{"id":87845,"date":"2015-08-18T10:02:00","date_gmt":"2015-08-18T08:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/hoi-an-a-vietnamese-paradise-2\/"},"modified":"2026-01-08T21:21:23","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T20:21:23","slug":"hoi-an-a-vietnamese-paradise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/hoi-an-a-vietnamese-paradise\/","title":{"rendered":"Hoi An: 8 tips for one of the most beautiful cities in Vietnam"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hoi An<\/strong> is probably the biggest tourist trap in Vietnam. And I still thought it was great, even though I’m rarely enthusiastic about places like this. Hoi An<\/strong> was completely different to what I had seen of Vietnam<\/a> so far. At first glance, the old town of Hoi An is a mix of crowded tourist stronghold and highly polished attraction that has little to do with the rest of Vietnam.<\/p>\n

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Beautiful motifs can be found on every corner in the old town of Hoi An.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Having previously sailed through Halong Bay<\/a>, fought my way through the hustle and bustle of Hanoi and taken a unique tour<\/a> from Hue<\/a> on a motorcycle, this stop was something completely different.<\/p>\n\n

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Nevertheless: I had such relaxing days. In this article I share with you my best tips and locations for Hoi An and give you 8 reasons why you should not miss Hoi An on your Vietnam trip!<\/p>\n\n

1. Hoi An: Paradise in Vietnam<\/h2>\n\n

You will probably follow the usual itinerary on your Vietnam trip, that is either from north to south or vice versa. Hoi An is located almost exactly in the middle of Vietnam. This makes it perfect for a few quiet days after a strenuous trip through cities such as Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

If you have been traveling in Vietnam for some time, you will notice the loud noise level on the street and may get on your nervesxha Because the Vietnamese love their horn! People honk all the time, when overtaking, at traffic lights, when turning. And the streets are full of motor scooters, which are particularly popular in Vietnam.<\/p>\n

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Hoi An is a welcome exception: only bicycles and non-motorized rickshaws are allowed in the old town center; cars and motor scooters are prohibited. The whole old town is one pedestrian zone! You can explore the old town on foot in peace and quiet, without fearing that you will be knocked down by the next scooter driver.<\/p>\n\n

The old town is quite clear. All the sights in Hoi An are close to each other. You can stroll leisurely through the streets and stop at the pretty cafes and restaurants. Many houses are also open to the public: there are often benches in the courtyards: just sit down and let yourself drift.<\/p>\n

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2. the history of Hoi An and the historical old town<\/h2>\n\n

Hoi An was founded by the Cham in the 4th century. That’s how old the city is already! Between the 16th and 19th century the city gained more importance. The port became one of the most important trading ports in the South China Sea until it was replaced by nearby Da Nang. The old buildings remained, however, and since Hoi An had completely lost its strategic importance, the old town remained completely untouched even during the Vietnam War. Good for us, because so Hoi An today is a magical place full of history!<\/p>\n

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Although the old wooden houses in the old town have been hit by floods several times, they are still in very good condition. Most of them are still in the family for generations and many of the houses can also be visited from the inside. Most of the houses in the old town of Hoi An are even inhabited, which should be taken into account when choosing clothes. Vietnamese are not very permissive: covered shoulders and knees are always a good and respectful choice when entering a private home.<\/p>\n\n