48 Hours exploring Hoi An OLD TOWN 🇻🇳 (must try food + tips)

Hoi An's UNESCO-listed Old Town offers a blend of history, lantern-lit streets, and a relaxed pace ideal for a multi-day stay. The creator spent 48 hours exploring the ancient quarter, sampling local specialties like banh mi from three vendors (favoring the vegan option at Madame Le Loy for 15,000 VND), and enjoying coconut coffee at cafes such as 25s. Accommodation at Hoi An Emotion Boutique Villa & Hotel, 800 meters from the Old Town, provided a quiet base with a pool and spacious rooms. Custom tailoring at Cloth Shop Thanh Thuy (Flower's) produced six linen and cotton pieces for around $200, while Song Leather crafted a custom duffel bag shipped via Dao's postal service within five to seven days. Evening dining at Chickpea Eatery featured local specialties like cao lau noodles, made with water from a specific ancient well. The creator advises avoiding midday heat by scheduling activities for early morning or late afternoon, and notes that the lantern boat release on the river felt overly commercialized. Day trips to Ba Na Hills (Golden Bridge) were considered but deemed expensive at $100 entry. Getting around is easy on foot, by bicycle, or via Grab app.

Key Facts

1. Banh mi at Madame Le Loy costs 15,000 VND (cheapest), Banh Mi Phuong costs 35,000-40,000 VND.
2. Custom tailoring at Flower's: 6 linen/cotton pieces for around $200 USD.
3. Hoi An Emotion Boutique Villa & Hotel is 800 meters from the Old Town.
4. Custom leather goods at Song Leather take 1-2 days to make; shipping takes 5-7 days.
5. Ba Na Hills (Golden Bridge) entry fee is $100 USD.