24 Hours in Hoi An, Vietnam: The Ultimate 1-Day Itinerary

Guys, I need you to hear me when I say Hoi An might be the most photogenic town I have ever set foot in (LiKe, FoR rEaLzzzz) — and I've been to some places all over this damn country. It’s for sure the most photogenic here in Vietnam… and maybe all of Asia.

This isn't a "hidden gem," everybody and their mother has heard about the lanterns by now, but nothing prepares you for actually standing in the Old Town at dusk when they all start glowing at once. It's the kind of place where you put your phone away because no photo is doing it justice, then immediately take it back out because you have to try anyway.

I only had one full day here on this trip, so I packed it. If you're short on time too, here's exactly how I'd spend 24 hours in Hoi An — food, the bridge everyone photographs, the Old Town at night, a sunset lantern release, and a genuinely ridiculous boat ride through the coconut palms.

Let's get into it.

‍1. Eat Until Your Plate Looks Like This

Hoi An is quietly one of the best food towns in all of Vietnam, and you will not have to work hard to eat well here. Cao lau (the noodle dish you can basically only get in Hoi An because the water source is regional), white rose dumplings, and banh mi from a stall that's been perfecting it for decades — just wander into the Old Town and follow whichever alley smells the best. I left more than one meal looking like a crime scene of napkins and empty bowls, and I have zero regrets.

‍Don't overthink this one. Sit down, order more than you think you need, and let the servers bring you the good stuff.

Funny enough, we ate at a Thai place. And, it was DIVINE… Check them out here. ‍

Want more information on scams, visas, and where to go in Vietnam? Get my guide here.

2. Cross the Japanese Covered Bridge

This bridge is almost 400 years old and it is the most photographed spot in the entire Old Town — for good reason. It's small, it's beautiful, and it connects what used to be the Japanese and Chinese quarters of the old trading port. Go early or go right at golden hour if you want a photo without forty strangers in the background. Either way, you're crossing it. It's basically a rite of passage at this point.

‍3. Walk the Old Town at Night

This is the move. Hoi An by day is charming, but Hoi An at night is a different planet. The lanterns come on, the Chinese assembly halls and temples glow, the night market fills up with vendors, and every street corner looks like a set piece. Wander without a plan here — go through the temple courtyards, haggle a little at the market, and just let yourself get lost for an hour. This is genuinely one of my favorite "just walk around" experiences anywhere I've traveled. TRULY INCREDIBLE. There are SO MANY lanterns in this place. The whole damn town is just LITTTTTTT up.

‍ 4. Release a Lantern on a Sunset Boat Tour

Okay, this one got me a little emotional, not gonna lie. You hop in a small wooden boat right as the sun starts setting over the Thu Bon River, and your boat driver hands you a little paper lantern to light and release onto the water while you make a wish. Hundreds of other lanterns are floating around you, the market lights are reflecting off the water, and it's genuinely one of the most beautiful things I've done on this entire trip. Do not skip this. Book it for sunset specifically — the timing is everything. The chaos… Check out the video here.

5. Ride a Traditional Basket Boat

Just outside town in the Cam Thanh coconut village, you can hop in one of the round woven basket boats and get spun around by a local guide while everyone splashes water and takes way too many photos. Is it touristy? Extremely. Is it also genuinely fun and a great way to see the coconut palm forest? Also yes. Worth the detour.

‍Where to Stay in Hoi An:

• Anantara Hoi An Resort — Riverside luxury right at the edge of the Old Town, walkable to everything on this list.

• La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa — Beautiful pool, great spa, a few minutes from the Old Town by bike or taxi.

• Almanity Hoi An Wellness Resort — Wellness-focused with a stunning pool deck, good if you want a slower, spa-forward stay.

• Little Riverside Hoi An — Budget-friendly boutique option right on the river, walking distance to the Japanese Bridge.

• Hoi An Ancient House Village Resort — Traditional architecture, resort-style grounds, still close to the action.

‍Book Your Excursions in Hoi An:

• Sunset Lantern Boat Tour on the Thu Bon River — This is the exact experience from point #4 above. Book the sunset slot specifically.

• Cam Thanh Coconut Village Basket Boat Tour — The basket boat ride through the palms. Often bundled with a bike tour of the village.

• Hoi An Old Town Walking & Food Tour — If you want a guide to take you straight to the good food stalls instead of wandering blind.

• Marble Mountains & Da Nang Day Trip — A great half-day add-on if you have extra time before or after your Hoi An day.

• My Son Sanctuary Sunrise Tour — Ancient Hindu temple ruins outside the city — worth it if you're staying more than one day.

Final Thoughts: ‍

If you only have one day in Hoi An, this is the itinerary: eat well, cross the bridge, get lost in the Old Town after dark, release a lantern at sunset, and let yourself be a tourist on a basket boat for twenty minutes. It's a lot to fit into 24 hours, but this town rewards you for moving through it slowly and then having the one big sunset moment on the water.

Got questions about visiting Hoi An, or want more of my local recommendations that don't make it into the typical guides? Drop a comment or follow along @blackgayboyabroad — I'm sharing more of Vietnam as I go.