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Hội An Ancient Town
Hội An · Quảng Nam, Vietnam
Lantern-lit banks of the Thu Bồn River: an old dream of a Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese trading port
Know before you go
- Don't be loud in the assembly halls
- don't enter religious sites in revealing clothes
- don't carve anything on the old buildings.
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
The most prosperous trading port in Southeast Asia in the 16th–18th centuries, where Chinese assembly halls, the Japanese Covered Bridge (Lai Viễn Kiều) and French-style shophouses stand side by side; inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1999. On the 'lantern night' of the 14th day of each lunar month, the old town turns off its electric lights, leaving only lanterns and candlelight, and paper lanterns float on the Thu Bồn — a magical moment that takes you back to the Age of Sail. White rose dumplings, fried wontons and lantern workshops are the old town's memories of taste and craft.
Local customs
- Entry to the old town requires a ticket (VND 120,000, including 5 sights)
- dress appropriately and remove your shoes at assembly halls and temples
- bargain gently at the night market.
Religion & beliefs
- Buddhism, Taoism and folk beliefs intermingle, and the Fujian and Cantonese assembly halls are thronged with worshippers
- keep quiet when visiting and don't touch the statues.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Vietnam: don't take photos near military bases
- Put your camera away when you see a military area
- Taking photos near military bases
Travel near military bases is also restricted.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Vietnam travel advice
Vietnam: helmets are compulsory on motorbikes
- Riders and passengers must both wear helmets
- Riding or being a passenger without a helmet
- Drink-driving
Riding without a helmet is illegal; drink-driving can bring a fine or even prison, and after an accident you may be barred from leaving the country.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Vietnam travel advice
Vietnam: e-cigarettes are banned
- Leave your e-cigarette at home before you travel
- Bringing in or buying e-cigarettes
E-cigarettes and related products are banned.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Vietnam travel advice
Vietnam: cover shoulders and knees at temples and cultural sites
- Cover your shoulders and knees when entering religious and cultural sites
- Wearing a vest or shorts into a temple
Respect local customs.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Vietnam travel advice
Don’t DON'T
- Don't be loud in the assembly halls
- don't enter religious sites in revealing clothes
- don't carve anything on the old buildings.
Locals appreciate DO
- Hội An people are proud of their lantern craft and appreciate visitors who order custom lanterns or learn to make one
- photos in an áo dài and basket-boat rides through the coconut forest are popular.
Plan your visit
Practical info
| Best time | February–May is best (avoid the October–December flood season) |
|---|
Travel tips
- February–May is best (avoid the October–December flood season). Lantern night on the 14th lunar day is the most beautiful time to visit — check the dates
- stay a night in the old town
- about 45 minutes by car from Đà Nẵng
- allow 2–3 days for tailor-made clothes (Hội An tailors).
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
Must-try
- Cao lầu
- White rose dumplings
- Hội An chicken rice
Cao lầu (Hội An's signature noodles, traditionally said to need water from Hội An's old wells), white rose dumplings (shrimp dumplings), Hội An chicken rice (cơm gà), mì Quảng (Quảng Nam noodles), bánh mì (famous old-town shops have queues)
| Where to eat | The food-stall area of Hội An Central Market (Chợ Hội An), restaurants on Trần Phú Street, bánh mì shops (around Banh Mi Phuong) |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | Dress appropriately at old-town temples and assembly halls; ask prices first for night-market snacks |
| Typical price per person | VND 120,000–250,000 ≈ CNY 35–73 |
| Tips | Cao lầu can only be found in Hội An — a must-order; at the lantern night market, choose stalls cooking to order. |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
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Chainwit. · CC BY 4.0
Photos
Photos
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This Photo was taken by Supanut Arunoprayote. Feel free to use any of my images, but please mention me as the author and may send me a message. (สามารถใช้ภาพได้อิสระ แต่กรุณาใส่เครดิตผู้ถ่ายและอาจส่งข้อความบอกกล่าวด้วย) Please do not upload an updated image here without consultation with the Author. The author would like to make corrections only at his own source. This ensures that the changes are preserved.Please if you think that any changes should be required, please inform the author.Otherwise you can upload a new image with a new name. Please use one of the templates derivative or extract. · CC BY 4.0
Steffen Schmitz (more photos) · CC BY-SA 4.0
Andre Hospers · CC BY 4.0
Sources & verification notes
Compiled from Vietnam tourism guides to Hội An
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