6am – Wake up early to catch the sunrise and have breakfast like a local
When the sun just appears on the mossy tiled roofs, Hoi An has a strange beauty: gentle, pure and quiet in the still lingering morning mist.
Cycle or walk along the Hoai River, breathe in the fresh morning air and stop by Hoi An market, where you will find a very “Hoi An” breakfast: hot cao lau, with chewy noodles, crispy pork rinds, Tra Que raw vegetables and flavorful char siu, served with a rich sauce. Around the old town, there are countless shops selling this specialty. Cao lau Ba Be (in the market), Ba Hat or Thanh are the shops that have long been loved by locals.
Hoi An one morning
Famous Cao Lau dish
7am – Visit the living heritage
Spend the morning exploring the Old Quarter – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The all-inclusive ticket (VND 120,000) takes you to structures that bear the mark of time: the Japanese Covered Bridge – a symbol of Hoi An, Tan Ky Ancient House, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, Handicraft Workshops… Each place is a small slice of the past, preserved intact to this day. And don’t forget to stop and take pictures in the golden alleys and colorful lanterns.
Spend the morning exploring the Old Quarter – a UNESCO World Heritage Site
9am - Check-in panoramic view of Hoi An
Visit a cafe with a balcony or terrace, and you will see Hoi An from a different angle – quiet, ancient and poetic. Cafes located on old houses along the Tran Phu – Bach Dang axis such as 92 Station, Faifo Coffee, The Deck Hoi An or The Hill Station all have rooftops that open up a panoramic view of Hoi An from above: moss-covered tiled roofs, winding Hoai River, a few boats drifting slowly and a Hoi An that is still peaceful in the middle of the tourist season.
Order a cup of coffee, choose a quiet corner, not only to “check-in” but also to truly slow down, feel the unique breath of the old town from above. That moment, between the gentle sunshine, gentle wind and the sound of the street gradually waking up, easily makes people fall in love with Hoi An once again.
Visit a cafe with a balcony or terrace to enjoy a panoramic view of Hoi An
10am - Visit the craft village, touch the quintessence of craftsmanship
If you want to learn more about the local culture, rent a bicycle or motorbike to visit the traditional craft villages around Hoi An.
Along the Thu Bon River is Thanh Ha pottery village – where artisans still painstakingly shape each vase, cup, and terracotta lantern by hand, just as their ancestors did hundreds of years ago. Not far away, Kim Bong carpentry village, with its strong smell of new wood and chisel marks, is where you can witness each lifeless block of wood transformed into exquisite carvings.
Lush green nature at Tra Que vegetable village
If you love green spaces and local life, Tra Que vegetable village is an ideal destination. Here, you can not only learn about the process of growing organic vegetables according to traditional farming methods, but also try your hand at farming: tilling the soil, watering, carrying vegetables… like a real local resident.
Each craft village is a small world, containing memories, talented hands and a spirit of preservation. And it is this simplicity and craftsmanship that makes the journey through Hoi An deeper, more multi-layered, not just to see, but also to understand.
11:30 – Cool lunch with delicious local dishes
In the hot sun of the old town, there is nothing better than finding a rustic restaurant, nestled in a small alley to enjoy Hoi An chicken rice, one of the typical dishes that make up the culinary soul here. The rice is cooked from chicken broth, the rice grains are sticky but fluffy, golden, served with shredded chicken, Vietnamese coriander, fragrant fried onions and a little pickle to round out the flavor.
This dish is not fussy but delicate in every detail. In addition, the dipping sauce is also an important highlight, creating a rich Central flavor. Chicken rice restaurants that many tourists recommend to eat in Hoi An are: Ba Buoi, Ba Nga, Xi chicken rice, Co Man chicken rice...
Enjoy a plate of Ba Buoi chicken rice with plenty of toppings
Ba Buoi Chicken Rice is one of the long-standing restaurants in Hoi An, sought out by many diners as an indispensable part of their journey to discover the ancient town's cuisine. Established in the 1950s, the restaurant still retains its traditional flavor - from the way of cooking rice with chicken broth to the rich, well-seasoned taste. The restaurant is located in a simple old house, not too sophisticated but always cozy and bustling with people coming and going. In the midst of Hoi An's slow pace of life, sitting and enjoying a plate of hot chicken rice, watching the quiet flow of people passing by on the street, you will easily feel the quiet but profound charm of this land.
14:00 – Take a basket boat and see the Bay Mau coconut forest
About 15 minutes drive from the old town center, Cam Thanh coconut forest will bring interesting experiences with rowing basket boats, watching basket spinning performances and crab fishing.
Bay Mau Coconut Forest (Cam Thanh Coconut Forest) is considered an ideal destination for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and explore the peaceful beauty of Hoi An countryside. The entrance fee is 30,000 VND per person, the price to rent a basket boat ranges from 150,000 VND to 200,000 VND per boat. Coming here, visitors will experience rowing a basket boat to sightsee, watch basket dances and boat races, cast nets to catch fish, make souvenirs from coconut leaves... This place is likened to a miniature river of the West.
Bay Mau Coconut Forest is likened to a miniature river of the West.
6:00 p.m. - Releasing flower lanterns on Hoai River
When the ancient town begins to light up, Hoi An transforms into a quiet, ancient and emotional space. This is the ideal time to go to the banks of the Hoai River, where people begin to sell small, pretty flower lanterns, light candles inside and invite visitors to let them float down the river as a way to send wishes.
Old Quarter lights up
The price of a lantern is only from 10,000 - 20,000 VND/piece, you can choose a colorful lantern, symbolizing wishes for luck, peace and happiness. If you want to fully enjoy that magical space, rent a boat to row along the river, among hundreds of flickering lanterns floating on the water. The price to rent a boat is about 50,000 - 100,000 VND/person for a short trip (10 - 15 minutes), if you go in a group of 2-4 people, the price will be "softer".
The moment of releasing lanterns from the middle of the river, amidst the sparkling lanterns reflecting on the water surface and the murmuring sounds of people on the shore, will be one of the most unforgettable memories of your 24-hour journey in Hoi An.
Light seller on Hoai River
7:00 p.m. – Enjoy Central Vietnamese cuisine
Evenings in Hoi An don’t have to be fancy. A light meal by the beach with fresh seafood, or a cozy table in the old town with some typical Central Vietnamese dishes is enough to soothe a day of exploration.
The cuisine here is rich with many options for every taste. If you love seafood, you can visit coastal restaurants such as Sao Bien, Canh Buom Trang, Gio Bien, Nam Gia or Hai San Sen - where the menu is often familiar dishes, simply prepared to preserve the fresh taste of the sea. For those who want to change the taste with European dishes or a more youthful space, some prominent names mentioned by many tourists are Shore Club An Bang Beach, Moyo Beach Club, The Deck House, The Hmong Sisters or The Fisherman Vegan Restaurant - each place has its own personality, from the liberal ocean to the minimalist, gentle.
Located in a quiet neighborhood, the space at Ngon Pho Hoi is reminiscent of an old Hoi An: yellow walls, brick courtyards, and colorful hanging lanterns.
If you want to end the long day with a bit of tranquility, you can find a restaurant with a strong Central Vietnamese flavor like Ngon Pho Hoi – Vietnamese Authentic Cuisine. Located in a quiet neighborhood, the space here reminds you of an old Hoi An: yellow walls, brick courtyards, colorful hanging lanterns and the sound of traditional musical instruments every night.
The menu is rich in regional flavors, with dishes such as grapefruit salad with young shrimp, grilled chicken in bamboo tubes, or fried sticky rice with pandan leaves... dishes that seem simple but clearly show the sophistication of Central Vietnamese cuisine. In the evenings, there are also performances of traditional musical instruments such as the T'rung and the zither with folk melodies. This is a unique highlight that helps diners enjoy delicious food while immersing themselves in the traditional cultural and musical space imbued with the spirit of Hoi An.
Grilled chicken in bamboo tube
Performance of T'rung and Tranh zither
20:30 – Stroll around the night market and admire Hoi An
When the light from the lanterns begins to shine down on the streets, Hoi An enters the most beautiful moment of the day – both quiet and sparkling, with something like an old film. This is the ideal time for you to stroll around the old town night market, leisurely walking among the colorful and bustling craft stalls. Here, you can choose to buy small but typical Hoi An gifts: a paper lantern, a brocade wallet, or exquisite handmade jewelry.
Don’t forget to stop and enjoy a sip of nuoc mot – a refreshing herbal drink made from tea leaves, lemongrass, licorice and lotus flowers. Just one sip and you will feel the simplicity and gentleness of the people and the pace of life in Hoi An.
In just 24 hours, Hoi An can give you more than just a vacation – it is a slow-paced journey, immersing yourself in every flavor, touching your emotions through every note of music, every light and the warmth of the people here.
Typical water in Hoi An
