Asia
QUICK FACTSnRegion: Central Coast, VietnamnKnown for: UNESCO Ancient Town, silk lanterns, custom tailoring, Cao Lau noodlesnNearest airport: Da Nang International (DAD) — 30 minutes by carnBest season: February to May
nn
Hoi An is the kind of place that makes people extend their trips. The Ancient Town — a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999 — is a compact grid of low-rise, ochre-painted buildings along the Thu Bon River, strung with hundreds of silk lanterns that glow in every colour at night. From the 16th to 18th centuries, this was one of Southeast Asia’s most important trading ports.
nn
Modern Hoi An’s reputation rests on three things beyond the Old Town: custom tailoring (hundreds of shops, 24 to 48 hours, a fraction of Western prices), food (Cao Lau noodles, white rose dumplings and banh mi), and the beach at An Bang, a 15-minute bicycle ride from the centre.
nn
Da Nang airport is 30 minutes away with direct flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Most visitors spend two to four nights. The town is flat and compact — cycling is the best way around.
nn
Want the deeper context? See the separate guides covering Hoi An’s trading port history, what to wear, a practical 3-day itinerary, and the best time to visit.
