Hoi An is a place where the bold march of progress peters into a leisurely amble. In this one-time trading port, the Thu Bon River meanders past crumbling shop houses and weathered pagodas, while sampans come and go from the old ferry quay. Outside the Old Town, two-lane roads slice through waving rice fields and emerge at a frothy coastline. Stay a couple of days, and Hoi An's easygoing beauty and lantern-lit nights may leave you hopelessly beguiled.

The best things to do in Hoi An are mostly set within the popular areas of Riverside and Ancient Town. You can easily explore these areas on foot or cyclo (3- wheel bicycle taxi). Between the 15th and 19th centuries, Hoi An was a prominent Vietnamese trading port for silk, porcelain, pepper, cinnamon, and medicinal plants as it's set near the Thu Bon River. As a result, the city displays a mix of Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese, and French architectural features.

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999, Hoi An is teeming with beautifully restored houses, shops, and temples, offering sightseeing opportunities you won't find in other cities in Vietnam. Ranging from centuries-old Buddhist pagodas and temples to pristine beaches and quaint museums.