How many days do you need in Hoi An? This Hoi An itinerary is built so you can stop after day 1, day 2 or day 3 and still have a complete plan. One day covers the old town, the food and a lantern night. Two days add a half or full day outside town. Three days add an island or the mountains. I am Vincent from Hoi An Fairy Tour, and this is the plan I give to guests who ask me what to do.
| 1 day | Old town, banh mi, lunch, one activity, lantern boat and an evening show |
|---|---|
| 2 days | Day 1 above, plus a day trip: Marble Mountains and Son Tra, or My Son, or Ba Na Hills |
| 3 days | Days 1 and 2, plus Cham Island or Ba Na Hills |
| Getting around | Scooter for 24 hours, private taxi, or guided tours |
Day 1: Hoi An Old Town and Local Food (the 1-Day Plan)
If you have only one day, do this one. It balances history, food and relaxation and fits solo travellers, couples and families.
Transport
A scooter rented for 24 hours is the cheapest way to move around, see motorbike rental in Hoi An. For groups or for a relaxed day, a driver is easier: read how to book a Hoi An private taxi.
Morning: breakfast and sightseeing
- Breakfast: start with a banh mi from Banh Mi Phuong or Madam Khanh (takeaway). Not sure which? Compare them in our best banh mi in Hoi An guide.
- Where to eat it: Nuoc Mot for the herbal tea of Hoi An, Hadi Coffee and Cream for the morning street view, Roving Chill House for rice fields, or Sound of Silence for the sea.
- Sightseeing, 2 to 3 hours: the old town (check whether you need the old town ticket), then Thanh Ha pottery village or a silk village. See the Hoi An tourist map to plan the route.
Midday and lunch
Go back to the hotel or a cosy cafe to rest, because the heat and the walking add up. For lunch try Com Ga Ba Buoi (chicken rice), Banh Xeo Song Hoai (crispy pancakes) or Banh Dap and Hen Tron for dishes you rarely find elsewhere.
Afternoon: pick one activity
- Basket boat ride in the coconut forest
- Lantern making class
- Kayak tour or coffee making class
- An Bang Beach: relax at The Deck House An Bang or try water sports (see beaches in Hoi An)
Evening: dinner, lantern boat and a show
Have dinner in the old town, for example Cao Lau Khong Gian Xanh for cao lau, then take the boat ride with lantern release on the Hoai River, about 100 metres away. After 8 PM end the day with the Hoi An Memories show or the Teh Dar show, two performances that tell the history and culture of Hoi An through dance, music and light. More ideas in Hoi An at night.
What you miss with one day: anything that needs a long trip, such as My Son, the Marble Mountains or Ba Na Hills. That is why days 2 and 3 exist.
Day 2: Visit Nearby Tourist Spots
On day 2 you leave town. You can go by motorbike if you are an experienced rider, by private taxi for comfort, or on a guided tour for a stress-free day. Choose one of these routes:
- Route 1, about 130 km: Hoi An, Marble Mountains, Linh Ung Pagoda, Son Tra Peninsula (Monkey Mountain), Hai Van Pass, Hoi An. Cultural landmarks with sea and mountain views. Read the Marble Mountains tour or the Da Nang private tour.
- Route 2, about 120 km: Hoi An, My Son Sanctuary, Suoi Tien Waterfall (about 36 km from Hoi An, search the name in Google Maps), Hoi An. Ancient Cham ruins and nature. See the My Son Sanctuary tour.
- Route 3: Ba Na Hills for a full day, with the Golden Bridge and the cable car. See Ba Na Hills from Hoi An.
Food on day 2: you will probably eat on the road or have barbecue chicken at the waterfall. In the evening, dine back in town at The Noodle House (a riverside restaurant in the heart of the city) or Pho Song Quan for a cheaper option with great food and a view. Finish with the Hoi An Memories or Teh Dar show if you skipped it on day 1.
Day 3: Cham Island or Ba Na Hills
Option 1: Cham Island (nature and beaches)
Cham Island is a small island near Hoi An and part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Expect about 450,000 VND (≈ $17.3) for the two-way boat, from about 400,000 VND (≈ $15.4) if you add snorkelling or diving, and about 300,000 VND (≈ $11.5) for a homestay if you stay overnight, plus food. You can swim, snorkel, dive to see the coral, visit Monkey Island, or simply lie on the beach. Boats start from Cua Dai pier, about 12 km from the centre of Hoi An. Learn more in diving and snorkeling at Cham Island and our Cham Island self-guided trip guide. The sea can be too rough for boats at some times of year, so check the weather first.
Option 2: Ba Na Hills (a fun day with many activities)
Ba Na Hills is a large resort and amusement complex at 1,487 m above sea level, with its own climate and a cable car that is among the longest in Southeast Asia. The cost is about 1,700,000 VND (≈ $65) if you take a tour, and prices change, so check the current rate on the Ba Na Hills tour page. Visit the gardens, the Golden Bridge and the park, and take a jacket for the cooler air.
Which plan fits you? Love food and culture: stay with day 1 and add the shows. Love nature: days 1 and 2 with Route 1 or 2, then Cham Island. Travelling with kids: day 1 with the basket boat, day 2 at Ba Na Hills or VinWonders. For more ideas see things to do in Hoi An, and for the place to sleep read where to stay in Hoi An.
Book the Parts You Need
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Hoi An?
Two days is a good balance: one for the old town and food, one for a day trip. One day is enough for the highlights, and a third day adds Cham Island or Ba Na Hills.
Is one day in Hoi An enough?
Yes for the old town, local food and a lantern night. You will miss trips that take a long time, such as My Son, the Marble Mountains and Ba Na Hills.
What is the best way to get around Hoi An?
A scooter rented for 24 hours is the most flexible and cheapest. For day trips, a private taxi or a guided tour is more comfortable.
What should I book in advance?
The evening shows, classes such as lantern making, and day trips to Ba Na Hills or Cham Island, especially in the high season.
From Vincent – the Author
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