Ultimate Hoi An Itinerary: Lanterns, Coconut Boats & Custom Tailors

If there is one destination in Vietnam that feels straight out of a fairytale, it is Hoi An. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 and crowned Asia’s Leading Cultural City Destination, this yellow-walled ancient town quickly became one of my absolute favorite stops of the entire trip.

Here is my personal journey traveling from Hanoi to Hoi An – complete with lantern-lit boat rides, custom-tailored clothes, serene coastal retreats, and indispensable travel tips.

Getting There: Hanoi to Da Nang & Onward to Hoi An

Our journey began at Hanoi Airport. After completing standard security and luggage check-ins, we boarded our Vietnam Airlines flight to Da Nang.

• Flight Info & Luggage: We booked directly via the Vietnam Airlines website for $60 USD for two people, which included 23 kg of checked luggage and 10 kg of hand baggage per person.

• Transit Tip: The Grab ride from central Hanoi to Hanoi Airport took around 40 minutes and cost approximately 250,000 VND (~₹900 / $10 USD).

• Da Nang to Hoi An: After landing at Da Nang’s compact airport, we took a pre-arranged car for the 28 km drive to Hoi An. The scenic drive took roughly 40 to 45 minutes.

Accommodation & First Impressions: Vinh Villa

Upon arriving in Hoi An, we checked into Vinh Villa, a cozy and charming Airbnb stay. The hosts greeted us warmly and even gave us a hand-written guide with local restaurant recommendations – a thoughtful touch that made exploring the area seamless.

Day 1: Exploring Ancient Hoi An

1. Savouring Authentic Bánh Mì

Starving after the journey, our first stop was a local eatery recommended by our stay to try Hoi An’s famous Bánh Mì. Watching the crispy baguettes being toasted over warm charcoal grills was an experience in itself. Packed with egg, savory chicken, and fresh fillings, it was the ultimate comfort street food.

2. Getting Custom Clothes Made in 24 Hours

Hoi An is world-famous for its rapid, high-quality custom tailoring. Intrigued by the experience, I stopped by a tailor shop in the evening, browsed through their extensive fabric collection, selected two custom dress designs, and was asked to return the next afternoon for a first fitting.

Traveler’s Tip: Hoi An tailors can craft custom suits and dresses within 24 hours! You can pick designs directly from their catalogs or show them pictures from Google/Pinterest.

3. Sunset & Lanterns along the Thu Bồn River

As night fell, we walked toward the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge and made our way to the banks of the Thu Bồn River. The atmosphere here at night is pure magic: streets lined with glowing silk lanterns, vibrant riverfront cafes, and wooden boats gliding across the water.

• Evening Boat Ride: We hired a wooden boat for 150,000 VND for two people.

• Wish Candles: We bought two paper lantern candles for 30,000 VND each, lit them, and released them onto the river while making a wish – a unforgettable Hoi An tradition.

4. Night Market & Dinner

After crossing the bridge to the livelier side of the river, we spent time exploring the vibrant Night Market. The market is filled with craft stalls selling bamboo bags, souvenirs, apparel, and street food.

Bargaining Tip: Bargaining is essential when shopping at street stalls across Vietnam! Vendors often quote prices 3 to 4 times higher than standard rates, so always negotiate politely.

We ended our day with a traditional dinner of Cơm Gà (Hoi An Chicken Rice).

Day 2: Coconut Groves, Beaches, and Cafe Culture

1. Breakfast Fuel: Authentic Phở

We started our second day with breakfast at our stay (100,000 VND per person), enjoying a steaming bowl of traditional Phở, fresh bread, tropical juice, pancakes, and rich Vietnamese coffee.

2. The Cam Thanh Coconut Boat Experience

Next on our itinerary was the Cam Thanh Coconut Village for the famous basket boat ride.

• Cost & Bargaining: Initial quotes for the boat ride were around 300,000 VND per person, but after bargaining, we secured a rate of 100,000 VND per person for a 30-minute ride.

• The Experience: Gliding through serene water coconut channels feels like navigating a tropical mangrove forest. Local boat captains offer to spin the basket boats wildly for thrill-seekers!

3. Relaxing at An Bang Beach

From the coconut village, we headed to An Bang Beach. With soft golden sands, clear blue waters, and mountain vistas lining the backdrop, it’s the ideal spot to unwind by the ocean.

4. Custom Fitting & Highland Coffee

Later in the afternoon, we stopped at Highlands Coffee—Vietnam’s iconic local coffee chain—to enjoy a strong brew. We then visited our tailor shop to collect the finished custom outfits. The fit was fantastic and crafted to perfection within just 24 hours!

We capped off our Hoi An stay with a delicious dinner featuring Chicken Cashew Stir-Fry with Rice near our stay before prepping for our next leg of the trip to Da Nang.

Final Thoughts

Hoi An captures a distinct, nostalgic charm unlike anywhere else in Vietnam. Between its rich maritime history, yellow colonial architecture, lantern-lit waterways, and warm local hospitality, it easily stole our hearts.

If you are planning a trip to Vietnam, Hoi An is an absolute non-negotiable must-visit!

For a visual tour of this journey, check out the full Hoi An travel vlog on YouTube: