Located in Central Vietnam, Hoi An is a magical town filled with twinkling lanterns, incredible street food, and the friendliest of locals. And after exploring Vietnam from north to south, I have to say, Hoi An is one of my favorite places in Vietnam. So whether you plan to see the entirety of Vietnam, or only stick to one area – it’s well worth it to go out of your way to visit Hoi An. Even if only for a couple of days. This is your 2-day Hoi An itinerary filled with the best restaurants, bars, and things to do.
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Best Time to Visit Hoi An
Generally speaking, it’s best to spend 2 days in Hoi An during dry season which is February-April. Rainy season lasts from September-January and the city receives heavy rainfall at this time with October and November known to be particularly rainy and bring typhoons to the area. The hottest month of the year is June, and the coolest is January. “Cool” season generally lasts from late November until late February, but it’s still very warm at this time. Lastly, peak tourist season in Vietnam is July and August. You might want to consider avoiding these times for your 2-day Hoi An itinerary if you’d rather not deal with the crowds and the higher prices. If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam, make sure to check out this post where you’ll find even more details on the best time to visit Vietnam, safety tips, and more.
Where to Stay in Hoi An
When visiting Hoi An for 2 days, I recommend basing yourself in the heart of the ancient town so that you’re able to walk everywhere. The good thing about visiting Vietnam is that the country is relatively affordable and you can find plenty of hotels across a wide range of budgets.
If you’re a backpacker, my hostel recommendation is: Dom Hostel and Bar
For mid-budget travelers, my recommendation is: Em’s House Homestay
If you’re a luxury traveler, my recommendation is: Four Seasons The Nam Hai
How to Get Around Hoi An
The ancient town of Hoi An is very walkable and easy to get around on foot. If you want to explore beyond the ancient town, you can rent a bicycle (there are many rentals on the streets), grab a taxi, or rent a motorbike (again, there are many rentals on the streets). While there are tons of taxis on the streets of Hoi An, another option is to download the Grab app if you want to know what the price of your ride will be upfront. Motorbike rentals run around 150,000 VND and it is law in Vietnam to have an international drivers license to operate a motorbike. Rental agencies don’t generally ask for this, but if you get stopped by the police they will ask to see your license.
2-Day Hoi An Itinerary
Below you’ll find a 2-day Hoi An itinerary for exploring the best parts of the town. On your first day, you can explore the ancient town and on your second day, venture outside the city. Also, Hoi An is well-known for their custom tailored clothing, shoes, etc. If you plan to get something tailored, I suggest finding a tailor immediately upon arrival so that there is time to make your clothes and take them with you when you leave. For a tailor, I recommend starting with Tuong Tailor. If you’re wondering what to pack for a trip to Vietnam, check out this female packing guide!
Day 1 – Morning in Hoi An
Start the first of your 2 days in Hoi An early with traditional Vietnamese coffee at HEYDAY Coffee or pick up a pink salted coffee from Namto House Coffee. Coffee in Vietnam is truly unique and even if you’re not a big coffee drinker, I highly suggest trying one of the specialty drinks out (I’m partial to the egg coffee). After you get your morning pick me up, head to Ellie’s Cafe for breakfast.
Day 1 – Afternoon in Hoi An
When you’re done with breakfast, explore Hoi An’s ancient town on foot. Some sights of particular interest include the Japanese Bridge, the Old House of Tan Ky, and Hoi Quan Phuoc Kien. I would also suggest scoping out Blue Lotus Leather if you’re interested in purchasing custom leather goods. And Mui the Label, Cua Hang Qua Tang, and 4U Souvenirs for light shopping.
After you’ve explored Hoi An on foot, grab a bahn mi (a traditional Vietnamese sandwich influenced by the French) at Madam Khahn. In my opinion, it’s the best bahn mi in town! To see Hoi An from a different vantage point, head to Thu Bon River to take a boat ride. Make sure to negotiate price ahead of time! This is also a great activity by night with the release of lanterns.
Day 1 – Evening in Hoi An
Your first evening in Hoi An, head to Mezcal Cocteleria for pre dinner cocktails. This was one of my favorite cocktail bars in all of Vietnam. I would say it’s worth a stop even for just one drink. After cocktails head to Cabanon for dinner. Cabanon is a French restaurant, and both the food and the location is excellent. If you get lucky, there might be a seat on the upstairs patio. A perfect spot for people watching on the streets below! Once you’ve finished dinner, walk through the night market which is open every day until 11 pm. The night market is a great way to interact with the locals and experience a more local side to Vietnam.
Day 2 – Morning in Hoi An
On your second of 2 days in Hoi An, start your day early by renting a motorbike to visit Marble Mountain. Remember, if you plan to drive a motorbike in Vietnam, you will need an international drivers license. If you don’t want to go there by motorbike, you can also join one of these tours.
Marble Mountain is a group of 5 limestone peaks around 18 km north of Hoi An. The drive is relatively easy on paved roads, and shouldn’t take more than 30-40 minutes. Once you arrive, the cost to enter is 40,000 VND/person and you’re free to explore the area at your own pace. While this can get touristy, it’s a beautiful part of Vietnam and well worth the visit. You can expect to spend at least two hours here.
Day 2 – Afternoon in Hoi An
After spending the morning at Marble Mountain, make your way to An Bang Beach. Here you can grab lunch at one of the many restaurants on the beach, and rent a chair. Your best bet is to pick a restaurant where you’ll then be allowed to use their beach chairs for free after lunch. Once you leave the beach and head back to town, stop at 7 Bridges to try out some of the local Vietnamese beers.
Day 2 – Evening in Hoi An
When evening comes, grab dinner at Quán Cao lầu Bá Lễ – Quán Cao Lầu ngon tại Hội An to try a traditional Hoi An dish – cao lầu. I would also recommend getting tickets to see a show at the Hoi An Lune Center. Here you’ll be able to watch an incredible acrobatic show. It’s truly one of the best live shows I’ve been to!
If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam, I hope this 2-day Hoi An itinerary inspires you to stop in the town – if only for a couple of days. It’s truly a magical town that should be on every travelers Vietnam bucket list.
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