The extremely interesting things must do in Hoi An

This place is like a vivid ink painting, attracting tourists with its nostalgia mixed with vibrant modernity. Visiting Hoi An ancient town, tourists will be immersed in a unique cultural space, and indulge in long-standing historical values. Below are experiences you must do in Hoi An when setting foot in this magical land. Let's refer to them and make a plan to do them all!

1. Take a photo of Cau Pagoda with a 20,000VND bill

Through many ups and downs of history, Cau Pagoda stands tall in the heart of Hoi An ancient town as a lasting mark, a testament to the strong vitality of Vietnamese culture. Besides, a bridge across the romantic Thu Bon River, Cau Pagoda is a symbol of the resilient spirit, steadfast will and filial piety of the people here. The image of the majestic and magnificent Cau Pagoda is so respected that it was honored to appear on the 20,000 VND polymer banknote of Vietnam. This is not only a recognition of the historical and cultural value of the Cau Pagoda but also the pride of the people of Hoi An in particular and Vietnam in general.

>>> Read more: The check-in locations that must do in Hoi An

To take a photo of the Cau Pagoda with a 20,000VND bill in Hoi An, you can follow these steps:

Visiting Cau Pagoda: is located in the center of Hoi An ancient town, easy to find by walking or cycling.

Prepare a 20,000VND bill: Bring a new and smooth 20,000VND bill to take photos.

Choose a shooting angle: There are many beautiful angles to take photos of Cau Pagoda with a 20,000VND bill. Many people often choose a shooting angle right in front of the bridge, exactly like the picture printed on the 20,000 VND banknote.

Cau Pagoda - The timeless symbol of Hoi An

2. Chill with bars on beach 

Hoi An not only attracts tourists by its ancient streets and irresistible delicious dishes but also by its captivatingly beautiful beaches. Come to the sea view bars in Hoi An to fully enjoy the taste of "paradise on earth":

The Deck House: Located on the romantic An Bang beach, The Deck House is like a cool green oasis in the heart of the ancient town. The bar space is spacious and airy with two main colors of blue and white, bringing a cool, gentle and extremely relaxing feeling. Immerse yourself in the sound of the crashing waves, sip a cool cocktail and watch the sunset fall into the sea, you will feel all your worries disappear.

* Location: An Bang Beach, Cam An, Hoi An, Quang Nam

* Reference price: 50,000 - 350,000 VND

Soul Kitchen - Beach Bar & Restaurant: Located right next to The Deck House, Soul Kitchen offers a completely different experience. This place is designed in a Vietnamese style with roofs made of leaves and bamboo tables, creating a rustic, intimate and incredibly romantic space. Immersed in a cozy atmosphere, tourists can enjoy delicious dishes and unique cocktails, while admiring the vast blue sea in front of them. 

* Location: An Bang Beach, Cam An, Hoi An City, Quang Nam

* Reference price: 100,000 - 300,000 VND

>> Read more: Top 3 Hoi An coffee with sea view

Blush Beach Club Hoi An: Blush Beach Club Hoi An is a rising name in the list of beautiful sea beachside bars in Hoi An. This place has an area of ​​3000 square meters on An Bang beach, providing a vibrant and bustling space but still no less luxurious and classy. At Blush Beach Club Hoi An, tourists can enjoy endless fun, music and immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of beach parties.

* Location: An Bang Beach, Cam An, Hoi An City, Quang Nam

* Reference price: From 50,000 VND 

Chill at beachside Bars

3. Savor Hội An's delicious dishes recommended by Miss Tieu Vy

Hoi An has long been famous for its rich and diverse cuisine, deeply imbued with local culture. However, with such a variety of choices, tourists can sometimes feel overwhelmed when deciding what to try.

Understanding this, Miss Tieu Vy - an 18-year-old girl who was just crowned Miss Vietnam 2018 - shared on her personal page familiar dishes associated with her childhood in Hoi An. As a person born and raised in the ancient town, Vy has a special affection for her homeland's cuisine and always wants to introduce these delicious dishes to tourists. These are all familiar dishes that Quang people have grown up with over the years. Even though they have left their hometown to live elsewhere, the flavors of these dishes are always imprinted in their minds, becoming a part of their lives. Whenever she has the opportunity to return to her hometown, these dishes are always the top choice to satisfy her deep nostalgia and fully experience the taste of her homeland.

Smashed cassava: This dish is made from steamed pieces of cassava with a light yellow color and a mild aroma. When enjoying, cassava is coated with fried onion oil, shredded coconut, roasted peanuts and granulated sugar, creating a delicate blend of sweet, fatty, fleshy and salty flavors. Smashed cassava is a simple snack but contains the typical flavor of Hoi An, making it memorable for tourists.

Fried banana cake: Fried banana cake is a familiar and simple snack but brings a special attraction to tourists coming to Hoi An. This cake is not simply a combination of soft ripe bananas and a crispy crust, but also contains the typical flavor of the ancient town. Every time the sudden showers fall, our hearts suddenly crave warm fried banana bread. Fried banana cake - a rustic, simple gift but has an irresistible appeal for those who love Hoi An street food.

Dien Phuong Snail: "In the cold season, you have to eat Dien Phuong snails when they're piping hot for them to be delicious. They're so flavorful and spicy." Those are extremely truthful descriptions of Miss Tieu Vy about the famous snail stall in Quang Nam. Mrs. Hanh Dien Phuong snail stall is considered a specialty that tourists cannot miss when visiting Hoi An ancient town. This snail stall does not have a variety of dishes or elaborate preparations, but only sells one type of sweet-tasting snail.

Water Fern Cake: Unlike other places, water fern cake in Hoi An is placed in tiny cups, fitting in the palm of your hand. When eating, it will be poured with spicy chili fish sauce and used with bamboo sticks to enjoy. 

>> Read more: 20+ Hoi An dishes that will make you fall in love from the first bite 

Miss Tieu Vy shared about Smashed Cassava - her favorite snack

4. Take a cyclo to explore Hoi An ancient town

In addition to bicycles, cyclos are also considered a means of transportation. It has become an indispensable cultural symbol of Hoi An, adding ancient and romantic beauty to the heritage land. Sitting on a small cyclo, tourists feel like they can go back in time, returning to the moss-covered yellow streets, colorful bougainvillea trellises, and curved tiled roofs bearing the mark of history.  

The journey to explore Hoi An by cyclo not only helps tourists fully admire the beauty of the ancient town but also brings extremely interesting experiences. The gentle, hospitable cyclo drivers who are knowledgeable about local history and culture will be the ones to lead tourists to explore every corner of Hoi An, sharing stories about this heritage.

Listening to the gentle sound of the cyclo wheels rolling on the moss-covered stone roads, tourists feel as though they are immersed into the peaceful, quiet atmosphere of Hội An ancient town. Away from the noise and bustle of urban streets, tourists can enjoy the fresh, cool air and fully feel the rustic and simple beauty of this land.

Try experiencing Hoi An by cyclo once, you will feel the difference compared to other tourist destinations. This is not only a means of transportation but also a way for tourists to immerse themselves in the local culture, feel the simple lifestyle of the people here and keep unforgettable beautiful memories of Hoi An.

Take a cyclo to explore Hoi An ancient town

5. Kites flying with local people

Every summer, Hoi An residents organize exciting kite flying sessions. During this time, the sky of An Bang beach and the fields will seem to be dyed with colorful colors by kites of various shapes and sizes. 

Every afternoon around 4 PM, the concrete roads along the fields become bustling and colorful with kites of all shapes and sizes.

The locals here consider kite flying as an elegant hobby, a traditional cultural beauty that needs to be preserved. Families gather together, choose a location together and launch colorful kites into the sky. Children shouted with joy, young people were passionate about driving, and adults watched with nostalgic smiles. All blend together to create a vivid, brilliant picture amidst a peaceful countryside.

In the deep blue sky, kites resemble free-flying birds, dancing and competing to show off their colors, creating an artic performance. Funny Doraemon, mighty superhero, ferocious shark, giant octopus, etc., each kite carries its own image, a story, evoking people's rich imagination.

On the ground, hundreds of eyes followed the kites flying high, some were excited children, some young people were passionate, some adults were watching with simple joy. 

When technology is gradually taking up most of our time, the appearance of kite flying activities in Hoi An will contribute to creating happy memories that tourists can hardly find. 

See more: Top 15 interesting things must do in Hoi An

Kite flying with Hoi An local people

6. Enjoying the Hoi An Memories show

Different from other art shows, Hoi An Memories Land bring a unique experience with a large 25,000 m2 outdoor stage. Not only is it a performance venue, the stage is also a vividly recreated picture of Hoi An's culture, contributing to beautifying the ancient beauty of this land.

The show takes the audience on a journey through five unique performances, each with a separate story and message:

• Life: The beginning of the journey is the image of a newborn baby, symbolizing the origin of life and culture in Hoi An. Life is a performance about the time of reclaiming land and establishing hamlets of Hoi An people. Besides, there is also the image of enthusiastic workers of Hoi An people.
• Wedding: The performance recreates the splendid wedding of Princess Huyen Tran and King of Champa - Che Man. The show brings a magnificent and majestic scene with a crowded bride procession and jubilant dancers and dancers.
• Lamps and sea: The performance is set in the touching love story between a young man who goes to sea and a girl who stays and waits. The shimmering lights on the Hoai River seem to illuminate the deep nostalgia, showing the steadfast loyalty of Vietnamese girls.
• Integration: The audience is taken to the bustling Faifo trading port, where cultural interference and integration with the world. Images of multinational traders and vibrant trading activities reflect the prosperous period of Hoi An trading port.
• Ao dai: The final performance honors the beauty of Vietnamese women through the traditional Ao Dai. Each elegant and flexible line of the Ao Dai symbolizes the longevity of cultural values ​​and the delicate and graceful beauty of women. Besides, this final performance also exudes a Hoi An of today, despite going through many ups and downs but still retaining its gentle and peaceful features.

Hoi An Memories Show are not simply beautiful performances, but also contain profound messages about love, loyalty, resilience, and the preservation of cultural identity. Through body language, music, and lighting, the play evoked emotions and conveyed messages in a subtle way, leaving an unforgettable impression on the audience.

>> Read more: Don't miss out on attractive offers when buying Hoi An Memories tickets this summer 

Hoi An Memories - An experience not to be missed

With a unique combination of majestic stage, music, lighting and meaningful content, Hoi An Memories has become an unmissable destination for tourists coming to Hoi An ancient town. This is an opportunity for tourists to immerse themselves in the unique cultural space, learn about the history and Hoi An people and have unforgettable experiences.

In addition to the above must do in Hoi An ancient town, you should create many other interesting ideas to increase the attractiveness of your trip. Hoi An is very gentle, peaceful and friendly, so be open-minded and rush into the heart of the ancient town. Wishing you will have memorable moments in this quiet and ancient land.