Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Hoi An?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Hoi An?
Many visitors spend two to three days in Hoi An during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The town offers the chance to browse around the old town, dine out at amazing restaurants, find the best deals at the shops, and spend time at the museums.
Hội An is a charming town on the central coast of Vietnam. The old town is filled with yellow buildings and in the evening it lights up with lanterns. The town's local cuisine can only be found in this setting, so don't miss out on the truly unique dishes. Tailor made clothing is also a local specialty.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Hoi An? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Hoi An?
Three days in Hoi An is often considered ideal, as many tourists spend approximately two to three days here. This amount of time is perfect to browse around the old town, dine out at amazing restaurants, find the best deals at the shops, and spend time at the museums. Further down, you'll find our recommendations to kick off your adventure.
How to spend 3 days in Hoi An
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The charming old town is recognizable for its striking yellow color and its many tailor shops. It feels like a living museum, and the evening hours are particularly special with the town's lanterns lighting the way.
The culinary scene in Hoi An is world famous, and draws visitors from around the globe. Make sure you spend time enjoying breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this town's best restaurants. And consider a food tour, too. Many are either a half day or just a few hours, so you can fit one into your schedule easily. The local cuisine is truly unique from the rest of Vietnam. It's considered to be a culinary city with interesting recipes that depend on local ingredients that can't be found outside of the region. Specialty dishes of the city include Cao Lầu (pork and rice noodles), Bánh Bao Bánh Vạc (white rose dumplings), and Cơm Gà Hoi An (Hoi An chicken rice).
Hoi An is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the town, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. There are "walking hours" when motorized vehicles aren't allowed in the old town, and this is a particularly good time to explore on foot.
Shopping in Hoi An is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. It is considered to be one of the best and most affordable cities in the world for tailor made clothing. Pop in a shop and have your measurements made. You can pick out a design and in a day or two return for your custom made outfit. It's a truly unique shopping experience.
Hoi An is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The city is beautiful during the day with its traditional architecture, as well as at night when it is lit with lanterns.
The public transit in Hoi An is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the town quite easily and affordably. Biking, taxis, and motorbikes are the most popular ways to explore the area.
A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Hoi An, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. The old town is like a living museum. It's pedestrian-friendly and filled with beautiful yellow buildings. Highlights of the town include the Phung Hung House, Fukian Assembly Hall, and the Hoi An Museum.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Hoi An.
Is 4 days enough time in Hoi An?
Four days is more than sufficient for an in-depth trip to Hoi An, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. Browse around the old town, dine out at amazing restaurants, find the best deals at the shops, and spend time at the museums on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel or use Hoi An as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding area.
Hoi An, Vietnam
How to spend 4 days in Hoi An
If you have more than 4 days in Hoi An, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the town has to offer.
Perhaps the most famous spot in Hoi An is the Fukian Assembly Hall, so make sure you set aside some time to check it out. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Hoi An.
Is 5 days enough time in Hoi An?
Five days is more than enough time to see everything that Hoi An has to offer. Many visitors prefer to spend two to three days here, so you'll be able to take in all of the historic old town, the food, shopping, and the famous sights and museums at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then you can take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.
How to spend 5 days in Hoi An
Having 5 days in Hoi An will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the town.
The beautiful beaches await you in Hoi An, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. There is a long stretch of sandy beach in the area, that can be broken into five different sections. Some areas are privately owned, but there is still plenty of public beach to choose from. An Bang Beach is the most developed and popular beach in the area. Coconut Beach is the most luxurious, and Ha My Beach is similar to An Bang, but smaller.
A few tour suggestions include:
- My Son - Danang from Tien Sa cruise harbor ($150)
- Cruiseship Trip from TIEN SA or CHAN MAY Port to MY SON HOLYLAND & HOI AN City ($154)
- Cruiseship Trip from TIEN SA or CHAN MAY Port to MY SON HOLYLAND & DA NANG City ($154)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Hoi An.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Hoi An, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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