Local Favourites
Bánh Mì Phượng
Hoi An's most famous sandwich counter; quick, cheap and open into the evening.
Order Mixed banh mi; vegetarian/egg banh mi
South East Asia · Vietnam
Hoi An & Da Nang
A lantern-lit old trading town beside Da Nang's beaches, bridges and mountains, with tailors, cooking classes and coastal cycling.
Best timeFebruary to May
Ideal trip3–5 days
Budget level₹₹₹₹
Getting thereDa Nang International Airport (DAD), about 45 minutes from Hoi An
Visa (Indian passport)e-Visa for Indian passport holders, applied online (approximate — verify before travel) Other passport, or hold a US / UK / Schengen visa? Check the visa guide
Great Okay Not ideal
HeritageFoodBeachesCouples
Four ways to see Hoi An
Touristy, offbeat, local or hidden?
Every traveller is different. Browse by style, then let the planner mix them into a day-by-day plan.
The famous must-sees
Hoi An Ancient Town walk≈ ₹500
Yellow shophouses, assembly halls and silk lanterns, glowing at night.
culture · about 3 hrs · best in the eveningFree alternative: Riverside lanes and An Hoi night market — Soak in the lanterns and yellow houses along the river without entering ticketed heritage houses.
Japanese Covered BridgeFree
A small wooden bridge from the 1590s, the town's emblem.
culture · about 0.5 hrs · best in the morningLantern boat ride on the Thu Bon River≈ ₹300
Float a paper lantern on the river at dusk.
scenic · about 1 hr · best in the eveningFree alternative: Riverside lanes and An Hoi night market — Free riverside lantern views from the bank, minus the boat.
Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills≈ ₹3,500
A cable car to a hilltop amusement village and a bridge held by giant stone hands.
scenic · about 6 hrs · best in the morningMy Son Sanctuary≈ ₹800
Brick ruins of ancient Cham temples in a green valley, best visited early.
culture · about 3 hrs · best in the morningMarble Mountains≈ ₹300
Caves, pagodas and hilltop views inside limestone hills near Da Nang.
spiritual · about 2 hrs · best in the morningFree alternative: Lady Buddha at Son Tra Peninsula — Free hillside temple with ocean views and a huge statue.
Dragon Bridge fire showFree
On weekend evenings the dragon spits fire and water over the Han River.
scenic · about 1 hr · best in the eveningAn Bang BeachFree
A long beach with seafood shacks and surf cafes.
relax · about 3 hrs · best in the afternoonQuieter, still easy to reach
Hai Van Pass motorbike or car ride≈ ₹2,500
Ride between mountains and sea along a famous coastal road.
scenic · about 4 hrs · best in the morningSon Tra Peninsula and Lady BuddhaFree
A forested peninsula with a huge white statue and sea views.
nature · about 3 hrs · best in the morningCam Thanh coconut basket boats≈ ₹800
Spin in round basket boats through coconut palms.
adventure · about 2 hrs · best in the morningCham Islands snorkelling≈ ₹3,000
Boat out to clear reefs and quiet fishing villages.
adventure · about 7 hrs · best in the morningHue Imperial City day trip≈ ₹2,500
Nguyen emperors' citadel and tombs, three hours north.
culture · about 9 hrs · best in the morningFood, markets, crafts and people
Hoi An street food crawl≈ ₹1,200
Try cao lau noodles, banh mi and white rose dumplings.
food · about 3 hrs · best in the eveningCooking class with market visit≈ ₹2,000
Shop at the central market and cook regional dishes.
food · about 4 hrs · best in the morningFree alternative: Hoi An central market wander — Browse the same market stalls free and taste snacks; no hands-on cooking.
Tailor-made clothes fitting≈ ₹3,000
Choose a fabric and get a dress or suit fitted by one of the old town's tailors.
shopping · about 2 hrsTra Que vegetable village≈ ₹1,000
Work in herb gardens and cook with farmers.
culture · about 3 hrs · best in the afternoonHoi An central market breakfast≈ ₹200
Eat noodles, sweet soups and fruit among local shoppers.
food · about 1.5 hrs · best in the morningSpots most visitors miss
Thanh Ha pottery village≈ ₹300
Shape pottery and see a kiln in a small village.
culture · about 2 hrs · best in the afternoonKim Bong carpentry villageFree
Wood carvers still make boats and furniture here.
culture · about 2 hrs · best in the morningBay Mau water coconut forest≈ ₹800
A quieter coconut-palm canal than the better-known one.
nature · about 2.5 hrs · best in the morningCon Market and Han riverside breakfast≈ ₹300
A Da Nang local market where stalls sell mi quang noodles.
food · about 1.5 hrs · best in the morningBan Co Peak sunrise lookoutFree
A quiet lookout above Da Nang's bay on the Son Tra peninsula.
scenic · about 3 hrs · best in the morningEntry fees and times are approximate, per adult, and change often — we confirm everything before you book. Last reviewed November 2026.
Specialities
What Hoi An is famous for
food
Cao lau
Thick noodles with pork and herbs, unique to Hoi An.
food
Banh mi Phuong style
Crisp baguettes with pate, herbs and sauces.
drink
Vietnamese iced coffee
Strong coffee with sweet condensed milk over ice.
craft
Tailor-made clothes
Fitted clothes ready in a day or two.
craft
Silk lanterns
Hand-made lamps in every colour, sold across the old town.
experience
Floating lantern release
Set a candle on the river at dusk.
Where to eat
A taste of Hoi An
From the stalls locals queue at to the tables critics travel for — chosen for flavour, character and a warm welcome.
Must try
- Cao lauHoi An's own chewy noodles with pork, greens and crunchy crackers; only made properly in town.
- Mi QuangTurmeric noodles in a little rich broth with pork, shrimp, peanuts and rice crackers; vegetarian versions exist.
- Banh mi Hoi AnCrisp baguette loaded with pate, meats and herbs; veg/egg versions are on most menus.
- White rose dumplingsDelicate translucent shrimp dumplings shaped like flowers, a Hoi An speciality.
- Banh xeoCrispy turmeric rice pancakes wrapped in rice paper with herbs; mushroom versions are available.
- Che / sweet soups and fresh fruit shakes vegCooling bean-and-coconut desserts and fruit smoothies sold all over the old town.
Street food trail
Hoi An Old Town market & night market trail
- Best time
- Hoi An Central Market 7–10 am; night market after 5.30 pm
- Takes
- 2–3 hours
- Start at
- Hoi An Central Market (Tran Phu & Bach Dang)
- Budget
- VND 200,000–300,000 (~INR 680–1,000)
- Hoi An Central Market food hallOld Town riverside
Try Cao lầu (local noodles, usually with pork), white rose dumplings (shrimp); fruit (veg)
Vegetarians: ask any stall for 'cao lầu chay' — some offer tofu versions.
VND 40,000–70,000 (~INR 135–240)Map
- Banh mi shops in the Old Town (e.g. Phan Chau Trinh street)Old Town
Try Bánh mì chay (veg version with tofu/egg)
Hoi An's banh mi is famous — queues are long at the best-known shops, go mid-afternoon.
VND 30,000–40,000 (~INR 100–135)Map
- Hoi An vegetarian restaurants (Buddhist 'chay')Old Town & An Hoi
Try Vegetarian cao lầu and mì quảng (veg)
Hoi An has many 'chay' places — easiest destination in central Vietnam for vegetarians.
VND 50,000–80,000 (~INR 170–270)Map
- Hoi An Night Market (Nguyen Hoang street)An Hoi islet, across the bridge
Try Banh xeo (crispy pancake — ask for veg), mango sticky rice, coconut ice cream (veg)
Combine with the lantern-boat ride; it's crowded 7–9 pm.
VND 50,000–100,000 (~INR 170–340)Map
Eat smart · every traveller
Diets & dietary needs
- Vegetarian
- Good in Hoi An — many dedicated 'chay' restaurants. Elsewhere fish sauce and shrimp are default in dips and noodle dishes.
- Vegan
- 'Chay' restaurants are vegan; ask about egg in banh mi.
- Jain (no onion, garlic)
- Hard; Indian restaurants in Hoi An and Da Nang can do Jain food if briefed.
- Halal
- A few halal Indian/Malay restaurants in Da Nang and Hoi An; street food is mostly pork/seafood.
- Gluten-free
- Good, but cao lầu noodles may contain wheat — choose rice noodle dishes.
- With children
- Banh mi, mango sticky rice, coconut ice cream, fruit; Da Nang beaches have big seafood restaurants with mild options.
- Spice level
- Mild; chilli on the side. Say 'không cay'.
Say it like a local
Useful phrases
- I am vegetarianTôi ăn chaytoy an chai
- No meat, no fish sauce, no eggKhông thịt, không nước mắm, không trứngkhom tit, khom nuoc mam, khom chung
- Not spicy, pleaseKhông caykhom kai
- How much?Bao nhiêu tiền?bow nyew tee-en
- Old Town entry tickets are sold at booths and checked at sights — budget for one.
- Cash (VND) for stalls; the night market quotes tourist prices — bargain for souvenirs, not for food.
- Hoi An floods in Oct–Nov — check conditions before booking an evening walk in rainy season.
- Da Nang's Han Market and Con Market are the local food markets; Con Market is more local and cheaper.
Trail stops, hours and prices are approximate and stalls move — check locally. Pronunciations are simplified guides. Last reviewed 9 November 2026.
Where to eat, by budget
Street food, markets and humble legends
Local FavouritesBib Gourmand (Michelin Guide Vietnam 2026, new)
Bà Vui
A family-run eatery with over four decades of history, newly recognised in 2026.
Order Chicken vermicelli, chicken sticky rice
Local FavouritesBib Gourmand (Michelin Guide Vietnam 2026, new)
Bánh Bèo – Bánh Đập
A simple spot specialising in central Vietnam's bite-sized rice-cake snacks.
Order Banh beo (steamed rice cakes), banh dap (smashed rice crackers)
Acclaimed cafés and celebrated mid-range tables
Smart & Stylish
Morning Glory
A polished old-town restaurant from local food figure Ms Vy, good for sampling Hoi An classics in comfort. Book ahead for dinner.
Order Cao lau, white rose dumplings, banh xeo
Smart & StylishBib Gourmand (Michelin Guide Vietnam 2026)
Shamballa
A Michelin-recognised vegetarian restaurant by the Han River - the safest bet for vegetarian clients in Da Nang. Reserve for dinner.
Order Vegan pho, crispy mushrooms
Smart & StylishBib Gourmand (Michelin Guide Vietnam 2026)
Indian Aroma
A Michelin Bib Gourmand Indian restaurant in Da Nang - a comforting option for Indian clients after a few days of Vietnamese food.
Order Dal, paneer curries, tandoori breads
Award-winning tables, tasting menus and grand hotel dining
Fine Dining & SplurgeMichelin Guide Vietnam 2026: 1 star (Da Nang's only star)
La Maison 1888
A grand colonial-style villa within one of Vietnam's most dramatic resorts; the region's only starred restaurant.
Order Tasting menu
Fine Dining & SplurgeMichelin Green Star (Michelin Guide Vietnam 2026)
Nén Danang
A sustainability-minded tasting menu exploring Vietnamese ingredients and regional traditions.
Order Single seasonal tasting menu
Restaurants change hours, menus and prices often; awards are as published at the time of checking. Approximate — verify before you go. Last reviewed 9 November 2026. All our food picks
Time it right
Festivals & events
SepAsia
Mid-Autumn Festival
Hoi An and Hanoi's old quarter, Vietnam · About 15 September 2027 (lunar calendar — confirm closer to the time)
Children carry star-shaped lanterns, lion dancers parade, and families share mooncakes under the full moon. Hoi An's lamp-lit old town is particularly atmospheric.
Tip: Stay in the old town and go to the river for the evening lanterns.
Local tip: Order tailored clothes on your first day so there is time for fittings.
Make Hoi An yours
Build a free itinerary in a minute, or let our team plan it all — stays, transport and a clear price.