Anastasia Smith
Ranked among Vietnam's most breathtaking vacation capitals, Hoi An is also a heritage city lined with ancient landmarks and retail hubs. From its cultural highlights to its recreational potential, here's why Hoi An should be a part of everyone's travel plans in 2024.
Occupying an enviable location in the heart of the country, Hoi An is a destination most tourists will pass on their way to northern and southern travel hubs in Vietnam. As a popular transit hotspot, Hoi An's central location makes it an easy vacation spot to travel to and access whether one is bound for Vietnam's southernmost regions or its vibrant northern territories. Offering visitors access not only to stunning beaches but also a charming riverside, Hoi An provides the best of both worlds for travellers in search of a tranquil hideaway away from the hustle and bustle of cosmopolitan Vietnam.
The narrow and winding streets that crisscross Hoi An Old Town alone make a trip to this area well worth the time and effort. As a beautifully preserved area that harks back to not only its Chinese colonial era but also Japanese and the French colonial periods, the captivating architecture of the centuries-old buildings in Old Town is what makes it a cultural attraction like no other. Walking the streets of Old Town can, therefore, feel like a trip back in time as this part of the town has remained the same as the rest of Hoi An moved with the times.
While it may be one of the lesser-known aspects of Hoi An, seasoned visitors have always relished the eclectic night time distractions and the reasonably priced cocktails and liquors served in local bars. With more than one drinking hole purporting to sell the "cheapest beer in the world," the live music and performances that take place at popular bars also makes Hoi An a great place for night owls. Those who would rather spend a night out shopping and enjoying a midnight stroll by the riverside will find that lanterns light their way by the waterfront and that the night markets in Hoi An offer visitors the best bargains in town.
Whether one is based at Anantara Hoi An Resort or any other hotel, one of the top things to do in Hoi An is discover its street food delicacies. Famed for its succulent Bahn Mi buns and White Rose Dumplings, the roadside kiosks lining Hoi An's major highways also specialize in piping hot Cao Lau Noodles and mouthwatering Vietnamese Pizzas.
Described by travelogues as one of the most colourful destinations in the world, Hoi An's use of bright coloured lanterns and buildings also sets it apart from other Vietnamese vacation hubs. Avid Instagrammers and amateur photographers will find the vibrant facades of Hoi An's streets irresistible not only due to the bold colour choices but also how the structures juxtaposition themselves against a pure blue sky with cotton candy-coloured clouds.
