Hoi An 3 Day Itinerary • itinerary post & photos by Jeanie A
Going to Hoi An and searching what to see and do in just 3 days? Check out my 3 day itinerary of how I spent my time in the charming city of Hoi An.
When you purchase through an affiliate link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. By doing so, you are supporting the upkeep and maintenance of this site. Thank you for your support! Learn more.
If you’re planning a trip to central Vietnam, Hoi An is one of those places that completely surprises you. It has lantern-lit streets, tailor shops on every corner, basket boats spinning in coconut forests, and famous bridges. Here’s the perfect 3 day itinerary in Hoi An that balances relaxation, adventure, and iconic experiences. Of course, feel free to tailor this itinerary to fit your own interests, pace, and/or schedule.
Recommended Hoi An Tours & Activities
Book unforgettable experiences and check out the below recommended Hoi An tours, activities and attractions that are mentioned throughout this post:
In Hoi An, I stayed at the Bel Marina Hoi An Resort, which is located within walking distance Hoi An Ancient Town and tons of eating and shopping options right nearby. Book your stay by clicking here, or check availability for your dates below and click “Search”:
HOI AN 3 DAY ITINERARY
The above map shows all the points of interest mentioned in this Tokyo itinerary. The points are color-coordinated as:
Day 1 Points of Interest → DARK BLUE
Day 2 Points of Interest → LIGHT ORANGE
Day 3 Points of Interest → PURPLE
HOW TO USE THE ABOVE TOKYO MAP:
Action
Description
Click a Colored Point of Interest
Shows additional information and details of the selected Point of Interest
Click the Four-cornered Square at the Top Right
Opens the map in a Larger Map view in your personal Google Maps account
On Larger Map view, click the STAR ☆ under “Tokyo, Japan“
Adds the Map to your personal Google Maps account to access anytime on Computer* or on Phone App**
* On Computer: In your Google Maps, Click “Saved” on left bar → Click “Maps” → Click “Tokyo, Japan“
**On Phone App: In your Google Maps app, Click “You” on bottom bar → Scroll to bottom → Click “Maps” → Click “Tokyo, Japan“
Hoi An is famous for custom tailoring, shopping, and even replica shopping! You’ll find:
Custom suits and dresses made in 24-48 hours
Leather bags
Shoes
“Inspired” designer items like Gucci, YSL, Louis Vuitton bags (just to name a few)
Linen sets and vacation outfits
Since it’s your first day in Hoi An, it’s best to start with fittings and tailorings so there’s time for adjustments and it’ll be done in time before you leave!
2-7:30 PM: Bamboo Basket Boat & Lantern Release Tour
This combo tour is such a fun way to experience the area. I highly recommend it so you can have a driver/guide AND you can learn as much as you can about Hoi An. Book the exact tour I went on here, or in the widget below:
Explore hoi An Ancient Town
The tour begins with exploring Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This area really feels like stepping back in time. You’ll find mustard yellow buildings, colorful lanterns, riverside cafes, and temple tucked between shops.
Silk Store
On the tour, we visited a Silk store, where we actually got to see the moths that make the silk, and how it ultimately turns into clothing! There’s even artists that make beautiful images out of silk, but they literally look like they can drawings. Incredible.
Tan Ky Old House
We also visited Tan Ky Old House, home to a 550+ year old tea cup that you can actually buy a replica of! It’s said that the tea cup belonged to Confucius and symbolizes moderation and balance. What’s unique about these tea cups is that when it is overfilled, the tea cup empties out. I loved the unique story and ancient engineering trick of this cup, that I had to buy it 🙂
Cau Pagoda / Japanese Bridge
When in Hoi An, you also have to stop by the Japanese Bridge! We were here very briefly since it was crowded, but it’s a beautiful bridge built by Japanese people and it also has a temple inside.
Fujian Assembly Hall
The Fujian Assembly Hall was a beautiful stop. The Main Gate, or Triple Gate is beautifully designed and has a nice light pink color, not something you see everywhere. And inside, you’ll find spring-like incenses with wishes and prayers attached to them, and a statue of Thien Hau Goddess accompanied with guardians and donation gifts.
Bamboo Basket Boat Ride
The next activity is the bamboo basket boat ride! We headed to the coconut forest outside Hoi An and each pair or small group hopped into a traditional round bamboo basket boat. The local rower takes us through the coconut forests with hundreds of other bamboo basket boat riders, creating a unique experience. Some local rowers also offered to take guest on their boat and spin it around! And yes, actually spin them! It was entertaining to watch, but I definitely did not ride those ones lol.
The rower takes us around and there were even some tiny “islands” set up where the boats all congregate around to listen to music. It was so interesting and so much fun!
After we got off the bamboo basket boat, we then re-met with our group and then had a traditional Vietnamese dinner at a nearby restaurant. Great food was served, as usual.
Lantern Release on the River
Then we returned back to Hoi An to enjoy our last activity of the tour: the lantern release on the river. Several of us hopped onto one long boat, was given a life jacket, and our lanterns. We then cruise along the river with, again, tons of other boats, enjoyed the ambiance, and when we felt like it was time, we lit out lantern then released them into the Thu Bon River. Such a peaceful and symbolic activity this was. Seeing the river glow with lantern reflections isn’t something you forget. What a memorable tour and night!
Evening: Wander Around & Sky Bar/Bar Hopping
Once the tour finished and we went our separate ways with our guide and the group, we decided to continue wandering around by the river. We crossed the bridge, and started to bar hop! There are lines of bars you can just order drinks and enjoy the night at.
Some great rooftop or vibey options:
Morning Glory – good food and rooftop views
Market Bar – great cocktails and central location
The Deck Hoi An – riverside vibes
The Hill Station Hoi An – cozy wine bar energy
Hoi An is so lively and colorfully lit up, you’ll enjoy the night no matter where you go!
Day 2: Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge
On the second day of your 3 day itinerary, head to Da Nang and enjoy the famous Ba Na Hills and walk the iconic Golden Bridge.
The Golden Bridge
The surreal Golden Bridge is the main attraction here. It is an iconic bridge that is held up by giant stone hands. Seeing it in person is way more dramatic than the photos. BUT it does get CROWDED here. If possible, try to either arrive right when it opens or when the park’s about to close to avoid peak crowds. Most of the tours come midday so best to avoid this time.
What Else to do at Ba Na Hills
Besides the Golden Bridge, Ba Na Hills is an amusement park, where you’ll find:
Cable car ride (which is an experience on their own) and is the only way to get to the main part of Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge
French inspired villages
Garden and viewpoints
Indoor attractions and rides
Expect this to take most of your day.
Check out the below Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge tours:
If this post has helped you, feel free to support me on:
Thank you!-Jeanie
Day 3: Poolside Relaxation & River Cruise Dinner
On the 3rd day of your 3 day itinerary in Hoi An, slow it down!
Slow Morning at Bel Marina Hoi An
Have a slow morning!
The pool areas are amazing at Bel Marina Hoi An. There are 2: the main one that centers the hotel, and a rooftop infinity pool on the top floor of one of the buildings. They’re both spacious, relaxing, and perfect for recovering from travel days. The main pool has a swim-up bar, and the rooftop pool has a bar not too far from it. On this morning, I recommend:
Wake up late and grab some breakfast at the Bel Marina Hotel dining area
Lounge with a coffee
Chill/swim at either pools and enjoy the resort-like atmosphere
Lunch at the hotel restaurant
Hoi An is hot and humid so pacing yourself and resting is key!
Evening: River Dinner Cruise
End your trip with a romantic river dinner cruise along the Thu Bon River. You can watch the lanterns light up the water while enjoying Vietnamese cuisine.
Check it out by clicking here or click on the widget below:
Alternatively, if you’d rather see some sights also paired with a boat meal, check out this My Son Sanctuary & Sunset River Cruise tour by clicking here or click the widget below:
After dinner, walk through the Hoi An Market. If you didn’t do this on the first night in, now’s your chance! There’s so much you can check out here, like lantern stalls, street snacks, souvenirs, and handmade crafts. It’s lively, charming, and a great last chance for souvenir shopping.
Extra Day Option: Tour to My Son Sanctuary
If you have an extra day or would simply rather do something else other than the things mentioned in this itinerary, check out going on a tour to My Son Sanctuary! My Son Sanctuary is a World Cultural Site and you’ll be able to watch traditional dances, and return to Hoi An by boat. Check it out here or click “Book Now” in the widget below:
In this 3 day itinerary in Hoi An, you can get relaxation, experience culture, learn history, get adventure and bucket list views, while also being able to go shopping and get the famous Hoi An tailoring- all in one visit! Hoi An is definitely a more relaxed, romantic, and incredibly photogenic city in Vietnam, and is a must-add to anyone visiting.
Have you been to Hoi An? What was your favorite activity – Let me know in the comments below!
Jeanie has traveled to over 50 countries and has a love for new experiences, visiting iconic attractions, and finding breathtaking views. Hoping to help plan unforgettable adventures, Jeanie aims to inspire others to visit new places through her travel stories and photography.
If this post has helped you, feel free to support me on:
Leave a Reply