The Highlights of Hoi An, Hoi An, Vietnam

Have you ever been someplace that you have never previously heard of and then been pleasantly surprised? Hoi An was just that for me. All I can say is…WOW! This city was my favorite during my ten-day G-Adventure tour of Vietnam that took us to Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Ha Long Bay, Mai Chau, and Hanoi.

This former trading port is a living museum of architectural fusion, where ornate Chinese assembly halls, weathered Japanese bridges, and mustard-yellow French colonial villas line the banks of the Thu Bon River. As night falls, the town sheds its quiet morning charm for a surreal, lantern-lit brilliance. Whether you’re navigating the bustling central market or floating a paper candle down the river, Hoi An’s special heritage is delightful. As a photographer, I couldn’t enough of this vibrant city!

There are many things to do in Hoi An and the best place to start is in its Ancient Town, a UNSECO World Heritage Site. While you can stroll its enchanting streets for free, purchasing the official ticket is considered a gesture of respect toward restoring and maintaining its historic charm.

The ticket, which may be purchased at one of the many small ticket booths near main entry points to the Ancient Town, costs less than $5 and is good for 24 hours. It grants you entry into five attractions of your choice from a list of 21 sites of different categories. It is recommended to visit one attraction in each category such as one museum, one old house, one temple, etc… ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).