Casa Rio Guidebook
Sightseeing
The "Old Town" is the UNESCO World Heritage Site that first put the town on the international travel map.
It is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a small-scale trading port active the 15th to 19th centuries which traded widely, both with the countries of Southeast and East Asia and with the rest of the world. Its decline in the later 19th century ensured that it has retained its traditional urban tissue to a remarkable degree.
The town reflects a fusion of indigenous and foreign cultures (principally Chinese and Japanese with later European influences) that combined to produce this unique survival.
Technically speaking, to enter Hoi An Ancient Town you need to buy tickets. Fear not, it is rarely policed but if challenged, just buy them. You only need tickets to enter specific heritage sites. If you are there just to look around, or for shopping or dinning, simply tell the ticket-peddlers that you are not entering any heritage sites.
If you DO want to check out the heritage sites (which we recommend you do, at least a few), the main sites requiring a ticket include::
- Chinese Assembly Halls (highly rated) : Especially the Fujian and Cantonese Halls
- Japanese Bridge: Perhaps Hoi An's most famous landmark, built in 1593
- Quan Cong Temple and its adjacent pagoda, founded in 1653
- Tran Family Chapel: Containing elements of both an old house and an ancestral shrine
- Museum of Folf Culture: Featuring local dress, tools, crafts, ceramics and more
- Museum of Hoi An: Detailing the stories of Hoi An's original settlers and history as a prominent trading port
- Tan Ky Old House: One of the finest examples of traditional architecture in Hoi An
There are several other sites where you are supposed to have a ticket to enter. The tickets themselves are not overly expensive (around $5 USD for entrance to 5 sites).
But as mentioned, there is still a LOT to see in Hoi An without buying entrance tickets to the sites. Throughout Hoi An Ancient Town you will find loads of charming restaurants, cafes, shops and stalls (some of which we highlight elsewhere in this Guidebook). Plan for an afternoon wander along its ‘walking’ streets and narrow lanes early on in your your stay. After that, you will have a better idea of what else you want to see and how much you want to return for. You may also like to arrive early in the morning to skip the hustle and bustle and steady stream of tourists. Tourist congestion is especially heavy in the evening. But for many, this is all part of the charm too.
Two excellent references for furher details of things to do in the Ancient Town are:
1. Hoi An Now https://hoiannow.com/hoi-an-guide/about-hoi-an/hoi-an-ancient-town
2. Sailing Stone Travel: https://sailingstonetravel.com/hoi-an-ancient-town-attractions-the-ultimate-guide/
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Hoi An Ancient Town
The "Old Town" is the UNESCO World Heritage Site that first put the town on the international travel map.
It is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a small-scale trading port active the 15th to 19th centuries which traded widely, both with the countries of Southeast and East Asia and with the rest of the world. Its decline in the later 19th century ensured that it has retained its traditional urban tissue to a remarkable degree.
The town reflects a fusion of indigenous and foreign cultures (principally Chinese and Japanese with later European influences) that combined to produce this unique survival.
Technically speaking, to enter Hoi An Ancient Town you need to buy tickets. Fear not, it is rarely policed but if challenged, just buy them. You only need tickets to enter specific heritage sites. If you are there just to look around, or for shopping or dinning, simply tell the ticket-peddlers that you are not entering any heritage sites.
If you DO want to check out the heritage sites (which we recommend you do, at least a few), the main sites requiring a ticket include::
- Chinese Assembly Halls (highly rated) : Especially the Fujian and Cantonese Halls
- Japanese Bridge: Perhaps Hoi An's most famous landmark, built in 1593
- Quan Cong Temple and its adjacent pagoda, founded in 1653
- Tran Family Chapel: Containing elements of both an old house and an ancestral shrine
- Museum of Folf Culture: Featuring local dress, tools, crafts, ceramics and more
- Museum of Hoi An: Detailing the stories of Hoi An's original settlers and history as a prominent trading port
- Tan Ky Old House: One of the finest examples of traditional architecture in Hoi An
There are several other sites where you are supposed to have a ticket to enter. The tickets themselves are not overly expensive (around $5 USD for entrance to 5 sites).
But as mentioned, there is still a LOT to see in Hoi An without buying entrance tickets to the sites. Throughout Hoi An Ancient Town you will find loads of charming restaurants, cafes, shops and stalls (some of which we highlight elsewhere in this Guidebook). Plan for an afternoon wander along its ‘walking’ streets and narrow lanes early on in your your stay. After that, you will have a better idea of what else you want to see and how much you want to return for. You may also like to arrive early in the morning to skip the hustle and bustle and steady stream of tourists. Tourist congestion is especially heavy in the evening. But for many, this is all part of the charm too.
Two excellent references for furher details of things to do in the Ancient Town are:
1. Hoi An Now https://hoiannow.com/hoi-an-guide/about-hoi-an/hoi-an-ancient-town
2. Sailing Stone Travel: https://sailingstonetravel.com/hoi-an-ancient-town-attractions-the-ultimate-guide/
Yoga and Wellness
Annen Yoga & Vegeterian corner
471/7 Cửa Đại6-9am. Contact ahead of time (no pop ins)
Contact Vu (Harry) for relaxing, mindful sunrise yoga at the beach
Angiee Adventures - hoian tours with locals
Contact Vu (Harry) for relaxing, mindful sunrise yoga at the beach
Food scene
MANGO MANGO
45 Nguyễn Phúc ChuRed Dragon Restaurant and Cooking Class
332 Cửa ĐạiGoodmorning Vietnam
11 Lê LợiAuthentic Italian food; terrific pizza
Luna d'Autunno
The Chef Restaurant & Cafe
166 Trần PhúFantastic sports bar and with tranquil outdoor riverside setting in back. Great western-styled menu (try the schnitzel!). Really fun Pub Quiz Wednesday night.
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3 Dragons Sports Bar & Restaurant
51 Đường Phan Bội ChâuFantastic sports bar and with tranquil outdoor riverside setting in back. Great western-styled menu (try the schnitzel!). Really fun Pub Quiz Wednesday night.
Hoa Hien Restaurant
33 Trần Quang KhảiBurger Craft Hoi An
639 Đ. Hai Bà TrưngMai Fish Restaurant
45 Nguyễn Thị Minh KhaiBeach Village Restaurant
To 6B An BangCadillac Bar and Grill
Ribs!!!
Com Linh
42 Phan Chu TrinhFantastic Vietnamese food, specializing in northern (Hanoi) dishes such as pho and bun cha.
Like Mango Room and Mango Mango, chef Duc will not disappoint in providing delicious innovative VN fusion and other specialities, in a chilled and relaxing setting.
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Mango Rooms
37 Đường Phan Bội ChâuLike Mango Room and Mango Mango, chef Duc will not disappoint in providing delicious innovative VN fusion and other specialities, in a chilled and relaxing setting.
Coffee / Cafe
High quality coffee freshly ground coffee on-site. Good location for a quiet break and people watching.
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Mia Coffee
20 Đường Phan Bội ChâuHigh quality coffee freshly ground coffee on-site. Good location for a quiet break and people watching.
Beach Scene
A famous mecca for chillaxing at Hoi An's most popular beach. Serene and relaxing by day, and often a vibrant music scene (DJs and live acts) at night/ Plenty of sunbeds in front of the restaurant.
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Soul Kitchen
A famous mecca for chillaxing at Hoi An's most popular beach. Serene and relaxing by day, and often a vibrant music scene (DJs and live acts) at night/ Plenty of sunbeds in front of the restaurant.
Family friendly, wonderful oceanside location.
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The Chef Restaurant & Cafe
166 Trần PhúFamily friendly, wonderful oceanside location.
”Hidden Beach” Hoi An
Tours
Outstanding and top-rated tour guide for visiting sites in the Old Town (walking tour), food tour (including cooking classes) and other adventures. Highly Recommend!
Angiee Adventures - hoian tours with locals
Outstanding and top-rated tour guide for visiting sites in the Old Town (walking tour), food tour (including cooking classes) and other adventures. Highly Recommend!