Once a major Southeast Asia port town, Hoi An is now a living museum of Asian and European architecture, temples, pagodas, and old canals. The town embodies over 2,000 years of history and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. Although the old shophouses now exclusively serve tourists, Hoi An has still managed to preserve its unique charm. Each evening the Old Town district lights up with colorful, old-fashioned lanterns. Visitors descend upon its maze of narrow pedestrian streets and cast off in wooden junk boats along the Thu Bon river.

Hoi An is still not that well known internationally, but its Vietnamese street food, scenic beaches, and East-meets-West style architecture will not go unnoticed for long. Regardless of how long you plan on visiting, this Hoi An Travel Guide will help you make the most of your time in the ancient seaport town.

Thuan Tinh Island Cooking Tour – The cooking tour can be booked online and pick you up directly from your hotel. The first stop is the local market to pick up fresh ingredients and then travel by boat to a local village, Thuan Tinh, where you will work alongside a chef to prepare and eat a traditional Vietnamese meal. The tour will arrange for you to be dropped off back at your hotel by early afternoon. An alternative to the cooking class is a visit to Hoi An Central Market, one of Vietnam’s best open markets. The market is busy throughout the day with locals vigorously bargaining alongside tourists.

Hoi An Tailor Shops – These tailors are world-renowned and make everything from silk boxers to three-piece suits at a fraction of western prices (e.g. as little as $100 for a suit). A Dong Silk and Tuong Tailor both have thousands of five-star reviews on TripAdvisor. Yaly Couture is one of the few shops whose tailors are actually on the premises. Simon the Tailor is a family-run shop known for its high-quality fabrics and excellent customer service. For the best results, know what you want beforehand and have a checklist of items to confirm (e.g. fabrics, colors, design, materials, layering, etc.). Consider printing out a picture of what you want and taking it in with you. Prices are negotiable, so consider collecting pricing information from multiple shops before bartering too firmly.

Hoi An Old Town – Old Town is a well-preserved, small-scale Far East trading port. It has been active since the 15th century and poetically combines European, Japanese, and Chinese influences. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 and features a compound of timber frame Chinese-styled shophouses connected by winding pedestrian streets. Most of the shops now cater to tourism, however, the architecture has been beautifully preserved. The neighborhood is adorned with handmade lanterns which light up in the evening. The main road is Tran Phu and just off it you’ll find a number of notable museums, old houses, and assembly halls. Sample local treats such as rose dumplings from street vendors.

Banh Mi Phuong’s (Phuong’s Breads) – Phuong’s is known for having the best banh mi sandwich in Vietnam. Anthony Bourdain referred to it as a symphony in a sandwich so expect a line as locals and tourists alike lineup to buy bags of sandwiches for takeaway. They offer a variety of ingredient choices, including tofu honey for vegetarians. There is a small dining area inside, however, we recommend getting your sandwiches to go and heading for nearby An Bang beach.

For the time being, Hoi An is still under the radar for most international travelers. The romantic charm of Hoi An’s Old Town, white sand beaches, friendly locals, and Vietnamese street food, however, will eventually push this gem to the top of travelers’ lists. The countryside and beach areas are best explored during the day by scooters and Old Town and An Hoi should be experienced on foot in the evening. After a few days in Hoi An, visitors should leave reinvigorated, sun-kissed, and well-fed.