from $389

Hoi An

Vietnam · A lantern-lit trading port frozen somewhere in the 16th century

Hoi An was one of Southeast Asia's major trading ports for over 300 years, and its old town — a dense grid of low wooden shophouses, Chinese assembly halls, and a covered Japanese bridge — survived the wars that reshaped the rest of the country almost entirely intact. UNESCO listed it in 1999, and the whole quarter is now a pedestrian zone at night, lit almost entirely by silk lanterns.

It's also, unofficially, Vietnam's tailoring capital: hundreds of shops can turn around a custom-made suit or dress in 24 to 48 hours. But the real daily rhythm of the town runs through its market and its food — this is one of the best places to eat in the entire country.

Highlights

Lantern-lit old town at night

The riverside streets close to traffic after dark; locals release paper lanterns onto the river from small wooden boats.

Cao Lau and banh mi

Hoi An has its own regional noodle dish, cao lau, made only with water from a specific local well — try it at a market stall, not a hotel restaurant.

Japanese Covered Bridge

Built in the 1590s to connect the Japanese and Chinese trading quarters, and still the old town's unofficial landmark.

An Bang Beach

A quieter, less-developed beach about 3km from the old town — easy to reach by bicycle for an afternoon away from the lanterns.

Best time to visit

February–April offers the driest, mildest weather, ahead of the wet season that typically runs October–December.

Getting there

Fly into Da Nang (DAD), then a 45-minute taxi or shuttle south to Hoi An.

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