Vietnam · 2026 itinerary
Hoi An 3-Day Itinerary
A day-by-day plan for Hoi An: the best attractions in order, where to eat, how to get around — with free hotel briefings for your stay.
Arrive & Explore the Highlights
Lively riverside market selling fresh produce, dried goods, local snacks and souvenirs. No entry fee to browse, walk through the fish section early.
🕐 Daily 6am-6pm
Free entry💡 Head to the food stalls at the back for a cheap lunch of cao lầu or mì quảng (15,000-25,000 VND). Don't buy the first vendor's asking price for souvenirs.
Hotels near Central Market (Chợ Hội An) →Iconic 16th-century wooden footbridge with a small pagoda, originally built by the Japanese community. Walk across for free; the interior temple requires a ticket.
🕐 24/7 for exterior; interior temple 7am-5pm
Free entry💡 Visit early morning (before 8am) to avoid crowds and see the bridge without many motorbikes. The lighting is best for photos then.
Hotels near Japanese Covered Bridge →Cargo Club Cafe & Restaurant · ££
Che Bar · ££
Deeper Into Hoi An
Free gallery showcasing the work of French-Vietnamese photographer Réhahn, famous for portraits of Vietnam's ethnic minorities. Small but thoughtfully curated.
🕐 Daily 9am-7pm
💡 Ask staff about the free photography walks they sometimes host. Also check their free mini-exhibition upstairs — it changes every few months.
Wide, clean public beach with soft sand and calm waves. Free to access, with cheap local food stalls and lounge-chair rentals.
🕐 24/7
💡 Rent a bicycle from town (10,000-20,000 VND) for the 4km cycle. Bring wet wipes as showers at beach are basic (5,000 VND).
Day & Night Café
Banana Leaf
Final Favourites & Departure
UNESCO-listed Hindu temple complex built between 4th-14th centuries. Entry is 150,000 VND (roughly £5) — still cheap by global standards.
💡 Combine with a free morning guided tour from Hoi An (book at the tourism centre). Go before 10am to beat heat and tour buses. Bring water and a hat.
Blue Dragon
Cafe Des Amis
Getting Around Hoi An
Use Grab app for fixed pricing and driver ratings. Avoid unmarked taxis at airport. Hotel can pre-arrange pickup for better rates ($12-15).
Tourist open-tour buses offer hop-on-hop-off flexibility and AC comfort. Public buses are cheapest but less reliable for luggage.
Scenic coastal route with A/C comfort. Book soft seats for comfort. Requires additional taxi/motorbike from Hoi An station to resort.
Rent motorbike for flexibility exploring Hoi An. Hotel shuttle often complimentary for guests. Drive defensively; chaotic local traffic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for Hoi An?
Three days covers the main highlights well. You can see the key attractions like Central Market (Chợ Hội An) and get a genuine feel for the city. For a more leisurely pace or to explore neighbourhoods in depth, a 5-day trip is better.
What is the best time to visit Hoi An?
See our full best time to visit Hoi An guide — it covers weather month by month, peak vs. shoulder seasons and how to avoid the crowds.
Where should I stay for this itinerary?
A central location saves transit time between sites. Top options include Moire Hoi An, Vignette Collection by IHG, Grand Sunrise Palace Hội An, Hoi An Beach Resort. See the full ranked list with free briefings for each.