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Hoi An self-sufficient travel: Explore 11 unforgettable places to visit in Hoi An

08 May 2024 Hoi An Tourism Admin

After nearly three decades since it was recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage, Hoi An still attracts a large number of tourists every year.

Famous for its classical architecture and unique local culture, when you come here you will have the opportunity to discover very cool and new things. Let's join Hoi An Memories Land to explore 10 wonderful places to visit in Hoi An and experience while self-sufficient travel to Hoi An in the article below!

1. A list of 11+ must-visit destinations and places to visit in Hoi An

Below is a list of 10 sightseeing destinations for self-sufficient travel to Hoi An, helping you to explore Hoi An in its entirety, from architecture, culture to cuisine.

1.1. Visit the ancient Japanese Covered Bridge

Japanese Covered Bridge remains intact despite passing of many years

When mentioning Hoi An, we certainly all know about the Japanese Covered Bridge - the unique symbol of this peaceful ancient town. Despite the ups and downs of history, tJapanese Covered Bridge still stands proudly as a historical witness, a spiritual destination attracting tourists from all over the world.

Upon setting foot on the Japanese Covered Bridge for the first time, tourists will be overwhelmed by the ancient and quiet beauty of this unique architectural structure. The bridge, made of sturdy ironwood, spans gracefully over the Thu Bon River's romantic branch, with its curved tile roof changing colors over time due to moss, bearing the architectural imprints of Japan, China, and Vietnam. On the bridge, there is a small temple dedicated to Quan Cong and Bac De Tran Vo - the deities governing the North, revered by the local residents.

When you step into the pagoda, you will immediately feel the serenity and peace emanating from the quiet space, with only the sound of singing birds and flowing water. The intricate decorations inside the pagoda are meticulously carved, showcasing the skilled hands of ancient artisans.

1.2. Enjoy the atmosphere of Hoi An ancient town

Hoi An ancient town has long been renowned for its ancient, peaceful and romantic beauty. Walking along its winding streets, tourists feel as if they are turning back time, immersing themselves in the simple life of the locals here.

It would be wonderful when the morning sun begins to filter through the leaves, when the mist starts to dissipate and you walk along the small streets, admiring the ancient houses with their distinctive yellow walls, feeling the fresh air of the morning mist mingled with the scent of street food. Listen to the melodious singing birds, the clattering sound of cyclos, the calls of street vendors, creating a simple symphony that cannot be found anywhere else in the enchanting Places to Visit in Hoi An.

When exploring Hoi An self-sufficient, don't forget the early morning walk, one of the best places to visit in Hoi An

Hoi An is an ideal destination for those seeking peace and relaxation. Walking through the ancient streets, you'll feel all your worries melt away, leaving only peace and serenity in your soul.

1.3. Experience boating on the Hoai River and releasing colorful lanterns

The gentle Hoai River flows through the heart of the ancient town, like a soft silk ribbon adding to the beauty of Hoi An. It's not difficult to find small boats moored along the riverbank, you just pay for only 20,000 to 50,000 VND/person, you can enjoy an exciting excursion. Sitting on the boat, you'll be paddled by friendly locals. They'll take you along the riverbank, admiring the moss-covered ancient houses, the rows of swaying coconut palms in the breeze, and experiencing the peaceful rhythm of the ancient town.

Sitting on a boat along the Thu Bon River and releasing lanterns is an experience you should try

In the evening, when the ancient town lights up, the Hoai River becomes as radiant as a mirror reflecting the houses and colorful lanterns. With hundreds of multicolored lanterns released into the river, it creates a scene as beautiful as a painting. If you're traveling to Hoi An independently, don't forget to participate in this activity. You can buy lanterns from street vendors along the riverbank or from boat owners offering lantern release services. After making good wishes, release the lantern into the river. According to Hoi An beliefs, the shimmering lantern when released into the river will drift with the current, carrying your dreams to the heavens.

>> See more: Explore the culture of Hoi An with lanterns and wishing lanterns releases

1.4. Explore the bustling Hoi An night market

Hoi An night market usually opens from 5 PM to 11 PM every day. As the night falls, the whole market area lights up with dazzling and mystical lanterns. Nestled along the poetic Hoai River, the night market is one of the charming Places to Visit in Hoi An, a gathering place for hundreds of stalls offering a diverse range of goods, from souvenirs, handicrafts to local specialties. The echoing calls of vendors, coupled with the lively chatter of tourists, create a vibrant and bustling atmosphere.

The night market is a shopping paradise for those who love to explore and seek out unique souvenirs. Here, you can find colorful lanterns, exquisite handicrafts made from ceramics, bamboo, and rattan or traditional Vietnamese costumes such as Ao Dai, scarves and more.

1.5. Participating in traditional games - Choi card

Choi card is an intangible cultural heritage that needs to be preserved

Choi card, a traditional cultural beauty of Central Vietnam, contains not only the joy of entertainment but also the essence of the culture of the residents. This game attracts players with its unique combination of music, poetry, performance and painting, creating an extremely special experience.

Although the rules of Choi cards are simple, they conceal many interesting aspects. When the "Anh Hiệu" starts announcing the cards, players will concentrate intensely to compare their cards with the announced ones. The announcement of cards varies in tone, sometimes solemn, sometimes melodious, and sometimes mixed with playful jokes, creating a special charm for the game. Joy bursts forth when players find matching cards, and the cheers echo throughout the playground.

The game of Choi card is a place that preserves traditional cultural values through folk songs or lyrics. When participating, you also get closer access to a treasure trove of folk songs, proverbs, folk tales, history, and profound moral and human values.

1.6. Enjoy the Hoi An specialties

Hoi An has a rich and diverse cuisine with dishes carrying unique flavors, making it an ideal destination for those who love exploration and experience. The advantage of self-sufficient tourism in Hoi An is that you can experience any dish you want at any restaurant. Here are some Places to Visit in Hoi An to enjoy the authentic cuisine of the ancient town.

See more: 20+ must-try Hoi An food for tourists

Cao Lau is a characteristic dish of Hoi An with shiny golden noodles, chewy and delicious, and a clear sweet broth. If you have the opportunity to visit Hoi An, you can taste the best Cao Lau at:

Cao Lau Thanh Restaurant at 26 Thai Phien
Cao Lau Mrs. Le Restaurant at 49/3 Tran Hung Dao

Hoi An chicken rice, simple yet enticing with its harmonious combination of shredded boiled chicken, fragrant sticky rice, sweet and sour dipping sauce. And the two most famous chicken rice are:

Mrs. Buoi Chicken Rice at 22 Phan Chu Trinh
Mrs. Nga Chicken Rice at 8 Phan Chu Trinh

Phuong bread, globally renowned for its unique flavor, crispy texture, stuffed with fragrant grilled meat, rich pate, fresh tasty vegetables, and special sauce.

Phượng Bread at 2B Phan Chau Trinh

Vac and dumpling cake are rustic dishes bursting with the flavors of the homeland. You can enjoy delicious banh at:

White Rose Vac and dumpling cake at 533 Hai Ba Trung
Trung Bac Restaurant at 87 Tran Phu

1.7. Sip cocktails at bars

Unlike the bustle of modern bars, bars in Hoi An have a very unique beauty. Stepping into these bars, you will feel like entering a different world with melodious, gentle music and warm yellow lights creating an incredibly relaxing atmosphere. You can choose a small corner for yourself, sip your favorite cocktail and chat with friends or simply immerse yourself in melodious tunes, feeling the peace of the ancient town at night. Some bars you may consider include Q Bar, Hoi An Sports Bar, Before and Now Bar, etc.

1.8. Walk along the lantern streets and taking photos

The shimmering lanterns filled with vibrant colors

As soon as you set foot on the lantern street, you'll be overwhelmed by the enchanting beauty of hundreds of brightly colored lanterns hanging high above. The lanterns are meticulously handcrafted in many different shapes, sizes and colors, creating an extremely impressive picture.

Walking along the lantern street, you will not only admire the shimmering and magical beauty but also have the opportunity to save memorable moments with family and friends. Don’t forget to bring a camera to take the most beautiful photos and keep memories of your journey to discover Hoi An.

1.9. Coffee paradise for romantic souls

Stepping into Hoi An, tourists seem to be lost in a colorful world of coffee, with countless different flavors and styles, promising to bring extremely special experiences. What makes tourists fascinated is the diversity in the coffee space here. From cafes with ancient and vintage architecture to modern, youthful and dynamic cafes with bright colors and unique decorations. Each cafe has its own beauty, creating a unique attraction that attracts tourists.

Hoi An is also renowned for high quality roasted coffee beans, bringing a rich, delicious flavor that is hard to resist. Tourists can enjoy coffee in many different styles, from traditional hot black filter coffee, cool iced milk coffee to modern machine-brewed coffees with unique flavors.

>> See more: Top 12 Hoi An Coffee in ancient town

1.10. Visit Sa Huynh Museum

Nestled on the vibrant Tran Phu street, the Sa Huynh Culture Museum in Hoi An is like a gateway for tourists to embark on a journey to discover the mysterious history of the Sa Huynh culture more than 2,000 years ago.

Entering the museum, visitors will be amazed by the collection of more than 2,000 artifacts displayed scientifically and beautifully. The most prominent are the ceramics of diverse sizes, decorated with crystal patterns, able to realize the skillful firing techniques of the ancient Sa Huynh people.

Sa Huynh Museum preserves artifacts dating back up to 2000 years.

1.11. Admire the traditional beauty in Thanh Ha pottery village

With over 500 years of formation and development, Thanh Ha pottery village is renowned for its traditional craftsmanship. Walking along winding alleys, tourists feel like stepping into a completely different world, away from the hustle and bustle of urban life.

Every fold of the houses, moss-covered tile roofs and ancient pottery kilns transport tourists back to a bygone era. The quiet rural view with spinning pottery wheels and the skilled hands of artisans shaping clay into exquisite ceramic products reflects the rich cultural identity of the locality.

2. Artistic real scene show - Hoi An memories

When mentioning tourism in Hoi An, it's impossible not to mention the Artistic real scene show - Hoi An Memories, one of the captivating Places to Visit in Hoi An. This unique show is meticulously staged, reenacting the history and culture of the ancient town of Hoi An over its 400-year history. Each performance is a story in itself, taking audiences through each stage of development of this ancient city.

The expansive outdoor stage is designed like a miniature painting of Hoi An, with models recreating the distinctive architecture, winding streets, or quiet waters with extreme precision in Hoi An. The modern sound and lighting system combined with unique stage techniques have created a truly remarkable artistic show.

The highlight of the show is the participation of hundreds of professional dancers adorned in vibrant traditional costumes and meticulously crafted props. Through meticulous investment, the show has authentically recreated the ancient charm of Hoi An, showcasing its unique cultural beauty to the audience.

Costumes and props are meticulously invested in to provide a worthwhile experience for the audience.

Conclusion

Visiting Hoi An not only immerses you in its ancient, romantic atmosphere but also offers the opportunity to explore the unique and extraordinary Places to Visit in Hoi An culture. Plan your self-sufficient trip to Hoi An to have wonderful experiences here!

To book tickets for the Hoi An Memories Show, quickly contact Hoi An Memories Land to secure the best seats!