Hoi An, the Lantern City in Vietnam

The charming town of Hoi An is a traveller's dream destination....as dusk falls, the streets of this quaint town light up with a zillion lanterns!!

You will see hordes of tourists flocking around the ancient town and strolling along the Thu Bon River, which runs through the heart of this town. The river becomes a floating tableau of colour as small boats lit with lanterns ferry tourists up and down the river, the shimmering shadows of their lanterns casting dancing luminous glows on the water.

The old city of Hoi An is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site; its meticulously preserved architecture, showcasing influences from Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese cultures, will transport you back in time.

Be prepared to stroll through the cobblestone streets of Hoi An, marvelling at the ancient buildings adorned with intricate carvings in the Old Town. The entire area is a pedestrian zone, you can laze around the river, stop by at eateries and marvel at the many shops selling souvenirs and trinkets.

A not-to-miss attraction in Hoi An is the 16th-century Japanese Covered Bridge. The easiest way to reach the bridge is from the Old Town. Keep walking along Tran Phu Street for a few minutes, and you will see this beautiful piece of architecture.

Here are a few handy tips to know about Hoi An

• There is a lot of debate about whether to stay in Hoi An or do it as a day trip. Let me give my verdict.

  Hoi An is about 27 kilometres from Da Nang, and it takes less than an hour to reach.

  Most people visit Hoi An as a day trip. However, if you have an extra day, staying overnight in Hoi An is a great idea for two reasons.

  One, most day tours from Da Nang leave early from Hoi An before the night market is fully lit up with lanterns, so you will miss the delightful lantern display and the joy of loitering around its Old Town at dusk. The best time to see the night market is between 6 and 8 pm when the streets are lit up with magical lanterns.

  Two, if you wish to take the Basket Boat ride, it is closer to Hoi An, and it is recommended early in the morning, as the temperature can become very hot during the day. Coming to the Coconut Forest early in the morning from Da Nang might be difficult since it's 30 km one way.

• We had read some very bad reviews about the Basket Boat ride, but still decided to give it a try. Luckily, it turned out to be quite an amazing experience.

  
  

  You can read about our basket boat ride experience here

  https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/basket-boat-ride-in-hoi-an-vietnam

  
  

• Hoi An will captivate you, not just by its lantern-lit streets but also by its diverse culinary scene. Both sides of the river are lined with eateries, catering to every taste and budget. You can get amazing street food and drinks on the go!

  I'd like to mention here that, like all touristy places, Hoi An also has its share of tourist traps, like this river-facing restaurant, Lily's Irish Pub and Sports Bar, that we settled on. The online reviews and the location were excellent, and there was a live singer; essentially, there were enough trappings to ensnare all passersby. But the food was really bad and overpriced. The live music was intended to work as a bait, and it sure did!

  
  

• As you walk along the river, you will see souvenir shops laden with beautiful lanterns for sale, making it hard to resist the temptation to buy one. In fact, a single lantern can start at around 100,000 VND (approximately $4), giving travellers a chance to take home a piece of Hoi An’s charm. Don't forget to negotiate over the price; you might strike a good deal.

  
  

• A typical boat ride on the river averages around 250,000 VND (about $10).

  
  

• Shops around the night market close at 9 pm. The bustling town suddenly falls silent, and people begin walking back to their hotels. So, if you wish to have dinner plans, do so well in time. That's another reason why we had to settle for Lily's Irish Pub and Sports Bar; most other eateries had closed down by the time we were done with our stroll around town.

Hoi An is a not-to-miss little wonder in Vietnam, made to cater to all your touristy whims...make sure to set aside some time to explore this town.