Best Things to Do in Hoi An, Vietnam – A Guide for First-Timers

As a port town, there are plenty of sunny beaches in Hoi An that are perfect sandy oases to spread a towel and chill. Plus, there is plenty of choices when it comes to choosing a beach in Hoi An. Some of the favourites include An Bang Beach, which is only 3km from the town centre and Cua Dai Beach, which is just 4km away. These beaches, amongst many more, are considered some of the prettiest in the country. These should be a part of your Hoi An travel itinerary. Here's a Vietnam travel tip. For exploring the pristine northern shores of Vietnam, you can choose to travel on The Vietage, the train stops at Da Nang just one hour away from this marvellous heritage city - Hoi An.

For those of you stopping off in Hoi An, get there with a loaded appetite. Hoi An is considered a foodie capital in Vietnam. And in keeping in line with the city's heritage, the food is excellent. You must try the traditional shrimp dumplings made from a very thin and transparent dough. The best place for this dish is the White Rose restaurant, which uses a traditional recipe to turn out these heavenly treats. Head over to the Morning Glory restaurant and try the Ban Xeo pancakes and the Mi Quang noodles; both excellent dishes. At Mango Mango restaurant, you can savour fusion dishes that incorporate traditional favourites with modern recipes. You may like the mango and chocolate combo! There are a lot more top eateries in Hoi An, and you should explore them all.
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Apart from the fab UNESCO Heritage Sites, Hoi An is known for its collection of skilled tailors. While shopping is a treat there, make sure to get one of Hoi An's top tailors to stitch you a suit. Not only are they skilled at their trade, but you can also even get a perfectly stitched suit in one day. There are over 400 plus tailors in Hoi An but make sure to ask around and choose one with a good reputation. Some of the noted tailors include Bao Khan Silk, Yaly Couture, and BeBe.

There are noteworthy heritage sites in Hoi An. Go see the Japanese Bridge and amble along the canal. There you will see vintage shop-houses lining the canals and lovely cafes spilling onto the pedestrianised streets. The Old Town is a lovely place to explore and if you hang around till evening, you can witness the evening ritual of lighting up colourful paper lanterns. They adorn the shop and home fronts. And are pretty sight indeed!

Head out to the bustling night market of Hoi An during sundown and you'd be treated to the fascinating experience of the street coming to life amid a brightly lit street lantern galore. Don't forget to take some clicks of these lanterns, which will surely add a splash of colour to your Instagram feed.