Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An was a busy international trading port from the fifteenth to the nineteenth century, and its old town has survived remarkably intact: yellow-walled merchant houses, Chinese assembly halls and the Japanese Covered Bridge, all along the Thu Bon River. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and largely closed to cars, which makes it a pleasure to explore on foot or by bicycle.

By day, wander between heritage houses, cafés and the town’s famous tailors, who can make a suit or a dress in a day or two. As evening falls, silk lanterns light up the streets, and small boats take visitors out on the river to float paper lanterns on the water.

Stay at least one night to see the town after dark; it is busiest in the early evening. Hoi An is about 45 minutes by road from Da Nang, so it pairs easily with the Golden Bridge and the beaches.