Hoi An-tics: How Vietnam’s Prettiest Town Won Me Over

Before I arrived in Hoi An, I had read all the mixed reviews—some hailed it as the jewel of Vietnam, others dismissed it as too touristy to feel authentic. After spending three unforgettable nights there, I can confidently say: I fell head over heels. We stayed at “Little Riverside Hoi An”, a charming boutique hotel just a few steps away from the lantern-lit magic of the Ancient Town. Our room had a balcony overlooking the river, and each evening we’d sit outside, watching the soft glow of paper lanterns drift by in boats, lighting up the twilight with their gentle reflections. It felt like stepping into a painting—serene, romantic, and timeless.

Hoi An is truly a photographer’s dream. Every corner of the old town, from its mustard-yellow walls to its weathered shutters and vibrant lanterns, begged to be captured. After purchasing a traditional Ao Dai dress, I had a spontaneous photoshoot with my partner as my novice photographer—needless to say, with Hoi An as the backdrop, every shot felt like something out of a travel magazine. There’s just something magical about the way light bounces off the colorful facades and quiet alleys. I was truly proud of the pictures that came out of that shoot.

What added to the flavor of this town was its food & coffee scene. We discovered cozy cafés and hidden restaurants tucked behind unassuming doors, each offering something unique. A few spots quickly became favorites, and we found ourselves returning to the same ones over the course of the three days.

Yes, we indulged in some of the “touristy” experiences too—and we don’t regret it for a second. We booked a half-day adventure through GetYourGuide, which included a group cooking class and a short but memorable ride in the iconic basket boats through the coconut forest. It was lighthearted, fun, and filled with laughter. I don’t normally go for group tours, but we had an intimate group and really connected well with everyone.

Hoi An’s charm isn’t just in its aesthetics—it’s deeply rooted in its history. Once a bustling international trading port from the 15th to 19th centuries, Hoi An was a cultural melting pot, attracting merchants from China, Japan, and Europe. You can still see these influences today in the town’s unique blend of architecture: Japanese covered bridges, Chinese temples, and French colonial buildings all coexist in harmony. The entire Ancient Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserved as a living museum that somehow still feels lived-in and intimate.

Final Thoughts: Is Hoi An touristy? Yes, in places. But that doesn’t take away from its beauty or soul. The truth is some places become popular for a reason. For me, Hoi An wasn’t just a destination—it was an experience, a mood, a memory that lingers long after you leave. If you’re visiting Vietnam, don’t let the “too popular” comments steer you away. Come with an open heart and a curious eye, and you just might fall in love like I did.

Accommodation Tip: It did take a while to land on my hotel of choice as there are a good few highly rated hotels in Hoi An. The main thing is to pick the location: Do you want to be closer to the beach and have a beach like vacation OR do you want to be closer to the Ancient town? We arrived in November which is mostly rainy in center Vietnam so beach was less of an obvious choice but even then, I would recommend choosing a place closer to town. Many hotels also offer free shuttles to the beach side so you could also go for those. As most of you know me by now, for me it’s the combination of a smaller, boutique like hotel with a touch of luxury that wins me over. Little Riverside ticked ALL my boxes as it was just few steps from the beautiful ancient houses in old town. We picked the “Little Suite River” with a perfect balcony overlooking the river front. Its not a modern hotel and has quite a traditional cultural theme. Breakfast was not the richest I have had but more than enough to start the day!

Excursion Tip: Reading about central Vietnam, you might hear that some people pick Hoi An as a base and then take day trips to the nearby city of Da Nang as well the Imperial city of Hue. We chose to split our time between Hue and Hoi An, so that the majority was in Hoi An and a couple of nights in Hue. Da Nang for me was the least favorite with only one “to-do” if you must. To check out the famous “Hands (Golden) Bridge” in the Ba Na Hills amusement park. It was fun… however not a must. Hue as a day trip or with night stay is highly recommended. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hue Imperial City offers a captivating glimpse into Vietnam’s imperial past and the grandeur of the Nguyen Dynasty. Its also an opportunity to get beautiful backgrounds for your selfies! We took the opportunity to book a driver to transfer us from Hue to Hoi An offering an opportunity to see the famous Hai Van Pass which was a bonus. Whatever you plan, make sure you have at least two full days to walk around through Hoi An old town and take in its character fully.

Gastronomy Tip: Our Favorite spot for a drink and late lunch was “The Hill Station”. Beyond it being such a photogenic spot, with two floors filled with traditional furniture, artifacts and beautiful colourful walls, the food was top notch. Another good spot with a nostalgic name was “Good Morning Vietnam” a good Italian place.  If you are looking for a nice bar like atmosphere, we found “7 bridges beer garden” to be a lively fun place, great beer & cocktails and surprisingly good bar food!