Beaches Close to Hoi An

If time allows to squeeze in a trip to the seaside, An Bang Beach is the best stretch of sand within easy reach from Hoi An. The beach is well-equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas, and is reachable by bicycle. There are multiple cafes and restaurants peppered along the coast, as well as a few locales that offer water sports equipment rental. Another option is Cua Dai Beach, which is less busy and less convenient to swim at due to significant soil erosion, but the rapid development of nearby An Bang has helped Cua Dai become increasingly re-discovered by those looking for more privacy.

• Address:

  Hai Bà Trưng, Tp. Hội An

Chinese Assembly Halls

The Chinese who settled in Hoi An identified themselves according to their province of origin. Each community built its own assembly hall, known as 'hoi quan' in Vietnamese, for social gatherings, meetings and celebrations. The Fujian Assembly Hall is, perhaps, the best-known one; the Cantonese Assembly Hall stands out for its beauty and contains a tranquil inner courtyard, while the 19th century Hainan Assembly Hall functions, in part, as a memorial to the 108 merchants from Hainan who met a tragic fate being mistaken for pirates – the entire story is narrated via wall posters.

Cycling in Hoi An

Although Hoi An is perfectly walkable, cycling an easy way of getting around if your itinerary extends beyond the old town (including An Bang Beach). The Hoi An Old Town is closed off to all motorised traffic (including motorbikes) on most days, between 8.30 and 11.00 and then again 15.00 to 21.30, which means streets can be comfortably navigated by cyclists and pedestrians. Many hotels and guest houses offer bike rental services (or even complimentary bicycle use in some cases), but multiple bike rental shops operate throughout town as well. Prices are normally very reasonable and can be as low as 1 USD per day (depending on the bike). Single-gear bikes will suffice for cycling through town, but mountain bikes are recommended for those who wish to venture into the country side. While locals will often be seen riding without helmets on, we recommend asking for one at your bike hire provider to ensure safety.

Golden Bridge

The Cau Vang is a footbridge extending through Ba Na Hills that allows you to enjoy the surrounding natural landscape. The way it is structured may make you think that it is supported by the two massive stone hands, but they're actually decorative fiberglass structures that remain nonetheless a spectacle of their own.

• Address:

  Ba Na Hills, Da Nang, Vietnam

Hoi An Ancient Town

The part of Hoi An most sought-after by visitors is its incredibly photogenic mustard-coloured old town, a UNESCO-listed collection of beautifully preserved buildings; some of these still function as private homes, while a total of 22 are open to the public and operate largely as museums. Of particular interest are historic merchant residences, some of which offer short guided tours (the Old House of Tan Ky is among the most interesting), and Chinese assembly halls used for gatherings and celebrations by individual ethnic groups. Visiting each attraction will require one of the 5 admission slips that come with a general Hoi An Ancient Town entry ticket.

Hoi An Central Market

The bustling Hoi An market takes a little getting used to: it's distinctly more hectic than the downtown area, and teems with local vendors and shoppers as much as it does with tourists. Abundant Asian herbs, souvenirs like lacquered coconut shell bowls, Vietnamese coffee-makers and traditional cone hats are some of the wares on sale. Of particular interest are the indoor food stands serving up scrumptious snacks at some of the lowest prices in town.

• Address:

  73 Phan Bội Châu Sơn Phong tp. Hội An

• Phone:

  +84 235 3861 323