Stunning photo ops！A colorful lantern old town – 6 must-do experiences in Vietnam’s Hoi An Ancient Town

Vietnam has five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, three of which are located in the central region, and Hoi An Ancient Town is one of them. Dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, Hoi An served as an international trading port where merchant caravans from China, Japan, India, and Europe came to trade. Fortunately, it was spared from multiple wars and still retains its well-preserved ancient architecture, best described as a fusion of "exotic cultures."

It’s worth mentioning that Hoi An was the first city in Vietnam where overseas Chinese settled, and its quaint charm is often compared to Lijiang in China.

▲Motorcycles and cars are banned in the streets, allowing visitors to explore Hoi An on foot, by bicycle, rickshaw, or riverboat.

Although not very large, Hoi An Ancient Town deserves at least 2–3 hours to truly appreciate. Motorcycles and cars are banned in the streets, allowing visitors to explore it on foot, by bicycle, rickshaw, or riverboat.ETNEWS Travel Cloud has compiled six key highlights to help you leisurely savor this magically preserved ancient town.

▲The Japanese Covered Bridge, also known as the Lai Vien Kieu, is a wooden arched bridge that combines bridge and temple elements, enshrining the God of the North Star. It’s a must-see attraction in Hoi An.

1. Japanese Covered Bridge (Lai Vien Kieu)
The Japanese Covered Bridge, also known as the Lai Vien Kieu, is a wooden arched bridge that combines bridge and temple elements, enshrining the God of the North Star. It’s a must-see attraction in Hoi An. On one end of the bridge is a stone statue of a monkey, and on the other, a dog—most explanations say the bridge was originally built by the Japanese in 1593 (the Year of the Monkey), completed in 1595 (the Year of the Dog), and later restored by Chinese and Vietnamese people. Additionally, this bridge connected trade between China and Japan, with one side leading to the Japanese quarter and the other to the Chinese quarter, making it quite unique.

▲Hoi An Ancient Town is festively lit, especially the Lantern Street, which is bustling with visitors.

2. Lantern Street
As night falls, the entire Hoi An Ancient Town is illuminated with lights, especially Lantern Street, which is adorned with colorful lanterns of various shapes, attracting many tourists to stop and take photos, capturing the most beautiful scenes of Hoi An.

▲Hoi An has many street food stalls—make sure to try the local high-rise noodles and Guang-style noodles.

3. Local Snacks
A well-known travel website conducted a survey in 2011 on the “Top 10 Most Attractive Food Cities in Asia,” ranking Hoi An City 6th. When visiting Hoi An, be sure to try the local high-rise noodles and Guang-style noodles. These rice-based thick noodles are served with meat, lettuce, and a special sauce—chewy and delicious.

▲The Thu Bon River has nurtured the prosperity of Hoi An, offering different moods from sunset to night, with many vendors selling floating lanterns and boat tours along the riverbank.

▲Enjoying the enchanting night view of the Thu Bon River from the bridge.

4. Floating Lanterns & Boat Tours
The Thu Bon River has nurtured the prosperity of Hoi An, offering different moods from sunset to night, with many vendors selling floating lanterns and offering affordable wooden boat rides along the riverbank—often for as little as one US dollar (around 30 yuan).

▲In the past, merchants from various provinces in China came here to trade and interact, leaving behind over 20 historic buildings such as the Guangzhou-Zhaoqing Guild Hall, Fujian Guild Hall, and Chinese Guild Hall.

5. Historic Houses & Guild Halls
Though located in Vietnam, Hoi An Ancient Town is rich in Chinese heritage. In the past, merchants from various Chinese provinces came here to trade and interact, leaving behind over 20 historic buildings such as the Guangzhou-Zhaoqing Guild Hall, Fujian Guild Hall, and Chinese Guild Hall, which also functioned as temples, housing deities such as Mazu and Guan Yu.

▲Many of the traditional buildings here remain intact, especially in the ancient streets and temples, where you can find intricately carved wooden beams.