Hoi An Ancient Town,Vietnam

A well-known local legend surrounds the Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu): built by the 16th–17th century Japanese community to link them with the Chinese quarters, the bridge is said to house a small pagoda and a statue of a deity who protects the town from bad luck. Another popular cultural practice — the monthly lantern release on the Thu Bồn River during the Full Moon Lantern Festival — is rooted in beliefs about sending wishes and good fortune downstream.

• Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu)
• Tan Ky Old House and other well-preserved merchant houses
• Fujian (Phuc Kien) Assembly Hall
• Quan Cong Temple and Cantonese Assembly Hall
• Hoi An Night Market and Central Market
• Thu Bồn Riverfront & Boat Rides
• Tra Que Vegetable Village and traditional craft villages
• An Bang Beach (nearby)
• My Son Sanctuary (day trip)

• Distinctive yellow-painted facades and narrow wooden shop-houses
• Lantern-lit streets at night creating photogenic scenes
• Highly concentrated traditional crafts: lantern-making, tailoring, ceramics, carpentry
• Riverside cafés, boats and floating lantern releases
• Pedestrianised zones in the evening that enhance the historic atmosphere

• Guided walking tours through the Ancient Town to visit historic houses, assembly halls and museums
• Evening lantern-lit walks and boat trips on the Thu Bồn River
• Hands-on workshops: lantern-making, cooking classes, tailoring/measurements for bespoke clothing
• Cycling or short rides to Tra Que Village, rice paddies and nearby beaches
• Photography at sunrise/blue hour and during the monthly Lantern Festival
• Day trips to My Son Sanctuary or Marble Mountains, and beach relaxation at An Bang

• Hoi An Full Moon Lantern Festival (monthly on the 14th day of the lunar month) — lantern release, traditional music and street ambience
• Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) — local celebrations and special market activity
• Mid-Autumn Festival — children’s lantern processions and local treats
• Local craft and food events held seasonally (check local listings)

Best months: February to April for mild, dry weather and smaller crowds. Avoid the peak heat of June–August if you prefer cooler conditions. Note: the coastal region can experience heavy rains and occasional typhoons from about September to January.

Tropical climate with a warm, humid dry season (Feb–Aug) and a wetter season (Sep–Jan). Daytime temperatures commonly range from the low 20s°C to mid 30s°C depending on season; evenings can be cooler in the dry months.

Many historic houses and assembly halls require an Ancient Town ticket or separate small entrance fees; tickets are available at official ticket booths in the town. Typical opening hours for heritage sites are around 08:00–17:30; markets and shops often open early and remain open into the evening. Night Market & lantern activities typically run after sunset until around 21:00–22:00.

Nearest major airport: Da Nang International Airport (DAD), ~30–45 minutes by car. Da Nang is served by trains and long-distance buses; Hoi An is about 30 km south of Da Nang. The Ancient Town has many pedestrian-only streets and uneven surfaces in older areas; accessibility for wheelchairs can be limited at some historic houses—check ahead for specific site access.

Plan 2–3 days to explore the Ancient Town properly (historic sites, night market, a cooking class and a short excursion). Add extra days for beach time or trips to My Son.

Light, breathable clothing for daytime; a light rain jacket in the wet season and sun protection (hat, sunscreen). Comfortable walking shoes for cobbled streets. Respectful attire (covering shoulders/legs) is recommended when visiting temples and assembly halls.

Must-try local dishes: Cao Lầu, Mi Quang, White Rose dumplings, local bánh mì and seafood. Popular souvenirs: handcrafted silk lanterns, tailor-made clothing, ceramics, embroidered textiles and local spices. Carry some Vietnamese Dong (VND) for small purchases; many small vendors prefer cash.