Weekend in Hoi An

How to spend 2 days in Hoi An — a Friday-to-Sunday plan covering the highlights without the tourist-trap detours. Built from real attraction data.

Friday Evening

Arrive and Settle In

Friday evening is for arriving, checking in, and getting oriented. Keep it simple — a short walk to get your bearings, then dinner near the hotel.

Central Market (Chợ Hội An)

Free 100m from centre

Lively riverside market selling fresh produce, dried goods, local snacks and souvenirs. No entry fee to browse, walk through the fish section early.

Tip: 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.

Japanese Covered Bridge

Free 200m from centre

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.

Tip: Visit early morning (before 8am) to avoid crowds and see the bridge without many motorbikes. The lighting is best for photos then.

Friday dinner pick

Cargo Club Cafe & Restaurant
Saturday — Full Day

The Main Sights

Saturday is your main sightseeing day. Start early to beat the crowds at the top attractions, then take the afternoon at a slower pace.

1

Rehahn Gallery

Free Daily 9am-7pm

Free gallery showcasing the work of French-Vietnamese photographer Réhahn, famous for portraits of Vietnam's ethnic minorities. Small but thoughtfully curated.

Tip: Ask staff about the free photography walks they sometimes host. Also check their free mini-exhibition upstairs — it changes every few months.

2

An Bang Beach

Free 24/7

Wide, clean public beach with soft sand and calm waves. Free to access, with cheap local food stalls and lounge-chair rentals.

Tip: 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).

3

My Son Sanctuary

0 Daily 6am-5pm

UNESCO-listed Hindu temple complex built between 4th-14th centuries. Entry is 150,000 VND (roughly £5) — still cheap by global standards.

Tip: 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.

Saturday dining

Lunch Che Bar
Dinner Day & Night Café
Sunday Morning

Before You Leave

Sunday morning, before checkout, is for the things you didn't fit in on Saturday — or a slower revisit of the place you liked most.

Sunday brunch

Banana Leaf

Getting Around Hoi An

taxi
Grab / Local Taxi Service

Da Nang International Airport (DAD) → RiverTown Hoi An Resort & Spa

From £$15-25 USD 45 min
bus
Open Tour / Public Bus Service

Da Nang Airport / Hoi An City Center → RiverTown Hoi An Resort & Spa

From £$2-4 USD 90 min
train
Reunification Express (SE1/SE2 Train)

Da Nang Railway Station → Hoi An Railway Station (3km from hotel)

From £$3-6 USD 120 min
tram
Motorbike Rental / Hotel Shuttle

Airport or Hotel Location → RiverTown Hoi An Resort & Spa / City Center

From £$5-8 USD (rental) / Free-$10 (shuttle) 50 min

Where to Stay for a Hoi An Weekend

For a short break, stay central — walking distance to the main sights saves hours across a 2-day itinerary.

Weekend in Hoi An — FAQ

Is a weekend enough to see Hoi An?

A weekend (2 full days) is enough to cover the highlights of Hoi An. You can see the main attractions, eat at a couple of good restaurants and get a real feel for the city — as long as you prioritise well. This guide is structured to help you do exactly that.

When is the best weekend to visit Hoi An?

See our full best time to visit Hoi An guide. For a weekend break, shoulder season (spring and autumn) typically offers the best balance of good weather, manageable crowds and reasonable hotel prices.

Where should I stay for a weekend in Hoi An?

For a short break, stay as central as possible — walking distance to the main sights saves significant time and lets you head out after dinner without worrying about transport. See the best hotels in Hoi An for rated options. TripSage's free briefings tell you the specific rooms to request at each property.

How do I get around Hoi An for a weekend?

The main transport options in Hoi An include Grab / Local Taxi Service and Open Tour / Public Bus Service. For a short stay, walking and public transport are usually the most time-efficient combination — parking in most city centres adds cost and delays.

More Hoi An Guides