If you’re looking to embark on a peaceful getaway in Vietnam for a few days, then you can’t go wrong with the city of Hoi An on the country’s central coast! Back in 1999, UNESCO designated this city as a World Heritage Site, which entails that its cultural and natural sites are protected. This is evident in the well-preserved architecture that you’ll find as you wander its quaint streets or if you go on adventures outside its city where you can stop by traditional rural towns.
There’s an abundance of things to do in Hoi An that you may not know where to start, but don’t worry! We’re here to help you out by introducing to you 7 of the best things to do in Hoi An, especially if you’re on a budget!
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1) Enter a section of the city that well-preserves its heritage!
The famous Ancient Town is one of Hoi An’s crown jewels! Back in the Nguyen Dynasty, the Ancient Town served as a port as well as a cultural point of contact between Vietnam and other nations like Japan and China. It can be inferred that, because of constant contact with other cultures, the Ancient Town’s structures have adopted the styles of other countries.
Take the opportunity to explore its busy streets! As you wander, you will see these same structures, well-preserved and still in place! An example of a building with an architectural style adopted from foreigners is one of the Ancient Town’s symbols: the Cau Pagoda, which was inspired by Japanese architecture.
Other cultural sites that you can visit where you can learn all about the customs and traditions of the Ancient Town, especially the ones that are still alive to this day, are attractions like the Hoi An Museum, the Museum of Trading Ceramics, the Museum of Sa Huynh Culture, the Folklore Museum, and the Museum of Traditional Medicine. There are also several communal houses that you can enter. These places served as places of worship, festivity venues, and gathering points for village officials to discuss administrative concerns. Hoi An’s Ancient Town is definitely the place to be to take in the city’s history!
2) Enter the magical world of the country’s largest entertainment complex!
Your visit to Hoi An won’t be complete without stepping foot into the mesmerizing world of the famous VinWonders Nam Hoi An, Vietnam’s largest entertainment complex! It combines two of the best things in Hoi An: culture and nature, and you’ll come across numerous attractions that represent both while you take in what each of its five zones has to offer.
3) Watch the history of Hoi An come alive through a fantastic show!
Hoi An has a traditional-themed village called the Hoi An Impressionist Park. This park is dedicated to telling the 400-year history of Hoi An’s Ancient Town. Visiting this park makes for a wonderful way to dive deep into the town’s past without having to read a thick history book. By simply strolling around a replica of the ancient town, you will be able to observe what life was like back then. If you visit the Spirituality Section of the attraction, you will see pagodas, temples, and shrines, which will help you understand the deep spirituality of the Vietnamese.
4) Hop on a basket boat and cruise the river of the Coconut Forest!
If you want a break from the busy streets of Hoi An, then paying a visit to Cam Thanh Village might give you the peace and quiet you’re looking for! The village is considered to be Hoi An’s “Green Lung” because of the abundance of coconut trees blanketing the surrounding landscape.
In the village, you can hop on a basket boat and row dow
n the river for a short while. One basket boat can fit up to two adults and one child, which makes it a great bonding activity for the fam! You’ll be rowing along the forest’s small channels and you’ll definitely have a relaxing time just enjoying the verdant coconut trees and the soothing ambiance of the forest. After the ride, the locals residing in the area will treat you to a boat show!
5) Learn about the delicate art of pottery!
Hoi An is home to many traditional villages where people still live and keep alive their cultural practices. These villages are considered to be “living museums,” given that paying them a visit will enlighten you about its inhabitants and their ways of life by observing them and even partaking in activities related to their trade.
One such village is the Thanh Ha Pottery Village. As its name suggests, the village and its trade revolve around pottery. If you’ve been itching to learn how to make pottery, then this is your chance because you will be given a demonstration and be taught by the local artisans, who are eager to teach you their tried and tested efficient techniques.
6) Discover the ways of a Hoi An farmer!
If you can’t get enough of learning about aspects of Hoi An culture from the local villages, then another one that you might want to visit is the Tra Que Vegetable Village!
Besides learning how to farm like a Tra Que farmer, you can also do a bit of sightseeing here! You can visit the Tra Que Stone Well, which was built back in during the Champa period. It produces clean and fresh water for the residents. There’s also the Ngu Hahn Temple, where you can offer prayers for good fortune.
7) Treat yourself to a massage at a popular local spa!
After a long day of sightseeing, it’s likely that your legs feel tired. If you feel like you need to sit down and rest, we suggest you do so at Ylang Ylang Spa! This spa is one of the best in Hoi An and it offers numerous massage treatments, from Swedish Massage to Thai Massage!
Whichever massage you’ll pick, you’ll be assigned an expert masseuse/masseur who will tenderize your body with their special massage techniques. You will hear the satisfying sounds of your bones crackling and enjoy the incomparable feeling of your muscles loosening. It’s a guarantee that you’ll have a sound mind and body after your massage, and to make you feel even more refreshed, you’ll be served green tea!
