One perfect day in Hoi An

Morning market, tailor shops, river at sunset and lanterns at night.

Morning: market and old streets

Start early at Hoi An Market, when locals do their shopping and it is still cool. Walk to the Japanese Covered Bridge before the tour groups arrive, and buy a ticket to visit the old houses and assembly halls.

Late morning: tailors and cafés

Hoi An is famous for made-to-measure clothes. Order in the morning and the first fitting is often ready the next day. Spend the hottest hours in a café above the river.

Afternoon: coconut boats or the beach

Ride a basket boat through the Bay Mau coconut forest, or relax at An Bang beach, about 15 minutes away by car.

Evening: lanterns on the river

Come back for sunset over the Thu Bon River. After dark the lanterns light up, the night market opens and you can float a paper lantern from a small boat.

Tip: the old town is closed to cars in the evening. Your driver drops you at the edge and picks you up at an agreed point.