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 Phuong
- 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
- Explore the UNESCO-listed My Son Sanctuary Cham ruins
- Enjoy a farewell dinner in the lantern-lit Ancient Town
Three days is the sweet spot for Hoi An — enough time to thoroughly explore the UNESCO-listed Ancient Town, dive into the legendary food scene, get clothes custom-tailored with time for fittings, experience the enchanting countryside by bicycle, take a hands-on cooking class, and embark on a half-day trip to the hauntingly beautiful My Son Sanctuary, the spiritual heart of the ancient Champa Kingdom.
Day 1 immerses you in the Ancient Town's 400-year heritage and magical lantern-lit nights. Day 2 takes you beyond the walls to the countryside — cycling through rice paddies, farming herbs at Tra Que Village, cooking Vietnamese dishes, spinning in basket boats, and cruising the Thu Bon River at sunset. Day 3 ventures further afield to the UNESCO World Heritage ruins of My Son Sanctuary, where Cham temple towers rise from a jungle valley, before returning for a farewell dinner in the lantern-lit riverside town you've fallen in love with. This is the complete Hoi An experience.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A perfectly paced day covering the Japanese Covered Bridge, heritage houses, assembly halls, Central Market food, tailor shops, An Bang Beach sunset, and the magical lantern-lit Ancient Town at night.
Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu)
Start at the Japanese Covered Bridge. Arrive at 8:00 AM for the best light and smallest crowds. Buy your Ancient Town ticket (120,000₫) and photograph this 400-year-old icon.
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
Nearby Food
- Reaching Out Tea House
- Morning Glory Restaurant
Pro Tips
- Arrive before 9 AM — tour groups from Da Nang flood in by mid-morning
- The 20,000₫ banknote comparison photo is a fun keepsake
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. Admire the fusion of Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese architecture. The seventh-generation family guides explain the flood marks, crab-shaped carvings, and 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
- Streets Restaurant
Pro Tips
- One of the best heritage sites on your Ancient Town ticket
- The family guides speak English and are very knowledgeable
Tan Ky Old House (Nhà Cổ Tấn Ký)
101 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Minh An, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam
Phuc Kien (Fujian) Assembly Hall
Visit the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, the grandest of Hoi An's Chinese assembly halls. Explore the dragon gate, incense-filled courtyards, and the shrine to Thien Hau. Buy an incense coil 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
Pro Tips
- The hanging incense coils create incredible photo opportunities
- Be respectful — this is an active place of worship
Phuc Kien (Fujian) Assembly Hall
46 Tran Phu, Cam Pho, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam
Hoi An Central Market (Chợ Hội An)
Head to the Central Market for lunch. Order Cao Lau (30,000-40,000₫), Com Ga (30,000₫), and browse the fresh produce and riverside flower market.
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
Pro Tips
- Market stall Cao Lau is the most authentic version in town
- Bring small cash — no cards accepted
Hoi An Central Market (Chợ Hội An)
Nguyen Hue Street, Minh An, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam
Hoi An Tailor Shops
Browse the famous tailor shops. With 3 days, you have plenty of time for fittings and alterations. Place your order today and schedule fittings for Day 2 and Day 3.
Details
- Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
- Entry: Free to browse
- Best Time: Afternoon when it's hottest outside
Nearby Food
- Reaching Out Tea House
- Cocobox Juice Bar
Pro Tips
- Ordering on Day 1 gives you 2 days for fittings — perfect for suits and complex items
- Compare at least 3 shops before committing
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 spectacular sunset. Rent a sunbed, order cold drinks, and watch the golden light over the South China Sea.
Details
- Hours: Daily, Open 24 hours
- Entry: Free
- Best Time: Late afternoon for sunset
Nearby Food
- Soul Kitchen
- Shore Club
- La Plage
Pro Tips
- The flat 15-minute cycle is easy and scenic
- Arrive by 4 PM for the best spots
An Bang Beach (Bãi biển An Bàng)
An Bang Beach, Cam An, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam
Ancient Town Lanterns at Night
Return for the magical lantern-lit Ancient Town. Walk the glowing streets, release a floating candle lantern on the Thu Bon River (10,000-20,000₫), and have dinner at a riverside restaurant.
Details
- Hours: Daily, 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
- Vy's Market Restaurant
- Morning Glory Restaurant
Pro Tips
- Arrive just after sunset for the best photography
- Book a riverside restaurant table in advance for the best views
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
25,000-40,000₫
Try: Banh Mi Phuong, Ca phe sua da, Xoi (sticky rice)
Hoi An Central Market food stalls
Hoi An specialties
25,000-50,000₫
Try: Cao Lau, Com Ga, White Rose dumplings
Morning Glory or Cargo Club
Riverside Vietnamese dining
80,000-250,000₫
Try: Banh Xeo, White Rose dumplings, Grilled fish
Beyond the Ancient Town — sunrise at An Bang Beach, cycling to Tra Que Vegetable Village, a cooking class, basket boats in Cam Thanh, and a sunset cruise on the Thu Bon River.
An Bang Beach Sunrise
Start Day 2 with sunrise at An Bang Beach. Enjoy the peaceful morning, watch fishermen on basket boats, swim in calm waters, and have a beachside breakfast with Vietnamese coffee.
Details
- Hours: Daily, Open 24 hours
- Entry: Free
- Best Time: Sunrise (5:30-7:00 AM)
Nearby Food
- Soul Kitchen breakfast
- Beach café coffee stalls
Pro Tips
- The beach is at its most peaceful before 8 AM
- Watching the fishermen 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. Try traditional farming — hoeing, watering with yoke-style buckets, and harvesting herbs. Walk through emerald-green fields of mint, basil, and coriander.
Details
- Hours: Daily, 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Entry: 35,000₫
- Best Time: Morning when farmers are active
Nearby Food
- Tra Que Water Wheel Restaurant
- Baby Mustard Restaurant
Pro Tips
- The cycle through rice paddies is one of Hoi An's most scenic rides
- Wear a hat and sunscreen — the 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. Learn to prepare Banh Xeo, spring rolls, White Rose dumplings, and Mi Quang, then eat everything you cooked for lunch.
Details
- Hours: Daily, Classes run morning and afternoon
- Entry: 500,000-800,000₫
- Best Time: Morning classes include the market visit
Nearby Food
- You eat what you cook!
Pro Tips
- Book at least a day ahead during peak season
- Red Bridge and Thuan Tinh Island are the most atmospheric options
Vietnamese Cooking Class
Various locations in Hoi An
Cam Thanh Coconut Village (Basket Boats)
Head to Cam Thanh for basket boat rides through the water coconut palm forest. Enjoy spinning tricks, crab fishing, and palm leaf crafts with your skillful boatman.
Details
- Hours: Daily, 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Entry: 150,000-250,000₫
- Best Time: Afternoon when light filters through the palms
Nearby Food
- Cam Thanh riverside cafés
- Ba Du Restaurant
Pro Tips
- Book through your hotel for fair pricing (150,000-250,000₫)
- Tip your boatman 20,000-50,000₫
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. Release a floating lantern (10,000-20,000₫) as the sun sets and watch the Ancient Town lanterns begin to glow from the water.
Details
- Hours: Daily, Sunset boats 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
- Entry: 100,000-200,000₫
- Best Time: Sunset for golden light and lantern transition
Nearby Food
- Cargo Club
- The DeckHouse An Hoi
Pro Tips
- Negotiate the price before boarding (100,000-200,000₫)
- Boats departing around 5:30 PM catch the best light
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: Beachside eggs and toast, Fresh tropical fruit, Vietnamese iced coffee
Cooking class meal (included)
Vietnamese dishes you cook
Included in class fee
Try: Banh Xeo, Fresh spring rolls, Mi Quang
Ancient Town riverside restaurant
Vietnamese and seafood
80,000-250,000₫
Try: Grilled whole fish, White Rose dumplings, Com Ga
A morning half-day trip to the UNESCO-listed My Son Sanctuary — the hauntingly beautiful Cham temple ruins in a jungle valley — followed by a relaxed afternoon back in Hoi An for tailor fittings, last-minute shopping, and a farewell dinner in the lantern-lit Ancient Town.
My Son Sanctuary (Thánh địa Mỹ Sơn)
Depart early for My Son Sanctuary, the UNESCO-listed Cham temple ruins 40 km west of Hoi An. Explore the hauntingly beautiful red brick towers dating back to the 4th century, set in a dramatic jungle valley. Start with the best-preserved Groups B, C, and D, and catch the traditional Cham dance performance at 9:15 AM. A knowledgeable guide brings the Champa Kingdom's history to life and explains the mysterious construction techniques used to build these temples without mortar.
Details
- Hours: Daily, 6:30 AM - 5:00 PM
- Entry: 150,000₫
- Best Time: Early morning (7:00-10:00 AM) before the heat and crowds
Nearby Food
- Small café at the entrance
- Lunch back in Hoi An after the tour
Pro Tips
- Join a group tour departing at 6:30-8:00 AM (200,000-400,000₫ including transport and guide)
- Arrive early for the ethereal morning mist around the ruins
My Son Sanctuary (Thánh địa Mỹ Sơn)
Duy Phu, Duy Xuyen, Quang Nam, Vietnam
Return to Hoi An & Lunch
Return to Hoi An for a leisurely lunch. Try the dishes you haven't yet sampled — Mi Quang at Ong Hai (25,000-35,000₫), White Rose dumplings at the original White Rose Restaurant, or another legendary Banh Mi Phuong sandwich. Pick up your tailored clothes for the final fitting.
Details
- Hours: Daily, Restaurants open 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- Entry: Free
- Best Time: Early afternoon for a relaxed meal
Nearby Food
- White Rose Restaurant
- Ong Hai Mi Quang
- Banh Mi Phuong
Pro Tips
- This is your last chance to try any Hoi An specialties you missed
- Schedule your final tailor fitting for late afternoon
Return to Hoi An & Lunch
Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam, Vietnam
Cham Islands Day Trip OR Relaxed Afternoon
Enjoy a flexible afternoon. Choose between cycling to Cam Nam Island for local street food, browsing lantern-making workshops, visiting An Bang Beach one last time, or taking a half-day trip to Da Nang's Marble Mountains. Alternatively, if you skipped My Son, use the full day for a Cham Islands snorkeling trip (400,000-700,000₫). Pick up your final tailored clothes for the last fitting.
Details
- Hours: Daily, Varies by activity
- Entry: Varies
- Best Time: Afternoon
Nearby Food
- Cam Nam street food stalls
- An Bang Beach restaurants
- Ancient Town cafés
Pro Tips
- Cam Nam Island across the bridge offers uncrowded street food stalls and peaceful river views
- The lantern workshops on Nguyen Hoang Street let you watch artisans create the iconic silk lanterns
Cham Islands Day Trip OR Relaxed Afternoon
Hoi An and surrounds, Quang Nam, Vietnam
Farewell Dinner in the Ancient Town
End your Hoi An trip with a farewell dinner at a lantern-lit riverside restaurant. Book a table with river views at Cargo Club, Morning Glory, or The DeckHouse. Order your favorite Hoi An specialties one last time — Cao Lau, White Rose dumplings, and Banh Xeo. After dinner, take a final stroll through the glowing lantern-lit streets and across the illuminated Japanese Covered Bridge. Buy a silk lantern souvenir (30,000-80,000₫) to remember this magical town.
Details
- Hours: Daily, 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Entry: Free to walk
- Best Time: After sunset (7:00-9:00 PM) for the full lantern atmosphere
Nearby Food
- Cargo Club
- Morning Glory Restaurant
- The DeckHouse
Pro Tips
- Book your riverside table in advance — the best spots fill quickly
- Take one last walk through the lantern-lit streets — you'll miss this atmosphere
Farewell Dinner in the Ancient Town
Thu Bon Riverfront, Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam, Vietnam
Where to Eat
Hotel breakfast before early My Son departure
Hotel or quick breakfast
0-60,000₫
Try: Pho (if available), Banh Mi, Vietnamese coffee
Mi Quang at Ong Hai or White Rose Restaurant
Hoi An specialties
25,000-60,000₫
Try: Mi Quang (turmeric noodles), White Rose dumplings, Banh Mi Phuong
Farewell dinner at Cargo Club or Morning Glory
Upscale Vietnamese riverside dining
150,000-400,000₫
Try: Cao Lau, White Rose dumplings, Banh Xeo, Fresh spring rolls
Pro Tips for Your Trip
Book My Son Tour the Night Before
My Son Sanctuary half-day tours depart early (6:30-8:00 AM) and cost 200,000-400,000₫ per person including transport, guide, and entry fee. Book through your hotel or a reputable tour operator the evening before. Going early means cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, and the magical morning mist around the ruins.
Maximize Your 3-Day Tailoring
With 3 days, you can get complex items like suits tailored properly. Order on Day 1 afternoon, first fitting on Day 2 morning, second fitting on Day 2 evening or Day 3 afternoon, and final pickup on Day 3. This gives the tailor maximum time for a quality result.
Choose Between My Son and Cham Islands
Both are excellent day trips but require different time commitments. My Son Sanctuary is a half-day morning trip (returning by 12:30 PM) — perfect with a free afternoon. The Cham Islands are a full-day trip (7:00 AM - 4:00 PM) best done February-September when seas are calm. If you choose the Cham Islands, swap them for the My Son morning on Day 3.
Carry Cash for the Countryside and Tours
My Son tours, Tra Que Village, basket boats, river boats, and floating lanterns are all cash-only or cash-preferred. Carry 500,000-800,000₫ in small denominations for Day 2 and Day 3. ATMs are available along Tran Hung Dao Street in the Ancient Town.
Check the Lunar Calendar for the Lantern Festival
The Hoi An Full Moon Lantern Festival (Hội An Đêm Rằm) on the 14th day of each lunar month is the most spectacular night in the Ancient Town — all electric lights are switched off and the entire town is illuminated by candles and lanterns with traditional music and games. If your dates are flexible, plan one of your 3 nights to coincide with this magical event.
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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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Explore More Itineraries
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
- Admire the ornate Phuc Kien Assembly Hall
Hoi An 2-Day Itinerary: Ancient Town, Countryside & River Life
- 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