Travel Guide to Hoi An

If you love culture tour, you definitely cannot miss Hoi An of Viet Nam. From the 16^th to 19^th century, it had been a magnet for Southeast Asian commerce, drawing European, Chinese, and Japanese merchants to trade silks, medicines, paper, oils, spices… Many of the merchants decided to stay here in Fai Fo, marrying Vietnamese, building houses, temples, and assembly halls in their native styles. So, Hoi An is like a cultural crossroad in Vietnam. Visiting everything of Hoi An can be time-consuming, so we will give you some travel guide to Hoi An.

See the countryside

Travel guide to Hoi An

The countryside and rural areas of Hoi An are simply amazing. If you are tired of the bustling life of cities, then this is the place you must visit. Here you can see rice fields, the conical hats, the quaint structure… You can also find several tours that take you to the countryside for sunrise or morning glimpse of Vietnamese rural life. There are also free city tours organized by the university student’s association, which you should give it a try.

Go for a walk and explore Hoi An Old Town

Missing this UNESCO World Heritage Site and you might regret later. Spending your time and walk down the ancient streets with tradition merchant houses and old shops on the two sides. Motorbikes are banned in the city center, so rest assure and walk in pace, slowly explore everything of the Old Town: the narrow streets, the brick alleys, and ancient building that has been partially renovated. The main street has a lot of restaurant, bars and café with a variety of foods and drinks. It’s going to take some time to try all the delicious foods here, just make sure you bring enough money.

At night, the only light that left turn on is from the colorful lantern. In fact, Hoi An is home for many paper lantern manufacturers and merchants. After strolling around, check the outdoor tradition theatre: folk dances, traditional pieces are perform here and it’s free. Before go back to the hotel, remember to light  candle box, set it in the water, and make a wish.

Cooking lesson

Yes, there are cooking school for tourists. You will learn how to make your Vietnamese dishes here. Here is some of the cooking class:

• Morning Glory Street Food Restaurant and Cooking School: Here you will learn about the food and its culture, also how to make an excellent Vietnamese dish.


• Redbridge Cooking School and Restaurant: The lesson will teach from the very start of cooking: buying ingredients. A trip to the local market and then purchase ingredients for your favorite dishes. Then you will board a boat and set sail to the cooking school for the lesson.


• Cafe 96 Cooking Class: This class will teach you three authentic Vietnamese dishes in just an hour.

While trying the food around Hoi An, be sure to note down your favorite dishes, since there are so many kinds of food here, so you can learn how to make it right here in Hoi An. Now you can surprise your family and friends back at your hometown.

Tailor some clothes, bags, or shoes

Do you know you have custom made clothes here? Custom tailoring is actually a huge industry in Hoi An. There are more than 400 tailoring shops and thousands of tailors who are skilled in making clothes, bags and shoes.

Custom tailor will take several hours so if you are thinking of trying one, you should do it early in your trip.

Take a look at my Son Hindu Sanctuary

Another of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and a great sample of ancient Champa civilization. Its impressive features are beautiful stones, temples, and towers in a tropical jungle.The site has over 70 structures devoted to Hindu gods and goddess, and the most noticeable one the protector of the Champa’s kings: Shiva. The history of this historic sites dated back to the 2nd to the 17^th century. Later, it was discovered and renovated by the French. The central complex managed to survive the bombs from the recent war while the other have been partly rebuilt. If you love history, you should not miss the place.

Travel Guide to Hoi An