Guide to Discovering Charm in Hoi An, Vietnam

- Head to the Beach: Enjoy a relaxing day at the beach, find that perfect spot to hang out and grab a drink. If you are lucky, you might see windsurfers and coconut fishing boats. I would recommend going to An Bang Beach.

- Explore Old Town: Spend the day exploring the beautiful old town. Explore the many picture-perfect buildings, stroll by the river, discover the Cau temple, experience the markets or simply find a cafe to enjoy the view. Make sure to come back at night to experience the city in a whole new light.

- Bike Around Town: Hop on a bike to soak in the countryside or bike through the old town. If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, I would recommend biking to the beach, it’s about 6km to get there, but the scenery along the route is beautiful.

- Join a Lantern Making Class: Learn to make a traditional Vietnamese lantern from artisans who have been practicing the techniques for generations.

- Experience Lantern Boats at Night: When the sun goes down, head to the Thu Bon river to watch or take a boat out on the Thu Bon river for colorful views of the city. The reflections of the lanterns in the water with the ripples of colors make it surreal.
*Tip: Avoid buying and releasing the floating paper lanterns/ candles. Though beautiful, they create lots of pollution in the river. Also note that it does get crowded by the river as night falls, so if you plan on taking a boat ride, get there earlier to beat the crowd and be prepared to be approached by people for boat rides.

- Get Custom Made Clothing: A Hoi An must, is getting custom-made clothing from a tailor shop. You will need at least two days for the design process and fittings. It's a great experience to be part of the process and fulfill your designer dreams or closet goals.
*Tips about tailor shops: There are many tailor shops in Hoi An, and it can be overwhelming to choose where to go. I recommend researching beforehand or visiting a couple of shops to see which is best for you. If you are looking for a reliable and quality tailor and want a suggestion, I would recommend BeBe tailor for your first time. They have multiple locations and are very attentive to the fit and satisfaction.

When it comes to tailor shops, there are individuals who will approach you to get you to go to their shop, don't feel pressured into following them or buying anything you don't want. It's okay to say “no thank you” in a stern voice.

Typically, I would recommend asking a local for shop recommendations, but in this case, I would be cautious of who you ask. There are many businesses, employees and individuals who work with shops to get a commission for sending customers to them.

Where to shop in Hoi An

- Reaching Out Teahouse: When traveling, I love supporting local businesses that have a mission. Reaching Out provides opportunities for people with disabilities by helping them learn skills and employment while selling beautiful collections of artisan products.

- Sunday in Hoi An: If you are anything like me, you have a list of gifts you need to buy for people back home from your travels. This adorable shop has an amazing selection of products made by local artisans from handicraft villages in Vietnam.

Day trip from Hoi An, Vietnam

Take a day tip to visit My Son Sanctuary. My Son is a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site constructed from the 4th to the 13th century. It’s about an hour west of Hoi An and can be visited solo by a private driver or motorbike, or there are multiple tour options you can join.

-Nourish Eatery: My favorite digital nomad spot in Hoi An, with amazing food and a relaxing atmosphere, you can’t go wrong coming here.

-Bánh Mì Phượng: Channel your inner Anthony Bourdain and experience the legendary Bánh Mì. The perfect place to try it for the first time, and they also offer vegetarian options too, so vegetarians won't have to miss out on this incredible sandwich.

Com Linh: Delicious Vietnamese food with dishes you can only get in Hoi An, like the white rose dumplings.

MIX Greek Restaurant: If by chance, you need a break from Vietnamese food, which is rare, they have a great menu and tasty pita and tzatziki.

Drinks & Treats in Hoi An

Reaching Out Teahouse: A traditional tea house with a focus on bettering others by employing local individuals with disabilities. They offer a peaceful escape from the street crowds, with delicious biscuits and a great selection of tea.

Mót Hội An: Don't be intimidated by the crowds surrounding this little tea shop. Mót tea is definitely worth the craze. It is the perfect refreshing drink to replenish and refuel you during a big day of walking.

Sound of Silence Coffee Shop: The views don’t get any better than in this oceanfront café, with beach access from the seating area, straight to the sand. It's the perfect spot to relax, drink a coconut coffee and watch the waves.

Bill Coffee + Tea: Perfectly blends a traditional Vietnamese café with low seating stools and tables with a modern flare.

LAGOM: Need a sweet treat or drink from a tiring day at the beach or strolling around old town? LAGOM has some of the best selections of desserts and sweets, with gluten-free and vegan options.

92 Station Restaurant and Café: The best rooftop cafe Hoi An with the best views to watch the sun go down over ceramic tiled roofs.