Quick Summary
- Walk across the iconic 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge
- Explore heritage houses and ornate Chinese assembly halls
- Feast on Cao Lau, White Rose dumplings, and Banh Mi at the Central Market
- Get custom clothes tailored in world-famous tailor shops
- Swim and watch sunset at An Bang Beach
- Cycle through Tra Que Vegetable Village and learn herb farming
- Cook Vietnamese dishes in a hands-on cooking class
- Ride basket boats through Cam Thanh coconut palm forest
- Release floating lanterns on the Thu Bon River at sunset
Two days in Hoi An is the sweet spot for experiencing both the UNESCO-listed Ancient Town and the enchanting countryside that surrounds it. While Day 1 immerses you in 400 years of trading port heritage — Japanese bridges, Chinese assembly halls, French colonial shophouses, legendary food, and the magical lantern-lit streets at night — Day 2 takes you beyond the Ancient Town walls to explore the lush countryside by bicycle, learn Vietnamese cooking in a hands-on class, glide through a coconut palm forest in a basket boat, and finish with a sunset boat ride on the Thu Bon River.
This two-day itinerary is designed for travelers who want to go deeper than the Ancient Town highlights. Day 2 is where Hoi An truly reveals its charm — cycling through rice paddies to Tra Que Vegetable Village, getting your hands dirty in a cooking class, spinning in a traditional basket boat through the water coconut forest of Cam Thanh, and releasing a floating lantern as the sun sets over the Thu Bon River. These are the experiences that make people fall in love with Hoi An and book a return trip.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A perfectly paced day that takes you from the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge and centuries-old merchant houses in the morning, through the legendary Central Market food scene at midday, to world-famous tailor shops in the afternoon, a sunset swim at An Bang Beach, and the unforgettable lantern-lit Ancient Town at night.
Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu)
Start your Hoi An adventure at the Japanese Covered Bridge, the town's most iconic landmark. Arrive at 8:00 AM to photograph this 400-year-old bridge in the soft morning light. Walk across the weathered wooden structure, peek inside the small temple, and admire the monkey and dog statues. Buy your Ancient Town ticket (120,000₫) at the nearby booth.
Details
- Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
- Entry: Included in Ancient Town ticket (120,000₫)
- Best Time: Early morning (8-9 AM) for soft light and fewer crowds
Nearby Food
- Cao Lau stalls on nearby streets
- Reaching Out Tea House
- Morning Glory Restaurant
Pro Tips
- Arrive before 9 AM to enjoy the bridge without tour groups
- Hold up a 20,000₫ banknote for a fun comparison photo
Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu)
Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Cam Pho, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam
Tan Ky Old House (Nhà Cổ Tấn Ký)
Walk to Tan Ky Old House, a 200-year-old merchant house showcasing a stunning fusion of Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese architecture. Admire the intricate wooden carvings, mother-of-pearl furniture, and carved crab-shaped brackets. The seventh-generation family guides will point out flood marks on the columns and explain the ingenious courtyard design.
Details
- Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
- Entry: Included in Ancient Town ticket (120,000₫)
- Best Time: Morning for fewer visitors
Nearby Food
- The Hill Station Deli & Boutique
- Hai Scout Cafe
- Streets Restaurant
Pro Tips
- This is one of the best heritage sites on your Ancient Town ticket
- The family guides provide fascinating context in English
Tan Ky Old House (Nhà Cổ Tấn Ký)
101 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Minh An, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam
Phuc Kien (Fujian) Assembly Hall (Hội Quán Phúc Kiến)
Visit the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, the grandest of Hoi An's Chinese assembly halls. Pass through the dragon gate into courtyards filled with hanging incense coils and bonsai trees. Admire the shrine to Thien Hau (the sea goddess) and the mural depicting the voyage from Fujian to Hoi An. Buy a small incense coil (10,000₫) and hang your wish.
Details
- Hours: Daily, 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM
- Entry: Included in Ancient Town ticket (120,000₫)
- Best Time: Morning when incense coils are freshly lit
Nearby Food
- Banh Mi Phuong
- White Rose Restaurant
- Mango Rooms
Pro Tips
- The incense coils create magical smoke and light effects — perfect for photography
- Be respectful — this is still an active place of worship
Phuc Kien (Fujian) Assembly Hall (Hội Quán Phúc Kiến)
46 Tran Phu, Cam Pho, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam
Hoi An Central Market (Chợ Hội An)
Head to the Central Market for Hoi An's legendary food scene. Order Cao Lau (30,000-40,000₫) — the signature thick rice noodles made only in Hoi An — followed by Com Ga (chicken rice, 30,000₫). Browse the fresh produce section and enjoy riverside views.
Details
- Hours: Daily, 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Entry: Free
- Best Time: Late morning for the food stalls
Nearby Food
- Market food stalls
- Bale Well Restaurant
- Madam Khanh Banh Mi Queen
Pro Tips
- Cao Lau at the market is the most authentic and affordable version in town
- Bring small cash denominations — stalls don't accept cards
Hoi An Central Market (Chợ Hội An)
Nguyen Hue Street, Minh An, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam
Hoi An Tailor Shops
Browse Hoi An's famous tailor shops along Le Loi and Tran Phu streets. Compare fabrics and prices at several shops, bring photos of what you want, and place your order. With 2 days, you have time for fittings and alterations. A custom dress starts from 500,000₫, a shirt from 300,000₫, and a suit from 2,000,000₫.
Details
- Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
- Entry: Free to browse
- Best Time: Afternoon when the Ancient Town is hottest
Nearby Food
- Reaching Out Tea House
- Rosemary Restaurant
- Cocobox Juice Bar
Pro Tips
- With 2 days, you can order in the afternoon and have fittings the next morning
- Visit at least 3 shops before deciding
Hoi An Tailor Shops
Le Loi & Tran Phu Streets, Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam, Vietnam
An Bang Beach (Bãi biển An Bàng)
Cycle to An Bang Beach for a refreshing swim and sunset watching. Rent a sunbed at a beach bar, take a dip in the South China Sea, and watch one of Central Vietnam's most spectacular sunsets over cold drinks.
Details
- Hours: Daily, Open 24 hours
- Entry: Free
- Best Time: Late afternoon for swimming and sunset
Nearby Food
- Soul Kitchen An Bang
- Shore Club An Bang
- La Plage Restaurant
Pro Tips
- The 15-minute flat cycle from the Ancient Town is easy and scenic
- Arrive by 4 PM for the best sunbed spots
An Bang Beach (Bãi biển An Bàng)
An Bang Beach, Cam An, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam
Ancient Town Lanterns at Night
Return to the Ancient Town for the magical lantern-lit streets at night. Walk along the Thu Bon River as thousands of silk lanterns glow, release a floating candle lantern from An Hoi Bridge (10,000-20,000₫), and have dinner at a riverside restaurant with views of the illuminated waterfront.
Details
- Hours: Daily, Lanterns lit from sunset until 10:00 PM
- Entry: Free (floating lantern 10,000-20,000₫)
- Best Time: Just after sunset (6:30-8:30 PM)
Nearby Food
- Cargo Club Restaurant
- Vy's Market Restaurant
- Morning Glory Restaurant
Pro Tips
- Arrive just after sunset for the best photography light
- Releasing a floating lantern is one of Hoi An's most romantic experiences
Ancient Town Lanterns at Night
Hoi An Ancient Town, along Thu Bon River, Quang Nam, Vietnam
Where to Eat
Banh Mi Phuong or hotel breakfast
Vietnamese breakfast sandwich
25,000-40,000₫
Try: Banh Mi Phuong, Ca phe sua da (iced coffee), Xoi (sticky rice)
Hoi An Central Market food stalls
Hoi An specialties
25,000-50,000₫
Try: Cao Lau, Com Ga (chicken rice), White Rose dumplings
Cargo Club or Morning Glory Restaurant
Riverside Vietnamese dining
80,000-250,000₫
Try: Banh Xeo (crispy pancake), White Rose dumplings, Grilled river fish
A day beyond the Ancient Town walls — sunrise at An Bang Beach, cycling through rice paddies to Tra Que Vegetable Village, a hands-on Vietnamese cooking class, basket boat rides through Cam Thanh coconut palm forest, and a magical sunset boat ride on the Thu Bon River with floating lantern release.
An Bang Beach Sunrise
Start Day 2 with a sunrise visit to An Bang Beach. The beach is nearly empty at this hour, the sea is calm, and the rising sun paints the sky in warm shades of pink and gold. Watch local fishermen haul in their overnight catches on traditional basket boats. Take a refreshing morning swim and enjoy a beachside breakfast with Vietnamese coffee.
Details
- Hours: Daily, Open 24 hours
- Entry: Free
- Best Time: Sunrise (5:30-7:00 AM) for empty beach and golden light
Nearby Food
- Soul Kitchen breakfast
- Beach café coffee stalls
- Sound of Silence café
Pro Tips
- The beach is at its most peaceful before 8 AM — a completely different vibe from the afternoon
- Watch the fishermen pulling in their nets — it is a beautiful daily ritual
An Bang Beach Sunrise
An Bang Beach, Cam An, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam
Tra Que Vegetable Village
Cycle 3 km through rice paddies to Tra Que Vegetable Village, a 300-year-old farming community that grows the herbs defining Hoi An's cuisine. Try your hand at traditional farming — hoeing, watering with yoke-style buckets, and harvesting fresh herbs. Walk through the emerald-green fields of mint, basil, coriander, and Vietnamese perilla. The scenic cycling route through the Vietnamese countryside is one of Hoi An's highlights.
Details
- Hours: Daily, 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Entry: 35,000₫ for self-guided visit
- Best Time: Morning (8-11 AM) when farmers are most active
Nearby Food
- Tra Que Water Wheel Restaurant
- farm-to-table lunch included in most tours
- Baby Mustard Restaurant
Pro Tips
- The 3 km cycle through rice paddies is flat, scenic, and easy for all fitness levels
- Wear a sun hat and sunscreen — the open herb fields have little shade
Tra Que Vegetable Village
Tra Que Village, Cam Ha, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam
Vietnamese Cooking Class
Join a Vietnamese cooking class — one of Hoi An's most popular experiences. After a guided market or Tra Que Village visit to shop for ingredients, learn to prepare 3-5 traditional dishes hands-on: Banh Xeo (crispy pancakes), fresh spring rolls, White Rose dumplings, and Mi Quang. Sit down and enjoy everything you cooked for lunch. Red Bridge, Thuan Tinh Island, and Morning Glory are top-rated schools. Book ahead — classes fill up quickly.
Details
- Hours: Daily, Morning classes: 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM; Afternoon classes: 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM
- Entry: 500,000-800,000₫
- Best Time: Morning classes start at the market when it's most vibrant
Nearby Food
- You eat what you cook!
- Red Bridge Restaurant
- Morning Glory Restaurant
Pro Tips
- Book at least a day in advance during peak season
- Morning classes include the most vibrant market visit
Vietnamese Cooking Class
Various locations (Red Bridge, Thuan Tinh Island, Green Bamboo, Morning Glory)
Cam Thanh Coconut Village (Basket Boats)
Head to Cam Thanh Coconut Village for one of Hoi An's most fun experiences — basket boat rides through the water coconut palm forest. Board a traditional round bamboo basket boat as your skillful boatman spins you through narrow waterways flanked by towering coconut palms. Hold on as they demonstrate boat-spinning tricks and racing. Try crab fishing and making crafts from palm leaves. The mix of peaceful gliding and hilarious entertainment is unforgettable.
Details
- Hours: Daily, 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Entry: 150,000-250,000₫ per person
- Best Time: Afternoon (2-4 PM) when the light filters beautifully through the coconut palms
Nearby Food
- Cam Thanh riverside cafés
- Ba Du Restaurant
- local coconut water stalls
Pro Tips
- Book through your hotel for transparent pricing (150,000-250,000₫ per person)
- Tip your boatman 20,000-50,000₫ — they work hard to entertain
Cam Thanh Coconut Village (Basket Boats)
Cam Thanh, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam
Thu Bon River Sunset Boat Ride
End Day 2 with a sunset boat ride on the Thu Bon River. Board a traditional wooden boat from Bach Dang Wharf as the golden light softens over the Ancient Town. Glide past riverside houses, the An Hoi Bridge, and fishing boats. Release a floating candle lantern (10,000-20,000₫) on the river as the sun sets — a beautiful Vietnamese tradition. Watch as the Ancient Town lanterns begin to glow from the water — an unforgettable perspective.
Details
- Hours: Daily, Sunset boats depart 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
- Entry: 100,000-200,000₫ per person
- Best Time: Sunset (5:00-6:30 PM) for the golden light and lantern transition
Nearby Food
- Riverside restaurants in the Ancient Town
- Cargo Club
- The DeckHouse An Hoi
Pro Tips
- Negotiate the boat price before boarding — 100,000-200,000₫ per person is fair
- Boats departing around 5:30 PM catch the best sunset-to-lantern transition
Thu Bon River Sunset Boat Ride
Bach Dang Wharf, Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam, Vietnam
Where to Eat
An Bang Beach café breakfast
Beach breakfast
40,000-80,000₫
Try: Eggs and toast with sea view, Fresh tropical fruit, Vietnamese iced coffee
Cooking class meal (included)
Vietnamese dishes you cook yourself
Included in class fee (500,000-800,000₫)
Try: Banh Xeo (crispy pancake), Fresh spring rolls, Mi Quang (turmeric noodles)
Riverside restaurant in Ancient Town
Vietnamese and seafood
80,000-250,000₫
Try: Whole grilled fish, Banh Bao Banh Vac (White Rose), Com Ga Hoi An
Pro Tips for Your Trip
Buy the Ancient Town Ticket on Day 1
Purchase the Hoi An Ancient Town ticket (120,000₫) early on Day 1. It covers entry to 5 heritage sites of your choice and is valid for 24 hours. Use it for the Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky Old House, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, and two more sites of your choice.
Book Your Cooking Class in Advance
Cooking classes are Hoi An's most popular activity and fill up fast during peak season (February-May). Book at least 1 day ahead. Red Bridge and Thuan Tinh Island are the most atmospheric schools. Morning classes that include a market visit are the most immersive experience.
Cycle Everywhere on Day 2
Day 2's countryside stops — Tra Que Village, Cam Thanh, and the riverside — are all within easy cycling distance (3-5 km). Rent a bicycle for free from your hotel or for 20,000-30,000₫ from a rental shop. The flat terrain and scenic rice paddy routes make cycling one of Hoi An's great pleasures.
Schedule Tailor Fittings for Day 2
If you order tailoring on Day 1 afternoon, schedule your first fitting for Day 2 morning. This gives the tailor overnight to complete the initial piece, and you have the afternoon for final alterations. Complex items like suits may need pickup on a third day or shipping.
Carry Small Cash for the Countryside
Tra Que Village, Cam Thanh basket boats, floating lanterns, and riverside boat rides are all cash-only. Carry 300,000-500,000₫ in small denominations. ATMs are available in the Ancient Town along Tran Hung Dao Street.
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About the Author
Written by
Hoi An Itinerary Team
A team of Hoi An travel experts and long-term residents passionate about sharing the best of Vietnam's most enchanting ancient town. With years of experience exploring every lantern-lit street, hidden tailor shop, and riverside café, we know Hoi An inside out.
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Hoi An 1-Day Itinerary: Ancient Town, Tailors & Lanterns
- Walk across the iconic 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge
- Explore the beautifully preserved Tan Ky Old House
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Hoi An 3-Day Itinerary: Ancient Town, Countryside & My Son Ruins
- Walk across the iconic 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge
- Explore heritage houses and ornate Chinese assembly halls
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