My Hoi An Tailor Experience – Top Tips & Recommendations

Visiting one of the famou Hoi An tailor shops is one of the best things to do in the city during your trip, I swear! No, really, the tailors and tailor shops here are so good and talented, people from all over the world travel here to get a custom-made suit or dress. The tailoring tradition in Hoi An is rich in culture and is an important part of society today.

If you’re excited to try out a custom tailoring experience in Hoi An (which I definitely recommend!), this guide contains everything you need to know. I have put together all the information I have about the best Hoi An tailors (fittings, process, price, etc), as well as my most precious pieces of advice. 

So regardless if you decide to make some expensive clothes with high-end materials or some more casual, still quality pieces, this Hoi An tailor guide will surely help you along the way.

Let’s proceed!

About the tailors in Hoi An, Vietnam

About the tailors in Hoi An Vietnam

Hoi An in Vietnam is said to be the “tailoring capital” of the world. Custom tailoring is a huge part of the culture in Hoi An and also one of the main attractions for tourists during their trip, especially when it comes to shopping lovers.

But why is tailoring so famous here? The tailors of Hoi An are immensely talented and versatile, they work with a wide range of fabrics (quality ones, too) and they can make clothing for any need you may have. There are tailor shops in Hoi An for any item or style you can think of: elegant dresses, suits, ball gowns, winter coats, casual pants, shirts and even pyjamas!

So, how did everything start? Tailoring in Hoi An is closely connected to its history, largely because Hoi An was a trading port city on the famous Silk Route. It wasn’t until about 20 years ago that tourists began travelling to Hoi An specifically for tailoring.

Nowadays, the amount of tailor shops in the city is literally two times bigger than all other businesses combined. They, of course, range from large tailoring corporations to small, local tailors and from high-end pieces to casual clothing. All of them are an important part of the tailoring experience and history of Hoi An!

RELATED READ:  9 Things to Do in Hoi An, Vietnam – A Complete Hoi An Guide

How to get tailor-made clothes in Hoi An – step-by-step process & tips

Enough with the history, now let’s talk about more serious stuff such as the entire process of choosing and going to a tailor, how to choose the material, and some useful tips to keep in mind along the way:

Step 1 – Find the best tailor in Hoi An

tailor-made clothes in Hoi An

Naturally, the first step in getting a tailored outfit made is finding the right tailor shop for you. Hoi An has more than 500 tailor shops… So making the best decision is kind of a challenge. Don’t worry, as I have my own selection of tailors in Hoi An for you!

BEST TAILORS IN HOI AN – MY TOP RECOMMENDATIONS:

Some other popular choices (that I didn’t get to try out myself, unfortunately) are BeBe Tailor (they have 3 shops in the city now but the most famous Bebe Tailor is probably the one on Hung Dao street), A Dong Silk (they have a customer-friendly, time-efficient 10-minute measuring process ) and Mr Xe.

Step 2 – Discuss what you’d like made

step by step process at hoi an tailors

Once you have your mind and heart set on a tailor shop, it’s time to have a conversation about what exactly you’d like made. Tailors have tons of lookbooks that you can browse, with a huge selection of clothing – anything from dresses, skirts, suits etc. Alternatively, you can also provide them with a photo of the clothes you’d like created. So make sure you spend some time researching and finding inspiration before your visit!

This is also when the tailor will take your exact measurements.

TIP: Always be super specific about what you want, down to the smallest details. They may be talented designers, but they will need your guidance because they can’t just guess the exact details of the clothing you dream of!

Step 3 – Choose the fabric

getting tailor-made clothes in hoi an vietnam

Once the design issue is settled, it’s time to choose the fabric. Many tailors have entire aisles of material with different prices depending on their quality. Of course, some tailors may suggest some materials that will fit your design needs. Just remember that not all fabrics can be tailored the same and not all pieces of cloth work well or move in the same way. I suggest taking their advice into consideration when it comes to this, even if this means changing your mind and adapting a bit!

TIP: You’re getting something tailor-made specifically for YOU. So make sure you choose a quality fabric that screams “I’m perfect for an outfit that is unique to you!”. I know, the pressure is huge, but remember that this will be a one-of-a-kind piece. Don’t waste this awesome opportunity on choosing a dress that you could’ve bought on the highstreet or from the local market.

Step 4 – Pay the deposit

All Hoi An tailors require customers to pay a deposit before they start creating the custom piece.

Step 5 – Fittings and final product at your Hoi An tailor

fittings at hoi an custom tailors

Usually, the tailors will arrange your first fitting for the next day. This means you have to come back to the store and try on your outfit. This is basically the moment when the tailor will see how the garment sits on your body when you wear it, pinning it in the places that need retouching or amendments. 

My most precious piece of advice here is to be really honest about the changes that you want made and to be super clear with your explanations. You can even arrange for a second or third fitting (in fact, I recommend 3 fitting sessions to most customers) to make sure that your final piece of clothing is perfect for you and your style.

NOTE: A basic dress will be ready much sooner, but if you buy a suit or a gown, expect to go to a few fitting sessions before taking it home with you to wear. So make sure you have enough time in Hoi An for this entire process!

TIP: You can arrange for items to be delivered directly to your accommodation once they’re finished, but I always recommend heading to the store yourself to ensure that you are happy with the final version. After all, this is such a special, personalised shopping experience, it would be a shame not to enjoy it to the fullest!

Prices & recommended budget

hoi an tailoring

Let me start with a disclaimer here: prices change massively depending on your chosen tailor in Hoi An, what item you want to be made and how well you negotiate. Yes, the final price always depends on negotiation. Almost every tailor will negotiate on price depending on the number of items you order, so don’t be ashamed to do so.

Here’s the average price range for different types of clothes:

WOMEN

MEN

RELATED READ: 12 Things To Do in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam – A Complete Guide To the City

My best tips & tricks

tips and tricks for tailor made clothes in hoi an

Because I experienced getting tailored clothes made in Hoi An myself in 3 different places, I was able to learn and gather some very useful information that I can now pass on to my readers. So read and learn, my friends!

CHECK MORE THAN ONE STORE

If you’re not pressed for time, shop around at different stores to get a feeling of what you like best. They’re all capable of creating the same outfit, there’s just a difference in cost, quality of the fabric and stitching and maybe the customer service too.

TAKE TIME INTO CONSIDERATION

You shouldn’t stress too much if you only want a casual skirt or shirt done, as this usually takes around 2 days. But if you want to make sure the entire process is doable during your trip, here are some average times to take into consideration:

FOR CHEAPER TAILORS, DON’T SHOP DOWNTOWN

As you might expect, the most expensive tailors are located in the Old Town / Ancient Town of Hoi An. Avoid that area if you want to save some money from your budget and try to find ‘obscure’ shops on the edge of town that don’t get as much attention. Except for the lower price tag, there’s another huge advantage here: these tailors will have more time to focus on your outfit and will most likely complete it faster!

ALWAYS, ALWAYS BARTER

Here’s an unwritten rule that you should know: the first offer a tailor makes is always MUCH higher than what they expect you to pay. They do it on purpose, of course: they jack up the prices for tourists, a very popular ‘activity’ in many other popular tourist spots around the globe. So make sure you negotiate well to get the most affordable deal and only leave the shop when both parties feel happy with the final tailored piece.

DO YOUR RESEARCH

This means you should know exactly what you want before talking to the tailor. This will eliminate a lot of on-the-spot hassle and your research will help you answer every question your tailor might ask. Plus, this also helps reduce the feelings of disappointment related to the final product. After all, making custom clothing is not an easy job!

DON’T GET TOO SET ON A SPECIFIC OUTCOME

I know… this advice kind of counters the one above, but remember: these guys are tailors, not wizards. Don’t expect them to be able to conjure up an exact replica of that 2015 Dior Gown you ripped out of a Vogue magazine. Be open to changes and keep in mind that this dress will be unique to you.

BUY ITEMS IN BULK

If you are with friends, or if you want more than one item, buy them all from the same tailor. They’ll offer discounts for large orders– especially the smaller, more casual and basic stores.

ATTEND MULTIPLE FITTINGS

Clothes will never be perfect from the first try. Only stop getting your outfit altered when you are happy with it, even if it means wasting a couple of hours from your precious vacation time. If you’re pressed for time, keep getting fittings until you leave town. If anything, the tailor can mail your outfit to you. This is better than getting something that doesn’t fit right and then feeling sad.

RELATED READ: 10 Unmissable Da Nang Tourist Attractions – A Complete Guide To The City

That’s about everything I wanted to share with you about how to get tailored clothes in Hoi An, Vietnam, a very popular and fun activity while you’re in the city. I have told you all the details I know and talked about cost, process, measurements, quality of the fabrics and craftsmanship and lots of useful things to know before stepping foot inside a tailor shop to get a dress, shirt or suit done.

If you ask me, going home with a unique piece of clothing created especially for you and to your measurements, with your hand-picked fabric is one of the most beautiful souvenirs you can bring back home from Vietnam!

Except for getting custom-made dresses and shirts, there are SO many other unforgettable things to do in Hoi An, Vietnam! If you want to read more or need help planning your upcoming trip, I recommend heading here to find all my articles about Hoi An. And here you will find all my posts about other destinations in Vietnam.

xoxo,

Melissa

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A guide to the Hoi An tailors in Vietnam
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Honest Review and Guide to Da Nang Golden Bridge, Vietnam

Are you ready to find out everything you’ll ever need to know about one of the most famous attractions in Vietnam? If the answer is yes, scroll down to find my complete guide on the Da Nang Golden Bridge in Ba Na Hills. You might expect to find long queues and massive crowds here, but no worries, this guide will offer some clever tips on how to skip all that!

Get ready to find out all about the story behind this Insta-famous bridge, the ticket price, the best times to visit it, how to get there and much more. Plus my raw, 100% honest impressions about our experience there and whether it is WORTH IT OR NOT.

Let’s go!

Quick info about Da Nang Golden Bridge

about da nang golden bridge

Did you know that, although you might’ve seen countless gorgeous pictures of this bridge online before, this attraction is actually pretty new? The Golden Bridge (also known as Cau Vang) has become one of the top tourist destinations in Vietnam, even though it was only opened in June 2018. The Golden Bridge and its two giant hands have been on the top of social media platforms ever since it was constructed, which has brought tens of thousands of visitors over the years. Why, though?

RELATED READ: Da Nang Marble Mountain, Vietnam – Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

But what’s so special about this bridge, after all?

I mean… you must look at the pictures to understand! The bridge’s structure is impressive – and that’s not an overstatement at all, considering the construction only took 1 year to complete. Two giant hands that seem carved in gorgeous stone (they’re actually made of metal and fiberglass) suspend a beautiful, gold railing frame – a pedestrian bridge among the lush Ba Na Hills.

The bridge is 150 metres long and it is suspended at 1.400 metres above sea level. If you visit the bridge very early in the morning, you’ll see it’s surrounded by thick fog and golden light, making for unique photo opportunities… but you’ll find more details about When to visit in this special section.

Is there a story behind it?

Sun World Resort bridge

The bridge was designed as the newest addition to the Sun World Resort, an interesting entertainment complex at Ba Na Hills. The aim was to create a symbol of Da Nang tourism – and, if you ask me, the entire idea was an immense success. So successful that it actually got plenty of rewards at multiple architecture contests worldwide. 

I think that one of the best things about this bridge is the fact that it combines both architecture and nature in a really harmonious way. And the striking contrast between the stone hands and the elegantly curved bridge is also something to remember.

Where is the bridge located?

da nang golde bridge map

Okay, enough with admiring the Golden Bridge from an ever-romantic point of view (guilty!), let’s get to some practical information. 

As I mentioned before, the Golden Bridge is at the top of Ba Na Hills. More specifically, it’s in the Thien Thai Garden at Sun World.

RELATED READ: 10 Unmissable Da Nang Tourist Attractions – A Complete Guide To The City

The catch: Sun World Resort at Ba Na Hills

Ba Na Hills

Here’s the catch: because the Golden Bridge is part of this big entertainment complex, it can only be accessed through Sun World, a theme park resort built to resemble a European village during the French Renaissance era. 

You’ll need to pay quite a high entrance fee considering that most visitors solely come to the park to see the Golden Hands Bridge. However, tickets cover the entrance to all areas of the park (and they do offer a lot of attractions!), if that is something that interests you. The park has quite a few zones, so you could choose to spend a whole day here if you wanted to explore and participate in the activities they offer. 

Some of Sun World’s top attractions include:

FUN FACT: Sun World welcomes more than 1.5 million visitors per year!

Getting there

how to get to da nang golden bridge

I’ll tell you right from the start: once you get to the park complex, you’ll see that the Golden Bridge is only accessible via cable car. More on this below, but first let’s find out how to get there from Da Nang. The Golden Bridge is located around 30km West of Da Nang City.

If you’re taking a car, you should get from Da Nang to the bridge’s location in about 30 to 40 minutes one way, depending on traffic, especially at mid-day. If you go there super early in the morning, the ride can be as short as 20 minutes.

TIP: If you want to access the location using Google Maps, you have to add “Sun World Ba Na Hills” as the destination, otherwise you’ll only get the wrong directions. Do not choose “Ba Na Hills” unless you aim to reach the top of the mountains instead of the bridge.

1 – PRIVATE TAXI & GRAB

The easiest way to travel to Sun World is by taxi. You can book a full trip where the driver takes you, waits for you and returns you to your hotel for a negotiated price. – Depending on the wait, this should be about 800,000 VND (35 US$).

In case you want to arrange your transportation online beforehand, I have found this private transfer for the same price as the taxi.

OUR EXPERIENCE: On our visit, we asked a Grab driver that we met the day before how much he would charge to take us to and from Sun World. We worked out a price that suited us both, took his phone number and he was on our doorstep at 6 AM the next morning to start the journey. This is a great way of building connections and bringing down the cost. He ended up being our driver to most of the sites around the city – how awesome is that?

2 – SCOOTER RENTAL

In case you’re adventurous enough to take a scooter or motorbike, you’ll be happy to find out that this is definitely the cheapest option – and maybe even the most fun. The price should be around 150.000 VND (6.50 US$) for an entire day.

TIP: If you are using Google Maps to get there with your scooter (and I’m 100% sure you’ll use it), you should add “Ba Na Cable Car Service Parking Lot” as your destination. This spot is exactly at the park entry.

3 – THE CABLE CAR RIDE

As I mentioned above, the only way to access the bridge is by taking the cable car from inside Sun World, at Hoi An Station. The gondola starts at the bottom of the hill and will take you to the very top, where the resort is located. The entire ride takes about 20 minutes to the top of the mountain.

OPENING HOURS: the cable car runs from 7 AM to 10 PM.

FUN FACT: The cable car at the Golden Bridge holds not 1, but 4 Guinness World Records, did you know that? It’s the longest cable car system in the world (5.771m), as well as the longest cable roll (11.587m), it has the heaviest cable (141 tons!) and it also has the highest altitude from its starting to its ending point (1.369m). Now that’s impressive!

Ticket prices

Sun World vietnam

I already said the entrance fee to Sun World is quite pricey and that you HAVE to pay it if you want to see the Golden Bridge, so it’s now time to tell you exactly how much it will cost.

ONE-DAY TICKET:

This ticket includes everything except the entrance to their Wax Museum, some games in Fantasy Park and the buffet lunch.

You can buy tickets on arrival from their ticket office or online at the official Sun World website.

NOTE: Please note that the tickets must be used on the day you purchased them.

TIP: Their ticket booths often have long queues and a slightly higher price, so I would recommend buying online before going.

Best tours of the Golden Bridge

golden bridge in da nang vietnam

In case you don’t want to arrange transportation yourself, a very good idea would be to take an organised tour. These types of tours usually include transportation, entry fee, lunch, and a tour guide included in the price. 

Here are my recommended, hand-picked options:

When to visit

best time to visit golden bridge da nang

Usually, visitors are able to avoid queues and crowds if they visit sites early enough. However, we quickly learnt that a visit to Sun World does not work that way! Feeling clever, we arrived at 6 AM and thought we had beat the crowds. Once we turned the corner and saw the queue for the gondola, we realised how wrong we were. It was already so ridiculously crowded. There seems to be no real quiet time to come and see this attraction.

We arrived at dawn during the lowest season of the year and the site was still so crowded. We ended up waiting until 7 AM for the cable car to open and then another 30 minutes in the queue to get on the cable car. I dread to think how busy it must be during peak hours or on local holidays (save yourself some angst and avoid!)

Basically, my advice would be to come early, bring a load of patience and expect long queues. 

Some other reviews online mention that you’ll find no queues if you’re there at 7 AM to catch the first cable car ride (and, trust me, I have read lots of them!) and, even though I hoped this would be true, it actually wasn’t. Needless to say that by 9 AM the visitors are already forming a MEGA crowd.

Our experience

golden bridge da nang
golden bridge da nang vietnam

Okay. Time to get down to what I really thought about the whole experience.

Was the Golden Bridge incredible to see? – Yes.

Did we get stunning photos? – Yes.

Would I recommend you go? – HELL NO!

To be blunt, the park was kitschy, tacky and overpriced. Experiencing the Golden Bridge was overcrowded and uncomfortable. Yes, we got good photos – but this was literally down to luck and with much thanks to Photoshop.  

As for Sun World, there was not an ounce of authenticity about the place. It was like a sh*t Disneyland with no rides… and for a country like Vietnam that is overflowing with so much natural, cultural, authentic beauty, Sun World was an overpriced eye-sore that I would highly advise all to avoid.

I know that this is a super harsh review, and I don’t often leave such harsh criticism here on the blog because I usually feel that experiences are opinion based. But the theme park is everything I dislike about travel. Not only is visiting Golden Bridge not worth it, but it goes against responsible travel.

For me, the experience of seeing the bridge was in no way special enough to justify the cost, but I completely get that many will want to see it for themselves, just like I did. Just wanted to be 100% transparent with you about my thoughts during this write-up.  

My top tips for visiting the Golden Bridge in Danang

Golden Bridge in Danang

I know I’ve been quite harsh with my opinion about the bridge’s popularity, but if you still want to get to the location and experience everything yourself and, basically, test your luck, here are some precious pieces of advice and tricks to keep in mind:

WHERE TO TAKE THE PERFECT INSTAGRAM PHOTO

Once you arrive on the bridge, make sure you don’t waste much time at the first hand (the right one, closest to the gondola station). That’s where 99% of visitors stop to take photos. Instead, you can take a couple of quick snaps and then proceed to the next one (the left hand), which, supposedly, will be less crowded.

You also have some pretty nice photo opportunities at the train station, where the flower garden is located.

TIP: If the bridge is too crowded to take any good photos, just proceed to Linh Un Ba Pagoda and shoot some images there. The other travellers will be so concerned with the bridge, most will even forget there are other spots around them.

CHECK OUT SOME OTHER NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

If the bridge sounds as disappointing to you as it was for me but you still want to go see Sun World, let me offer you some interesting alternatives around:

CHECK OUT THE HOTEL

If you really like this bridge and want to spend the night as close to it as possible, you can book a room at the Mercure French Village, which is located inside the French Village section of the theme park, not far from the Golden Bridge. If you stay at the hotel and wake up early enough, it will be easier to get to the gondola first… but you surely won’t be THE first person in line if you ask me. So the decision is yours.

Here are some really useful things to take with you to the Golden Bridge:

This was my complete, utterly honest guide and review of the Golden Bridge in Da Nang, Vietnam. I’ve told you literally everything I know after going there – price, where to take the best photos, how to get there and particularly if it is worth your time and energy to see the giant “hands of the Mountain God” emerging from the mountains… or not.

If you’re on the search for other more amazing places to visit in Vietnam, I recommend checking out this section on the blog where you’ll find all my posts and stories about this wonderful country.

xoxo,

Melissa

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A Complete guide to the Golden Bridge in Ba Na Hills Vietnam
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9 Things to Do in Hoi An, Vietnam – A Complete Hoi An Guide

If you’re heading to Hoi An in Vietnam soon, I hope you’re ready for a real adventure! Scroll down to find my recommended list of things to do in Hoi An, as well as a complete Hoi An guide that includes the best accommodation options for all types of travellers, as well as the best places to eat and precious information about how to get around the city – and more!

Hoi An (Hội An) is a charming town located on the central coast of Vietnam and an underrated tourist destination – that’s if you ask me, of course. Stepping into Hoi An is like stepping into another world. In fact, it’s more like stepping back in time to when there were no skyscrapers, electronics and traffic full of cars. Old temples, a Japanese bridge, An Bang beach, night markets… Hoi An has it all – and my heart, too!

where is hoi an located

There is a simplicity to Hoi An. And this simplicity creates a charm and magic that make this town the most loved destination in all of Vietnam. Are you ready to find out everything you need to know about the best things to do in Hoi An? Let’s get going:

9 Best things to do in Hoi An, Vietnam

There are countless unique things to do in Hoi An, but I did my best and made a special selection below with some of the most exciting places and activities that turned my vacation into an unforgettable experience:

1 – Hoi An Old Town

Hoi An Old Town Vietnam

Hoi An Old Town is one of the most special places in this town – and in all of Vietnam, if you ask me. The reason is pretty simple: the Old Town of Hoi An wasn’t bombarded during the Vietnam War, so all the beautiful, ancient buildings are still well-preserved here. Taking a walk around Hoi An Ancient Town is a top activity here; while you’re there, take your time and admire the unique architecture of this place and maybe stop for a coffee in one of the numerous coffee places. By the way, did you know that Hoi An Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

2 – Hoi An Central Market

Hoi An Central Market
Hoi An Central Market

If you’ll take a stroll down the banks of the Thu Bon River, you’ll discover one of the gems of the city right there: I’m talking about Hoi An local market, of course, also known as Chợ Hội An! This is a great place to buy some handmade souvenirs to bring back home to your loved ones. You’ll find everything you wish for there, from silk dresses to spices and, of course, a lot of amazing street food stalls!

TIP #1: The best time to visit is after 8 PM when there are fewer crowds around.

TIP #2: If you have the time, make sure to visit Hoi An Night Market as well!

3 – Japanese Covered Bridge

Hoi An Japanese Covered Bridge

The Japanese Covered Bridge is one of the most interesting Hoi An attractions in the centre of the city. Its ornaments are simply stunning and it’s the perfect place to take some superb photos!

TIP #1: If you want to enter the bridge, you’ll need a Hoi An Old Town Ticket – a basic ticket worth 120.000 VND (5,20$). This was created as an initiative to preserve the old, precious buildings of this city – you’ll often be required to present it when entering parts of the historic centre, so it’s best to have it on you at all times. You can buy it at numerous attractions  throughout the centre of the city.

TIP #2: If you’re already close to the Japanese Bridge, make sure to visit Phung Hung Old House as well, as they’re very close to each other!

4 – Fujian Assembly Hall / Phuc Kien

Fujian Assembly Hall in Hoi An

This gorgeous building (spoiler alert: it’s PINK!) dates from the 17th century and it’s one of the most beautiful things to see in Hoi An. It’s actually a sacred place built by the Fujian Chinese community and it has a gorgeous gate full of carvings of Chinese figures.

Fujian Assembly Hall entrance fee: you can enter using your Hoi An Old Town Ticket (more info above).

RELATED READ: 12 Things To Do in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam – A Complete Guide

5 – My Son Sanctuary

My son jungle temples and sanctuary

Okaaay, I’m cheating a bit here (but it’s worth it!), as My Son Sanctuary is not technically inside Hoi An, but a bit outside of it. No worries, nothing that can’t be managed during a day trip from the city. Why am I saying that My Son Ruins are worth visiting (despite the weird name, lol)? Well, because this sanctuary hosts beautiful, ancient temples dating from the 4th to the 13th century – that’s a LONG time ago! Plus, My Son ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so if this doesn’t convince you, then you just need to take a look at some pictures!

My Son Sanctuary entrance fee: 150,000 VND (6,50 US$). I recommend visiting with an organised tour and a professional guide so that you can learn the history.

RELATED READ: Da Nang Marble Mountain, Vietnam – Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

6 – Get tailor-made clothes just for you

getting tailor-made clothes in hoi an vietnam

This is SUCH a thing to do in Hoi An! Vietnam is well-known for its textile industry and going back home with a custom made suit or dress might just be the highlight of your trip!

The process is pretty simple and fun: you’ll first have to find the ideal tailor for you and your needs (some of them are more expensive, with high-quality materials, while others offer more regular services), show them the item you want made (Pinterest boards are ideal for inspiration!), pick your fabrics, get fitted (so the final piece will perfectly suit your body and preferences) and then pick up your custom-made items.

When I was in Hoi An, I actually had 3 identical dresses made across 3 different tailors of different budgets, as a fun little experiment. It was a very interesting experience seeing how the quality varied! If you want to read more about it, I recommend checking out this post.

7 – Beaches near Hoi An

An Bang Beach in Hoi An

I know I said that Hoi An is a superb ancient town, but let’s not forget that it’s also located on the coast of Vietnam, which can only mean one thing: cool beaches! Sunbathing! Fun in the water! Yep, all of the above is possible, and you’re even spoiled with choices when it comes to Hoi An, as there are more than a couple of beaches to choose from. Here are two of the best options:

8 – Hoi An’s countryside and the rice paddies

Hoi An Countryside
Hoi An Rice paddies

If you ever get bored of roaming around the city, head over to the rice paddy fields near Hoi An for a taste of traditional Vietnam! 

The best way to visit the rice paddies is by renting a bike. There are many little paths that you can take while exploring the area, and you’ll quickly see that there are also lots of buffalos around the fields that you cycle through. We even made friends with a super friendly one and I got a buffalo ride (don’t even ask… travelling Vietnam was an unforgettable experience, haha!). If you’re up for a longer ride, you can even arrive at An Bang beach at the end of Hai Ba Trung Street for a complete experience in Hoi An.

Alternatively, you can visit with a guided tour such as this 5-hour small group countryside tour. It includes the Japanese Bridge and some local food tasting as well!

RELATED READ: Travel Guide to Cu Chi Tunnels in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam – Tours VS Visiting By Yourself

9 – Hoi An Lantern Festival

Hoi An Lantern Festival
Hoi An Lantern Festival Vietnam

Compared to other festivals around the world, Hoi An Lantern Festival has one amazing perk: it takes place once every month, on a specific day. The dates differ each month, so I recommend checking the upcoming events here

I think this is one of the most fun things to do in Hoi An and a unique activity; in fact, many travellers visit the town only for this festival! The lantern festival takes place in the Old Town when hundreds of candle lit lanterns are released into the water.

PRO TIP: Don’t forget your camera for this one!

BONUS: Extra things to do in Hoi An

Extra things to do in Hoi An Vietnam

Except for the 7 Hoi An tourist attractions above, here are some extra things to add to your itinerary if you have more time:

Best tours of Hoi An by type of traveller

Hoi An boat tours
Taking a boat tour in Hoi An

If your bucket list for Hoi An is becoming longer and longer after reading this article and you want to make sure you don’t miss anything interesting from your itinerary, I got you! You don’t have to stress over creating the ideal trip – a great way to visit all the highlights of Hoi An is to book some tours of the city where you’ll be guided by a professional guide. It’s a win-win situation! Here are some of the best options I could find:

Where to stay in Hoi An, Vietnam

Four Seasons The Nam Hai in Hoi An

It’s not hard to find a nice place to stay in Hoi An, no matter what your budget is. The trick is to look for a place that’s near the places that you want to visit. And the most popular and best area to stay in Hoi An is, of course, the Old Town.

What’s great about Hoi An is that you actually have the option to either stay near the historical sites or by the beach. Either way, you’ll surely have the most amazing time! Here’s my list of the best hotels in Hoi An:

BIG SPLURGE: Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An

BOUTIQUE HOTEL: Lantana Hoi An Boutique Hotel and Spa

BUDGET: Sun Paradise Villa

HOSTEL: Tribee Ede

ENTIRE APARTMENT: Bespoke Villa Hoi An

Best restaurants in Hoi An & what to eat

When it comes to food, Hoi An is THE place to be! It’s well-known that Vietnamese food is bursting with amazing flavours, so you absolutely cannot leave this town (or country) without sampling some of their most popular dishes. Here is my list of the best food in Hoi An, together with the places where you’ll find their best versions:

BANH MI

Eating Banh Mi is a complete must-do in Hoi An! Hoi An has some of the best shops that serve this dish in the entire country – a baguette filled with meats and vegetables. Banh Mi Phoung and The Banh Mi Queen are two of the places in Hoi An where you’ll find the best Banh Mi (the authentic version, of course).

Banh Mi dish in Hoi An

CAO LAU

You can’t visit Hoi An city without trying the famous Cao Lau, a hearty noodle dish with Char Siu pork or shrimp, bean sprouts, fresh greens and local herbs. You can find this dish in most stalls in Hoi An, but we sampled ours at a local place called Thanh Cao Lau, which still follows the traditional way of making this dish.

cao lau dish in hoi an

WHITE ROSE DUMPLINGS

Named because of their resemblance to the flower, the white rose dumplings, also known as Banh Bao Banh Vac, are another must-try in Hoi An. They are made with rice flour and stuffed with a shrimp filling and you can enjoy them on many stalls around the Central Market Hoi An. But if you want a truly authentic experience, dine at White Rose Restaurant – the place where these dumplings originally came from!

white rose dumplings in hoi an

OTHER MUST-TRY VIETNAMESE DISHES: egg coffee (more like a custard dessert than a coffee, don’t get scared!), spring rolls, Banh Xeo.

Getting around Hoi An, Vietnam

getting around hoi an vietnam

Hoi An is not a big town, and all of its top attractions are located inside or super close to the Old Town. Which can only mean one thing, my friends! Getting around the city can be easily done by walking or by biking. If you opt for biking, make sure to ask your hotel first; often they offer free bikes so you’ll save some money this way!

HOW TO GET TO HOI AN:

Sadly, Hoi An doesn’t have its own airport, but don’t be sad! You can easily reach this town if you fly to Da Nang Airport, then take the public bus for 1 US$ (45-minute ride). Or you can take a taxi. Or a private transfer.

All right you guys, this was my COMPLETE Hoi An travel guide! As I mentioned at the beginning of this article (and I’m sure that I’ve 100% convinced you by now), Hoi An has something to offer to all types of travellers out there. Regardless if you choose to get some custom made dresses made or if you just want to lay on An Bang beach, indulge in yummy food, light some lanterns at the festival, take a Vietnamese cooking class or spend your night exploring a local market, Hoi An is your destination.

Hoi An may be an incredible place in Vietnam, but it’s not the only worthy destination in the country. If you want to read more about my adventures in this incredible country, I recommend checking out all my articles here.

xoxo,

Melissa

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