Take a Hoi An Cooking Class
Combine local food, markets and a hands-on activity in one experience.
Best for: First-time visitors, families and food loversHoi An Local Days discovery guide
Best Things to Do in Hoi An
A local guide to the experiences actually worth considering — from cooking and food to culture, beaches, family activities and day trips.
Start with what fits your trip, not the longest possible checklist.Quick picks
Short on Time? Start With These
Explore →
Explore the Coconut Village & Basket Boats
A light, social local activity that is easy to combine with other plans.
Best for: Families and first-time visitorsWalk Hoi An Ancient Town
Slow down for architecture, street life, craft and the changing light.
Best for: Culture, photography and first visitsTry Hoi An’s Local Food
Use an evening to explore local dishes, markets and casual places to eat.
Best for: Food lovers and evening explorationVisit My Son Sanctuary
Add Cham heritage, archaeology and temple architecture when your stay allows it.
Best for: Culture travelers staying 3+ daysExplore by interest
Find What Fits Your Trip
Food & Cooking
Taste, make and understand more of the food around you.
- Cooking classes
- Food tours
- Local dishes
- Markets
Culture & Old Town
Explore Hoi An through places, craft and living heritage.
- Ancient Town
- Lanterns
- Temples
- Traditional crafts
Family Activities
Choose activities with variety and a manageable pace.
- Cooking
- Basket boats
- Beaches
- Workshops
Nature & Outdoors
Move beyond the old town into Hoi An’s greener spaces.
- Coconut forest
- Cycling
- Beaches
- Countryside
Relax & Wellness
Leave room for slower, restorative parts of the trip.
- Spa
- Massage
- Beach time
- Slow cafés
My Son & Cultural Trips
Use an extra day to explore Cham heritage beyond Hoi An.
- My Son Sanctuary
- Cham architecture
- Archaeology
Experience formats
What Kind of Hoi An Experience Do You Want?
Hands-On
Choose this when doing and making matter more than sightseeing.
Cooking classes · Lantern making · Craft workshopsLocal Life
A better fit for travelers curious about the everyday setting around Hoi An.
Markets · Countryside · Food · FarmsEasy & Fun
Useful when the group needs a low-friction activity with broad appeal.
Basket boats · Beach · Family experiencesCulture
Prioritize context, architecture and heritage.
Old Town · Historic houses · Temples · My SonHalf-Day Trips
See beyond Hoi An while keeping part of the day free.
My Son · Da Nang · CountrysideFull-Day Trips
Best when the destination is the main plan for the day.
Hue · Ba Na Hills · Central Vietnam excursionsOne experience we’d start with
A Cooking Class
Cooking classes combine several parts of Hoi An in one half-day experience — local food, markets, hands-on activity and often the surrounding countryside.
First understand what to eat in Hoi An →
Plan a purposeful visit to Hoi An Market →
Compare Hoi An Cooking ClassesChoose by traveler type
What’s Best for You?
Couples
Mix food, lanterns, cafés, countryside and a slower spa stop.
Families
Prioritize cooking classes, basket boats, beaches and hands-on workshops.
Friends
Combine food, cooking, cycling, bars and a day trip.
Solo Travelers
Look for food tours, group cooking classes, cafés, walks and social activities.
First-Time Visitors
Start with Ancient Town, local food, a cooking class and the countryside.
Fit the real itinerary
How Much Time Do You Have?
A Few Hours
Old Town · Coffee · Market · Spa
Half Day
Cooking class · Basket boat · Cycling · Food tour
One Full Day
Old Town + local experience + evening
3 Days+
Add beach, countryside or a day trip
Staying for a few days?
Put the Experiences Into a Real Plan
Use our relaxed first-time itinerary to balance the Ancient Town, one hands-on experience, countryside and time to slow down.
See the 3-Day ItineraryEditorial approach
How We Choose What to Recommend
We focus on experiences that add something meaningful to a Hoi An trip. Instead of listing every available activity, we look at traveler fit, local character, distinctiveness, practical value and how easy the experience is to fit into a real itinerary.
Booking relationships do not determine what we recommend.