A short distance south of Da Nang City you come across the ancient town of Hoi An. This ancient town has many must see attractions for you when on holiday in Da Nang City. What are the splendid wonders you may ask? Read on to find out. The first striking thing you notice of the town is the rich colonial period architecture. The buildings, painted in multi-colors, date back centuries in some cases.
Many of the original buildings are chic retail stores selling gifts and souvenirs. Others still, are cafes and restaurants. Combine this with an atmosphere of tranquility, and family friendliness. Hoi An captivates most travelers to the town. Enjoy the town as a day trip from the larger neighboring city to the north. In our experience its actually better to arrive early morning to stay one night. The following day, you return to Da Nang City by late afternoon.
Unsure if Da Nang City has what you are looking for, for your Vietnam holiday? Read our separate Da Nang City travel guide following this one, the link is below:
The ancient temple, built from the 4th century to celebrate the Goddess Shiva. In the Hindu religion Goddess Shiva is a foremost deity for those who worship this faith. For centuries the temple was long forgotten about. The abandoned temple soon became over run by spreading jungle, lost forever. Only when French archeologists began to explore beyond the shoreline, were they rediscovered.
The temple ruins are clear of jungle growth and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. This ancient town of Hoi An is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, the town dates back to over 900 years. It's such an exquisite insight into local culture and history. By visiting the town, you celebrate the Cham Kingdom that once flourished. A sophisticated people who ruled ancient Vietnam.
Like for like, an empire matching the Khmer Empire of Siem Reap's Angkor Wat Complex.
A dozen or so small Islands, each one with wild jungles and pristine turquois water. Around the Islands, coral reef forms part of a larger marine biosphere. This protected area enjoys recognition as a UNESCO Reserve. From Da Nang City, or Hoi An you can enjoy a day trip. You don't have to book any tour in advance, but it's always a good idea to do so. Staying in town, your hotel may be able to arrange something for you, if you ask. The Cham Islands were very nice. The waters clear and warm for swimming and snorkeling a little off the Island's shore.
The cluster of small Islands are a short 18km distance from Hoi An town. A popular destination for tourists, there are boats to and from the Islands daily.
This is a peaceful river experience immersed in a never-ending coconut forest. Less than 3km from the town center this 200-acre forest encompasses 3 local rivers. The Hoai River, the Thu Bon River, and De Vong river. Each ensuring you that amazing experience in this "jungle-like" environment.
Rent a normal boat or a basket boat. Depending on the number of people with you, you may need to rent a second boat. A boat holds at most 4 people whereas a basket boat is more suitable for a couple.
The local Vietnamese who row and steer the boat, they'll take you on a boat trip lasting an hour. But once on the water, boat gliding over the surface you lose all bearing of time. Coconut palm hanging over providing shade, murky waters beneath you, you feel lost. At least you're puzzled on how the locals don't get lost. The waterways are busy. So many boats ferrying tourists around, it reminds you of back home stuck in rush hour. Very enjoyable, we urge you to definitely go on the local tour.
Often voted among the 25 picturesque beaches in Asia. An Bang beach is a little crowded along with other beaches close by, such as Cua Dai Beach. In total there must be 6 beaches you could spend time on, for sunbathing and swimming. An Bang is often the most popular going by the numbers on the beach.
An Bang beach stretches 4km in length. End to end, there are tropical trees offering shade, with food vendors in among the openings. Our one day on An Bang Beach was all clear. The vendor serving us a snack pointed out into the distance, for it was the outline of Da Nang City. Perched on the beach is the village, where the people are superb to foreigners. Vietnamese are friendly to foreigners, that's true wherever we've went in the country.
You'll see that for yourself if you've not yet traveled to Vietnam. What doesn't spoil the charm of the village and An Bang Beach is there are no large developments. Such as luxurious resorts and towering hotel apartment blocks.
Strolling around Hoi An ancient town you will want to visit the market. Not any market, but the central market. Day and night, it's buzzing with activity and rapture. The market has grown to cover 5 streets in the town, it's a maze. Local vendors are everywhere, selling their fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and fish. Others are selling clothing, gifts and souvenirs. And lastly, there are the street food vendors.
You can't come to Hoi An and not trawl the central market, it'd be a heinous crime. The snacks you can buy, they're not expensive. You can expect to pay one US dollar for a banana bread snack. Eat in one of the small cafes like we did. You can get a beef burger served with fries and drink for US$3 each. The best burgers we've ever ate abroad.
as it is a hive of activity and rapture night and day. The market spans over 5 streets of the old town and you must not leave Hoi An without first trying the street food. You can easily get a delicious meal and sample some of the local flavors, there are no excuses for not eating out.
There are other markets dotted around the town, the central market is by far the most popular. The central market at least, you felt more open to you as a tourist, whereas the others were more for the locals. Less touristy is what we mean, not to take anything away from the other markets.
This 60ft 400-year-old bridge is a beautiful example of Japanese architecture. The symbolism of Japanese culture is sacred. That's telling by the customary dog and monkey sculptures, one on each end of the bridge. So much prestige given to the bridge by the Vietnamese, it appears on one of their banknotes. Of all the tourist attractions in and around Hoi An, the Japanese bridge is the top one.
You can learn about its history by taking a guided tour of the town, you're better to book beforehand. We were staying in Da Nang City a full week before heading south to Hoi An. We booked the tour of the town, online as soon as we checked into our hotel and unpacked.
Be at the bridge as early as possible to be ahead of the queue. From the kiosk, you must pay for a ticket to even get close to the bridge, never mind onto it. Pay from Tran Phu Street or Bach Dang Street. If you are unsure, this is why it pays to go on a guided tour first. The ticket prices were quite expensive, for Vietnam we thought, US$4 each.
This Island is a stone's throw from the Japanese Covered Bridge. At 2km walking distance making is very accessible to you during your stay in Hoi An. On all sides of the river Island is the Thu Bon River. You can get to the Island by walking or rent a bicycle or motorbike or by taxi if you prefer.
Life on the Island is rural, and you must explore to gander sights of natural beauty. Bamboo houses with overhanging coconut trees, feelings of the "real Vietnam" surface. Aroma of burning bamboo and scent from areca flora are all around. The Island has the most peaceful atmosphere imaginable, and quiet. The pace of life in the rural areas of the Island is priceless, you never want to leave.
There is an immense amount of history to this small ancient town. All over Vietnam, there are places like this waiting for you to discover. All it takes is for you to make the first few steps out of the large city, you call home during your holiday. When you are planning your Vietnam holiday, the first one or another one, if you choose Da Nang City, think of Hoi An too.
The town has the Hoi An Lantern Festival early in the year, which is an amazing time to be in the town as a foreigner. Lanterns are strung up throughout the year anyway, it's such a beautiful feeling. But the lantern festival is something else, on par with any good street party or parade.
The Vietnamese know how to enjoy themselves. And they're inclusive of traveling tourists in their celebrations. You become very close, very quickly. The town is a world class top destination and as stated, to miss out would be a crime.
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Hello, we are George and Elle Mae Melyre.
Over the years, amidst work and family life, we have traveled extensively throughout Asia. Any chance to briefly escape or properly holiday in our beloved Asian destinations is eagerly seized, motivated by the enduring dream of leaving behind the UK's dreary cold for tropical climes.