About the Port
Set on the banks of the Thu Bon River, Hoi An's Old Quarter preserves a merchant port that flourished from the 15th to 19th centuries, its wooden shophouses, Chinese assembly halls, and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge earning UNESCO World Heritage status. Narrow lanes strung with silk lanterns lead past a lively central market, while nearby coastal waters and rice-paddy villages hint at the region's older Champa Kingdom roots, visible at the My Son ruins inland. The town's culinary identity, from Cao Lau to Bánh Mì, reflects centuries of trading influence.
The historic core is compact and walkable, easily explored on foot or by bicycle from most riverside hotels. Beyond the Old Quarter, travelers can venture to An Bang Beach, cross the dramatic Hai Van Pass toward the former imperial capital of Hue, or browse Hoi An's renowned tailor shops, long a hallmark of the town's craftsmanship.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Hoi An.
Cross the Japanese Covered Bridge
This 16th-century wooden bridge, with its guardian statues and small shrine, anchors the Old Quarter and remains the town's defining landmark—an easy stop on any walking route through the lantern-lit lanes.
Explore the My Son Ruins
These crumbling brick sanctuaries deep in a jungle valley reveal the Champa Kingdom's roots that predate the merchant port; reaching them takes about an hour by road, best paired with a local lunch.
Get Fitted at a Tailor Shop
Hoi An's tailors can turn around custom suits, dresses, or shoes in as little as 24 hours, a craft tradition worth building extra time into the day for a fitting and pickup.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Hoi An
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 20, 2026 | Emerald Waterways | Emerald Harmony | 22 | $7,485 | |
| Aug 28, 2026 | Emerald Waterways | Emerald Harmony | 22 | $7,240 | |
| Sep 23, 2026 | Emerald Waterways | Emerald Harmony | 23 | $9,266 | |
| Sep 23, 2026 | Emerald Waterways | Emerald Harmony | 20 | $7,126 | |
| Oct 27, 2026 | Emerald Waterways | Emerald Harmony | 20 | $7,531 | |
| Nov 24, 2026 | Emerald Waterways | Emerald Harmony | 20 | $7,306 | |
| Jan 26, 2027 | Emerald Waterways | Emerald Harmony | 20 | $6,736 | |
| Feb 3, 2027 | Emerald Waterways | Emerald Harmony | 20 | $6,736 | |
| Feb 9, 2027 | Emerald Waterways | Emerald Harmony | 20 | $7,610 | |
| Feb 17, 2027 | Emerald Waterways | Emerald Harmony | 20 | $6,736 | |
| Feb 23, 2027 | Emerald Waterways | Emerald Harmony | 20 | $6,736 | |
| Mar 3, 2027 | Emerald Waterways | Emerald Harmony | 20 | $6,736 | |
| Mar 3, 2027 | Emerald Waterways | Emerald Harmony | 23 | $8,876 | |
| Mar 17, 2027 | Emerald Waterways | Emerald Harmony | 20 | $6,736 | |
| Mar 17, 2027 | Emerald Waterways | Emerald Harmony | 23 | $8,876 | |
| Mar 23, 2027 | Emerald Waterways | Emerald Harmony | 20 | $6,071 | |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Emerald Waterways | Emerald Harmony | 23 | $8,041 | |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Emerald Waterways | Emerald Harmony | 20 | $5,901 | |
| Apr 20, 2027 | Emerald Waterways | Emerald Harmony | 20 | $5,541 | |
| Jul 27, 2027 | Scenic Cruises | Scenic Spirit | 23 | $11,720 |
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