Hoi An Old Town 2026: Discover Vietnam's UNESCO Gem at Sunset

After relaxing to the fullest at An Bang Beach, we moved on to Hoi An.

Hoi An's main town was bustling and noisy, packed with people, but somehow, Hoi An Old Town exuded a distinct sense of tranquility.

At sunset, Hoi An was bathed in a soft golden glow, radiating an enchanting charm.

It was truly beautiful, exceptionally so.

Hoi An Old Town, once a global trading port where Eastern and Western cultures converged, is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, celebrated for its preserved, diverse, and unique architectural styles.

We arrived at 4 PM, and it looked like a market was open, or perhaps a stage was being set up for a competition or performance. I was curious, but unfortunately, we didn't have the time to stop and explore it properly.

A real shame!

You can enter the Old Town itself, stroll around, and browse the shops without needing an entrance ticket.

However, if you plan to visit specific attractions within the Old Town, such as museums or ancient houses, you will need an admission ticket to enter those particular sites. So, if your itinerary includes exploring these historical gems, it's best to purchase your ticket at the entrance.

Also, the famous Japanese Covered Bridge technically requires an entrance fee, so if you intend to explore everything, having a ticket seems like the better option.

Children do not need a separate ticket. For adults, it’s 120,000 VND per person for a combined ticket that grants access to 5 different locations.

Each time you enter a new site, your ticket will be clipped to mark your visit.

When we arrived at Hoi An Old Town, we somehow ended up scattering and exploring individually... haha.

So, we barely used our admission tickets for ancient houses or anything else, only visiting the Folk Culture Museum and the Fujian Assembly Hall.

The vibrant yellow and green color palette was truly impressive.

Models of ships used during its time as a global trading port and various aspects of its folk culture are on display.

A place I wished I could have explored more thoroughly if I had had the time.

Intricate wooden sculptures and carved pieces used in architecture were on display.

Exploring the shops in the Old Town is also a delight, and it's fascinating that you can participate in various experiential programs offered through travel platforms like Klook.

There are so many fascinating experiential activities available, like trying your hand at making coffee with a traditional Vietnamese 'phin' filter, dining experiences, cooking classes, or even a photography tour with a professional photographer.

However, these activities aren't run by Korean travel agencies; many are conducted in English or Vietnamese, and you'll likely be sharing the experience with people from various countries.

This time, Hoi An was more of a side trip during my Da Nang adventure, but if I get the chance, I'd love to plan a more extensive trip focusing on diverse local experiences here.

While I saw many lantern lights in Da Nang, Hoi An felt like the essence of lanterns itself!

Lantern shops, with their vibrant and beautiful colors, seem to naturally become popular photo zones where people love to stop.

It seems many people also enjoy taking a cyclo ride around the Old Town.

The second place I used my admission ticket was the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall.

I heard that Hoi An has several Chinese Assembly Halls, and among them, the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall is said to be the largest.

The Chinese-style scenic walls, sculptures, and the hues of the bricks and tiles create a harmonious blend.

The hall was filled with the rich aroma of spiral incense burning from the ceiling.

I truly love the smell of incense. Perhaps that's why I've always felt so peaceful whenever I visit a temple since I was a child.

After a bit more walking, the sun began to slowly set.

Oh, I really should have bought mangoes here...!

My biggest regret from this Da Nang trip?

Not loading up on mangoes at the market and indulging in a 'two-mango-a-day' ritual! Ugh!

Soon, the street food carts began opening up their stalls.

As the sun began its descent, Hoi An truly started to sparkle even more.

The shops lining the Thu Bon River in Hoi An Old Town are thoughtfully arranged,

with every seat facing the water. This design lets you enjoy a truly romantic 'water-gazing' experience,

whether you're savoring a coffee or enjoying a meal, just watching the world drift by.

That's Vietnamese condensed milk coffee, or 'Sua Da,' brewed drip-style with a traditional phin filter.

I swear, I had my fill of coffee in Vietnam – I couldn't get enough!

Just sitting there, gazing at the river, watching people stroll past,

and seeing the sparkling lights dance across the water... my once restless heart found a profound sense of calm.

Yet, at the same time, a sense of emptiness and futility settled over me.

Before marriage, travel was all about new experiences and thrilling adventures for me. But after, something shifted in how I perceived it.

It became a source of deep sadness that travel now brought with it struggle, exhaustion, and the constant stress of battling between compromise and outright surrender.

I even thought, if this was the new reality of travel I had to adapt to, I’d rather just give it up entirely. And for several years, that's essentially how I lived.

Sitting here like this, I had a real moment of self-reflection, thinking, 'Wow, that's just so *me*.'

Just then, tears welled up for no particular reason.

But then, my pride kicked in – I didn't want to be seen crying – so I pulled myself together.

After all, no one forced me into marriage; this was all my own choice.

Reminding myself, 'I need to take responsibility and live my life,' I rose again, ready to face whatever came next.

Honestly, just witnessing the wish boats from the shore was an experience in itself – perfectly beautiful and complete.

Apparently, the wish boats operate on a fixed-price system.

You'll see notices along the riverside, advising against paying more than a certain amount for a wish boat ride, as they are indeed fixed-price.

So, if you're planning a boat ride, definitely keep that in mind!

Leaving the dazzling yet peaceful nightscape of the Old Town behind, I made my way back to my accommodation.

Hoi An truly felt like a place I'd love to revisit – a place to explore every hidden alley, dive into local experiences, all when my heart is at peace and I have ample time to wander.

My Hoi An Accommodation Pick: “Shilla Monogram”

Another Great Spot to Pair with Old Town: “An Bang Beach”

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