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If you’re planning two days in Hoi An, you’ll quickly see why this UNESCO-listed city is one of Vietnam’s most popular destinations. Between the lantern-lit streets, tailor shops, river views and peaceful countryside, it’s easy to fall under its charm. But with so much packed into a small area, it can also feel overwhelming.
We spent two days in Hoi An as part of our Vietnam trip, and those days were full of contrasts – from the tranquil countryside to the busy streets in the old town. While we didn’t love every part of it, Hoi An still felt unique and worth visiting for its mix of cultures, food and history. Here’s what our stay looked like, what we enjoyed most – and what we’d skip next time.
A quick note: Scams involving hotels and tours can happen in Vietnam, which is one of the reasons why we chose a trusted local travel agent to save time in planning our trip. This article is based on our personal experience, research and the information available at the time of our trip. Things may have changed since our visit, and I can’t take responsibility for any issues you might encounter, including scams. Always check recent reviews and trust your instincts if something doesn’t feel right or seems too good to be true. We paid for everything ourselves and never mentioned that we would write about it, so you can trust this is honest feedback. Some links in the article are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a booking through them, at no extra cost to you.
Day 1 – Basket boat ride, Ancient Town and lanterns
Morning
We started our first day in Hoi An with a visit to the coconut groves for a ride in a traditional round basket boat – a popular attraction in Hoi An. Unfortunately, it wasn’t our favourite experience. The atmosphere felt staged, and there was pressure to tip. The time spent in the quiet part of the forest was very short, and most of the activity revolved around photo opportunities and loud music. Many travellers find it fun, especially families with kids, but if you’re after authentic experiences like we are, you might want to skip it.
Afternoon
The afternoon was far more rewarding. We explored Hoi An Ancient Town, famous for its blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese and European influences. The colourful old houses, temples and shopfronts give the town a unique character – and having a local guide made all the difference, as we learned about the fascinating history behind each site.
The Japanese Covered Bridge – that you’ll recognise from the note – stood out as a highlight, both for its history and design. We also joined hands-on workshops to make our own lanterns and Vietnamese coffee, which were fun ways to connect with locals. Afterwards, we stopped by a tailor shop, as Hoi An is famous for its custom-made silk clothing. The quality wasn’t quite what we’d hoped for, but we still love our light linen pants and shirts – perfect for warm weather.
Evening
As night fell, Hoi An turned into a sea of colourful lights and lanterns reflecting on the river. It was undeniably beautiful, but the crowds were intense, with many tourists gathered on the bridge and along the riverbank to take photos of the boats. I’m not used to crowded places, and for lanterns at night, I actually preferred the atmosphere in Ninh Binh at Hoa Lu Old Town. If you plan to take a boat ride, don’t accept the first price offered. Even without negotiating, we noticed prices dropped quickly when we didn’t show interest.
The night market was also busy but worth a wander if you want to buy souvenirs – it’s convenient but not the cheapest items you’ll find.
We ended up escaping to a quieter restaurant just outside the old town for a more relaxing dinner and made sure to try the local specialty: white rose dumplings. If you’d like to connect with locals while sampling regional dishes, I recommend joining a food tour – we did one in Hanoi and another in Ho Chi Minh City and enjoyed both the food and the company.
Day 2 – Countryside cycling, cooking class and the Memories Show
Morning
Our second day in Hoi An was all about the countryside. Tri from the Spring Onion Family Tour picked us up at our hotel with bicycles and took us to the local market, where we learned about Vietnamese herbs, vegetables and daily life.
From there, we cycled through golden rice fields to reach Tra Que village, known for its lush vegetable gardens. The cooking class there was one of our favourite experiences in Vietnam – relaxed, interactive and full of flavour.
Afternoon
In the afternoon, we visited Thanh Ha Pottery Village on our own, using Grab. It’s a peaceful spot and great for kids thanks to the hands-on pottery activities, but we found it less engaging as adults. It might have been more interesting with a guide.
Evening
Back in Hoi An, we picked up the clothes we’d ordered from the tailor before heading to the Memories Show at the Hoi An Impression Theme Park at the Hoi An Impression Theme Park in the evening. The open-air performance was impressive – a creative way to learn more about the city’s history through music, lights and choreography.
What we skipped in Hoi An
With only two days in Hoi An, you won’t be able to do everything – and honestly, you might not want to. Here’s what we decided to skip:
- An Bang Beach – we skipped it since we already live near beautiful beaches in Australia, but it’s a good option if you want a slower pace.
- Cham Islands Biosphere Reserve – it sounded appealing at first, but the negative TripAdvisor reviews put me off.
- Other villages with local craft – we chose the pottery village instead due to limited time.
- Fishing with a local – it was on our list but we ran out of time.
- Nightlife – bars along the river looked lively, but we’re not into partying on holidays.
- Day trip to My Son Sanctuary – again, no time.
- Day trip to Ba Na Hills – it looked like a made-for-photos theme park, not our thing, though some travellers love it.
- Day trip to the Marble Mountains – skipped due to time constraints.
Our next stop was an overnight stay in Hue, which we enjoyed a lot. You can also visit it as a day trip from Hoi An if you don’t like changing accommodation.
Hesitating between Hoi An and Hue? This comparison can help: Hoi An vs Hue.
Where we stayed in Hoi An
We stayed three nights at Kiman Hoi An Hotel – clean and spacious, though about 1.5 km from the Ancient Town. We enjoy walking, but it did feel a bit far. If you’re comfortable cycling at night, it’s close enough to reach everything easily.
We also met a couple who stayed at Hoi An Rustic Villa and highly recommended it for its peaceful setting and friendly hosts.
Best time to visit Hoi An
The best time to visit Hoi An is from February to April, when the weather is dry and temperatures are mild – perfect for cycling and exploring the countryside.
From May to August, it gets hot and humid, while the rainy season (September to January) can bring heavy showers and occasional flooding in the Ancient Town.
Once a month, during the full moon, Hoi An turns off its electric street lights, and the old town glows only from lanterns and moonlight. It’s said to be the most beautiful time for photos, though I suspect it doesn’t make such a big difference but draws even bigger crowds!
