However, we recommend that you have at least one all day in Hoi An as it is definitely worth a visit. As part of our Custom Itineraries for Vietnam series, here’s a guide on how to spend a day in Hoi An.

HOI AN TRIP IN ONE DAY: OUR SUGGESTIONS

1. Sew some clothes, bags or shoes

Tailoring is a big industry in Hoi An. Hoi An is home to more than 400 tailor shops and thousands of tailors who are not only talented in making clothes, but also skilled in making shoes and bags! The average turnaround time for a whole garment is one day and about 4 hours for a bag or shoe! If you’re interested in buying custom items, try to find a store you like as early in your visit as possible.

Of course, the quality of the goods is questioned when the turnaround time is too fast. The truth is that opinions on this matter vary from person to person, item to item, and store to store. Even stores with a solid reputation are known to produce products below face value. A lot of times, it’s important to be completely clear about what you want and communicate that effectively with the store owner. If you happen to be in Saigon before going to Hoi An, we recommend buying fabrics and materials in Saigon as the choice is wider and often of better quality.

Here are recommendations for where to go to buy custom items (these are the places we’ve had luck, and while we want you to have a positive custom tailoring experience like us, but we cannot guarantee that)

Shoes, Clothing, Jacket, Suit: Ms.Anh (093 570 5655). She works independently and sometimes collaborates with different store and stall owners. Her tailoring knowledge and know-how is amazing. She will meet you at your hotel after you contact her.

2. Sightseeing in the countryside

The countryside and countryside of Vietnam is simply stunning. Visiting these areas gives you a glimpse of Vietnam’s romantic perspective – rice fields, conical hats, ancient architecture, friendly faces… As cities become become more industrial and cosmopolitan, these rural areas become more remote and inaccessible. reach to. Fortunately for Hoi An, it is still quite small compared to other big cities in Vietnam so the countryside is more accessible.

There are several types of tours that take you to the countryside to watch the sunrise or catch a glimpse of rural Vietnam life in the early morning. This is also an opportunity for you to pursue some of your interests while traveling. For example, if you enjoy photography or cycling, there are tours specifically tailored to your needs. XO Tours offers a wonderful countryside motorbike tour called “Riding a Horse with Nguyen” exploring the areas around Cam Kim Island. On this tour, you’ll not only get to visit rural areas that are mostly untouched by tourism, but you’ll also get to interact with locals at home and at work.

3. Hoi An day trip needs to visit the old town

When you return to the city from your tour, the afternoon is the perfect time of day to see some of Hoi An’s famous sights. But first, before you start exploring the city on foot, we recommend grabbing a sandwich to fuel up for the afternoon. Banh mi in Hoi An is both famous and different from the banh mi you’ll find in other parts of Vietnam. The bread and filling are unique to the region and a great first insight into local cuisine. We recommend Madam Khanh’s stand who is known as Hoi An Bread Queen!

After you take a quick bite, check out the famous bridges in Hoi An. Among the 5 best Hoi An historical sites, The first is the historic Japanese bridge built by Japanese merchants when Hoi An was an important trading port. The second most famous bridge is simply a pedestrian and motorbike bridge (and any type of vehicle that fits) connecting the two parts of the downtown area. The architecture of this bridge has nothing to do with history but the way the bridge is placed makes for a great photo! If you are a museum enthusiast, you can visit any of the four famous museums in the old town area. Or, to better understand Hoi An’s history, visit some of the Assembly Halls built by Chinese traders. You can buy a general ticket that gives you access to a bridge, a hall, an old house, a museum and another place of ‘intangible culture’. All of these sites are located in Hoi An Ancient Town and within walking distance of each other.

4. Enjoy the scenery

Hoi An is surrounded by a series of small bays and canals and some of the town’s residents have taken advantage of this by offering boat trips along these canals. While this may seem like a big tourist attraction at first, it’s actually one of the best ways to see old colonial architecture from afar. Many boat owners sit along the boulevard closest to the water and invite rowing. Please ask several different boat owners to find the one offering the best price. Usually, their initial price will drop significantly if they feel that you’re going to be in the same boat as one of their competitors.

If sailing doesn’t excite you, you can enjoy the scenery in a different way. The sea is not too far from the main city, so a VND 100,000 taxi ride will take you to An Bang beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam. This particular beach is also named in CNN’s Top 100 Beaches around the world, so if you happen to be in Hoi An at the right time of year, we highly recommend coming here!

5. Enjoy Hoi An regional cuisine

As we mentioned earlier, the cuisine around Hoi An is very unique and we recommend you take the opportunity to try it out. Hoi An has a diverse mix of restaurants and you’ll have plenty of dining options. Look for Cao Lau on the menu, it’s a pho unlike pho and other pho you’ll find in Vietnam. Also, be sure to try the white rose dumplings, which are shrimp dumplings with a translucent shell shaped like a rose.

Although Hoi An has both popular and casual eateries where you can try these dishes and more, we recommend Street cafe.More than just a restaurant serving delicious food, it is also a social enterprise helping disadvantaged youth develop new skills and solid work experience.

If you want to get off the beaten track and try some unique local dishes that you won’t find in Hoi An Ancient Town, you might consider joining a walking tour to enjoy “Dinner with the Nguyen surname”.

6. End your Hoi An day trip at the Lantern Market and enjoy the nightly entertainment

When it gets dark, Hoi An Ancient Town turns into a series of mysterious shimmering lanterns. In fact, Hoi An is a major center for paper lantern manufacturers and traders. Every shop or establishment will have a few lanterns outside, but the truly remarkable sight is the lantern market. Here you will be able to see how these lanterns are made and there will be loads of options if you want to take them home. Visit our caption for the location of the Lantern Market

After strolling through the market, check out the traditional open-air theater. You will have the opportunity to watch Vietnamese folk dancers and musicians perform traditional works. Cinema from 9pm to 10pm at a square on Nguyen Thai Hoc Street. It’s free and open to the public, so it’s fun to watch, even if you’re only watching for a few minutes as you pass by. Before heading back to the hotel, be sure to light a box of candles and put it in the water. Many children sitting along both sides of the canal light candles for you – remember to make a wish!

For more customized itineraries or Vietnam travel tips, check out Vietnam Travel Guide regularly.