up a traditional Vietnamese feast to share with your classmates for lunch.

Nestled a 30 minute drive outside of Hoi An are the My Son Temples – one of the only places in Vietnam where you can see historic temples of this type which aren’t dissimilar to Angkor Wat (just smaller with less tourists!). Your guide will talk you through its fascinating history, which dates back to the 4th century right up until the Vietnam War when parts of the temples were bombed. Set against a beautiful mountain backdrop, you’ll definitely get to see a unique part of Vietnam.

There’s always time to catch an hour or two on Cau Dai beach which stretches for miles from the mouth of the river – if you are staying in town it’s a twenty minute cycle ride or if you choose to stay at one of the beach resorts, you’ll have it right on your doorstep.

For me, the best food is in Hoi An; from the local specialty ‘white rose dumplings’ to delicious French fusion. But it’s not just the food, it’s the setting! Head into town at dusk and grab yourself a table at one of the many restaurants overlooking the river and watch Hoi An (known for its lanterns) light up as darkness falls. You will suddenly realise you have been sitting for hours watching the mix of locals and travellers go by. It’s the best way to round off 24 hours in Hoi An.