Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s most captivating destinations, a UNESCO World Heritage town where centuries-old architecture meets a laid-back riverside atmosphere and stunning nearby beaches. For international travel agencies, Hoi An is a dream product: it combines culture, food, shopping, and relaxation in one compact, easy-to-sell package.
Unlike many destinations that require long transfers between attractions, Hoi An offers everything within a short distance – from lantern-lit streets to rice fields, traditional villages, and An Bang Beach just minutes away. This makes it perfect for FIT travelers, families, and even incentive groups.
In this guide, we share the best things to do in Hoi An that agencies can feature in their programs. Each activity comes with practical insights, when to schedule it, which travelers it suits best, and how Venus Travel can turn it into a smooth, memorable experience for your clients.
1. Explore Hoi An Ancient Town
Hoi An Ancient Town is the soul of this destination – a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 1,000 well-preserved timber-frame houses, temples, and old merchant shops. Walking through its narrow alleys feels like stepping back in time, with colorful lanterns, local tailors, and riverside cafés at every turn.
Why Agencies Should Include This
- High demand: Almost every traveler wants to see the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An – it’s a major bucket-list experience.
- Easy to package: Entrance tickets cover several sites, making it simple to design a half-day or full-day walking tour.
- Photogenic: Perfect for FIT travelers, couples, and small groups who want Instagram-worthy photos.
Logistics & Best Practice
- Best time: 7:30–9:00 AM for soft light and fewer crowds, or evening for the signature lantern atmosphere.
- What to include: Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky Old House, Assembly Halls, local tailor visits.
- Agency insight: Venus Travel pre-purchases tickets and provides licensed guides to avoid waiting in line. We can also arrange private rickshaws for senior travelers or premium groups for a more comfortable experience.
2. Take a Lantern-Making Class
Hoi An is synonymous with lanterns and nothing delights visitors more than creating their own lantern as a keepsake. This activity is not just hands-on; it’s deeply cultural and highly shareable on social media.
Why Agencies Should Include This
- Memorable experience: Clients take home a handmade lantern, creating a personal connection to Hoi An.
- Perfect for groups: Works as a fun bonding activity for incentive groups, families with children, or school tours.
- Marketable content: Highly photogenic and “Instagrammable”, an easy upsell for younger audiences.
Logistics & Best Practice
- Best time: Late afternoon or early evening, after a day of sightseeing.
- What’s included: Materials, step-by-step guidance from local artisans, and the finished lantern to keep.
- Agency insight: Venus Travel works with trusted lantern-making families to offer private or small-group workshops. We can combine this with a sunset boat ride or a lantern-release ceremony for a truly magical evening program.
3. Enjoy a Boat Ride on the Thu Bon River
The Thu Bon River is Hoi An’s lifeline, and seeing the town from the water provides a whole new perspective. Sunset boat rides are among the most iconic activities for travelers in Hoi An.
Why Agencies Should Include This
- Unique perspective: Adds variety to a Hoi An program, travelers see the old town glow in the evening light.
- Scalable: Can be done with small sampan boats for couples or chartered boats for groups.
- Emotional impact: The experience feels slow-paced, calm, and romantic – perfect for leisure travelers.
Logistics & Best Practice
- Best time: 4:30–6:00 PM (golden hour).
- Optional add-ons: Floating lantern release, on-board refreshments, live music for incentive groups.
- Agency insight: Venus Travel pre-arranges boats with trained local rowers, ensures safety equipment, and can coordinate private cruises for MICE groups including drinks or canapés on board.
4. Visit An Bang Beach
An Bang Beach is just 10 minutes from Hoi An Ancient Town yet feels like a completely different world – soft white sand, calm waters, and a line of beach bars and boutique resorts. It’s one of Vietnam’s top-rated beaches, perfect for balancing sightseeing with relaxation.
Why Agencies Should Include This
- Adds variety to programs: Combines cultural discovery in the Old Town with leisure time by the sea.
- Great for longer stays: Keeps clients in Hoi An an extra night or two – more revenue for agencies.
- Appeals to multiple segments: Ideal for families, FIT travelers, and leisure groups seeking a slow-paced experience.
Logistics & Best Practice
- Best time: Morning for peaceful swimming, late afternoon for cocktails and sunset photos.
- What to include: Beach time with sunbeds, optional seafood lunch, water sports for active travelers.
- Agency insight: Venus Travel can book boutique resorts for your clients or arrange day-use options for groups who prefer to stay near the Old Town. We can also organize private beach BBQ dinners or team-building activities for incentive groups.
5. Join a Vietnamese Cooking Class
Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s culinary hotspots, and cooking classes here are among the most immersive experiences travelers can have. Guests start by visiting the market, then take a short boat ride to a riverside cooking school where they learn to make signature dishes like Cao Lau and White Rose Dumplings.
Why Agencies Should Include This
- Hands-on cultural immersion: Clients learn by doing, which is more memorable than just dining.
- High satisfaction rate: Cooking classes consistently receive excellent reviews, a great value add.
- Group-friendly: Can be arranged privately for large groups or incentive trips as a fun bonding session.
Logistics & Best Practice
- Best time: Morning classes are most popular (catch the market at its liveliest).
- Duration: Around 4–5 hours including market tour and cooking session.
- Agency insight: Venus Travel partners with top-rated cooking schools that can handle dietary requirements, language needs, and private space for groups. We provide all transfers and ensure the experience runs smoothly for your clients.
6. Cycle Through the Countryside
Hoi An’s countryside is flat, green, and perfect for cycling. Guests can pass rice paddies, water buffalo, and sleepy villages – a great contrast to the Old Town’s busy streets.
Why Agencies Should Include This
- Soft adventure option: Adds a touch of activity without being too strenuous.
- Appeals to experiential travelers: Perfect for clients who want “authentic Vietnam” moments.
- Customizable: Can be done as a short half-day trip or a longer loop to fishing villages.
Logistics & Best Practice
- Best time: Early morning to avoid heat.
- What to include: Local village visits, photo stops, coffee breaks, optional basket boat ride in the coconut forest.
- Agency insight: Venus Travel provides well-maintained bikes, helmets, and English-speaking guides trained for international groups. We also offer support vehicles for larger groups or clients with mixed fitness levels.
7. Discover Tra Que Vegetable Village
Tra Que is a centuries-old organic vegetable village just a short ride from Hoi An. Visitors can join farmers in planting, watering, and harvesting herbs using traditional methods.
Why Agencies Should Include This
- Educational & interactive: Great for eco-conscious travelers, school groups, and family tours.
- Supports sustainability: A chance to show clients authentic, community-based tourism.
- Pairs well with other experiences: Combine with a cooking class or cycling tour for a full-day program.
Logistics & Best Practice
- Best time: Morning (before the sun gets too hot).
- What to include: Farm activities, herbal foot bath, simple farmer’s lunch.
- Agency insight: Venus Travel partners directly with local farmers to ensure your clients have a private, genuine experience – no overcrowded group tours.
8. Experience Hoi An Night Market
Hoi An’s night market is a sensory overload, glowing lanterns, sizzling street food, and rows of stalls selling souvenirs. It’s an unmissable evening experience.
Why Agencies Should Include This
- Completes the Hoi An experience: Clients expect to see the town lit up at night.
- Great for foodies: Street snacks like Banh Mi, grilled skewers, and sweet desserts are must-tries.
- Shopping opportunity: Perfect place for guests to buy lanterns, textiles, and crafts.
Logistics & Best Practice
- Best time: After 6:30 PM when lanterns are fully lit.
- Agency insight: Venus Travel organizes guided night tours with curated tastings so clients don’t get lost in the crowd or settle for low-quality stalls. For groups, we can even set up a progressive dinner with reserved tables at different stops.
9. Take a Day Trip to My Son Sanctuary
My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO site about an hour away, was once the religious center of the Champa Kingdom. Its red-brick towers are set in a lush valley and are often called “Vietnam’s Angkor Wat.”
Why Agencies Should Include This
- Cultural depth: Adds historical value to a Hoi An itinerary.
- Strong appeal for niche markets: Perfect for history lovers, student groups, and cultural tours.
- Flexible format: Can be done as a half-day trip, leaving time for Hoi An activities.
Logistics & Best Practice
- Best time: Early morning (cooler and less crowded).
- Agency insight: Venus Travel arranges private transfers, professional guides who explain Cham culture in depth, and can combine the trip with lunch at a countryside restaurant or a boat ride back to Hoi An.
10. Enjoy Hoi An’s Café Culture and Rooftop Views
Hoi An’s coffee scene is vibrant, from hidden garden cafés to stylish rooftop spots overlooking the Thu Bon River.
Why Agencies Should Include This
- Lifestyle element: Perfect for digital nomads, couples, and young travelers.
- Adds downtime: Gives clients a chance to relax between activities.
- Highly marketable: Rooftop shots at sunset are social-media gold.
Logistics & Best Practice
- Best time: Late afternoon or early evening for sunset views.
- Agency insight: Venus Travel can include a curated café stop as part of a walking tour or arrange private coffee tasting sessions focusing on local beans – turning a simple coffee break into a cultural experience.
Turn These Activities Into Sellable Itineraries
Highlighting these things to do in Hoi An makes your packages more appealing – from FIT travelers seeking culture to groups looking for hands-on activities and leisure.
At Venus Travel, we take care of every detail:
- Preferred rates for attractions, guides, and experiences
- Custom-built half-day or full-day itineraries
- Logistics, transfers, and 24/7 local support
Contact us 24/7 to receive B2B rates and sample itineraries. Together, we can create unique Hoi An programs that wow your clients and drive repeat business:
- Office 1: 14 An Nhon 10, Da Nang City, Vietnam
- Office 2: 429A Cua Dai St, Hoi An City, Viet Nam
- Email: venustravelvietnam@gmail.com
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- Website: www.venusvietnamtravel.com
- Travelers’ Choice in 2024 on Tripadvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com.vn/Attraction_Review-g298082-d12261731-Reviews-Venus_Travel-Hoi_An_Quang_Nam_Province.html
- Top Rated on GetYourGuide: www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=supplier:87597
- Whatsapp/Zalo/Viber: (+84) 905 775 088 (English)/ (+84) 964 056 190 (Chinese)
