10 Unique Things to Do in Hoi An, Vietnam That You Won't Find in a Guidebook
Vietnam offers a mesmerizing array of experiences, from bustling cities filled with motorbikes zooming through the streets to serene landscapes that sweeps you into an aura of tranquility. However, nestled in the heart of Vietnam lies a town so enchanting that even the most adventurous travels might not fully grasp its depth without delving off the beaten path. Hoi An, an ancient town, whispers tales of centuries past, beckoning travelers to uncover its hidden gems beyond the guidebooks.
Discover Unique Adventures in Hoi An, Vietnam
Immerse yourself in the hidden gems of Hoi An, Vietnam, with our curated list of off-the-beaten-path travel experiences. Explore the ancient town's vibrant alleyways on a bicycle at sunrise, witnessing the city come to life in a whole new light.
Indulge in a private cooking class with a local chef, learning the secrets of traditional Vietnamese dishes amidst lush rice paddies. Uncover the eerie beauty of the abandoned water park, a photographer's paradise waiting to be explored.
Embark on a sunset kayak tour along the Thu Bon River, marveling at the serene beauty of the countryside and ancient ruins that line the banks. For a truly unique experience, venture off to the Cham Islands for a day of snorkeling in crystal-clear waters and interacting with local fishing communities.
In Hoi An, the most unforgettable adventures lie beyond the well-trodden path. Are you ready to discover the secrets that this enchanting city has to offer?
[1] Immerse Yourself in the local art of wood carving: A Hands-on Experience
Create Your Own Work of Art from Recycled Driftwood with Local Artisans
Step into a world where the ancient craft of traditional Vietnamese wood working takes discarded driftwood and transforms it into modern-day works of Vietnamese art. Participating in a wood carving workshop not only allows you to understand the craftsmanship behind this ancient art form but also gifts you a piece of Hoi An to take back home.
Learn more at Lang Cui Lu - Driftwood Village, nestled among the rice paddies of Tra Que Village in Hoi An, Vietnam
[2] ATV Farm Adventure & My Son Sanctuary
Explore the Hoi An surrounding countryside by ATV
Excitement and adventure await as you embark on this half-day journey unlike anything else. Start with a visit to the local market before moving to an organic farm on the outskirts of Hoi An for your ATV adventure. Explore the rice fields and local villages, the jungle and countryside before back to the family home with a few historic sites along the way.
Indulge in an organic, Farm-to-Table cooking class with a local family as you prepare a selection of fresh, delicious and flavorful traditional Vietnamese dishes. After lunch, extend your experience with a visit to the original home of the Champa people, My Son Sanctuary.
For ATV booking enquiries, contact us on service@thesecreteats.com or via Zalo/Whatsapp on +84 96 589 5100.
[3] Embark on a Sunset Kayak Excursion
Ever dreamt of enjoying a picture perfect sunset on the water? Don't miss your chance to ‘set sail’ out on An exciting kayaking adventure on Hoi An's many waterways and through the coconut grove forests. With the experienced, friendly and warm local guides at Hoi An Kayak Tours, Lam and his team will make sure you enjoy an unforgettable sunset experience.
Learn more at Hoi An Kayak Tours
[4] Sip on Something Sensational with SecretEATS
Whether you're a beer, wine, whiskey or cocktail lover, we all love to sip on something sensational on holiday. And, let's be honest — it can be challenging to find just what you're looking for to quench your thirst while traveling in Vietnam.
Lucky for you, we offer two exclusive Secret experiences in Hoi An to help quench your Secret thirst.
Private Wine Tastings: Intimate, exclusive French Wine tasting and food pairing in a serene garden setting
Hoi An Cocktail Experience in Old Town: Join together with guests from around the world as we stroll the ancient city streets to discover 4 Secret spaces and sensational sips. Prefer a private experience? We’re happy to oblige.
Learn More about our SecretEATS Wine Tastings or our Secret Cocktail Experience in Hoi An.
Private Villa VIP Cocktail Service
Treat yourself to an experience unlike anything else as our Secret team of master mixologists step out from behind the bar and into the limelight as your private bartender for one night only.
Perfect for birthday celebrations, poolside get together and making magical sunset memories.
[5] Local Market Visit & Cooking Class with Vietnamese Family
A must-do activity in Hoi An is to take part in one of the many local cooking classes showcasing the traditional flavors, unique local ingredients and delicious dishes of Central Vietnam.
Each region of Vietnam features a different culinary style and has a signature way of creating unique, interesting and exciting dishes local to the region.
Over our years of eating, drinking and exploring the local cuisine, we've got our favorite Secret spots to recommend you check out!
Claypot
Restaurant 328
Chickpea Eatery
6. Magical Sunset Horseback Ride in Nature
See the natural beauty of Central Vietnam through a unique and unusual perspective — horseback!
A romantic way to spend the evening as you and your loved ones ride gracefully into the setting sun along a private stretch of sand or in the grassy fields of Central Vietnam. Be sure to bring your camera or book a private photographer to join you — this moment promises to be picture-perfect in every way.
Learn more at Golden Hoof Pony Club Hoi An.
[7] Coffee Shop Hop
Get your caffeine fix on and get ready to discover some of the best cups in Vietnam right here in Hoi An
Hoi An is certainly known for its coffee and the number of coffee shops in Hoi An definitely reflects this!
If you’ve been traveling Vietnam for any length of time now, you've probably realized that there is a strong coffee culture here and it's central to the daily way of life and routine of many Vietnamese.
One of our favorite ways to spend a few hours is popping around some of Hoi An's countless local coffee shops, eateries and small bakeries tasting our way through the many styles of Vietnamese coffee from the Cafe sua da to Salt Coffee, Egg Coffee and our personal go-to favorite, Coconut Coffee.
Here are a few of our not-to-miss coffee shop picks:
Phin Coffee
Cafe Saigon
Espresso Station
143 Café
Coco Casa
[8] Go Surfing on An Bang Beach
The waves in Hoi An and on An Bang Beach are usually pretty gentle but still great to catch a wave.
If you're new to surfing, pop over to picture perfect An Bang Beach and you'll find Go Surfing!
Offering surfboard rentals for experienced riders and lessons for newbies, they'll have you catching some waves in no time!
Parasailing, banana boat rides and jet skiing on An Bang Beach were available in past seasons but are temporarily suspended due to local government regulations.
[9] Hoi An Art Walk & Gallery Tour
Hoi An is an artist city. At every turn, inspiration from centuries of history and cultural influences from around the globe — including France, Japan, China and beyond — shape the diverse, colorful and creative minds of the city and its artists.
Step into the Old Town and experience art at every turn — from ancient temples to traditional Vietnamese wooden homes dating back centuries, prepare to look on in wonder and awe. But, this is just the beginning. Like we said, Hoi An is an artist city and filled with galleries where local and international painters, sculptors, photographers, pottery makers and other artisans live, work and play.
Pop into some of our favorite local Hoi An art galleries and artist studio spaces to experience a side of Hoi An often overlooked — its magnificent art.
Hoi An Art Gallery Tour
Bridget March Gallery
HAHA - Everything in Art
Lang Cui Lu — Driftwood Village
Tan Thanh Pottery Village
REHAHN Gallery
Hands-On Art Workshops & Experiences
Hoi An Photo Tours
Wood Carving & Painting at Lang Cui Lu — Driftwood Village
Vietnamese Mask Making
Lantern Making
Jewelry Making
[10] tantalize your taste buds at Hoi An's Top Restaurants
Discover the Culinary Secrets of Central Vietnam in Hoi An, Vietnam
Food. It’s at the core of what we do, why we travel. Heck, we might even argue it’s core to the human experience.
When you're traveling in Vietnam, there are no shortage of top local restaurants and international eateries offering up delicious cuisine that's sure to surprise and delight your taste buds — no matter what your appetite requires!
It's no Secret we have our favorite local spots. Our top Secret, hidden gems for intimate evenings are simply can’t be missed destinations. Explore the Hoi An culinary scene with our Romantic Dinner Experiences in Hoi An or browse our pick of Hoi An's top restaurants to get the scoop.
Experience Hoi An in a Whole New Way
We hope our short guide to the top 10 unique things to do in Hoi An helps get you off-the-beaten path and experiencing life from a new perspective while traveling Vietnam. Of course — you can’t miss some of the basics like getting a suit made or that perfect dress, visiting the wealth of outstanding spas or just lounging on An Bang Beach. But, we do hope this guide gives you some unique and interesting options when visiting Hoi An, Vietnam.
Have a question?
We'd love to help! If you're looking for travel tips or advice from the best tours to top-rated transport options, chef and restaurant recommendations and the best sunset spots, drop us a line. We are ALWAYS more than happy to put you in touch with our top picks for local, authentic experiences in Central Vietnam.