7 Most Instagrammable Spots in Hoi An, Vietnam

Hoi An's Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, was once one of Southeast Asia's busiest trading ports, its architecture layered with Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese influences from centuries of merchant settlement. Cars are barred from much of the old quarter, leaving its mustard-yellow shopfronts, covered market stalls and paper lanterns to spill across narrow, walkable streets. Here are seven of its most photographed corners.

1. The Japanese Covered Bridge

Built by Hoi An's Japanese community in the 16th or early 17th century, this small covered bridge with its own pagoda-like roof is the town's most recognisable landmark and features on the Vietnamese 20,000-dong note.

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2. Lantern-lit Thu Bon River at dusk

Each evening, the riverfront along Thu Bon River fills with silk lanterns and small wooden boats offering short rides, many carrying passengers who release floating paper candles onto the water as the light fades.

3. Tan Ky Old House

One of the best-preserved 18th-century merchant homes open to visitors, blending Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese architectural details across its narrow, deep floor plan.

4. The yellow walls of Tran Phu and Nguyen Thai Hoc streets

The old town's two main parallel streets are where its trademark mustard-yellow facades are at their most dense, especially early in the morning before the crowds and cyclos fill the frame.

5. Hoi An Central Market

A working market by the river selling produce, spices and textiles, with tailoring stalls that have made Hoi An famous for made-to-measure clothing turned around within a day.

6. An Bang Beach

A few kilometres from the old town, this stretch of sand offers a straightforward beach counterpoint to the historic centre, with a run of casual seafood shacks along the shore.

7. Cam Thanh coconut village and basket boats

A short bike or boat ride from town, this water-coconut palm village is known for its round, woven bamboo basket boats, traditionally used by local fishermen and now a popular short excursion for visitors.

Traveller tips

• Da Nang International Airport, around 30 minutes away, is the nearest airport with regular international connections.
• The old town charges a small entrance ticket that includes access to a handful of historic houses and museums.
• The Hoi An Lantern Festival, held on the 14th day of each lunar month, dims street lighting in favour of lanterns alone and draws the biggest crowds.
• March to August offers the driest weather; the town is prone to flooding during the October to December wet season.