Best Hoi An Travel Guide: Lanterns, Food & Hidden Gems

Hoi An is a destination full of charm, from glowing lantern streets to delicious local food and hidden cultural gems. This travel guide explores the best experiences that make Hoi An unforgettable for every traveler. Whether you’re strolling through ancient alleys or enjoying authentic cuisine, the city has something special to offer. Pair your trip with a curated Hanoi tour package to explore Vietnam’s capital alongside Hoi An for a complete cultural journey.

1. BestHoiAnTravelGuide:Lanterns,Food
&HiddenGems
StepintothemagicofHoiAnin2025withourultimatetravelguide.Fromtheglowing
lanternfestivalandtimelesscraftvillagestohiddenbeachesandstreetfoodgems,this
guiderevealsauthenticexperiencesoftenmissedbyshort-termvisitors.Perfectyour
HoiAnitinerarywithinsidertipsonwhentovisit,whattoeat,andhowtoexplorewith
ThreelandTravel.
Introduction-WhyHoiAnIsStillSoutheastAsia’sMost
CharmingTown
HoiAn,aUNESCOWorldHeritagesite,continuestocaptivatetravelerswithitstimeless
beauty.Thetownisaseamlessblendofhistory,culture,andrelaxation,where
centuries-oldarchitecture,riversidelanterns,andfragrantfoodmarketscometogether
inperfectharmony.
Mostvisitors,however,onlygiveHoiAnaquick1-2daystopontheirVietnamitinerary.
Indoingso,theyriskmissingwhatmakesthistowntrulyspecial-thequietmorning
rivermarkets,theauthenticcraftvillagesjustbeyondtheAncientTown,ortheserene
beachesthatbalanceoutitsbustlingstreets.
ThisHoiAntravelguide2025isdesignedtogobeyondthepostcardmoments.Here,
you’llfindupdatedHoiAntraveltips,thebesttimetovisitHoiAn,aninsider’sHoiAn
itinerary2025,plusadviceonwheretoeatinHoiAnandhowtodiscoverthetown’s
mostauthenticHoiAnexperiences.Whetheryou’revisitingfortheHoiAnLantern
Festival2025orsimplywanttosoakupthetown’sriversidecharm,thisguidewillhelp
youunlocktherealmagicofHoiAn.

2. BestTimetoVisitHoiAnin2025
WeatherGuide:Dryvs.RainySeasons
HoiAnhastwoverydistinctseasons,andknowingthedifferencecanmakeorbreak
yourtrip.
DrySeason(February-August)
Thisisthemostpopulartimetovisit.FromFebruarytoApril,theweatherispleasantly
cool,skiesareclear,andthetemperaturesstaycomfortable-perfectforwanderingthe
lantern-litstreetsorcyclingtothecountryside.
FromMaytoAugust,expecthotterdays(sometimesabove33°C)butalsoplentyof
sunshineandcalmseas,makingitidealforbeachloversheadingtoAnBangorCham
Islands.Justpacksunscreenandplansightseeinginthemorningorlateafternoonto
avoidthemiddayheat.

3. RainySeason(September-January)
HoiAnturnslushandgreenduringthistime,butitalsocomeswithheavyshowersand
thechanceofflooding,especiallyinOctoberandNovember.Whilethisseasonsees
fewertouristsandbetterhoteldeals,travelplansmaybedisruptedbytheweather.
DecemberandJanuaryarecooler,withtemperaturesdippingbelow20°C,sobringa
lightjacketifyouvisitthen.
BestOverallChoice:LateFebruarytoearlyAprilstrikestheperfectbalance-great
weather,livelyfestivals,andfewercrowds.

4. HoiAnLanternFestival2025
TheLanternFestivalisthemostmagicaleventinHoiAn,happeningeverymonthonthe
nightofthefullmoon.Ontheseevenings,theAncientTownswitchesoffmostelectric
lights,andthestreetsglowwiththousandsofcolorfulpaperlanterns.Localsand
visitorsgatheralongtheThuBonRiver,settingcandlelitlanternsafloattobringluck
andpeace.
Herearethe2025LanternFestivaldatestomarkonyourcalendar:
•January13
•February11
•March13
•April11
•May11
•June9
•July8
•August7
•September5
•October5
•November3
•December3
TravelTip:Arriveearlytosecureagoodspotalongtheriver,thenstayuntilafter8:00
PMwhenthelanternstrulylightupthenight.It’soneofthemostunforgettable
authenticHoiAnexperiencesyoucanhave.
ThingstoDoinHoiAn-BeyondtheAncientTown
HoiAnmaybebestknownforitsUNESCO-listedAncientTown,butthere’ssomuch
morewaitingjustbeyondthelantern-litstreets.Ifyou’replanningyourHoiAnitinerary
2025,herearethetopthingstodoinHoiAnthatblendhistory,culture,andeverydaylife.

5. WalkingTouroftheAncientTown
StartwiththeheartofHoiAn-theAncientTown.Strollthroughnarrowalleyslined
withyellow-paintedmerchanthouses,oldassemblyhalls,andriversidecafes.
•Don’tmisstheJapaneseBridge,a17th-centurywoodenbridgethathasbecome
thesymbolofHoiAn.
•VisitheritagehomessuchasTanKyHouseorPhungHungHouse,wheremultiple
generationsoncelivedandtraded.
•Aticket(120,000VND)allowsentrytoseveralheritagesitesandhelpswith
preservationefforts.

6. NightMarkets&Lantern-LitStreets
Aseveningfalls,thetowntransforms.TheThuBonRiversparkleswithfloatinglanterns
whilethestreetsfillwithstallssellingsouvenirs,snacks,andhandmadecrafts.
•TheHoiAnNightMarketonNguyenHoangStreetisthemostpopular,perfectfor
browsingsilklanterns,streetfood,andlocalart.
•Foramagicalexperience,buyasmalllantern,lightacandle,andsetitafloaton
theriver-atraditionsaidtobringluck.

7. CyclingThroughRicePaddies&QuietVillages
JustashortrideawayfromtheOldTown,HoiAn’scountrysideopensuptoemeraldrice
paddies,coconutgroves,andpeacefulvillages.
•Rentabicycle(around40,000VNDperday)andcycletoTraQueVegetable
Village,wherelocalsgrowherbsusingcenturies-oldmethods.

8. •HeadfurthertoCamThanhCoconutVillage,whereyoucanhopintoaround
bamboobasketboatandlearntraditionalfishingtechniques.
•Forbeachlovers,cyclingtoAnBangBeachorCuaDaiBeachmakesfora
refreshingdaytripawayfromthecrowds.
Whetheryou’rechasinghistory,nightlife,orauthenticcountrysidecharm,HoiAn
rewardsthosewholingerlongerthanadayortwo.
HoiAn’sLanternCultureandNightlife
Ifthere’soneimagethatdefinesHoiAn,it’sthesoftglowoflanternsswayingabove
cobbledstreetsandfloatinggentlyontheThuBonRiver.Morethandecoration,these
lanternscarryhistory,culture,andcommunityspirit-makingthemoneofthemost
authenticHoiAnexperiencesyoucanhave.
TheHistoryofHoiAn’sLanternTradition
LanternsfirstappearedinHoiAninthe16thcentury,broughtbyChineseandJapanese
merchantswhosettledinthisthrivingtradingport.Overtime,thecraftevolvedintoa
localartform,blendingAsianinfluenceswithVietnamesecreativity.Traditionally,
lanternssymbolizeprosperity,warmth,andgoodfortune.Today,theyremainaliving
heritage,celebratedmostvividlyduringtheHoiAnLanternFestival2025,whentheOld
Townswitchesoffelectriclightsandglowsentirelybycandle-litlanterns.

9. WheretoBuyorMakeYourOwnLantern
•NightMarkets:StallsonNguyenHoangStreetsellhandmadesilklanternsin
everysize,color,andshape.Pricesareaffordable(from20,000-100,000VND),
makingthemgreatsouvenirs.
•Workshops:Forahands-onexperience,joinalantern-makingclassinfamily-run
atelierslikeTheLanternLadyorTuoiNgocWorkshop.You’lllearntobendbamboo
frames,stretchsilk,andcreateyourownlanterntotakehome.
•SpecialtyShops:Ifyoupreferhigh-qualitypieces,boutiqueswithintheAncient
Townoffermoredurablelanternswithintricatedesigns.
BestPlacestoEnjoytheLanternFestivalAwayfromthe
Crowds
WhilethemainstreetsoftheAncientTowncangetpackedduringthefull-moonfestival,
therearequieterspotswhereyoucansoakinthemagic:
•AnHoiIslet:Justacrossthebridge,itoffersstunningriverviewswithfewer
crowds.
•ThuBonRiversidenearCamNam:Amorepeacefulvantagepointwherelocals
releaselanterns.
•BoatingontheRiver:Hiringasmallwoodensampan(around150,000-200,000
VNDfor30minutes)givesyouafront-rowseattotheglowingspectaclewhile
escapingthebusystreets.
Tip:In2025,theHoiAnLanternFestivalwilltakeplaceeveryfullmoonnight(14thdayof
thelunarmonth).DatesincludeJanuary14,February12,March14,April13,andsoon-
eachoneofferingaunique,atmosphericexperience.

10. CraftVillagesAroundHoiAn
BeyonditsAncientTownandlantern-litnights,HoiAnisalsohometovibrantcraft
villagesthatpreservecenturies-oldtraditions.Visitingthesevillagesisoneofthemost
authenticHoiAncultureexperiences,lettingyourollupyoursleeves,meetartisans,
andconnectwiththeheritagethatmadethistownaUNESCOWorldHeritagesite.
ThanhHaPotteryVillage-ShapingClaywithYourHands
Just3kmwestofHoiAn,ThanhHahasbeenproducingpotterysincethe16thcentury.
Familiesherepassdowntechniquesthroughgenerations,creatingeverythingfrom
terracottatilestodelicatevases.
WhattoDo:Tryyourhandatthepotterywheel.Localartisanswillguideyoutomold
clayintobowlsorfigurinesyoucankeep.
Highlights:VisittheThanhHaTerracottaPark,anopen-airmuseumfeaturingmini
replicasofworld-famousmonumentsliketheColosseumandAngkorWat,allmade
fromclay.
KimBongCarpentryVillage-WhereBoatsAreBorn
AcrosstheThuBonRiverfromtheAncientTownliesKimBong,knownforitsmaster
woodworkerssincethe15thcentury.Thevillagesuppliedwoodenboats,pagodas,and
merchanthousesthatstillstandinHoiAntoday.
WhattoDo:Watchcraftsmencarveintricatefurniture,repairboats,orbuildtraditional
fishingvessels.
Highlights:Someworkshopswelcomevisitorstotrywood-carvingundertheguidance
ofskilledartisans.

11. TraQueHerbVillage-FarmingwiththeLocals
Locatedabout3kmnortheastofthetowncenter,TraQueisalushfarmingcommunity
famousforitsorganicherbs,growninfertilesoilenrichedwithriveralgae.
WhattoDo:Joinafarmerforahands-onsession-hoeingthesoil,wateringvegetables,
andharvestingherbs.
Highlights:Afterwork,enjoyacookingclasswhereyou’llpreparesignaturedisheslike
tamhuu(shrimp,pork,andherbswrappedinricepaper).
TipforTravelers:RentingabicycleisthebestwaytoexploretheseHoiAncraftvillages.
Theridetakesyouthroughricepaddies,coconutgroves,andquietbackroads,offeringa
refreshingcontrasttothebusyOldTown.
HiddenBeachesNearHoiAn
HoiAnmaybefamousforitslanternsandAncientTown,butitscoastlineisjustas
magical.Ifyou’replanningyourHoiAnitinerary2025,don’tmissthechancetorelaxby
thesea.Fromlivelystretcheswithbeachbarstoquietshoresperfectforsunrisewalks,
herearesomeofthebestHoiAnbeaches2025andhiddengems.

12. AnBangBeach-LivelyYetLaid-Back
Just3kmfromtheAncientTown,AnBangisHoiAn’smostpopularbeach-butitstill
managestokeepachilled,unspoiledvibe.
WhyVisit:Softwhitesand,cleanwaters,andalivelyrowofbarsandseafood
restaurants.Greatforswimming,sunbathing,orenjoyingcocktailsbythesea.
BestTime:Comeinthelateafternoonforcoolerweatherandbreathtakingsunsets.

13. HiddenChamIslands-ForSnorkeling&EcoStays
Ashortboatride(about30minutes)fromCuaDaiPorttakesyoutotheChamIslands,a
UNESCO-recognizedmarinereserve.
WhyVisit:Crystal-clearwatersforsnorkelinganddiving,coralreefs,andsmallfishing
villagesofferingauthenticlocallife.
InsiderTip:Stayovernightatahomestayforapeaceful,eco-friendlyretreatfarfrom
themainland’scrowds.

14. CuaDaiBeach-BestforSunriseWalks
OncethemostfamousbeachinHoiAn,CuaDaisufferedfromerosioninrecentyears
buthasseenstrongrestorationefforts.
WhyVisit:Widesandystretchesmakeitidealforlongwalksandearly-morning
sunrises.FewercrowdscomparedtoAnBangintheafternoon.
BestTime:Earlymorningbefore8:00AMwhenthelightissoftandlocalfishermen
bringintheirdailycatch.
InsiderTipstoAvoidTouristTraps
Bringyourowntowelandwaterifyoudon’twanttorentbeachchairsfrom
vendors.
ForChamIslands,bookeco-certifiedtourstoensureyou’resupportingsustainable
tourism.
Skipweekendsifyouwantquieterbeaches,aslocalsoftenheadoutforfamily
gatherings.
WhattoEatinHoiAn-ACulinaryJourney
Ifthere’sonethingtravelersneverforgetaboutHoiAn,it’sthefood.Thetown’scuisine
isdeeplyrootedinlocalhistory,shapedbycenturiesofculturalexchangeasabustling
portcity.Whetheryou’reexploringhiddenstreetfoodstallsorenjoyingamealbythe
ThuBonRiver,HoiAnoffersflavorsyouwon’tfindanywhereelseinVietnam.Here’s
yourHoiAnfoodguidetothemust-trydishesandbestspotsforbothcasualbitesand
sit-downdining.

15. CaoLauNoodles-ThePrideofHoiAn
CaoLauisthedishmostcloselytiedtoHoiAn’sidentity.Thick,chewynoodlesaremade
withwaterdrawnfromancientBaLewellandmixedwithaspeciallyesolution,giving
themtheiruniquetexture.Thedishistoppedwithslicesofpork,freshherbs,crunchy
croutons,andasmallamountofbroth.
WheretoTry:
ThanhCaoLau(26ThaiPhienSt.)-Famousamonglocalsforitsauthenticpreparation.
BaBeCaoLauinthecentralmarket-Simple,affordable,anddelicious.

16. WhiteoseDumplings-ALocalSpecialty
KnownlocallyasBánhBaoBánhVạc,thesedelicatedumplingsareshapedlike
bloomingroses,filledwithshrimporpork,andsteameduntiltranslucent.They’reoften
garnishedwithcrispyshallotsforextratexture.
WheretoTry:
WhiteRoseRestaurant(533HaiBaTrungSt.)–Runbythefamilysaidtoholdthe
originalrecipe.
Nightmarketfoodstalls-Youcansampleaplateforjustafewdollars.

17. BánhMìPhượng-Vietnam’sMostFamousSandwich
NoHoiAnfoodjourneyiscompletewithoutstoppingatBánhMìPhượng,thelegendary
sandwichshopmadefamousbyAnthonyBourdain.Thebaguetteiscrispontheoutside
andfluffyinside,generouslyfilledwithlayersofpork,pâté,pickledvegetables,herbs,
andhouse-madesauces.Linescangetlong,butthewaitisworthit.
WheretoFind:
BánhMìPhượng(2BPhanChuTrinhSt.)–Opensdaily,oftencrowdedbutefficient.
Insidertip:Arrivemid-morningorlateafternoontoavoidpeakmealrushes.

18. StreetFoodStallsvs.Sit-DownRestaurants
•StreetFood:BeyondBánhMìPhượng,tryMótHoiAn(150TranPhuSt.)forits
herbalicedtea,orsmallvendorsatthenightmarketforbánhbèo(ministeamed
ricecakes)andgrilledskewers.
•Sit-DownRestaurants:Foramorerelaxedmeal,MorningGloryOriginal(106
NguyenThaiHocSt.)serveselevatedversionsofstreetclassics,whileVy’sMarket
Restaurantoffersbothdiningandcookingclassesforahands-onculinary
experience.
InsiderTip:FoodtoursareoneofthemostauthenticHoiAnexperiences.Localguides
willtakeyoubeyondthetouristtrailintohiddeneaterieswhereyou’lldiscoverdishes
mostvisitorsmiss.
InsiderTravelTipsforHoiAnin2025
EventhoughHoiAniscompactandeasytoexplore,afewpracticaltipscanmakeyour
tripsmootherandmorerewarding.Here’swhatyouneedtoknowbeforeplanningyour
HoiAnitinerary2025.

19. HowLongtoStayfortheBestExperience
•MinimumStay:2–3daysisenoughtoseetheAncientTown,trylocalfood,and
enjoythelantern-litevenings.
•IdealStay:4–5daysallowsyoutoaddcraftvillages,acookingclass,orabeach
daytoyourtrip.
•ExtendedStay:Manydigitalnomadsandslowtravelersstayweeks,asHoiAn
offersarelaxedlifestyle,coworkingcafés,andculturaldepththatrewardslonger
visits.
GettingAroundHoiAn
•OnFoot:TheAncientTownisbestexploredbywalking.Streetsarepedestrian-
friendly,especiallyintheeveningwhenvehiclesarerestricted.
•Bicycles:Mosthotelsandhomestaysprovidefreeorcheapbicyclerentals.
CyclingthroughricepaddiestonearbyvillagesisoneofthemostauthenticHoiAn
experiences.
•Motorbikes:Affordabletorent(around120,000–150,000VND/day).Agoodoptionif
youwanttoreachAnBangBeach,CuaDai,orMarbleMountainsquickly.
•Taxis&Ride-hailing:GrabiswidelyavailableinHoiAnandDaNang,perfectfor
airporttransfersorlate-nightrides.

20. Money,SIMCards&Safety
•Cashvs.Card:CashisstillkinginHoiAn,especiallyatstreetfoodstalls,local
shops,andmarkets.ATMsareavailable,butbringsmalldenominations.Upscale
restaurantsandhotelsusuallyacceptcreditcards.
•SIMCards:Viettel,Mobifone,andVinaphonealloffertouristSIMsatDaNang
Airportorconveniencestores.A30-daydatapackageisinexpensive(around$7–10
USD)andhelpswithnavigationandGrabbookings.
•Safety:HoiAnisoneofVietnam’ssafestdestinations,evenatnight.Still,keepan
eyeonbelongingsincrowdedmarketsandlockyourbicyclewhenleavingit
outside.
ProTip:Ifyou’revisitingduringtherainyseason(October–December),bringa
lightweightraincoat.StreetsintheAncientTowncanflood,butitalsocreates
atmosphericreflectionsthatphotographerslove.
Conclusion-DiscoverHoiAn’sSoulin2025
Recap:WhyHoiAnCapturesEveryTraveler’sHeart
HoiAnisn’tjustanotherstopinVietnam-it’salivingmuseumwherelanternsglowon
theThuBonRiver,wherelocalcraftvillagesthrive,andwheregoldenbeachesstretch
peacefullyintothehorizon.In2025,thetowncontinuestobalanceitsUNESCOcharm
withauthentic,everydaylife.
WhyaShortVisitIsn’tEnough
ManyvisitorsrushthroughHoiAninjustadayortwo,buttherealbeautyliesin
slowingdown.SpendaneveningattheHoiAnLanternFestival2025,cyclepastrice
paddiesintoquietvillages,orwakeupearlyforasunrisewalkalongCuaDaiBeach.The
longeryoustay,thedeeperyou’llconnectwithitsculture,food,andpeople.
ThreelandTravel-YourLocalExpertinVietnam
TotrulyuncoverHoiAn’ssoul,havingatrustedguidemakesallthedifference.
ThreelandTravel,aleadingVietnamdestinationmanagementcompany(DMC),
specializesincreatingtailor-madeitinerariesthatgobeyondsurface-levelsightseeing.
FromarrangingworkshopsinThanhHaPotteryVillagetobookingeco-friendlystays
nearChamIslands,ThreelandensuresyouexperienceauthenticHoiAnwhile
supportinglocalcommunities.
FinalNote:MakeYourJourneyCount
HoiAnisaplacebestexperienced,notjustvisited.Ifyou’replanningyourHoiAn
itinerary2025,letThreelandTravelbeyourpartnerindiscovery.Withinsideraccess,
culturalexpertise,andpersonalizedcare,yourjourneywillbemorethanmemorable-
itwillbemeaningful.
Source:https://threeland.com/blogs/best-hoi-an-travel-guide-lanterns-food-hidden-
gems