The Best 15 Things to Do in Hoi An: A UNESCO Coastal Town, Hoi An, Vietnam

Adorned with colourful lanterns and studded with tiny silk shops, Hoi An will steal your heart before you can blink. It’s a place of beauty, elegance and good food.

Located on the coast of the South China Sea, it’s a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site to explore. You’ll find an abundance of things to do in Hoi An as well as neighbouring Da Nang.

From the iconic must-see Lantern Festival, ancient temple ruins to beaches and tailoring shops, this ancient town is full of surprises however long you stay here.

We lived and worked in Hoi An for over 2 months, and here’s our take on the top things to do in Hoi An and beyond.

A must-see in Hoi An is the atmospheric Lantern Festival. It’s one of the most amazing things to do in Hoi An if you are planning your visit in February.

The festivities take place on the night of each full moon throughout the year, with the first full moon celebration of the new year considered the most impressive.

At dusk, the traffic stops and the lights go out, transforming Hoi An’s Old Town into a fairytale. Only a few shops nearby leave their elaborate lanterns glowing in the dark. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).