Hội An(95 000 inhabitants, central Vietnam) — one of the best preservedport cities of Southeast Asia from the 17th century.UNESCO from 1999 to the 19th century — international commercial port (Japanese, Chinese, Dutch, Portuguese). Today: an ideal medieval setting with yellow facades, paper lanterns and a Japanese bridge.
Old Town — Old Town
2 km2 of completely preserved urban planning.Introduction to monuments: 120 000 VND (5 selected monuments from 22 available), sold in buildings with green logo.
Chùa Cēu (Japanese Intrinsic Bridge)
The city symbol — an 18-metre bridge covered by 1590 built by the Japanese trade community. Legend: Under the bridge was to be buried the amazu monster (Japanese myth) that caused earthquakes. Inside a little pagoda.
Chinese Assembly Halls (Hội quán)
Four historic association houses of Chinese diaspora:
- Phúc Kiến(Fujian) — the largest, prettiest
- Quảng Đông(Canton)
- Triều Châu(Chaozhou)
- Hải Nam(Hainan)
Tân Ký Old House
200-year-old merchant house, 7 generations of the same family. Chinese-Japanese-Vietnam architecture. Admission included in the price of the general ticket.
Lampions — Evening Magic
After dark (from 5:30 p.m.) the city TRANSFORMES — thousands of paper illuminated lanterns. Families' houses have been posting their own (craft production since the 16th century).
Full Moon Lantern Festival
Every month the 14th day of the lunar calendar —TOTAL ELECTRONIC OLD LIGHTJust lanterns. You're playing paper-flampioned boats on the Thu Bon River (15 000 VND per boat). Magic atmosphere. Check the calendar before arrival.
Tailors — Cheap sewing in 24h
Hoi An known from350 tailoring plants— a complete suit for $100-300, dress 40-80, shirt 15-25 USD. Ready 24-48 hours.
Top Addresses
- Yaly Couture— best known, higher prices but quality guaranteed. Several Locations
- BeBe Tailor— luxury, good quality, prices 300-500 USD suit
- A Dong Silk— female, silk, dresses
- Kimmy Tailor— male specialist
Practical Tips
- Have PL photo of clothes you like (or screenshot Instagram) — they match
- Order Your First Day — Take 2-3 measurements to refine
- DO NOT Pay the whole before receiving
- Check sutures before receiving
- NEGOTIATIVE Prices (reduction 20-40%)
Beaches near Hoi An
An Bàng Beach
4 km east, popular with expats. Restaurants on the beach (soul kitchen, luna), sunbeds 50,000 VND, board rental SUP 200,000 VND/h.
Cửa Đại Beach
Historically the prettiest, but the erosion of 2010 destroyed most. The reconstruction is ongoing.
Cham Islands (Cù Lao Chàm)
Group of 8 islands, 15 km from Hoi An, UNESCO National Park. Snorkeling, diving, traditional fishing village. Day trip 400,000-800 000 VND. NOTE: October-March season closed (strong winds).
Hoi An Kitchen — 5 specialities
1. Cao lïu
EXCELLENT dish for Hoi An — pasta cooked only in water from a specific well Bá Lễ. Crunchy toast, char siu pork, herbs. No one in the world will make an authentic cao lầu outside Hoi An. 40,000-70,000 VND.
2. Bánh mì Phượng
Probably the best Vietnam sandwich according to Anthony Bourdain. Baguette with pate, pork, vegetables, coriander, peppers.Bánh Mì Phượng(2B Phan Chu Trinh) — queues 30 min, 25,000-35 000 VND.
3. White Rose (Bánh vac)
Delicate rice dumplings with shrimp filling, served with sharp sauce, decorated with fried onions. Only three families in Hoi An know the recipe. 65,000 VND.
4. Bánh xèo
"Viennam pie" — crispy rice pancake with shrimp, pork, bean sprouts. You wrap salad with herbs in a leaf, dip it in fish sauce. 40,000-60,000 VND.
5. Coffee and other
Reaching Out Tea House— employs disabled people, communication through notes and visual blocks. Beautiful tea in the ceremonial ritual. 60,000 VND/set.
Practical information
- Directions: plane toDa Nang(45 min) + taxi/Grab 30 km, 400,000 VND. From Hanoi/Saigon 1.5 hours flight.
- Free bikesin most hotels — ideal for visiting Hoi An
- Season: February-July (dry, warm). August-January — rains and typhoons (even floods in Hoi An)
- Accommodation: Old Town — the atmosphere, but the noise. By the river — calm. On the beach (An Bang) - 4 km from the center, luxury hotels